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Post by dc84 on Nov 2, 2020 11:41:49 GMT
With fans unlikely to be at either of this years All Ireland finals it is the year when the GAA should embrace neutral venues for the semi finals and finals - the old arguement that Croke Park has the largest crowd capacity has no bearing. Pairc Ui Chaoimh looked fantastic under lights for the hirling yesterday and the pitch seemed to be in great shape - should it be considered as a venue for one or other of the finals this year (assuming Cork are not in the game). Depends on who is in it , id agree to an extent but the pitch needs to be taken into consideration if it was for example mayo vs donegal croke park makes sense would thurles be good enough in december? More chance of the hurling maybe if its Kilkenny limerick of having it in cork
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Post by onlykerry on Nov 2, 2020 12:46:42 GMT
With fans unlikely to be at either of this years All Ireland finals it is the year when the GAA should embrace neutral venues for the semi finals and finals - the old arguement that Croke Park has the largest crowd capacity has no bearing. Pairc Ui Chaoimh looked fantastic under lights for the hirling yesterday and the pitch seemed to be in great shape - should it be considered as a venue for one or other of the finals this year (assuming Cork are not in the game). Depends on who is in it , id agree to an extent but the pitch needs to be taken into consideration if it was for example mayo vs donegal croke park makes sense would thurles be good enough in december? More chance of the hurling maybe if its Kilkenny limerick of having it in cork Mayo V Donegal - then Croke Park qualifies as a Neutral venue surely. Totally agree the pitch needs to be "A" class and not a mucky goalmouth, windswept pitch in the middle of nowhere.
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Post by homerj on Nov 2, 2020 13:28:53 GMT
what would be the issue with croke park pitch not being playable in December but others would?
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Post by dc84 on Nov 2, 2020 13:37:51 GMT
You would need to take the broadcast into consideration aswell the difference in quality between the picture coming from cork and donegal were chalk and cheese. Semple,croker pairc ui chaoimh and maybe limerick or clones are the only realistic options it does make sense alright its a hell of an expense and logistcal headache for teams to have to go to dublin talking about what 38 rooms in a hotel for showers etc. Wil they even be able to stay in the hotels ? Its messy!
We all know though the semis and final will be in croker in the football at least
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Post by john4 on Nov 2, 2020 14:15:39 GMT
Only Semple Stadium and Croke Park have Hawkeye technology installed. Once we get to the business end of the All Irelands this technology will need to be at hand in the event of a borderline call arising.
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 2, 2020 14:15:41 GMT
With fans unlikely to be at either of this years All Ireland finals it is the year when the GAA should embrace neutral venues for the semi finals and finals - the old arguement that Croke Park has the largest crowd capacity has no bearing. Pairc Ui Chaoimh looked fantastic under lights for the hirling yesterday and the pitch seemed to be in great shape - should it be considered as a venue for one or other of the finals this year (assuming Cork are not in the game). My understanding is that if its a Mayo v Dublin final, it will be in Castlebar and the ref will be a Sligo man with a business in Bohola and who is married to a Mayo woman.
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Post by buck02 on Nov 2, 2020 15:10:11 GMT
Only Semple Stadium and Croke Park have Hawkeye technology installed. Once we get to the business end of the All Irelands this technology will need to be at hand in the event of a borderline call arising. On this topic, since the return of GAA 3 weekends ago I have seen numerous cases of umpires making a complete mess of calls. One guy putting up the flag, the other waving it wide - that sort of thing. Pity Hawkeye wasn't rolled out to more grounds when the money was there.
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Post by Kerryman Randy Savage on Nov 2, 2020 15:41:23 GMT
With fans unlikely to be at either of this years All Ireland finals it is the year when the GAA should embrace neutral venues for the semi finals and finals - the old arguement that Croke Park has the largest crowd capacity has no bearing. Pairc Ui Chaoimh looked fantastic under lights for the hirling yesterday and the pitch seemed to be in great shape - should it be considered as a venue for one or other of the finals this year (assuming Cork are not in the game). My understanding is that if its a Mayo v Dublin final, it will be in Castlebar and the ref will be a Sligo man with a business in Bohola and who is married to a Mayo woman. Does he have to retire for 30 days in the off-season?
