Allianz NFL 2022

[fitz]

Nothing of substance decided in February. McCaffrey and Mannion huge losses for Dublin They have gone back for sure but still won’t be easily beat in summertime

[fitz]

Feb 19, 2022 22:34:46 GMT john4 said:

Dublin v Monaghan looking like it'll be a massive game for both teams. I can't see Kildare gathering enough points to survive so it looks like Dublin or Monaghan to go with them

The Kildare game v Tyrone will be interesting with the four suspensions

[Mickmack]

As the game went on the subs made Mayo stronger and Dublin weaker.

How times have changed.

Lee Gannon looks like he will make it.

They took off Ross ? their corner forward just after half time. Very strange...he was good.

Who are the top 3 teams now?

[Whosinmidfield]

I would tend to disagree with those who still think Dublin will get it right and be there or thereabouts come championship. Last year in the championship they showed zero form and they couldn’t fix it and that has continued on into this year. It’s not just a case of a slow start to the season. They are looking weak at the back and their attacking play is poor. Davy Byrne and Niall Scully have had terrible league campaigns to date and Fenton isn’t too far behind them. No new player looks to be at the level required. I don’t think Farrell is good enough to turn it around, to me it seems he’s a poor manager. Ross McGarry was one of their bright sparks tonight yet he takes him off. Many of his decisions make no sense.

[Whosinmidfield]

Feb 19, 2022 22:51:42 GMT Mickmack said:

As the game went on the subs made Mayo stronger and Dublin weaker.

How times have changed.

Lee Gannon looks like he will make it.

They took off Ross ? their corner forward just after half time. Very strange...he was good.

Who are the top 3 teams now?

You’d have to say Tyrone, Kerry and Mayo. Dublin and Armagh the next 2.

[Whosinmidfield]

“Just 16 of the players – nine from Dublin – who started the semi-final last August – were back in action at the throw-in.“

Wow, you could argue that Mayo had more of a weakened team out tonight than Dublin.

[Ballyfireside]

Dubs only hope now is to put a shadow management in place but it wouldn't be the same and can you just imagine, would the Dublin based media slaughter them? Social media gurus out to make a name for themselves?

The talent is still there but Dessie's body language tell me for one that he is part of the problem, maybe the cause if it.

The first half was really entertaining and exciting, now is it my imagination or what but would one have expected Mayo to smell blood when the Dubs were visibly in trouble, and blow them away?

I've been watching GAA a while and I couldn't but acknowledge how well the media delivered the game - I picked up on a few things that might normally be a bit iffy, but no, a night to remember for me and Kerry weren't even playing. Yerra maybe 'tis the scoop of the black stuff I won off Hermit that has me in good form. Maybe I have a soft spot for Maigh Eo too - no matter what, they never didn't play traditional football and maybe tonight being no exception tickles my fancy and I hope Oisin Mullin is rewarded and the likes of Leroy, though not at our expense, and I know that doesn't makes sense but that's just how I feel.

Then again northie Dgal are more used to gale forces so hopefully my joy won't be short lived.

P.S. I hate to say it but my gut tells me that that the favourites to win Sam are Dooher and Logan, and Dublin are a prime example and proof that management are a big part of the team, on occasion more than 50% and maybe last night was one of those occasions. Look at it like this - if you swapped management teams around how differently would teams fare? Of course we can never know but it is a fair question - puts you thinking?

[ciarraimick]

RoyalKerry you might be correct but James Mccarthy is a fab player to come back and then under 30 players you gave Costello Murchan Paddy Small to come back and Ó Coifeaog Byrne

[Mickmack]

These were the two teams in December 2020 All Ireland Final



Cluxton is the big omission from Dublin and also Paul Mannion who was a sub.

David Clarke is gone too. Hennelly is playing well now but when the chips are down i have my doubts.



The championship team of 2022 will be similar enough to the 2020 teams as not that many new guys on either side have nailed down a jersey.

