Messages

Also listening to Paul Flynn on Second captains he is one of few to see that Meath are marking one on one. This requires real tenacious tackling. Meath defenders are good man to man markers. Full back line especially were excellent Lavin Rafferty Ryan. Ryan had a great game. My worry would Donegal running game cause problems. Donegal grind teams down with powerful running game. Best in the country at this. Meaths inexperience could be issue. But to fair this young Meath are quick learners. Can Meath stop Murphy and Gallen upfront. Meath did a real good job on Con Callaghan and Dublin attacks, Meath backs were excellent v Kerry and Clifford. Kerry best goal scorers in country, didn't get sniff of goal. While against Galway and Shane Walsh Meath did well. It was when Rafftery was off Galway ran riot. Ronan Ryan missed Roscommon game and Defenders Ronan Ryan and Adam O'Neill missed Louth game. Both improve us defensively. But Sean Rafferty is one the stories of the year. Never player minor or U20 or U21 for Meath. A half back for his club. Never started a game for Meath before this year. Wasn't picked for fiest league game v Cork. Played next game 11 point win over Cavan. He has transformed Meath defence. Carrying on great tradition of Meath full backs Paddy O Brien Jack Quinn Mick lyons and Darren Fay. Kevin Reilly and Conor McGill were quality Meath full backs, but great Meath full backs are best in Ireland and Rafferty is definitely best full back in this years championship. The battle between Michael Murphy and Sean Rafferty could have huge impact on game. Murphy is Donegal greatest ever player and one of the greatest forwards ever to come out of Ulster. Donegal have allot threats upfront. Donegal will try stop Costello Morris. Meath need big games from Frayne Duke and kinsella
I think Frayne and kinsella will stand up. We bear Dubs without Jordan Morris he was injured and we beat kerry without Costello, he was injured. I think Eoghan Frayne for Meath and Gallen for Donegal could have huge impact on game, especially Michael Murphy & Jordan Morris kept

Donegal as said  I are strong favourites and deservedly so. But Meath have a real chance of upset.

Hardly worth Donegal's while  turning up against such powerful opposition Billy!

I never said that.
 I said Donegal sud win, but Meath have real chance. I said Donegal are deserved favourites. I said Donegal running games, experience could cause real problems and win the game well. But I also said have allot strengths peoole don't realise. Brillant at breaking ball, huge depth at midfield and defensively improved since Louth game. As I said Donegal should win this game, they are much more experienced and at their peak, and in this year and next year is there time to win All Ireland. They are good enough. But Meath have a real chance, Meath are very dangerous opposition. I'd say McGuinness would rather Galway. He knows so much about Galway. There is unknown quantity to Meath. How good are Meath, what is Meaths ceiling this year. Meath traditionally up their game in All Ireland semi finals. Last two semi finals Meath were poor in 2009 and 2007. Before that Meath went on run brillant All Ireland semi final wins
V kerry in 2001
V Armagh in 1999
V Tyrone 1996
V Roscommon 1991
V Donegal 1990
V Mayo 1988
V Derry 1987.
Prior to 2007 Meath won 7 All Ireland semi finals in a row and really impressive performances. Some of the greatest performances by Meath football have being in All Ireland semis finals eg 15 point win over kerry in semis in 01, 9 points beating of Tyrone in 96 semis, and 11 point defeat of great  Down team in 1966 semis.
Meath should have beaten Galway by 5 or 6 pts even more. What so impressive v Galway was Meath were not outstanding v Galway. Meath beat one of best teams in the country without playing brilliantly. You feel there are more gears in this Meath team. Are we looking at All time great mushroom All Ireland young winning team. A young team winning All Irelands.
Examples in hurling are
Cork in 1966 Cofk in 1999 Clare 2013
Example in Football are Meath in 1996 and kerry in 1975
If Meath won Sam the only comparable All Ireland win would be Dublin in 1974. Dublin were in doldrums for decade and start of the year bottom div 2 team. Exactly were Meath were at the start of thr year, were favourites to relegated to div 3. History is against Meath. Young teams rarely win All Irelands
But who knows. As I said Donegal sud win and kerry sud win. But Meath v Tyrone final could herald a new era of new rivalry for rest of decade, both Meath and Tydone are up and coming young teams, especially Meath. Donegal and kerry along with Armagh and Galway were 4 best teams in country at start of the year. Evidence suggests it will be kerry v Donegal final. But Meath and Tyrone have real chances of upsets.

You left out Subs
O Halloran 21
Gray 21
McBride 23
Hickey 24

Yes because as I said above the average age of the starting 15 which will likely be unchanged against Donegal.  Add in the subs/20 players used the average age is 24.

There's no guarantee. We will have to wait to see. I don't know what this Meath team will win.

That's the main point no guarantee.  Right now you are in All Ireland semi final and aiming to win it.

Firstly my quotes about kildare lack of building on their underage success was not dig at kildare. I hope kildare will  win Tailtean and become strong in coming years. We need Kildare Offaly louth as well as Meath challenging Dubs. If kildare were to make breakthrough also win leinster which I think they are good enough to do, and Offaly also win leinster and louth and Meath. It would transform leinster football. Dubs been beaten by all 4 in coming years, would bring us back to late 90s early 00s. I like Brian Flanagan he has to be given time. It just Mystery why kildare have never built on underage sucess.

