Armagh refuse to indulge in the criticism game

[BIGMAC]

Armagh refuse to indulge in the criticism game


Kevin Cassidy was clearly in the square for Donegal?s late goal, but Armagh did not complain.



THE ARMAGH footballers have taken more than their fair share of criticism - much of it downright unfair - for the past five years over aspects of their marking/tracking techniques.


Whether it influenced referees is a moot point, but it certainly created a climate where opponents felt they could clatter into Armagh with less risk of sanction than against some other teams. (Recall the thumping, most of which went unpunished, that Kieran McGeeney took against Kerry last year?)

However, unlike many other teams who blame referees or opposition tactics when they lose, Armagh take defeat squarely on the chin and move on.

Joe Kernan did it again last Sunday, opting not to make a big deal out of whether Donegal's match-winning goal should have been disallowed due to a 'square ball' infringement.

Maybe, it's that attitude of not looking for excuses that has kept Armagh so consistent over many seasons.

By the way, they are still available at 20/1 with Ladbrokes to win the All-Ireland which is good value, especially if they get a good draw in the first qualifying game.

- Martin Breheny

[thehighfield]

They must be happy with their backdoor lot so. I think it's fair to say that they wouldn't have kept so quite and dignified had this occurred in a knockout stage of the competition.

[kerrygold]

of all the teams playing last sunday in hurling and football armagh were the most self controlled and disciplined team in action.

[Owenabue]

If you think about it, it would be a bit mad to try to get the result over turned to go play Tyrone next! The back door might be a nicer trip to the quarters or semi final.

[watchdehop]

I would also note just before Armagh move any further up onto the high moral ground that
if they are making a reference to the Armagh game with Kerry and mention the McGeeney incidents they should also mention the McKeever stamping incidents and sending on a waterboy to get a Kerry player sent off.

Fair enough if they are not appealing the goal and they have a legimate concern.
The fact remains they can't do anything about the goal as the ref dealt with on the day and they couldn't get the result overturned even if they could prove there were 15 Donegal men in the square before the ball.

Now maybe its Breheny who is doing the padding out here but lets keep perspective if the Kerry Armagh game is being brought up.

[BIGMAC]

U LOT ARE MISSING THE POINT,WHATEVER HAPPENS ON THE PITCH STAYS ON THE PITCH AS FAR AS THE ARMAGH TEAM ARE CONCERNED.U WIN SOME U LOSE SOME SIMPLE AS THAT

[Mickmack]

it took great restraint on armaghs part not to kick up blue murder over the sending off of marsden in the 2003 final v tyrone

[watchdehop]

bigmac said:

U LOT ARE MISSING THE POINT,WHATEVER HAPPENS ON THE PITCH STAYS ON THE PITCH AS FAR AS THE ARMAGH TEAM ARE CONCERNED.U WIN SOME U LOSE SOME SIMPLE AS THAT

Fair enough.
I did say if its Breheny drawing down McGeeney versus Kerry then thats not Armaghs fault.

Re reading the article it does look more like Breheny's point than Armagh's in fairness.

[inforthebreaks]

i dont think it was any more a square ball than in teh wicklow/louth match (1st game). he seemed to be running in to me anyway.

[focusman]

I for one think Armaghs tackling and defending is fantastic it is an art and to have the fitness and the ability to move so fast from man to man is a credit in the art of defending

[tyroneperson]

When they were criticizing the Armagh verses Donegal game on the Sunday Game they showed some brilliant Armagh defending under the caption "fouling and crowding" and it seemed a bit unfair, it was the piece of play that led to the Oisin McConville goal as well.

[Dermot]

inforthebreaks said:

i dont think it was any more a square ball than in teh wicklow/louth match (1st game). he seemed to be running in to me anyway.

"he seemed to be running in to me anyway"

Jaysus inforthebreaks - Is your real name Hearty ?

[Piggy]

In fairness to Armagh i reckon they play decent football and dont over use the swarm defence tactic as Tyrone do!

[Attacking Wing Back]

Of course he was running in! How else did he get into the square? FLying?

[sullyschoice]

I would suggest he was neither running nor flying, but he was standing (and was standing there for quite some time before there was any sign of a ball)

[Owenabue]

The Sunday game is on the RTE website on www.rte.ie/tv/thesundaygame/index.html Presume you can see the goal on there.

[martym]

Armagh are right to get on with it . They were the better team .Who ever they draw in the qualifiers will be easier than Tyrone . Of course he was in the square but it still a poor mistake for a top keeper to make

[Mickmack]

Where was the Maor Uisce when Armagh needed him in the last minute under that dropping ball........... surely his job was too third man tackle the man in the square