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Post by misteallaigh abú on Mar 5, 2012 22:19:13 GMT
Mayo play Dublin on the 31st of march.
I watched the Donegal v Cork game with much interest. Donegal are a different team with Murphy, Colm Anthony and Ryan Bradley in the forward line. I thought that the referee let Donegal away with murder at the back. I counted at least 5 kickable frees that weren't given to the Cork forwards. Cork never got up a head of steam at all and Donegal slowed the game down to suit themselves.
I note that neither the Donegal players or management team made themselves available to tg4 for interviews after. Very petty of Jim Mc Guinness.
Dublin were very impressive, they dismantled the Laois team very clinically.
Mayo did well to win in the athletic grounds, they went 1-3 to no score up, very similar to Armagh's start against Kerry. My dad travelled from Tralee to Mayo to watch them v Dublin. He was glad that the fog came down that evening as he felt that the game was slipping away from Mayo that night. It will be interesting to see how the re-match goes, especially if they beat Down at home next weekend.
At last Kildare got the show on the road, for a change they didn't start slowly and deserved their win by all accounts.
Another setback for Galway, losing to a weakened Westmeath team. Alan Mulholland has a fair amount of work ahead of him.
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Post by Dermot on Mar 6, 2012 13:02:28 GMT
I note that neither the Donegal players or management team made themselves available to tg4 for interviews after. Very petty of Jim Mc Guinness. I think Jim's lost the plot .. Must have spent too many years at college
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Post by delorean on Mar 6, 2012 14:21:11 GMT
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. For sure, he came on as an early sub in both Fitzgibbon Cup matches. It would have been a bit silly using him even if the game was in Cork, but having him travel to Donegal was borderline insane. Injuries and suspensions seems to be all that forces Counihan's hand with regard to trying out new players. I doubt we'd be seeing so much of Barry O'Driscoll if it wasn't for Goulding's injury and likewise if Sheehan was fit Mark Collins probably wouldn't have got much of a run. I can see the sense in giving Canty a lot of game time as he has missed a lot over the past couple of seasons but for the life of me I don't see the sense in starting Noel O'Leary and Paudie Kissane so regularly. Shields suspension and Cadogan's injury meant we saw a new full back tried out but these things should be happening regardless of circumstances, that's what the league is for.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Mar 6, 2012 17:12:50 GMT
I don't know how to put this: do you not think Conor Counihan is a very weak manager? Of course he won an AI but I don't see the progress in Cork football that I would imagine.
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Post by delorean on Mar 7, 2012 8:54:03 GMT
I think he has it all to prove this year, tactically at least. It's been evident since Limerick should have beaten us in the 2009 Munster Final that once teams pack their defence and stop our overlapping runners from the half back line, we have no plan B. I like Counihan, he's very dignified in all circumstances and the players obviously have a lot of time for him. He has also brought three national titles in the past three years so I find it hard to be too critical.
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Post by delorean on Mar 7, 2012 9:00:51 GMT
www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2012/0306/kilkennyfootball.htmlAlthough he makes some decent points I'm not really in agreement overall. He compares Kilkenny's recent hammerings to potential scorelines if the Cavan U21 hurlers were playing their KK equivalents. KK haven't been getting hammered by the best of the best, I don't think anybody would have batted an eyelid if we saw that Kerry had knocked 9 goals past them. They are getting these beatings by the second and third worst teams in the country. Plus, if you are technically inferior in hurling it manifests itself far more on the scoreboard than in football, or at least it should.
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Post by seaniebo on Mar 7, 2012 11:58:08 GMT
I don't know how to put this: do you not think Conor Counihan is a very weak manager? Of course he won an AI but I don't see the progress in Cork football that I would imagine. The spotlight come championship will be firmly fixed on Cork. One would expect them to be chomping at the bit given their tame exit last year. I wouldn't necessarily agree with you that Counihan is a weak manager. I feel his players have a tendency to leave him down at times. In my opinion he is a shrewd operator. But he most certainly has a big year ahead of him. The knives will be sharpened considerably if there is not progression this year. Bear in mind they are after all defending league champions. We all know how hard it is to win back to back all Irelands so I expect Cork to be a major force this year
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Post by givehimaball on Mar 7, 2012 13:09:00 GMT
I don't know how to put this: do you not think Conor Counihan is a very weak manager? Of course he won an AI but I don't see the progress in Cork football that I would imagine. I'd agree with this a bit - While he has been successful, I don't think he has been successful as some other managers would have been with the same Cork players at their disposal and given the state of other teams. I definitely think he's very slow to react during games and not as tactically as sharp as he could be. Put it this way... I wouldn't be too wary about facing Cork with Counihan as manager.....so in other words...He's the best Cork manager every and I think he should have a job for life. If its good enough for Frank Murphy.
