Meath v Sligo, Sat July 1st - Pairc Tailteann, Navan, 6pm

[seafoid]

I don't know why this thing persists of Meath playing to the end and never beaten. It's a cliche that has been perpetuated by lazy analysts and pundits both professional and amateur. That Meath team haven't been in existence since probably 2002-2003. We've changed as has the game itself much over the years since then too but nobody seems to judge us on our current merits.

If the mood in the camp is right I suspect we'll win it much like the Louth game this year. Well put up a good score but still be a shaky at the back. But it could easily go the other way too.

I don't think people pay attention to teams who lose more often than they win. Teams fall out of fashion. Fans drift away. Confidence levels hit the floor. It is only if they start winning again that things change 

[Jinxy]

Comfortably one of the most dispiriting games of football I have had the misfortune of attending.
I was in full agreement with the Sligo lads beside me who felt the worst possible outcome would be extra-time.
This was, in some ways, worse than the Kildare performance.
Against Kildare, it felt like they stopped us doing what we wanted to do.
This evening it felt like we either didn't know what we wanted to do, or we did, but we didn't know how to do it.
The atmosphere was that of a dead rubber league game as the crowd tried to figure out what exactly the point of all this lateral meandering was, as we went backwards to go sideways, sideways to go backwards and then eventually if we were lucky, sideways to go forward.
If Mickey Newman hadn't come on (why has he fallen so far out of favour again?) and steadied the ship with two vital frees, we could quite easily have lost this game.

Sligo were energetic and hard-working and kicked some nice scores, but the sight of every outfield player bar one jogging over and back (or just walking) in our half as we 'defended' a Sligo attack was thoroughly depressing.
I could not for the life of me understand why we pulled so many players back in the second half leaving one man up front on his own.
Then, when we tried to attack, for some reason that one man full-forward line would go charging out to the wing leaving us with no target inside.
At one stage I suggested we bring on Big Joe and stick him on the edge of the square, and the chap beside me inclined his head as if to say, 'I know you're joking, but that's actually not a bad idea'.

What's it all for, at the end of the day?
All the training, all the nutrition, all the 'sacrifices'?
What I saw this evening was a group of young men who were utterly confused and unable to figure out a way around the most basic defensive resistance.
They didn't look like they were enjoying themselves.
They didn't look like they relished the challenge.
To be honest, they looked like they would rather be somewhere else, with some exceptions.
Maybe that's a bit harsh as I know they put in a big effort all year round, but if this is the end result, is it actually worth it?

[Dinny Breen]

Comfortably one of the most dispiriting games of football I have had the misfortune of attending.
I was in full agreement with the Sligo lads beside me who felt the worst possible outcome would be extra-time.
This was, in some ways, worse than the Kildare performance.
Against Kildare, it felt like they stopped us doing what we wanted to do.
This evening it felt like we either didn't know what we wanted to do, or we did, but we didn't know how to do it.
The atmosphere was that of a dead rubber league game as the crowd tried to figure out what exactly the point of all this lateral meandering was, as we went backwards to go sideways, sideways to go backwards and then eventually if we were lucky, sideways to go forward.
If Mickey Newman hadn't come on (why has he fallen so far out of favour again?) and steadied the ship with two vital frees, we could quite easily have lost this game.

Sligo were energetic and hard-working and kicked some nice scores, but the sight of every outfield player bar one jogging over and back (or just walking) in our half as we 'defended' a Sligo attack was thoroughly depressing.
I could not for the life of me understand why we pulled so many players back in the second half leaving one man up front on his own.
Then, when we tried to attack, for some reason that one man full-forward line would go charging out to the wing leaving us with no target inside.
At one stage I suggested we bring on Big Joe and stick him on the edge of the square, and the chap beside me inclined his head as if to say, 'I know you're joking, but that's actually not a bad idea'.

