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Post by glengael on Aug 10, 2014 17:34:43 GMT
Listened to the 2nd half of Armagh v Donegal on Newstalk. The commentator Dave ? is ok but he has an annoying habit of saying "10 plays 9", "11 plays 10" and so on instead of just giving the score. What sport (if any) does that phrase come from ?
Sean Cavanagh and Billy Joe were with him and they were ok as well. Didn't hear their comments on the first half though.
Listened to about 5 mins of Dublin v Monaghan with Brolly and Pauric Lodge and then just gave up. Radio is a totally different medium to TV and really Brolly doesn't seem to appreciate that at all. Brian Carthy gently reminded Kevin McStay of that fact last Saturday, you'd think someone in RTE Sport might have noted it and got someone more experienced in radio to do the Dublin game. But considering how they shoehorn some their mainstream "talent" into the radio schedule on the basis of how "wonderful" they are on telly , maybe it isn't such a surprise.
Can't see Donegal lasting against Dublin. They'll make a game of it for a while but I doubt they'll be able to repeat Saturday's late late show.
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kerryexile
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Post by kerryexile on Aug 10, 2014 21:10:25 GMT
Went out to see the Dublin Monaghan game. There was a Dub next to me and we got talking. He said that the current Dublin side are as good as the Kerry side 1978 to 86. Being a fan of Socrates (the philosopher not the Brazilian soccer player) I realised there was no point arguing. I had to pose the $64,000 question. "Who would O'Dwyer drop in the full forward line to make way for Eoghan O'Gara - Sheehy, Liston or Egan? He couldn't answer me and the subject changed. The point is the hype is becoming insufferable. And Dublin are still very beatable. The story is still the same. Everyone is saying they are super fit, great workers, subs as good as the players starting etc etc. But they do not have great footballers. We have to keep the faith. We can beat them and I believe we will beat them. They don't have great footballers KerryEx? Well it depends on context, but in terms of current intercounty squads, they have a good few, Brogans, Flynn, McAuley, Connolly, O'Sullivan, McCarthy. It's not fitness that's overheating the scoreboard. I agree that I believe they are beatable, but for me they definitely have great footballers OK Fitzwop you have a valid point to a large extent. But the word context is very important. I can clearly remember the 1975 AI final against Dublin. They didn't have great players then so we won. Selection decisions regarding corner backs cost us 1976 and literaly a hop of the ball cost us the game in a thriller in 1977. But generally between 1975 and 1986 Dublin were doing what they are doing now and O"Dwyer could always see them off on the basis of using natural football skill. You are right about Connolly. In my opinion he is the best and most natural footballer Dublin have produced between 1975 and 2014. Before he arrived no Dublin manager had anyone like him in any panel. He has tempremental problms and confidence problems but on his day he is an artist. That doesn't mean they can build succes around him this year. The other players are carrying out their instructions so mechanically that his class is lost to the team. As Regards Michael Dara MacAuley I am completely unconvinced. Has he ever taken a ball out of the sky, turned, and set up a corner forward for a score. If he has i"ve missed it. For all the comments about Anthony Maher he could man marks MacAuley in the gangly way that he can and reduces MacAuley from an 8 out 10 performance to a 6 out of 10 performance. That could mean success for Kerry. You are right, the Brogans are top class footballers.
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Post by kerrygold on Aug 11, 2014 8:34:10 GMT
Donegal wont get enough scores to trouble Dublin, it is difficult to see how Donegal can win this game. The McFadden, Lacey and Mark McHugh of 2012 are a huge loss to Donegal now.
