RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
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Post by RashersTierney on May 17, 2006 23:22:04 GMT
Ha! Micko states.....................how many times is it now? Come on, most people are not that daft - its all a big conspircy to make Laois look like no-hopers
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Post by kerrygold on May 18, 2006 8:59:30 GMT
the armagh monaghan game is live on rte2 from 5.25 on sat.
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BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
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Post by BIGMAC on May 22, 2006 9:02:33 GMT
Armagh's cuteness the key to success Monday May 22nd 2006 ADVERTISEMENT
THE big question for Armagh GAA people at present is whether their glass is half full or half empty.
On Saturday evening there were hopes that the question might be decisively answered following the stalemate game against Monaghan the previous Sunday, but although Armagh won pulling up, there are still questions about the real worth of the team in 2006.
History shows that the number of teams who return to Croke Park to win a second All-Ireland three or four years after a previous one is very small and with each passing year from the initial success, the task gets harder.
The actual age of the Armagh players is not the problem because half their current side is aged 23 or younger and only Kieran McGeeney and Paul McGrane are over 30.
The problem for Joe Kernan is that a lot of his panel members have been hard at it for eight years now at the very highest level of Ulster and All-Ireland campaigns.
The capacity of amateur players to retain their mental and physical sharpness over such a lengthy period is the critical factor.
But there are clear signs that Kernan and his selectors are not just going to sit there and let nature take its course.
For example they have quietly shifted Francie Bellew and McGeeney out of the central defensive positions and replaced them with younger men presumably to bring more mobility to that sector.
However, against Monaghan that Armagh backline looked very fragile at times as the speed of the Monaghan attackers, when they decided to play direct football, opened roads right through.
Unfortunately for Monaghan many of these openings came to nothing because of poor shooting, whereas with a really good striker, they would surely have had two goals in the first half alone.
McGeeney's placing at midfield is an interesting one because when Armagh were at their peak, he was used as a sweeper rather than the conventional man-marker.
He played a major role on Saturday as organiser and supplier of good ball to his forwards.
Distribution has always been his strongest point and that certainly has not declined as his brilliant 40-yard foot-pass to Brian Mallon for Armagh's goal in the 18th minute proved.
Whether at 34 he will have the mobility to cope with midfield later in the campaign remains to be seen - but I wouldn't bet against it.
The difference between these two teams was cuteness. Armagh had buckets of it, while Monaghan had hardly any.
Monaghan often shot from silly positions and even worth relatively easy score attempts, they were not clinical in their shooting and it cost them dearly in ways other than just missed scores.
For example that Armagh goal set up by McGeeney came when a half-hearted scoring effort from a Monaghan player gave possession to Armagh.
An in the 17th minute of the second half, when Kieran Finlay hit a free-kick short into the 'keeper's hands, the ball was swept downfield in a flash for Stephen McDonald to score a point, a nett loss to Monaghan of two points.
That's cuteness, and the lack of it, for you.
Monaghan's best forward , Thomas Freeman, was beaten to the first ball by Andy Mallon and that set the trend of this particular contest for the remainder of the game. This was a severe blow to Monaghan's hopes.
Freeman had two great goal chances, but took neither, although he did make an impact with umpire T P Pettit when he flattened him in an accidental collision across the end line.
Another interesting change in style by Armagh this year, so far at least, is the absence of the diagonal long foot passes for inside forwards Stephen McDonnell and Ronan Clarke to dash out for.
Instead they just planted ball after ball into the area in front of goal where the two strikers were usually positioned close to each other.
This, however, only brought mixed results this time round.
There was an air of inevitability about the result of this game from halfway through the first half m when it became obvious that Monaghan did not have the required scoring power.
This became even more apparent as the game wore on and they only managed a single point in the final 26 minutes and even that score from Dick Clerkin looked wide to most onlookers.
By contrast Armagh scored six points in that same closing period, three of which came from McDonnell.
Looking at Armagh on Saturday I certainly would not bet against them being in the shake-up when the championship business gets serious next August and September.
They appeared less than fully fit and I suspect that with each passing week they will get fitter, sharper and more dangerous.
Looking at Armagh on Saturday I certainly would not bet against them being in the shake-up when the championship business gets serious next August and September
They have two of the best scoring forwards in the game in Clarke and McDonnell, Oisín McConville had a new spring in his step and Paddy McKeever was the most industrious player on the field.
Armagh's ability to get referees to award them dubious frees remains undiminished - but that's the modern game isn't it?
