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Post by misteallaigh abú on Feb 5, 2012 19:52:32 GMT
I thought Tyrone looked very good, at times, last night. Owen Mulligan gave an exhibition of passing and shooting that was top drawer. He looked hungry and very much up for the fight. Stephen O Neill oozed class also and with Ronan o Neill catching the eye also, they shaped like a team to be reckoned with. However, their full back line looked a bit suspect from time to time and a better quality forward line might have done a good deal better than Kildare managed. They were all huff and puff, the same old failings in front of goals manifesting themselves once again. They had at least 4 goal opportunities and failed to take any of them. I know it's early in the year but the portents aren't good for Kildare.
Cork v Armagh looked to be a right dogfight. Neither team seemed to be too interested in playing ball and a draw seemed about fair. However, Paul Kerrigan got a straight that was undeserved, in my opinion. The referee reacted to the crowd, who were baying for blood. I am nearly sure that the referee, Syl Doyle, did the same to Marc Ó Sé in páirc uí chaoimh a few years ago? It is a sure sign of a man that is not competent to referee at that level, if he is acceding to the wishes of the mob. I hope Kerrigan's card is rescinded promptly.
It was great to see the heart and bite back in Galway football. I know it's early days but they seem to be a young team that is prepared to fight for each other. I was impressed by their number 9, Mícheál O Coirín, I think his name is. I'm sure westisbest will know about him. It will be interesting to track their progress over the coming months, likewise Mayo, who had an impressive win in Laois.
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roll
Full Member
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Post by roll on Feb 5, 2012 20:09:10 GMT
i enjoyed watching tyrone-they were certainly the best of the four teams on show on sat night at croker...
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Post by veteran on Feb 5, 2012 20:19:10 GMT
That was a feisty affair up in Armagh. The extra man seemed to be the key. Armagh responded to their followers in the second half with Charlie Vernon and Malachy Mackin being heroic figures. If they play with that spirit next Saturday they will not be easily beaten. Cork did well to earn a draw at the end.
There are some very poor referees and Syl Doyle ranks with the worst of them. He seemed to start off in an even handed fashion today but once the home crowd started baying he succumbed and gave nothing to Cork thereafter. Cork did well to come with a point in the circumstances. Ciaran McKeever, not for the first time, was lucky to stay on the field, forcing his knee onto the face of the prostrate Mark Collins. Mark looks to be a smart footballer and I would have him wearing that number eleven shirt any day of the week before Pierce O'Neill but Conor seems to have a preference for power over slickness. Cork did well to come home with a point in the circumstances.
Paddy O'Rourke and Conor Counihan did not appear to be too civil to each other after the match.
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Post by lár na páirce on Feb 5, 2012 20:30:44 GMT
Bit harsh on Syl Doyle if you look back,Kerrigan headbutted the Armagh man after the original altercation...Mulligan & O Neill are gonna be major for Tyrone this year...Great to see Mugsy back to his best..Kildare seem to be missing that 1 key player,Seanie Johnston maybe.Would be great to see Galway back up at the top,Great tradition,Mulholland has great respect up there.
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Post by glengael on Feb 5, 2012 21:48:59 GMT
Alan Mulholland has delivered for Galway at underage so it made sense to give him a shot at the senior job. A lot of their u-21's have been promoted together so there would be a good bit of cohesion there. Derry is never an easy place to win so it's a good start to 2012 for them.
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Post by Dermot on Feb 6, 2012 15:22:09 GMT
I was very heartened by Tyrones second half performance on Sat night .... Mulligan, S O'Neill and Peter Heart were just fantastic ... I really love to watch O'Neill when he's playiong like that ... Makes it all look so easy.
Peter Heart is getting better all the time and is just perfect for that CHB role in Tyrones game.
Heartened as well to see the new guys getting a bit of experience and handlibg it well ... Ronan O'Neill and the likes need games like that to settle them and to be honest they probably wouldnt have got them had we not had a few retirements.
We have a few boys to come back in as well, like Gormley, Ricey, the McMahons, the Cavanaghs ... so maybe we may have a better year than I had thought we were going to have ... Very early days yet though.
Anyway, we played some nice fast flowing and smart football and I hope it continues.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 6, 2012 16:09:29 GMT
... I really love to watch O'Neill when he's playiong like that ... Makes it all look so easy. Agreed he's a smashing, smashing player.
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 6, 2012 18:12:06 GMT
some left footed players all the same to mull over;
Pauric Joyce, Steven O'Neill, Declan, Gooch
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 6, 2012 18:13:57 GMT
the number 14 for Armagh made a really brave dive to win a dirty ball towards the end..... inspirational stuff.
Cork still arent scoring goals...... why is that.
Sundays goal was an og
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Feb 7, 2012 0:49:01 GMT
Mulligan and O'Neill took some great scores. It was nice to see some nice long range foot passes in both games at Croke Park.
