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Replying To Tobefair80: "I have to agree with a lot of the posters here regarding Mulroy's freedom of Croke Park, i just couldn't believe how he wasn't man marked. The tactic seemed to be drop a forward to him to close off the space, Kinsella and Costello spent a good bit of time in and around him but apart from taking away from their own game it just isn't enough. It needs to be a man marker all day long.
Also couldn't understand Walshe's role when he came on, spent most of his time in the fullback/halfback line, assuming this wasn't supposed to happen. This takes game management from some of the leaders of the team to get the shape rite and that's where Louth's experience kicks in. Not a fan of bringing in Lynch either, he is way too lightweight for a game like that as it showed, way better options on the bench.
But all things considered we would have jumped at these problems in the last few years so onwards and upwards.
Just a query, how many of the minor winning panel is currently with the seniors?" we currently have only 1 from the all ireland winning minor team on the main squad , a few players on the development squad but a major problem with that crop , last years 20s and this years 20s is that a lot of them are playing a low level of football with average clubs , my solution would be is to develop our senior championship like the kerry module and create divisional teams for intermediate and junior teams and let these lads play a higher grade mainly senor football and see how they develop , the current regional competition is good but bears really no fruit and at a wrong time of the year , these talented players nowadays need to be playing at least senior football to develop fully , correct me if im wrong but thats my solution . also a lot of good young lads heading to the us for the summer wether its right or not clubs are gonna get decimated but id have done the same myself it was young lol
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1990 - 13/05/2025 12:45:13
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Replying To southmeathgael: "Is this a serious post ?" What do you find unserious ? That Cathal Hickey could have helped with breaking ball or that Jamie Murphy should have been involved?
Sheridan2010louth (Meath) - Posts: 233 - 13/05/2025 12:51:33
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Replying To ged: "Bit strong to call it pathetic - Look I was merely making the point that the small decisions such as the free for 2pts for Louth or even McKenny holding on to the ball on the sideline resulting in a 2 pointer for Meath all matter when it comes down the stretch. I mentioned already on the forum which anyone is entitled to comment (even if not ones county) that all supporters and both teams were fantastic for creating the great occasion that it was. Meath fans all around me and my family in different areas couldn't have been more gracious and friendly. What happened in 10 was wrong in so many levels and everyone acknowledges that. I wish Meath good luck for the group stages where a good performance in Páirc Tailteann will see you in to the last 12. Apologies if my comments were interpreted as inflammatory." Ged, just wondering we all know referee wronged Louth in 2010. But now Louth beat Meath in Leinster final doesn't right the wrong of 2010. But defo lays the some ghosts to rest ? But looking back after a brilliant Louth victory Sunday. Did Louth over react ? Mostly fueled by over bias against Meath and playing to the narrative. As a Meath living Louth hopefully life might be a little easier going forward LOL.
bobkarlgees (Meath) - Posts: 1269 - 13/05/2025 12:59:41
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Replying To Northsidegaels: "Could Mcivor be an option at midfield or will it take more time? What about Harkin and Murphy in the forwards will they see any game time this year?" McIvor & Harkin still young and eligible for 20s next year, potential step ups are Murphy, Stafford & Martyn which might sneak into the panel but can't see them making any appearances this year.
LowerHogan (Meath) - Posts: 69 - 13/05/2025 13:04:26
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "Ged, just wondering we all know referee wronged Louth in 2010. But now Louth beat Meath in Leinster final doesn't right the wrong of 2010. But defo lays the some ghosts to rest ? But looking back after a brilliant Louth victory Sunday. Did Louth over react ? Mostly fueled by over bias against Meath and playing to the narrative. As a Meath living Louth hopefully life might be a little easier going forward LOL." 2010 dead and buried thankfully. Did Louth react - I take it you mean, the celebrations - def not as things like that are so rare. 68 years in our case. Dublin winning Delaney cups year on year got a polite applause each time as it meant little at that point. If Meath won Sunday - I do think it would have been equally as celebrated due to the length of time since the previous significant win.
ged (Louth) - Posts: 317 - 13/05/2025 14:03:28
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "Anyone know what the latest is with Conor Gray ? Is he available and not been selected or is he injured/not available ?