Mayo now have the better panel which is significant.



Dublin
1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells — captain)

2. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)
3. Davy Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
4. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)

5. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)
6. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
7. Robbie McDaid (Ballyboden St Endas)

8. Brian Fenton (Raheny)
9. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams)

10. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge Street)
11. Ciarán Kilkenny (Castleknock)
12. Seán Bugler (St Oliver Plunkett’s/ER)

13. Paddy Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
14. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)
15. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)



Mayo
1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)

2. Chris Barrett (Clontarf, Dublin)
3. Oisín Mullin (Kilmaine)
4. Lee Keegan (Westport)

5. Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
6. Stephen Coen (Hollymount/Carramore)
7. Eoghan McLaughlin (Westport)

8. Conor Loftus (Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
9. Matthew Ruane (Breaffy)

10. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
11. Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet)
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)

13. Tommy Conroy (The Neale)
14. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy — captain)
15. Cillian O’Connor (Ballintubber)



SUBS

Dublin
16. Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams)
17. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)
18. Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna)
19. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
20. Brian Howard (Raheny)
21. Tom Lahiff (St Judes)
22. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine’s)
23. Michael Darragh MacAuley (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)
24. Paul Mannion (Kilmacud Crokes)
25. Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)
26. Kevin McManamon (St Judes)

Mayo
16. Robert Hennelly (Breaffy)
17. Padraig O’Hora (Ballina Stephenites)
18. Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber)
19. Rory Brickenden (Westport)
20. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)
21. Tom Parsons (Charlestown)
22. Jordan Flynn (Crossmolina)
23. Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
24. James Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)
25. James Carr (Ardagh)
26. Darren Coen (Hollymount-Carramore).

[The16thMan]

Lads it's true Dublin aren't anywhere near the strength they had 2/3 years ago but they still have a fine team it might look something like this come Championship:
1) Comerford
2) Byrne
3) Cooper
4) Fitzsimons
5) Murchan
6) McCarthy
7) Small
8) Fenton
9) Howard
10) Scully
11) Kilkenny
12) Costello
13) Small
14) Con
15) Rock

It might not be the exact Championship team but thats the experience they have in that team and on their day they can match any team in the country.It has approx. 4 changes to the team that beat Kerry in 2019 Cluxton, McCaffrey, Mannion and MDMA out with Byrne, Comerford, Costello and P.Small coming in. Not exactly a completely different team but I do appreciate there are some key players from that team gone.
They'll have 50,000 Dubs roaring them on later in the year and Dublin are like Kerry, they are suited to the dry hard pitch in the summer to suit their kicking style game. Running teams like Mayo and Tyrone are suited to the softer grounds because they carry the ball through the lines.
The only problem Dublin have is their 5 subs are nowhere near the standard Kerry and Tyrone would have coming on. But Dublin will have a part to play yet, hopefully this is the year Kerry end the 11 year Championship hoodoo they've had over us. No matter what team Dublin have out in the summer it would be as sweet as it gets to beat Dublin in a packed Croke Park.

[Mickmack]

Feb 20, 2022 0:27:50 GMT The16thMan said:

Lads it's true Dublin aren't anywhere near the strength they had 2/3 years ago but they still have a fine team it might look something like this come Championship:
1) Comerford
2) Byrne
3) Cooper
4) Fitzsimons
5) Murchan
6) McCarthy
7) Small
8) Fenton
9) Howard
10) Scully
11) Kilkenny
12) Costello
13) Small
14) Con
15) Rock

It might not be the exact Championship team but thats the experience they have in that team and on their day they can match any team in the country.It has approx. 4 changes to the team that beat Kerry in 2019 Cluxton, McCaffrey, Mannion and MDMA out with Byrne, Comerford, Costello and P.Small coming in. Not exactly a completely different team but I do appreciate there are some key players from that team gone.
They'll have 50,000 Dubs roaring them on later in the year and Dublin are like Kerry, they are suited to the dry hard pitch in the summer to suit their kicking style game. Running teams like Mayo and Tyrone are suited to the softer grounds because they carry the ball through the lines.
The only problem Dublin have is their 5 subs are nowhere near the standard Kerry and Tyrone would have coming on. But Dublin will have a part to play yet, hopefully this is the year Kerry end the 11 year Championship hoodoo they've had over us. No matter what team Dublin have out in the summer it would be as sweet as it gets to beat Dublin in a packed Croke Park.

