|
Post by watchdahop on Jun 19, 2006 14:16:35 GMT
Re the point made earlier by Big Mac none of the "Big Three" of Kerry Armagh and Tyrone have played well so far this year. I wonder whats the betting that none of them make the final or even the semi final? In 04 when neither Tryone or Armagh made the semis at least they had good games before that.
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 19, 2006 14:24:54 GMT
So, in reality, another weekend of mediocre football and hurling action, with at one stage in the afternoon Roscommon leading Galway 6 pts to no score and London level with Westmeath in the football, 5 pts each. Bizarre stuff.
Galway were reliant on their older men Donellan and Joyce to pull it out of the fire for them, this against a team with 8 championship debutants.....Roscommon will win some silverware of some sort in the next two / three years in Connacht. In doing what they did though, Galway this year have reminded me of Kerry circa 2004. Mayo, strange fish again this year as always. Been silent in the long grass to date apart from scraping past London eventually......just don't see the finished article there based on the league.
Derry lost to Donegal who were fast, intelligent and hard. Frightening injury to one of the Donegal players though, arm, jaw and leg broken with 20 teeth gone too. Donegal will give the winners of the other semi final replay a good run for money and if they can contain themselves should they win Ulster, they may be dark horses yet for a decent stab at Sam.
Other than that, Tyrone are in real trouble and will find it hard to make a run for gold. If they do, it'll be the greatest comeback since Lazarus topped the poll 1973 years ago. Louth played the kind of football that destroyed Meath in the first half of that bizarre Leinster championship game in May. Don't count them out yet.
Overall, the more I look across the landscape, unless there is a major surprise from Dublin / Laois / Offaly, Kerry are in with a decent shout if they overcome Cork. Somehow Galway and Donegal could go far but I think we will, eventually, be able for them this year. It's the year of mediocrity, and Kerry always thrive when there is an 'easy' All Ireland up for grabs.
As to the hurling. Westmeath giving Waterford a game of it? Clare I knew would win, but apparently things have erupted again as evidenced by was it O'Learys reaction to being subbed, and then McKenna walking away last night. What surprised me most was Ger Cunningham going with him. I thought he would have fancied his chances at the top job if he'd stayed.
|
|
|
Post by watchdahop on Jun 19, 2006 14:38:00 GMT
AS abu you could be right Kerry do well when the whole thing is "open" Hear the moaners if that happens again!! We are not playing well but we might be playing "well" enough!
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 20, 2006 11:57:41 GMT
I think that Tyrone might struggle against Louth in the replay. They are missing McGuigan, Canavan, O'Neill, Hughes and Dooher is struggling to make it as well. That is some hole taken out of any team and it is hard to see how they cope. Having said that if they come through it it will make them a lot stronger. Aye Seamus - I think it could be a bit much for us all right. It could possibly have been better for us and a lot less painful in the long run if Louth had taken us last Saturday. Can't see us being much of a threat this year. As Stacks says - "Tyrone are in real trouble and will find it hard to make a run for gold. If they do, it'll be the greatest comeback since Lazarus topped the poll 1973 years ago".
|
|
|
Post by sullyschoice on Jun 20, 2006 22:47:22 GMT
Stacks
Roscommon will not win any silverware in Connacht or anywhere else for quite some time.. I dont mean to be disrespectful to them, but they are simply not good enough.
Donegal are also not good enough. Capable of the odd win here and there, but consistancy is a big problem. Kerry have played poorly so far this year but I have seen no team yet that I would be concerned about playing.
|
|
|
Post by sullyschoice on Jun 20, 2006 22:54:50 GMT
Stacks
I thought it was 9-21 to 1-9. correct me if I am wrong...how did we let in that goal.
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 21, 2006 9:06:12 GMT
Stacks Roscommon will not win any silverware in Connacht or anywhere else for quite some time.. I dont mean to be disrespectful to them, but they are simply not good enough. Donegal are also not good enough. Capable of the odd win here and there, but consistancy is a big problem. Kerry have played poorly so far this year but I have seen no team yet that I would be concerned about playing. I was talking to somebody associated with Roscommon football on Monday morning, and they were upbeat despite the result. The buzz on the ground that Maughan is bringing to the county is as good as it's been since the hay days of the early '80s apparently. With eight championship debutants, he feels that he has some good players to work with over the next two / three years. The support for the team has gone through the roof as was evidenced by the weekends largest turn out despite the worst of the weather hanging over Dr. Hyde Park, and their fundraising golf classic was a complete sell out sponsorship and team wise. The locals aren't expecting anything this year and there is less pressure on the team than there has been for some time up there. All good signs if you're hoping to win something.