Donegal sud win but Meath have a real chance. Donegal are impressive. Best drilled organised coached team in  the country. With quality players very experienced and best Ulster manager of his generation. If he wins All Ireland with Donegal this year joins Mikey Harte and Pete Mcgrath Brian McEniff as greatest Ulster managers ever. Donegal could do job on Meath. Beat them well, 8 or 9 points, it could happen. Donegal running game,,power Meaths inexperience. It's a worry. In the old rules Donegal would win v Meath 10 points plus. In new rules Meath have a real chance of upset. It's control v Chaos. McGuinness wants to control the games, Meath want chaos. As I said Donegal should win. But Meath have a real chance of winning. It would not be surprised if Meath win. But Donegal are deserved favourites.

Beating Donegal would be huge for Meath. It would like breaking final barrier. Meath have beaten Dubs, beating best team in the country for many kerry  and Beating top team in championship in Croke Park. Final part of jigsaw is beating top Ulster team in championship. Meath and rest of leinster have struggled v Ulster teams for 20 years, Dubs exception. Meath haven't beaten top Ulster twam in championship in 18 years since Tyrone 2007. Ulster teams and modern day tactics Meath struggled to break down. Hopefully new rules will help Meath breaking their Ulster poor recotd. Because traditionally Meaths recotd v Ulster team was excellent. Meath record v Ulster teams in All Ireland semi finals v Ulster teams is outstanding. Meath have never lost All Ireland semi final to Ulster team.

Meath have played 7 Ulster teams in All Ireland semi finals and won All 7 Games. Donegal are trying to become first Ulster team to beat Meath semi final.

Meath record v Ulster teams in All Ireland semi final
Played 7 Won 7 lost 0


These are semi final wins Meath have had v Ulster teams

1939 Meath beat Cavan
1951 Meath beat Antrim
1954 Meath beat Cavan
1966 Meath beat Down
1987 Meath beat Derry
1990 Meath beat Donegal
1996 Meath beat Tyrone
1999 Meath beat Armagh

Only Ulster teams Meath have never beaten or played in All Ireland semi final are Down and Fermanagh.

3 areas Meath are strong in people don't realise

1 Breaking ball Meath are one of the best teams in country at breaking ball. Sean Coffey is outstanding at breaking ball. Best I have ever seen do it for Meath better than Kevin Foley or Paddy Reynolds who were also brilliant at it.

2 Meath depth at midfield. Meath hace more depth at midfield than any team in country. Meath are missing 3 midfielders and two of them are their best midfielders flynn and Jones. And also Jack kinlough Another midfielder is out. Yet Meath took off their 3 midfielders v Galway Menton O Neill Duke and were missing 3 other midfielders atop of that. Yet Meaths 6th and 7th choice midfielders Conor Gray and Cian McBride both 6tf 5 anf especially Gray came on and won the game for Meath. Its pity Flynn Jones are injured. But next year with their return Meath should have more depth at midfield than any team in country. If one or two of 6ft 4 6ft 5 half forward gaints midfielders and half forwards come through from U20s and Conor Nash possible return from Auzzie rules in 12 months time, when contract up. He says he wants to play for Meath.  Meath will be like like Limerick hurlers in terms if size around midfield. Nash people consider a better footballer than Conor Glass his return would be huge

3 Meath have one of the best defence in All Ireland championship The team that has conceded less in championship is Meath. People might be surprised by that. But Meath have really tightened up since leinster final.  Meath defenders Keoghan Rafferty Caulfield are probaly currently in running for All stars. Meath are playing with new corner back Ronan Ryan. Lavin Rafferty Ryan is excellent full back line.  Ronan Ryan did not play v louth, neitheir did Adam O Neill a defender eho plays at midfield. Keoghan Coffey Caulfield have been excellent since Louth game. They had nightmare v Louth. Meath have good defenses who can defend one on one like Rafferty Keoghan Coffey Caulfield. Also Meath are playing with 7 defenders with O Neill ar midfield a defender at midfield. He didn't play v Louth. Hickey comes on as 8th defender in half forwards in second half. Meath are defending the middle of defence much better since Louth game. Times Meath were open up v Loutg Roscommon Ronan Ryan was not playing and young O Halloran was playing instead. O Halloran is a great talent is not physically ready. Ryan did not play v Roscommon or louth. Meath defence improvec when he played v Cork Kerry and Galway. Galway burst was when Rafferty went off. Once Meaty have had defence of Lavin Rafferty Ryan Keoghan Coffey Caulfield O Neill on the field Meath have done well. Remember Meath are only team to keep David Clifford quite this championship. Meath also kept Con Callaghan quite also. And Shane Walsh was not as effective v Meath. Players like Cormac Costello have struggled v Meath.

Some of Meaths best defence performance this year
In league kept Roscommon scoreless from play in second half.
Kept Offaly scoreless from play in second half.
Kept Dublin to 17 pts, keery to 16th points, and Galway to 15 pts. Kept Louth to 3 points in first half. Of course goals were a killer

But since Louth game and Roscommon game Meath defence has improved. Meath defence was excellent against Dubs, Cork, kerry. And also good when Rafferty was on field v Galway. Meath seem up their game defensively v top div 1 teams eg Dublin Kerry Galway.

Average age of Meath team is 22 23, Average age of Galway team was 28 29. I think Average age of kerry is 27, Armagh 28 29, and Donegal 27 28. Meath are definitely Youngest team to reach last 8 this year, Youngest team in top 2 divisions this year and one of youngest teams in the country currently. Meath still have player to come through from minor All Ireland winning team and U20 leinster winning team.

Meath starting team v Galway and will likely be unchanged for this semi final against Donegal?