What's it all for, at the end of the day?
All the training, all the nutrition, all the 'sacrifices'?
What I saw this evening was a group of young men who were utterly confused and unable to figure out a way around the most basic defensive resistance.
They didn't look like they were enjoying themselves.
They didn't look like they relished the challenge.
To be honest, they looked like they would rather be somewhere else, with some exceptions.
Maybe that's a bit harsh as I know they put in a big effort all year round, but if this is the end result, is it actually worth it?

Sounds like Kildare v Westmeath/Wexford last year. McEntee like O'Neill is struggling with giving his team an identity too loose against Kildare too tight against Sligo, it will come but it won't be this year.

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

A home game against Mayo would be the best thing possible for Meath. You would be guaranteed a big crowd and a proper championship atmosphere.

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

Sounds like Kildare v Westmeath/Wexford last year. McEntee like O'Neill is struggling with giving his team an identity too loose against Kildare too tight against Sligo, it will come but it won't be this year.

The Offaly game in Newbridge was a big turning point last year, on paper there was nothing too impressive about it but Offaly were seriously fired up that day, there was a great atmosphere in Newbridge and the players enjoyed it and produced a good performance.

[GalwayBayBoy]

A home game against Mayo would be the best thing possible for Meath. You would be guaranteed a big crowd and a proper championship atmosphere.

Think you're right to be honest. Would be televised as well.

[Hardy]

Comfortably one of the most dispiriting games of football I have had the misfortune of attending.
I was in full agreement with the Sligo lads beside me who felt the worst possible outcome would be extra-time.
This was, in some ways, worse than the Kildare performance.
Against Kildare, it felt like they stopped us doing what we wanted to do.
This evening it felt like we either didn't know what we wanted to do, or we did, but we didn't know how to do it.
The atmosphere was that of a dead rubber league game as the crowd tried to figure out what exactly the point of all this lateral meandering was, as we went backwards to go sideways, sideways to go backwards and then eventually if we were lucky, sideways to go forward.
If Mickey Newman hadn't come on (why has he fallen so far out of favour again?) and steadied the ship with two vital frees, we could quite easily have lost this game.

Sligo were energetic and hard-working and kicked some nice scores, but the sight of every outfield player bar one jogging over and back (or just walking) in our half as we 'defended' a Sligo attack was thoroughly depressing.
I could not for the life of me understand why we pulled so many players back in the second half leaving one man up front on his own.
Then, when we tried to attack, for some reason that one man full-forward line would go charging out to the wing leaving us with no target inside.
At one stage I suggested we bring on Big Joe and stick him on the edge of the square, and the chap beside me inclined his head as if to say, 'I know you're joking, but that's actually not a bad idea'.

What's it all for, at the end of the day?
All the training, all the nutrition, all the 'sacrifices'?
What I saw this evening was a group of young men who were utterly confused and unable to figure out a way around the most basic defensive resistance.
They didn't look like they were enjoying themselves.
They didn't look like they relished the challenge.
To be honest, they looked like they would rather be somewhere else, with some exceptions.
Maybe that's a bit harsh as I know they put in a big effort all year round, but if this is the end result, is it actually worth it?

Great post, Jinxy. Captures the mood.

Maybe there's a master plan. I don't know. Maybe even with a master plan we don't have the talent (though I don't believe that). Maybe I expect too much too soon. But this doesn't feel like progress.

One thing that I think is more than a maybe is that we don't have any leaders. Matty made a reference in the commentary to the senior players on the team - Reilly, Harnan, Keogan, etc. The thought occurred - are any of these men that other players would run through walls for, be it out of fear or respect? Where is the Gerry McEntee, the Mick Lyons, the Joe Cassells? We had three (feckit, six or seven) of those types on one team. I don't think we have one in the county now.

[sligoman]

That was a game we really left behind yesterday. Can't fault the commitment of the players who gave it their all but the game plan we had yesterday was just clueless.

I could understand Carew maybe wanting to show faith in the side that beat New York for the Mayo game but I can't for the life of me understand how McDonnell was then left on the bench for the next two matches.

Devaney being the no. 1 keeper throughout his tenure is gone past a joke at the minute.

