NFL Week 1 Thread

The Rooster

Rather than having a different thread for each game, it might be better to have one thread for all the games that anyone is interested in talking about. Makes it easier to follow more games, and you can comment on more than one game without having to post on different threads. Maybe we'll try it for a week and see how it goes?

Regarding Tyrone v Dublin, I fear for the Dubs! Tyrone seem to be playing very well in the McKenna Cup, whereas the Dubs will be without Cluxton, Christie, Keaney, Griffin, O'Shaughnessy, Darren Magee, Vaughan and Collie Moran. Also a few of the young lads who might have broken through are otherwise engaged with the U21s on Saturday. I think Cullen is fnished with the U21s now, though I'm not sure. He's had three years with them anyway. Brogan is doubtful and I'm not sure whether Sherlock and Whelan are around (presume they are, but they'd zero involvement in the O'Byrne Cup).

Dublin team due to be named Tuesday night.

cruiserweight

I wouldn't worry about the Dubs missing Vaughan As for the fixtures for this weekend they are

Division 1A
Tyrone v Dublin
Offaly v Cork
Monaghan v Fermanagh
Kerry v Mayo

Division 1B
Down v Meath
Armagh v Kildare
Derry v Galway
Laois v Wexford

Division 2A
Clare v Carlow
Donegal v Leitrim
London v Longford
Limerick v Roscommon

Division 2B
Cavan v Louth
Antrim v Wicklow
Westmeath v Waterford
Sligo v Tipperary


I anticipate a ver tough game for Wexford against Laois. After our run to the final last year, I am hoping that first of all we can retain division 1 status this year and then see after that. OUr home games are against Derry, Meath and Armagh this year, I can see us winning 2 of them hopefully.

As for the 2 lower divisions, I see a three way battle for promotion in each of them. Donegal,Limerick and Roscommon in 2A and Cavan,Westmeath and Sligo in 2B

cruiserweight

Also for anybody interested here are the odds for each of the divisions from paddy power

Division 1A
Tyrone 5 - 4
Kerry 13 - 8
Cork 11 - 2
Dublin 7 - 1
Mayo 9 - 1
Offaly 25 - 1
Monaghan 40 - 1
Fermanagh 80 - 1


Division 1B
Armagh 6 - 4
Galway 9 - 2
Derry 5 - 1
Laois 11 - 2
Down 15 - 2
Meath 8 - 1
Kildare 16 - 1
Wexford 16 - 1

Division 2A
Donegal 8 - 11
Limerick 11 - 2
Roscommon 11 - 2
Longford 13 - 2
Clare 9 - 1
Carlow 10 - 1
Leitrim 11 - 1
London 150 - 1

Division 2B
Cavan 11 - 8
Westmeath 11 - 8
Sligo 4 - 1
Antrim 11 - 1
Tipperary 11 - 1
Louth 18 - 1
Wicklow 25 - 1
Waterford 66 - 1

The Rooster

cruiserweight wrote:

I wouldn't worry about the Dubs missing Vaughan

The chap showed glimpses of talent last year, notably his two long range frees under a lot of pressure against Meath, and his exquisite pass that set up the late goal v Tyrone. Admittedly he did nothing else during his appearances.

But it would certainly have been valuable one way or the other to give him a run in the team in the NFL to get a better indicator as to whether he's up to intercounty fooball or not.

Like the bookies I'd strongly fancy Donegal to win their division. The other second division is very hard to call. I think Louth might cause a surprise or two as well, albeit Cavan should be too strong for them in Breffni.

In Div 1A, I see it as a fight-out between Tyrone, Kerry and Cork. I've a sneaking suspicion Cork will get one of the playoff spots. Offaly, Monaghan and Fermanagh to fight it out for relegation.

In Div 1B, you'd have to fancy Laois and Armagh, however there is a chance that neither of them would take the league seriously. I really have no idea how the other 6 teams in that division will fare - each of them are arguably either going through or coming out of a period of transition, so I'd regard them all as dark horses.

cruiserweight

The Rooster wrote:

The chap showed glimpses of talent last year, notably his two long range frees under a lot of pressure against Meath, and his exquisite pass that set up the late goal v Tyrone. Admittedly he did nothing else during his appearances.

But it would certainly have been valuable one way or the other to give him a run in the team in the NFL to get a better indicator as to whether he's up to intercounty fooball or not.