Billy Hogan 21;
Seamus Lavin 30 Sean Rafferty 26, Ronan Ryan 28;
Donal Keogan 34, Sean Coffey,22  Ciaran Caulfield; 21
Bryan Menton 33, Adam O'Neill 23
Conor Duke 20 Ruairi Kinsella 21 Mathew Costello 24
Jordan Morris 25 Keith Curtis 23 Eoghan Frayne 22

Average age 24.8

Galway starting 15 v Meath

Connor Gleeson 32
Johnny McGrath 23 Seán Fitzgerald 24 Jack Glynn 24
Dylan McHugh 28 Liam Silke 30  Cian Hernon 23
Peter Cooke 29 Seán Kelly 28
Matthew Tierney 24 John Maher 26 Cein Darcy 26
Rob Finnerty 27, Matthew Thompson 20 Shane Walsh 32

Average age 26.4




I agree with Austinpowers. You aren't to know where Meath will be next year never mind in a few years time.  Kildare have won as much if not more than Meath at underage level recently but that doesn't guarantee anything in the years ahead.  Meath are in the last 4 and need to throw their lot at it right now, proved to be good enough to beat Kerry,Dublin and Galway during this championship and we'll will soon find out if good enough to win this All Ireland and I sure Meath players and management won't be left to die wondering if they don't.

You left out Subs
O Halloran 21
Gray 21
McBride 23
Hickey 24

Some one above said you cannot take away Lavin Menton Keoghan. I am, because they have year or 2 left playing for Meath. While the rest most of them have 10 years left playing for Meath.
 
Again  defence who played v Galway
Hogan 21
Coffey 22
O Halloran 21
Caulfield 21
Hickey 24

Midfielders who player v Galway
O Neill 23
McBride 23
Gray 21
( kinlough would have played if he didn't do his ACl he's 21 Jack Flynn is 24)

Forwards who played v Galway
Duke 20
Kinsella 21
Curtis 23
Morris 25
Costello 24
Frayne 22

That's Youngest Meath forward line ever to play All Ireland semi final. Not one forward over age of 25. I have never seen a forward line playing a semi final with not one forward over 25. Inexperience of this Meath team. Its definitely most inexperienced Meath team to play All Ireland semi final.

You cannot compare Meath to kildare. Kildare have never turned underage sucess into senior sucess. Meath have always turned underage sucess into senior sucess. Any time Meath have won underage All Ireland within 6 or 7 years Meath won senior All Ireland. Anytime Meath won underage All Ireland players on that team went onto senior success. This current Meath again is showing Meath can build on underage sucess. If Meath are not successful in coming year at senior, it will be first time in Meath gaa history they haven't turned underage sucess into senior sucess.

Kildare are opposite. Anytime kildare have underage sucess eg  win All Ireland at underage or reach underage All Ireland within 6 or 7 or 8 years those players are in div 3. Its incredible how if follows a certain path for kildare. Team wins underage they reach leinster final at senior show promise but then those players  ends up in div 3.

Kildare won u21 All Ireland in late 1960s and reached their only ever All Ireland minor final lost to Tyrone in early 70s. Those players lost leinster senior final showed promise. But by 1976 1977 they were in div 3.
Kildare reached U21 All Ireland final in 2009. Again kildare players showed promise but again within 6 years 2015 they were relegated to div 3
Kildare won U20 All Ireland title in 2018. Again kildare showed promise  reached leinster final. Again those players 6 years later were relegated to division 3.

You cannot compare Meath to kildare.  Kildare win the Tailteann cup next Sunaay it will be kildare second national trophy in 97 years. Other was div 2 title under McGeeney. Meath in comparison have won 17 national trophies in same period  eg 7 senior All Irelands, 7 Div 1 league title, 1 Div 3 leagur title, 1 Tailtean cup, 1 Century cup.
This Meath team have beaten 3 top teams in championship this years, 2 of them outside leinster.  Kildare have beaten 2 top teams outside leinster in championship in 97 years they are kerry in 1998 and Mayo in 2018. ( kildare beat Cork couple years ago but Cork weren't top team).
Meath have always turned underage sucess into senior sucess. This team is already showing signs of that.  Kildare are a Mystery. Great fans  great clubs  early aristocrats of the game. Its just Mystery. It's very hard to explain. Hopefully they win Tailtean cup and build on it.

There's no guarantee. We will have to wait to see. I don't know what this Meath team will win. But I said on this forum 2 years Meath were coming team, going turn into really good team. There was huge talent coming through. Again I don't what they will do. But I am certain the next 15 years Meath will be stronger than they were previous 15 years why?.
Underage sucess. From 2008 to 2016 Meath won 0 underage titles  were hammered by Dubs yearly at underage.
In recent years Meath have won 5 Underage titles and Beating Dubs 6 times in last 8 years at underage. Meath have been hammering Dubs at underage recently by 10 and 11 pts.

Also Meath never got to grips with change in gaa in last 20 years. Meath struggled with blanket defences sweepers. These new rules suit Meath football. One on one defending, long kickout to midfield,,kicking into forward, forwards attacking one one one.. Meath won 7 All Ireland playing this football. The new rules = Meath football DNA. Look how comfortable Meath players look with these new rules. Because they are more like old rules, a game Meath thrived in.

BillyFlynn...

Being at your peak  in 3/4 years,  and successful minors  to come through means nothing. Or guarantees nothing. It's been 16 years since Meath   reached  a semi final . It could be another   16 years until you see it  again . You just never know

Meath have a  great chance of an All Ireland  this year. Go and grab  it.

