2006 All Ireland Championships general chat n stuff

kaimera

Aite guys and gals,

This here is the be all and end all of Championship threads. [includes Hurling and hurling sub championships]

Just testing this for this season really.

As Waylander pointed out, match day threads are fine but I'm just trying to keep a single thread to overall details on the championship here.

Discuss the games and in the game threads but the teams here I'm thinking.

Ta.

ps:

Laois for Leinster :v:

Waylander

So any post about any match, either hurling or football has to go on this thread? Why bother having a forum at all? Not trying to be funny or cheeky, it just does not make any sense to me.

kaimera

Bah, long day on my behalf.

Updated above ^^

mchurl

With regards to the Christy Ring and Antrim's participation in it, is there another county taking their place in the Liam McCarthy?

xha1r

EDIT: Nevermind.

kaimera

mchurl wrote:

With regards to the Christy Ring and Antrim's participation in it, is there another county taking their place in the Liam McCarthy?

Westmeath went up and are playing for Liam.

mchurl

But were Laois not the team that got relegated from the Liam last season?

The Rooster

Laois beat Antrim by 8 points in the "final"

cournioni

Saw that Cavan were 150/1 and that Down and Donegal were 33/1 for the All Ireland yesterday. I wonder what that is based on... Down and Donegal are no better than Cavan are.

cruiserweight

AFAIK the Ulster teams were offered a position in the Liam McCarthy Cup via a play off for a quarter final place involving the Ulster champions!But the teams declined prefering to participate solely in the Christy Ring Cup and earn promotion!

smashey

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Saw that Cavan were 150/1 and that Down and Donegal were 33/1 for the All Ireland yesterday. I wonder what that is based on... Down and Donegal are no better than Cavan are.

Perhaps getting beaten by Waterford in the league lengthened your odds slightly.

Waylander

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Saw that Cavan were 150/1 and that Down and Donegal were 33/1 for the All Ireland yesterday. I wonder what that is based on... Down and Donegal are no better than Cavan are.

Tbh Porn, I would rate both teams as better then Cavan. You would have a better knowledge of Ulster football then I would, but I think you may be slightly biased in your attitude here. Also, I believe Cavan again have injury problems to soem of their bigger names. In fact, Cavan seems to have woeful injury problems for the last few seasons. In fairness to you though, I do think 150-1 is a bit generous, but if you are betting man you should be happy with the value.

cruiserweight

Waylander wrote:

Tbh Porn, I would rate both teams as better then Cavan. You would have a better knowledge of Ulster football then I would, but I think you may be slightly biased in your attitude here. Also, I believe Cavan again have injury problems to soem of their bigger names. In fact, Cavan seems to have woeful injury problems for the last few seasons. In fairness to you though, I do think 150-1 is a bit generous, but if you are betting man you should be happy with the value.

Yeah some of the odds have changed after what has happened in the league! For example Wexfords odds have lengthened from I think at one stage 8-1 for Leinster out to 18-1, which in my opinion is a decent each way bet as the Kildare and Meath who would be considered the heavy weights in that side of the draw failed to beat Wexford in the league!

Also part of it is obviously to do with what money has been put on or performances in recent years! For example Meath are third favourites for Leinster, where I feel they will struggle to make the final! Even looking at the All-Ireland odds Mayo are ahead of Galway but IMO Galway are a better team and the moment and improving!

mchurl

The Rooster wrote:

Laois beat Antrim by 8 points in the "final"

Cheers for clearing that up

cournioni

Waylander wrote:

Tbh Porn, I would rate both teams as better then Cavan. You would have a better knowledge of Ulster football then I would, but I think you may be slightly biased in your attitude here. Also, I believe Cavan again have injury problems to soem of their bigger names. In fact, Cavan seems to have woeful injury problems for the last few seasons. In fairness to you though, I do think 150-1 is a bit generous, but if you are betting man you should be happy with the value.

