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Post by kerrygold on May 17, 2015 9:45:09 GMT
Sheedy calls for Dubs move after Longford stun Offaly Dermot Crowe and Damian Lawlor PUBLISHED 17/05/2015 |
Longford clawed back a seven-point deficit, scoring 11 of the last 12 points in O'Connor Park to win 0-16 to 0-13 and extend Offaly's winless streak in the Leinster SFC to an eighth year. "Why not?" was Sheedy's reply after he was asked if their clash with Dublin should be switched away from the capital. "You'd put the guts of 30,000 people in here. Absolutely it should be played here but it's not going to be. "I'm on record as having said that Dublin games should be brought out of Croke Park until the Leinster semi-final or final. And certain Dublin players have endorsed that and Jim Gavin has endorsed that. That's where it should be, that's not going to be, but we'll just get on with it. "And we're looking forward to going to Croke Park. Those lads in there are going to be encouraged and enthusiastic about going to Croke Park because that's where the best teams play." Asked how he would prepare his side for the challenge ahead, Sheedy added: "I will be totally different. But, you know, nobody in the country gives us a chance in hell of beating Dublin. And we've got to be realistic, they're three divisions higher than us and probably second favourites for the All-Ireland this year or very close to it. "All we can ask from the guys on any given day is that they do their level best and try their hardest and they put in a very solid shift." Not surprisingly, Offaly manager Pat Flanagan could not hide his disappointment. "It's bitterly disappointing. There's no point in saying any different. We thought we were progressing after our League final performance. We felt that we were on the right road. But it proved that mentally, we're still a bit weak. "Because when the pressure came on, we crumbled, to be totally honest. There's no point in saying any different. When our backs were to the wall, we didn't dig deep enough." Last night's other Leinster Championship game saw Laois cruise past Carlow to book a date with Kildare, winning 3-16 to 0-8. "We prepared well," said their manager Tomás Ó Flatharta, "and no matter what the opposition you have to show up on the night and play well too. We did that. I thought our forwards set the tone by tackling very well. Our midfield was strong and I thought our backs did very well too "It's nice to get a win but we'll put it behind us now and get on with the preparations for the next game." Sunday Indo Sport
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Post by kerrybhoy06 on May 17, 2015 10:27:22 GMT
A friend of mine was at the Offaly v Longford game and said that it was quite a cynical game in patches with both teams engaging in the dark arts. He was astounded by Offalys contrasts between absolutely awful or absolutely superb.
Longford will get eaten alive by the Dubs.
By all accounts Laois v Carlow was a procession.
Galway should do for Leitrim with a bit to spare today aswell.
I fancy Donegal and Westmeath in the other 2 games
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Post by kerrygold on May 17, 2015 15:19:18 GMT
McQuillan is a prized clown.
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Post by skybluezone on May 17, 2015 16:46:29 GMT
The McGee bros are lovely fellows altogether. True gaels!
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Post by kerrygold on May 17, 2015 16:51:47 GMT
Horrible game of northern football, you'd feel cheated out of your Sunday. 10 out of 10 for mouthing, cheating and sledging. Yawn.
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Post by kerrygold on May 17, 2015 16:54:19 GMT
Team 1 Score Score Team 2 Time Status Connacht SFC Leitrim 0-8 1-13 Galway 15:30 FT Leinster SFC Louth 0-15 3-14 Westmeath 15:30 FT Ulster SFC Donegal 1-13 1-10 Tyrone 16:00 FT Ulster MFC Donegal 1-11 0-8 Tyrone 14:15 FT Connacht JFC Galway 0-13 1-12 Mayo 13:30 FT
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Post by Tadhgeen on May 17, 2015 17:48:09 GMT
Donegal will be glad to have got over the Tyrone hurdle today. I think Tyrone will be annoyed that they did not win this. It was there for them. However Donegal got all the breaks and Tyrone lacked a solid free taker.
The goading that went on needs to be stamped out by the powers that be.
Re AI chances, it's early in the championship but neither side look to have big enough squads to see them through.