Having said all that, this was a very average game for long periods and Joe Kernan will know that vast improvement will be needed if they want to scale the championship heights of recent seasons.
Monaghan can feel disappointed that they failed to capitalise on their first-half superiority where it mattered, on the scoreboard.
They have a fast mobile team, but often slow down their own game by too much short passing in confined areas which actually neutralises speedy movement.
Still, not many counties will look forward to meeting them in the qualifiers.
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BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
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Post by BIGMAC on May 22, 2006 9:03:38 GMT
Orchard blossom and book semi-final spot Monday May 22nd 2006
Armagh 1-13
Monaghan 0-10
ARMAGH put in a vastly improved performance on last weekend's drawn game to advance to the Ulster championship semi-final at the expense of Monaghan.
Missed chances proved costly for Monaghan, who spurned two clear-cut goal chances in the first-half, but Armagh made life difficult for them and repeatedly frustrated their attempts to score.
Armagh manager Joe Kernan acknowledged the improvement and likened his team's performance to that of Munster in the Heineken Cup final.
"People write us off, but some people don't understand just how tough these games are.
"People talk about us being old, but Paul McGrane didn't look old catching balls out there today."
McGrane was central to the win, he controlled midfield and had a hand in most of what Armagh achieved, but Monaghan will have to look at not only the missed chances but the ones that fell short to the Armagh 'keeper.
They got a modicum of luck as well though, especially with a point by Dick Clerkin that looked well wide.
On the day, it wasn't enough and Armagh stepped it up at the right time.
"Monaghan got it down to a point at one stage in the second-half but we lifted it again and that is the mark of a good team, call it experience if you like, but it worked for us when we needed it.
"Ronan (Clarke) did very well, he was on his own and there were four Monaghan players around him, he had to hold on and he did and scored a wonderful point and we lifted it from there.
"This was a good one to win, because we are team building and even though people might doubt the quality in the team, I think there was a little bit of Munster in Armagh today."
Monaghan boss Seamus McEneaney was in philosophical mood.
"We had the chances but didn't take them. Against a team like Armagh you have to take them when they come. Tommy (Freeman) did very well, he did everything right but the Armagh 'keeper denied him."
Monaghan began well and went three points up before Armagh opened their account in the 13th minute.That point by Oisin McConville kick-started a purple patch that saw them hit 1-2 in a three-minute spell to give them a lead they were never to relinquish. Brian Mallon crashed in the goal in the 17th minute and Armagh went in two points ahead at half-time, 1-5 to 0-6.
Tempers became a little frayed as the players left the field and there was a confrontation going into the tunnel.
Monaghan started the second-half well and had the margin down to the minimum within four minutes, but were never able to close the gap completely.
The game was delicately poised entering the final quarter, but when it was needed the most, Armagh had it in reserve, and when Clarke hit his second point in the 25th minute the result was never in doubt.
Four points without reply in the final 12 minutes saw them wrap it up.
"Again we didn't score enough and 10 points will never win you an Ulster championship match, it won't win many qualifiers either, so we will have to improve to progress.
"I think we can do well in the qualifiers, we got to the last 12 last year so there is no reason why we can't do that again."
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Post by austinstacksabu on May 22, 2006 10:31:08 GMT
Congrats to Joan and the gang on New York beating Derry last night in the hurling out in Gaelic Park. They now play Antrim in the Ulster final.
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Post by kerrygold on May 22, 2006 10:39:31 GMT
it looks like the ulster hurling final might be in doubth because of visa problems for players returning back to the big apple,wonder are they trying to get a home tie in NY.
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Post by kerrygold on May 22, 2006 10:43:32 GMT
Has anyboby else noticed the small attentances at the matches so far,the early rounds are starting to look like the group stages of the champions league.Is it time for a mass over haul of the championship.The quailifiers are starting to lose their appeal also.
The conditions were terrible in portlaoise yesterday,surely those games should have been called off and a bit of respect shown to the players who were training all year.
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Post by realist on May 22, 2006 10:51:55 GMT
Agree Kerrygold, portlaoise was a disgrace yesterday. It showed a total lack of respect and regard for player safety. The county board officials on both sides should have refused to let their players out on the field and as for the refs... they must have been high on dope or something to allow the games go ahead!!!!! In saying that though wasn't killarney in immaculate condition yesterday? It must be one of the best surfaces in the Country. Even after 2 games it looked like a pitch that has never been played on!