We could've beat Cork, but we could've easily lost it too. I suppose a draw was the fair result. I wasn't optimistic going into the game, but Cork were very poor I thought. Very laboured build up, taking too much out of the ball. Very strange, as they have great forwards who thrive on the quick ball in. I had actually forgot Canty and Pearse O'Neill were playing. They weren't in the game at all.
Our subs made great impacts especially Aidan Forker and Brian Mallon. It was a dismal first half, but our comeback has made me a bit more optimistic for the trip to Tralee.
Kerrigan I do think was harshly sent off. I like watching Kerrigan. Probably the only Cork player I do like to see on the ball.
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chrism
Senior Member
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Post by chrism on Feb 7, 2012 18:32:13 GMT
Must say I would agree with you re O Neill but I thought Canty was good. At one stage towards the end he stole the ball from an Armagh player and a Cork point followed. Think it was one of the young fellas got it.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Feb 9, 2012 10:43:15 GMT
It will be interesting to see how Mayo fare out against Dublin on Saturday night, Mayo's midfield will have the advantage and I believe Alan Freeman had a fantastic game last weekend. As we know, it's not easy to win games in Castlebar and Dublin could find themselves under serious pressure should they lose a second game in a row. They were out on their feet after 45 minutes last Saturday, as they are undergoing some seriously heavy training. The crown of All Ireland champions is often a heavy one in the season following victory, with every team raising their game to defeat the champions. It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Dublin panel as the league progresses.If they can win on Saturday and get into the break with 2 league points, it will set them up nicely. If the go to the break pointless, they may find themselves really struggling for the remainder of the campaign.
Laois appear to be destined for a drop back to 1B already, from talking to people who were at the game, over doing the handpassing and trying to defend in numbers and break quickly didn't work at all. Lots of their attacks broke down and mayo punished them nearly every time.
Wonder who else will be likely to join them? Probably too early to call but we will have a better idea come Sunday evening.
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Post by mikelyster on Feb 9, 2012 17:17:52 GMT
Yeah I think Dublin could be in serious trouble facing down the barrel of two defeats. Mayo are always very difficult to play at Castlebar anyway and now on the back of a comprehensive away win to Laois they should be flying. Cafferkey the full back could be out which is a big loss but as you said they should dominate the middle and if they get quick ball into Freeman and Mortimer and with Andy Moran a ball of energy around the place I would fancy them over Dublin who must be getting their arses ran off them in training this week! Although if Alan and Bernard Brogan feature it will help the Dubs cause significantly for obvious reasons even if their fitness can't be great at the moment.
I think Laois and Armagh will be the two to go down and I can foresee a difficult campaign for Donegal with Down stuttering their way to safety.
My picks for this weekend's fixtures would be Kerry, Mayo, Cork and Donegal.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 9, 2012 17:34:45 GMT
If Kerry win at the weekend and beat Cork they could probably qualify on 6 points for the last four if results against the head are used, assuming Dublin and Cork are two of the stronger teams in the group. Both teams have dropped points already.
Generally teams get demoted on 2 to 5/6 points. You could have the bizzare situation this year where kerry could win the league on 6 points while another team gets relegated on 6 points
I'm convinced they have too time on their hands in Croker, but shur we wont worry about them. The Dalai Lama once remarked when asked whether he held anger towards China. He replied, "They have taken everything from us, Should I let them take my mind as well?"
On an aside I see Harte has appointed Stephen O Neill as captain, Tyrone are on the move again in the long grass. Maybe kerry's middle third should go for a few pints with Dalai!
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 11, 2012 18:55:50 GMT
Single most ridiculous sending off I have ever seen in my life for James McCarthy --- it wasn't even close to a free ffs.
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Post by sullyschoice on Feb 11, 2012 19:48:13 GMT
He should get off the hook now as the game has been abandoned
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Post by glengael on Feb 11, 2012 23:10:12 GMT
The Dalai Lama once remarked when asked whether he held anger towards China. He replied, "They have taken everything from us, Should I let them take my mind as well?"
Any chance you could send that quote on to JO'C, Kerrygold ?!
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Post by delorean on Feb 13, 2012 9:12:20 GMT
Cork still arent scoring goals...... why is that I was going to comment on this last week but I'm probably better placed to do so now The absence of Goulding and Colm O'Neill was always going to decrease our goal threat. That said, we've scored 5 goals in our last three Championship games, losing two of those matches and tamely exiting the Championship. In 2010 we scored very few goals and won Sam. It's not really an issue for me.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 13, 2012 10:11:15 GMT
Tyrone seem to be the form team at the moment. That was big win v Derry at the weekend. Tyrone v Derry takes on a life of its own.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Feb 13, 2012 14:29:12 GMT
Some very strange results this weekend but the pick of them must be Laois winning above in Letterkenny. They played with some fluency and moved the ball very well. I thought that the post match interview with Jim MC Guinness was farcical, discussing Kevin Cassidy with Briain Mac An Iomaire and Cassidy standing only yards away. Donegal need Cassidy but Mc Guinness doesn't appear to be prepared to forget and move on.