|
|
|
Post by watchdahop on Jun 21, 2006 9:44:42 GMT
AS my contacts in the Roscommon camp have said the same. They didnt expect to win this year but were happy with the performance they they have a young team moving in the right direction. It was tough on a young team to concede two goals so quickly at a crucial stage. I think people are optimistic because the current crop of players could be seen to be more "disciplined" than others in recent times.
|
|
|
Post by stuckintipp on Jun 21, 2006 13:34:49 GMT
tyrone will hardly get caught the 2nd time. cavan gets my vote ahead of Kildare mayo to take leitrim but only just laois to put the dubs back in their box armagh to out muscle fermanagh and cork to keep eoin kelly quiet and beat tipp handy enough
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 21, 2006 13:41:50 GMT
Even if Brian Murphy keeps Eoin Kelly to a few points, the rest of the Tipp forwards are due a big day and expect a goal from Lar Corbett who's in for Webster, somebody who has been underperforming on the field this summer.
|
|
|
Post by sullyschoice on Jun 21, 2006 18:59:55 GMT
There was also a great buzz around the place when Tommy Carr took over. It didnt last. They have very committed supporters and a very generous sponsor. The turn out last sunday was very impressive given the conditions. Unfortunately they are fighting an uphill battle talent wise.
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 22, 2006 10:17:29 GMT
Just looking at the injury list there Dermot for the Tyrone squad this coming Saturday. You cannot but have some sympathy for Mickey Harte. But it's in your back garden so that should count for something. Mind you, Louth have won a few games on the road this year and will go in as complete underdogs again. Tyrone at the death.
Dublin v Laois. Am debating going to this one as have a ticket for the Munster hurling final in Thurles and it being one of the few weeks recently that I'm actually in the country I might make the most of a good trip out. But with England v Ecuador, Portugal v Holland, Dublin v Laois and Cork v Tipperary and the F1 on tv it could be a cracking day to sit down and fatten well.
I can't make my mind up about Dublin v Laois. Neither team has shone this year yet either in the league or the championship. I really don't know what way it will go but have a hunch that Laois might win by 1 or 2 points.
Armagh v Fermanagh. Think a surprise might be on the books here. Fermanagh have motored along in second gear, whereas Armagh have stuttered and started game by game. I just think we might have a surprise Ulster final this year.
Kildare v Cavan in the football qualifiers. Think this could be a cracker. Two teams that expected a decent run this summer playing knock out in the first round of the qualfiers. Rainbow is back for Kildare too. Kildare by two points.
Mayo v Leitrim. Leitrim haven't play a competitive game since the middle of April but as a result have a full, fit squad under Mr. Dolan. This could be closer than people think. Going to put my head on the block and say Leitrim by two points.
Wicklow v Kerry in the Christy Ring trophy. Well, we're without some of the squad due to the latest prattish muppetary. Wicklow however were also beaten by Kildare. Hard to call, but will go with the heart. Kerry by four.
Cork v Tipperary. Ah yes, the Munster hurling final in Thurles. Honestly, for those of you who haven't gone to a Munster hurling final in Thurles, it is a special day. Back doors or front doors, Champions League, Intertoto Cup or Tour De France style competition formats will never take away from this day out. The Pecker Dunne playing the banjo at the bridge on the way out from the square, cars parking for miles around, the square a heaving mass of men, women and children in various states of pre match emotional anticipation and animation.
Have a ticket, have a back road route I discovered before the hurling league final, I'll have the hangover and it's a 4pm throw in. I'm very tempted.
But I digressed. People expect Joe Deane and Eoin Kelly to be the stars of the match. This Kerry man isn't so sure. Lar Corbett of Tipp and John Kenny of Cork to me are men who can turn this game either way. Corks half back line is also motoring along nicely with Ronan Curran really coming back to form after last year. But Kenny is playing incredibly well and Lar Corbett is on for Michael Webster after scoring a goal when coming on as a sub the last day against Waterford and going well in training.
Cork look better than they did last year. Clare are good and Cork did very well to beat them by as much as they did. Tipperary are still growing as a team after the past few years of turmoil. But one thing that Tipperary have that Cork don't have is inspiration. Nickey English has given them three training sessions at the request of Babs, and apparently they have had a huge influence on the squad. I think he'll be in the dressing room under the Kinane Stand and will have them hopping. If they can take a good early lead, work hard to maintain it and, when Cork inevitably come back in the second half, try to keep some small supply coming into Eoin Kelly to keep the score board ticking over, they might just do it. Supply to Lar and Eoin will be vital in the second half.