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Post by southward on Mar 7, 2012 22:57:54 GMT
www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2012/0306/kilkennyfootball.htmlAlthough he makes some decent points I'm not really in agreement overall. He compares Kilkenny's recent hammerings to potential scorelines if the Cavan U21 hurlers were playing their KK equivalents. KK haven't been getting hammered by the best of the best, I don't think anybody would have batted an eyelid if we saw that Kerry had knocked 9 goals past them. They are getting these beatings by the second and third worst teams in the country. Plus, if you are technically inferior in hurling it manifests itself far more on the scoreboard than in football, or at least it should. Spot on. Kilkenny footballers aren't expected to compete against top sides, but the cricket scores regularly experienced against Div 4 sides are shocking. The comparison with Monaghan and Sligo hurlers doesn't stand up either - these sides at least put in a show in their division. Being obsessed with hurling just doesn't explain it - football predominates to more or less the same extent in Kerry but our hurlers are competitive at their own level. Cork footballers aren't exactly bottom of the class either and Tipp will always give you a game. Kilkenny footballers on the other hand are so far behind every other county, it almost looks deliberate. Looks like they may be pulling out of the league now, which is sad, but maybe just as well.
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Post by glengael on Mar 11, 2012 11:44:20 GMT
All too easy for Tyrone
Sunday March 11 2012
Tyrone 2-11
Westmeath 0-8
With four wins from four, the Red Hands are flying high and well on their way to promotion. Mickey Harte's men extended their 100 per cent record at Healy Park last night, where Kyle Coney turned in a masterclass of clinical finishing.
Coney stepped up to the mark with a fabulous display of finishing, kicking three glorious points from play, equally graceful with either foot, as the home side took control early on. Martin Penrose converted a free, and when Coney arrowed over his third score, they led by 0-5 to no score after 21 minutes.
Pat Flanagan sprung Denis Glennon from the bench and he got the visitors' opening score in the 28th minute, but when Peter Harte sent Paddy McNeice through on goal, Michael Curley conceded a penalty, which Harte blasted home for a 1-6 to 0-2 half-time lead.
Tyrone turned the screw with a second goal just 20 seconds after the restart, Penrose drilling the ball past Gary Connaughton from Mark Donnelly's pass. Owen Mulligan and Penrose got in on the act, and 12 points separated the sides by the time Denis Glennon hit his second score. Westmeath, who finished the game with 14 men following a second booking for sub Mark Gorman, now find themselves in a real relegation battle.
Scorers -- Tyrone: M Penrose 1-2 (2f), P Harte 1-0 (pen), K Coney 0-4, O Mulligan 0-2 (1f), S Cavanagh, J Lafferty, D McCaul 0-1 each Westmeath: Denis Glennon 0-3, David Glennon, G Egan, J Heslin (f), R Foley, K Martin 0-1 each.
Tyrone: P McConnell; A McCrory, Justin McMahon, PJ Quinn; C McCarron, P Harte, D McCaul; M Murphy, Joe McMahon; R McNabb, Mark Donnelly, P McNeice; K Coney, M Penrose, O Mulligan. Subs: C Cavanagh for Joe McMahon (h-t), C Gormley for McCaul (43), S Cavanagh for Penrose (49), J Lafferty for Mulligan (51), S McNulty for Quinn (54)
Westmeath: G Connaughton; M Curley, K Gavin, K Maguire; D McDermott, M Ennis, A Finnan; J Heslin, P Bannon; K Martin, G Egan, P Sheridan; A Giles, David Glennon, P Sharry. Subs: Denis Glennon for Giles (23), R Foley for Sheridan (25), M Gorman for Maguire (62), B Moran for Egan (62), J Egan for Ennis (67)
Referee: J Curley (Meath).
