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The Corona Virus And Possible Effects To GAA Matches - 18 Like(s)
Absolute disaster has been county finals in gaa.
1 A club in Armagh won county final, 31 out of 33 of the panel had covid afterwards and 100 people in surrounding village also.
2 Moycullen in Galway won first ever senior county title. Afterwards massive outbreak in panel which has spilled over into local area
3 Ballivor and Rataoth won county titles in Meath. Afterward many players tested positive and both Ballivor and Rataoth have huge numbers of cases in the town.
4 Outbreaks in Cavan and Wexford and kildare have also being linked to county finals
One of the things that happened was players filled the cup up with drink and all drank from the same cup afterwards and then preceded to visit all the local pubs and many local houses in the parish. GAA response to this, we should have took the cup off the winning team after the ceremony, just after the match.
I also know today of a kildare town, where the local GAA club were in the couty final recently. And 10 players were tested with the virus afterwards. And their teenage sisters and brothers have been also being effected from close contact with these players and so now the virus has spread to local secondary chool. Talking to one teacher today she says 4 students in her class have the virus all got from close contact with 10 gaa players who picked it up after county final. There is many many more examples across country we are not hearing of.
Then you had
4 The scenes in Blackrock Cork after the County final.win when the team and supporters marched through the town with the cup like a st patricks day parade. No social distancing at matchs as crowds all atop of each other and more then 200 people at county finals.
5 An ex county player resigned from management of Offaly club team as he was not happy with issues over a case
6 In Waterford hurling final, player was waiting for test yet he was allowed to play in final. His later test proved he had the virus.
7 A minor player was waiting on a test he was allowed to travel on packed bus with rest of panel to county final he was tested positive
8 Donegal, Fermanagh and Armagh have had to cancel matchs and training as players in all 3 counties have got the virus. Fermamagh are playing Clare at weekend and so many Fermanagh players have the virus they might not
be able to field a team.
9 6 Wexford GAA players have been tested positive for the virus in the last few days.
There are some of the known cases whats happenned in GAA, its pretty certain there is many more cases like the above not being reported in GAA. We have seen with the soccer team how quickly with sportspeople how they can get afftected. Yet in the next 2 weeks 32 counties in the island will engage in a national competition, (basically amateur players many of them frontline workers )will be on packed buses and criss cross the country and criss crossing the border, which happens to be one of the areas with the worst effected cases in Europe. Yet starting at the weekend, this is only starting. It reminds me of what a once great gaa president from Mayo who was also a doctor said when he talked about the scourge of drink on Irish society. He wrote a book called "No one shouted stop". I think that title of that book is apt now, No one shouted stop.
What the hell are the GAA at, an amateur organistion having a national competition in two jurisdictions, one of which has highest number of cases in Europe, what are they at, having an All Ireland championship as a world wide pandemic is its second wave as cases explode across the island. You couldnt think of a worst 2 months then November and December to have the championship as the second waves peaks. Will anyone in the GAA hierachy shout stop? It really looks like an amateur association acting like amateurs. In March the GAA did excellent work now they will have PR disaster on there hands at the very least, just because in the words of great late Eugene McGee who once said every decision the GAA makes goes back to money. You take the Sky deal, the super 8s and now the championship going ahead. Its all to do with money, games played means the GAA will get money from broadcasters. Its totally against what GAA should stand for. Just when the GAA should be showing example and leadership to young people, to everyone they are doing the opposite and if anything are super spreaders in terms of cases currently. I can see the championship starting but there is not a hope in hell , zero chance of it finishing. Other organisation like hockey and basketball have stopped all adult competitons on the island. But the issues, the growing rate of numbers will increase and the GAA will have played an helping hand in that. It really is crazy when you sit down and think of it. Call of the All Ireland championship and play them when it is safe to do so. Its very simple. But where is the leadership in the GAA. No where to be seen.
Furlong1949 (National) - 16/10/2020 17:52:19
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Meath v Cavan - 18 Like(s)
Replying To fredflint: "With respect Furlong1949 I think that is some load of nonsense
- Donegal, Derry, Armagh, Tyrone won All Irelands since 1990 with zero tradition of doing so.
- Meath didn't win an All Ireland until 1949 I think so before that also had no tradition.
There is nothing "quantifiable" in this notion of tradition and if there were any basis to it quite a few counties I have mention above would have quit trying and never won Sam. If you ever want to beat Dublin it will be based on the work your county put in at underage and at club level and zero to do with what you did decades ago." Of course Im not saying it has all to do with tradition. There are 20 or 30 reasons are more why a county is sucessful. But tradition is one of the reasons that can play a role. To deny that would be nonsense. Of course teams can have sucess with no tradition. Everyone starts off with no tradition. We have had 4 new All Ireland winners in the last 25 years. Were are they from Ulster eg Derry Donegal Armagh abd Tyrone.
Why Ulster? . Ulster have had the best players best managers best tactics. But now they have created a winning tradition. The reasons why Tyrone and Armagh made the breakthrough in 02 and 03 was because they had great players and great managers. But also they could look to the sucess of neighbours like Derry and Donegal and this also helped. Why didnt Laois make the breakthrough and Armagh did. Armagh had better players and a better manager. They also come from provience that now has a winning tradition. Tyrone Donegal players dont fear Dublin or Kerry. Why should they when they saw Ulster teams like Derry Down and Donegal all beat Dublin in the 90s.
Regards Meath appearing on the scene in 1949. It didnt happen over night. It took 15 years for Meath to build to 1949. Meath were resurgent in the 30s. Meath won national league div 1 title in 1933. And narrowly lost an All Ireland senior final to kerry by 2 points in 1939. They won leinster titles in 1939 1940 and 1947. And they also won the national league div 1 title in the early 1940s. So Meath did not appear overnight. They were building from the 1930s onwards. Meath where a top division 1 team from the early 1930s onwards. That was not an overnight sucess.