He brilliant for us in 2023. I know he was sick most of last year." There were a few players who were brilliant for us on 2023 but its now 2025 and going on what Gray produced in last few years then I would safely say he is just not being selected.
Analyst (Meath) - Posts: 1508 - 13/05/2025 14:26:54
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Replying To Ollie2: "Lads very unlucky. I thought once Costello had scored the goal for Meath the Royals would win but fair play to Louth dug deep. The Meath supporters around me were gracious in defeat. There were two young Meath brothers who were obviously disappointed and down in the dumps. I told that Meath will be back and that today was a day I thought I would never see Louth lifting Delaney. Best of luck for the rest of the campaign." Congrats to you and to Louth. Deserved winners! Hopefully we can still have a good year in the championship
Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 200 - 13/05/2025 14:55:59
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On the topic of lads from 2023, what happened to Jack O Connor? He looked set to make a breakthrough.
Spoofer (Meath) - Posts: 52 - 13/05/2025 16:20:25
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Replying To Ollie2: "Lads very unlucky. I thought once Costello had scored the goal for Meath the Royals would win but fair play to Louth dug deep. The Meath supporters around me were gracious in defeat. There were two young Meath brothers who were obviously disappointed and down in the dumps. I told that Meath will be back and that today was a day I thought I would never see Louth lifting Delaney. Best of luck for the rest of the campaign." Congrats Ollie great scenes at the end and a great day for Louth, enjoy the celebrations.
Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 714 - 13/05/2025 18:18:00
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Replying To Spoofer: "On the topic of lads from 2023, what happened to Jack O Connor? He looked set to make a breakthrough." Jack is in Australia.
kingofclubs (Meath) - Posts: 347 - 13/05/2025 19:28:36
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Replying To Spoofer: "On the topic of lads from 2023, what happened to Jack O Connor? He looked set to make a breakthrough." Hes gone to Australia. Works as an electrician, so hopefully doesnt get swayed by the big wages. He's built for the new rules. Imagine what we could do with Morris, Jones, a emerging Jamie Murphy and O'Connor all fit?
Kingroyal (Meath) - Posts: 59 - 13/05/2025 20:43:09
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Replying To clutch: "A honest post or course they were easy frees giving but was both ways if you look at the game again? Free at the end debatable but if is went to Meath you definitely wouldn't be saying it wasn't a free. Louth well on top for most of the second half and over the last few years have go very good at closing out the game and finishing strong" I think most posters here just interested in the sport and like talking through talking points from game.
After the free there was 5 minutes left so also impressed with how you dominated them considering it was close on the scoreboard.
Louth should enjoy their win, they deserve it.
After the game I felt disappointed that we lost but still appreciated I'd been at a special occasion and a historic occasion.
GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 72 - 13/05/2025 21:29:42
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Replying To bobkarlgees: "Anyone know what the latest is with Conor Gray ? Is he available and not been selected or is he injured/not available ?
He brilliant for us in 2023. I know he was sick most of last year." Grey was togged out on Sunday.
atta (Meath) - Posts: 707 - 14/05/2025 08:42:18
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Replying To brian: "we currently have only 1 from the all ireland winning minor team on the main squad , a few players on the development squad but a major problem with that crop , last years 20s and this years 20s is that a lot of them are playing a low level of football with average clubs , my solution would be is to develop our senior championship like the kerry module and create divisional teams for intermediate and junior teams and let these lads play a higher grade mainly senor football and see how they develop , the current regional competition is good but bears really no fruit and at a wrong time of the year , these talented players nowadays need to be playing at least senior football to develop fully , correct me if im wrong but thats my solution . also a lot of good young lads heading to the us for the summer wether its right or not clubs are gonna get decimated but id have done the same myself it was young lol" It shouldn't matter what club level you are coming from. I agree maybe the kerry model should be followed but don't forget the likes of Ollie Murphy never played senior football.
