Messages

It's funny how the enthusiasm wanes when things look bleak.  I'm not sure how this will go.  We could rise because it's Meath and have a decent game or it could be more of the previous installment.  Either way I don't see much future currently.  I don't detect much life from my Meath buddies either.  There could be quite a small crowd at this one.

Good man AZ.  Daithi was there yesterday but the old fire is dwindling I think he's been sated somewhat by the relative success of recent times (massive success if you consider where we used to be at) and domestic duties - a recent heir has meant that he missed some O'Byrne Cup and League fixtures this year.  Unthinkable in the past.  It would probably take a derby with the auld enemy to the south to get his dander up properly.  He won't like me to say it but he actually had good craic with some of our biffo mates leading up to last years match and was magnanimous afterwards. This is far removed from his old fire and brimstone tirades in his youth.  I guess maturity comes if we wait
Had a wry smile when I read your post about things we never thought we'd see. There's more of us were in that boat than just yourself. These things come in cycles however, so we'll always peer anxiously over the border.

Its more a case of "Welcome Back" Ros. I first appeared here when AZ Offalywas probably still in the US and people like FirstTouchJoeCooney and KerryMike were opinion leaders.  You're obviously fairly new yourself as it's only 18 months since I ceased to be a regular contributor.  Had to re register but only added a full stop to the name.

As regards a bandwagon, it's a bit late hopping on when the wagon appears to be runnining out of steam

Out of Jail.  No other word for it.  I said here that I was surprised Lynam was starting.  He was excellent and really impressed me.  Willo took responsibility well at the end too.  Dessie made a difference when he came on although one terrible pass left us in bother.  He's not half fit and hopefully this will bring him on.  Great to see Shaugho make an impact again.  Turned the game when he came on.  I spoke to Natchie's brother afterwards and he said that he is carrying an injury and hopefully it won't have flared up again.  I suppose tomorrow will tell a lot there.  Denis mixed the good with the bad.  He doesn't get much protection from the ref which causes him to sulk a bit.  Flan was not great and Duffy showed in patches.  The defense looked like creaking at times although Keano was superb as always.  There were a number of last ditch tackles and dispossesions when we looked stretched.  A better attack could make us pay.  Healy looks quite unfit and Derek Heavin will want to forget this one.  Gary was excellent apart from the goal which was a bit of a gift.

Wicklow were good value for a replay and Tony Hannon will want to forget today.  He kicked 5 or 6 wides in addition to the penalty.  I thought the 45 at the end lacked conviction.  If he was in the kind of form that he showed as an U21 against us we'd be hoping to avoid Kerry in the draw at this stage.  He certainly let us off the hook.

The question now is are we going to push on from here with the game brushing away the cobwebs or are we watching the team gradually come to the end of its life cycle.  The Dubs will not be too worried when they see this. The semi final could be painful if we don't improve greatly.

Hope you're right Croi.  The recent ten year anniversary of the trip to Limerick for the U21 final made me realise that some of the lads have been around a while and can't go on forever.  It will be the end of an era when Healy eventually calls it a day.  Hopefully not for a while yet

It's a strange enough team.  I would certainly have JC or McDaniel in before Lynam but Tomas obviously sees more than we do.  I'd say Healy just didn't get the start as he was away so long that he couldn't just walk back in.  I hope Dessie and Natchie are ready to come in I feel that things would certainly be bolstered with their arrival.  I think Kilcoyne may be a little disappointed too not to have gotten a look in.

The team that we are familiar with over the last few years has a fair few miles on the clock.  This could be the last year that many of them will be around.  Hopefully the wheels won't come off.  On the other hand if they rediscover the old solidity at the back then they could give us a bit of craic this year again.  Looking forward to the extra bit of adrenaline the first championship match always produces.