Average age of most teams who win All Ireland is 27 28. Galway hurlers when they won was 27. Kilkenny last hurling win was 27. Kerry Average age of team is 27 28. Galway finalist last year Average age is 28. Armagh Average age last year was in late 20s. Most team win titles from 25 to 28. Very few win All Ireland with so many players in their early 20s. Kerry in 1975 and Meath are 1996 are rare exceptions.
Regards Meath not reaching semi final in 16 years. That's because we went 8 years without winning a single underage title. This team is built on 5 successful different underage title winning teams. Its most talented group from 90s. Players like Costello Frayne Kinsella Caulfield ask anyone in the county with knowledge of Meath football, the temperament of these guys is outstanding. I have being watching Meath 40 years and some of these players are as good at their age I have ever seen play for Meath. At 25, Jordan Morris is better than Ollie Murphy was at 25.  At 21 Conor Gray is better than John McDermott was at 21. Tommy Rooney on Off the Ball said Gray was cross between Liam Hayes and John McDermott. Ciaran Caulfield is as good a wing back I have ever seen play for Meath. Sean Coffey is better footballer than Paddy Reynolds, Conor Duke at 20 better than Evan Kelly was 25 26 27. Costello is most talented footballer we have produced since Giles or Geraghty. Look at Frayne scored 11 pts v Dubs. Take away 2 pointers he scored 9 pts v Dubs. He was only 21. The last forwards in leinster to score 9 10 11 pts v Dubs in championship were Brian Stafford and Matt Connor. Kinsella is first proper quality playmaker Meath have produced since Giles. Rafferty has only ever played 2 championship games in Croke Park people outside Meath are calling him best full back in Ireland.
Look at what this young Meath done this year.
1 This Meath team are first team in leinster to beat Dubs in championship in 15 years.
2 This Meath team are first team in country to beat Dublin kerry in same championship in 18 years. Only 5th leinster team ever to do it. Only Tyrone 2008 2005 Armagh 2002 Cork 1989 outside leinster have done it.
3 This Meath team are second team in history of gaa to beat kerry Dublin Galway in same championship. The only other team to do it was Offaly in 1982.
4 This Meath team are first team in history to beat kerry Dubs Galway Cork in same championship.

Meath team who reached semi final 2009 was 5 or 6 years together when it done that. This team in its infancy is only starting.

Something is going on in Meath football this decade. There swagger confidence back in Meath gaa players. That'd being missing for 20 years. Look at how Meath women's gaa team came from nowhere to 2 All Ireland recently. Look at men's team. If Meath were to win All Ireland this year, the only other gaa hurling or camogie or football team to come from nowhere to win All Ireland senior in last 20 years is Meath ladies team. From Evan Ferguson, Vicki Wall, Emma Duggan, Matthew Costello, Jordan Morris, Gordon Elliot there is new generation of Meath sports talents young people who have talent temperament swagger confidence we haven't seen in 20 years.

Allowing that it's often wrong ... for the craic I asked AI to tell me the average age of the 2 teams: Donegal 25.9, Meath 26.6.

I then asked it to look at the teams named in their AIQF's and it gave the same figures.
Asking for the starting 15 gave Donegal 29.0, Meath 27.3.

Donegal has a few older stalwarts for sure, but we have a good few youngsters in there too with the likes of Roarty and Moore.

Galway team has being around 5 or 6 years, kerry team has being around 5 years at least. Alot of that Donegal team have being 4 r 5 years. Armagh are also team 5 years together. This Meath only started to be put together at end of 2023 season in Tailtean cup run and rest last year. This Meath team is really in its infancy, 1 and 1/2 years together at most.
Donegal are at their peak as team, Kerry are also at their peak. There's chance with so many players past 30 Armagh and Galway are past their peak. But both are around their peak. This Meath wouldn't peak for another 3 or 4 years or more. Average age will stay low because those All Ireland minors still have to come through. Only O Halloran and Kinlough have come through. Those minors would 20 now. U20 Leinster winners 2024 and finalist 2025 many who are 19 have ywt to come through. U20S like Jamie Murphy Rian Stafford ( Brian Stafford nephew) training with senior panel for a few weeks, but were let back to clubs. They will be brought on panel fully next year. Rian Stafford looks serious talent scored 16 pts in club match recently anothrr 6ft 4 half forward. He's better than Conor Duke in my view, Duke scored 5 pts v kerry recently from play and is in running for young footballer of the year. Rian has his uncle Brian striking style. Surprising Jamie Murphy not given game time and kept on panel. He has been outstanding last 2 years at U20, his 10 pts v Dubs U20s this year was awesome. Huge 6ft 4 full forward would offer another dimension to team. Mcvior 6ft 5 midfielder who was hitting 2 pointers for fun looks another talent, but he is 18, will be U20 this year. And loss of another U20 Eamon Armstrong to Auzzie rules is loss another 6ft 4 half forward/ midfielder. Meath seem to be producing allot of huge 6ft 4 6ft 5 half forwards and midfielders like Conor Duke and Conor Gray. Sean Emmanuel who is 20 and Charlie O'Connor also 20 are on senior panel both are injured are 6ft 4 6ft 5. O Connor  a midfielder, Emmanuel a half forward, but also can play midfield.

Also Meath have some real key injuries, especially to midfielders. James Conlon who was man of the  match v Dubs and was Meaths best forward in championship is now out for season. So are Ronan Jones Jack Flynn Jack kinlough. Jones and Flynn are Meath first choice midfielders. Jones is only player on team is in his late 20s. Flynn another huge loss. Hes Meaths best midfielder. Jones and Flynn are out for the year. Kinlough did his ACL was really good in league as third man midfielder on 40. Only 20 he is a real prospect. Before his injury kinlough was first choice wing forward. Incredibly Meath played Galway without single player age 27 28 29. Only Rafferty was aged 26

Allowing that it's often wrong ... for the craic I asked AI to tell me the average age of the 2 teams: Donegal 25.9, Meath 26.6.