Of course to beat Dublin you need top players great underage and work and an investment in time and money. It depends on the standard of player and manager you have. These are the single most important things. But you need belief also. And this is where tradition can help. Tradition can give you belief. Look at Mayo. Clearly Mayo are good enough to win Sam. They should have won the last two years. But the weight of history to close that gap since 51 is a massive weight. No team in gaelic football has won an All Ireland after a 40 year gap. When you dont win for generations the weight of history becomes a massive issue. Look how it took the golden generation of Irish rugby players to win the grand slam after 60 year gap. We had better players then Wales. But Wales won more. The weight of history was an issue. In soccer only Chelsea have won the league after a 50 year gap. Even in pro sport it has a role. And in Gaa why did Galway beat Mayo not Roscommon recently. I think the tradition of Galway football had a role.
Howcome I believe that Meath will win a leinster title in the next few years. And I meet many people in Meath at all different ages from young to old who think the same. When I meet kildare supporters very few have any sort of believe that kildare will beat Dublin in the coming years. They hope but they lack belief. I hope but I also believe and expect like many of my fellow Royals that we wil. Maybe of the below facts and stats will explain what give us this belief. A long winning tradition v the Dubs. Is it not better to have it then dont have it. Its not the main thing for sucess. But it can help.
Who was the last team to beat Dublin at underage in leinster ? Meath
Who was the last team to hammer Dublin at underage in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to get close to Dublin in leinster? Meath in 2013
Who was the last team to beat Dublin at senior level in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to hammer Dublin at senior kevel in leinster? Meath
Who was the last team to draw with Dublin in leinster at senior level ? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin in a senior leinster final? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin to beat Dublin two years in a row in leinster at senior level? Meath
Who was the last team to beat Dublin three years in a row in leinster? Meath
So who has the best tradition and best record v Dublin in the country? Meath
Stats
Kildare have beaten Dublin twice in leinster in 45 years
Offaly have not beaten Dublin in 35 years in leinster
Louth have not beaten Dublin in over 40 years in leinster
Longford have not beaten Dublin in 50 years in leinster
Westmeath have only beaten Dublin 1 time in over 70 years in leinster
Laois have only beaten Dublin 1 time in the last 35 years in leinster. And twice in the last 60 years in leinster.
Wexford have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster.
Wicklow have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster
Carlow have not beaten Dublin in over 70 years in leinster
Meath have beaten Dublin 10 times and had 4 draws v Dublin in the last 35 years in leinster. Only kerry come close with 5 wins. The two teams with best winning tradition v the Dubs.
Who will be the team to topple next outside leinster. More then likely Kerry. Who will be the team to topple Dublin in leinster next?. I believe it will be Meath. And Im not the only Meath person that thinks that. We are years behind Dublin. But we will beat them in the coming years. Its not a question of if but a question of when. Probaly in 2020 or 2021. Every generation of Meath footballers have beaten Dublin in every decade since the 20s . We did it in the 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 00s and this decade. We dominated the Dubs in the 40s 50s 60s 80s and 90s. No teams has had that level of consitent sucess over Dublin. No team has had more sucess over Dublin in the country then Meath. Thats why one of the reasons are under 17 defeated Dublin in leinster final last year. And our minor hammered them two years.l ago. They were good footballers with good management. And good work has been done at underage level. But they were also standing on the shoulders of Meath greats. Our tradition of beating Dublin generation after generation has been taken on by our next generation. Now that is not nonense. That is Meath football. That's what we do. Beat the Dubs.
Is it not better to have the tradition then dont have it. It is not negative thing to have a tradition. Theres no harm in believing is there?
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 08/02/2018 15:35:51
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Meath V Dublin Leinster Final. - 17 Like(s)
Last night was like going 12 rounds with Mike Tyson at his peak. And thats how I felt like it was like watching the game with Dublin been so brillant and just being mentally and physically been beaten up on the couch. It was hard to watch. But thats sport when you play the greatest team ever they can do this to you.
Overall I am happy with this year I think we have made solid progress. Found some young talent eg Cathal Hickey, Eoin Harkin, Matthew Costello, Jordan Morris. Its a young team. The key is promotion to div 1. It will be tough. But we will be one of the contenders and hopefully we can do it. It is very important to get promoted if we dont that could end McEntees tenure and break the team. But the train will leave the station again next summer and we have young team and our aim is basically to become top 7 or 8. To achieve what Monaghan have done. Get to Monaghans level. And like kildare Armagh Tipp Cavan Cork Roscommom we all have a chance to break into top 8 and we will see who will in next 2 years. Next 2 years will tell us how good Andy is as manager and how good this Meath team is. We cannot compare ourselves to Dubs our aim is to not win Sam or beat Dublin but to become top 7 or 8 team stay in div 1 and reach Super 8s. We might not achieve that. But we have a chance. There was positives from this year. We are going in the right direction.
Regards Dubs yes I was talking my guff last week. playing Dublin brings back so many good memories for me and matters allot to me personally. And that has allot to with the respect I have for Dublin people and Dublin GAA. I did talk about old days goneby and believe and all that but to be fair to myself I did say at least 5 times I expecting an hammering when I take my emotional out of it. And if we got within 8 to 12 points we would be doing well. But we got hammered. No surprise the Dubs have done this to nearly every team they have played and we have been hammered many times before and we just have get on with it. Meath football will still keep going forward. It matters to much to many peoole for it not to.
