|
Post by sullyschoice on Jun 4, 2006 23:45:25 GMT
I wasnt impressed with the standard of play in Donegal Down game although the closeness was exciting. Some very fundamental errors - bad passing etc
Dubs will improve. I backed them at evens to win by more than 8 points.
I do not think you could say Laois are Flying because in my opinion Carlow are a very poor team who can, on a rare occassion, raise their game.
Dublin V Laois game will be interesting. I think Dubs will have too much for them.
|
|
RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
|
Post by RashersTierney on Jun 5, 2006 8:16:17 GMT
You're right about the Ulster game Sully, it wasnt great quality, I suppose what I meant was that Donegal did well to win a tight enough game, given their recent history. Overall I think Ulster has been quite poor so far. It could turn out to be an historic third Anglo Celt for Armagh, but Fermanagh will never have a better moment in which to claim their first ever. Seems strange saying all this, with Tyrone & Armagh having being 2 of the top 3 teams in the last few years. Of course they may still turn out to be so come the end of this championship! I certainly think Armagh will have at least one big game in them later in the summer.............. Come to think of it, its been a poor championship in all Provinces so far, following a poor enough League (no offence! ). What does it all mean? Has Gaelic Football gone flat? Has the whole Croke Park/GPA rows/discipline issues/county-club crisies/rules controversies tidal wave taken the heart out of it this year? Hurling has gone quite stale too, with no sign of anyone other than Cork & Kilkenny having a chance - its like a private tournament! (golf?) I was very critical of the Dubs last night, but really its not new. I've been saying since the start of the year that they had to be showing consistency, ruthlessness and real ambition to be the best right from the off this year, and I havent seen it. This is not a new team, people talk about "Pillar's been experimenting" and "theyre only coming together" by way of excuse, but apart from the most successful teams in their peak year or two, all teams are experimenting. People point out that Dublin havent had a competative game in 2 months before yesterday, why? Because they werent good enough to get to the League Semis etc. There are several players on this team who have been around a while. Tommy Lyons got the blame for their failures before, last year all the talk was that everything was sweetness & light under Pillar - but thats what was said in Lyons' first year as well. Theres no excuses left for the experienced players in this team, they have to step up now and show are they good enough! Anyway, rant over. We're going to win the Sam! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Tadhgeen on Jun 5, 2006 12:14:18 GMT
I think Donegal will improve but they need a free-taker. The game wasn't that bad with some fine points scored and 2 well worked goals. Donegal looked hungrier and worked hard for each other.
Down had nothing up front and were disappointing - can't see them going too far more and Sligo will test them.
Longford did the Dubs a favour who always need a kick up the ass. Laois should take them however.
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 5, 2006 12:20:53 GMT
Come to think of it, its been a poor championship in all Provinces so far, agreed,i see nothing from any of the team being in the kind of form they should be in.could this be the year of the outsider? ??
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 5, 2006 13:03:13 GMT
Away this weekend so missing the Donegal v Down game. Have backed Down to win Ulster as you all know..... Dermot, you say that McIver is a cute manager? It's his first championship match. How cute can you be? Obviously a bit cuter than you thought Stacks Just because someone hasn't managed a senior county team before doesn't mean they can't be cute - e.g. Joe Kernan & Mickey Harte ! (both won AI in 1st year) Anyway - Donegal arn't going to win Ulster - Thats Armagh's now - You can forget about the rest including Fermanagh & Derry.
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Jun 5, 2006 13:58:04 GMT
Come to think of it, its been a poor championship in all Provinces so far, agreed,i see nothing from any of the team being in the kind of form they should be in.could this be the year of the outsider? ?? fairly open this year alright,who are the outsiders,galway, mayo,laois,cork,dublin,there nothing jumping out from that group though at you. laois might take dublin,thats possible no more than a 50/50 game for each county where the winner should but is not gaureented to win leinster. i wonder can fermanagh find enough in the tank to take armagh,i think armagh should have 4 or 5 points on them,could be tight for 60 minutes, donegal and derry will be tigh too,there nothing jumping out at you from anywhere to suggest they might go all the way. tyrone would want to be carefull v louth,there could be a bit of a louth backlash from losing badly to meath,tyrone would want to be getting bak into the grove for that one.