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Post by The16thMan on Aug 11, 2014 8:59:39 GMT
Donegal have averaged 17 points a game in their 4 game so far this year while Dublin have played the same number of games and have averaged 29 points a game. Fair enough Donegal play a defensive strategy where they attempt to choke the oppositions attack but I think Jim Gavin and his Dublin set-up will be too smart to get themselves sucked into a defensive cauldron like they did in 2011. Dublin move the ball at a ferocious pace and quick diagonal foot-passing from Dublin plus runners off the shoulder will be the nemesis of Donegal's blanket defence. They have players such as Dean Rock, Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion that they can spring from the bench should the encounter difficulty with Donegal's parking of the bus. It's not all defensive form Donegal, they have some great talent up front such as Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden and Paddy McBrearty that can make Dublin pay should their defence be off the mark. Overall Im expecting a decent game of football from this one with Donegal once again to set out their defensive stall but I do think that Dublin's ruthlessness up front will prove to be the difference between the two sides as forwards such as Brogan & Diarmuid Connolly are hard to keep out of the game for long spells. Dublin by between 2-7 points in my opinion.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Aug 11, 2014 9:00:58 GMT
They don't have great footballers KerryEx? Well it depends on context, but in terms of current intercounty squads, they have a good few, Brogans, Flynn, McAuley, Connolly, O'Sullivan, McCarthy. It's not fitness that's overheating the scoreboard. I agree that I believe they are beatable, but for me they definitely have great footballers OK Fitzwop you have a valid point to a large extent. But the word context is very important. I can clearly remember the 1975 AI final against Dublin. They didn't have great players then so we won. Selection decisions regarding corner backs cost us 1976 and literaly a hop of the ball cost us the game in a thriller in 1977. But generally between 1975 and 1986 Dublin were doing what they are doing now and O"Dwyer could always see them off on the basis of using natural football skill. You are right about Connolly. In my opinion he is the best and most natural footballer Dublin have produced between 1975 and 2014. Before he arrived no Dublin manager had anyone like him in any panel. He has tempremental problms and confidence problems but on his day he is an artist. That doesn't mean they can build succes around him this year. The other players are carrying out their instructions so mechanically that his class is lost to the team. As Regards Michael Dara MacAuley I am completely unconvinced. Has he ever taken a ball out of the sky, turned, and set up a corner forward for a score. If he has i"ve missed it. For all the comments about Anthony Maher he could man marks MacAuley in the gangly way that he can and reduces MacAuley from an 8 out 10 performance to a 6 out of 10 performance. That could mean success for Kerry. You are right, the Brogans are top class footballers. I think MDMC is nearly as important as Cluxton to Dublin, he is the enforcer, the driver of everything in midfield. On Saturday a couple of Monaghan players had a hop off him after about 15/20mins and he gave as good as he got in return and you just knew after that incident who was boss. The man has relentless energy, broke up attacks, set up counter attacks and was everywhere on Saturday. Any team with designs on beating Dublin need to plan not just for Cluxton's kick outs but also marshalling MDMC also. I don't think any team left in the competition has footballers as good as Dublin. If the Donegal game takes a lot out of them, which it may well do, then they may be more vulnerable come final day. Dublin will have to seriously underperform for Donegal to get close and of course, Donegal will have to perform at the heights of 2012 to have any chance. Both of which are extremely unlikely.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Aug 11, 2014 9:09:14 GMT
Dublin won't be tested until the Final which is dangerous for them. Ulster football is very poor at the moment and Dublin have beaten nothing yet. Monaghan conceded Dublin's kickouts which was footballing suicide. Mayo or Kerry will not do that.
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keane
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Post by keane on Aug 11, 2014 10:01:41 GMT
I suspect they won't be tested in the final either.
