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Post by onlykerry on Apr 12, 2017 14:08:22 GMT
Time to move on from the league and focus on the real business for 2017.
The bookies have it between Dublin and Kerry with Mayo and Tyrone following on - the rest are simply making up the numbers they tell us.
Who will win the provinces as a first step?
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Post by Exiled2Dublin on Apr 12, 2017 14:57:32 GMT
One heartening thing is that the bookies have shortened our odds and lengthened Dublin's after Sunday😀
Dublin still favourites but the gap is narrowing!
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Post by wayupnorth on Apr 12, 2017 15:14:11 GMT
Time to move on from the league and focus on the real business for 2017. The bookies have it between Dublin and Kerry with Mayo and Tyrone following on - the rest are simply making up the numbers they tell us. Who will win the provinces as a first step? Leinster - Dublin - no prospect yet of any Leinster team coming close Munster - Kerry of course after beating Tipperary in a close final in Semple Stadium Connaught - Mayo. Won't be caught by Galway and no one else can catch them Ulster - Tyrone. Although Monaghan and Donegal are in with good shots there was something about Mickey's smile in Fitzgerald Stadium that convinces me he has something up his sleeve. Brolly's remarks will be used as a motivational tool. |
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Apr 12, 2017 15:43:25 GMT
Who will win the provinces as a first step? I have come slowly to the realisation that it makes far more sense to talk about games and competitions after rather than before they are played. |
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Apr 12, 2017 16:01:09 GMT
Monaghan could take Ulster. The rest seems straight forward.
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Post by onlykerry on Apr 12, 2017 17:04:04 GMT
Who will win the provinces as a first step? I have come slowly to the realisation that it makes far more sense to talk about games and competitions after rather than before they are played. Whatever works for you - I am facinated by the detailed recollections many have of past games and specific incidents. My own memory is not quiet up to that and perhaps that is partly why I enjoy looking forward in anticipation rather than wondering what if about games played. My blood boils enough during a game without re-stoking my fury at past injustices that will never change. Enjoy either way..... |
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inchperfect
Senior Member
No longer active member.
Posts: 272
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Post by inchperfect on Apr 12, 2017 17:21:15 GMT
Could see Galway winning Connaught again, although their element of surprise is gone now. Will be a big game in Salthill should they face each other.
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Post by Mickmack on Apr 12, 2017 17:37:37 GMT
Hard to get excited about division 1 teams playing division 2, 3 and 4 teams over the coming months. The past few weeks with club finals, sigerson, u 21 and the division one teams playing each other has been brilliant.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Apr 12, 2017 21:14:20 GMT
Leinster sorted, Munster as good as, Connaught nearly as good as, but Ulster looks like 3 teams and they tell me nothing, well apart from fair exchange of the usual auld nonsense. Ah seriously I think Tyrone and Donegal look good but Monaghan could upset the apple cart if anyone is thinking of playing games in a peculiar sense if you get me. Now maybe that the League is over everyone will be all out and I am lucky to be where all action is, Ballythefireside at the coalface! If anyone wants a real gamble, back Monaghan at 4/1 to win Ulster as they peak at that, maybe do a double with us at 11/4 to bring one Fermanagh man called Samuel Maguire across the border and down to the deep south. That turns €10 into €187.50 and which will buy the beer on the eve of Sun 17th Sept, not forgetting we will have to drown the sorrrows for our victims!
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Apr 12, 2017 22:05:37 GMT
It's sad to think that's really it now until the August weekend. However, that is the unfortunate reality. I really enjoyed the league this year, most of the games were close and competitive and exciting to watch.
There will, undoubtedly, be several skirmishes but nothing of any real significance until the quarter finals weekend, really.
I think that Donegal will win Ulster.
There is no team to threaten Dublin in Leinster, yet.
Munster looks about as competitive as Leinster, however, Cork may be riled enough by the thoughts of Kerry picking up a handy title in the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh to put it up to us in July.
Connacht looks between Galway and Mayo. Mayo power and guile will probably see them through.
Dublin should win Sam, they're still the strongest panel,by some way. Kerry could win Sam, it depends on how the panel evolves over the summer and how many of these 21s are let loose. Mayo could win it but will probably find another incredible way to loose it. Donegal look to have turned a corner in terms of style and ambition. I liked the look of them in a couple of league games I saw them in. Tyrone? I thought they were very poor in Killarney, as poor as I've ever seen. I'm not sure they have the 19/20 guys needed to win an All Ireland.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Apr 13, 2017 19:29:53 GMT
Can't see anything but a repeat of the NFL final in the AI final.