A mighty weekend of sport ahead. The last two weekends of June always provide the bounty for the sports lover. Bring it on.
|
|
|
Post by inforthebreaks on Jun 22, 2006 10:41:37 GMT
not sure about that stacks. It shocked me to see how abd they were in the league semi final in Killarney. I dont see how they will have improved enough by now to beat the Dubs.
If I were you I'd be off to Thurles. has the makings of a good game. Interesting to see how Eoin Kelly fares against a tougher defence.
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 22, 2006 11:30:21 GMT
Just looking at the injury list there Dermot for the Tyrone squad this coming Saturday. You cannot but have some sympathy for Mickey Harte. But it's in your back garden so that should count for something. Mind you, Louth have won a few games on the road this year and will go in as complete underdogs again. Dublin v Laois. Am debating going to this one as have a ticket for the Munster hurling final in Thurles and it being one of the few weeks recently that I've actually been in the country I might make the most of a good trip out. But with England v Ecuador, Portugal v Holland, Dublin v Laois and Cork v Tipperary and the F1 on tv it could be a cracking day to sit down and fatten well. I can't make my mind up about Dublin v Laois. Neither team has shone this year yet either in the league or the championship. I really don't know what way it will go but have a hunch that Laois might win by 1 or 2 points. Aye the injuries are sh1te right enough. Don't know about the benefits of us playing in Healy park - we haven't done too well there lately. I could be wrong but I think Dublin will take Laois and Armagh will take Fermanagh.
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 22, 2006 14:24:42 GMT
And as if Tyrone didn't have enough to worry about, fresh from the newswires:
Reported row over Tyrone's McCullagh Thursday, 22 June 2006 2:00 Colm McCullagh's return to the Tyrone panel could put his soccer career at risk A row has reportedly erupted between an Irish League soccer club and Tyrone GAA chiefs over Colm McCullagh's re-call to the Red Hand squad.
Officials at Newry City have warned that McCullagh is putting his professional soccer career at risk by returning to the Tyrone panel.
A director at the club has claimed that the dual player is contracted to them until the end of August, but Tyrone county chairman Pat Darcy said they had no duty to contact Newry City over the issue.
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 22, 2006 14:37:07 GMT
I wish that was the worst of our worries.
|
|
|
Post by expert05 on Jun 22, 2006 23:13:54 GMT
Predictions for w'kend Football Louth 2-10 Tyrone 0-15 Kildare 0-13 Cavan 1-9 Armagh 2-9 Fermanagh 0-10 Dublin 0-14 Laois 0-12 Mayo 0-16 Leitrim 1-7 Hurling Cork 0-17 Tipp 1-13 Kerry 2-17 Wicklow 0-13 W.Cup Sweden1Germany1 (aet) Swe6-5 on pens England 2 Ecuador 0 Portugal 2 Holland 0 Mexico 3 Argentina 1 Austrailia2 Italy 1 Brazil 2 Ghana 1 (aet)
|
|
|
Post by manager on Jun 23, 2006 1:06:04 GMT
expert you must have crystal balls!
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 23, 2006 9:26:22 GMT
Odds for this weekend games from Paddy Powers:
SATURDAY 1530 1/5 TYRONE 9/1 LOUTH 9/2 1900 8/13 KILDARE 13/2 CAVAN 7/4 SUNDAY 1400 8/11 DUBLIN 13/2 LAOIS 6/4 1530 13/2 LEITRIM 11/1 MAYO 1/9 1530 1/4 ARMAGH 15/2 FERMANAGH 4/1 1600 3/1 TIPPER' 10/1 CORK 2/7 HANDICAP BETTING 4/5 TYRONE 8/1 LOUTH +4 6/5 11/10 KILDARE 7/1 CAVAN +2 10/11 EVS DUBLIN 7/1 LAOIS +1 EVS EVS LEITRIM 9/1 MAYO -6 10/11 6/5 ARMAGH 7/1 FERMANAGH +4 5/6 10/11 TIPPER' 9/1 CORK -4 5/6
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 23, 2006 9:39:24 GMT
Are we all hungover or something? This is the busiest the board has been in weeks for a morning.
