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What was the story with the slipping folks?  Understand that the tyrone game probably had the worst conditions and it was like bambi on ice at times.  Just one of those things?

I was there both days, have to agree.
Players were slipping a lot yesterday, seemed to be more prevalent on the 45 at canal end.
but was also noteable around other 45 also.

[believe will dominate Leinster over next 5 years]

Galway will probably never win an all ireland now will they?

Which is sad to see

Fair play to Meath despite not playing their best....there's an all Ireland in that team maybe not this year but in the coming years.

been saying this all year. Youngest team in quarterfinals. This will all add to them going forward next year and the year after. Best all round players since 96/04. Future looks very bright. I believe will dominate Leinster over next 5 years with our main opposition been Offaly. Louth I think will slip back , dubs are in rebuild mode. And Kildare are a basket case. We are the coming team with minor all ire winners and Leinster u20s yet to feature.
The future is bright the future is green and gold.
Hon the royal

Great to win but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Juice
FYI, They are two WUM's
btw great win.

There's question marks hanging over all the remaining teams it has to be said. It's very open.

That said I think we are bottom of the pecking order which is hard to argue with but we still have every chance of beating Galway.

Considering where we were last year it's been a great run but it's by no means over nor should we entertain that notion for a second.

Certainly think there will be a surprise in these fixtures.

Chances of a surprise
1.kerry (hopefully not)
2.Tyrone
3.Meath
4.Monaghan

Tyrone should win it. Kerry pushed all the way by a Mayo team that wouldn't be considered to have any standout players really.

What a class act you are, Mayo U17 (kids really) lose by a few points in an All-Ireland semi final, and you seem to think that there are no "Standout Players".
Way to go

2 weeks of rest aren't going to make much difference to Meath or Monaghan.

Disagree. The rest will give both a better chance of winning their All Ireland quarter than if they had three matches in consecutive weekends and then playing a rested opponent.

Agree, the pace of the "new game" is not comparable to what went before where teams could keep a possession for two minutes at a time, passing back and forth between the 50's.

If any of the winners of next weekend are involved in a close game, i.e.  down to last five minutes, you would feel it will have to have some impact in a game a week later on a pitch like croke park, especially as they have gone through a very difficult games this past weekend.

Am I right?
Meath can't play Kerry, Cork or Louth
Tyrone can't play Donegal or Cavan
Monaghan can't play Louth or Down
Armagh can't play Donegal, Galway or Dublin.

100% correct

Almost certain that it's only provincial finals and group games that can't happen again in quarters. So Monaghan/Donegal and Meath/Dublin are possible

Yeah that's my understanding as well.

correct

I guess the secrets out on McEntee not being that good. 

McEntee had Carrabine and Murphy in their prime in Div4 and still struggled to get us out. Why because he mixed their talent with some very poor players. One of worst player evaluations I seen was David Phillips starting for us and then putting him on Cox in championship. I found it very hard to take this management seriously after that, then similar mistakes happened over and over even this year. I asked people on the county board face to face to how that can happen and was just advised he is a great lad. That's when I knew personality was way too important of a factor in the evaluation process. It was a free pass the first few years with McEntee according to them.

Keane the coach wasn't long putting our underage players in their place if they came into the set up with too much confidence and trying to put them down. I have been told they would find fault in them a lot quicker than older players.

It took them until this year to see Kilcoyne and McNamara weren't good enough to take us to next level. Only 4.5 years of developing low ceiling players whilst oddly not selecting younger ones which I knew and many others did were of more value to invest in.

The main reason some underage players are struggling to breakthrough is some of the them aren't big personalities. They need to be managed differently and this management failed badly in this regard especially with those more sensitive ones who left the panel.

McEntee has some good facets. He is very organised and structured and nice. But those are the easiest criteria for a manager and min expectation. His communication was poor and he comes across awful dour in his media interviews. Not inspiring at all. He looked lost on the line which is why he probably moved to the stands although that will be played as having a better view.

The county board batten down the hatches to protect McEntee or was it to protect criticism from themselves.

This management failed to inspire the Sligo public as shown in the lack of support in the seniors. We all saw our potential at the u20 final where a huge Sligo crowd showed up.

McEntee talked of how nice everyone in Sligo was to him and how well he was treated. Everyone should treat people with respect but we are far too nice in Sligo. Roscommon people were waiting for Maughan outside the dressing room in 06 comes to mind. They and many other successful counties would never have tolerated what this management achieved over 5 years. Keane in 7 years has only really brought back to where he started. No progress. Davy Burkes job is in jeopardy after getting Roscommon back to Division 1, that would never happen in Sligo where mediocrity is accepted. I wont miss McEntee or Keane but I will give him credit for resigning and saving us time.

The Fermanagh performance showcased where this management brought us, couldn't beat a team ranked around 21. Fermanagh a county who haven't had near the underage success we have had are beating us and spending way more time in Div2 last few years.

Going forward I don't want a nice manager who is just organised and gets on with County Board. The county board need to hold our managers more accountable. They ultimately work for us but it is a collaboration.