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Post by buck02 on Aug 11, 2014 10:52:12 GMT
I'm not so sure. With conditions similar to yesterday it would make the game between Donegal and Dublin a lottery. Dublin are a fantastic team but in the right set of circumstances (wet & windy conditions, off days for McAuley & Cluxton), Donegal could beat them.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Aug 12, 2014 9:57:49 GMT
OK Fitzwop you have a valid point to a large extent. But the word context is very important. I can clearly remember the 1975 AI final against Dublin. They didn't have great players then so we won. Selection decisions regarding corner backs cost us 1976 and literaly a hop of the ball cost us the game in a thriller in 1977. But generally between 1975 and 1986 Dublin were doing what they are doing now and O"Dwyer could always see them off on the basis of using natural football skill. You are right about Connolly. In my opinion he is the best and most natural footballer Dublin have produced between 1975 and 2014. Before he arrived no Dublin manager had anyone like him in any panel. He has tempremental problms and confidence problems but on his day he is an artist. That doesn't mean they can build succes around him this year. The other players are carrying out their instructions so mechanically that his class is lost to the team. As Regards Michael Dara MacAuley I am completely unconvinced. Has he ever taken a ball out of the sky, turned, and set up a corner forward for a score. If he has i"ve missed it. For all the comments about Anthony Maher he could man marks MacAuley in the gangly way that he can and reduces MacAuley from an 8 out 10 performance to a 6 out of 10 performance. That could mean success for Kerry. You are right, the Brogans are top class footballers. I think MDMC is nearly as important as Cluxton to Dublin, he is the enforcer, the driver of everything in midfield. On Saturday a couple of Monaghan players had a hop off him after about 15/20mins and he gave as good as he got in return and you just knew after that incident who was boss. The man has relentless energy, broke up attacks, set up counter attacks and was everywhere on Saturday. Any team with designs on beating Dublin need to plan not just for Cluxton's kick outs but also marshalling MDMC also. I don't think any team left in the competition has footballers as good as Dublin. If the Donegal game takes a lot out of them, which it may well do, then they may be more vulnerable come final day. Dublin will have to seriously underperform for Donegal to get close and of course, Donegal will have to perform at the heights of 2012 to have any chance. Both of which are extremely unlikely. Interesting points there Exile, so interesting they seem to be getting lost! I think what you're saying cuts to the heart of the Kerry way of playing and their beliefs about Dublin football. And you're honest enough to say it, fair play. If we meet in the final, you may well be proved at least partly right. Certainly last year's semi with Kerry at the beginnings of transition told alot. Just one piece of clarification though, from you or any other Kerry person here, when you say that Dublin are doing now "largely what they were doing from 75 (74?) til 86" (or whenever, it's arbitrary), what exactly did you mean? The running-game? Depending on fitness and speed over football? Did Tyrone play more football in the last decade than Dublin or was it very similar do you think?
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kerryexile
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Post by kerryexile on Aug 12, 2014 21:52:46 GMT
Well Rashers I was responding to endless inches of columns and hours of commentary about the brilliance of Dublin. Its not possible to have pint even in Kerry without hearing it. A few weeks ago I posted here about an article in a Dublin paper also carried in the Irish Examiner that said Dublins second team were probably the second best team in the country. And after another post Fitzwop correctly pointed out that Dublin does have some great players. Connolly, the Brogans, and Cian O'Sullivan stand out for me. Also Cluxton is the most influential keeper I've ever seen but not the best I've seen at his primary function.
But there are players of a more modest level also on the team. There are also players who are very dependent on speed, some on work rate, - the team as a whole are very fit and extremely determined, incredible bench. Dublin teams have always been like this because they didn't always have 15 great footballers. But Kerry on most occasions, could use skill and instinct to pull off the win.
There is a lot of skill in the in the current Kerry side. It may turn out to be a year too soon for them - but I until I see something different after the final whistle on AI Final day I believe that can do it.