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Post by southward on Nov 2, 2020 17:26:32 GMT
With fans unlikely to be at either of this years All Ireland finals it is the year when the GAA should embrace neutral venues for the semi finals and finals - the old arguement that Croke Park has the largest crowd capacity has no bearing. Pairc Ui Chaoimh looked fantastic under lights for the hirling yesterday and the pitch seemed to be in great shape - should it be considered as a venue for one or other of the finals this year (assuming Cork are not in the game). My understanding is that if its a Mayo v Dublin final, it will be in Castlebar and the ref will be a Sligo man with a business in Bohola and who is married to a Mayo woman. And who will send off three Dublin players inside 15 minutes while awarding Mayo 2 penalties. They still won't win.
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peanuts
Fanatical Member
Posts: 1,857
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Post by peanuts on Nov 2, 2020 17:36:32 GMT
Only Semple Stadium and Croke Park have Hawkeye technology installed. Once we get to the business end of the All Irelands this technology will need to be at hand in the event of a borderline call arising. I think I read somewhere that there's no Hawkeye in Semple Stadium this year as they would need to bring someone over from the UK to operate it and are not doing this because of Covid.
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Post by dc84 on Nov 3, 2020 9:14:09 GMT
Be some turnaround for mayo to even get close to AI in my opinion they lost three games in championship last year by a point to roscommon at home and hammered by kerry and dublin. They would also have 2 tough games to win connacht either of which they could easily lose.then a semi versus us or cork (probably us) and a potential final vs dublin/donegal i just dont see them winning all four games at all.
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Post by jackiel on Nov 3, 2020 9:35:24 GMT
Is it just me or can anyone actually see a "crowd" being allowed in Croke Park for any of these matches. As it stands and with no substantial reduction in numbers in Dublin I really can't see beyond a behind closed doors scenario.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Nov 3, 2020 9:45:13 GMT
Is it just me or can anyone actually see a "crowd" being allowed in Croke Park for any of these matches. As it stands and with no substantial reduction in numbers in Dublin I really can't see beyond a behind closed doors scenario. I had assumed it is closed doors from here on in.
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Post by jackiel on Nov 3, 2020 9:52:38 GMT
I know a few people still hanging out for 200 or so based on an easing of restrictions but to be honest it seems hopeless. As someone usually in the middle of it all on match day the thought of watching at home(irrespective of who's playing) is painful. 5 years watching the Dubs come up the Hogan steps and then not to be there if Kerry ( or indeed anyone else) were to do it. And before I'm slaughtered yes I do understand that there are bigger issues but this has been a very hollow year for those of us for whom GAA is such a huge part of life.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Nov 3, 2020 10:01:34 GMT
I know a few people still hanging out for 200 or so based on an easing of restrictions but to be honest it seems hopeless. As someone usually in the middle of it all on match day the thought of watching at home(irrespective of who's playing) is painful. 5 years watching the Dubs come up the Hogan steps and then not to be there if Kerry ( or indeed anyone else) were to do it. And before I'm slaughtered yes I do understand that there are bigger issues but this has been a very hollow year for those of us for whom GAA is such a huge part of life. Personally I am very grateful for what we have in terms of having a championship at all.
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Post by buck02 on Nov 3, 2020 12:52:56 GMT
If they do allow 200 into Croke Park I hope each player gets 2 or 3 tickets so that their family/other half get to go and not Johnny who is on the county board pitch committee and the CCCC.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Nov 3, 2020 13:21:23 GMT
I know a few people still hanging out for 200 or so based on an easing of restrictions but to be honest it seems hopeless. As someone usually in the middle of it all on match day the thought of watching at home(irrespective of who's playing) is painful. 5 years watching the Dubs come up the Hogan steps and then not to be there if Kerry ( or indeed anyone else) were to do it. And before I'm slaughtered yes I do understand that there are bigger issues but this has been a very hollow year for those of us for whom GAA is such a huge part of life. The thought of not being there to see Kerry climb the steps is only better than having to be there to watch someone else. Interestin' you're goin with the Rossies - methinks Maigh Eo might rebound but then again it is Maigh Eo we are talking about. Ah they put on the best performances and they they just never get over that line has us all condemning them. Anyone know where Donie Buckley is these days btw?
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Post by jackiel on Nov 3, 2020 14:42:36 GMT
If they do allow 200 into Croke Park I hope each player gets 2 or 3 tickets so that their family/other half get to go and not Johnny who is on the county board pitch committee and the CCCC. Or worse some guy from a sponsors firm with little or no interest and his other half. No politicians either.