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 11, 2012 12:16:35 GMT
Div 1 should be interesting next year, with Tyrone and the likes of Kildare or Meath back up. Laois look certs to go. Of course CC in their wisdom will probably have changed the whole format again with two top leagues drawn from a (wizard's) hat
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Post by glengael on Mar 11, 2012 17:01:30 GMT
Down won at Mayo 1-13 to 10 points.
Half time in Croke Park Dublin 3-7 Armagh 0-5. In short, a training spin for the Dubs so far.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 11, 2012 19:10:02 GMT
Was a training spin, Armagh were woeful, Dublin impressive, Connolly did what he has threatened in games before, got a hat-trick. Took a couple of nice kicks from the ground too (but we've been here before!!). O'Gara took up where he left off last week. Lots of confidence showing through from the whole squad, as you would expect. Have to take into account the significant factor of Armagh missing the Cross contingent. Some topsy turvy results in Div 1 & 2. Down winning in Castlebar was a real surprise, certainly tightens things up, and Dublin should now expect a real contest up there next week. Tyrone clearly the best in Div2, and after their bad start to the league, I'd expect Kildare to come through and take the 2nd spot, as none of the other sides looks up to much. If we assume Laois to go down then it will be a reall battle over the 2nd relegation spot from Div 1. That's if it matters at all depending what the GAC do wiht the league next
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Post by Ard Mhacha on Mar 11, 2012 23:02:18 GMT
Don't think the Cross lads would've made much of a difference today. We were woeful. Simply woeful. I feared for us when I seen our midfield duo line out. Both replaced before half time. Game was over after about 10 minutes, Dublin 2-1 to 0-1 up. Our heads dropped and we looked like we couldn't care less.
I've never known Armagh teams to give up as easily as they have this past 3 seasons. Even through the bad times, we were rarely beaten like this.
No excuses. Dublin clearly better team. Fitter, sharper, hungrier. It was embarrassingly easy for them.
Our Jekyll and Hyde season continues...
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Post by seaniebo on Mar 12, 2012 10:19:41 GMT
Its been the most unusual division with regards results and performances. Next weeks fixtures are arguably the most important. The Dublin v Mayo game is especially going to be a crunch tie. Mayo from a very solid position now look to have a job on their hands.
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Post by ardfertnarrie on Mar 12, 2012 13:25:56 GMT
Yep, this is when we sort the wheat from the chaff.
But it does look like Dublin, Kerry, Cork & Tyrone are all motoring well. Next weekend will tell how well.
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Post by glengael on Mar 12, 2012 13:37:10 GMT
Its been very unpredictable so far. No reason to think that next weekend will be any different.
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Post by delorean on Mar 12, 2012 14:17:18 GMT
Its been very unpredictable so far. No reason to think that next weekend will be any different Well next weekend no particular outcome could be considered a surprise, other than a Down victory over Dublin. They other games are close on 50/50. I'll save any comments regarding Cork/Kerry for the presumably imminent thread on the game. Dublin have been seriously impressive the last couple of weekends. Diarmuid Connolly has been immense and is really starting to show how he is rated as the best club footballer in Dublin. I can see him stealing much of the Brogan thunder this season. He has been taking the right option and has contributed very heavily to scores other than his own, which are generally a thing of beauty. Eoin O'Gara is developing into something more than a mere handful also. Although I don't think he'll ever have a night like his one in Portlaoise again, he definitely looks a more confident and has less of an awkwardness to his game. Paul Brogan, to me, looks a bit out of his depth at this level.
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Post by Chinatown on Mar 14, 2012 7:16:38 GMT
Many apologies if already covered, just trying to figure out how the semis in division 1 work this year is it 1st placed v 3rd placed & 2 v 4...I know bit of chicken counting here but with 4 places, pls god.
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Post by delorean on Mar 14, 2012 8:55:41 GMT
It's 1st v 4th and 2nd v 3rd.
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Post by Chinatown on Mar 16, 2012 18:13:13 GMT
Fair on 2nd?, self fulfilling.. On choo choo home from the big smoke.. Long weekend yipee!!!!