atta (Meath) - Posts: 707 - 14/05/2025 08:45:11
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Replying To atta: "It shouldn't matter what club level you are coming from. I agree maybe the kerry model should be followed but don't forget the likes of Ollie Murphy never played senior football." Murphy did play senior football with Carnaross but your point is valid. A young player with talent from a junior club shouldn't be held back because of his club. If he is brought in, trains well and shows he can mix it with others at senior level, that's what matters.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 642 - 14/05/2025 09:33:05
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Replying To brian: "we currently have only 1 from the all ireland winning minor team on the main squad , a few players on the development squad but a major problem with that crop , last years 20s and this years 20s is that a lot of them are playing a low level of football with average clubs , my solution would be is to develop our senior championship like the kerry module and create divisional teams for intermediate and junior teams and let these lads play a higher grade mainly senor football and see how they develop , the current regional competition is good but bears really no fruit and at a wrong time of the year , these talented players nowadays need to be playing at least senior football to develop fully , correct me if im wrong but thats my solution . also a lot of good young lads heading to the us for the summer wether its right or not clubs are gonna get decimated but id have done the same myself it was young lol" Wow, and correct me if i am wrong but that 1 player that is with the seniors was not on the starting 15? That means that we have not got 1 of the starting 15 from that day involved with our first team now, that is worrying.. Not sure what if anything can be done about it or if it is even any bodies fault but something is going wrong some where. I see a lot of posters saying that Meath and Louth are in a great place due to their recent under age success but history is telling me that it may not make much difference what happens up to u20s
Tobefair80 (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 14/05/2025 10:11:18
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Replying To Tobefair80: "Wow, and correct me if i am wrong but that 1 player that is with the seniors was not on the starting 15? That means that we have not got 1 of the starting 15 from that day involved with our first team now, that is worrying.. Not sure what if anything can be done about it or if it is even any bodies fault but something is going wrong some where. I see a lot of posters saying that Meath and Louth are in a great place due to their recent under age success but history is telling me that it may not make much difference what happens up to u20s" The minors from 2021 are only turning 20 and 21 now so calm down and give them a bit of time.
Royal.Legend (Meath) - Posts: 714 - 14/05/2025 10:53:20
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Ok, so who off that team do you see being involved over the next 2 years? that will be getting regular game time? I dont think it is that unreasonable to expect a few players at 20/21to be involved and maybe there are a few of them with a development squad but if we are to kick on we really need to start seeing a few of them in the not too distant future.
Tobefair80 (Meath) - Posts: 88 - 14/05/2025 12:01:00
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Replying To brian: "we currently have only 1 from the all ireland winning minor team on the main squad , a few players on the development squad but a major problem with that crop , last years 20s and this years 20s is that a lot of them are playing a low level of football with average clubs , my solution would be is to develop our senior championship like the kerry module and create divisional teams for intermediate and junior teams and let these lads play a higher grade mainly senor football and see how they develop , the current regional competition is good but bears really no fruit and at a wrong time of the year , these talented players nowadays need to be playing at least senior football to develop fully , correct me if im wrong but thats my solution . also a lot of good young lads heading to the us for the summer wether its right or not clubs are gonna get decimated but id have done the same myself it was young lol" Jesus I'm posting messages on here and I don't even know about it ….
Dunno how this seems to be attributed to me but hey such is life.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1990 - 14/05/2025 12:01:34
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So I wanted to take a bit of time after the Dublin match and no post based on emotion and see how we got on v Louth and try to be balanced.
Firstly congratulations to Louth, fully deserved victory for them. Better team, better coached and managed, organised, fitter, faster, harder and stronger at every turn on Sunday. They were full value for their win and wouldn't have been flattered winning by a few more.