|
|
|
Post by bigpaul on Jun 5, 2006 22:42:27 GMT
Agreed Kerrygold, except I think Carlow will be close to Laois. Its D-Day (literally!) for Down and Donegal, if Down are to do anything this year, they need to be able to win this, and if Donegal are ever going to do anything, the same thing goes. Recipe for dogged battle, but maybe they willl try to make amends for last sunday's debacle.............I'm off to tropical Longford, hope its a scorcher down southwest way, I've been to the Listowel Writers' Fest a couple of times this weekend, great part of the world. Am I right in saying that there wasn't one piece of truth in that post Rashers? ??
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 6, 2006 8:27:03 GMT
Agree that the standard of DOnegal/Down wasnt great but at least it was a close exciting game with both teams trying to attack during the second half instead of the usual 13 men behind the ball crap. Downs effort from a free at the end was absolutely disgraceful - if an under 14 did that he'd get a rollocking, do they have anyone with a left foot? Martin McHugh on the championship Sunday night said that Down have the worst defence outside of Kilkenny in Ireland!! Not sure what happened to the Dubs but you can be sure with a full house behind them against Laois they'll be 7 or 8 points better. Carlow looked poor but I suppose Micko wont be complaining with 1-17.
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 6, 2006 11:17:56 GMT
And for the two or three of us still interested in hurling - Eoin Kelly has guaranteed himself his fifth All Star.
Paul Flynn had a nasty day out.
I wonder how the Cork back 6 will line out to handle Kelly in the Munster final.
|
|
|
Post by buck02 on Jun 6, 2006 11:59:34 GMT
. I wonder how the Cork back 6 will line out to handle Kelly in the Munster final. Put the 6 backs on him cos the rest of the Tipp forwards are very average to say the least. 29 points in 2 matches in some total.
|
|
|
Post by kerrydoc on Jun 6, 2006 12:13:42 GMT
[quote author=bigmac board=general thread=1147025711 post=1149510053 .could this be the year of the outsider? ??[/quote] ah jaysus bigmac, we've enough to worry about with the usual suspects, dont go throwing the outsiders into the pot as well!
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 6, 2006 13:17:44 GMT
[quote author=bigmac board=general thread=1147025711 post=1149510053 .could this be the year of the outsider? ?? ah jaysus bigmac, we've enough to worry about with the usual suspects, dont go throwing the outsiders into the pot as well! [/quote] WELL WITH WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR WE'RE ALL IN THE SH1TE ;D
|
|
|
Post by kerrygold on Jun 6, 2006 18:05:11 GMT
[quote author=bigmac board=general thread=1147025711 post=1149510053 .could this be the year of the outsider? ?? ah jaysus bigmac, we've enough to worry about with the usual suspects, dont go throwing the outsiders into the pot as well! WELL WITH WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR WE'RE ALL IN THE SH1TE ;D[/quote] ack eye,i suppose some more than others
|
|
RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
|
Post by RashersTierney on Jun 6, 2006 21:48:56 GMT
Agreed Kerrygold, except I think Carlow will be close to Laois. Its D-Day (literally!) for Down and Donegal, if Down are to do anything this year, they need to be able to win this, and if Donegal are ever going to do anything, the same thing goes. Recipe for dogged battle, but maybe they willl try to make amends for last sunday's debacle.............I'm off to tropical Longford, hope its a scorcher down southwest way, I've been to the Listowel Writers' Fest a couple of times this weekend, great part of the world. Am I right in saying that there wasn't one piece of truth in that post Rashers? ?? bigpaul, what are you on about? Trying to wind me up? Yes, Carlow were well beat, that was a surprise, but not as big a surprise as Longford nearly beating the Dubs (not that I predicted that either!) Down v Donegal - basically I predicted a close game, and so it was. Not as dogged as it might have been. Longford I'm sure was about as tropical as the rest of the country, which is about as near tropical as this country ever gets - a few sunny days followed by a monsoon. What would you know about Listowel Writer's Week? Or the seaweed baths in Ballybunion? Or the Lartigue railway? The strand at Ballyheigue and Banna? The organic markets in Listowel? The Arms Hotel? Billy Keane's pub? The Arts Centre in the square? The moorlands on the way to Castleisland and Abbeyfeale? The ferry from Tarbert? Ok bigpaul, seeing as you're so interested, for some reason, in my truth, as The Manic Street Preachers sang, lets see yours
|
|
|
Post by kerrydoc on Jun 12, 2006 13:07:21 GMT
any comments on the days other matches? was in killarney so didnt see them on tv, and wasnt home in time for TSG
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 13, 2006 10:16:12 GMT
BigMac might give us his thoughts on the Armagh v Fermanagh match even though he was boozing it pre musical festivities in Dublin.....