As already mentioned here Tyrone look a rejuvenated side and they ran up an impressive tally against their neighbours. I see mickey murphy scored 1-2 from midfield. I haven't heard of this man before now, maybe Dermot might inform us?
After a great away win last week, Galway made a great start against Louth but let it slip and only managed a draw in the end.
Kildare and Monaghan were involved in a bruiser, Brian Flanagan getting a deserved red. However, our old buddy, Dessie Mone was up to his old tricks again. He was lucky to stay on the pitch. What is it about these "hard men"? Great to dish it out but they fall over awful easily when they have to take a bit in return. Mc Keever from Armagh was another case in point last Saturday evening.
Cork are motoring well.....
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Post by Dermot on Feb 13, 2012 15:58:39 GMT
Some very strange results this weekend but the pick of them must be Laois winning above in Letterkenny. They played with some fluency and moved the ball very well. I thought that the post match interview with Jim MC Guinness was farcical, discussing Kevin Cassidy with Briain Mac An Iomaire and Cassidy standing only yards away. Donegal need Cassidy but Mc Guinness doesn't appear to be prepared to forget and move on. As already mentioned here Tyrone look a rejuvenated side and they ran up an impressive tally against their neighbours. I see mickey murphy scored 1-2 from midfield. I haven't heard of this man before now, maybe Dermot might inform us? Totally agree .. How embarrassing was that interview ... shocking stuff. I think McGuiness has lost the run of himself ... I'm sure he could try a wee bit harder to keep a player like Cassidy ... man management and all that .... He will live to regret that I think!! Misteallaigh abú, Murphy has been around the Tyrone setup for a few years but has had awful injuries and a very bad run of bad luck ... He's fit and well at the minute and certainly seems in very good form ... I hope his run continues as he's certainly looking good.
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Post by sullyschoice on Mar 4, 2012 22:11:45 GMT
In all fairness, how could you play for Kilkenny week in week out. Their Under 21's were beaten by Louth during the week by 50 points and today their seniors were beaten by 46 points by FERMANAGH.
I dont see Micko taking on that challenge.
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Post by southward on Mar 4, 2012 22:19:16 GMT
Last year Kilkenny managed to score zero in one game and 1 point in the next. It's really hard to understand how any 15 living and breathing men, if they're putting in any sort of effort, can get hammered by so much in a Div 4 league game.
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Post by sullyschoice on Mar 4, 2012 22:46:14 GMT
11 ot the 26 man panel didnt turn up for the U21 game
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Post by southward on Mar 4, 2012 22:49:26 GMT
The league table tonight shows Kilkenny with a points difference of minus 95, after 3 games. That's just taking the p*ss.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 5, 2012 11:52:46 GMT
Imagine what London would have done to them! Good win for Kerry up there. Happy enough with our performance in O'Moore. Mayo going well again. Cork will surely do enough to make the semis. Armagh perhaps the dark horse. Perhaps Donegal more likely. Another famous win over Galway for Westmeath, might help them survive in Div 2, great comeback from their spiral downwards a couple of years ago. Meath and Tyrone look like they mean business so far, questions must be asked of Kildare again, but then they go and win a thriller in Navan! Conceding high scores though, does this mean they are trying a more attacking style?
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Post by delorean on Mar 5, 2012 12:26:53 GMT
Last year Kilkenny managed to score zero in one game and 1 point in the next. It's really hard to understand how any 15 living and breathing men, if they're putting in any sort of effort, can get hammered by so much in a Div 4 league game. Exactly. I honestly believe they take some kind of warped pride in their hammerings, "we're all about the hurling and football is rubbish" kind of a thing! Hard to imagine grown men having that attitude given that they obviously go to the effort of turning up though. There really shouldn't be enough time to concede those kind of scores. The thing is that it could come down to scoring difference in the end so teams shouldn't really ease up on them.
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Post by misteallaigh abú on Mar 5, 2012 12:45:03 GMT
Last week Kilkenny played their u21 game in Ballyragget. They had 15 players, not one subs!! sums up how seriously they take it. I heard a colleague of mine from Kilkenny remark that at least the clubs will get the all Ireland tickets if the footballers fulfill the fixtures!
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 5, 2012 16:19:24 GMT
This kind of issue has been going on forever, in alot of counties, at all levels. KK possibly the county most in the frame because of their high profile and it's an issue for their senior team. In the early 1970s there was a story about a KK-Dublin league game, supposed to be on straight after a county hurling club game. No sign of it going ahead, and the KK chairman was reported to have said to the Dublin coach - "if you want the points you can have them".
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Post by glengael on Mar 5, 2012 19:46:28 GMT
When is Mayo v Dublin on ?
Some impressive goals on offer at the weekend, the Dubs one v Laois and Michael Murphy's v Cork.
Incidentally it was mentioned on League Sunday last night that Aidan Walsh played 2 games( including extra time in the Final) of the Fitzgibbon Cup over the weekend and then travelled to Ballybofey and lined out for Cork yesterday, albeit as a late replacement for Alan O'Connor. That schedule seems crazy to me. Surely Cork footballers have a strong enough panel that they could have done without him.
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