Regards Dubs. I have allot respect for great Dublin gaa. The thing i like about Dubs win or lose they never whinge. They are tough very tough. But they have a manly code of honour going back to Heffernans team. When they are beatening they take it. They take it no whinging. My respect for Dublin was born out of my admiration for great Dublin men like Kevin Heffernan, Kevin Moran, Tommy Drum, The Late Anto O Toole, Barney Rock, Gerry Hargan, Paul Curran, keith Barr, Jason Sherlock, Colm keaney, Paddy Christie. All Dublin heroes before 2010 and of course Stephen Cluxton and the current golden generation. Since 2010 Dublin what have done is something incredible. Talk about future of leinster football is for another day. 10 leinster in a row and soon 6 in All Irelands is the greatest achivement in the history of the gaa. Up their with Italia 90 and Grand Slams as one of the great achievements in Irish sport. If you face greatness you should always recognise real greatness. And men like Cluxton Mcarthy kilkenny Callaghan Rock Fenton are greatness personified. Congratulations to the Dubs. Worthy winners. I am not in the best of health myself and neitheir are my loved one. But I hope to say in years to come that I witnessed the greatest team ever to play the game, the gaa Dublin team of 2011 to 2020. You have always have to recognise something special in sports, in culture or in life. And what this Dublin team has done is truly special. And Dublin GAA in general and Hill 16 is one of the great institutions of Irish sport. Well done again to the Dubs. The Greatest Gaelic football team of all time. GOAT.
Furlong1949 (National) - 22/11/2020 18:17:28
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Meath v Roscommon - 17 Like(s)
I think the game on sunday is a 6 pointer. An important game. But we shouldn't hype it up to something its not eitheir. As some sort of referendum on McEntee as a manager. If Meath lose, there will be criticisms of everthing from managers tactics/ strategies and everything in between. We can only judge McEntees tenure in 2 or 3 years time. For me the most important factor in the next few years is not the players or manager but the supporters. The key is patience. Rome was not built in a day. Any sucessful gaelic football team was built not in a year or two but in 4 or 5 or a 6 year period. If the supporters show patience and give this management time. I believe we will be more sucessful then people think or even could imagine.
I know it beens 7 years since we last made an impact on the champuonship. And this naturally leads to disappointment agmost fans. But I believe all the indications are we are entering a stronger period for the county. But and I cannot emphasis this enough , Andy has to be given time. It will take years to close the gap with the Dublins kerrys and Mayos. It will also take years to get our players mentality stronger. We have a young team, but they have collectively had very bad experiences at underage and senior level in the Meath jersey. That will take time to rectify. Of course people can criticize. And Andy will make mistakes. But overall our only chance of sucess is under this management.
The key to sucess will be patience from our supporters . It also very important we dont listen to any voices outside of the county. Already I hear national papers /media outlets / gaa websites saying McEntee will be under pressure and question marks about McEntee as a manager if Meath are not sucessful this year. The GAA media always love a Meath crisis. And the truth is they dont care what is good for Meath football. If Andy doesnt make an impact this year they will make negative conments on him as manger. Yet when it took Kevin Walsh three years to get Galway to divsion , negative criticisms were few in the national media. While under McGeeney Armagh have spent 3 of the last 4 seasons in division 3. For the players Armagh have and a county their stature. They are a county that is underachieving. But yet there is very little criticsm in gaa media land of McGeeney. Yet if Andy fails to get us out of div 2? there will be allot of criticism outside the county. We need not listen to outside voices. Standby this management team and I expect in the next few years we will make progess and win a leinster title and maybe even more. We all have a role to play.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 26/01/2018 14:01:16
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Meath V Dublin - 16 Like(s)
We did it in 1945 beat an unbeatable Dublin team
We did it in 1964 beat an unbeatable Dublin team
We did it in 1975 beat an invincible Dublin team
We did it in 1986 beat an invincible Dublin team
We did it 1996 beat an unbeatable Dublin team
We did it 2010 hammer a Dubin team that would soon become invincible.
Yes the rain probably doesn't suit our team style of play. But we need a local derby dogfight. And thr three lowests scoring leinster finals of the last 45 years were the wettest leinster finals. Its nearly alway dry hot weather for leinster final..The last 3 dreadful wet leinster final eg 1986 , 1994 , 1996. Two of them 1986 and 1996 are not only greatest leinster final victories for Meath in leinster finals ever , but the two biggest shocks in leinster final s ( along with Offaly in 97 ) in last half century.
Rain can lead to low scoring games , dogfights, anf yes Dublin could turn on the style in the rain , their lowest scoring All Ireland win in this decade was a very wet Croker in 2015 v kerry where Dublin scored 0 - 12 to win Sam. It was one of the wettest championship games Dublin played in this decade and possibly lowest scoring Dublin championship game since 2011. Even a great team like Dubin can be effect by wet dirty day.
And while our style of play doesnt suit the rain , in the league v kildare in a dreadul snow storm conditions this Meath team showed the old Meath dogfight never say die spirit. So for me for us to put it up to Dublin and yes even beat them we needed rain and muck. We have now rain and muck. Now all we need is 15 Meath men to play the Meath way v Dublin, we need 15 Meath men in the rain and muck to play like 15 possesed Meath men willing to go through brick walls to get the ball in.the rain and muck.If that happens Dublin will not beat us by double digits , if that happens Meath will put it up to Dublin and if Meath get enough breaks keep Dublin goaless another famous Meath victory v the invincible unbeatable Dubs will.again happen.
Basically a 6th generation of Meath footballers will have beaten an unbeatable invincible Dublin team in Croke Park. Its in our dna , it in our blood, its our heritage, its our tradition and its our culture. Its our past present and future. While every other team throws in the towel v Dublin, Meath are the one county who always shout stop, STOP to Dublin..We have always done it. We will always will do it. Just believe Royals, Believe.