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Post by Mickmack on May 17, 2015 17:53:39 GMT
some stunning scores today. I watched it from start to finish and I enjoyed it.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on May 17, 2015 18:26:29 GMT
Donegal maintain their dominance over Tyrone, the Reds must be sick of the sight of them.
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Post by southward on May 17, 2015 19:09:17 GMT
some stunning scores today. I watched it from start to finish and I enjoyed it. Jeez, Mick you're easily pleased. Or very sarcastic. I can't work out which.
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Post by veteran on May 17, 2015 19:15:22 GMT
Martin Carney came out with the quote of the year today " one must admire the quality of the hand passing" Is that the sorry state in which we now find ourselves- reduced to admiring the interminable hand passing!
Considering the awful conditions, it was reasonable fare but the pervasive nastiness is becoming another blight on the game.
Sean Cavanagh had a good game but if I was from Tyrone I would be raging with him in the closing stages. After Neil Gallagher was sent off, he won possession and clearly charged into an opponent, conceding the free. Shortly after wards he was correctly sent off. Such naivety from such an experienced player, at a crucial stage, is hard to forgive.
After the Donegal NFL game in Tralee I wondered here if they could coax another productive year from the likes of Neil Gallagher and Christy Toye. I still wonder. Perhaps, Donegalman will give us his opinion.
Not for the first time, a failure to convert frees proved costly for a team, Tyrone on this occasion. Michael Murphy, as usual,was peerless in that aspect of the game.
That new goalkeeper from Tyrone looked very good but I wasn't impressed by his attitude to one of his defenders when Donegal got their goal.
I look forward to the summer but it is depressing to have to listen to the likes of Marty after after being seduced by Brian Tyers during the winter and spring. Brian, by a mile, is our leading GAA commentator.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on May 17, 2015 19:17:34 GMT
Scrappy at times but some good football at times, and some very good scores taken. Poor conditions didn't help though. Nor did Joe McQuillan. Tyrone could very well have won that.
Glad to be playing at home to Donegal than in Omagh next round.
How good was Murphy's late free? It would've been worth the admission fee alone. Well, almost...
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Post by southward on May 17, 2015 19:31:11 GMT
Scrappy at times but some good football at times, and some very good scores taken. Poor conditions didn't help though. Nor did Joe McQuillan. Tyrone could very well have won that. Glad to be playing at home to Donegal than in Omagh next round. How good was Murphy's late free? It would've been worth the admission fee alone. Well, almost... Good free for sure but Murphy was anonymous for the whole game. Couldn't believe Brolly singling him out as the hero. Colm O'Rourke was clearly baffled as well.
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Post by colinsworth1 on May 17, 2015 19:41:54 GMT
Hard fought win for Donegal could have went either way Donegal will be very upset at how easily they lost possession at the end of game whe trying to run the clock down Fair play to Tyrone for never giving up could have got there only for some great goalkeeping and the crossbar The intensity was palpable but crossing over into Nastiness and diving was frequent From a Gaa marketing and promotion point of view Not good at all The Powers that be need to take charge Of this great game a few more games this bitter and Wed never be in. A position to recruit. New youth to our game . I could not show this game to young kids looking to take up the sport it would be a turn off. Quiet Frankly And I'm not blaming Tyrone or Donegal at all It the officiating need to stamp their authority on the game If left to the players own resources they would have a straight faction fight and get it over with
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Post by Ard Mhacha on May 17, 2015 20:00:13 GMT
Scrappy at times but some good football at times, and some very good scores taken. Poor conditions didn't help though. Nor did Joe McQuillan. Tyrone could very well have won that. Glad to be playing at home to Donegal than in Omagh next round. How good was Murphy's late free? It would've been worth the admission fee alone. Well, almost... Good free for sure but Murphy was anonymous for the whole game. Couldn't believe Brolly singling him out as the hero. Colm O'Rourke was clearly baffled as well. Yes he was quiet. Never watched one second of RTE, I much prefer BBC NI coverage. No egos there.
