|
2019 Predictions? - 18 Like(s)
I dont understand the childish enthusiasm of a few individuals on this thread, year on year it seems to be the same naive rhetoric. I'll be at as many games as possible, I would like to see a strong showing in Div.2, it'll be a very tough league for every team. Outside of not getting relegated would be a good finish for the current Meath set-up. The championship has potential; its a golden opportunity to win 3 games and get to a Leinster Final. However, this Meath team for many years has not had the consistency required even against Div3/4 opposition and it won't be easy against Offaly with a new, experienced manager, Carlow (in particular, are dodgy and have no fear or inhibitions) and Laois/Westmeath (who will both be gunning for Meath in a Leinster Semi), those teams are not to be taken lightly and realistically Meath, Carlow, Offaly, Westmeath and Laois all have similar chances of meeting Dublin in that final. Meath will have to play well and play to their maximum level to tip the scales. Prediction? Very hard to predict Meath anymore, Id be glad of a few trips to Croker, and getting 4/5 games in the championship at this point. The league will tell all.
Young_gael (Meath) - 05/01/2019 15:58:32
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 16 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Now that the obc is over. It's time to get down to the real business. The push for promotion. Game one we have to win, there is no ifs or buts about it, I think we will win , as we seem a more determined, focused and coherent team than last year.
Can't wait. Bring it on.
Hon the royal" Although I admire your tireless enthusiasm, I think its misplaced. The "push for promotion" isnt a proactive statement atm and only puts pressure on the team, who are as likely to sink as to swim. There's a few good games to look forward to in this league, and I agree this one is a must win if theyre serious about pushing for 1st or 2nd spot and to hit the ground running. I would back the players to perform to their best, and after that there won't be much in the scoreline at the end either way.
Young_gael (Meath) - 13/01/2019 16:59:04
|
|
O Byrne Cup 2019 - 16 Like(s)
If I was to be honest, I think Meath football is in a serious crisis, as regard keeping relative at the national level. We seem to be one very bad year away from Division 3 and my big fear is getting stuck there with finnicky Ulster teams and plucky sides who are perennially Div 3 standard. I think if we hit that standard in the short term its possible we'll stay there, and effectively we'd be finished, just like Offaly, Louth, Cavan etc who fell from the top in similar fashion in decades past and they've never, ever recovered to what they were. Its a depressing thought really but a realistic one. And to top it off theres a hell of a lot of people in Meath with a superiority complex to this day, who expect these poor lads to just go out and win because of the jersey on their back and what it used to represent. We seriously need to back this current team and management on their efforts and take a massive step back from talk of super 8s etc, the success of underage should start to convert to senior by 2021/2022 if the players are treated well, and by keeping a disciplined, tidy ship now and realistic short term goals, hopefully 5/6/7 players from the underage set-up can be ushered into the senior team, and perhaps a new team can be built on strong foundations. I believe this year is a chance for Meath to have a good season but Its so difficult to have expectation beyond taking it one game at a time. The next few years are absolutely vital for the future of the county at senior level.
Young_gael (Meath) - 13/01/2019 16:16:51
|
|
Meath Div 1 2020 - 16 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Well said.
Actually though I don't think we have many people like that, I've said this before and I will say it again what we have is one maybe two posters (who I doubt very much are from Meath ) or blowins who hate the county with a passion, with multiple usernames who log in and out posting the same sh@t under different name. So I wouldn't be downhearted, know that every red thumb you get was some saddo having to log in and out of different account just to do that.
I will try later to name the usernames who are one and the same person. I'll also give u there long established Kildare username.
Hon the royal and f the begrudgers" You know, I took a few months off this and returned this morning to see what was on the Meath forum, confident that there'd be a colossal goldmine of new material from yourself to scan over. At times it makes me laugh, at times it annoys me, and at times it even makes me want to delete my account that some of the stuff is seen on the main forum and met with the inevitable responses time and time again. It takes away from the community on the forum.I have nothing against you on any personal level and youre entitled to be here as I am, and every now and then you hit the right note in your analysis of matches, and your player and local knowledge is always of a higher standard than mine, so again this isnt a personal attack. Let me be clear with you that there is no big conspiracy of people around the country to use the hogan stand forums to emulate posters from Co. Meath with the specific reason to leave a red downvote on your posts, or anybody else's. Do you really think people have that little time? Or that they are that petty? Do you have any shred of evidence? Do you even take this whole thing that seriously in the first place?! They downvote you in particular because in post after post after post you leave nonsensical, overly opinionated, and often very rude remarks, you are ignorant to criticism and debate, and you are lacking in manners. You have built up an army of people who dont like your posts over many years and enjoy winding you up. They then proceed to laugh at all of US because they associate all of Meath with your attitudes. Its that simple. Dont drag any other users into your situation. Its your situation, I dont expect you to listen and Im eagerly expecting a wisecrack befitting a junior cert classroom, but at least someone can tell you what's what.