Yesterday was there for the taking for us as Meath were really that bad and we should have got that goal right at the end.

I would imagine that's the end of the road for Carew. Who are the likeliest candidates?

An ex player like O'Hara or Taylor?
Tommy Breheny back?
Or another outside manager?

If Pete McGrath was available I'd be happy for him to come in. We have some very promising players coming in now, O'Kelly Lynch had a brilliant game yesterday and with the likes of Cawley, O'Connor, Cummins, Breheny, McDonnell, Murphy etc there are some reasons to be a bit more optimistic in the future.

[seafoid]

Comfortably one of the most dispiriting games of football I have had the misfortune of attending.
I was in full agreement with the Sligo lads beside me who felt the worst possible outcome would be extra-time.
This was, in some ways, worse than the Kildare performance.
Against Kildare, it felt like they stopped us doing what we wanted to do.
This evening it felt like we either didn't know what we wanted to do, or we did, but we didn't know how to do it.
The atmosphere was that of a dead rubber league game as the crowd tried to figure out what exactly the point of all this lateral meandering was, as we went backwards to go sideways, sideways to go backwards and then eventually if we were lucky, sideways to go forward.
If Mickey Newman hadn't come on (why has he fallen so far out of favour again?) and steadied the ship with two vital frees, we could quite easily have lost this game.

Sligo were energetic and hard-working and kicked some nice scores, but the sight of every outfield player bar one jogging over and back (or just walking) in our half as we 'defended' a Sligo attack was thoroughly depressing.
I could not for the life of me understand why we pulled so many players back in the second half leaving one man up front on his own.
Then, when we tried to attack, for some reason that one man full-forward line would go charging out to the wing leaving us with no target inside.
At one stage I suggested we bring on Big Joe and stick him on the edge of the square, and the chap beside me inclined his head as if to say, 'I know you're joking, but that's actually not a bad idea'.

What's it all for, at the end of the day?
All the training, all the nutrition, all the 'sacrifices'?
What I saw this evening was a group of young men who were utterly confused and unable to figure out a way around the most basic defensive resistance.
They didn't look like they were enjoying themselves.
They didn't look like they relished the challenge.
To be honest, they looked like they would rather be somewhere else, with some exceptions.
Maybe that's a bit harsh as I know they put in a big effort all year round, but if this is the end result, is it actually worth it?

Great post, Jinxy. Captures the mood.

Maybe there's a master plan. I don't know. Maybe even with a master plan we don't have the talent (though I don't believe that). Maybe I expect too much too soon. But this doesn't feel like progress.

One thing that I think is more than a maybe is that we don't have any leaders. Matty made a reference in the commentary to the senior players on the team - Reilly, Harnan, Keogan, etc. The thought occurred - are any of these men that other players would run through walls for, be it out of fear or respect? Where is the Gerry McEntee, the Mick Lyons, the Joe Cassells? We had three (feckit, six or seven) of those types on one team. I don't think we have one in the county now.

Hardy, Galway were in similar positions in hurling and football a few years ago. No leaders. No conviction. Experienced hurlers who wouldn't catch a ball. They kept on losing. Wexford and Antrim beat the footballers. You can't be a leader if you never win anything  At some stage you have to drop a lot of them and build a new team around young players who don't have the psychological baggage. And it takes time.

[Mano]

That was a game we really left behind yesterday. Can't fault the commitment of the players who gave it their all but the game plan we had yesterday was just clueless.

I could understand Carew maybe wanting to show faith in the side that beat New York for the Mayo game but I can't for the life of me understand how McDonnell was then left on the bench for the next two matches.

Devaney being the no. 1 keeper throughout his tenure is gone past a joke at the minute.

Yesterday was there for the taking for us as Meath were really that bad and we should have got that goal right at the end.

I would imagine that's the end of the road for Carew. Who are the likeliest candidates?

An ex player like O'Hara or Taylor?
Tommy Breheny back?
Or another outside manager?