Mayo will never get there, and Tyrone/Donegal aren't quite there yet. The odds on a dark horse (Monaghan, Kildare, Galway etc) taking Sam is nigh impossible these days. Even less likely with the Super 8 coming.
Another predictably boring championship awaits. Unless you're in Dublin or Kerry. Even then...
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Post by An Bradán on Apr 13, 2017 23:05:48 GMT
The current provincial system is no longer fit for purpose. Well beyond time that we had a group system with meaningful, exciting games played off in a reasonable time.
Unfortunately the once much maligned league now provides the consistently competitive games whereas the championships are pretty irrelevant until August. It's certainly not promoting the game.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Apr 14, 2017 1:26:58 GMT
It probably sticks in people's guts but provincial finals to me are very special, sacrosanct? We've had an amazing league that shows up the merits of 'matches', i.e. teams 'meeting their match.' Ah maybe I'm getting old and so I have too many memories -they are the summit of local competitiveness, pride of place and which is what brings out the best in the GAA.
One issue with open draws is travelling and the inevitable expense.
The best solution I see is seeding losing teams in a given year and having say 3 All Ireland's with groups determined by when they were knocked out. I have oft suggested it so there must be something drastically flawed about it as it never gets much response.
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Post by ballynamona on Apr 14, 2017 7:05:59 GMT
This is the final year before the Super 8, and so the final year where it is possible to take a very educated guess as to the make-up of the Final 4.
We can say that it is almost certain that Dublin will win Leinster, and Kerry would be warm favourites in Munster. It is supposed to be Munster-Connacht in the semis.
The A side of the qualifiers could meet the Munster Champions, and the B side could meet the Leinster Champions in the Quarter.
Donegal and Tyrone are in the same side of the Ulster Championship, and could be expected to meet in the Ulster semi. From what I can see, they are on the 'A' side of the qualifier draw.
One of them turning up in the Quarter Final could be very dangerous opponents for the Munster or Connacht Champions.
The Connacht championship is a little lop-sided this year. Roscommon need to beat Leitrim or London and they would be in a Connacht final. You would have to think they would be very vulnerable in a qualifier, particularly if they met either Donegal or Tyrone.
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Post by givehimaball on Apr 14, 2017 11:24:53 GMT
From 2010 to 2016, in the championship, Division 4 teams played 138 games and recorded 5 wins against Division 1 and Division 2 teams. They had 9 wins against Division 3 teams and 23 wins against other Division 4 (or New York) for a total of 37 wins.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Apr 14, 2017 21:29:19 GMT
It probably sticks in people's guts but provincial finals to me are very special, sacrosanct? We've had an amazing league that shows up the merits of 'matches', i.e. teams 'meeting their match.' Ah maybe I'm getting old and so I have too many memories -they are the summit of local competitiveness, pride of place and which is what brings out the best in the GAA. One issue with open draws is travelling and the inevitable expense. The best solution I see is seeding losing teams in a given year and having say 3 All Ireland's with groups determined by when they were knocked out. I have oft suggested it so there must be something drastically flawed about it as it never gets much response. Re: travelling - people will travel if given plenty of notice for the games. In some cases fans have had 3 or 4 days notice to travel. Disrespectful to all involved. |
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Post by homerj on Apr 14, 2017 23:06:12 GMT
if you look at the once in 3 all ireland semi set up, weve an excellent record when its set up like this year - Munster v Connacht,Leinster V Ulster.
the last time we played in all ireland semi of this set up and lost, was 1996.
1999 - didnt play, but Cork won the semi.
2002 - won, though it was cork who came through the 1/4 final.
2005 - won, though again it was cork who came throught the 1/4 final.
2008 - won, again Cork in the semi.