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 4, 2020 19:46:59 GMT
Consent
GAA
Premium
Silgo don't want our sympathy but they deserve it
Sean McGoldrick
November 04 2020 07:00 PM
One hundred and thirty-two years ago, Galway’s withdrawal from the first Connacht football championship enabled Sligo to reach the final.
The wheel came full circle shortly after midnight on Tuesday when the Sligo County Board confirmed it was withdrawing its football side from the championship due to an outbreak of Covid-19 in the squad. So, Galway advanced to the 2020 final via a walkover.
Though they have only won the Connacht Championship on three occasions, Sligo have a rich GAA tradition. But they have been struggling since being hammered by Mayo in the 2015 Connacht final.
Relegated from Division 3 last season, they last won a championship match against London in 2018. This season, they finished third from bottom in Division 4.
In their last two championship clashes against Galway, they lost by an aggregate tally of 34 points.
Even if they had a full squad, their chances of beating the Tribesmen on Saturday would be remote. Still, every player’s dream is to play in the championship.
Though there is widespread sympathy for their plight, it is not universal.
Former Kerry star and Irish Independent columnist Tomás Ó Sé fired off a particularly caustic tweet on Wednesday morning.
“Very disappointing Sligo have pulled out of the championship. I’d love to know the exact situation that has led to this,” he wrote.
“Is it 11 players or more? Leitrim and Longford have had issues. We never found out the exact details of the Leitrim situation.
“Fermanagh, who had 18 players missing, fulfilled their fixture in Ennis so it can be done. I’m not playing down the seriousness of this, but the integrity of the competition is being questioned now . . .”
For starters, Sligo bear no responsibility for damaging the integrity of the championship.
Secondly, Sligo, or indeed any other county hit by a Covid-19 outbreak, are under no obligation to offer a detailed public explanation of the outbreak. The players’ privacy must be respected.
The responsibility for any damage to the integrity of the championship rests entirely with the GAA. They opted to go ahead with the competition though the pandemic was out of the control in Ireland at the time.
The GAA leadership knew the risks and their decision may be vindicated because the national rate of infection has been falling since the introduction of Level 5 restrictions.
By Sunday evening only 12 counties will be left in the race for the Sam Maguire while eight will remain in the hunt for Liam MacCarthy.
So, the odds on another county been forced to withdraw is shortening by the day.
It is populous to suggest that had one of the game’s super powers been hit by a Covid-19 outbreak, they would have been treated different than Sligo. There is no evidence to back up this theory.
As recently as last Monday, GAA president John Horan reiterated the official position. No postponements would be entertained until the All-Ireland semi-finals.
In an interview with Ocean FM, Sligo boss Paul Taylor (left) said the players thought a re-fixture would be an option.
“The situation has been forced on them as well. We have 32 players available to us, according to the guidelines.
“That is probably too few for a smaller county when something like this happens. From a football point of view, it’s not a case that we’re not going, we can’t go. We’re all gutted.”
Often the ramifications of decisions taken at national level by the GAA don’t dawn on its members until it impacts them personally.
Every player ought to have known that this was a championship like no other in the history of the GAA.
It was in the lap of the Gods whether they would get to play. Unfortunately for Sligo, they caught the unlucky break. They don’t want our sympathy, but they deserve it.
Footnote: The 1888 Connacht Championship ended on a sour note for Sligo as well. Having received a walkover from Galway, who were unable to field a team for the semi-final which was due to be played in Mullingar, Sligo led the final until the dying seconds when Mayo scored the equalising point.
The replay never took place because the championship was abandoned due to the GAA’s ill-fated tour of the US which became known as the ‘American Invasion’.
Online Editors
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 4, 2020 19:48:13 GMT
Tomas would want to relax. The integrity of the competition has been compromised for a number of years.
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Post by john4 on Nov 4, 2020 20:15:31 GMT
"Still, every player’s dream is to play in the championship."
This is true in a normal year, but not this year. In a normal year teams that haven't a prayer of a chance of winning a match will look forward to playing championship football for the single reason of playing in front of the people closest to them, family, friends, extended relatives, neighbours, workmates etc. This has been taken away from all players but especially hard on the the no hope players from the no hope counties this year. There's nothing left to play for. I believe in fact, for this year alone, counties 2 or more league divisions below their intended opponent should be allowed forfeit the match if they so wish without explanation.