I think there is no comparison between Dublin and Tyrone - Dublin play all out attacking football - look at the scores they put up. For most of Tyrones reign they were basically a defencive team with attacks channelled through about 3 players.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Aug 12, 2014 22:35:35 GMT
Around 2011 I had very little respect for Dublin as footballers but now I think they are brimming with football. Paul Flynn is not the type of player I warmed to before but now he has become quite a good footpasser. Bernard Brogan is and always will be a top player for the occasion. His brother ain't too bad either. A player who was a laughing stock only a couple of years ago is now keeping out a footballer as pure as Dean Rock from the team. The attacking from half back is another cog. MDMA --- well perhaps not the greatest footballer in the world but he is in MF --- it is not his job. Ally this to their incredible conditioning and work rate and you have a fine, fine side. I think to beat them you need a plan, savage intensity and work-rate, incredibly tight defending and lots of goals. However, they can be very wasteful themselves in front of goals and open at the back. If a team can disrupt their kickouts and have a bit of sophistication with their own... well Dublin can't win if they don't have the possession. I think in Kerry we buy into this idea that a team has to peak, physically as much as anything. I am not altogether sure if this is true. Dublin have been pitch-perfect in terms of physicality all championship --- or have they peaked too soon? Of course they can be beaten if they get things wrong on the day but their manager has this Zen calm and even when it looked like Kerry were going to feast last August they never panicked. They are never beaten and always believe. They are some ridiculous price to win the AI that is not perhaps where they truly are --- and have yet to meet a good side. Perhaps Donegal are not as good as we think either and I think either Horan or Fitzmaurice would welcome Dublin savaging Donegal. Mayo definitely have it in them to compete with Dublin physically but might be knocked out by our good selves. Mayo to beat a Donegal but ourselves to struggle. So, kinda... Mayo Dublin Final... Mayo Mayo Donegal Final... Mayo Kerry Donegal Final... Donegal Dublin Kerry Final...
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Post by tyroneperson on Aug 13, 2014 3:25:21 GMT
Well Rashers I was responding to endless inches of columns and hours of commentary about the brilliance of Dublin. Its not possible to have pint even in Kerry without hearing it. A few weeks ago I posted here about an article in a Dublin paper also carried in the Irish Examiner that said Dublins second team were probably the second best team in the country. And after another post Fitzwop correctly pointed out that Dublin does have some great players. Connolly, the Brogans, and Cian O'Sullivan stand out for me. Also Cluxton is the most influential keeper I've ever seen but not the best I've seen at his primary function. But there are players of a more modest level also on the team. There are also players who are very dependent on speed, some on work rate, - the team as a whole are very fit and extremely determined, incredible bench. Dublin teams have always been like this because they didn't always have 15 great footballers. But Kerry on most occasions, could use skill and instinct to pull off the win. There is a lot of skill in the in the current Kerry side. It may turn out to be a year too soon for them - but I until I see something different after the final whistle on AI Final day I believe that can do it. I think there is no comparison between Dublin and Tyrone - Dublin play all out attacking football - look at the scores they put up. For most of Tyrones reign they were basically a defencive team with attacks channelled through about 3 players. I don't think that's necessarily fair, Tyrone had quite a wide range of scorers and the likes of Jordan and Davy Harte were quite attack-minded as well. Sean Cavanagh's attack-minded for a midfielder as well. I watched the highlights of the Dublin v Tyrone drawn match in 2005 not so long ago, and just before Tomas Quinn scored the goal on the stroke of half-time, Tyrone had a lot of men behind the ball and Darragh Moloney said "that's something we haven't seen in a while". Random thing to bring up but it just stood out. The likes of Donegal and Monaghan would probably really struggle in some of the situations Tyrone got themselves out of, like being nine points down against Down in 2003 or five points down against Dublin in 2005 (though Donegal rarely get into those situations in the first place I suppose). On the other hand, and maybe I'm wrong, I *think* Tyrone to a large degree introduced the practice of crowding around the player in possession which is something I've always found a real eyesore. We mainly played a possession game obviously as well which I could understand some people disliking (too much fist-passing, too cautious maybe). Anyway Tyrone seems so irrelevant now - I'm not a fan of nostalgia.
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Post by ansúilleabhánach on Aug 13, 2014 12:51:56 GMT
I don't think it's fair at all tyroneperson. The six forwards that played in the 2005 final- Brian Dooher, Brian McGuigan, Ryan Mellon, Stephen O Neill, Peter Canavan, Owen Mulligan (when he was in a rich vein of form)- would argue otherwise...
(No disrespect to Mellon and Mulligan but they do not belong in that august company!)