Wise post

[southward]

While they might be off-form so far this year, I don't think we're in a position to be sneering at Dublin or anyone else. Tis bad karma anyway, lads. And who knows, the Dubs might come good yet, or they might not but either way how about Kerry win something first, then we can talk. Until then, let's just worry about ourselves. Early days.

[mg72]

Its very hard to have a definitive view at this stage on how the Dubs are faring out for the season ahead.

The way that the 2020 and the 2021 club and inter county were run off made it very hard for Dessie Farrell to find new players from club football, and to try out new players and put his own stamp on the team. It was plain to see that they needed some new blood after 2019. They changed the management, but didn't get a chance to change much else since then.
The same could possibly be said for Peter Keane down here, but at least he had one season under normal circumstances with Kerry, before the big interruption to '20 and' 21.

There's no denying that Dublin are playing poorly at the moment, but as others have said, there are still a few good experiencd playes to come back into the reckoning for them before the summer.
The extended break might actually do those players good, as some of the players who've been playing for a good few years, such as Byrne (whose skills are abysmal in my eyes), John Small, Fenton, Howard, Scully and Rock and have played the first few league matches look really jaded.
I don't think the Dubs should worry at all about slipping to Division 2 for a season, where it'll give them a chance to look at the newer players at a less pressurised level.

There's no denying that they're still capable of figuring at the latter stages of this years championship though. But I think there's a few more counties that have now lost the fear of playing Dublin, and having that extra bit of confidence and self belief when you go out to face any team is often the difference between winning and losing.
It's not too long ago since they were the clear favourites to put a halt to Mayo's gallop in the semi final last year. We saw how that turned out, but there's always one last sting in a dying wasp.....whether that was in 2020 or in the summer ahead is the question.
I can see them scraping survival in the league and making it to another semi in the summer, but that's where I see it finishing for them again.
Time will tell though..... I could be way off the mark!!

[Annascaultilidie]

There were numerous factors in Dublin's incredible success. Some are spoken about a lot - I always thought Jim Gavin was a massive massive part of it.

Absolutely nothing their current manager has done has impressed me.

[buck02]

Eamonn Fitz is head and shoulders above anyone else when it comes to Co commentary. It made watching the Dublin v Armagh and Mayo games way more enjoyable than if the likes of Dessie the Bore Dolan was doing it.

Eamonn gives the person watching at home information about what is happening in the game that you can't see from watching on TV.

I watched back the Kerry v Dublin game a few days after being at the game and McStay offered no insight whatsoever in tactical things that were going on around the pitch. It was like he was watching the game on a monitor and commenting based solely on replays he was watching.

[royalkerryfan]

Firstly my post was a bit silly last night so apologies Mick if I caused any offence.

I'm not sneering Dublin but if you read the stuff they write about Kerry on their own forum you'd understand my pleasure in watching their current form.

No doubt Mccarthy and the other missing players will bolster that team but I honestly believe there is something fundamentaly wrong in that camp.

I was impressed with Mayo last night great attitude and performance

They too have a lot of a lads to come back.

[onlykerry]

Mayo are beginning to break some of the old hoodoo's - they beat Dublin in the Championship in 21 and now they have won their first league game against Dublin in Croke Park since 1971 - if they keep this up the excitement and anticipation will be uncontainable amongst their ever faithful fans - possibly of more concern the level of belief within the team will also grow.