If Pete McGrath was available I'd be happy for him to come in. We have some very promising players coming in now, O'Kelly Lynch had a brilliant game yesterday and with the likes of Cawley, O'Connor, Cummins, Breheny, McDonnell, Murphy etc there are some reasons to be a bit more optimistic in the future.

Agree on your comments with regard to McDonnell. It's a disgrace if he has sidelined him due to doing his final exams instead of travelling to New York  He should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Remember Cares also dropped him for the Tyrone game after the Connacht final disaster in 2015. It's time to get someone new in who picks on merit and not reputation.

[Owenmoresider]

That was a game we really left behind yesterday. Can't fault the commitment of the players who gave it their all but the game plan we had yesterday was just clueless.

I could understand Carew maybe wanting to show faith in the side that beat New York for the Mayo game but I can't for the life of me understand how McDonnell was then left on the bench for the next two matches.

Devaney being the no. 1 keeper throughout his tenure is gone past a joke at the minute.

Yesterday was there for the taking for us as Meath were really that bad and we should have got that goal right at the end.

I would imagine that's the end of the road for Carew. Who are the likeliest candidates?

An ex player like O'Hara or Taylor?
Tommy Breheny back?
Or another outside manager?

If Pete McGrath was available I'd be happy for him to come in. We have some very promising players coming in now, O'Kelly Lynch had a brilliant game yesterday and with the likes of Cawley, O'Connor, Cummins, Breheny, McDonnell, Murphy etc there are some reasons to be a bit more optimistic in the future.

Agree on your comments with regard to McDonnell. It's a disgrace if he has sidelined him due to doing his final exams instead of travelling to New York  He should be one of the first names on the team sheet. Remember Cares also dropped him for the Tyrone game after the Connacht final disaster in 2015. It's time to get someone new in who picks on merit and not reputation.

Would agree with all of that. A hugely frustrating game, especially as Meath were dire and were there for the taking if we had properly went for it. Not sure who would be the right man or more importantly who'd be interested, but Carew's had three years now and there's absolutely nothing to show for it, time to go before he does any more damage, his dropping of McDonnell and Cawley, having named them in the starting 15, again was bizarre, and then persisting with bringing in subs who it's been clear for some time are not up to IC standard, when the tide was against us and we needed someone to make a difference. There's a decent group of players there to work with, and hopefully a few more coming through from the U21's, if they were coached and managed properly, so all the more vital that the right man is in charge to make the most out of what's there. On a similar note, we might well have seen the last of Harrison, Donovan and Mark Breheny, fine servants over many years and they will be missed.

[seafoid]

I dont understand Sligo
They turned on Kevin Walsh in the name of excellence ,including a rant for the ages by Eamon O Hara. And replaced him withCarew. Who is mediocre at best. Would O'Hara take over now for the excellence?

[Owenmoresider]

I dont understand Sligo
They turned on Kevin Walsh in the name of excellence ,including a rant for the ages by Eamon O Hara. And replaced him withCarew. Who is mediocre at best. Would O'Hara take over now for the excellence?

Pat Flanagan did a year inbetween the two in 2014, which was so-so. O'Hara does have a county title claimed with Tourlestrane and ought to add another this year, which would be historic in Sligo terms, hard to judge how he would go if he went for it but there's surely worse options out there.

His rant against Walsh might have had a certain hint of sour grapes but anyone who observed our 2013 season up to that embarrassment in Ruislip would have thought he wasn't far wrong.

[Syferus]

The moment Walsh started sniffing after the Ros job while still in the job in Sligo his goose was cooked. We'll see about how good Walsh really is in Galway soon enough. Flattering to deceive would be the best way to describe his time in Sligo.

[Declan]

Maybe there's a master plan. I don't know. Maybe even with a master plan we don't have the talent (though I don't believe that). Maybe I expect too much too soon. But this doesn't feel like progress.

From watching lots of league and championship club games within the county I have to say there is a severe lack of talent available to McEntee at the moment