Sorry but I disagree totally Waylander. It seems to be that the majority of the people in Ireland think that Down are up there with the best in Ulster. I honestly have no clue how people have got this opinion of them. I mean what have they done in recent years to earn this? They have struggled to even make the Ulster semi finals since 2000. Benny Coulter is a great player, but who else do they have in honesty?

A Cavan team with the woeful injury problems you speak of put Down away quite easily in 2004. Tyrone disposed of Down without even breaking a sweat last year, and that was without Dooher, Canavan, McGuigan, who were all brought back when Cavan had them on the ropes.

Donegal seem to be another team on a downward spiral. I've seen them play twice in the last year and on both occasions I have been very u****ressed. And believe me I rated Donegal when they were a good team, Sweeney and Devenny on form were deadly. They were the men that made Donegal win, but Devenny is gone and Sweeney doesn't look like he has it any more. I personally would expect Cavan to beat them, even with alot of players missing.

I agree with you, Cavan's injury problems are a real worry. Especially in midfield, Walsh will be a huge loss. We are now without himself, Paddy Brady, Pierce McKenna and Lorcan Mulvey which is very worrying for Cavan. Forde, Larry Reilly, Jason O'Reilly, Lyng and Rabitte are also huge losses but there are players on the panel that can fill these voids. Michael Hannon will be one to watch out for this year, everyone he marked last year had a terrible time getting scores. Gaynor is back and he will be key while Forde is away. When Gaynor hits, he hits hard and puts most players off their game. Pierson is also back so it will be interesting to see how he gets on. He is Cavan's best forward regardless of injuries, and Johnston is playing really well at the moment. Others to watch out for are Eddie Reilly, Paul Brady and Michael Brennan.

We'll probably lose at the weekend after me saying all of that!

The Rooster

In the Irish Times today there is a photo of all the county captains standing together with the Liam McCarthy Cup. The Antrim captain is there (along with Tipp, Cork, Waterford, Offaly, Kilkenny, Clare, Wexford, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Laois) but the Westmeath captain isnt.

I'm confused

Waylander

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Sorry but I disagree totally Waylander. It seems to be that the majority of the people in Ireland think that Down are up there with the best in Ulster. I honestly have no clue how people have got this opinion of them. I mean what have they done in recent years to earn this? They have struggled to even make the Ulster semi finals since 2000. Benny Coulter is a great player, but who else do they have in honesty?

Dont get me wrong Porn, I do not think either of those teams are anywhere close to Tyrone and Armagh, I just think they are a bit ahead of where Cavan are, and seeing as Cavan cannot get some key players fit, it only tilts the scales more.

mchurl

I think Cavan are a decent side and i would rate them higher than I'd rate Donegal. But i still think that Down will be able to beat them on Sunday as i feel that they just have more strength than this Cavan side.

The Rooster

The Rooster wrote:

In the Irish Times today there is a photo of all the county captains standing together with the Liam McCarthy Cup. The Antrim captain is there (along with Tipp, Cork, Waterford, Offaly, Kilkenny, Clare, Wexford, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Laois) but the Westmeath captain isnt.

I'm confused

The GAA made a mistake by inviting Antrim and not Westmeath to the photoshoot. Westmeath have received a "fullsome apology" :rolleyes:

cruiserweight

Down have named there team for the game against Cavan

Benny Coulter has been given the all clear to face Cavan in the preliminary round of the Ulster SFC, in Casement Park at 3.30pm on Sunday.

Coutler has shaken off his recent injury problems, which affected his participation in a number of games during the NFL, and lines on at full-forward against Cavan. Earlier in the season he suffered a broken hand in the game against Armagh.

James Colgan, captain of last year's All-Ireland minor football winning side, has been named among the substitutes for the trip to Belfast.

Down XV (v Cavan): B McVeigh; M Cole, B Grant, D McCartan; P Murphy, J Clarke, D Rafferty; A Molloy, D Gordan; E McCartan; A Rogers, D Hughes; L Doyle, B Coutler, M Walsh.