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Post by kerrygold on May 22, 2006 14:03:06 GMT
some big games coming up this weekend,derry v tyrone,proberly will be close,tohill doesnt think derry will beat them,might be gamesmanship. kildare v offally,midland derby game,always close,kildare missing glenn ryan and damien hendy for the centr back position,hard game to call. cork v clare in the hurling,has time caught up with clare,how will cork cope without ben o connor,what has another year done to the egeing brian lohan and brian corcoran. it could be the weekend of the missing injured players.
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moth
Senior Member
Posts: 382
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Post by moth on May 22, 2006 15:54:17 GMT
Congrats to Westmeath on winning a match in the Leinster hurling championship yesterday. Condition looked terrible on TV, but some of the scores were excellent.
There is no panic in playing the Ulster hurling final this year, as there is no follow-on for either team. Antrim will be playing in the group stages of the Christy Ring cup. They can play the Ulster final when they go to New York for the holiday at the end of the year (additional prize for winning the Christy Ring).
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Boris
Full Member
Posts: 238
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Post by Boris on May 23, 2006 14:22:36 GMT
Just to agree with Kerrygold about the small attendances so far.the gaa are shooting themselves in the foot charging 20 euro to go into the stand for a game such as Kerry vs Waterford etc.If you have a family it makes even the early rounds too expensive especially if the games are a foregone conclusion.
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Post by kerrygold on May 23, 2006 16:24:56 GMT
it looks like john divilly will be making his championship debut for kildare on sunday v offally at centre back.he played against kildare for galway at centre back in the 1998 all-ireland final which galway won.
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RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
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Post by RashersTierney on May 23, 2006 21:44:53 GMT
Agreed KG, I was thinking the same myself about reduced attendance, poor quality football, teams without the right gear, teams and counties in crisis, the whole discipline loophole thing, the whole GPA-GAA row and so on. Seems that the grass-roots are peed off and that Inter-County is getting a backlash.......
Not sure I agree about Portlaoise, not for the first game anyway. Notice that the ball was still bouncing, even in the puddles! A good quality pitch from May onwards can take alot of surface water - much more so than in winter, where it turns into a mucky quagmire. Has everyone forgotten Galway-Cork, the Hurling Semi in 1985 or 86? Splashing around but the match went ahead and was a classic. There was some super hurling in that game on Sunday, and though its a big kick up the arse for Dublin hurling, I'm glad for Westmeath, and that there's a new competativeness in Leinster hurling.
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Post by kerrygold on May 24, 2006 9:45:55 GMT
i wasn't sure you would be in agreement with the hurling game being played in portlaoise.
Ya,the attendances are very small for the first round games and will be the same for the earily quailifiers,1000 in limerick,3000 in kilarney,10000 in clones,looked like there were very few in portlaoise,small crowd at the double header in croker two weeks ago also.Something is not adding up when that is happening.i'm begining to think the back door safety net has taken the bite out of the championship especially the early rounds.maybe were aproaching the time for a champions league type format with group games and the top two progressing on wards and the bottom two teams in the group going into the the tommy murphy cup. it might be easier to structure the club sence with this format also,its pointless having uncompetive unsupported early round games and club players at home getting frustrated.
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Post by austinstacksabu on May 24, 2006 10:25:01 GMT
Lads, year on year over the past few years, the overall GAA attendances have grown at intercounty level. They mightn't be as big initially, but by the end of the year, I bet you there will have been more people at this years games than last.
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Post by kerrygold on May 24, 2006 14:14:13 GMT
thats true stacks but that recent increase in recent years had a lot got to do with the popularity and the novelty factor of the qualifiers in the early years,the numbers for the qualifiers were down last year,i've a feeling there losing their novelty factor and might be weaning as an attraction,i wouldn't put the house on the figures been up this year.
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Post by Dermot on May 26, 2006 11:46:34 GMT
I'm very worried about Sunday ! Thats all I'm saying.
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Post by kerrygold on May 26, 2006 12:04:07 GMT
I'm very worried about Sunday ! Thats all I'm saying. any sign of a team picked yet,sunday will be tricky under the circumstances especially v derry,tohill doesn't think derry will beat tyrone,hard one to call,might be a draw?
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Post by Dermot on May 26, 2006 12:12:02 GMT
Tyrone manager Mickey Harte has had to plan without six of his squad as he named his side to face Derry in the Ulster Championship quarterfinal at Healy Park, Omagh at the weekend.
As expected Stephen O’Neill, Michael McGee, Joe McMahon, Martin Penrose and Ger Cavlan have all failed to recover from injury in time for Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash.