And McEntee seems to be able to motivate his teams to perform in big matchs when they r massive underdogs. He did it with Meath minors in 2012 quarter final v Tyrone and semi final v Mayo. He did it in Dublin senior club championship quater final semi final and final.with Ballyboden. And he has done with Meath seniors in the last two years v Galway , Roscommon, Tyrone and Donegal in 3 games. This manager teams always up their game in big matchs v best teams, this current team always ups their game in big matchs v the best teams. Meath football in the past always upped their game v strong opposition. Being an underdog who no one gives a chance, Meath football sucess was built on this notion. We wouldnt want it any other way.
So best of luck to Andy and the boys and to all the great Meath men and women on this forum like Royaldunne, Htaem , Young_Gael, Bert09 , Meath 1977 , Usernameinvalid , bobkarlgees , longroadback , the joeshow, Barney123 , leitrimroyal 99 , overthehill 72 , Reco , Crinigan , thelutch , northsidegaels , seadog54 , greenfield, Royal.legend, Aloblack, redser 123 , southmeathgael and even the bold Jack _Goff and many many more . And when that ball is thrown in 4.00 look to the hill everyone of youse and think two things and two thing only . Firstly think we are going to beat this shower today and secondly think u can never ever right of the royals. Thats what I will be think at 4.00 on 23rd June 2019 in wet rainy Croke Park tomorrow. We might have the odd barney on this forum but there is no doubting we all have an unreal passion for Meath football , we are proud Meath to the core and we all want the best for Meath football. And hopefully tomorrow will join 1991 as one of the greatest sporting days of our lifes. Believe Royals Believe.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 22/06/2019 18:56:16
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Tyrone V Meath Nfl Rd 1. - 16 Like(s)
Replying To seadog54: "Long winded and in the main repetitive they certainly are, we had a bit of a spat on here last week, however his posts and replies are just too tedious and characterized by repetition to be bothered with. We have been informed by one prominent Meath poster that he is in fact a genius and should write a book. Of the opinion much of the back-patting is just a wind up and not necessarily from Meath posters. Have been around this forum for a while and its a rarity to see posters from any county admitting been wrong." I think being longwinded and repetitive and being wrong a few times are not the worst things in the world to be accused off. I will take that.
We had good debate last week. You gave your opinion and I gave mine. And we agreed to disagree. There was no insults , it wasnt an arguement , it was good robust debate. Just the final point I did acknwlegde I was wrong with a few of league stats. I dont know everything , for the older U get the less I know and the less I really understand .
As I said I do get allot of comments which always surprise me. I am very grateful when people compliment me. You think its a wind up , but I really appreciate it and take allot from the encourangement. And I do also get criticism. This is happened before on 3 other forums I have I pretty much got the same identical reaction anf reception. Some were critical some were full of praise; which is lovely. The others would be music forums and I would be a massive music fan .
GAA and music are my two great passions. playing and listening to music and engaging on this forum are great reliefs from having Cancer. I was diagnosed last year with Cancer. So when I write every word here its a relief from reality. Thats why the posts get longer. I am really not writing to respond to people or argue people I am writing fof myself, I really just get a buzz from writijng and writing on and on about GAA and playing my guitar. And along with GAA music is my great relief and great passion. For all the issues on the forum its still a great place for great gaels to engage in grear debate. . For me ite daily interactuon I look forward to where I sometimes participate both most days watch from the sidelines. I look forward to whatse been said on the Meath forum and also whats been said by people on the main forum. Theres allot leople here that I respect and always look forward to listening to. Thats it. I dont if i should have shared that but I feel better for saying that and I dont know why. Thats all I can say.
Furlong1949 (National) - 29/01/2020 21:19:19
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Division 2 2018 - 15 Like(s)
Replying To edd: "This is complete nonsense. Faith and belief? will you get a grip. Understand we are meath? This is the problem we have. We have zero right to be at the top table or beat any team. We must work and continue to work like every other team to get and stay there. The reason we have fallen back is not because boylan left. The seniors were on the slide during boylans last years anyway. The reason and flynn alluded to it this week is because we neglected underage for years. No players with minor or 21 all irelands, winning breeds winners at the end of the day. The faith and belief will come when theese lads start winning. Rambling on about past players from the 60s?? we need to forget about past glories and just plough on with developing a consistent underage where we have a conveyor belt of players coming through like Dublin, Tyrone, Kerry. We will get there some day, theres too much passion and interest not to get back there some day but for now its bleak.
as to when we can challenge dublin? not in the next 3 years at least." All I have to say we are lucky players in the 40s had not your beliefs are we wouldnt have 1 leinster. We were in a worst position then with not 1 All Ireland and Dublin with 15. Its lucky the players and management didnt in the 80s did have your thoughts as we hadnt won a leinster in 16 years and Dublin had won 9 of the previous 12 leinster and reached 9 All.Irelands final in the late 70s early 80s. If Boylan and O Rourke and Lyons and all those great players had your way of thinking we wouldnt have won 1 leinster title in the last 35 years.
We need to be realistic and yes we need to improve our underage. But we will beat Dublin in the coming years its not question if its a question of when. Because the men in charge of our county have the faith the belief and the skills to drive us to victory. People should of course criticize. But a defeatist atitude is totally at odds with our county renowned never say die spirit. It lives on. We will be back. We will do it. Every generation of Meathmen have beaten the Dubs and most of them have dominated the Dubs for years with sucessive victories. The one thing Dublin cannot handle and could never handle is 15 driven commited Meath men fighting fot evetry ball like their life depended on it. It will happen again. Sooner then you think. Have a little faith in your county. Meath leinster Champions 2021.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 21/02/2018 20:00:14
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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 was just responding to people saying on the forum many many times I would say I have read 10 times or more on this forum that how many players from our team would get on the current Dublin team. My point is very few players in div 2 3 or 4 from any county and very few players outside Mayo kerry etc a handful counties in div 1 would get on the current Dublin team, one of the greatest teams ever.