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Post by royalkerryfan on May 17, 2015 20:32:47 GMT
The constant mouthing and sledging in today's game was a disgrace. Both teams where equally at fault and it's a blight on our game.
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Post by donegalman on May 17, 2015 20:54:22 GMT
Horrible game of northern football, you'd feel cheated out of your Sunday. 10 out of 10 for mouthing, cheating and sledging. Yawn. I was at the game and didnt feel cheated out of my money. The minors put on a great show as well.
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Post by kerrygold on May 17, 2015 22:18:17 GMT
Horrible game of northern football, you'd feel cheated out of your Sunday. 10 out of 10 for mouthing, cheating and sledging. Yawn. I was at the game and didnt feel cheated out of my money. The minors put on a great show as well. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, plenty of ugly pooches are loved!
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Post by Mickmack on May 18, 2015 7:36:35 GMT
TONY MCENTEE: Dismiss Tyrone at your peril
Monday, May 18, 2015
By Tony McEntee
Thank God for the Ulster Championship! High intensity warfare packed with so many off-the-ball incidents that no amount of cameramen, never mind referees and officials, could possibly identify the culprits.
Add in a hostile crowd and a few hometown refereeing decisions and you have a recipe for entertainment.
What is it that the TV commentators want? Their patronising approach to Ulster football is wearing thin and the constant kindergarden observations towards player positioning is so 2013.
Accept how the game is being played and dial down the negativity.
The opening of the Ulster championship was an entertaining match throughout the 70 minutes. The initial 35 particularly so, as evidenced by the 30 scoring chances (15 from each team) and the 14 points from play. Yes from play!
Former Tyrone player Conor Gormley was reported last week as saying “stop Michael Murphy and you’ll stop Donegal”. Justin McMahon succeeded in this task by legally curtailing any influence from play that Murphy had.
Such constant attention is extremely difficult to enact and requires a high level of concentration and patience and McMahon should be commended for his role.
After a brilliant first quarter from Donegal, Tyrone found some composure. The key to this was retaining possession for longer periods, slowing the tempo and waiting for an opportunity to attack weak points in the Donegal rearguard.
Where Tyrone could have further capitalised was by pushing higher up the field on Donegal to pressurise the ball coming out — the build-up play. This may sound risky especially against a counter-attacking Donegal team but the advantages far outweigh the negatives when you consider that once you dispossess or overturn possession you are immediately within scoring distance.
However, this is where the first of the controversial decisions by referee Joe McQuillan impacted Tyrone. On 27 minutes a buoyant Tyrone pressed hard to overturn Donegal in their right corner back position but McQuillan opted to give a soft free for a tackle on Eamon McGee.
The result was a swift counter attack leading to a fisted score from Christy Toye.Unfortunately a couple of minutes later McQuillan failed to award a free against Neil Gallagher for over carrying in possession while under severe pressure by Sean Cavanagh and another Tyrone player. The result was the brilliant goal from Martin McElhinney.
These are the breaks but they certainly didn’t fall Tyrone’s way.
The second half was a different match. The ‘wait and they’ll come’ approach that Donegal manager Rory Gallagher and his team adopted certainly does little for the game or my argument that Ulster football is great to watch. With a two point-lead and a gale force wind at their backs Donegal thought it best to sit back and ride this match out. Since when has a two point lead been so comfortable?
My memory of Donegal in recent years was that they liked to suss out the opposition in the first half and blitz them in the second with their superior fitness and work rate.
Now it seems more likely that they want to give it all for the initial half and defend any lead for all they are worth in the second.
Rory is well known as a very bright talent on the sideline as a manager and the training field as a coach and I am surprised that this is what he wanted from his players.
The strategy certainly negated Tyrone’s two most influential runners, Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly. Harte had the freedom of the field in the first half and caused mayhem for the Donegal defence. His piercing runs and overlapping play repeatedly paid dividends and he was certainly one of the reasons Tyrone got back into the game after the initial Donegal scoring spree.
Mattie Donnelly was superb for most of the game. He set Tyrone’s tempo and brought composure to his team when they needed it most. His penetrating solo runs constantly assessed the Donegal defence for weaknesses and he exposed these in the first half.