|
|
Joxer
Fanatical Member
Posts: 1,366
|
Post by Joxer on Jun 23, 2006 12:42:18 GMT
Good high odds opportunities there expert05...my predictions for the weekend:- Tyrone Kildare Armagh Dublin Mayo
Cork Kerry
Germany Ecuador
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 23, 2006 13:02:54 GMT
What about this accum on the handicap betting, I reckon it'd pay about 14/1 I reckon:
Dublin (-1) @ Evs Mayo (- 6) @ 10/11 Cork (- 4) @ 5/6 Louth (+ 4) @ 6/5
The one I'd be inclined to leave out would be the Louth game but with Tyrone the way they are it'll probably be close enough.
|
|
bannerman
Senior Member
" Come it the hour Come it the Man"
Posts: 577
|
Post by bannerman on Jun 25, 2006 17:53:41 GMT
Laois were poor but in my opinion the dubs did not let them play... they laid down a serious marker today and nobody can mistake their intentions.... cosgrave was brill and they will improve further... they will def get to all ireland final....
|
|
|
Post by Mickmack on Jun 25, 2006 18:50:20 GMT
performance of the weekend..............
Has to the the monir hurlers of carlow who beat offaly to reach the leinster final.....they beat wexford a few weeks ago
|
|
animal
Fanatical Member
Posts: 1,931
|
Post by animal on Jun 26, 2006 8:19:43 GMT
what happened to Mayo? No disrespect to Leitrim but that hardly inspires confidence. Plus I had them backed with the 6 point handicap FCEK!
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 26, 2006 9:33:13 GMT
The Dubs, their fans and the media will go into overkill after this performance (and when the world cup ends and the sports pages need filling). Laois totally threw in the towel in the 2nd half and it must have been a sad day for Micko to see one of his teams not respond to him at all. Cant see them taking Tyrone in the qualifiers.
Mayo didnt score in the last 25 mins which must be very worrying for them. Still fancy them to take Galway though.
Predictable result up north, are Kerry the last team to have beaten Armagh in a replay?
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 26, 2006 13:04:33 GMT
Can't think who have beaten them in a replay since Buck. They are incredible warriors in Armagh. Fermanagh will be disappointed at the back though. They gave too much space a few times and didn't mark tight enough. Will Donegal finally crack the Armagh nut in the Ulster final? Why is it being played in Croke Park?
Dublin looked good, Conal Keaney and a newly positioned Brian Cullen doing well for them. The pressure is on now and only another resounding victory in the Leinster final will keep people quiet. After that, who knows.
Went south myself on a glorious day to an absolutely mobbed Thurles. Great first half, and good man Lar Corbett who fulfilled my prediction of a goal. Eoin Kelly was quiet but Brian Murphy did incredibly well on him. When he moved onto the Rock, he showed up Diarmuid's penchant recently for giving up soft frees - watch this space later in the year. I can't understand why they didn't take off Redser before they finally did. To be honest, Cummins puck outs were poor at times too. It was obvious the Tipp half forward line were getting nothing in the second half, but that Paul Kelly and Eamon Corcoran coming in from half back were winning ball at midfield. Yet he kept sending them down Redsers throat. As a result Tipp were very flat in the second half. Gardiner was immense, for me he shaded Joe Deane for man of the match.
Tyrone v Louth. Dermot, you might be getting a call up at the rate the injuries are mounting up. Poor show by Louth in the end. It's interesting that they hadn't a clue how to handle McCullogh.....nobody knew about him so the management team couldn't tell the lads what to do!!
Anyway, the crowds were up, nearly full houses all over the country, and this despite Engerland playing on the box. People have been over analysing the early stages of the championships this year. It's always known that the Championships only come alive from the Munster hurling final onwards.
And congrats to Carlow. Huge achievement to be playing a Leinster hurling final at any grade.
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 26, 2006 13:28:43 GMT
The Ulster final has been fixed for Croke Park, much to the delight of Donegal supporters I'm sure!
|
|
|
Post by TheCritic on Jun 26, 2006 13:55:44 GMT
Dubs fire All-Ireland warning.....
The usual media hype has begun for the summer, the Dubs win a game (all be it a good win) in Croker and they are automatically favourites for the All-Ire!! But I suppose when you add in the 2point win over Longford in the 1st round you can see where the papers get these kind of headlines!!!
Can't wait for then to meet a decent team. They should take the Leinster crown again though.
Think Wexford will cause a few more problems for teams this year. They have that extra bit of experience this time round.
|
|
|
Post by Mickmack on Jun 26, 2006 17:27:57 GMT
Was in Croke Park yesterday. As soon as Clancy went off, Dublin took over and they are some sight when they click.
Bigger tests remain.......... but an all ireland will come to dublin soon...........
|
|