Other than that, it was chronic all round, with Limerick v Cork one of the worst games on record (have a read of Gavin Cummiskeys report on it in yesterdays Irish Times), and 17 points scored but 25 wides in ideal hurling conditions between Wexford and Offaly speaks volumes for what kind of game it was.
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 13, 2006 12:08:37 GMT
bear in mind its only a personal view but i thiought that sundays game was entertaining,a lot of wides from armagh and the miss of the century from big stevie (who would'nt have bet their mortgage on him scoring).it has to be said that fermanagh were more that a match for armagh on the day but u have to wonder if they can do the same for the replay,i think it could be a case of their shot at dethroning the ulster champs is gone.could be a long summer though for the ernesiders on this form
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 13, 2006 12:11:04 GMT
judge jarleth
It was all supposed to be so easy for Armagh this year.
Monaghan in the first round and the winners of Fermanagh and Antrim in the semi-final. Almost as straightforward as Kerry's annual stroll through Munster.
But life as an Armagh fan is not as simple as that. No sir, not by a long chalk.
This Armagh team seem to major in mediocrity and nail-biting finishes and force all sorts of agonies on their armies of fans before they see off the opposition.
In the heat and sun of Clones, it was ironically the older guard who stood their ground with Kieran McGeeney and Paul McGrane leading from the front and spearheading the numerous raids into the heart of the Fermanagh defence.
The Ernemen, meanwhile had decided to play Sean Doherty closer to the middle of the field where he had been so effective in the opening round, and as a result, they had won the breaking ball battle by eight to two within 15 minutes.
This was the Ernemen's most productive period for possession, but they failed to make it count and gradually, Armagh began to impose themselves on the middle sector, securing the next six kick-outs in a row.
After a sluggish start, Armagh settled down and eventually went in the lead by two.
The second half proved beyond any doubt how little there was between the teams It is always at this point that they begin to sit back, enter either the comfort zone or the twilight zone (we don't know which yet) and become vulnerable.
Monaghan did it in the last ten minutes in the first round, but Fermanagh, a better outfit, didn't even have to wait that long.
A high ball into the square, everyone bar the kitchen sink jumps, the one man who needs to be on his feet lands on his backside and suddenly Armagh are rocked and Fermanagh are rocking.
It was at this stage that Armagh held their nerve and began competing more robustly with Ronan Clarke and Steve McDonnell coming very deep to secure possession and take the game to Fermanagh.
This tactic, coupled with their superiority at midfield eventually paid off and in they went at half-time two-up.
The striking statistic here for Armagh was seven scores, seven different scorers and it was generally agreed that the juggernaut would get into third gear and grind down a tricky Fermanagh challenge.
Jarlath Burns says that the future is orange for the semi-final replay
The second half proved beyond any doubt how little there was between the teams and the goal scored versus the goal saved sums up how the game went for both teams.
Ryan Keenan net buster was ruthless perfection while in a carbon copy move, McDonnell is suddenly bearing down on goal, but the save by Chris Breen was inspired.
There was still time, however, and Fermanagh still had the three-point cushion of the goal.
When they look again at the video of the match, I'm sure Charlie Mulgrew will realise that their use of possession in the last quarter was suicidal.
If you're playing Armagh, a team who can do so much with so little, you need to hold on to the ball when you have it.
Some of the options taken by the man on the ball were to say the least, puzzling and in a 10-minute spell, not one ball penetrated the Armagh half-back line which was in particularly mean mood.
A draw will do both teams. Armagh win replays. In this apparently easy year for them, they need the matches and Joe needs another chance to settle his team.
I don't think his best 15 is being played since Martin O'Rourke would lap up all that breaking ball around midfield.