This defensive weakness is Ryan McHugh. His diminutive size and fitness means that he can show up anywhere and usually at the right moment. However, his size and power are insufficient to stop strong runners like Donnelly on the right attacking wing and therefore he needs the protection of the mass defence.
While its only May and Tyrone have already been relegated from Division One and dumped out of the Ulster Championship I firmly believe that they will recoup and still reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
They will have improved and the young players who started will gain invaluable experience in the back door. Dismiss them at your peril.
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Post by donegalman on May 18, 2015 7:46:54 GMT
I must say that yesterdays game was true championship. It is not often you get it in the middle of may, but neither team wanted to lose that game, in fact it was unlike a game that had the saving option of the back door to fall back on.
Criticism of the ref yesterday is unwarranted. It was a very hard match to ref, and the conditions were not good at all. Every ball had to be hustled for, and there was utterly no peace given whatsoever for the entire 70 minutes.
I am in agreement with the comments about verbal abuse, it is something that is not a very nice thing to see, but unfortunately it has been in the game for the past decade or so, and is impossible to ref, unless the ref or linesmen or umpires actually hear what is being said. I would say that the linesmen and umpires do hear some, and the issue lies with them for not informing the ref rather than the ref imposing the law. If you dont hear whats going on, then how can you enforce the law? Players are too aware of this and know exactly what you can get away with.
I agree that Murphy was anonymous for the entire game. He would have had to foul justin mcmahon to get around him. His marking of murphy was utterly constant, and he continually fondled him waiting for kick outs and between plays. I couldnt believe he was given credit last night on the sunday game, but Wheelan was not at the game so he didnt see everything that went on.
But this is life. Murphy will have learned from this experience, and if he manages to stay on the pitch for 70 minutes and score useful and vital frees at the end, we will take this.
Re comments about Toye and Gallagher, both had good games yesterday. Gallagher was a wee bit leggy in the second half but stayed in the game. Tyrones mid field actually were very good yesterday. Toye was exceptional in the first half with his passing particularly. He faded a bit, but was mostly good yesterday.
Donegal scored 1 10 of the 1 13 from play and some of the scores were spectacular. I would say that on the balance of things, this match was a game that we deserved to win, but only just. Tyrone had a big chance at the end of the first half to push on, but we got the goal. They did very little after they got their 2 points at the beginning of the second half, and I feel that our defense was mostly under control thereafter.
Beyond this game, Armagh will have noticed how Mcmahon handled murphy. But we have other great players who can all score and if there is one thing obvious from the team of last year and the team of this year, it is that.
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seamus
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Posts: 2,741
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Post by seamus on May 18, 2015 8:27:12 GMT
There are two clear sports emerging now. The dogfights in provincial towns, local rivalries, tight and poor quality pitches. Verbals, off the ball fracas and scores being settled. Compare that to the big open spaces of Croke Park, superb surface, poor 'blankets' giving no warmth due to the extra space, cameras over looking every inch and players very aware of it.
I am sure neither team would have attempted a fraction of the crap that went on yesterday if the game was being played in Croker. Donegal brought none of that to last year's final. At the business end of the summer it won't work for a range of reasons. That is why Kerry always have a chance and the Dubs always have an advantage by playing in Croker if they can get good intensity in training and Q-finals.
Its a shame that the spark of genius is being sucked out of blue chip forwards like Murphy and Canavan by constant abuse. The game has to protect the marquee names that draw the crowds. Eamonn McGee has some neck to whine about abusive letters in the post for promoting a yes vote in the referendum. His reputation is for going very low in his trash talking to opponents.