Secondly Meath have progressed this year and we'll done to Robbie and his team. There's better structure about them, they do seem fitter and better organised, but Sunday showed a lot of the faults of recent years are still there and Robbie isn't immune from criticism. Eoghan Frayne said straight after the Dublin match, if we don't back this up and win the next day this result counts for nothing (or similar wording) , and unfortunately that's what has happened. It's easy to comment and gloat after a victory, but it's in defeat you see the go character of the team. We play Cork in 10 days and let's hope the 30+ thousand folks who were there Sunday pack out Pairc Tailteann.
Before getting into the game, anyone blaming referees for easy frees etc, have a rewatch. The penalty and final free whilst soft, were fouls. You can't push a guy over which Keogy did, and Caulfield (I think ) had a hold of the Louth players arm in the two man tackle that resulted in Mulroys 2 point free. Both were correct decisions. And we got some as well. The 50+ yard brought forward which resulted in Billy Hogan's second two pointer was also soft, and the recall in the second minute for Keith Curtis and a mark I think, was very soft. He played on, and shouldn't have been recalled.
Meath we're the better team in the first half but were repeatedly cut open and gave up easy goals. That our central corridor was that open shows Rafferty and Coffey aren't central players. Teams should be fearful trying to go down that route.. and Louth aren't… imagine what Clifford will be like in a few weeks seeing that coverage. You can't allow your central corridor to be that exposed. The burns goal was well worked and Hogan was too easily beaten, and I could see Lennon was going down the middle for goal from my seat in the lower Hogan.. yet our lads stood off him… Hogan again easily beaten.. and this is why I still am undecided about him as a keeper… he doesn't do the basics of goalkeepeing well… for us to advance collectively we need to be more solid at 3&6.. Rafferty might be a decent player but a full back he isn't, Cofffey is a great player but again not a centre half back. For me Adam O'Neill has to come back into this team at 3 or 6. How he was ignored on Sunday after his performance against Dublin is incomprehensible.
The second half Louth utterly dominated the game. They never looked like they were panicked. Midfield were again cleaned out, Durnin beat Flynn and Menton on his own. Billy hogan never varied his kick out, and with no one able to win a breaking ball we had no primary possession. It's hard to win a game from that platform. You'd hope in two weeks that they can make some adjustments there. Unfortunately they have to make a change at midfield, it's not working and you'll be playing some of the best combos in the country in Cork, Roscommon and Kerry. A fetcher be in Grey or McBride needs to come in and try and catch balls at least. We also need a few guys that are going to stick their heads in and win breaking ball. Personally I'd have James McEntee in ahead of Keith Curtis the next day.
That the sideline watched Billy hogan keep kicking the ball towards them in the second half and Durnin win every ball and not make a change is unacceptable. We beat Dublin by winning their kick outs and dismantled their strategy, well Louth gave us a taste of that medicine. Surely if you bring in Daithi McGowan at FF, you could've brought him in around the middle to fetch balls, I dunno what Shane Walsh role was supposed to be but the bench bar a point from a half fit Jordan Morris had little impact. Again that Adam O'Neill saw no action is baffling.
Croke Park again unfortunately swallowed up a few players and changes need to be made now before we get to Roscommon and Kerry. This group is a killer and we might not get a point from. Roscommon today are better team than we played in the league. Cork beat us in Robbie's first game but hopefully we can turn that over and see how we do. Kerry if we don't smarten up defensively will have us beaten in 10 minutes. We simply can't be as naive and leave central corridors as open as we did, Kerry will annihilate any team giving them that much freedom.
Louth had this game sown up from the mulroy 2 pointer, they controlled possession for the 8 minutes after mattie Costello's goal. They did the same to us in iniskeen during the league. We have to figure out ways to press and push up or other teams will stroke the ball about in front of you for 10 minutes and close games out. It's an aspect of the rules I'm disappointed the FRC haven't looked at… but when you see Jim Gavin on a committee who's team did that for years why would he look to change the rule.
Where to from here.. hopefully the lessons learned will be worked on, some personnel changes have to be made and let's see what awaits the next day.
brian (Meath) - Posts: 1990 - 14/05/2025 13:10:03
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