I then asked it to look at the teams named in their AIQF's and it gave the same figures.
Asking for the starting 15 gave Donegal 29.0, Meath 27.3.

Donegal has a few older stalwarts for sure, but we have a good few youngsters in there too with the likes of Roarty and Moore.

Meath players age leaving veteran lavin Keoghan Menton to one side

Billy Hogan 21
Brian O'Halloran 21
Sean Rafferty 26
Sean Coffey 22
Ciaran Caulfield 21
Adam O'Neill 23
Conor Duke 20
Ruari kinsella 21
Keith Curtis 23
Jordan Morris 25
Matthew Costello 24
Cathal Hickey 24
Eoghan Frayne 22
Conor Gray 21
Cian McBride 23
Jack kinlough 20
Sean Brennan 22
Diarmaid Moriarty 22

Forward line Youngest ever to play foe Meath in semi final
Duke 20 kinsella 21 Curtis 23
Morris 25 Costello 24 Frayne 22
Youngest Meath captain and Vice captain ever
Eoghan Frayne captain just turned 22
Ciaran Caulfield Vice captain 21

Average age of Meath team is 22 23, Average age of Galway team was 28 29. I think Average age of kerry is 27, Armagh 28 29, and Donegal 27 28. Meath are definitely Youngest team to reach last 8 this year, Youngest team in top 2 divisions this year and one of youngest teams in the country currently. Meath still have player to come through from minor All Ireland winning team and U20 leinster winning team.

2 weeks of rest aren't going to make much difference to Meath or Monaghan.

Disagree. The rest will give both a better chance of winning their All Ireland quarter than if they had three matches in consecutive weekends and then playing a rested opponent.

Neither Meath nor Monaghan are weapons grade. They won't get anywhere near Sam.

I think they'll be very hard stopped. How many teams have ever beaten Dublin and Kerry in the one year? Us in 02 and Tyrone in one of their years? Not too many more I'd say. Neither of those will fear anyone coming through that prelim draw. 

I do think people don't realise how very few teams have beaten Kerry in championship or Dublin in chamionship. Kerry and Dublin have an aura, many teams are beaten before they go on the field, going back generations.

Let's take leinster teams,with exception Meath very few counties beaten Dubs in 70 years, top counties once or twice in 50 years. Very rare to beat Dubs in leinster final

Wicklow, Carlow, Wexford haven't beaten Dubs in championship in over 70 years.
Longford haven't beaten Dubs in championship in 57 years.
Louth havent beaten Dubs in championship in 52 years.
Offaly haven't beaten Dubs in championship in 43 years.
Westmeath have beaten Dubs twice in championship in 140 yrs.
Laois have beaten Dubs twice in championship in last 70 years.
Kildare have beaten Dubs in championship twice in last 50 years.

Meath have beaten Dubs 9 times and 5 draws in championship in last 40 years.

Laois, Westmeath have never beaten Dubs in leinster final. Kildare have beaten Dubs in leinster final once in last 97 years, that was in 2000. Meath beat Dubs in 7 leinster in 15 years in 80s and 90s.

Nationwide only kerry have good records v Dubs.
Cork have only beaten Dubs twice in championship ever in 1989 and 2010.
Mayo have beaten Dubs 3 times in championship in 2006, 2012, 2021.
Donegal have beaten Dubd twice in championship.
Tyrone have beaten Dubs twice in championship.
Armagh have beaten 3 times in championship.
Derry and Down have beaten Dubs once in championship.
Galway beaten Dubs 3 times in 1933 1934 2024.


Regards kerry again teams rarely beat Kerry in championship.
Donegal have beaten Keery once in championship
Derry Roscommon have never beaten Kerry in championship.
Laois Louth Westmeath have never beaten Kerry in championship
Galway have beaten Kerry in championship once in last 60 years.
Armagh have beaten Twice in championship
Kildare have beaten Kerry once in championship in 97 years.

The counties with best records v Dubs is Meath and Kerry and county with best record in championship v kerry is Down. The one county Kerry has never beaten in championship.

When you look at when county beats Dublin or Kerry it usually one of the greatest performances in their counties history by one of the greatest teams ever to come of that county. Just think of when teams in leinster beat Dubs Offaly in 1982, kildare in 1998, Laois 2003, Westmeath in 2004. Or when teams beat Dubs outside leinster eg Donegal 1992 Derry 1993 Armagh 2002 Tyrone 2005 Mayo 2012. Same with kerry think of kerrys loses in last in 70 years to great Down Galway teams of 60s. Offaly in 70s and 80s. Meath, Tyrone Armagh in 00s.
To beat kerry in championship for any county is rare and wonderful thing, exception is Down. To beat Dublin in championship for any county is rare and wonderful thing, exceptions r Meath and Kerry.

2 weeks of rest aren't going to make much difference to Meath or Monaghan.

Disagree. The rest will give both a better chance of winning their All Ireland quarter than if they had three matches in consecutive weekends and then playing a rested opponent.

Neither Meath nor Monaghan are weapons grade. They won't get anywhere near Sam.

I think they'll be very hard stopped. How many teams have ever beaten Dublin and Kerry in the one year? Us in 02 and Tyrone in one of their years? Not too many more I'd say. Neither of those will fear anyone coming through that prelim draw. 

Very few here are the list of teams below that have beaten Kerry and Dublin in one championship season. Meath are only 5th leinster team ever do it. And Meath are youngest team in history ever to beat Dublin kerry in same championship. Only 6 counties have beaten Dubs and kerry in same championship, they are Meath, Tyrone, Armagh, Cork, Offaly, kildare.