I am expecting big games from Coulter and Gordan! Also shoul be an interesting battle of the keepers

Lemlin

Cavan may be missing key players but our best forward, Gerald Pierson, is back. Hopefully he'll be fit to start.

Defcon 5

Cavan team has been named and in comparison with Down with the exception of Coulter I believe Cavan have the beating of them.. In my opinion this is a real chance for the likes of Gaynor,McKeever,Brady and Johnston to really shine. All in all its a very capable Cavan full forward line and if the supply of quick ball comes from midfield to the forwards I expect Down to be given a run for there money.:rolleyes:


Cavan: J Reilly, M Hannon, Pauric Reilly, K Fannin, M Cahill, A Gaynor, Paul Brady, D McCabe (capt), C Collins, M McKeever, Peter Reilly, S Brady, G Pierson, L Reilly, S Johnston.

Down: B McVeigh, M Cole, B Grant, D McCartan, P Murphy, J Clarke, D Rafferty, A Molloy, D Gordon, E McCartan, A Rogers, D Hughes, L Doyle, B Coulter, M Walsh.

cournioni

I believe Michael Hannon can do a great job on Coulter. He is a very very good defender and I'm confident he will show that on Sunday.

Defcon 5

Played County Vocationals football against Hannon and your right hes quick ,intelligent and brave and he'll need to be Coulter will be up for this game which could aid Cavan's cause as Down sometimes have a problem with Coulters positioning in games which has led to confusion in the Down forward line.

Downs league perfromances havent been awe inspiring and while I would edge Down as slight favourites only because they have home advantage and Cavan's long injury.I expect it to be close.

Jusy look at the quality and experience missing from the Cavan starting 15 :

Nicholas Walshe
Darren Rabbitte
Larry Reilly
Jason Reilly
Anthony Forde ( Capt )
Micheal Lyng

Danno

The Rooster wrote:

The GAA made a mistake by inviting Antrim and not Westmeath to the photoshoot. Westmeath have received a "fullsome apology" :rolleyes:

No wonder hurling is in the state that it is...

mchurl

Defcon 5 wrote:

Downs league perfromances havent been awe inspiring and while I would edge Down as slight favourites only because they have home advantage and Cavan's long injury.I expect it to be close.

The match is in Casement Park afaik

abakan

The GAA made a mistake by inviting Antrim and not Westmeath to the photoshoot. Westmeath have received a "fullsome apology"

Danno wrote:

No wonder hurling is in the state that it is...

It wasnt the GAA who made the mistake -the marketing company who organised the event who made the mistake.

kaimera

Well, first game over.

Down 1-13 Cavan 0-11.

****ing nads anyway, forgot I somehow put Cavan down to win. :-/

Another crap start to the pools for me...

mchurl

Goalkeeping error imo cost Cavan the game today.

blackbelt

My prediction was right albeit the 4 point win.It was a very close match until after the goal which dampened Cavans spirits but Cavan fought on to come back within a point.Reilly could not do much about that goal even if it may affect his goalkepper of the year campaign.

I watched most of this match and didn't see anything really special in both teams.The game was low tempo with Cavan as Joe Brolly pointed out,lacked urgency at the end.He sounded awful today.He must of fell asleep during this match as he sounded down and out of it.

Colm O Rourke showed his typical hatred for Cavan as he took the opportunity to say how Cavan deserved to be knocked out.It amazes me how cruel these guys can sound.I wouldn't say Cavan played as bad as made out.They salvaged some pride after the Waterford match even though they lost today.

The Down-Donegal game will be very tight but I don't expect too much from Down this year.A run in the qualifiers will probably the highlight of their season.

romperstomper

can anyone tell me when tickets for the longford-dubs match will be on sale? ticketmaster gives no clue (that if they even get an allocation). where else could i go to get tickets for this one? thanks

mchurl

The tickets will noly be going out through the clubs, so unless your a member, you havent got much of a chance.