.
Young_gael (Meath) - 23/11/2019 19:36:33
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 16 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "I'll totally disagree with you on Graham Reilly (also all star nominated) he was very well marshaled v Tyrone, which the top teams do. It's a known fact take Graham Reilly out of Meath team and they easily beat. Said by Kildare management after the semi final win over us." Sorry RD but I dont see that argument. I wouldnt doubt the commitment and talent of the man, he's a stalwart. But he's been in decline for years and his on-field performances of hot-cold and frustration shows he knows that himself. I think its insulting to the rest of the men on that Meath panel to hold Reilly above them, he's a good player. A great player against poor to average opposition but not a great player against top 8 teams.
Young_gael (Meath) - 21/01/2019 19:17:58
|
|
Meath Vs Mayo - 16 Like(s)
Replying To LeitrimRoyal99: "Who are these players that McEntee needs to swallow his pride for ?" I don't have all the answers, and ill not pretend to be an expert; I don't attend as many club games as many others mostly due to work, and I wont name names because its none of my business, but Id have to think that in a county with dozens of clubs urban and rural alike, that there are men with the varied individual attributes required to bring the team on another step. What is on show at the moment, with the utmost of respect is of an upper mediocre standard. Ive made many posts where I was very complimentary of this team and I remain fond of them, pure work-rate has them where they are and this has been a red letter season. I believe this team's achievement will be appreciated in time. Im proud to have followed them this season and will continue to follow them in the future. However I also believe that in order to consolidate the position we find ourselves in for 2020, we will need a new goalkeeper, one (maybe 2) midfielders, and two or three new forwards. Just my own opinion. The lads who are there cant be faulted for work, and passion, and effort, and they all deserve our respect, but they're peaking at this level.
Young_gael (Meath) - 21/07/2019 18:44:21
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 16 Like(s)
Replying To Furlong1949: "Best of luck to the Meath lads players management and all the Meath supporters who follow the team from the Byrne cup through the league onto the championship every year . These Meath players have worked harder then any group of players who have ever wore the famous green and gold. For that they have my total respect and total admiration.
Every year the train leaves the station.Another year new hope. The management is the best in the county and the players are great ambassadors for us all. All we can do is wish them the best. And remeber that we were and still are A great football county, if not the greatest football county in Ireland after kerry. Our time will come again. Hopefully spring 2019 will be the beginning of a Royal Renaissance.
Anyway I think we will get promoted and reach leinster final but fail to reach Super 8. It just a feeling in my water, a gut feeling. But Tippearey game is massive. Loss that and theres a good chance after two games you cud have 2 losses and sit on bottom of the table. I think Cillian Sullivan Graham Reilly and Sean Toibin from the bench , coming on in the last 20 mins cud be the difference. All players who can change a game.
70 years since our first All Ireland win and 20 years since our last. Times have been tough in recent times, but the dream lives on. And come every spring a group of young Meath men wearing the green and gold standing on the shoulders of past gaints ( eg O Brien Quinn O Rourke Giles) set out to try to create their own new history. Another new chapter in the story of Meath football. They will, we will. You can never ever right of the Royals. It has been said down the ages and will be said for many years to come. Meath football has always being about achieving the impossible. Its what we do best. We will come back. No ifs , no buts, just pure determination, a never say die spirit and 15 proud men from every part of our great county. Thats Meath football. Defending their parish, defending the counties honour. Men from kilmainhamwood Skyrne Ratoath Navan Rathkenny Clonard Longwood , every part of the county. 20 years since we lifted Sam Maguire, the dream lives on for another young new generation of Meath footballers. We can only hope. Another year , new hope.
Come on the Royals." Im as passionate as the next guy, and Ill not pretend that post didnt strike a chord with me, but that kind of talk isnt productive. "The greatest football county aside from Kerry." "Royal Renaissance". That attitude is everything that is wrong with Meath supporters. We are in the wilderness. We have been in the wilderness for nearly 20 years. The last 6/7 years have been atrocious, and I agree with you as regards the workrate of the players and calibre of the management. We are where we are, no point sprinkling it with glitter. We need to become pragmatic and ruthless and constantly build toward the future now, if we linger on your snowdrops and rainbow mentality, we're finished, and rightfully so.
