Meath Vs Dublin, 7th June 2009

[On the 14]

Any idea on the Meath team at all? Are there still a few injuries with ye boys??

Dublin team expected to be - Cluxton, Henry, Bastic, Hubbard, Griffen, Brennan, Cahil, Whelan, Magee, Flynn, McConnell, Connolly, Brogan, Keaney, Brogan - Savage, Casey, Cullen, Ryan, Fennell, Davoren, Sherlock, Quinn, Andrews, Kelly on the bench...

That's the team alright - there's not going to be any middle ground with Gilroy's approach - spoke to a couple of the lads let go last week - two of whom are like whippets and were given six weeks to put on weight - there is more the Vaughan situation and his 'bad back' than meets the eye too..

Do Tell what happened?
Would Davoren not be pushing for a start?

According to the Hogan Stand (no doubt robbed from the Herald or Star) he will be starting. Would be surprised if he wasnt's showed very well in the club championship and played well in the few league games he got too I believe. Offers a serious goal threat.


HOGAN STAND ARTICLE
Speculation is mounting that the Dublin team which Pat Gilroy announces tomorrow morning will show as many as seven changes from that which collapsed to Tyrone last year.

The new Dublin boss is set to dismantle the old guard for Sunday's Leinster SFC opener against Meath, and that is likely to spell bad news for established stars such as Bryan Cullen, Ciaran Whelan, Shane Ryan and Jason Sherlock.

Gilroy is poised to hand full championship debuts to four players - Alan Hubbard, Denis Bastick and Ger Brennan in defence, along with Mark Davoren in attack - while under 21 star Paddy Andrews is also set to start.

Of the seven veterans set to lose out, Colin Moran is the only player no longer part of the playing squad after he was forced into premature retirement because of a hip injury. Whelan and Ryan will be replaced by Darren Magee and former full back Ross McConnell in a new-look midfield, while Diarmuid Connolly, Paul Flynn and Mark Davoren are expected to get the nod ahead of Sherlock, Kevin Bonner and Tomas Quinn in attack.

Meanwhile, team captain Paul Griffin's switch to the half back line could result in Bryan Cullen being squeezed out, with Ger Brennan and Barry Cahill looking shoo-ins for the other two half back positions.

[Zulu]

To be fair to Gilroy I think his experimentation during the league is paying off now and the Dublin team to take the field this Sunday is much better than last years. The only problem he has is will a team that hasn't played together that much gel, though they may have the Leinster championship to iron out the creases.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

What's happened to Shane Ryan? Did he not have a great year last year?

[Canalman]

Going in primarily to support the hurlers and will obviously cheer on the footballers. However, I am firmly of the opinion that Dublin not winning Leinster this year is our way forward. Have been caught in the last 4 years with no recourse to remedy the pain/defeat (both players and mgmt), a trip through the qualifiers with the barrage of criticism (which they will inevitably get) as a motivating tool might be what this team needs. Don't buy into that cheap argument that the backdoor would not suit us........a lazy untested argument (since the Lyons era).

Hope I am proven wrong but I have my doubts about Bastic, Brennan and McConnell. Brennan will probably be ok but I am worried that a club midfielder (Bastic obviously) is our full back, a specialist position which imo means you have to play it (or centre half back at a push....... take a bow Paddy Christie) at club level to master it. Truth be told I am not impressed with Ross although he has many admirers. Looked clueless at fullback and I firmly believe a good player can and should be able to play any position reasonably well.
If  we draw Kerry?Armagh/Cork in the early rounds.....so be it ......bring it on!!!!!!!

Personally,would hate to see this panel stigmatized with a "5 Leinsters no Sam" tag which imo they do not deserve.I am mindful though of the likes of Kevin O'Brien, Stefan White,Mattie Forde,Stephen Bray who would have/still loved a L medal so if I fully accept that I am bordering on the arrogant in my views.

[INDIANA]

To be fair to Gilroy I think his experimentation during the league is paying off now and the Dublin team to take the field this Sunday is much better than last years. The only problem he has is will a team that hasn't played together that much gel, though they may have the Leinster championship to iron out the creases.

Wouldn't overly agree but we will see. Hopefully you will be right but I have my doubts. The concession rate is still the same as last year so far despite changing half the defence and the zonal marking system has been a disaster. Thats been our problem for the last 4 years. Granted they had to change something but whether we have the players to work those systems is another thing.

[thejuice]

Meath have been in the mood for experimentation and probable change as well, with Caoimhin King almost certain to be selected at full-forward where he featured consistently during the league until the latter stages.

King, an All Star nominee as a half-back two years ago, will give Meath mobility and presence in his new position if the management press ahead with plans to select there.

Manager Eamonn O'Brien was a selector with Sean Boylan when Brendan Reilly was converted from half-back to full-forward for the 1996 All-Ireland triumph and was at Boylan's side again in 1999 when Graham Geraghty flew the same path via the half-forward line to provide one of the more inspiring transformations for the county's last All-Ireland triumph.

Even more interesting could be the selection of Shane McAnarney as one half-forward and Brian Meade as the other, a clear effort to provide more industry across this line given how McAnarney is more noted as a defender and Meade has championship experience as a midfielder.