I want a winner, a manager with a Aura who exudes belief but backs it up with tactical knowledge. A manager that can see the patterns in the game. I always felt McEntee was blind to seeing the patterns of games which is why no matter what he made the same subs and the same time. Never knew how to change momentum or enhance it. A manager who can evaluate players on ability and potential and can develop them faster.

We need someone of substance who can inspire and bring the whole county with him. Has to carry the belief. This set of players, can they believe they will win Connacht in the last minute of game 1pt down to get the 2pter, that kinda of pressure when the opposition are pushing up on us. Can we hold on to the lead late on with a Connacht title on the line. This team haven't faced that kinda of pressure at senior in long time. In fairness in 07 we didn't handle it great but was just about enough.

3 year look ahead targets,

Division 2 and maintain
Beat 1 of the top 3 in Connacht and competitive against all of them - hammerings not accepted
Sam Maguire qualification and last 16
Lower age profile of team
Improve pace of team
Improve kickout %
Improve goal chance concession etc..

We have to find 4 players that can start and excel, Dillon Walsh, Tommy Ross and Ronan Niland are not projects and should be going straight into the squad next year if fit. Casserly and Conlon need to be given chances. Luke Marren needs to be brought and James Donlon. Both need county conditioning. Midfielders of size need to be targeted. Keaney and Banks brought in. Most importantly Keelan Harte in goals needs to approached. I'd like to see Sheridan and Byrne in. Carrabine comes back hopefully. You don't take a year out if you rate the management and our chances.

Lastly  - local candidates,

Gerry McGowan - waiting in the wings
Eamon O Hara - with Boyle
Kevin Johnstone - not sure, was with Corofin in 2024
Paul Henry - unattached

Hopefully we can poach Luke Bree back from Offaly

Outside of Sligo candidates

Mickey Harte- proven record of bringing through underage, we are closer than Offaly, he is working with Bree right now. Look what he started in Louth when he took over the same time as McEntee and how much quicker their progress was.

excellent in depth analysis for folks outside the county.
At the same time, you wonder if Sligo did not spill the ball in last year in the final minutes V Galway, what would his legacy be. Probably would still be manager. Fine margins.
Anyway, it would be great to see my neighbors make it back to the top table or at least D2.

[Q/finals]

Kerry v Cavan 3.30pm Saturday
Dublin v cork 6.15pm Saturday

Down v Galway 1.45pm Sunday
Donegal v Louth 4pm Sunday

All on GAA+ 

Assuming that Dublin, Donegal Kerry and Galway win (no disrespect meant, going off the odds)
then the two Saturday Q/finals will be

Armagh V Kerry
Dublin V ?

Sunday Q/Finals

will be

Donegal V ?
Galway v ?

As Donegal and Galway are playing next Sunday and (Jimmy and PJ will throw some tantrum,(justifiably so ) if they are asked to play six days later

Here we go again....
Sligo
Roscommon should be vacant very soon

Probably Mayo too.

Thanks James, but no Thanks.
please stay away from it.

Act in haste, repent at leisure.

Like a lot of Mayo folk, 2021 was the one that I cannot forget.
We don't need another decade of Marathon runners.
We need someone who will encourage forwards to kick the ball over the bar.

Here we go again....
Sligo
Roscommon should be vacant very soon

Probably Mayo too.

Thanks James, but no Thanks.
please stay away from it.

Dunne Royal been blowing about an easy Meath win v Kerry this past 2 weeks.

Let's put some respect on his name.

Hoganstands gain is gaaboards loss. Mark my words that blowing will become tiresome.

Bingo, and also his 15 other aliases.

Cork 0-19 0-17 Roscommon

Rossies couldn't get the 2 pointer they needed at the end

TBH they never looked like getting it, unfortunately they kicked a few poor two point efforts wide in last 5-10 mins.
would have liked to see them progress.

Meath 1-21
Kerry 0-14

Unreal

I'll take everything I said about Meath back if they pull this off

I didn't give us a chance with all the injuries.

Very Impressive
Meath Dublin Q/Final ?

Kerry v Meath - Meath by 3
Roscommon v Cork - cork by 3
Dublin v Derry - Dublin by 6
Galway v Armagh - Galway by 2
Louth v Clare - clare by 4
Monaghan v Down - Monaghan by 6
Donegal v Mayo - mayo  by 4
Tyrone v Cavan - draw

With both Cliffords, Geaney, DOC and Barry Dan out, that Meath prediction might be right and good value at 12/1

All injured?  That could be interesting, not just  for this weekend

A Kerryman I was talking to this morning said this week's Kerryman said DOC, Barry Dan, Geaney and Paudie won't play. He said the Kerryman (as a local paper) tends to be very reliable with injuries and stuff like that and that DC and O'Beaglaoich are also rumoured to be out. Said the talk is Barry Dan is gone for the year and it's very doubtful whether DOC will feature anytime soon. Could just be yerra but if all that lot are missing it could be a very different 26 named and could be a serious blow to Kerry's chances at Sam.

