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Juice/Jinxy, would it be fair to say that it doesn't seem like O Dowd is very tactically adept???

I wouldn't judge him so quickly, I think his intention was to recreate the style of play Dublin used last year but it hasn't worked for us so far and we may simply not have the squad to win like that. I think we need to reexamine our approach. Considering the amount we are conceding, I think we need to focus on getting more bodies in midfield and defense. However we are only three games into the league. We've a lot of injuries still to clear and we picked up a few more last night (tormey rumoured to have left in an ambulance last night??) 

Staying Div 2 shouldn't be above this team and we'll see what the summer brings for a true reflection of our capabilities.

While I wouldn't judge him at this stage I do think that he is very slow to make strategic changes and hasn't learned from previous games. No defensive strategy that I can see and I am unsure if anyone on the management team can read the game from a defensive point of view.

In the crucial periods towards the end of first half and midway through second half when Armagh picked off points in succession we were getting nothing breaking in centre, our half forwards are stylish footballers but don't do the dirty work to pick up scraps.

I also wonder what instructions the forwards are being given. Several crucial stages where a point was there for the taking they went for goals. Someone needs to teach those forwards the simple technique of punching a ball over the bar.  I think that Eamonn Wallace should be instructed NOT to go for a goal even in a one on one situation as he simply hasn't an accurate enough shot. Get him just taking points when he runs into a scoring position. Very disappointed overall with the score taking of our forwards as bear in mind we got 2 soft goals.

We allowed the momentum to turn back to Armagh by not taking easy chances including the 45 that Paddy took in preference to Newman. Paddy is not sufficiently good to be coming up and taking these and Newman had been lining up to take it.

Overall, I wouldn't be judging Mick ODowd but the gloss is diminished after the last 2 games. He doesn't seem to plan a defensive strategy based on the teams we are playing or maybe the strategy isn't implemented on the pitch. Bad luck with injuries and the talent just doesn't seem to be there in the county however. I just don't see much different in the approach to reduce the volume of scores conceded in the 3 league matches to date including Galway. It looks like we will have to sacrifice a half forward for an in your face type defender and try and stop or slow down attacks earlier on or up the pitch.

If we get a full panel back then I think we will definitely be better in better conditions during the summer. There seems to be an issue dealing with the more defensive ulster type sides but that might be a simplistic view and we will probably also struggle against Laois. If I was to do one thing I think I would seriously consider looking for a defensive coach to work with the backs and look at teams we are playing and plan our defensive approach to games.

I was at the game in Clones, there was a pretty decent Meath crowd there. Very well done Monaghan. The simple fact is that Meath were unable to play against the defensive strategy that Monaghan played. They had an extra guy in the defence and he mopped up everything. On top of that everytime Meath did attack Monaghan had about 3 men around the attacker and they seemed physically stronger than the Meath players. When Monaghan attacked they were allowed shoot with less pressure but their point taking was sublime in the first half especially.

I agree with Sea The Stars, some terrible decisions by the referee, the throw in against Paddy, the penalty amoung others.

Very concerning that no change was made in one of the worst first halves we have played in years. Surprised as I was getting quite optimistic about the management.

Very few players played anyway well. Paddy O'Rourke did well, Keoghan did well considering he was on one of theor best players but our defence overall is poor. I thought that David Bray did well when he came on and should start the next day. Carroll very luck to last the 70 minutes as he doesnt seem up to the CHF position.

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.

Didn't listen to it this evening but himself and O'Rourke (although he seems to have tempered it in recent times) are complete clowns – I remember watching an Offaly v Kildare (I think?) game 7-8 years ago and Ciaran McManus was having a shocker, must have blazed 5-6 balls wide in the first half after steaming through the middle. O'Rourke and Brolly basically highlighted these in a sequence and were having a bit of a skit about McManus not being able to shoot straight. Considering it's an amateur game and the amount of service he gave to Offaly football (during what wouldn't have been great years), it was completely uncalled for.

Both of them were great players in their time but they're complete gobsh*tes and neither has ever put himself forward to actually manage a team.

Please get your facts right before posting. O Rourke coaches the St Pats sent team every 2nd year and takes the 1st years the year in between. He has also managed the Simonstown senior team. And don't forget that he managed the International Rules team.

A shock for me too. Both are men who consistently delivered. Ward on his day is a top class forward and reliable place kicker. I hope Mick is not one of those managers who underestimates the vital importance of having a 90%-plus place kicker on your team. Maybe he reckons Newman can do the job and maybe he can.

As for Queeney, I always thought he deserved more of a chance than he got. He always performed when called upon and the bigger the game, the better he played.

Anyway, we don't know form in training. Declan may have it right about Ward, but then again, when did he ever look fit?

The new broom is doing dome serious sweeping.

I agree Hardy, I am surprised mostly about Queeney. He was given very little match time by Mick O'Dowd. And Gillespie had a few stinkers during the league.

Lets hope it is not change for changes sake and that he has a plan and a direction though anyone at the game last Saturday night would have wondered that in the first half.

O Dowd for all his bravery in making these changes now is quite slow to see and make changes during games. However it is his first season and lets hope that the gradual improvement during the league continues.

Leaving my desire within to slag off Meath I would say that Cavan were in a similar situation a while back and went and put everything for a few years into the U21 grade, barely staying in Div 3 in the process. However, we had to since we had no spine of a senior team. We also had a Cavan man in charge of that U21 project and he is now in charge of the seniors and things are starting to look up.

