The Championship Games

Trampas

In hurling only the leinster final will be in Croke Park

1st round of football will be in the counties after that all in Croke Park

I am looking forward to the day out in Pearse Park.

Culchie

Should be great atmosphere at that match.
Longford's first home game I believe since 2001.

I think they'll give the Dubs a decent game which will be good for both teams.

Difficult season for the Dubs next year, as expectations will be high. The league will be good this year and give some clues as to how things stand.

Waylander

I agree with you about the increased expectations from Dubs fans, but this can be a positive thing also. I don't really see Longford giving them a decent game though, there was just too much between the sides this year for Longford to have closed the gap that much.

Flukey

That was an exceptionally poor display, so I don't think there is as big a difference as appeared that day. They can play better than they did that day. Expect a much better performance, though still a Dublin win.

Culchie

Flukey wrote:

That was an exceptionally poor display, so I don't think there is as big a difference as appeared that day. They can play better than they did that day. Expect a much better performance, though still a Dublin win.

Agreed, I'm not predicting a Longford win, but would think it would be a game worth attending (atmosphere & craic), and I think this will raise the performance level of Longford, who have undergone some quite positive backroom team changes in the last few months.
I think Longford will make some progress this year, winning a couple of qualifiers if they can avoid any of the top 8 teams in the draws.

The Rooster

I think the league will tell a lot about how Dublin will fare in the 2006 championship. I believe Dublin are going to have a right go at the league this time - if they don't qualify for the semis or come very close to it, then I think you can write them off in terms of improving in the championship. Cork are another team who will have a right crack at the NFL.

I think Tyrone will take a bit of a breather for the league, so dont expect them to contend. Armagh I'm more sure won't contend. They've won their league title and they'll be 100% focused on conserving themselves for another "one final crack" at Sam - e.g. I wouldnt expect them to play the likes of McGrane and McDonnell in every game as they're so important to them. And I'd say Geezer will be given a break to see if he can regain his form.

Kerry will be there or thereabouts as usual, but probably wouldnt have the hunger for a league medal that say Dublin and Cork might have next year. (Of course a Kerry team going through the motions may still beat a hungry Dublin/Cork team).

Not sure how Galway and Mayo will treat the league this year. Or the other Leinster teams. In recent years teams who've done well in the league have had good championships - though that didnt happen for Mayo and Wexford in 2005. My guess is that most of the other Leinster teams will use the league for consolidation purposes and try out a few new players, with all focus on winning Leinster

Culchie

The Rooster wrote:

I think the league will tell a lot about how Dublin will fare in the 2006 championship. I believe Dublin are going to have a right go at the league this time - if they don't qualify for the semis or come very close to it, then I think you can write them off in terms of improving in the championship. Cork are another team who will have a right crack at the NFL.

I think Tyrone will take a bit of a breather for the league, so dont expect them to contend. Armagh I'm more sure won't contend. They've won their league title and they'll be 100% focused on conserving themselves for another "one final crack" at Sam - e.g. I wouldnt expect them to play the likes of McGrane and McDonnell in every game as they're so important to them. And I'd say Geezer will be given a break to see if he can regain his form.

Kerry will be there or thereabouts as usual, but probably wouldnt have the hunger for a league medal that say Dublin and Cork might have next year. (Of course a Kerry team going through the motions may still beat a hungry Dublin/Cork team).

Not sure how Galway and Mayo will treat the league this year. Or the other Leinster teams. In recent years teams who've done well in the league have had good championships - though that didnt happen for Mayo and Wexford in 2005. My guess is that most of the other Leinster teams will use the league for consolidation purposes and try out a few new players, with all focus on winning Leinster

I'd agree with that analysis. Dublin should be there or thereabouts in the League. Not so sure about Cork, I think they'll field alot of newbies.
Will be interesting to watch the emergence of this Down team as well.

Do you do a prediction thing for the league matches, should be a bit of fun?

Waylander

Culchie wrote:

I'd agree with that analysis. Dublin should be there or thereabouts in the League. Not so sure about Cork, I think they'll field alot of newbies.
Will be interesting to watch the emergence of this Down team as well.

Do you do a prediction thing for the league matches, should be a bit of fun?

Are you volunteering your services?:)

Culchie

Shucks, No.

Don't you guys have an established format already.

I'll do something if no-one else volunteers though.

Isn't it Imposter who runs the Championship prediction thing?

cruiserweight

Culchie wrote:

Shucks, No.

Don't you guys have an established format already.

I'll do something if no-one else volunteers though.

Isn't it Imposter who runs the Championship prediction thing?

Yep he does the football and I do the hurling!

mchurl

bit annoyed abut the dublin game being in pearse park from the point of view tickets will be hard to get but should be a gr8 trip:D

The trips down the country are always good craic:p

Trampas

mchurl wrote:

bit annoyed abut the dublin game being in pearse park from the point of view tickets will be hard to get but should be a gr8 trip:D

The trips down the country are always good craic:p

Wont be a problem with tickets as the band wagon supportes wont have climbed on yet.

If you go to matches regularly then you wont have a problem getting tickets at anytime.