Ciarán McKinney in nets was missed, though Hearty did superbly to get his fingertips to a point-blank effort from Keenan in the 42nd minute.
Fermanagh will know that they didn't produce their best performance and had they clicked up front and particularly in midfield and half forward, they would have won this tie with ease. And the replay? Armagh by at least six.
from the bbc
|
|
|
Post by northpole on Jun 13, 2006 12:54:26 GMT
Derry/Donegal this Sunday.What does anybody think about this one?
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 13, 2006 13:00:08 GMT
DERRY BY 1
|
|
|
Post by northpole on Jun 14, 2006 7:52:23 GMT
I think it could be more than1 point.Donegal had 60% or more possesion against Down and still just about won it.That short passing game of theirs should be easy to defend against.Some of the passes the next man's nearly standing on their toes.Downs defence was cat.Derry wont give them anywhere the same space.Neck on the line- Derry by min 4.
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 14, 2006 8:51:34 GMT
McGeeney Ready For The Hard Road ARMAGH star Kieran McGeeney believes the sustained heavy criticism of the standard of football is driven by media hype. And he believes that ex-players who are now pundits need to accept that the game has moved on, and get over it. "It's more for selling papers and making good TV than anything," said McGeeney. "I suppose you hope as a player that when you finish you don't want to look back and say nobody was as good as me. Whether you like it or not that's what happens in all sports.
"People say soccer isn't as good as the days of Georgie Best, rugby was better when Bill Beaumont was playing, basketball wasn't the same, and so it keeps going on. You just take it on the chin. "The game progresses whether they like it or not."
Armagh have a superb record in tight games and in replays, but McGeeney is adamant his side have no special formula. "I wish it was as simple as experience," he said. "I think it is hard work. "There is very little between any of the teams in Ulster regardless of what anybody says. "Unfortunately there is nothing special in the water in any county that makes you a better footballer.
"It is all on the day and can come down to a bit of hard work, fitness, luck, a decision or two going your way and that can make the difference in the Ulster Championship." McGeeney may be playing midfield now, but he hasn't forgotten his defensive roots. The Mullabawn native was quick to praise both rearguards after last Sunday's low-scoring draw at Clones.
"We had enough chances to win two or three games and we didn't take them;' he said. "You can't really say much more than that. "We have quality players up front, and they will be disappointed that they didn't put more on the scoreboard, but Fermanagh's defence is good and I am a big believer that if the forwards are missing you have to put it down to the defence. "You can't take credit away from the other team's defence. That is their job, to put other players off. They mightn't get the block on, but they will be close enough.
"Both defences probably came out on top. It was fairly low-scoring. You have two decent teams out there, very fit and athletic, a lot of running on the ball. It is hard to maybe get through.
Once more Armagh find themselves on the hard road to retaining their Ulster title. McGeeney insists that in his experience there has never been an easy way to win an Anglo-Celt Cup. "I would love to even remember one handy game," he smiles. "People's perception is away out there. We played Fermanagh last year and beat them by 8 points. They scored 11 points. "In 2004 they beat us 11-10. The difference? Some days the scores go over and you might look a wee bit better than what you are. Some days the scores don't go over and you look a wee bit worse than you actually were."
McGeeney felt Armagh did not get the benefit of the doubt from referee John Bannon last Sunday, but was reluctant to criticism the Longford official. "It seemed to be difficult to get free kicks in there," he said. "I'd ask you the question - did that look a bit suspect? "You just have to put your head down, do your best and play on. "Fermanagh are a good team. They are always going to come at you. You are just looking for a fair break. "As a player you don't get yourselves involved in those things."
One decision Armagh were angry about was an alleged block on goalkeeper Paul Hearty by Eamon Maguire, as Tom Brewster pounced for Fermanagh's first goal. "Ill say Hearty probably felt aggrieved;' said McGeeney. "I can only speak for players. I think the only people that can get criticised in this game are players. "I am not allowed to speak about John as a player. It's a soft option for them to suspend me for my opinions. It's a tough job in the middle. There is no doubt about it.