My point is we have some very good footballers. I believe Donal keoghan, Conor McGill, Brian Menton, Cillian Sullivan, Graham Reilly,Donal lenihan, Alan Forde and Padraig McKeever are all very good footballers. Thats the only point Im making. Im not talking 80s or 90s. Im talking these current players here and now.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 08/06/2018 12:54:08
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Meath V Cork - 14 Like(s)
1 There is a serious pessimism and negativity surrounding Meath at the moment. You hear comments like we r crap and this is very common. The thread on this forum worst Meath team is an example of that pessimism and negativity thats surrounding the county. That thread worst Meath team should be taken down.
The comments worst Meath team in years. I have heard that so many times in the last few years. When Meath were beaten by Wexford and longford in 1981 1982 , it was said it was the worst Meath team in years when Meath chronicle had an article with the headline Meath football RIP the following week.
That team had Colm O Rourke Mick lyons Gerry McEntee and Joe Cassells. Within a year we were drawing a game v Dublin the soon to be crowned All Ireland champions. The very same comment was said in 1985 when Meath were hammered by laois by 8 points. And that team in 1985 was called by many Meath supporters at the time as the worst Meath team ever and that team had Mick Lyons Gerry McEntee Liam Harnan Colm O Rourke Joe Cassells playing. Within 2 years that team, that some where calling the worst Meath team ever 2 years earlier , was now All Ireland champions. 1995 after Meath were hammered by 10 points by Dublin and again I heard the comments afterwards this team was the worst Meath team ever. A team that included Trevor Giles Graham Geraghty John McDermont Ollie Murphy . You all know what happened next.
So I have heard these comments so many times before. But I do believe in the last few years there's being a growing negativity and pessimism in the county. Permanent division 2 residence, July championship exits, bad defeats to Dublin 2014 Westmeath 2015 Cavan 2016 Kildare 2017 has meant optimism in the county is low. This is a barrier to sucess. I think the players are hearing this pessimism and negativity and its also effecting their play. But only wins and good performances will improve the mood in the county.
The team have potential and the management team is best qualified to take us further. We need patience and time. And we have good players. Players like G Reilly D Keoghan Brian Menton Alan Forde C Sullivan would walk onto the teams of 80s and 90s. Not all the players on the Meath team of the 80s and 90s were all time great. Boylans true genius was being to pick club players from every level even junior that other people might not have. He had a sixth instinct in picking players that would be able to perform in big matchs in Croke Park. He had a couple of truly great players eg 80s O Rourke Lyons O Connell Stafford O Malley and 90s Fay Giles McDermont Geraghty. But moulded others into effective inter county players to take on the Dubs.
G Reilly would have been a better player then PJ Gillic. Gillic was a hard working third man midfielder but Reilly would have had more creativity. Reilly would have walked onto the team of the 80s. Keoghan is a better defender then Cormac Murphy. Brian Menton would be a better wing back then Hank Traynor. While C Sullivan would have had more natural talent and vision then say David Beggy. Beggy offered great youth and pace to the forwards in 80s. And scored some great scores. But he could be a bit hit and miss. And someone like Sullivan would be a more natural forward. I know some wouldn't agree with Beggy. A fine player but not in the league of O Rourke Giles or Stafford. Overall we have good players and performances like v Dublin Tyrone in 2013 Donegal Galway kildare in 2014 Galway Derry Clare 2017 have been some really good performances. But our lack of consitency is killing us.
I think the kildare results had a negative impact on us. I think Andy was shocked. I think he has gone more defensive since. Meath and not 1 manager since early 00s has adapted to new tactics in football eg blanket defence. The way we won Sam 7 times, that football is not fit for purpose. We need to adapt. Andy is steeped in Meath football. And his teams played in this way. I think he is trying to get us to adapt. But I believe an Ulster coach like what Galway drafted in this year is what we should do.
Andy started of by trying to play a more traditional game v kildare with Brian Sheridan as our target man. And also played 15 on 15. kildare came at us like a train. In the next game v Derry we responded very well. But against Down we really tried to play our traditional game with Brian Sheridan at 14. It didnt work. I would still have Brian Sheridan on the panel because he is one of the full forwards in the county. But playing long kicks into forwards all the time does not work with a more possession modern game. Andy said he made a mistake in the Down game. After the Down game we went defensive with men behind the ball. But we attacked with pace with men coming off the shoulder. We kept more players in the attack. It worked .
We were very good in second half v Cork Galway Fermanagh and Clare. And this continued v louth in the summmer. Attacking we scored 27 points and we looked really impressive. 27 points is one of the highest points scored in a championship match. But the warming signs there. At midfield Menton and Jones are two very Atletic players but we lacked traditional high fielding midfielder here. And louth played well at midfield. In the backs we were cut up to easy as we gave away 3 easy goals. kikdare would take advantage of those weaknesses.
Feehily completey dominated midfield and kildare isolated our backs and ran riot. I think Andy was shocked by that game and since has gone more defensive. V Sligo Donegal last year and Carlow longford Roscommon Cavan Tipp Cork this year
. We are bringing more players back. We need to keep more up in the forwards. I think Andy needs to go back to playing more like we did v Galway Clare last year. We need to get the balance right but it could take time 12 months or so. It took Kevin Walsh 4 years to get the balance right
Two players have been a lose eg Harnan and Toibin .We didnt have either v kildare league game and Down last year. Our defence looked really shakey. They came back in the middle of the league and our defence improved. We didnt lose a game in the league when they came back. Toibin is a proven intercounty player. He is versatile. He has played in full back line half back line Midfield and half forward. O Dowd and McEntee both played him corner back mostly. They had to. We needed to replace Burke at 4. Toibin did a good job at 4. Shakey at times but overall good. But he is a wing back by trade . And the problem is wing back likes to attack the ball. So if u play them in the corner they cam be caught ball watching. And thats what happened v kildare last year.