Here below are the only teams in history to beat Dubs and kerry and in the same championship in same year

1 Meath 2025
2 Tyrone 2008
3 Tyrone 2005
4 Armagh 2002
5 Meath 2001
6 Kildare 1998
7 Cork 1989
8 Offaly 1982
9 kildare 1927

Watching Sunday Game clearly didn't watch the game. It was pundits talking about Meath worked harder. But forgot to mention quality of football Meath was brillant. It was better performance than Dublin game. Meath could struggle in quarter final v Donegal or Dublin looking for revenge. They are young team, possibly youngest team in the country. But in 2 or 3 years time Meath should have serious team. Peoole don't realise how young this Meath team is.

Billy Hogan 22
Brian O'Halloran 21
Sean Coffey 22
Ciaran Caulfield 21
Eoghan Frayne 21
Conor Duke 20
Ruari kinsella 21
Keith Curtis 23
Adam O'Neill 23
Jack Flynn 24
Jordan Morris 24
Matthew Costello 25
Shane Walsh 25
Cian McBride 23
Sean Brennan 22
Diarmaid Moriarty 22
Jack kinlough 20
Conor Gray 21

That is youngest Meath of last 50 years. Some of these young players are as good as I have seen come out of Meath. I have followed Meath since 1984. Ciaran Caulfield is as good as half back I have ever seen play for Meath. Jordan Morris is better corner forward at 24 than Ollie Murphy was at 24. Ruari kinsella is best playmaker we have had since Giles. Matthew Costello is as talented as Geraghty and could become an even greater player than Graham Geraghty.

Also Meath still have players to come through from All Ireland underage winning teams and leinster underage winning teams. Players like Brian Stafford nephew Rian only 19 scored 16 pts at club match last week. He is serious talent. There is also allot 6ft 4 6ft 5 18 19 year old midfield half forwards who are brillant at 2 pointers coming through. Conor Duke has being excellent this year, especially 2 pointers. But I personally think  this years U20s Rian Stafford, Cian Commins and John Harkin are better than Duke. Jamie Murphy who was hitting 10 pts in championship games for Meath U20s this years looks like player with real potential. Another 6ft 4 Meath gaint. And Jack Flynn, Ronan Jones, Jack kinlough and James Conlon who are now out for the year. Should be back next year. Jack O Connor will be back from his travels and Conor Nash auzzie rules contact us up in 12 months and he says he wants to play for Meath. Nash is most talented footballer Meath have produced in last ten years. And as Frayne Caulfield Costello get older hit 23 24 25 next few years Meath should get stronger.

Meath will probably bow out at quarter stage, but if they were deliver the performance they beat kerry with, they will beat any team in country. Meath have brilliant this year in games v Down Cavan Roscommon Carlow Cork Offaly kerry Dublin. Even in first half v louth in leinster final, Meath played some brillant play. Is there chance seen how Meath are getting better even since Dublib game. Could we b looking at Kerry 1975, Meath 1996, Cork hurlers 1999, Clare hurlers 2013 were young team mushrooms over night from nowhere into All Ireland winners. Unlikely but Meath win their quarter final, they are definitely contenders than. But in coming years especially 2027 2028 2029, Meath potential is huge. Tyrone are defintly coming team in gaelic football. I definitely think Meath are another team to 5ÿwatch out for.

I don't think people realise how remarkable Meath victory over kerry was at weekend. Kerry are rarely hammered in championship. It was one worst defeats in history of kerry football.

Meaths defeat of kerry was in top 5 worst championship defeats kerry have had since 1950

Kerrys Worst defeats in Championship since 1950 are

1 Meath 2001 15 pts
2 Cork 1990 15 pts
3 Cork 1971 11 pts
4 Meath 2025 9 pts
5 Offaly 1972 9 pts
6 Cork 1973 9 pts
7 Down 1960 8 pts

It was 5th worst defeat kerry have had in championship v team outside Munster ever

Kerrys top ten defeats in championship ever in last 140 years
to teams outside Munster

1 Meath 2001 15 pts
2 Antrim 1912 12 pts
3 Dublin 1934 11 pts
4 Mayo 1948 10 pts
5 Meath 2025 9 pts
6 Offaly 1972 9 pts
7 Down 1960 8 pts
8 Down 1991 7 pts
9 Dublin 1976 7 pts
10 Dublin 2013 7 pts
11 Tyrone 2003 7 pts

It was also the first team has beaten kerry and Dublin in same championship in 18 years since Tyrone in 2008

Only teams ever to beat Kerry & Dublin in same championship are

Meath 2025
Tyrone 2008
Tyrone 2005
Armagh 2002
Meath 2001
Kildare 1998
Offaly 1982
Cork 1989
Kildare 1927

Meath are youngest team ever to beat Kerry & Dublin in same championship

Meath also are first team to beat Dubs in leinster in 15 years

Meath wouldn't win trophy this year but they have definitely had eye catching significant results.

Kerry v Meath - Meath by 3
Roscommon v Cork - cork by 3
Dublin v Derry - Dublin by 6
Galway v Armagh - Galway by 2
Louth v Clare - clare by 4
Monaghan v Down - Monaghan by 6
Donegal v Mayo - mayo  by 4
Tyrone v Cavan - draw

With both Cliffords, Geaney, DOC and Barry Dan out, that Meath prediction might be right and good value at 12/1

All injured?  That could be interesting, not just  for this weekend

A Kerryman I was talking to this morning said this week's Kerryman said DOC, Barry Dan, Geaney and Paudie won't play. He said the Kerryman (as a local paper) tends to be very reliable with injuries and stuff like that and that DC and O'Beaglaoich are also rumoured to be out. Said the talk is Barry Dan is gone for the year and it's very doubtful whether DOC will feature anytime soon. Could just be yerra but if all that lot are missing it could be a very different 26 named and could be a serious blow to Kerry's chances at Sam.