[horsebox77]

Feb 20, 2022 10:32:26 GMT onlykerry said:

Mayo are beginning to break some of the old hoodoo's - they beat Dublin in the Championship in 21 and now they have won their first league game against Dublin in Croke Park since 1971 - if they keep this up the excitement and anticipation will be uncontainable amongst their ever faithful fans - possibly of more concern the level of belief within the team will also grow.

From my perspective, I think moving away from building a team around Aidan Shea is also a factor, for years they have altered their starting XV to accommodate him at midfield, centre forward and full forward. They now appear to use him on the last ten minutes to see out a game.

Is this the roll some see Moran playing?

[misteallaigh abú]

Feb 19, 2022 23:17:22 GMT Whosinmidfield said:

“Just 16 of the players – nine from Dublin – who started the semi-final last August – were back in action at the throw-in.“

Wow, you could argue that Mayo had more of a weakened team out tonight than Dublin.

Absolutely, Mayo were missing Conroy, Durcan, O Hora, Mc Laughlin (Owen) and of course, Cillian O Connor. They are the names that I can think of off the top of my head. Mayo played well last evening and Dublin have issues in every line of the field. While the addition of Con, James Mc Carthy and to a lesser extent Costello will bolster the team, as a panel they are looking quite threadbare. They are fortunate, like Kerry, that their province is so uncompetitive. They will advance from Leinster, again and may have a big performance in them thereafter, however, winning an all Ireland is probably beyond them.

[Deleted]

Feb 20, 2022 8:19:36 GMT mg72 said:

Its very hard to have a definitive view at this stage on how the Dubs are faring out for the season ahead.

The way that the 2020 and the 2021 club and inter county were run off made it very hard for Dessie Farrell to find new players from club football, and to try out new players and put his own stamp on the team. It was plain to see that they needed some new blood after 2019. They changed the management, but didn't get a chance to change much else since then.
The same could possibly be said for Peter Keane down here, but at least he had one season under normal circumstances with Kerry, before the big interruption to '20 and' 21.

There's no denying that Dublin are playing poorly at the moment, but as others have said, there are still a few good experiencd playes to come back into the reckoning for them before the summer.
The extended break might actually do those players good, as some of the players who've been playing for a good few years, such as Byrne (whose skills are abysmal in my eyes), John Small, Fenton, Howard, Scully and Rock and have played the first few league matches look really jaded.
I don't think the Dubs should worry at all about slipping to Division 2 for a season, where it'll give them a chance to look at the newer players at a less pressurised level.

There's no denying that they're still capable of figuring at the latter stages of this years championship though. But I think there's a few more counties that have now lost the fear of playing Dublin, and having that extra bit of confidence and self belief when you go out to face any team is often the difference between winning and losing.
It's not too long ago since they were the clear favourites to put a halt to Mayo's gallop in the semi final last year. We saw how that turned out, but there's always one last sting in a dying wasp.....whether that was in 2020 or in the summer ahead is the question.
I can see them scraping survival in the league and making it to another semi in the summer, but that's where I see it finishing for them again.
Time will tell though..... I could be way off the mark!!

that's interesting that you say that gavin needed to bring in new players but didn't or wasn't able, when I've heard of Micko been lambasted for not doing it either, but maybe the players just werent there back then and hopefully there not there for dublin either although with their massive population they'll recover a lot faster than us back then.

[Mickmack]

Feb 20, 2022 0:47:03 GMT southward said:

While they might be off-form so far this year, I don't think we're in a position to be sneering at Dublin or anyone else. Tis bad karma anyway,

Since that startled earwigs game in 2009, Kerry havent beaten Dublin in the championship so Kerry fans are in no position to dance on their grave.

Since then Dublin have lost to Cork once, Donegal once and Mayo twice. Thats 4 games.

Kerry have lost to Cork,to Dublin several times, to Galway, to Mayo, to Down, to Tyrone, to Donegal.

So its been quite a fall from the top table for Kerry and they havent managed to win the All Ireland again since 2009.