I understand why O Dowd and McEntee played him at 4. But he is a quality wing back. But has rarely played there. His versatility has meant he can play anywhere. However he is not on the panel anymore. We must move on.
Harnan is also a proven defender at intercounty. Still young as he debuted v Wexford in 2013 at 19. I was hoping he would push on a bit in the last few seasons. But overall he is a good natural defender who can only get better and I think he will become a quality half back.
I felt at the start of the year our defence would be shakier without them two. We needed two inter county defenders who could replace them. Good intercounty defenders . In the Byrne Cup and v Rossies and Clare game Lavin looked like he could replace Toibin at 4. He was brillant at the start of the season. Conlon had a very good Byrne cup and start of the league. And he was replacing Harnan. If felt like we had replaced Harnan and Toibin. lavin is a more out and out corner back and Conlon is a very good prospect.
But both have had poor games since the Clare game . We are feeling the lose of Toibin and Harnan now. Maybe Shane Gallagher or Shane Glynn are an option at corner back. Both have been the best man markers in Meath club football recently. While Dan O Neill could be the answer at 5. we need to get our defence sorted. When we do we will make more progress. Also our sweepers and blanket defence need to improve.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 17/03/2018 23:38:20
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Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 14 Like(s)
6 changes to the team that started v Tyone last year eg Ronan Ryan Niall Kane Ethan Devine Daragh Campion Thomas Reilly and Michael Newman. 5 those players who start tomorrow werent even on the panel last year.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 26/01/2019 13:04:18
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Meath V Tyrone - 14 Like(s)
Replying To Loyalroyal17: "I dare any man woman or child to argue with this intelligent post. You have hit the nail on the head my friend and have explained exactly what i think about us playing against the bigger teams, could never have put it as well as that." Thanks Loyalroyal your a gentleman. I appreciate it.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 07/06/2018 17:23:58
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Meath 2018 - 14 Like(s)
Sorry I should have said Patrick Reilly is gone from the Louth panel. I got the name wrong. Sorry about that.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 02/05/2018 16:11:28
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Meath 2018 - 14 Like(s)
Overall areas that need to be addressed are
1 Midfield. We need a proper strong midfield partnership.
2 We need to win more breaking ball
3 We need a strong half back line
Eg We need to sort out the centre back position at long last. For me leave Power for a few seasons and he will come good.
4 We need Atleticism and attacking threat from wing backs eg Keegan Mayo and McCaffrey Dublin. Overall a strong half back is essential for progress. It is the foundation for future sucess. All the top teams have top.class wing backs centre backs and an half back line.
5 We need more attackers to make bigger impact
6 We need to make sure that Harnan and Toibin are replaced this league. Both made a difference when they were introduced during last year's league. We need two inter county defenders to replace them this year. If we don't our defence will be weaker this year. And so we will be weaker this year.
7 We need to deal with sweepers and blanket defences better
8 We need to settle on a style of play a structure to our play. And keep to it. Consistently will improve if we do.
9 But overall getting to Division 1 and staying there will decide if we are sucessful. Andy has already said the promotion to Division 1 is his priority this year. Ahead of even progress in the chamouinship.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 26/01/2018 22:56:31
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2018 Club Championships - 14 Like(s)
Replying To TakeYourPoints6: "When was the last time a Meath club beat a Dublin club in Leinster?" We have a pretty shocking record v Dublin teams in the leinster club championship. We havent beaten any Dublin club team in leinster club championship in last 20 years with loses to St Vincents , kilmacud Crokes and other Dublin clubs. The only one positive result we have had in the last two decades was when Senechalstown drew with Dublin champions in 2007, but Senechalstown lost the replay.
We have very rarely beaten Dublin senior club champion in leinster, we have only beaten Dublin clubs team twice ever in the history of the leinster club championship as far as I can remeber.
We definatly havent beaten Dublin team in the last 20 years. ( In the 90s there is two years Im not certain and they are Skyrnes two in a row Meath senior club wins in 1993 and 1992. Skyrne might have beaten Dublin opposition in 93, Im not sure about 1993) . But other then that Meath teams didnt beat Dublin opposition in late 80s in leinster.
In 70s and early 80s we had our only two wins over Dublin opposition in leinster club championship. If Skyrne didnt beat Dublin opposition in 1993 leinster club championship. The only two times Meath have beaten Dublin clubs in leinster senior club championship was in 1983 when Walterstown beat Dublin senior club champions Scoil Ui Chonail in leinster. The only other victory v Dublin club , ( is also Meath greatest club victory outside the county in our history eg Summerhill 77. )
In 1977 Summerhill , Meath county champions defeated one of the greatest Dublin club team ever
St Vincents, by 5 goals in a leinster club senior final.
So in summary a Meath club hasnt beaten a Dublin club in leinster club championship in 35 years since Walterstown defeated Dublin champions in 1983. The only other victory was Summerhills victory over St Vincent's in 1977.( The only two years Im not sure are Skyrne in 92 93 campaign. ) . So we can say Wicklow club teams have beaten as many Dublin club teams in leinster senior club championship in the last 20 years, then we have done in our whole history.
Our lack of sucess at club level hasnt really impacted at intercounty. The club championship began in 1970. Meath have never won a club All Ireland senior and only played in one All Ireland club All Ireland final ( 1984) , in the same period Meath senior inter county team have reached 10 All Ireland senior inter county finals ( including replays). However for a morale boost for the county , Meath clubs performing better in leinster would be a benefit, an advantage in the future.