"I am sure if you ask most of them they would say I'm a crier, or somebody is a crier. "Fermanagh are in the same boat as us. Everybody is looking for a fair break. You put your head down, you try not to give away fouls. There are times you do unbeknown to yourself. "It is very hard to give an objective opinion when you are playing. I will only see it from Armagh's point of view. I can't see it from Fermanagh's."
McGeeney is expecting a real battle in the June 25 replay back at Clones. "The next day you are probably going to see Martin McGrath back again, and they are going to step up the pace," he said. "They missed a lot of chances in the first half themselves. "We had some good performances from some players and some not so good. We have a lot of work to do.
The Irish Star
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 14, 2006 9:05:35 GMT
No More Excuses - Benny Tierney Two months ago, Tierney, Joe Kernan and Steven McDonnell took up a sponsor's offer of a round of golf in Castleknock in west Dublin. It was barely 24 hours after a McDonnell injury-time point snatched Armagh victory over Wexford and saved them from relegation to Division Two. The relief was still palpable - among two of them, anyway. Tierney, though, was his usual jovial self and cracking gags like they were going out of fashion. Before long he had his playing partners in stitches. Presented with a goodie bag before teeing off which included a bottle of Rocwell mineral water (Tyrone's chief sponsors) he pointed at the bottle and quipped: `There's no way I'm drinking that!'
Tierney was joking of course. The 2002 All-Ireland winning goalkeeper's one-liners are the stuff of legend on the GAA after-dinner circuit in Ulster. Compere, MC, speaker ... whatever the title he's guaranteed to have the punters rolling in the aisles. In the Armagh set-up, his audience is just as appreciative. While he holds down three official roles (goalkeeping coach, statistician and video analyst) his precise function is somewhat ambiguous.
In truth, it's his relationship with the panel that manager Kernan values most. When a player needs relaxing Tierney has a chat with him. When training matches get a little heated Tierney mediates. When the team bus gets too quiet Tierney pipes up with a wisecrack. He's the court jester with a purpose. His wit and humour are the perfect foil to the intensity of personalities like Kieran McGeeney who has also suffered his friend's wrath. At a function some time back, Tierney took to the stage and declared: 'For those with cameras here tonight, Kieran McGeeney will be smiling between 11 and 11.05!'
All joking aside though, Tierney has a job on his hands now. Tension is rife in the Armagh camp. Players are on edge. They feel they are due another All-Ireland title and that without it they are nothing. 'There's a lot of anger over how things worked out last year,' revealed Oisin McConville, 'a lot of frustration about how we got so close to getting into another final and among ourselves for not putting in the performances when they counted.' 'We peaked too soon last year and the hurt is driving us on. It's more than hunger now.
There's a sense among the boys that we have underachieved. With the amount of talent and commitment in our team, we should have another All-Ireland under our belts. Until we get one, we won't be satisfied.' A solemn Tierney wouldn't go as far as to say that it's anger fuelling Armagh's All-Ireland bid this year.
Nevertheless, he knows the one point defeat to Tyrone in last year's All-Ireland semi-final still grates with the players. He also knows that they would have gladly sacrificed the Ulster final replay win over Tyrone for a showdown with Kerry. 'It's probably unfortunate but the feeling among the players is that winning a second All-Ireland is the difference between a good team and a great one,' he said. 'There's been far too much work put in to reap just one All-Ireland. We were happy to win an Ulster title in 1999 but when you win one, the only thing left to win is an All-Ireland.' 'You could say we peaked very early last year. We won the National League final against Wexford so easily. Everything we did that day went right. Every kick at the posts seemed to go over. 'Then we won an Ulster title that we probably shouldn't have won. It might have been a better route to lose an Ulster final than to go and win it.
Tyrone should have beaten us twice (in the two Ulster final games) and we should have beaten them when they ended up beating us. 'It was seen as a bad season even though we picked up two trophies. An All-Ireland is the only thing that matters now. In that respect, losing an Ulster title might not be a disaster but losing another All-Ireland would be. It really would.'
Armagh's championship record since their 1999 Ulster win is peppered with pain. Excluding their 2002 All-Ireland win and shock qualifier defeat to Fermanagh two years ago, Armagh have been knocked out of the championship by every would-be All-Ireland winning county over the past seven seasons. That fact can't be put down to coincidence. Their average losing margin over those games (Meath '99, Kerry '00, Galway '01, Tyrone '03 and '05) is just 2.4 points.