There was a lot of sneering at Mayo too for a long time on here.

It stopped when Mayo beat Kerry in the championship which in hindsight was a bit of a blessing.

[ciarraimick]

RoyalKerry fan. No offense taken whatsoever. Yes I'm living in Dublin along time and my kids are Dubs but I'm still Kerry 100%.Aldo I'm aware some Dubs say nasty things about Kerry but that's a two way street. Most genuine Dubs I know lve beating Kerry but they respect us and from my experience most Dubs dislike Mayo far more than us. I'm around long enough to know that the wheel turns and support is fickle. At the moment everyone wants Dublin beaten cof of their success but its not too long ago the team Kerry disliked the most was Tyrone. In fact in 2010 quarter final after Down beat Kerry the Kerry fans were shouting like mad for Dublin to beat Tyrone. If Kerry don't win Sam I too would prefer a different winner but I just think come championship Dublin will be strong again and I expect them to face us in all ireland semi.

[john4]

[Ballyfireside]

Feb 20, 2022 10:59:28 GMT horsebox77 said:

Feb 20, 2022 10:32:26 GMT onlykerry said:

Mayo are beginning to break some of the old hoodoo's - they beat Dublin in the Championship in 21 and now they have won their first league game against Dublin in Croke Park since 1971 - if they keep this up the excitement and anticipation will be uncontainable amongst their ever faithful fans - possibly of more concern the level of belief within the team will also grow.

From my perspective, I think moving away from building a team around Aidan Shea is also a factor, for years they have altered their starting XV to accommodate him at midfield, centre forward and full forward. They now appear to use him on the last ten minutes to see out a game.

Is this the roll some see Moran playing?

I suppose you could slot Donegal's Murphy similarly and he is already a leader anyway, I'd sense he may see himself as being the next manager. Moran could well hang up his boots if he isn't central to operations and I wouldn't be so sure it would work anyway, Aidan is a harder one to crack but Horan appears to have the measure there, would he and maybe Murphy be more of CHF/FF types than our David? David at CHB or a roaming Half back - I probably mad?

[Mickmack]

Hard to see Cork getting promoted now


www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2022/6273/tables/

[southward]

Feb 21, 2022 12:50:52 GMT Mickmack said:

Hard to see Cork getting promoted now


www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2022/6273/tables/

Tailteann Cup glory beckons.

[Jo90]

Feb 21, 2022 13:10:15 GMT southward said:

Feb 21, 2022 12:50:52 GMT Mickmack said:

Hard to see Cork getting promoted now


www.rte.ie/sport/results/gaa/2022/6273/tables/

Tailteann Cup glory beckons.

I'm heading to the bookies to bet on a Tailteann Cup double:
Cork to win it in 2022, Dublin to win it in 2023!

Some people reckon that Cork or Clare could be in the Tailteann Cup even if they avoid relegation.
That the Championship has to have 16 teams and the Tailteann Cup have 16 teams.
If a non-Division 1 or 2 team makes it to the Provisional final, a Division 2 team that doesn't make it to the provincial final drops to the Tailteann to keep the numbers for both at 16.

In Munster, if Limerick or Tipp make it to the Munster final, Cork or Clare would drop to the Tailteann cup (allegedly)

[clarinman]

Feb 21, 2022 13:38:52 GMT Jo90 said:

Feb 21, 2022 13:10:15 GMT southward said:

Tailteann Cup glory beckons.

I'm heading to the bookies to bet on a Tailteann Cup double:
Cork to win it in 2022, Dublin to win it in 2023!

Some people reckon that Cork or Clare could be in the Tailteann Cup even if they avoid relegation.
That the Championship has to have 16 teams and the Tailteann Cup have 16 teams.
If a non-Division 1 or 2 team makes it to the Provisional final, a Division 2 team that doesn't make it to the provincial final drops to the Tailteann to keep the numbers for both at 16.

