Donegal v Meath semifinal 2025

[Captain Scarlet]

I heard that Rafferty had gone off when Galway did all the damage. Is that right?
He has been so good and is a throwback defender, and Murphy might not get much change from him, but if he drags him out then that opens it up for the runners.

Maybe the aul boys Keoghan and Murphy match up?

Donegal have a lot of runners but are not all as imposing as some of the Meath lads who can really motor. I had a feeling Meath would beat Galway, but Donegal are a step up.

[StephenC]

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.

[Dunneroyal]

I heard that Rafferty had gone off when Galway did all the damage. Is that right?
He has been so good and is a throwback defender, and Murphy might not get much change from him, but if he drags him out then that opens it up for the runners.

Maybe the aul boys Keoghan and Murphy match up?

Donegal have a lot of runners but are not all as imposing as some of the Meath lads who can really motor. I had a feeling Meath would beat Galway, but Donegal are a step up.

Yep all the Galway damage was done after Rafferty came off. None when he was reintroduced.

[Captain Scarlet]

DunneRoyal would that be a runner for Keoghan to take Murphy if he drifts? He is not exactly lacking strenght and probably is more comfortable further out the field.

[Dunneroyal]

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.

I don't know what ai etc would make of it. From my reading of it caulfied 21, raf 21, coffee 23, oneill 24? Hogan ?
Frayne 22 Curtis 23 duke 20 kinsella 21.
These are ages I've heard put around not 💯 sure if they correct or not
Both keoghan and Menton are mid 30s and lavin I think is 30.

[Dunneroyal]

DunneRoyal would that be a runner for Keoghan to take Murphy if he drifts? He is not exactly lacking strenght and probably is more comfortable further out the field.

If I was in Robbie's position that's exactly what I'd do. Have rafferty on him in close and let keoghan go with him when he roams.

[BillyFlynnfromTrim]

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.

[BillyFlynnfromTrim]

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

[AustinPowers]

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.

[BillyFlynnfromTrim]

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.

[greatpoint]

You do understand you can't just remove the Meath's three oldest players just because it suits your narrative about average squad age?

What would the average age of other counties be if you removed their three oldest players as well?

[Blowitupref]

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.

[Dunneroyal]

I'd agree that the talk of bonus territory etc is over at this point
I recall reading an interview with seamus Kenny towards the end of his playing days. And he recalled been on the panel that reached the 01 final saying that while he was disappointed in losing he and others felt we will be back next year and put it right. And that he didn't really appreciate it at the time. Roll on 24 years and Meath haven't appeared in a final since. So while the odds would say this team with what's coming through will likely win at least one all ire in next 5 years. Should not take that for granted. 70 minutes from the final. And 140 from immortality.  Take it when it comes

[BillyFlynnfromTrim]

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.

[Blowitupref]

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.