Glimpses but I don't think he is there yet, but we will see after a couple of seasons! He doesn't lack confidence anyway

The Rooster wrote:

Like the bookies I'd strongly fancy Donegal to win their division.

I would also fance Limerick strongly in that division.

The Rooster wrote:

The other second division is very hard to call. I think Louth might cause a surprise or two as well, albeit Cavan should be too strong for them in Breffni.

I am very interested to see how Westmeath do in that division, but I can see some upsets there, with maybe Wicklow or Tipp upsetting some of the more fancied teams

The Rooster wrote:

In Div 1A, I see it as a fight-out between Tyrone, Kerry and Cork. I've a sneaking suspicion Cork will get one of the playoff spots. Offaly, Monaghan and Fermanagh to fight it out for relegation.

I think Monaghan and Fermanagh will be relegated, and I think Mayo will eb involved in the fight for the semi's.

The Rooster wrote:

In Div 1B, you'd have to fancy Laois and Armagh, however there is a chance that neither of them would take the league seriously. I really have no idea how the other 6 teams in that division will fare - each of them are arguably either going through or coming out of a period of transition, so I'd regard them all as dark horses.

I think Galway could do well in this division, but again on any given Sunday any team in this division could beat any other! For example last year Wexford were the only team to beat Armagh in the league but lost to Sligo who were relegated! So very tight, you never know Wexford might make through again this year But I will be happy to stay in the higher division!

Lemlin

Cavan are missing a good few players and Louth could give them a run for their money. I expect them to win though.

They are missing Dermot McCabe, Micheal Lyng, Gerald Pierson, Darren Rabbitte, John Tierney and Eddie Reilly all through injury. Those are some of Cavan's best players.

The full panel is Anthony Forde, Anthony Gaynor, Cathal Collins, Cian Mackey, Colm Anderson, Declan McCabe, Enda King, Finbar Reilly, Gavin Duffy, James Kiernan, James Reilly, Jason Reilly, Joey Jordan, Keith Fannin, Larry Reilly, Lorcan Mulvey, Martin Cahill, Michael Brides, Michael Hannon, Michael Brennan, Nicholas Walsh, Paddy Brady, Ronan Flanagan, Sean Brady, Sean Johnston and Sean Maguire.

Watch out for Ronan Flanagan and Cian Mackey, two very exciting young players.

cournioni

Is Gaynor not out injured? I thought he dislocated his shoulder against Armagh, or should I say, he had it dislocated for him...

I totally agree Lemlin, if both Mackey and Flanagan don't get too big for their boots I think they could go on to become the best players in the country.

I still cannot understand how Mulvey is on the panel. He is nothing special what so ever.

cruiserweight

Wexford have named their team for the game against Laois on Sunday

The Wexford Senior football team to play Laois in round one of the Allianz
League in Portlaoise on Sunday shows five changes from their last
competitive outing - the O'Byrne Cup quarter-final loss to Dublin.

The experienced John Cooper replaces Anthony Masterson in goal, while
there is a new midfield pairing of Brendan Doyle and Diarmuid Kinsella.
Doyle missed the Dublin game as he was in the U.S.A. at a wedding, while
Kinsella was suspended. They come in for Paddy Colfer and David Shannon respectively.

Redmond Barry, who came on in that game, is retained at left half-forward
instead of Garry O'Grady, while P.J. Banville is replaced in the right
corner by John Hegarty who recently returned from his honeymoon.

The full team is:

JOHN COOPER (Adamstown)
COLM MORRIS (Castletown)
PHILIP WALLACE (Gusserane)
NIALL MURPHY (Bannow-Ballymitty)
PÁRAIC CURTIS (Clongeen)
LEIGH O'BRIEN (Horeswood, capt.)
DAVID MURPHY (St. Mary's, Rosslare)
BRENDAN DOYLE (St. Saviour's, Waterford)
DIARMUID KINSELLA (Castletown)
CIARÁN DEELY (Horeswood)
DAVID FOGARTY (St. Anne's)
REDMOND BARRY (St. Anne's)
JOHN HEGARTY (Kilanerin)
JOHN HUDSON (Starlights)
MATTY FORDE (Kilanerin)

I am disappointed to see John Cooper back in goals and Hegarty get a game, but glad to see Kinsella back in midfield!