Just another sidenote, Kilmacud Crokes have been a real bogey team for Meath clubs, knocking Meath teams 4 times out of leinster. Twenty years ago when Dunboyne won their first Meath senior title they were knocked out of leinster by 1 point by kilmacud Crokes.
In summary a victory for Dunboyne would be an historic and rare win for Meath football over the auld enemies club champions.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 31/10/2018 18:08:05
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Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 14 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "No doubt. Best wishes to Andy Brian and everyone involved." 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.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 26/01/2019 15:32:11
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Division 2 2018 - 14 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Hello , just want to say you have joined a long list of posters who people have lied about and said you are my good self, you have a great insight into Meath past and I love reading them. Don't be disparaged by people from Kildare, Cavan, or wherever pretending to be from Meath to have a pop of me, from what I recall it was jinxie, ziggy, htaem bobjaffacake, bettustownroyal, Bert, loyalroyal, and more recently grahammc (and since we very seldom agree it was hilariously funny). Keep posting furlong and ignore those who try to put you down, leave them to me, I'll destroy them lol" Thanks for the invitation to Ballinbrackey RoyalDunne. Always admired Ballinbrackeys Chris O Connor. I thought he was one of the best defenders in the county but was let go to soon. I also thought Damien Carroll was let go to soon also. He gave two man of the match performances v kildare in Croker. He didnt follow up with consistency but I still think he had allot to offer. Because of the changing of managers 7 in 12 years we did lose players that still had alot to offer. New manager comes in with new ideas and new players. It definatly halted the development of our team and players. Im thinking of players let go that had allot to offer like the two mentioned above and others like Niall McLoughlin Alan Nestor Cormac McGuiness and Cian Ward and many more.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 21/02/2018 14:47:26
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Meath V Cork - 14 Like(s)
We are all disappointed. Its only natural any supporter of any team in any sport would be unhappy if their team lost 3 games. But the Meath supporters have a big role here also if we want sucess. Meaths drop from the top table you can blame the county board managers the players the lack of underage sucess, they all played a role. But the Meath supporters have also played a role.
Pressure from the supporters and dissatisfaction from the supporters meant we have had 7 managers in 12 years. We had 5 managers in 6 years between 2005 and 2011. Its was madness. It meant a talented a group of Meath players did not reach their full potential with the chopping and changing managers every 12 or 24 months . I believe we were good enough to win an All Ireland title between 2007 and 2011. Especially in 2010. Look at the players we had especially the forwards eg Brendan Murphy Niall McKeigue Darren Fay Kevin Reilly Shane McInarly Cormac McGuiness Caoihim King Anthony Moyles Nigel Crawford Mark Ward Peadar Byrne Stephen Bray Graham Geraghty David Bray Shane O Rourke Brian Farrell Cian Ward Joe Sheridan Graham Reilly Seamus Kenny. There was an All Ireland in those players. But because of the supporters impatience and dissatisfaction with managers, we didnt win 1.
Boylan wanted 3 more years. The fans wanted him gone a man who built more All Ireland winning teams then any other manager in gaa history ( Dwyer and Cody built 1 team, Boylan built 3 different All Ireland winning teams ). If he was left in charge he could have and I believe would have won his 5th All Ireland title with us.
Barry should have been given a second year. O Brien after leading us to All Ireland semi final and quater final a leinster title win and beating every team in leinster in 12 months including the Dubs by 10 points. O Brien should have been given 3 years. People blame the Clubs voting against the county board. But there was serious disquiet agmost the supporters after louth and kildare loses. Banty should have been given a third year after losing by three points to reigning All Ireland champions Dublin in a leinster final. The last time a leinster team got that close to Dublin. But he was let go.
We are great supporters. A football mad county. We all want the best for Meath football. But I dont see any easy way out. This is a long drawn out process back to the top. With many ups and downs. McEntee is the best bet for sucess. There is no manager in the county or outside that I can see turning us around. There is a serious lack of quality managers in the country outside div 1 and Galvins O Rourkes.
I expected this season to be the way it is. It took Sean Boylan 4 years to turn Mick lyons Gerry McEntee Martin O Connell Bernard Flynn and Colm O Rourke into winners. look at Galway. Under Walsh , Galway were very poor in his 1st year, some dreadful performances in his second year eg 8 point hammering by Tipp, in his third year more bad performances losing to us and been hammered by Roscommon and kerry in the championship. However in his 4th year look at Galway now. The Galway supporters gave Walsh the time and it is starting to pay off. McGeeney is years with Armagh and Armagh have spent 3 of the last 4 years in div 3 and with some dreadful loses eg Tyrone last year. Yet Armagh fans have let him get on with it.
Andy has made mistakes. But he is our best bet for sucess. But give him 4 years and let him get on with it. For me he is not even halfway through his term. He is only putting in foundations in terms of fitness. He needs to settle on a first 15 and from that things can improve. Confidence levels in the county are at an all time low. Pessimism and lack interest in the county are widespread. And thats to be expected with our worst decade since 20s.
But that does not mean we lose the plot again and another manager is dropped like a hot potatoe.
Its a long road back. It will take years to turn things around. But remember the season is far from over. league form can be incredibly misleading. The last time we were relegated we had our best year in the last 6 years, beating a highly fancied kildare team and getting witthin 3 points of Dublin. Galway are flying at the moment. But kildare had a great league in div 1 in 2013 beating Cork and Kerry, Derry also had a great season in div 1 a year or two after and reached league div q final , so did Cork reach league div 1 final a year after and Roscommon played similar to Galway in div 1 two years ago. And all those counties mentioned above had disastrous championship aftetwards.