The difference is that Meath do have a decent spine of senior players in Joe Shierdan, Reilly etc but you also seem to have a lot of pretty mediocre players in fringe positions. You did have a minor team in an AI final so there must be some talent coming through. It is also clear there is not a great confidence about the team.

Not sure what ye should do but I doubt ye are as bad (when you have everyone back from injury) as ye think ye are. Cavan were just on fire in the first half and before ye knew it the game was over.

"When you have everyone back from injury" possibly the key point there. Our problem is that a.some of our injury prone players don't seem to be available at any sort of an extended period to get a settled team. Also b. there is and possibly for many years a huge chasm in Meath between our best players and our fringe panel players.  Our problem is that we are now having to rely on these fringe players.

I agree however that we need to make significant improvements in our underage structure and Cavan is certainly a good example. I didn't even get wound up in the 2nd half last night when there was a small sense of a comeback because I knew it wasn't in the players and to be frank it was obvious that Cavan were a better team and wanted it more.

In the eighties a game like last night would have been turned on its head by someone like Colm O Rourke, we might have had only 1 or 2 of the big guns but they did the business in these games. we don't have any player on the panel now that would have made that team. Also other counties like Cavan, Monaghan, Mayo, Donegal etc have upped their game and don't capitulate when Meath start their big revival.

I understand that but we seem to have no game plan, no sense of urgency and it is only after half time that we play with any level of urgency.

Meath supporters that were there tonight should have been given their money back.

Another night in Navan. Another embarassing capitulation. Things have gotten so bad in Meath football that people are not surprised anymore. Cavan could and should have been ahead by 12 points at half time. We are a team without a spine with a management team that needs a serious kick up the arse.

If I didnt see mick O'Dowd on the pitch I would have thought that he was in the offices under the stand at Pairc Tailteann during that first half. A club side from the county would have at least tackled during the first half. Then they came out in the 2nd half and ran around like headless chickens for about 10 minutes working their socks off. Why oh why did they not start like that. It is not as if the same didnt happen in their most recent other games in Navan against Louth and Monaghan....First half performances in recent games in Navan have been mind boggingly bad.

It is not Mick O' Dowd's fault. However it is also not any other manager's fault including Banty or Eamonn O'Brien. I must admit that I qwas wrong in criticising O' Brien the way I did but I supported Banty and I am glad I did because it liooks now that our "in county" replacements are no better and are possibly half asleep during games. Banty would not have waited until half time to make a change and left a midfielder on for 70 minutes that was embarassingly out of his depth.

The talent just doesnt seem to be there at the moment, possibly a legacy to poor development systems over the last 10 years or so. owever Meath teams should not be going in at half time in division 3 games with home matches like this already over. I dont think I could stomach another league game after that and the Monaghan and Louth games earlier in the year.

Oh, and by the way. Well done Kevin Reilly who came on and looked as if he cared and I thought Graham Reilly did well out the field in the second half as well as occasional glimpses from Lenihan and Keoghan.

Mayo need a goal as I dont see them turning this with points. They were unlucky for the 2nd goal as they should have had a free at the other end immediately before it.

Well done Dublin. Best team all year. one thing for sure, Dublin wont be waiting another 28 years for their next minor championship.

Meath were very lucky today and made very hard workof converting their possession into scores.

But, if it is a Dublin Meath final, I cannot see them capitulating the way they did before. They may well lose but it wont be the cakewalk it was on Leinster Final day.

I was thinking about that at the time and I came to the conclusion that Banty wouldn't have been in the mood to accept anything imposed by the county board, flushed as he was with the success of seeing off the attempted heave.

As regards John Evans succeeding Banty, my guess would be that the county board will have learned from Banty's difficulties that an outside manager will struggle to gain acceptance. Though it may be a bit of a reach to expect our county board to learn anything.

Yes, I agree Hardy. Hard also to see that Co Board having the political savvy to impose Evans with the view to developing him as a successor without the knowledge of Banty.

I have a feeling that it is now or never or Colm O'Rourke and that this is now the time or him to give it a go.
He was part of a group that made some proposals on the structures a few years ago. That needs to be followed up on as well.

Well, it's back to square one as they say. At least the issue has been settled within a week and Banty must be givn credit for not allowing it to fester which would not be good for Meath football. Personally, I think he did a pretty decent job but a team in transition in a county that expects a lot more than the underage talent would suggest was always going to be very difficult.

At the end of the day, it came down a pitiful performance from the team in Navan against Louth at the end of the league. That was one of the most horrendous performances from any team i have ever supported in any capacity. I dont know the reason for it, perhaps Banty had them doing strength training or something and they were aiming for the championship. However, there were 15 players and whatever subs on the pitch that day and, manager or  no manager, the performance was wholly unacceptable and the players have to shoulder the blame for, what looked like, a Sunday afternoon sleepy stroll in the park. There were a couple of other bad performances but, considering the importance of the fixture and the opposition, that was the nadir.

In my mind the championship overall was ok. A bad draw against Carlow but a great win against Kildare and a fair performance against Dublin ending in a relatively poor performance against an underrated Laois.

Overall, I would say thanks to Banty, I dont think he did it for the money but I dont know too much about these things so I am not sure what his core motivations were.

Ah that's hardly even a spat. Just a family squabble.

I agree.....if we werent passionate about this stuff we wouldnt be getting worked up about it. Not every supporter from a county sees things exactly the same way allo the time.

On the topic, I hope Laois continue where they left off and take good points from play. However, I think dublin will up their performance from the Meath game. Having played a number of big games in Croke Park already has to stand to them and is definitely and advantage.