Young_gael (Meath) - 26/01/2019 16:59:48
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 15 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Ahh I wouldn't worry about that young fella. I doubt those that pretend to be experts were at a game either, but fair play for saying it. Think you are a good addition to the forum. Mightn't always agree with you but that been said intelligent thought out posts." Seeing as youre in that kind of mood old fella, I think youre too opinionated and sometimes write garbage. So much for your own expertise. Thank you for welcoming me to the forum but I dont need a welcoming committee from you because its totally public.
Young_gael (Meath) - 14/01/2019 20:59:14
|
|
Meath Vs Mayo - 15 Like(s)
Replying To Jackpot: "We've been decent against lower ranked teams. Whether the supporters believe or not makes no difference. Well done Donegal but a silly post. Mayo to win." Meath have beaten Offaly, Carlow, Laois, and Clare in the championship. They were badly beaten by Dublin in a calamitous game, and although very brave and resilient against Donegal, came up short. The fact that Donegal outscored Meath by 10 points in the last 10 minutes is the biggest worry, in my view. There was an element of fatigue in those last few minutes, and instead of keeping the scoreboard ticking over in that period, we elected Hail Mary high balls into the square twice, with good time on the clock, allowing Donegal easy possession to convert in return. The kick-outs too, are at this point worth maybe 3/4 points to the opposition. I agree that Meath have an issue with division one opposition and are struggling to bridge that gap. Three times this year in eerily similar games we have been bested by Donegal in the closing quarter whilst giving them plenty of game for the other three quarters. The sad thing is that this Meath team although very spirited and combative, are far from a finished article, yet can still give a side like Donegal a very tough game. Imagine what a strong midfielder like McDermott and a Tommy Dowd or Geraghty up front could potentially add into this team. Against Dublin we were completely and utterly out of our depth, mentally and physically and in terms of speed, scoring capability and attack. I wouldn't sugarcoat it at all, we are miles away from them. We have some of the best backs in Ireland. Lavin gave Brennan very little, surely an eye opener for the young Donegal man. McGill and Gallagher on their day can go man to man and can be trusted to do a job. Keogan is top class and we've a strangely absurd pick of lads who can do a job at half back against good teams. Areas for improvement are everywhere else I would say, with respect. The whole team are great triers, and are solid footballers, but there is a lack of star quality at present and we must accept that. Our ability to transfer ball through the middle third is probably the worst of the super 8 teams.
In spite of that, Mayo looked defeated early on v. Kerry, they might well fall against this Meath team or they might react violently against us, in which case it could get ugly in every way. Tradition says Meath will win, but tradition be damned, out the window. The days of resting on our laurels are long, long over. This will be another battle and this team is in a mode at the moment of construction and consolidation and will be for another season at least. To win this game would be an immense achievement. It's not beyond the team but it's a big ask.
Young_gael (Meath) - 16/07/2019 23:31:35
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 15 Like(s)
Replying To Crinigan: "I think that is fair to say. McEntee definitely has put together the strongest panel he has had so far in his Meath management career going into this campaign (we could do still with a POR in goals though). I'm optimistic that we'll give a good account of ourselves and if that leads to promotion or relegation or whatever - so be it. I just want the players to do themselves justice and enjoy themselves playing for Meath." Great point that's so often overlooked these days. Its questionable if many county players from any county really enjoy the game they are playing anymore, I will say that the performance and atmosphere v. Tyrone in the Championship last year had a vibe and the players went after it till the last second. I didnt see a Meath team like that in at least 10 years, and their passion was undebiable. That has to be a good thing going forward.
Young_gael (Meath) - 14/01/2019 07:07:26
|
|
O Byrne Cup 2019 - 15 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "The .ott reaction to a game not involving Meath is absolutely nonsense. Can I ask do these same people say that Westmeath are way ahead of Kildare?? Using their same logic." Meath people, and a great many Meath supporters have a superiority complex, we all have it to an extent. We expect to win and win out of who we are, and tend to judge ourselves off of the Dublins and Kerrys. It was ok 25 years ago to think this way but in 2019 its just a bit pathetic really. Itll not change either. The rest of the country really does enjoy laughing at us, see the Division 2 football thread on the national forum for example. Its the sad reality, we've fallen from riches to (nearly) rags and itll take many years and very careful management in Meath at ALL levels to reverse the last 18 otlr so years of slow decline.