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Post by seaniebo on Mar 19, 2012 10:53:31 GMT
The upsets and surprises continue. Amazing that Down went from 2nd bottom to claim 2nd spot in the group after yesterdays results. Some crucial ties ahead. Most teams in division one would deem it a bad league campaign not to qualify for the latter stages given the format in place this year. The Dublin v Mayo tie looks certain now to be a crunch affair. Its all up for grabs. Kerry will play an important role as to whom decides qualifies
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 19, 2012 19:26:33 GMT
Very disappointed with our defeat. Not that I didn't expect Down to put it right up to us, but I thought we should be able for it and get the result. Down were hungrier, more aggressive, sharp and dominated possession. Concerned now, two defeats in four, would be worried that lads have lost appetite already, or have deluded themselves that form, and results can just be switched on like a tap. Possibly also overconfidence from the easy wins in the last two games. Really shouldn't be happening though. If lessons learned over such a long time are unlearned so quick, it's a bad sign. Donegal will give us our fill of it too. The topsy turvy nature of form in the league this year means I won't read too much into the bad performances so far
Generally now it's looking a great run-in to the end of the league, with every team in with a chance of semis and almost every team at risk of relegation. It's good that Down are in the mix now, competitions really benefit from their involvement at the top end. I've no doubt they are adapting to the style of the times a bit more this year, but they will I'm sure still play relatively very attractive running football with attack to the fore. Tyrone look home and hosed in Div 2, Kildare should follow. Longford making great strides, Div 2 would be some achievement. Am shocked that Tipp have slumped
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Post by kerrystar on Mar 19, 2012 22:27:16 GMT
Its been very unpredictable so far. No reason to think that next weekend will be any different Paul Brogan, to me, looks a bit out of his depth at this level. Very good club player I'm sure but he doesn't seem to bring much to the party at inter county level.
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Jo90
Fanatical Member
Posts: 2,687
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Post by Jo90 on Mar 20, 2012 15:49:46 GMT
Dublin need 8 points (i.e. 4 more) to pretty much guarantee a semi-final spot which I'm sure they'll easily manage from 3 games.
By the ways Rashers, where's the reservoirdubs site gone? Did someone forget to put money in the meter?
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 20, 2012 16:20:37 GMT
Dublin need 8 points (i.e. 4 more) to pretty much guarantee a semi-final spot which I'm sure they'll easily manage from 3 games. By the ways Rashers, where's the reservoirdubs site gone? Did someone forget to put money in the meter? But two games away to Mayo and Cork, can't guarantee wins there! Website still there Joe, yis won't get rid of us that aisy! - www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/http://www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/Though I would love to have said something like, "We disbanded it, our mission was complete"
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Post by glengael on Mar 20, 2012 20:23:38 GMT
Dublin need 8 points (i.e. 4 more) to pretty much guarantee a semi-final spot which I'm sure they'll easily manage from 3 games. By the ways Rashers, where's the reservoirdubs site gone? Did someone forget to put money in the meter? But two games away to Mayo and Cork, can't guarantee wins there! Website still there Joe, yis won't get rid of us that aisy! - www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/http://www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/Though I would love to have said something like, "We disbanded it, our mission was complete" Any word on O'Gara's injury Rashers?
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 20, 2012 20:30:59 GMT
Groin, I presume you heard. You mean how long out? Haven't heard result of tests, but a brief look at the forum indicated that he looks out for the Donegal game at least. Would be just the sort of player needed I would have thought, especially if it turns out very tight. Donegal will be very buoyed by their win. He was badly missed against the Down aggression and power and general violent assaultiveness
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Post by veteran on Mar 20, 2012 21:45:17 GMT
Rashers,
You usually use temperate language but I notice in your last sentence regarding the Down match you employ some extreme words to describe Down's approach. I would be interested to know if Down were unduly/unacceptably physical, violent indeed? Who was the referee? Was he one of those who is partial to doing the "right thing" for homesupporters?
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 21, 2012 7:59:31 GMT
Veteran, I'll post something more later. I wasn't at the game, I was in work. From what I've heard, read, and puctures I've seen, they apparently got away with a bit anyway. Which is not to make any excuse, by all accounts they deserved their win
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