However, the strength in depth of the Tyrone squad is never more evident as only one player will make their championship debut and that’s Raymond Mulgrew at left half forward, although there are a number of positional switches.
Tyrone: P McConnell, R McMenamin, C McGinley, C Gourley, D Harte, C Gormley, P Jordan, P Donnelly, C Holmes, B Dooher, S Cavanagh, R Mulgrew, R Mellon, K Hughes, O Mulligan.
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Just saw this KG -
We're missing a lot of men (also Canavan & McGuigan) so we have a very "new" team - The lad Mulgrew is brilliant but it may be a bit too early for him - I can see Derry not giving him (or his ribs) much room.
It's a new team but I suppose you never know they might just click.
An interesting one - It's funny how you don't feel just as scared as you would have 10 years ago - The back door is a wonderous thing indeed !
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Post by Dermot on May 26, 2006 12:19:37 GMT
Opps ---just modified the last post - Dooher certainly wasn't in MF - The list I got was from Hogan Stand and they left out C Holmes in MF !
Anyway there ye go !
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Post by kerrygold on May 26, 2006 12:20:20 GMT
is sean cavanaghs brother far of making the grade,yere backs look strong enough.the forwards look a bit skimpy all right,interesting hughs at full,wonder will he stay there.it will be a big test for muggys,if yere backs close shop ye wont be too far away from winning,would you call it a 50/50 game at this stage,i still think tyrone will scrape through narrowly.
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Post by kerrygold on May 26, 2006 12:22:18 GMT
ya,holmes strenghtens things up a bit,still a lot of talent there.
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Post by Dermot on May 26, 2006 13:11:44 GMT
Being the eternal optomist I still think we can do it, but not by much.
But saying that, Derry are due to put one over on us and this is their best chance in a long time.
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Post by austinstacksabu on May 26, 2006 13:36:55 GMT
Big weekend of games. Down in the home country this weekend, so very tempted to battle the Clare traffic coming to Thurles on Sunday and head down to the hurling - should be a cracker with 29 of the 30 that went toe to toe in Croke Park in August doing battle again. By the time of the game last year Lohan was on fire after being castigated left, right and centre after the Tipp game. He had a point to prove against Corcoran and proved it. This time, well, I don't think the same pressure is on him, and I'm wondering will he perform as a result or will Corcoran be the one with the point to prove. I actually think for the two oldest men on the pitch outside of Davy Fitz and Colin Lynch, it will be the battle of the day.
Up north - big day for ye alright Dermot. Armagh fell at this hurdle in 2003, and ye didn't go much further in 2004. But I think after the "I resign, I don't resign, the county board are muppets" shananigans of late in Derry, Tyrone are the more settled unit and should pull through in a dour contest.
Kildare v Offaly will be an interesting mix. Westmeath were absolutely cat malojan against Offaly and I think Kildare will have the edge here if they can control midfield and keep a tight noose on the Offaly corner forward.
Wexford v Meath. Wexford had a poor enough league campaign but it's when this crowd are written off that they can do some good work. Meath already believe their own hype after the Louth debacle, and I still don't think Eamonn Barry has control of his squad. Sure Joey Sheridan and others were giving out about the gear etc the Meath county board are giving them. Not a happy camp. Wexford for me.....if the game isn't abandoned for being brutal.....
Galway v Sligo. Sligo have imploded in supernova style since the great victory over Tyrone and the draw (my game of that year) and replay with Armagh in 2002. Galway, as we saw have some substance this year based on league performances. Galway by a few.
London v Mayo. Mayo to hit the sauce in the Grand in Clapham and London to win by 2. Well, we can only hope :-) Mayo by about ten after a very slow start.
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Post by austinstacksabu on May 26, 2006 13:39:59 GMT
is sean cavanaghs brother far of making the grade,yere backs look strong enough.the forwards look a bit skimpy all right,interesting hughs at full,wonder will he stay there.it will be a big test for muggys,if yere backs close shop ye wont be too far away from winning,would you call it a 50/50 game at this stage,i still think tyrone will scrape through narrowly. Suspect ye'll be trying a lot of high ball into Hub to feed off to Muggsy on Sunday because without McGuigan ye don't have the kingpin of working the ball in low and fast. Dooher is good at it but McGuigan is the one who does it best. Cavanagh will add strenght to carrying the ball straight but expect a fair share of high ball in.
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Post by Dermot on May 26, 2006 14:02:26 GMT
Aye KG, Cavanagh's brother should be in the squad v soon - He look to be a goodun !
