Na fir na Mí agus na fir Gaillimhe. Tá cluiche peile san Uaimh, De Domhnaigh.

[Jinxy]

Meath (NFL V Galway) - Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Kevin Reilly, Michael Burke; Padraic Harnan, Bryan Menton, David Dalton; Conor Gillespie, Shane O'Rourke; Cillian O'Sullivan, Damien Carroll, Graham Reilly; Eamon Wallace, Stephen Bray, Michael Newman

That's a very strong side.
This is when I start getting hopeful.
Hope is a dangerous thing.

[Syferus]

It's sad that Meehan's ankle is still forcing him to miss games, particular after showing real echoes of his class last year. Dunno what to make of Galway this year, like ourselves they have a lot of unproven talent. Not being relegated to D3 should be the base goal but given Westmeath got promoted going the other direction can't be yet ruled out. Would like to see Ian Burke getting a good run in the league.

[Sea The Stars]

That Meath line-up is probably the strongest side Mick O'Dowd has available to him. 12 of those players started against Tyrone and Dublin last year. The 3 new faces are Davy Dalton, Shane O'Rourke and Cillian O'Sullivan all of whom have been impressing. No disrespect to Galway but with the Meath are targeting this League campaign, you'd be very disappointed if we didn't start off with a win.

[Hardy]

Well? Any reports?

[Jinxy]

We won Hardy!! 

[Hardy]

Sounds like a scoreline from an under-10 game. Was there any tackling?

[Jinxy]

Some big hits during the warm-up apparently.

[inexile]

How did Kavanagh play for Galway? Did he score much. Sounds like terrible luck by Galway to score 4-11 and still lose.

[Jinxy]

Not really.
From what I've heard they could have conceded another 4/5 goals and we kicked a heap of wides.

[agorm]

First of all, a message to Hardy. After our varying discussions on the relative merits of recent management teams it does seem as if the current management team under Mick O'Dowd do seem to have got their act together and have a definite plan and focus on the league. Good introduction of new players with a style of play that should be effective once some aspects of play are improved.
It was one of the most entertaining league games in a long time. It was a far cry from some of the league games in recent years in which we said afterwards "can it get any worse " etc. You could tell that all of the players and management were up for this one.

Meath had huge possession in the first half but wasted an awful lot as the players got into good positions but then didnt finish off the scores. There were about 10 wides in the first half and the same post hit 3 times. O'Sullivan and Wallace skinned their men but we often failed to capitalise. Let's hope that this is an area that can be improved as the speed of these guys and the general movement is impressive.

However, and credit to Galway, they kept in the game for much of the first half and Kavanagh was instrumental in much of what they did. They took their goals very well and, but for an outstanding penalty save by O'Rourke, could have gone in 5 points up when Meath had most of the play.

We kind of expected Meath to improve in front of goal in the second half and try and be calmer shooting etc. however it was Galway that started best and carved Meath open with another goal to go 5 points up. However the turnaround was great with a calmer approach. Graham Reilly go a crucial score and, in general, the conversion rate was much improved. We turned it around to a 6 point lead but let them in for another goal which left the end a bit more uneasy than it should have been. Some super moves for scores and Mickey Burke, David Bray, Newman, Tormey, Wallace all got in on the action. Keoghan dummied his man and got a lovely point.

In the end a great result but the big issue must be the concession of the goals. The management will look a that. We also need to convert more chances but that will come in time. Shane O'Rourke is still a bit away from full fitness. Tormey did well and should keep his place even if Gillespie is back. Donal Keoghan and Cillian O'Sullivan also very good. David Bray did well when he came on so there are a lot of positives and a good start to the league.

Hopefully we can shore up the defence for the forthcoming games and, if we do that, I think that we have a great chance of promotion.

[seafoid]

Thank Christ the GAA season is back. It gets awful boring between October and January.
Soccer doesn't go anywhere near it for me.

[Hardy]

Thanks for the report, agorm. I'm back in good humour now that the nightmare is over and we seem to be doing things right again.