In Munster, if Limerick or Tipp make it to the Munster final, Cork or Clare would drop to the Tailteann cup (allegedly)

Clare are in opposite side of draw to Kerry/cork and will be favourite to make the final.

[Mickmack]

Ciarán Sheehan:

Cork footballers look lost but they are too good to go down

MON, 21 FEB, 2022 - 13:14
LARRY RYAN

The Cork footballers look lost without a defined defensive structure, but they are too good to be relegated to Division 3 of the Allianz League, believes former star Ciarán Sheehan.

The winless Leesiders slumped to a nine-point defeat to Derry on Sunday, leaving them facing a relegation fight with four games to play in Division 2.

Sheehan, speaking on the Irish Examiner GAA podcast, accepts the team looked impotent in attack as well as vulnerable in defence against Derry, but he doesn’t doubt the players’ ability or character, instead sensing lack of structure is undermining their efforts.


“The best form of attack is a good defensive structure, in my opinion, and at the moment Cork seem to be lost in defence. There is no strategy around when you turn over the ball, how we break forward, how we regain our shape."

Derry’s goal, scored by Benny Heron, was a case in point, Sheehan said.

“It was the easiest transition you will ever see, through the lines, One-twos, there wasn’t a finger laid on any Derry player.

“It just looked like a team that was lost.

“I’m sure that this is something that Keith Ricken is working on with the lads. Cork just need, in my opinion, to workshop around defensive structure for the next few weeks. But they don’t have that much time. They are in dangerous territory at the moment, to stay in Division 2.”

Cork All-Ireland winner Sheehan, who retired from inter-county due to injury last summer, does believe some of his generation, who have left the panel, still have something to offer.

“I know Cork tried hard to hang onto the likes of Mark Collins. He would have added a huge amount to this team. But when a player makes a decision it’s time to go, it’s time to go.

“There comes a point when you do have to totally rejig the whole thing, but you have to tread lightly around who you leave go."

He would find a place for Nemo star Luke Connolly, currently not part of the panel.

“I don’t know what the situation is, but I certainly would for his creativity. It depends on what the game style is and where he fits. But I think he’s a super footballer, I think he adds X-factor. If he improved his fitness by a couple of per cent, he’d be a top-level player in the country, but he’s been hampered by injuries."

Sheehan is certain manager Keith Ricken will be more aware then anyone where the current problems lie.

“I’ve worked with Keith Ricken for a long time, he’s a good friend of mine, he really knows his stuff.

"I don’t think they’ll be relegated. I do think we’ll see a response. They’ll be up against it against Galway, but it’s crunch time then in the last three games, and I think they’ll fancy their chances against those three teams."

[MeathExile]

Dublin will be in AI semi in June. Kildare looked brutal yesterday vs Tyrone and Id say Dubs will see them off next weekend. It will be the same in May/June if/when they meet. Meath have gone backwards from last year as well, so no danger there. Id say Louth will put up a better fight.

Dublin are currently in trial mode - trying out loads of players. They only need 1 or 2 from all of the "triallists" to come through - at the moment it looks like the corner back from Whitehall and that is exactly what they need. They have McCarthy and Con to come back - 2 of their mainstays. Those 2 will vastly improve the half/backs and full forward lines. Murchan next best addition. Paddy Andrews next and then Costello.

I dont think they have the forward line to win it out, but they wont be far off. Assuming we are there, we will have it all to do as we have our own weaknesses still. We drew with a poor Kildare side, beat an experimental Dublin side well, and a Donegal side who looked inept without their 2 main players. Meanwhile, we have almost a full team out for 2 of those 3 matches. We have an over-reliance on 2 forwards, an experimental midfield, and a backline which conceded 3 goals on the day it really counted....apart from Dan the sole addition.

I know this is a pessimistic note - but I feel Dublin are being written off way too soon. Plus Tyrone are the team to beat IMO....and we will likely have to beat both to get there. But I live in hope.....