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Post by donegalman on May 18, 2015 8:50:38 GMT
There are two clear sports emerging now. The dogfights in provincial towns, local rivalries, tight and poor quality pitches. Verbals, off the ball fracas and scores being settled. Compare that to the big open spaces of Croke Park, superb surface, poor 'blankets' giving no warmth due to the extra space, cameras over looking every inch and players very aware of it. I am sure neither team would have attempted a fraction of the crap that went on yesterday if the game was being played in Croker. Donegal brought none of that to last year's final. At the business end of the summer it won't work for a range of reasons. That is why Kerry always have a chance and the Dubs always have an advantage by playing in Croker if they can get good intensity in training and Q-finals. Its a shame that the spark of genius is being sucked out of blue chip forwards like Murphy and Canavan by constant abuse. The game has to protect the marquee names that draw the crowds. Eamonn McGee has some neck to whine about abusive letters in the post for promoting a yes vote in the referendum. His reputation is for going very low in his trash talking to opponents. I agree with much of this, but Ballybofey is not a tight pitch. There were 2 broadcasting tv networks at the ground. 2 cherrypickers in behind each goal with cameras on them etc. Every bit as much coverage as croke park has. The failing in yesterdays game was the lack of communication or the failure of linesmen or umpires to do their job early. The ref cant do everything. Once the pattern is established, when the stakes are as high as they were yesterday, then it is more than likely going to happen.
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seamus
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Post by seamus on May 18, 2015 9:16:47 GMT
I believe players think they can get away with a lot more outside of Croker. A fella cant even take a pi** in the huddle in Croker without it making the papers.....
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Post by givehimaball on May 18, 2015 10:20:44 GMT
There are two clear sports emerging now. The dogfights in provincial towns, local rivalries, tight and poor quality pitches. Verbals, off the ball fracas and scores being settled. Compare that to the big open spaces of Croke Park, superb surface, poor 'blankets' giving no warmth due to the extra space, cameras over looking every inch and players very aware of it. I am sure neither team would have attempted a fraction of the crap that went on yesterday if the game was being played in Croker. Donegal brought none of that to last year's final. At the business end of the summer it won't work for a range of reasons. That is why Kerry always have a chance and the Dubs always have an advantage by playing in Croker if they can get good intensity in training and Q-finals. Its a shame that the spark of genius is being sucked out of blue chip forwards like Murphy and Canavan by constant abuse. The game has to protect the marquee names that draw the crowds. Eamonn McGee has some neck to whine about abusive letters in the post for promoting a yes vote in the referendum. His reputation is for going very low in his trash talking to opponents. There were 4 other games on this weekend in the championship, none of them in Croker or on the telly and I don't think any of them could be described as having any sort of "Verbals, off the ball fracas [or instances of] scores being settled." Offaly had 1 player black-carded - he was the only player out of the 8 other teams who got the line and I did see a bit in the examiner saying that Galway picked up 4 bookings in the Leitrim game ( although it sounded a bit like the ref might have been a bit harsh on them) but overall I wouldnt be surprised if the total number of cards in the in the other 4 games played this weekend was around the same if not less than the total of 12 cards in the Donegal Tyrone game, and I didnt hear any talk of sledging and there definitely wasnt any half-time "scenes" at any of those 4 games either. The fact that the Donegal Tyrone game was a live game broadcast on 2 channels didn't do much to persuade either team to behave decently, whereas all of the other 4 games with far less coverage seemed to behave far far better. Donegal and Tyrone might both have been down in the gutter flinging metaphorical mud at each other making a show of themselves, but I don't think any of the other teams in action in the championship this weekend were.
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Post by glengael on May 18, 2015 10:44:51 GMT
Donegal never looked like losing this match. Tyrone had a good spell late in the first half but that was undone by conceding the goal in injury time. They don't look to have a lot upfront and with Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly less prominent in the 2nd half, they had no one to answer Donegal's scores. Michael Murphy's 45 at the end was magnificent.