Otherwise Meath will select later this week along expected lines with Anthony Moyles at the heart of defence and Paddy O'Rourke, nephew of Colm, an expected debutant as goalkeeper in the wake of Brendan Murphy's retirement and David Gallagher's continued injury problems.

- Colm Keys

I know Colm Keys isnt picking the team but when you start reading it in the papers you start to fear that it will become a reality. Now it could prove a master stroke as King is great for winning ball but what happens when he has it. Has he the talent to finish it of with a score and I think most vitally for Sunday putting it in the net?

[Kentucky Blue]

Lads, can anyone confirm the results of both teams recent challenge games?

Wont count for a pile come Sunday but just curious.

[INDIANA]

Don't know why meath fans are so hard on the guy. He's a fine player and every forward line needs a ball winner. You can't score if you can't get the ball. He's ideal for other people to play off and I've seen him kicking scores. He mighn't kick 1-6. BUt if he scores a couple and sets up Bray and Co - can't see where the problem is.

[Hound]

Dublin team named:

Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
David Henry (Raheny), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge St), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams)
Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St Vincents), Barry Cahill (St Brigids)
Ross McConnell (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes)
Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Endas), Mark Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)

Almost as expected. Presumably Paddy Andrews in because Whelan not 100%, but somewhat of a surprise that Davoren in ahead of Connolly.

Lads, can anyone confirm the results of both teams recent challenge games?

Wont count for a pile come Sunday but just curious.

Dublin lost their first 3 challenges to Louth, Armagh and... not sure who the other was against, Monaghan maybe.
Then they beat Mayo and Down.

Meath lost to Galway, Leitrim and Kerry. Not sure if they played any more.

[thejuice]

Don't know why meath fans are so hard on the guy. He's a fine player and every forward line needs a ball winner. You can't score if you can't get the ball. He's ideal for other people to play off and I've seen him kicking scores. He mighn't kick 1-6. BUt if he scores a couple and sets up Bray and Co - can't see where the problem is.

Just think he's better in the backs. He's a great player no doubt about it. Just not won over by playing him in the forward line. In theory it should be fine but I didnt see much evidence of it working like that in the league.

[Declan]

Just think he's better in the backs. He's a great player no doubt about it. Just not won over by playing him in the forward line. In theory it should be fine but I didnt see much evidence of it working like that in the league.

Agreed  - He's a good one but I can't even remember the last time he played for us at FF

[INDIANA]

Dublin team named:

Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
David Henry (Raheny), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge St), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams)
Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St Vincents), Barry Cahill (St Brigids)
Ross McConnell (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes)
Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Endas), Mark Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)

Almost as expected. Presumably Paddy Andrews in because Whelan not 100%, but somewhat of a surprise that Davoren in ahead of Connolly.

Lads, can anyone confirm the results of both teams recent challenge games?

Wont count for a pile come Sunday but just curious.

Dublin lost their first 3 challenges to Louth, Armagh and... not sure who the other was against, Monaghan maybe.
Then they beat Mayo and Down.

Meath lost to Galway, Leitrim and Kerry. Not sure if they played any more.

Connolly is not fit. They were hoping he would be. Andrews is in for Connolly. Not sure if Whelan was fit he'd be starting.

[Donnellys Hollow]

Dublin team named:

Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
David Henry (Raheny), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge St), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams)
Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St Vincents), Barry Cahill (St Brigids)
Ross McConnell (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes)
Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Endas), Mark Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)

Almost as expected. Presumably Paddy Andrews in because Whelan not 100%, but somewhat of a surprise that Davoren in ahead of Connolly.

Looks a strong lineup from the Dubs. I would expect them to account for Meath quite comfortably. I've been impressed with the way Gilroy has freshened up this Dublin panel. They should have plenty of experience to spring from the bench in the last 20 minutes as well.

[Gnevin]

Dublin team named:

Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)
David Henry (Raheny), Denis Bastick (Templeogue Synge St), Alan Hubbard (Ballymun Kickhams)
Paul Griffin (Kilmacud Crokes), Ger Brennan (St Vincents), Barry Cahill (St Brigids)
Ross McConnell (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), Darren Magee (Kilmacud Crokes)
Paul Flynn (Fingallians), Paddy Andrews (St Brigids), Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)
Conal Keaney (Ballyboden St Endas), Mark Davoren (Kilmacud Crokes), Alan Brogan (St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh)

Almost as expected. Presumably Paddy Andrews in because Whelan not 100%, but somewhat of a surprise that Davoren in ahead of Connolly.

Looks a strong lineup from the Dubs. I would expect them to account for Meath quite comfortably. I've been impressed with the way Gilroy has freshened up this Dublin panel. They should have plenty of experience to spring from the bench in the last 20 minutes as well.

No one on the pitch to take distance frees.

[INDIANA]

In two minds over it- it had to be freshened up. But i asked myself this morning would that team frighten Meath with 7 newcomers. Ciaran Whelan comes in for dogs abuse here, but he's a talismanic figure for Dublin in the last 4 years. It will be interesting to see how we get on. Not as confident as I was a week ago. All it would take is for one of the Brogans to get another hamstring injury and we'd look fairly threadbare.
Having said that I don't know what Meath team is even going to turn up on Sunday. Whether thats a good thing for them or not I don't know.