Stacks, you could be right about the high ball but I have a feeling Hub will be around MF or 40 - Can't see him stuck in FF all the time.
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RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
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Post by RashersTierney on May 27, 2006 9:44:27 GMT
"cat malojan"? Stacks WTFH is that?! After 2000 posts I feel you've a right to bamboozle, but still! I feel that Tyrone will do enough on Sunday. It might go to a repaly, but Derry recall what happened the last time, so its all or nothing for them. On the other hand, I think Rad Hand O'Neills are mad up to win the Anglo Celt this year. Cork have been listening to people saying Clare should have bet them last year - Cork like that sort of incentive, and will win it pulling away I feel. But the Banner will be back in the qualiers....... At the start of the year I tipped Wexford to beat Meath at this stage, now I'm not so sure. A county like Wexford in football rarely put two good years together, I suspect they wont play as well as against Dublin last year. I too am not convinced by Meath (a very dangerous thing for a Dub to say!) but this is not the sort of game (in Leinster) that theyve lost in a long, long time. When they lost that Div 2 League final to Monaghan last year, I wondered has the Royal ability ot win all the tight games been smashed. Well, new coach since, and Louth didnt test the theory, I hope Wexford at least allow us to find it out. If it goes to the wire I think Wexford might do it, but also I note that they have yet to beat one of the Big Two since.........the 1960s? I've been sniffing a Faithful revival since they walloped Fermanagh in Enniskillen in the last league game. The low key win over Westmeath didnt teach us much, but is often a good way to slip into a big game. Kildare have been promising another breakthrough for the past few years, last year was a big setback, so theyve alot to prove. At the start of the year I gave a "pick out of the hat" tip for Kildare to reach the Leinster Final, on Sunday we will learn alot about both these teams. Expect two very nervous games, as all four counties have a great chance to reach the final, and none of them will be overawed by Dublin or Laois, in fact as big underdogs whoever comes out of this side will have a right cut at it........... Not much to say about Connaught this week. Hope London have another good performance, maybe a kinder draw in the qualies will finally bring their breakthrough. Sligo completely written off, Galway with alot of young players & being tipped as grey horses for Sam.......hmmmmm if Sligo had any gumption about them this year its a chance for an upset Hope it really gets going this week, but nothing to indicate it will. Does that mean Longford are going to make it a real thriller next week, the first games of June? ??!
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RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
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Post by RashersTierney on May 28, 2006 15:21:53 GMT
Tyrone beaten off the park. What can you say to that? Tyrone not at the races, totally lacking leadership, and not really at the pace. Looks like a combination of losing too many important players, and lack of motivation. The latter reason is very much a surprise. Derry played well and cleverly. Mulligan was not able to influence this game, other than that he had some bad misses. He still has big question marks of his ability to be consistent. One great save by the Derry keeper prevented a Tyrone fight-back, which I still believe they could have effected with a bit of luck and a tougher referee. The match was really awful, and Derry's ability to foul, dive and get away with both reflects very badly on them and the rules of the game/application of same. Surely there has to be a way of an outside official making sure that a player who is yellow carded twice gets sent off? There should have been 4 or 5 players sent off today. Indiscipline and lack of consequences for the culprits really does seem to be in danger of ruining the game. Maybe its true what theyve been saying, that referees are going to be very hard on Dublin & Tyrone after the suspensions row..................... Ulster is now wide open, with anyone of Derry, Armagh, Fermanagh, Down and Donegal in with a very good chance of winning. Tyrone will be better in the qualifiers, especially if they get some players back, but I really think the back-to-back All-I is gone for them now. The other contenders can feel let down if thats the case, as we all want to see the champions in full contention when the big games are decided.......
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RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
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Post by RashersTierney on May 28, 2006 15:25:08 GMT
Wexford have finally overcome the hoodoo, and in some style. Matty Forde back to his best. Leinster looks like it could be in revolt again this year! Lngford, and especially Carlow will be taking note. Ulster wide open too now.......
While I'm at it, have to say, thank goodness for the hurling again, and for Clare - so many great games have they given us in the last 12 years or more. Really hope they can overcome the odds today. And a special mention for Davy Fitz, has to be one of the greatest ever players.
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Post by Mickmack on May 28, 2006 16:39:37 GMT
Poor ould davy Fitz can do feck all about all those points flying over the bar unfortunately.
Derry V Tyrone was a very spiteful affair..... like Dub v Meath in the late 80s. Still......i expect Tyrone to be in the last 8 in august when it matters most. (Pity there is a back door!!)
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