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Post by donegalman on May 18, 2015 11:03:49 GMT
If donegal or tyrone were playing leitrim, louth, or carlow, there would have been very few yellows if any. Its lions den stuff and unfortunately this is the pay off. Do I agree with verbals? no way. How do you stop it? I am not sure. What about the niggle in the game? perfectly acceptable. Wet conditions, a strong wind. Ball spilling. The alternative is a championship that starts in august and finishes 6 weeks later. In ways, it is games like this that is keeping the early competition alive. I know that it is not kerry nor dublins fault that they are put to play what is put in front of them but in fairness, it is tiny margins that will win and lose these games in ulster. That is why there is so much going on on the pitch. We scored 1 10 of 1 13 from play, each score was a very hard worked and well crafted piece of play. I think that you are getting carried away by what certain quarters are reporting in the media. The dubs were sledging under pillar, and there was very little or nothing said about it.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on May 18, 2015 11:34:56 GMT
Yes there were unsavoury incidents but there are in most games. I think this impression that Ulster games are all like this is nonsense though.
The majority of games shown live are Ulster games. More incidents will be picked up than there would at Carlow v Louth or Waterford v Limerick. It's the most competitive province with lots of local derbies. There's 6 or 7 teams around the same level, and playing in the same divisions. They're probably sick of the sight of each other. Tyrone have 5 big rivals next door, Armagh 3, Monaghan 4... Div 1 this year had 4 Ulster teams, Div 2 next year has 5. Of course there's going to be a bit or argy bargy.
Tyrone had lost the last 3 c'ship games to Donegal, 2 NFL games too. They had to stand up and say they wouldn't be pushed about (I'm far from defending Tyrone here btw). It's easy to spout this "ah them northerners are at it again". Like I say, ulster games are usually very evenly matches, a lot at stake. Other provinces would have 1 or 2 big rivalries. Cork Kerry might beat 10 bells out of each other but because that's the only big game in Munster that year, it'll be brushed aside as a one-off. Likewise in Leinster or Connacht. But in Ulster, sure they're always at it.
Donegal would have to beat Tyrone Armagh, Down/Derry and Monaghan to win ulster. Ok not all are AI contenders but they are capable of beating each other, all local derbies and have probably played each other 18 times in 6 months so obviously there's likely to be incidents.
I'm not defended the incidents like at ht yesterday, far from it. I'm just pointing out that sometimes people see what they want to see. Live games will obviously pick up more, and as Ulster games are more frequently shown it's going to pick up more than a 3 minute highlight package of Wicklow v Longford would.
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Post by onlykerry on May 18, 2015 11:39:26 GMT
The sledging and verbals are part of the game whether we like it or not - players need to stay focussed and remind themselves that the scoreboard it all that matters. The ref can only deal with what he sees and hears and in this regard they should be firmer in dealing with crap from players and try dealing with what they encounter. The conditions were miserable and the football suffered as a result as it would in any other province. I am not a fan of Ulster warfare but thought that given the conditions and the stakes that the game was not a bad one. The battle between Murphy and Mc Mahon was similar to those we have seen between Donaghy and other full backs - the forward is being held and fouled constantly and the referee turns a blind eye deeming it an acceptable way for a full back to deal with a big full forward - probably not a million miles away from how we dealt with Murphy in the AI Final last year if the truth be told.
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Post by Dermot on May 18, 2015 13:02:55 GMT
I think it was a decent first half and dropped a bit after the break ... We could so easily have won that match, and I could go on about the ref obviously leaning against us at certain times (which is infuriating), our lack of a bloody free taker :-( etc.. but the main reason we didnt win is because we never scored in the last 20+ minutes of the game ... you dont win games when that happens ...
Fair play to Donegal, they will be hard to beat but Im actually a lot more upbeat about our team than I was before yesterday ... there's definite potential there but we need more firepower up front !
Oh and I certainly wouldn't say it was a dour unappealing game .. Championship fair all the way with some brilliant scores from both sides! I'm also pretty sure that those who would say this have their minds made up and disparaging comments sorted before the game even started .. but there you go !!
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seamus
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Posts: 2,741
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Post by seamus on May 18, 2015 13:37:33 GMT
My point is not about Ulster but about the earlier rounds in general. Kerry V Cork in Munster has certainly often had a nasty edge but there has never been anything much when the sides have played in Croker. Monaghan v Dublin in Clones is a different game to Croke Park.
I think Croke Park signals the business end and teams focus on football rather than 'laying down a marker'. The same tricks don't work.
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