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Aug 13, 2014 13:37:49 GMT
I don't think it's fair at all tyroneperson. The six forwards that played in the 2005 final- Brian Dooher, Brian McGuigan, Ryan Mellon, Stephen O Neill, Peter Canavan, Owen Mulligan (when he was in a rich vein of form)- would argue otherwise... (No disrespect to Mellon and Mulligan but they do not belong in that ]august company!) Well, maybe not that september company! I also think Tyrone had some top class forwards, you don't win 3 All-Is without that, especially when competing with a great Kerry team and a really top Armagh team too. On the subject of the quality of the Dublin team pre-2011, I thought, despite their faults, they played some really excellent football, with loads of quality kick-passing and fast moving of the the ball. Where we kept falling down most of all, as we were often told by our betters, was lack of leaders, lack of steel, too open at the back, and lack of 'cuteness'. Overall mentally they lacked something, perhaps something that needed the right coaching set-up, which we have to say duly came along in 2010. But so also did some top-class All-I U-21 winning players. So to cut a long waffle shorter, I suppose we can only surmise that it has been a combination of coaches and some of the newer players that have made the difference. Plus a little bit of luck............ Some really good posts there above anyway, I'll respond more another time. Exile I can fully understand your thoughts re-the media stuff, trust me we feel the same about the many, many, many Kerry-eulogising articles, (some of which are by the many, many Kerry journalists and contributors in the National Newspapers and other media) that have been smothering the gaelic football scene for the last 35 years at least.
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seamo
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Post by seamo on Aug 13, 2014 19:48:07 GMT
I don't think it's fair at all tyroneperson. The six forwards that played in the 2005 final- Brian Dooher, Brian McGuigan, Ryan Mellon, Stephen O Neill, Peter Canavan, Owen Mulligan (when he was in a rich vein of form)- would argue otherwise... (No disrespect to Mellon and Mulligan but they do not belong in that ]august company!) Well, maybe not that september company! I also think Tyrone had some top class forwards, you don't win 3 All-Is without that, especially when competing with a great Kerry team and a really top Armagh team too. On the subject of the quality of the Dublin team pre-2011, I thought, despite their faults, they played some really excellent football, with loads of quality kick-passing and fast moving of the the ball. Where we kept falling down most of all, as we were often told by our betters, was lack of leaders, lack of steel, too open at the back, and lack of 'cuteness'. Overall mentally they lacked something, perhaps something that needed the right coaching set-up, which we have to say duly came along in 2010. But so also did some top-class All-I U-21 winning players. So to cut a long waffle shorter, I suppose we can only surmise that it has been a combination of coaches and some of the newer players that have made the difference. Plus a little bit of luck............ Some really good posts there above anyway, I'll respond more another time. Exile I can fully understand your thoughts re-the media stuff, trust me we feel the same about the many, many, many Kerry-eulogising articles, (some of which are by the many, many Kerry journalists and contributors in the National Newspapers and other media) that have been smothering the gaelic football scene for the last 35 years at least. The change in management has been the biggest difference. Whether the Dublin players were good/great etc pre 2011 is irrelevant in my opinion, because they still underachieved, and that was due to poor management. People take the piss out of Pat Gilroy because of the "startled ear-wigs", but he turned Dublin football on it's head, leaving the poor sportsmanship antics and bravado of previous regims (can't spell that!) behind, and Gavin has built on that. Pat Gilroy deserves more credit than he gets.
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Post by givehimaball on Aug 13, 2014 20:05:51 GMT
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fitz
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Post by fitz on Aug 14, 2014 0:32:51 GMT
As much as it hurts losing to Dublin, one thing I am truly delighted to see this year is the return of Alan Brogan after that horrendous Osteitis pubis nightmare. Had it me self a decade back, no ball for over a year. Anyway, to make his way back into the starting 15 with such ferocious competition, sensational. Strong, pacey, and brilliant off both feet from any distance, as witnessed against the Farney, a gem of a player and one who has done for over 10 years too. A case could be argued for his nomination as Dublin's greatest ever player. Better than Berno for my opinion. I won't wish to speak so finely of him if Kerry get to play Dublin in September. I agree with the points on Tyrone, that great 3 AI team, specifically 05 had super players. Brian McGuigan I don't think mentioned was serious albeit cranky footballer, Colm McCullagh from 08, the wicked Gooch of the North . Class team.