If all six are out Meath will fancy their chances of finishing top of the group, any team with injuries won't want three games in consecutive weeks which is what Kerry will likely get if they drop into 2nd place.


Possible starting 15 if all six are out?

Shane Ryan
Tom O'Sullivan Jason Foley  Dylan Casey
Gavin White Mike Breen Paul Murphy
Joe O'Connor Mark O'Shea
Micheal Burns Sean O'Shea Graham O'Sullivan
Killian Spillane  Dylan Geaney Tony Brosnan

Meath are missing players also. All the talk about kerry missing midfielders Meath are down 4 midfielders. Meath will be playing with their third or fourth choice midfield. Meath are missing Ronan Jones, Jack Flynn, Jack kinlough and Conor Gray missing all midfielders. Jones, Flynn,Kinlough are out for the rest of the year. Jack Flynn is Meath best midfielder, Ronan Jones is Meaths real leader around mid field area, only playet on team at his peak at 28. While kinlough who started ad third man midfielder in 8 games in a row the league and start of championship was excellent is also out. While Conor Gray who was outstanding in Tailtean cup winning campaign is coming back after three months in hospital pneumonia and injury after injury is only now able to take his place on bench. Meath will have three man midfield of veteran 34 year old Brian Menton who struggles to last 70 minutes and past his best. Adam O Neill will partner him who is defender basically a full back. Meath third man midfielder is 20 year old Conor Duke. No one mentioning Meath are missing best midfielders Flynn and Jones and another midfield starter on 40 kinlough. Not one mentioning in this media. Meath are down 4 midfielders and have to play defender at midfield.

Menton and Adam O'Neill was your midfield partnership against Dublin and absolutely dominated the Cluxton kick out.    Jack Flynn, Jack kinlough and Conor Gray didn't play in that match and Ronan Jones was introduced for the final 15 minutes.  Matthew Costello  out the bigger taking point and blow to Meath's chances.

Costello is huge loss. Meaths best player and means Meath have just as many important players missing as kerry.

Still doesn't take away O Neill is defender and Meaths 5th or 6th choice midfielder, Menton is veteran who struggles to last 70 mins and Duke is 20 year old novice. Jack Flynn, Ronan Jones, Jack kinlough are guaranteed starters for Meath at midfield. Jones and Flynn are Meath best players in mid sector and in my view fully fit Conor Gray playing like he did before he got pneumonia is Meaths best all round midfielder. Meath get everyone fit, in coming years it will very strong area for Meath. Menton will retire but you have Jack Flynn 25, Ronan Jones 28, Jack Kinlough 20, Conor Duke 20, Conor Gray 21 all options in mid section. While Cian McBride and Daithi McGowan are midfield options on panel. Conor Nash whose Aussie rules contract is up at end 2026 says he want to play for Meath. He is hugely talented midfielder. Also Charlie Gallagher Meath minor and Michael Mcivor Meath u20 both 6ft 5 midfielders and exceptional at 2 pointers look like real potential future midfielders also. Throw in John Harkin, Cian Commins and brillant Rian Stafford from Meath U20s half forward line last year and this year teams. All 3 are 6ft 4 anf brillant at 2 pointers. Meath have had problems at midfield since 2010. But in the coming years Meath will have huge depth in this area with many 6ft 4 6ft 5 midfielders and half forwards who are excellent at 2 pointer. I would expect in next 2 years player like Adam O Neill would end up being 8th or 9th choice Meath midfielder. Adam is excellent young defender and will replace Seamus Lavin in defence but he is not midfielder. And it does look like Dublin have issues at midfield, and with no real midfield talent coming through. Meath v Dublin rivalry does hinge at midfield. In that once Mullins retired in 1985 McEntee Hayes came dominate. Than McDermott in 90s Dublin couldn't deal with him. Same way Meath couldn't deal with Brian Fenton in last 10 years. Fenton  retires Meath beat Dublin. Its linked.

Regards Meath beating kerry and Dublin in same championship year that would be an incredible achievement. Very few counties have beaten Dublin and kerry in same year in championship. Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal,Derry, Down have never beaten Kerry and Dublin in same year in championship. As far as I can see Only 6 counties have beaten Dublin and kerry in championship in same year and they are Meath, Offaly, kildare, Cork, Tyrone and Armagh.

As far I can see only 4 teams in leinster in 140 years have beaten kerry and Dublin in same year. They are
Meath in 2001
Kildare in 1998
Offaly in 1982
Kildare in 1927

Only 4 teams outside leinster have beaten Dubs and kerry in same year they are
Tyrone 2008
Tyrone 2005
Armagh 2002
Cork 1989

Only 8 teams have beaten Kerry and Dublin in same years in championship in 140 years. 7 of the 8 teams won All Ireland the other kildare got to All Ireland final. If Meath were to beat kerry, they would be youngest team ever in history of gaa to beat kerry and Dublin in same year in championship. With 8 Meath players starting who will 20 21 22 23, average age of this Meath team is 23. A Meath team that wouldn't peak for another 3 or 4 years. If Meath were to beat kerry after beating Dublin it would be historic achievement.