Young_gael (Meath) - 19/01/2019 11:12:16
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 15 Like(s)
Replying To bobkarlgees: "Dont read this article .....
https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2019/0117/1023919-division-2-corkness-in-bother-but-what-of-meathness/
we are gone to hell in a hand cart. :)" "Meathness". Its an oxymoron. Its a county of commuters, a county of people who invariably migrated here. Reams of young men and women my age wear Dublin jerseys and speak with pseudo-Dublin accents in places like Oldcastle and Kells, never mind Ashbourne or Clonee. The old "wild buck" reputation of Meath people died during the celtic tiger. And its a contributory factor of our current predicament.
Young_gael (Meath) - 26/01/2019 19:20:18
|
|
Meath V Tyrone - 15 Like(s)
Replying To Poormouth: "I really cant understand these types of posts. They are completely irrelevant- he's a great footballer that would make the Meath team of the 70s, he's a great manager, best manager since Sean Boylan , he would get on to any team , he would make the current Dublin team etc . You might as well say if my aunt has bxlls she would be my uncle. What's the point of them." I have to say I agree. We in Meath look to the past too much. I was only young for 96 and 99 but I do remember the hysteria. As long as we look back and judge the current set-up only against the period 86-01, we'll be setting ourselves and Meath teams up for failure and dissapointment every year. Its hard not to imagine it all being recreated again, and its easy to be frustrated with how far things have fallen, we're all guilty of it. But as the years go on, its imperative we move on and build on what we actually have for the future. A time is coming soon when there will be Meath teams with players who werent even alive when those days ended, in the period after 2001. Its a long time ago now.
Young_gael (Meath) - 08/06/2018 11:04:17
|
|
Meath V Donegal - 15 Like(s)
Haven't added my thoughts into this thread until now because tbh I needed a few days to process the Clare game, soak up the media reaction to the game and the other games and watch the highlights again (well all 2/3 minutes of them!). We should be proud of this team lads. They've done very well, it seems that there is a growing consensus among supporters of the achievements of the year being genuinely remarkable. Definitely my best year following Meath since the late "noughties" when I was a young lad. What struck me most was the mental strength shown vs. Clare. That simple ingredient has been missing for years and Ive seen it numerous times this year, v. Armagh and Kildare in the league, v. a rampant Offaly in the championship and now after a tough game against Clare. Im also pragmatic and I see that none of those teams are considered elite, but still, Meath had to go to the grindstone numerous times this year and have delivered on all occasions. The Leinster final was what it was and they could've absolutely collapsed but the resolve shown in the Rd.4 qualifier was great and it has perhaps put to bed the weakness against pressure of the past 5/6 years, time will tell.
We are now in the Super 8's. We now have 3 games against top opposition. A chance to give our full squad the experience of elite football and also in preparation for Division 1 football next spring. How bloody refreshing this is. The hard work done by this team (often in the face of adversity within the county itself) and this management will live long in the memory if Meath can continue to progress in the coming years. The majority of this panel have seen mass exoduses of players in the past two years, heartbreaking losses at home to Tyrone and Donegal, slating in the media near and far from home, losing to Longford in Pearse Park in Rd.1 of the Championship last year... they've been in very obscure and very dark places and all with the added weight of being in a Meath team, where this is a lot of intrinsic pressure in daily life to be successful and live up to the past. Also their success this year is fully down to the combined fitness, conditioning, and work-rate of the team. Its a team with only 1/2/3 top class players but a lot of good players who work very hard in all aspects. I for one say well bloody done. I am noted regularly for being negative or maybe hesitant to get too carried away but well done to all involved, the Herculean effort of this panel to pull themselves out of the quagmire of Division 2 football by hook or crook will be lauded in many years to come, particularly if it is the dawning of a new era. Onwards now to the epilogue and maybe a further surprise or 3 ;)
Young_gael (Meath) - 09/07/2019 23:45:13
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 15 Like(s)
I go to as many games as I can but its difficult with work and so on. Pre-season games arent particularly vintage or appealing either. Come league time ill be at as many as possible. Im here to talk 5hite just like the rest of you are, and speculate and talk about a mutual interest, and occasionally give lip back to someone if they get too excited. Take note Royaldunne :P
In all fairness, Ill go and watch the Tipp match and see the 15 players on the day, and see how they play, then ill get back to you with the team id personally pick.