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kerryexile
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Post by kerryexile on Aug 14, 2014 8:07:29 GMT
The exact question posed by Rashers was "Did Tyrone play more football in the last decade than Dublin or was it very similar do you think?”
My comments were in response to this and not about specific players. So as regards the football they played to a large extent most attacks were funnelled through a limited number of players – in particular Brian McGuigan.
If it comes down to individual players I can’t see how anyone could comment without mentioning Peter Canavan – a player who takes his place alongside the great forwards of all time such as Matt O’Connor.
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keane
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Post by keane on Aug 14, 2014 17:55:49 GMT
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Post by givehimaball on Aug 15, 2014 5:44:43 GMT
The Donegal system is all about slowing the game down as much as possible whereas the Dublin seems to be about speeding the game up. I can't help thinking that there is some sort of significance about the fact that the turning point in the Dublin game came after the long injury break to the Monaghan defender (can't think of name this early) I think Monaghan switched off/lost focus a bit whereas the Dubs were just waiting for action to resume knowing that there would likely be a chance to catch Monaghan off-guard. Also the two goals coming so close were really the hammer blows - Monaghan looked like a side that mentally gave up after them to an extent. What does offer some hope is that this points in the direction of how Dublin might be put under pressure - if you reduce their number of possessions, their average enough shooting may come to haunt them. A hell of a lot easier said than done
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Aug 16, 2014 17:58:59 GMT
The Donegal system is all about slowing the game down as much as possible whereas the Dublin seems to be about speeding the game up. I can't help thinking that there is some sort of significance about the fact that the turning point in the Dublin game came after the long injury break to the Monaghan defender (can't think of name this early) I think Monaghan switched off/lost focus a bit whereas the Dubs were just waiting for action to resume knowing that there would likely be a chance to catch Monaghan off-guard. Also the two goals coming so close were really the hammer blows - Monaghan looked like a side that mentally gave up after them to an extent. What does offer some hope is that this points in the direction of how Dublin might be put under pressure - if you reduce their number of possessions, their average enough shooting may come to haunt them. A hell of a lot easier said than done Yes the continued wastefulness of chances is an accident waiting to happen.
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Post by glengael on Aug 27, 2014 19:19:12 GMT
Apparently there is some match on Sunday involving some other teams from Dublin and Donegal. I mean who do they think they are, imagine if the American Football Game ends in a draw when will they replay be? Shocking stuff.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Aug 27, 2014 23:24:58 GMT
Apparently there is some match on Sunday involving some other teams from Dublin and Donegal. I mean who do they think they are, imagine if the American Football Game ends in a draw when will they replay be? Shocking stuff. Maybe they'll rearrange the Hurling final to accommodate the American "football". It's the least the GAA could do. I'm fed up with the constant talk of it only being a formality that Dublin will win Sam. I really hope Donegal beat them on Sunday.
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Post by skybluezone on Aug 28, 2014 9:07:25 GMT
Apparently there is some match on Sunday involving some other teams from Dublin and Donegal. I mean who do they think they are, imagine if the American Football Game ends in a draw when will they replay be? Shocking stuff. Maybe they'll rearrange the Hurling final to accommodate the American "football". It's the least the GAA could do. I'm fed up with the constant talk of it only being a formality that Dublin will win Sam. I really hope Donegal beat them on Sunday.You'll find that's coming from everywhere except the Dublin camp. I hope Dublin trounce the living sh1te out of Donegal, and put an end to the loathsome stuff they brand as football.