Their woes come more into focus when the "what ifs" are listed. What if Diarmuid Marsden had not been wrongly sent-off in the '03 final? What if McGeeney hadn't been taken off before Peter Canavan's late winning free last year? 'When you lose you're always going to think about what you could have done,' said Tierney. 'In 2000, had Barry O'Hagan kicked a ball into the stands we probably would have beaten Kerry and gotten into an All-Ireland final. Instead, the ball dropped short, Kerry got an equaliser and beat us in the replay.' 'I don't think there's any point in looking back like that though. When a result happens you have to say that's it. You have to avoid paralysis by analysis. We lost the game and that's it.'
'The boys still realise that another All-Ireland is within them. That's the thing that drives the likes of McGeeney and (Paul) McGrane on. They're not deluding themselves. It's a helluva long year so they would have had to consider a lot before deciding to go for it. The sacrifice is immense. So when you don't win it feels like a year wasted.'
McConville feels exactly the same. The thought of winning an Ulster title no longer keeps him awake at night. 'I don't know where my medals are at the moment,' he confessed. 'Probably at the bottom of some drawer. I don't really care. They're something to take out later on in life when I've long hung up my boots. Right now, it's about adding to them. We've a good few Ulster ones but another All-Ireland is needed.'
However, following their mediocre performances in the National League and in the two games against Cavan last month, Armagh's chances of more All-Ireland glory have been talked down. Those displays just showed up a team lacking initiative. They won the league last year. Ulster no longer floats their boat. It's a means to an end and nothing else. Dare it be said, Tierney feels that they could afford to lose an Ulster final and the opportunity to emulate Down's record of three consecutive provincial titles (1959-61). Winning Ulster did nothing to help their All-Ireland hopes over the last two years.
Besides, a final defeat would only mean they'd have to win one extra game to reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Lose to Fermanagh, though, and they are guaranteed three qualifier matches. For a team including four players (McGeeney, McGrane, McConville and Enda McNulty) who have made a total of 178 championship appearances, the fewer the games the better.
'In 2003, we went through the backdoor to reach the final and it was an awfully long year,' recalled Tierney. 'It felt like we were getting nowhere for about three or four weeks. Before we got to the quarter-finals, we were in quicksand. 'A winning habit is hard to break. Mickey Harte has to rejuvenate his players for the match against Louth next week whereas we're on the back of a win. 'If we were to lose this game people would write us off totally. Two years ago, we didn't go with the gameplan against Fermanagh and were already thinking about reaching the semi-final. We underestimated them.
`Beating Fermanagh is vital to keep the self-doubt away from the players. If we lose to them it would be a disaster but losing an Ulster final wouldn't be the end of the world. 'Joe Kernan would certainly not think like that but if it were to happen Armagh would be able to pick themselves up again. We'd still be on the road to an All-Ireland final.' Driven by dogged desire.
Ireland On Sunday
|
|
|
Post by austinstacksabu on Jun 14, 2006 10:20:44 GMT
Every team needs a motivating purpose and this is theirs - we're not considered great unless we win another All Ireland.....I can see where they are coming from alright. People think Tyrone are the bees knees (and in some ways they are), but Armagh began the revolution and deserve more respect than they've been given in recent times. If only they could stop the cramp.....
|
|
BIGMAC
Fanatical Member
not dead only sleeping
Posts: 1,247
|
Post by BIGMAC on Jun 14, 2006 10:25:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Mickmack on Jun 14, 2006 19:24:45 GMT
Armagh deserve another one for all their efforts. At least two slipped away and the irony is that the one that they actually won in 2002 is one that kerry feel was thrown away.
Derry should have won another one as should Donegal .......... the difference between winning and losing is tiny
|
|
RashersTierney
Senior Member
Ballymun is the North Kerry of Dublin,but quieter!
Posts: 369
|
Post by RashersTierney on Jun 15, 2006 8:43:39 GMT
Derry & Donegal? When did they ever really get close to winning another? I know Derry have done very well in the league some years, and had Galway on the ropes in 2001, but they collapsed in the end, like Tyrone in 86, Kildare in 98.