Young_gael (Meath) - 14/01/2019 22:22:57
|
|
Meath V Donegal - 15 Like(s)
Lads, I know many of the current panel as ex-schoolmates, played against them and in other sports as well from youth level. I have to say we have some serious athletes out there, unquestionably. The team that played Donegal, with respect, was our weakest effort imaginable for a division one match. We were very, very limited. The athleticism and conditioning was there, everything else fundamentally lacking without our top 15/18 players. That much is absolutely clear and is not a sleight on the panel. We are where we are.
Lads we need to get real. Throwing around names of players, injured or otherwise, and putting pressure on them given the opening two league games is a mistake. We are in a crisis with the goalkeeper, and an injury crisis. It has to be very difficult for the panel and saying that 3/4 lads would make a massive difference is wrong, its actually embarrassing. Id say if you offered those lads a spot back in Division 2 right now they'd take it. We must stay behind the team but in the right capacity, if the prevailing attitude persists, it could ultimately do massive damage to the panel going forward, in regards retention and confidence.
Young_gael (Meath) - 04/02/2020 17:13:51
|
|
Meath Vs Kerry - 14 Like(s)
I must admit fellow lads and lassies, Im finding it hard to get excited for this match. The term "dead rubber" is thrown around a lot and I think for good reason in the case of Rd.3 of the Super 8's. One has to imagine the Cork/Roscommon match will have a similar and equally laborious build-up. This Meath team have had a very fruitful 2019 and I believe with the right guidance and training, and the right selection between now and the mid-2020s, that the panel can only improve and get stronger. There are variables to that possibility though and the county must tread very carefully and make effort to consolidate our progress achieved this year. The turnaround has been huge, perhaps too huge.
This match has a one-off feel. Kerry are the golden boys of the GAA. Always will be. The romantics. One of the big issues the GAA has always faced over Kerry is that they don't travel. Traditionally they played one or two games in Munster and then boom, straight to Croker for the Qtr. Final. This is uncharted territory for them. Navan to them may as well be Malaysia. Its a tight, rustic, old-school venue that should be filled with passionate and vocal local fans. Kerry are also a very young side and theyre relatively reliant on two or three youngsters. They have nothing to gain in this match. Not saying we'll win but these are factors that Meath must use to their advantage. Its a very interesting match-up. I hope the old Pairc Tailteann gets sent off in style and there is no better fixture in championship football than Kerry. It'll also be an enjoyable game, relatively free of cynicism and negativity.
Young_gael (Meath) - 27/07/2019 07:16:30
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 14 Like(s)
I wholeheartedly agree, the goalkeeping situation has gone from bad to worse. I dont get the thought process behind putting outfield players in goal when there are many keepers playing senior football, even inter/junior in Meath who'd jump at the opportunity. It just sends a bad message imo. POR for example was great in the air and had a very long punt but was never natural in goal and had many, many howlers due to his lack of comfort.
Young_gael (Meath) - 14/01/2019 16:03:58
|
|
Meath V Dublin - 14 Like(s)
I think for the benefit of our panel and management its best to just take today as it was. This result and performance was always a distinct possibility. And as I said earlier, it could have been much worse. Its essentially a race for the All-Ireland silver medal now between every county bar Dublin and deep down we all know it.
Its a forum, an open square here, but for us, we'd do well to stop knocking players lads (myself included! I hate picking at individuals I have to say) because 1) there's a distinct possibility that lads in the set-up might see these posts, 2) it makes no odds, we have a team better than the sum of its parts as we already knew, 3) they're dedicating a lot of their time and effort to the betterment of this team, and 4) we're still in the championship. We're back in Division 1 and we're a game off the Top 8 in the country. All is not lost. That Meath team can challenge anyone on their day. They'll take today as a learning curve and move on. They have to. If they take today personally and the insults which will come with a loss like that vs. Dublin, then they'll never be satisfied or fulfilled as players. Today was a horrific spectacle which makes me fear for the future but it does not take away from a good year for Meath, and the potential for more to come. Well done to the hurlers and the Junior team as well, so often ignored as in this very post. Up the royals.
Young_gael (Meath) - 23/06/2019 20:30:52
|
|
Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 14 Like(s)
I too think that €20 is a bit much for League matches. Particularly to see what is on show a lot of the time. Its affordable for me, but isnt for a lot of people. Imagine a family of 4 with two adults and two teenagers going to watch a game in Pairc Tailteann and having to potentially pay €60+ to get in the gate. No doubt the adult rate of €20 also coincides with an increase in senior and student and child rates. Its too much and a lot of people arent motivated enough these days to stretch the extra few pound. And I thought the atmosphere in Navan over the last few years was dull enough.
Young_gael (Meath) - 20/01/2019 15:09:16
|