Kerry v Meath - Meath by 3
Roscommon v Cork - cork by 3
Dublin v Derry - Dublin by 6
Galway v Armagh - Galway by 2
Louth v Clare - clare by 4
Monaghan v Down - Monaghan by 6
Donegal v Mayo - mayo  by 4
Tyrone v Cavan - draw

With both Cliffords, Geaney, DOC and Barry Dan out, that Meath prediction might be right and good value at 12/1

All injured?  That could be interesting, not just  for this weekend

A Kerryman I was talking to this morning said this week's Kerryman said DOC, Barry Dan, Geaney and Paudie won't play. He said the Kerryman (as a local paper) tends to be very reliable with injuries and stuff like that and that DC and O'Beaglaoich are also rumoured to be out. Said the talk is Barry Dan is gone for the year and it's very doubtful whether DOC will feature anytime soon. Could just be yerra but if all that lot are missing it could be a very different 26 named and could be a serious blow to Kerry's chances at Sam.

If all six are out Meath will fancy their chances of finishing top of the group, any team with injuries won't want three games in consecutive weeks which is what Kerry will likely get if they drop into 2nd place.


Possible starting 15 if all six are out?

Shane Ryan
Tom O'Sullivan Jason Foley  Dylan Casey
Gavin White Mike Breen Paul Murphy
Joe O'Connor Mark O'Shea
Micheal Burns Sean O'Shea Graham O'Sullivan
Killian Spillane  Dylan Geaney Tony Brosnan

Meath are missing players also. All the talk about kerry missing midfielders Meath are down 4 midfielders. Meath will be playing with their third or fourth choice midfield. Meath are missing Ronan Jones, Jack Flynn, Jack kinlough and Conor Gray missing all midfielders. Jones, Flynn,Kinlough are out for the rest of the year. Jack Flynn is Meath best midfielder, Ronan Jones is Meaths real leader around mid field area, only playet on team at his peak at 28. While kinlough who started ad third man midfielder in 8 games in a row the league and start of championship was excellent is also out. While Conor Gray who was outstanding in Tailtean cup winning campaign is coming back after three months in hospital pneumonia and injury after injury is only now able to take his place on bench. Meath will have three man midfield of veteran 34 year old Brian Menton who struggles to last 70 minutes and past his best. Adam O Neill will partner him who is defender basically a full back. Meath third man midfielder is 20 year old Conor Duke. No one mentioning Meath are missing best midfielders Flynn and Jones and another midfield starter on 40 kinlough. Not one mentioning in this media. Meath are down 4 midfielders and have to play defender at midfield.

With Eamon Fitzmaurice assistant manager and coach and Donie Buckley coach and Jimmy McGuinnes s and c coach also involved strong looking management team.

Got a link to such info?

It's all over the county at moment and We are Meath podcast which is main official Meath gaa podcast which always breaks news in the county gaa wise, it has links to county board. We are Meath podcast has said Eamon Fitzmaurice is strongly touted as being member of O Rourkes management team as assistant manager and coach. They said Donie Buckley as coach also. The podcast always breaks news whose new on the panel whose leaving oanel any managerial appointments. All over the county Fitzmaurice Buckley names are being mentioned. O Rourke does build big management teams. At Simontowns when he managed he had management of over 20 people for that Meath senior club. You would expect a big management team under Colm.

Buckley is part of McStays proposed Mayo management. Still no word in the national media that Jim McGuinness Eamon Fitzmaurice will be part of O'Rourke management.

The Star newspaper last week linked Fitzmaurice to New Meath Management team. And the Irish Examinor also last week linked Fitzmaurice to New Meath Management team. And LMFM main radio station in North East louth and Meath asked Colm O Rourke about rumours  circulating in that Eamon Fitzmaurice and Donie Buckley our part of his management and he didn't rule it out and he didn't deny it.

With Eamon Fitzmaurice assistant manager and coach and Donie Buckley coach and Jimmy McGuinnes s and c coach also involved strong looking management team.

Got a link to such info?

It's all over the county at moment and We are Meath podcast which is main official Meath gaa podcast which always breaks news in the county gaa wise, it has links to county board. We are Meath podcast has said Eamon Fitzmaurice is strongly touted as being member of O Rourkes management team as assistant manager and coach. They said Donie Buckley as coach also. The podcast always breaks news whose new on the panel whose leaving oanel any managerial appointments. All over the county Fitzmaurice Buckley names are being mentioned. O Rourke does build big management teams. At Simontowns when he managed he had management of over 20 people for that Meath senior club. You would expect a big management team under Colm.

Buckley is part of McStays proposed Mayo management. Still no word in the national media that Jim McGuinness Eamon Fitzmaurice will be part of O'Rourke management.

Yes there is.
The Star Newspaper, a  national newspaper said at end of last week that Eamon Fitzmaurice has being linked with being part of Meaths management set up as assitant manager and coach. They also said Donie Buckley could be involved in Meath management team also. The Star newspaper asked Colm O Rourke about Eamon Fitzmaurice as part of his management team and Buckley also dnd O Rourke didn't rule either out. They asked him about Fitzmaurice and he didnt rule it out. If Fitzmaurice wasn't in talks he would have said straight out no.
O Rourke said basically be believe in big strong management with many Individuals with different roles to play.
When O Rourke managed Simontown to two Meath senior club titles in a row he had management team of over 20 people. O Rourke has always stated a big management team is needed for gaa now. O Rourke will have biggest most varied management team in Meath ever. But decisions on every member needs to be finalised. So putting together a massive management team will take time.

But as I said the national media have mentioned Fitzmaurice joining Meath and Buckley also. And O Rourke didn't deny it. That's because Fitzmaurice has being in talks with Meath county board for weeks and attended interview for the job and was frontrunner 3 weeks ago. It will take a few more weeks before we see O Rourkes management team. But it will quite a big set up with allot of good people. From international rules to club O Rourke has always had good management teams.