The Rooster

Dublin team named:
Copeland (new)
O'Shea (new) - Cahill - Henry
Casey - Andrews - Goggins
Bastic (new) - Whelan
Murray (new) - Cullen - Quinn
O'Callaghan - Bonner (new) - Brogan

As good as could be expected given the players missing. No real full back playing, but Tyrone unlikely to play a traditional full forward. Of the new boys, O'Shea looks light to me, so this will be a big test for him. Bastic is a junior player and so is a bit raw. Good fielder but footballing aiblity I'm unsure of. No harm to give him his chance though. Murray is neat and tidy, gains and uses possession well - not a scorer though. Bonner is also raw, but talented - decision making might be dodgy but very capable of kicking the ball over the bar.

Thankfully Whelan and Brogan are both playing, so we might at least give Tyrone a game.

Culchie

Happy New Year Folks

As well as all the usual suspects, it will be interesting to watch how Monaghan and Down are coming along.

Tyrone to win the league, Dublin need a good campaign.

The Rooster

Culchie wrote:

Dublin need a good campaign.

Given we're away to each of Tyrone, Kerry and Cork for the second year in succession, our "need" is unlikely to be satisfied

blackbelt

To be honest I don't like Dublins chances against Tyrone.I don't have much confidence in these new players who although played well against UCD and Wexford,will not match up against Tyrones all ireland winning players.

Plus our matches are away to Tyrone,Cork and Kerry which will only make things harder.I have great interest in the Mayo match being played in Parnell.That shoiuld be a tight match like last year.

Interesting to see PJ Banville has being dropped.Is he injured.Other than that Wexford have pretty much the same lineup as the Leinster semi final.

I'd expect big things from Limerick and Donegal in the league.Tyrone and Armagh should get playoff spots this year.I was amazed Cork beat Kerry last weekend.It seems that these cups are less prestigious than the league and championship and do not reflect true county power but I think they are an indicator of future progress.

cruiserweight

blackbelt wrote:

Interesting to see PJ Banville has being dropped.Is he injured.Other than that Wexford have pretty much the same lineup as the Leinster semi final.

AFAIK he is not injured, and I am disappointed to see Hegarty is playing, and I am disappointed Cooper is playing! Having Leigh O'Brien back should boost the team, and hopefully he will take the further out frees instead of Forde!

Lemlin

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Is Gaynor not out injured? I thought he dislocated his shoulder against Armagh, or should I say, he had it dislocated for him...

I totally agree Lemlin, if both Mackey and Flanagan don't get too big for their boots I think they could go on to become the best players in the country.

I still cannot understand how Mulvey is on the panel. He is nothing special what so ever.

He's out for 8 weeks, which means he'll be missing for another six so he'll miss a good few league games but won't miss the entire league. The other players will.

I'm not complaining though. He's going to miss the U21 final against Lavey Selfish I know but I want the lads to win it after they beta us last year.

There are rumours that Rabbitte, Pierson and Tierney won't play any part this season with injury.

The Rooster

I see PJ was playing for WIT in their defeat in the Sigerson on Wednesday (he scored two points, but missed a late penalty). That might be why he wasnt picked for Wexford for Sunday. Perhaps he'll be on the bench.

Kojak

My prediction for the upcoming campaign: Tyrone to win the League.

Carb

Culchie wrote:

Happy New Year Folks

As well as all the usual suspects, it will be interesting to watch how Monaghan and Down are coming along.

Tyrone to win the league, Dublin need a good campaign.

Been a Monaghan man, I've a passing interest. The manager is on record as saying their ambition is keep thier div 1 status. We've already had a good win against Derry, so hopefully things are continuing on from last year. I don't think it'll be as straight forward as Monaghan and Fermanagh getting relegated. Remeber the weaker teams are inclined to take the league more seriously, so there may be a potential "shock" against Cork/Mayo/Offaly, although I would expect us to beat Offaly anyway

cruiserweight

I am just listening to theTyrone v Dublin game here in work! From the sounds of it there is not much football in the game just a lot of scraps! Must watch it on Sunday Sport tonight so see if it is as bad as it sounds!

damienom

By the end of the Dubs game there should have been about 20mins of injury time - they hardly played football at all. If the GAC were to use video evidence both sides will have to field under21 teams next week.