If all six are out Meath will fancy their chances of finishing top of the group, any team with injuries won't want three games in consecutive weeks which is what Kerry will likely get if they drop into 2nd place.


Possible starting 15 if all six are out?

Shane Ryan
Tom O'Sullivan Jason Foley  Dylan Casey
Gavin White Mike Breen Paul Murphy
Joe O'Connor Mark O'Shea
Micheal Burns Sean O'Shea Graham O'Sullivan
Killian Spillane  Dylan Geaney Tony Brosnan

Meath are missing players also. All the talk about kerry missing midfielders Meath are down 4 midfielders. Meath will be playing with their third or fourth choice midfield. Meath are missing Ronan Jones, Jack Flynn, Jack kinlough and Conor Gray missing all midfielders. Jones, Flynn,Kinlough are out for the rest of the year. Jack Flynn is Meath best midfielder, Ronan Jones is Meaths real leader around mid field area, only playet on team at his peak at 28. While kinlough who started ad third man midfielder in 8 games in a row the league and start of championship was excellent is also out. While Conor Gray who was outstanding in Tailtean cup winning campaign is coming back after three months in hospital pneumonia and injury after injury is only now able to take his place on bench. Meath will have three man midfield of veteran 34 year old Brian Menton who struggles to last 70 minutes and past his best. Adam O Neill will partner him who is defender basically a full back. Meath third man midfielder is 20 year old Conor Duke. No one mentioning Meath are missing best midfielders Flynn and Jones and another midfield starter on 40 kinlough. Not one mentioning in this media. Meath are down 4 midfielders and have to play defender at midfield.

Menton and Adam O'Neill was your midfield partnership against Dublin and absolutely dominated the Cluxton kick out.    Jack Flynn, Jack kinlough and Conor Gray didn't play in that match and Ronan Jones was introduced for the final 15 minutes.  Matthew Costello  out the bigger taking point and blow to Meath's chances.

Costello is huge loss. Meaths best player and means Meath have just as many important players missing as kerry.

Still doesn't take away O Neill is defender and Meaths 5th or 6th choice midfielder, Menton is veteran who struggles to last 70 mins and Duke is 20 year old novice. Jack Flynn, Ronan Jones, Jack kinlough are guaranteed starters for Meath at midfield. Jones and Flynn are Meath best players in mid sector and in my view fully fit Conor Gray playing like he did before he got pneumonia is Meaths best all round midfielder. Meath get everyone fit, in coming years it will very strong area for Meath. Menton will retire but you have Jack Flynn 25, Ronan Jones 28, Jack Kinlough 20, Conor Duke 20, Conor Gray 21 all options in mid section. While Cian McBride and Daithi McGowan are midfield options on panel. Conor Nash whose Aussie rules contract is up at end 2026 says he want to play for Meath. He is hugely talented midfielder. Also Charlie Gallagher Meath minor and Michael Mcivor Meath u20 both 6ft 5 midfielders and exceptional at 2 pointers look like real potential future midfielders also. Throw in John Harkin, Cian Commins and brillant Rian Stafford from Meath U20s half forward line last year and this year teams. All 3 are 6ft 4 anf brillant at 2 pointers. Meath have had problems at midfield since 2010. But in the coming years Meath will have huge depth in this area with many 6ft 4 6ft 5 midfielders and half forwards who are excellent at 2 pointer. I would expect in next 2 years player like Adam O Neill would end up being 8th or 9th choice Meath midfielder. Adam is excellent young defender and will replace Seamus Lavin in defence but he is not midfielder. And it does look like Dublin have issues at midfield, and with no real midfield talent coming through. Meath v Dublin rivalry does hinge at midfield. In that once Mullins retired in 1985 McEntee Hayes came dominate. Than McDermott in 90s Dublin couldn't deal with him. Same way Meath couldn't deal with Brian Fenton in last 10 years. Fenton  retires Meath beat Dublin. Its linked.

Regards Meath beating kerry and Dublin in same championship year that would be an incredible achievement. Very few counties have beaten Dublin and kerry in same year in championship. Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal,Derry, Down have never beaten Kerry and Dublin in same year in championship. As far as I can see Only 6 counties have beaten Dublin and kerry in championship in same year and they are Meath, Offaly, kildare, Cork, Tyrone and Armagh.

As far I can see only 4 teams in leinster in 140 years have beaten kerry and Dublin in same year. They are
Meath in 2001
Kildare in 1998
Offaly in 1982
Kildare in 1927

Only 4 teams outside leinster have beaten Dubs and kerry in same year they are
Tyrone 2008
Tyrone 2005
Armagh 2002
Cork 1989

Only 8 teams have beaten Kerry and Dublin in same years in championship in 140 years. 7 of the 8 teams won All Ireland the other kildare got to All Ireland final. If Meath were to beat kerry, they would be youngest team ever in history of gaa to beat kerry and Dublin in same year in championship. With 8 Meath players starting who will 20 21 22 23, average age of this Meath team is 23. A Meath team that wouldn't peak for another 3 or 4 years. If Meath were to beat kerry after beating Dublin it would be historic achievement.

another ignore
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