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Post by dc84 on Nov 4, 2020 23:00:35 GMT
"Still, every player’s dream is to play in the championship." This is true in a normal year, but not this year. In a normal year teams that haven't a prayer of a chance of winning a match will look forward to playing championship football for the single reason of playing in front of the people closest to them, family, friends, extended relatives, neighbours, workmates etc. This has been taken away from all players but especially hard on the the no hope players from the no hope counties this year. There's nothing left to play for. I believe in fact, for this year alone, counties 2 or more league divisions below their intended opponent should be allowed forfeit the match if they so wish without explanation. +1
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 6, 2020 22:27:30 GMT
Consent
Gaelic Football
Premium
Why a good goalkeeper is more vital than ever in the race for Sam
Ciaran Whelan
These are tough and dark times. Our frontline staff continue to be heroic and many have lost loved ones in recent months through Covid-19 or other health reasons.
For many people across the country all that is being asked of them is to stay at home and abide by the health guidelines. While we can whinge, moan and get frustrated it is not that hard in the bigger scheme of things when considering the challenges for many out there.
Last weekend it was certainly not difficult to abide by the ‘stay at home’ requests. Championship 2020 was back and with more live TV games than ever on show, our inter-county stars showed just how to give the GAA nation a lift.
The weather and conditions were so bad. I am sure there were many that were plenty of punters glad to put the fire on and put the feet up while watching in the comfort of their own homes!
Did we expect it would be different? Of course we did and there is no doubt the empty stadiums create a vacuum that dampens the atmosphere and setting.
But do you know what? Huge credit has to go to all the teams, it was compelling stuff. Donegal and Tyrone was championship football at its best. Weather conditions meant that the quality of game became irrelevant.
The winning team was simply going to be the team that controlled possession of ball better and make the least amount of mistakes or ball-handling errors.
Tyrone ‘died with their boots on’ while Donegal’s physicality and ability to overload the long kickouts proved a big contributor to the result particularly in the first half.
We all know the weather conditions are unlikely to be favourable in the weeks ahead. Already we have seen the pressure that weather conditions can put on goalkeepers who are charged with the responsibility of maintaining possession and setting up attacks.
Rest assured for teams to progress in this year’s championship they will need a top class goalkeeper and good tactical plan to win long kickouts.
The increased risk of attempting a 30-metre short kickout in a strong wind or on a poor surface is massive. One simple misplaced strike off a wet boot or a handling error and the ball could be in the back of net. No second chances, no back door! Add in the fact that they may have to save penalties in the coming weeks and it all adds significant pressure on the shoulders of goalkeepers.
Of the 46 kickouts in Ballybofey last weekend, 26 went long out to the middle of park with Donegal winning 60 per cent. Remember, when these teams met last year Donegal went long on 16 of their kickouts winning 15 of them. An incredible return.
Donegal have proven to be masters at dominating the middle sector when they play Tyrone, even if you argue it is Tyrone’s biggest weakness.
If goalkeepers have to kick more ball long in the weeks ahead, they must be able to kick the ball long. Apologies for stating the bloody obvious but in dealing with the wind factor, a goalkeeper must have a good trajectory on his kick to give his midfielders a chance. A floating ball hanging in the wind is a nightmare for the defending midfielder.
We are blessed with some top class keepers around the country – Cluxton, Morgan, Beggan and Patton to name just a few. The rule that the ball is kicked out from the 20-metre line now also means that good kicking keepers possess the ability to land a wind-assisted kick out deep into the opposition half.
High press
It may be simple and direct but with a high press up the field, we have already seen this type of kick out open up goal opportunities.
It may be a biased traditional view as a former midfielder but the increasing level of errors on short kickouts will introduce a different dynamic to some games in the coming weeks.
As we also saw in the Monaghan-Cavan game, conditions will influence overall tactical approaches and raw intense battle for 50/50 possession could become a factor in some games.
Much of the post-game discussion in Ulster this week has focused the future of Mickey Harte. Harte’s record of accomplishment speaks for itself and there would have been many within his county back in 2008 that would have said the job is his as long as he wants it.
Harte is the longest serving football manager since Seán Boylan in Meath. Boylan was a special manager for the Royal County over three decades but he was also just a wonderful human being and a great Gael that would support anyone in need, even us oul Dubs!
I spent 10 years playing against Boylan’s Meath teams losing four championship games and managing to turn over Meath over just twice in 2002 and 2005.
After 2005, Meath had gone four years without provincial success. This was unknown territory and Meath supporters were getting anxious. Eamon Barry was openly challenging Boylan for his position at county conventions.