Was unreal

Flukey

I'll be watching the TV highlights in a few minutes. Great to see Mayo win last night.

cournioni

Useless shower of... :mad:

Lemlin

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Useless shower of... :mad:

Well said. Can't believe it. Last year we only lost two games and didn't get promoted. That's our chances pretty much gone down the drain

Carb

So much for Monaghan showing signs of the backs improving. They really do let you down in games they should win. Looking forward to a hell of a relegation battle now.

cournioni

You could see it happening. The Cavan players were getting far too cocky. Jason showboating when a goal was there for the taking, and players showboating in general. Jason actually dropped a ball into the keepers hands when his point attempt dropped short and that lead to the first goal. How many times has he cost us games by doing this?

He scored some great points but he needs to be more consistant. Cavan must have put at least 6 or 7 chances wide in the last ten minutes of the game. It was simply asking for trouble.

kaimera

SATURDAY, 4th FEBRUARY 2006

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1A, RD 1:
Mayo 1-15 Kerry 1-14


SUNDAY, 5th FEBRUARY 2006

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1A, RD 1:
Dublin 1-9 Tyrone 1-6
Offaly 0-12 Cork 1-5
Fermanagh 2-9 Monaghan 0-10

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 1B, RD 1:
Kildare 0-12 Armagh 0-10
Derry 1-11 Galway 0-7
Laois 1-13 Wexford 0-10
Down 0-15 Meath 1-8

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 2A, RD 1:
Clare 1-11 Carlow 0-8
Donegal 0-11 Leitrim 1-8
Longford 1-16 London 1-5
Limerick 0-14 Roscommon 0-11

ALLIANZ NFL DIVISION 2B, RD 1:
Louth 2-9 Cavan 0-10
Antrim 2-14 Wicklow 3-10
Westmeath 3-23 Waterford 1-7
Tipperary 3-8 Sligo 1-9

---

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE Current League Table Positions

Allianz Football Div 1A 

P W D L For AG Diff Pts 
1. Fermanagh 1 1 0 0 2-09 0-10 5 2 
2. Offaly 1 1 0 0 0-12 1-05 4 2 
3. Dublin 1 1 0 0 1-09 1-06 3 2 
4. Mayo 1 1 0 0 1-15 1-14 1 2 
5. Kerry 1 0 0 1 1-14 1-15 -1 0 
6. Tyrone 1 0 0 1 1-06 1-09 -3 0 
7. Cork 1 0 0 1 1-05 0-12 -4 0 
8. Monaghan 1 0 0 1 0-10 2-09 -5 0

Allianz Football Div 1B 

P W D L For AG Diff Pts 
1. Derry 1 1 0 0 1-11 0-07 7 2 
2. Laois 1 1 0 0 1-13 0-10 6 2 
3. Down 1 1 0 0 0-15 1-08 4 2 
4. Kildare 1 1 0 0 0-12 0-10 2 2 
5. Armagh 1 0 0 1 0-10 0-12 -2 0 
6. Meath 1 0 0 1 1-08 0-15 -4 0 
7. Wexford 1 0 0 1 0-10 1-13 -6 0 
8. Galway 1 0 0 1 0-07 1-11 -7 0

Allianz Football Div 2A 

P W D L For AG Diff Pts

1. Longford 1 1 0 0 1-16 1-06 10 2 
2. Clare 1 1 0 0 1-11 0-08 6 2 
3. Limerick 1 1 0 0 0-14 0-11 3 2 
4. Donegal 1 0 1 0 0-11 1-08 0 1 
5. Leitrim 1 0 1 0 1-08 0-11 0 1 
6. Roscommon 1 0 0 1 0-11 0-14 -3 0 
7. Carlow 1 0 0 1 0-08 1-11 -6 0 
8. London 1 0 0 1 1-06 1-16 -10 0 

Allianz Football Div 2B 

P W D L For AG Diff Pts 
1. Westmeath 1 1 0 0 3-23 1-07 22 2 
2. Tipperary 1 1 0 0 3-08 1-09 5 2 
3. Louth 1 1 0 0 2-09 0-10 5 2 
4. Antrim 1 1 0 0 2-14 3-10 1 2 
5. Wicklow 1 0 0 1 3-10 2-14 -1 0 
6. Sligo 1 0 0 1 1-09 3-08 -5 0 
7. Cavan 1 0 0 1 0-10 2-09 -5 0 
8. Waterford 1 0 0 1 1-07 3-23 -22 0