Armagh's era is a bit like Dublin's in the 90s, consistently high-performing, but just the one Sam(so far!). I've always believed they would pace themselves completely to build up to a peak in August this year, of course that's dangerous and the pacing has to be just right so that there's some gradual improvement each game, and they dont get beat too early on so have to play too many qualifiers. However, that said, reading the above article it seems to insinuate that Armagh have suffered through winning the last 2 Anglo-Celts, and that somehow they would prefer not to win it this year, if they dont go on to win Sam. I think that's madness, twisted revisionism! Winning the Provence is ALWAYS a good thing for Ulster & Leinster teams (barring Tyrone's freak achievement last year), all that really matters is the attitude of the team going into the All-I series. Of course they want to take the shortest route, as they have at least 3 tough games just to win Ulster (4 already so far this year!), and the older lads who have been through several hard campaigns will struggle to last through another..........ok so psychologically they might have an idea of lurking below the radar by not winning Ulster and hitting the other contenders with a big surprise attack in the quarter finals (assuming they avoid any other big contenders in the qualifiers!) but in truth their situation is now critical - if they had got past Monaghan & Fermagh without replays, then losing the Ulster Final and playing what is it 2 qualifiers could have worked out well as a steady build-uip without hype, but now theyve already had a few tough games I would feel that going on to win Ulster and minimise the amount of games needed to win Sam is imperative for them. In the heel of the real, if they dont win Sam again, but go down as only the second team to do the 3-in-a-row in Ulster WOULD count for alot when all is said and done. Anyway, the way its going so far this year, they must really be believe its all there for the taking, as there are so far no signs of any team who will clearly stop them. Overall at the moment, football is in a sorry state, I cant remember a championship starting so flatly in all my time going to games. It's like I guess the 70s was at times. Is there an outstanding team waiting to emerge? I thought Armagh-Fermagh was the best game so far, fast, intense, and in patches some really good play and great scores. If Armagh win the replay, then both they and Kerry ahve an even bigger incentive to win their finals, thus ensuring they avoid each other until at least the All-I semi. The only fly in the ointment is the wild card of Tyrone, and where they might show up. through the qualies. Bring it on, maybe this champo is finally about to get going!
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 15, 2006 9:40:24 GMT
Armagh deserve another one for all their efforts. At least two slipped away and the irony is that the one that they actually won in 2002 is one that kerry feel was thrown away. Derry should have won another one as should Donegal .......... the difference between winning and losing is tiny Aye, especially Derry............... They should/could have had 3 AI's in the ninties - They were an unreal team... They must be the most serious underachievers of them all - A lot of that underachievement has to go down to inhouse fighting which in part led to them getting rid of Eamon Coleman .... Big mistake !
|
|
|
Post by inforthebreaks on Jun 15, 2006 13:00:57 GMT
Armagh deserve another one for all their efforts. At least two slipped away and the irony is that the one that they actually won in 2002 is one that kerry feel was thrown away. Derry should have won another one as should Donegal .......... the difference between winning and losing is tiny Aye, especially Derry............... They should/could have had 3 AI's in the ninties - They were an unreal team... They must be the most serious underachievers of them all - A lot of that underachievement has to go down to inhouse fighting which in part led to them getting rid of Eamon Coleman .... Big mistake ! couldn't agree more. with teh talent at Derry's disposal you ahve to say it was wasted. I wonder if they had come through that classic match with Down in the 94 championship would they have gone on to greater sucess.
|
|
|
Post by Dermot on Jun 15, 2006 14:18:25 GMT
Aye, especially Derry............... They should/could have had 3 AI's in the ninties - They were an unreal team... They must be the most serious underachievers of them all - A lot of that underachievement has to go down to inhouse fighting which in part led to them getting rid of Eamon Coleman .... Big mistake ! couldn't agree more. with teh talent at Derry's disposal you ahve to say it was wasted. I wonder if they had come through that classic match with Down in the 94 championship would they have gone on to greater sucess. 94 was a bit of a sickener for them right enough but we beat them in 95 & 96 when they had the better team. 95 was a big blow to them - we had 13 men and were well behind and came back to knock them out - They really did underachieve in those years. I'm nearly 100% sure that had Derry beat Tyrone in 95 & 96 they would have won those 2 All Irelands.
|
|