2011 - won, Beating Mayo
2014 - won, beating Mayo
the other side though, is that weve lost the final in 4 of those 5 years and maybe that was down to having the "soft" semi final every year until 2014. the wins in 2002, 2005 and 2011 were pretty handy overall and bad prep for the finals, of which the opposition had come through much harder semis.
generally the team that has the harder semi final, wins the all ireland and hopefully thats the case this year for us as we will definately have a tougher route to the final than Dublin anyway if we are to get there.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Apr 15, 2017 1:12:47 GMT
It probably sticks in people's guts but provincial finals to me are very special, sacrosanct? We've had an amazing league that shows up the merits of 'matches', i.e. teams 'meeting their match.' Ah maybe I'm getting old and so I have too many memories -they are the summit of local competitiveness, pride of place and which is what brings out the best in the GAA. One issue with open draws is travelling and the inevitable expense. The best solution I see is seeding losing teams in a given year and having say 3 All Ireland's with groups determined by when they were knocked out. I have oft suggested it so there must be something drastically flawed about it as it never gets much response. Re: travelling - people will travel if given plenty of notice for the games. In some cases fans have had 3 or 4 days notice to travel. Disrespectful to all involved. If the alternative is an open draw then teams could be travelling to the opposite ends of the island and it would be sporadic, even if it was seeded. e.g. Armagh could have to play say Kerry, Cork and Clare away -people simply couldn't afford it and it would mean overnights, etc. While I think provincial finals are amazing occasions I think it would be better if teams of similar standard all the time. Ulster would have more strong counties in football as Munster would have in hurling although this can vary, hence my idea of 3/4 competitions with groups being filled by stage they ate knocked out. |
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Post by wayupnorth on Apr 15, 2017 7:38:25 GMT
The dilemma remains. How to keep the provincials while making the early stages of the championship more. exciting than a procession towards coronation that it is in three out four provinces? How's this for a mad idea? - With the super 8 in place, have two teams per Province.
- These teams would be the current Provincial Champion and that from the previous year.
- This means that winning the Province means you can't take part the following year but are guaranteed a place in the Super 8
- This makes the Provincials more competitive with one of the "big beasts" out for a year
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Apr 15, 2017 8:17:43 GMT
I just think Jimmy McGuinness' proposal made the most sense.
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Apr 15, 2017 9:20:14 GMT
Re: travelling - people will travel if given plenty of notice for the games. In some cases fans have had 3 or 4 days notice to travel. Disrespectful to all involved. If the alternative is an open draw then teams could be travelling to the opposite ends of the island and it would be sporadic, even if it was seeded. e.g. Armagh could have to play say Kerry, Cork and Clare away -people simply couldn't afford it and it would mean overnights, etc. While I think provincial finals are amazing occasions I think it would be better if teams of similar standard all the time. Ulster would have more strong counties in football as Munster would have in hurling although this can vary, hence my idea of 3/4 competitions with groups being filled by stage they ate knocked out. I think no matter the format, long travel is inevitable, especially for fans up North and further south like yourselves. Yes fans might not be able to stretch to 3 or 4 away trips, but at least give them 2 or 3 weeks notice to put plans in place. 3 years ago we had 5 or 6 games in a row, all with a few days notice. That's tough on supporters. Ok it wasn't to Cork or Kerry, but any trip involves considerable expense. |
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Post by Ballyfireside on Apr 15, 2017 15:03:38 GMT
I just think Jimmy McGuinness' proposal made the most sense. Pls remind us what it was Tomás? |
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Post by Ballyfireside on Apr 15, 2017 15:07:19 GMT
If the alternative is an open draw then teams could be travelling to the opposite ends of the island and it would be sporadic, even if it was seeded. e.g. Armagh could have to play say Kerry, Cork and Clare away -people simply couldn't afford it and it would mean overnights, etc. While I think provincial finals are amazing occasions I think it would be better if teams of similar standard all the time. Ulster would have more strong counties in football as Munster would have in hurling although this can vary, hence my idea of 3/4 competitions with groups being filled by stage they ate knocked out. I think no matter the format, long travel is inevitable, especially for fans up North and further south like yourselves. Yes fans might not be able to stretch to 3 or 4 away trips, but at least give them 2 or 3 weeks notice to put plans in place. 3 years ago we had 5 or 6 games in a row, all with a few days notice. That's tough on supporters. Ok it wasn't to Cork or Kerry, but any trip involves considerable expense. What people don't realise is the complexity of planning -e.g. clashes, etc, even having a game in the same week as other events means less cash, you're even talking communions, August holidays, concerts, festivals, etc. It is down to balance and keeping everyone a bit happy, not easy but then again not so daunting for those involved as they are experienced. |
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Post by Whosinmidfield on Apr 17, 2017 21:44:57 GMT
My Team for crunch time in championship:
Ryan
Enright Griffin Young
Murphy Morley Crowley
Moran Barry
Walsh O'Shea Geaney
O'Donoghue Geaney McCharty
Main subs - Shanahan, Begley, Foley, Killian Spillane, Savage, Darran, O'Brien, Buckley
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Post by Donegalshannonranger on Apr 24, 2017 10:52:16 GMT
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Post by benchwarmer on Apr 25, 2017 8:57:18 GMT
My Team for crunch time in championship: Ryan Enright Griffin Young Murphy Morley Crowley Moran Barry Walsh O'Shea Geaney O'Donoghue Geaney McCharty Main subs - Shanahan, Begley, Foley, Killian Spillane, Savage, Darran, O'Brien, Buckley No Brian Sheahan?? Even as a sub? Who is O shea? If you're thinking sean o shea you obviously didn't watch the u21 all Ireland semi final. .. he was anonymous when his team really needed him. |
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fivenarow
Senior Member
If it aint broken, then dont fix it!