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Post by Die Hard Kerry Fan on Aug 28, 2014 9:55:57 GMT
Apparently there is some match on Sunday involving some other teams from Dublin and Donegal. I mean who do they think they are, imagine if the American Football Game ends in a draw when will they replay be? Shocking stuff. Maybe they'll rearrange the Hurling final to accommodate the American "football". It's the least the GAA could do. I'm fed up with the constant talk of it only being a formality that Dublin will win Sam. I really hope Donegal beat them on Sunday. Personally, I hope Dublin trounce Donegal and we get a crack at the Dubs in the final. Just my opinion!
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Post by seaniebo on Aug 28, 2014 10:23:10 GMT
Maybe they'll rearrange the Hurling final to accommodate the American "football". It's the least the GAA could do. I'm fed up with the constant talk of it only being a formality that Dublin will win Sam. I really hope Donegal beat them on Sunday.You'll find that's coming from everywhere except the Dublin camp. I hope Dublin trounce the living sh1te out of Donegal, and put an end to the loathsome stuff they brand as football. If the Dubs do 'trounce' Donegal one wonders where that will leave the blanket defence? I wouldn't imagine it would leave the system in complete smithereens as it's quite effective against some teams. For example Kerry never seemed to get a handle on it. It works wonders in Ulster too. So the theory that a hammering the next day will end forever the 15 men behind the ball doesn't quite roll with me. It will simply prove the Dubs are an immovable force and the likes of Donegal et al will have to conjure up a different set up to have any hope of eating it the top table. I can't see Donegal getting wiped out mind you. In fact I expect it to be a quite tight affair with scores hard to come by in the first half. I do see the Dublin machine cranking into gear though in the second half when the game opens up a tad.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Aug 28, 2014 12:45:08 GMT
If Donegal win on sunday I would fancy the winners of the replay to beat them in the final.
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Post by jackiel on Aug 28, 2014 13:18:22 GMT
I really hope that Dublin beat Donegal on Sunday, I find it very hard to be convinced that what Donegal play is "proper" football. Being a realist I feel that however it pans out on Saturday if Dublin go through Sam is theirs. I have spent a lot of time with both the Mayo & Dublin teams in recent years and think that Mayo's best chance to win the AI was last year. If Mayo beat Kerry I'll be rooting for them all the way but it seems to me there's a certain inevitability to the end result. I know people say Dublin havent' been tested so far but that isn't their fault and indeed there's probably a lot more in them than we've seen so far. I heard an announcement at lunch that Ger Brennan wont play on Sunday, I for one wouldn't have expected him to as I havent' seen him play football since St Patrick's day(open to correction), he hasn't even featured on the subs bench all summer. Looking forward to both games with great interest, wishing I could go to Limerick but Croker on Sunday will have to do.
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Post by tyroneperson on Aug 28, 2014 13:21:40 GMT
Hope the Donegal match is close anyway - it'd be a bit demoralising if Dublin steamroll their way to an all-ireland. Also I don't like seeing any team get hammered really.
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Post by Mickmack on Aug 28, 2014 17:57:17 GMT
Maybe they'll rearrange the Hurling final to accommodate the American "football". It's the least the GAA could do. I'm fed up with the constant talk of it only being a formality that Dublin will win Sam. I really hope Donegal beat them on Sunday.You'll find that's coming from everywhere except the Dublin camp. I hope Dublin trounce the living sh1te out of Donegal, and put an end to the loathsome stuff they brand as football. In 2011 Dublin were every bit as negative as Donegal. That's why we had that chess game of a semi final. They were fantastic in 2012. A perfect marrying of defense and attack...unlike Kerrys kamakase defending aganst Dublin in 2011 and 2013. In 2013, Donegal didn't complete. They are competitive in 2014 but their keymen have lost form. They don't have the pick that Dublin have. Would the Dublin team of 2011 be competitive in 2014. Maybe they would but its the new blood that's making the difference. They were fine champs in 2012 and they did it in a manly sporting manner too.
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