Many were calling for a change and the pressure was been put on Boylan despite his outstanding record.
Boylan stood down in 2005 and I remember it vividly as a joyous occasion! As Dubs, we were quietly celebrating as we thought it was a crazy decision to let him go.
We had suffered years of hurt at his expense, as we knew damn well that any Meath team under Boylan would not lie down in the heat battle. Ultimately what followed was years of instability in the Royal County and in Dublin that suited us just fine.
Harte is probably coming under the similar scrutiny that Boylan was 2005 albeit he delivered a provincial title three years ago in 2017 and brought his team to an All-Ireland final in 2018.
Tyrone, no doubt, have quality young players to compete for future success and it is ultimately up to the powerbrokers in Tyrone to decide who is the best to lead them forward.
From the outside looking in it can certainly look like a change of direction might energise the Tyrone group.
However, the grass may not always be greener on the other side and the doubters need to ensure they have a viable alternative.
PS: It was very sad to hear the news of Graham Geraghty illness last week. Graham as we all know was a serious competitor and is one the most talented footballers to have graced our game.
I have great memories of titanic battles as opponents and also some great times as team-mates for Leinster and Ireland. It was great to hear the positive news that Graham is progressing well. Hopefully he will make a speedy recovery and my thoughts are with him and his family at this time.
Dessie needs tempo and attitude It will be great to the see the Dubs back in championship action on Saturday evening in Portlaoise. A straight knockout championship certainly adds a different dimension for this group of players. Saturday night is a free pass for Westmeath. Expectations will be low but Jack Cooney will have his team ready to ask a few questions.
Westmeath had a mixed league campaign, with some good performances and results. There is a fair chance Cooney will set up his team with a strong defensive shape, as they did against Kildare in their recent league game.
It may be a case of damage limitation and catching Dublin on the counter. They will take hope from the performance of Meath in Parnell Park, where they created enough opportunities to win the game.
With so much reliance on John Heslin and Ger Egan to keep the scoreboard ticking for Westmeath, I expect the Dubs will just have too much firepower for the Westmeath defence.
Dessie Farrell he will be looking for his team to bring the right tempo and attitude to the game and it will be interesting to see how Dublin shape their defence. It should prove a good opportunity for newcomers like Seán Bugler and Paddy Small to lay claim to starting jersey.
Elsewhere, in the likelihood that James McCarthy might be required in a defensive role this year, Farrell must decide who is best to partner Brian Fenton (left) in the middle of the field. It will be a strange night for the loyal Dubs supporters – many will be missing a Dublin championship game for the first time in years. It won’t be the same but the couch and a few bottles of beer will have to do the job.
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Post by Galway breeze on Nov 7, 2020 11:30:06 GMT
I fear there could be a shock on the cards this weekend the question is will it be in Munster or Connaught?
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Post by royalkerryfan on Nov 7, 2020 11:35:36 GMT
I fear there could be a shock on the cards this weekend the question is will it be in Munster or Connaught? Well there cant be a shock on Connaught as one team are the Connaught champions and the other being Mayo so either winning wont be a shock. As for Munster highly unlikely.
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tpo
Senior Member
Posts: 504
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Post by tpo on Nov 8, 2020 10:48:06 GMT
Programs for Munster, Ulster and Leinster matches are free to download and print from their websites. Connacht Gaa are charging €3. Pity they don't have a standard policy
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Post by boherbee on Nov 8, 2020 18:59:29 GMT
Be some turnaround for mayo to even get close to AI in my opinion they lost three games in championship last year by a point to roscommon at home and hammered by kerry and dublin. They would also have 2 tough games to win connacht either of which they could easily lose.then a semi versus us or cork (probably us) and a potential final vs dublin/donegal i just dont see them winning all four games at all. I think we would be better off not predicting what Mayo might or might not do !
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Post by onlykerry on Nov 8, 2020 19:07:03 GMT
Mayo will be dreaming this evening - the path to an AI final has opened up for them. Todays result will have them thinking it could finally happen - Mayo Donegal final anyone?
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Post by Kerryman Randy Savage on Nov 8, 2020 19:22:46 GMT
Mayo will be dreaming this evening - the path to an AI final has opened up for them. Todays result will have them thinking it could finally happen - Mayo Donegal final anyone? I'd definitely take that.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Nov 8, 2020 19:25:57 GMT
I think I'll be watching the hurling.
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