The Wicklow Vales For Meath (15/06/2013)

[Collins]

Of course it was a poor decision on the pen but overall he had a good game. The fact that you're the only one bringing up his performance tells you he did a good job. As for "not remembering worse........" 

[Ard-Rí]

Think the ref has been very fair and consistent. Got the penalty call wrong but it ended up working in Meath's favour.

I like his style. He tries to let the game go and there's no messing with him if you get in the way of a free being taken. Too many other ref's these days like to penalise the team who was fouled by not letting them get on with a quick free or allowing the fouling team to slow them down. This ref doesn't. Good on him.

He was outrageously bad. Can't remember worse. Constant frees, soft calls, not up with the play, simply terrible. Can't figure out who was more biased, him or McStay.

Just because the penalty 'worked in Meath's favour' because we saved it does not justify a terrible call and yellow card for nothing.

Ah, come on.

Well alright, there have obviously been worse that's an exaggeration. Still terrible though, and Bringing the ball 13 metres (more like 20) forward for the slightest reasons.

[the Deel Rover]

This thread is quite enough  Enjoyable game the penalty miss before half time and meaths goal straight after was the game changer.Whats the story with shane O'Rourke is he still playing ball or injured ?   

[Zulu]

Injured I think.

[emmetryan]

Hi guys,

Tactical analysis of Meath's 1-17 to 1-12 win over Wicklow is now up
http://action81.com/blog/?p=7326

Emmet

[lynchbhoy]

Enjoyed the game and as it was meaths first game out they were rusty- Wicklow showed the difference a game already played makes.
Young talent there for Meath to shape. Was dubious of some of the starting personnel on Meath side and these lads didnt perform.
As for the ref - I felt he was poor in the rule regarding a man going down to pick up a ball not supposed to be challenged. Plenty of men were hit while doing this and no free- happened both teams though.
Well done Meath!

[Hound]

Job done for Meath. The 6 point swing was obviously a key minute, but some nice new forwards in green

[Syferus]

I think the Trimmers are allergic to scoring normal goals.

[ross4life]

I think the Trimmers are allergic to scoring normal goals.

Same type of goal Meath scored against us this year. 

[ardchieftain]

Enjoyed the game and as it was meaths first game out they were rusty- Wicklow showed the difference a game already played makes.
Young talent there for Meath to shape. Was dubious of some of the starting personnel on Meath side and these lads didnt perform.
As for the ref - I felt he was poor in the rule regarding a man going down to pick up a ball not supposed to be challenged. Plenty of men were hit while doing this and no free- happened both teams though.
Well done Meath!

Whatever happened to, bend your back and get your free? Pet hate of mine

[Catch and Kick]

What is going to be done about referees that have no feel for the game they are adjudicating.
A litany of mistakes leading up to Meath's freak goal.
(1) Free awarded to Wicklow around midfield. Soft enough but will give benefit of the doubt.
(2) The fouled player opts not to kick and gives to nearest Wicklow player in front of whom there happens to be a Meath player. Said player had no chance to get out of the way.
(3) Ref brings on ball; not 13 metres - at least 25 metres. (Said ti myself straight away, this will cause a score...)
(4) Goalie is fouled; no free but penalty awarded...
(5) Jostling between players on 20m as pen lined up. Wicklow player earns Oscar going down. Meath man yellow carded.

I was cheering for Wicklow but this is ridiculous stuff. And it's every game....

Slogan on referees jerseys; Give respect; get repeat....two words missing ..... earn respect

Don't get me going on Ger Canning's commentary!

[Ard-Rí]

The overall performance was a little underwhelming if I'm honest. Give the lads the benefit of the doubt because Aughrim is tough and Wicklow were never going to lie down to be beaten, but even so there were a lot of iffy performances for Meath today. King at CHB was not impressive, while Menton did a good job in corner back he is better in the centre. Keoghan badly at fault for the goal but he grew into the game after that. In the forwards Carroll was anonymous, Bray was poor, Newman quiet apart from frees. I was impressed with K Reilly, P O Rourke, Menton, Meade, Gillespie to an extent, P Byrne and Wallace. All in all, there's a lot of improvement to be made if we're to make a serious challenge for the Leinster title. 

[thejuice]

Was an alright performance. Fortunate enough.  Only for Graham Reilly. Weather made it difficult for both teams.

Was impressed with Brian Meade.

[Sea The Stars]

Good win for Meath but lots to work on too. The ball handling wasn't great but neither were the conditions. I was disappointed by some of the decision making by some Meath players - there's still an element of "go-it-alone" type attitude in the forwards. They all worked hard though and at last there's harmony in the team.

Paddy O'Rourke had a very good game. It wasn't a penalty but justice was done when he saved it. Apart from one effort in the first-half, his kick-outs were savage both into the wind and with it.

The backs were only okay. I was impressed by the centre of the defence. Reilly is very commanding at full-back and King I thought done very well at centre half-back. He read the game well and more often than not was in the right position to force the attack out wide or pick up a break. Keoghan was turned very easily a couple of times. He has a tendancy to commit too soon, Menton had his hands full with John McGrath (who looks a very good footballer) and the wing-backs both had a tough time of it. The fact they both picked up yellow cards in the first half probably led to them being taken off. Harnan and Kenny done better in the second half.

Midfield done reasonable too. Gillespie is gradually improving and Meade has a good work ethic. They're both awful clumsy tacklers however and give away a lot of frees needlessly. The one concern would be that the Wicklow midfield scored four points from play compared to our one. But they did make a few fine catches and both pushed forward at every chance.

Forwards, it's worrying that three of the starting forwards were substituted. Carroll and Newman were very quiet, but Newman done well with the frees. Byrne made himself an outlet for pass and was involved in a lot. Reilly and Wallace were both very clinical with their chances. In particular Reilly who I don't think I've ever seen work as hard. As well as his scores, he was up and down his wing a lot. Bray had a frustrating time of it but he worked hard too. He should have buried his chance in the second minute. I'd say he had more possessions than any other Meath forward and made some great runs in the second half. He sprinted 80 or 90 yards at one stage of the second half and really should have got a pass from Reilly who kicked it wide. Sheridan, Farrell and Gilsenan will keep them all on their toes. Personally I'd like to see Gilsenan instead of Byrne or Carroll.

[Jinxy]

I think the Trimmers are allergic to scoring normal goals.

Same type of goal Meath scored against us this year. 

It's all about the top spin.
We have it down to a fine art.