Messages

lots of rumours alright, interesting to see what happens. 

I've heard that the players are still backing him despite all that has gone on, so it might not be as straightforward as some might wish.

That's what I mean, no sharpness. Last to the ball.  We don't need weightlifters, we need footballers.

As for McHugh's comments, hard to stomach but difficult to disagree with. 

[gutless]

Some are saying the players' body language shows they don't want to play for Banty. Others say they're just not interested, don't give a shite, etc. What's the perception of those who've been to the league matches?

Hardy, and I'm 100% genuine when I say this, the players deserve the lions share of the blame as far as I'm concerned.
You have to see them in the flesh to understand how gutless they have been in the last few games.

Gutless or Headless? I think they were just not up to the task. today Louth gave them an exhibition in winning ball, carrying, passing accurately and scoring (albeit with 6 wides in the first half).  Simple skills done well, not rocket science.

Personally I think too much time has gone into gym work and weight training, and not nearly enough into speed & agility, or simple ball work. Wouldn't you reef the U16 squad out of it if they gave away the ball like Meath did today?
For God's sake, 12 out of the starting 15 have had big days and big results in Croke Park before Banty's time, did they all become bad footballers in 2 years?

So it's farewell to Div 2 and off to Div 3 we go.

I'm gutted, but driving home from Omagh two weeks ago I felt this was on the cards.

Where to now (other than Div 3)? What happens to Banty, judging by the tone of his interview with Brendan Cummins on LMFM, he's not planning on leaving.

Couldn't agree more lads, loads of interest at the younger age groups but very difficult to keep the interest going at Minor and on to adult teams.

And that's before you add hurling to the mix.  And a county board that punishes clubs that are trying to improve players - Kiltale lost the BHG lads this year because the Co Board wouldn't let them amalgamate again after playing together the previous 2 years - that's the way to encourage young lads alright.  We have lost one of the lads to hurling for good now. Great progress.   

Got to admit lads, my editing skills need brushing up - tho there are times the word Ass could be applied to the executive in general 

Don't know if it's all to do with the fairies - some of these problems were there before the M3 arrived!!!

If you could have a wish-list county board executive, who would it be?

Chairman
Vice Chair
Secretary
Ass Secretary
Treasurer
PRO
Director(s) of Games (football & hurling)

I don't pretend to know all the movers & shakers in the County but I reckon John Kavanagh from St. Ultan's has the energy and enthusiasm to successfully fill one of the leading roles. Maybe the Tormey man in Ashbourne (can't think of his first name)? And Ted Murtagh from Trim - hurling director? So far a bit of a spread around the county. John McNamee from Oldcastle might be good in the finance area. What about our representatives at Leinster & Central Council?

Is there anybody in the current set-up that you can see as leading the county board next season? Can we come up with the 'Dream Team' - and would they take it on???

I really hope you're right Ard-Rí, but after the match in Omagh I wouldn't be so sure.  I really thought they were going to lift themselves for that game but it just never looked like happening.

I thought it was very telling that Tom Keague did all the media stuff after the match - not like Banty to be unavailable to the media.

If we had 15 players with Gilesnan's attitude we'd be able to hold our heads up high.  Agree with you on the pace, the difference was shocking tonight. Lenehan came on with the right attitude in fairness, was the most impressive of the subs.  Wasn't sure why Walsh was taken off - he's not the problem in mid-field, but meade isn't the answer either.  A walsh/gilsenan combination would be very raw and untested, but might have the hunger to make it work while we're waiting on O'Rourke. I notice you don't include M Burke - would he have a better chance on the wing than in the corner?
And if not Gallagher then who?

No matter how bad Div 2 is, Div 3 is not a wonderful prospect 

Ah lads, it was the longest, most depressing drive home I've had in a long time. Reminded me of the awful day against Limerick when Coyle was at the helm.

Very few posititves to take from that performance, although I thought (in my own totally biased way) that young Tobin did as well as anyone for us.

I guess whatever plan/tactics Banty is trying to impose just isn't working. Don't think it's all his fault but the players can't shoulder all the blame either. 
We looked sluggish. The Tyrone lads had such sharpness by comparison.  Is it the training? is it the tactics? is it that we just don't have the players?

Am really not looking forward to the Louth game, even the Tyrone supporters tonight were saying that Louth gave them a much better game.

How far we've come from the guarded optimism that night in Páirc Tailteann against Kildare 

Too much expected of Reilly the last day - delighted he's back in the forwards. 

Will be happy if they play as well as in the Kildare game, but not expecting to be coming home with any points unfortunately.

As I understand it the reason Monaghan won at the DRA the first time was just because the CHC had overstepped their brief in deciding where the game should be played - that decision should have rested with the CCCC.  So when the matter went back to CHC they imposed the loss of home advantage but left it to CCCC to fix the venue -  I think it's fairer now because Galway still have to travel and don't gain home advantage either.

Seems to me that fines are payed by the County Board rather than the players. This punishment will affect the players directly, and they'll have to deal with the fall out from disgruntled supporters too - might make them think twice for the next 'scuffle'. 

It's been a long saga, but hopefully that's the end of it.