Posts: 924 
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Post by fivenarow on Apr 25, 2017 10:25:02 GMT
My Team for crunch time in championship: Ryan Enright Griffin Young Murphy Morley Crowley Moran Barry Walsh O'Shea Geaney O'Donoghue Geaney McCharty Main subs - Shanahan, Begley, Foley, Killian Spillane, Savage, Darran, O'Brien, Buckley No Brian Sheahan?? Even as a sub? Who is O shea? If you're thinking sean o shea you obviously didn't watch the u21 all Ireland semi final. .. he was anonymous when his team really needed him. In fairness Seán o Shea is only 19 this year so even u21 was a big step not to mind senior level for the moment anyway, a serious player in the next few years hopefully. I'd definitely have both Sheehan & Donaghy on the bench, both have a lot of match day experience to draw from & give us options if things aren't going to plan. No sub goalie either?? We're awash with keepers at the moment which is great. |
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Post by kerrygold on Apr 25, 2017 10:33:11 GMT
Some vacuum created out there in the absence of intercounty activity post NFL!
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Post by givehimaball on Apr 25, 2017 13:42:36 GMT
No Brian Sheahan?? Even as a sub? Who is O shea? If you're thinking sean o shea you obviously didn't watch the u21 all Ireland semi final. .. he was anonymous when his team really needed him. In fairness Seán o Shea is only 19 this year so even u21 was a big step not to mind senior level for the moment anyway, a serious player in the next few years hopefully. I'd definitely have both Sheehan & Donaghy on the bench, both have a lot of match day experience to draw from & give us options if things aren't going to plan. No sub goalie either?? We're awash with keepers at the moment which is great. I don't think you can have both Sheehan & Donaghy on the bench. I know if I was a Dublin back and I saw either of them going on after the 60 minute mark I'd be thinking Kerry have entered desperation stakes time - you'd hardly have the fear that either of them is fresh legs and going to do you for pace and stick a goal like you'd have if you saw a speed merchant like Darran or Stephen O'Brien coming in - with Sheehan you'd be thinking Kerry are hoping for dead-ball situations (and he hasn't been all that effective with those the last while, it's just the rest of the options have been so poor) while with Donaghy it's going to be the case that hopeful high balls are going to be lumped in around the box, and any sort of competent team are going to have enough men back to keep the area around goal flooded and the high ball at that stage a very low percentage danger. After seeing the Stacks performance at the weekend I think Donaghy will be hard-pressed to make the squad - he looked miles away from being ready for inter-county battle. I know he had a long run with the basketballers but he was supposedly training one night a week with the footballers, but it really looked like the years have caught up in terms of his ability to get around the pitch. He wasn't helped by how bad the rest of the team were especially in terms of quality of ball in and having to come out the pitch to get involved, but in a game where the intensity was low enough it really looked like the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak. Hope I'm wrong but I'd have fears about it, especially considering how much he has contributed for Kerry over the years. |
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Post by givehimaball on Apr 25, 2017 13:45:29 GMT
Some vacuum created out there in the absence of intercounty activity post NFL! New York v Sligo in 2 weeks  Less than 7 weeks to go before the game against Clare/Limerick  |
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