The season is far from over. It will really start in June. And McEntee tenure is still in its infancy. Give him time and get someone like Geraghty involved with underage teams as manager so if Andy goes in 4 or 5 years time. Have a replacement with experience and not have another Mick O Dowd type appointment which Callaghan and Geraghty would be at the moment eg all young inexperienced managers. Farrell will be the next Dublin manager. Jack Connor will be the next kerry manager. And Fergal logan will be next Tyrone manager. Eddie Brennan will replace Cody more then likely. Other counties who are doing well have a sucession plan. Even if Andy is sucessful we should be looking at developing other manager's with potential. Other counties use the under 21 job as experience for the senior job. We need to be thinking along the same way. Geraghty needs to be brought in. If I was in charge of Meath football I would give Andy McEntee another 2 years and make Graham Geraghty Under 20 manager for two years and ask Anthony Moyles to take charge of the minors. That's what we should be doing. Be patient in the present and start planning for the future . Good things come to those who wait. It costs no money, just a bit of cop on and time and lots of patience.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 11/03/2018 21:01:04
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Division 2 2018 - 14 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Hello , just want to say you have joined a long list of posters who people have lied about and said you are my good self, you have a great insight into Meath past and I love reading them. Don't be disparaged by people from Kildare, Cavan, or wherever pretending to be from Meath to have a pop of me, from what I recall it was jinxie, ziggy, htaem bobjaffacake, bettustownroyal, Bert, loyalroyal, and more recently grahammc (and since we very seldom agree it was hilariously funny). Keep posting furlong and ignore those who try to put you down, leave them to me, I'll destroy them lol" Dont mind the begrudgers Royaldunne. I admire your honesty. Your a great supporter and your passion for the county is mighty. Fair play to you.
Also have to say I like reading Jinxie and Ziggy who always have very good anaylsis of Meath games. Three hoganstand legends . Respect.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 21/02/2018 21:28:48
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Meath V Tipperary NFL Rd 1 - 14 Like(s)
Replying To Young_gael: "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." Sean Boylan is a man who understands and knows Meath football better then anyone alive. Sean was talking in a radio show. And this is what he said, I dont have exact words. This is summary what he said. He said Meaths traditional passion never say die spirit , the problem is sucessfully having that passion and mixing or gelling it with modern football tactics we have failed ,it hasnt worked yet.
What Sean meant was Meath football was off the cuff , it was all passion, 110% gut determination . An organised chaos where every player fought for the ball like their lifes depended on it. It was instinctive. Modern football is more thoughtful , tactic driven , Meath have failed to mix the old values with modern possession football. How do you get young men to go through brick walls but also play in a modern way. I probaly havent explained that well.
We need to become ruthless , but that was the Meath way. We were the most rutless county in Ireland. 15mins left other counties wilted we upped a level and became stronger and more skilful. The fact is for us to be sucessful our young footballers have to tap into that Meath physhe, a stubborn , a thick unyielding unbending ruthless incredibly efficent never say die spirit. But also play the modern game sucessfully. Be tactically aware.
Its still there. When I see our minors beat Dublin year after year. When I see us put up to Tyrone its still there. There are no rainbows and snowdrop mentality in Meath football. Meath football was built on hard work , incredible determination and unyielding desire to not give an inch to the opposition. If our young players are to be sucessful they need to tap into those values.
The two most sucessful team of last 20 year kilkenny hurlers and Dublin footballers . Cody and Galvin always talk about the traditions and values of kilkenny hurling and Dubin football. Galvin constantly refers to the Dublin way to Vincents and Heffernan. Galvin and Cody built their teams on the shoulders of great Dublin and kilkenny men. They knew what makes their county tick. They played in modern way with their values intact and understood. We need to play in a modern ruthless way , a pragmatic way , but also with that passionate spirit that shook Irish summers year after year. Thats the way to our comeback.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 26/01/2019 17:32:03
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Meath V Tyrone - 14 Like(s)
Replying To royaldunne: "Excellent intelligent post." Thanks Royaldunne, your a legend, a gentleman and a great Meath supporter through the bad and the good days.
Regards the point someone made we up our game in the past, this is looking through rose tinted glasses. Well 2013 and 2015 performances v Tyrone many of the current players where playing . And 2014 v Galway and Donegal also are not that long afo.
But in the last year, thats not that long ago, we have played 3 top 8 teams. Only 3 top 8 teams . All possibly of those three teams could in the next couple of weeks have provicial titles. Roscommon won Connacht last year. Galway could win this year Conancht and Donegal have a great chance of winning Ulster this year. The fact is the winners of division 2 last year and this year we are unbeaten we defeated and drew in the two games. We defeated Galway who are a top 8 team and while they were up and down in the championship last year, in last years league and this years league Galway have been very hard to beat. In their last 10 or 11 league matchs Galway played in last years league and this year , the only teams to beat them in the league in those 10 or 11 games, were Dublin and Meath. Not Kerry or Tyrone, Dublin and Meath.
Regards Donegal they were up and down in the championship last year, but they had a very good league last year and look like possible Ulster champions in waiting this year. The fact is Donegal were in the top 8 teams last year and are in the top 8 teams this year and yet we gave them a good games and in last 10 mins to go last year we looked like we were going to beat them.
Roscommon won div 2 this year, are reigning Connacht champions and are in the top 8 teams in the country and yet
only for injury time peno we would have beaten them not drawn them .
All those games are in the last year or so; yes I know we were poor v kildare Cavan Tipp and longford. We are so bloody inconsitent it would drive you around the bend. But the fact is I cannot think besides Roscommon, I cannot think of a team in div 2 3 or 4 who have had 3 performances , 2 results and 1 point loss v top 8 teams in the last year since start of 2017. If we could find a level of consistency we wouldbe a team that could get promoted and could go on a run in the championship. But we have again got a tough draw , another Ulster team. Its unlikely we will win, but again its not impossible.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - 07/06/2018 21:02:39
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