Waylander

mchurl wrote:

Goalkeeping error imo cost Cavan the game today.

Bit harsh as the same goalkeeper kept them in the game at times. He should have put a stronger challenge in and got out quicker, but in fairness the better team won, although it was a fairly dull game. I only saw the championship on BBC2, but Jarlath Burns said that if Down were in Leinster or Connaught they would win the provincial championship, and I simply cannot believe that his head is that far up his own arse. Down were a one man team yesterday, and although Coulter is a good player, he does not score as highly as he should, or did not yesterday at least, and the rest of the team are pretty average.

cruiserweight

Waylander wrote:

I only saw the championship on BBC2, but Jarlath Burns said that if Down were in Leinster or Connaught they would win the provincial championship, and I simply cannot believe that his head is that far up his own arse.

:rolleyes: Yeah sure they would :rolleyes: I thought the game yesterday was very poor, a bad start to the championship but at least things can only get better!

cruiserweight

More bad news for the Waterford hurlers

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0508/waterford.html

The injury crisis affecting the Waterford senior hurlers has deepened as Ken McGrath fractured his thumb in a club game at the weekend.

He is due to undergo surgery this morning and will miss the Munster CHC semi-final against Limerick or Tipperary on June 4.

McGrath sustained the injury in a game for his club side, Mount Sion, as they took on Ballyduff Lower on Saturday.

The Deise are already without John Mullane (broken arm) and Eoin Kelly while Paul Flynn is suffering from a chest injury.

opa01_2000

Down were poor but Cavan were even worse. Can't see much light at the end of the tunnel. The goal should not have happened, even though it was the best move of the match. James Reilly should have made sure the ball was his or not come out at all - he was too hesitant on that occasion but he had kept Cavan in the game in the first half. Cavan could have sneaked it had they taken their scores but would not have deserved it.

Hannon played Coulter pretty well and Pauric Reilly was impressive. Johnstone took some good scores but kicked some awful wides at the beginning of the second half when it mattered. McCabe got plenty of the ball but didn't use it. Larry had a good start but faded. Peter just wasn't ready for the game. Gaynor defended well but distribution is poor and is still prone to putting the elbow in when it's easier to win the ball fairly. Paul Brady was probably Cavan's best player. Bringing Eddie O'Reilly on just shows how low we've gone - at least he didn't catch any Down player with his back to him to do the same as to the Westmeath lad.

I can't see Down getting past Donegal.

mchurl

Another huge blow to Waterford and as i couldnt see them winning before these problems. i really feel that They will do well to hold Limerick down to 5 points.

Culchie

Folks I don't agree with having all this stuff with football and hurling and different games all going on on the same thread, it's impossible to have any continuity of topic.

Surely a thread per match is OK?

abakan

i agree - very confusing, talking about cavan V down football and then waterford in the hurling

cruiserweight

Offaly have named their team for Sundays game against Westmeath (who are missing Dessie Dolan)

Offaly supporters will breathe a sigh of relief that their star man Ciaran McManus looks set to play in Sunday's Leinster SFC first round clash with Westmeath.

The Tubber clubman sustained an ankle injury in a challenge match last Wednesday against Clare. But with no ligament damage and the initial swelling gone away, McManus has been listed in the Offaly side for their championship opener at Croke Park.

McManus and Alan McNamee have been paired at centre-field by Offaly manager Kevin Kilmurray, who has made three changes to the side he fielded against Clare.

The switches see reigning All-Ireland Kick Fada champion Padraig Kelly return in goal, Kevin Lynam is named at right half back - with Nigel Grennan on the left flank - and John Reynolds gets the nod over James Coughlan at left half-forward.

Offaly, who were relegated from NFL Division One this season, will be hoping for better luck in Leinster than last year. 2005 saw them beat Louth in the first round before losing to Laois by two points (1-08 to 1-10) after conceding a late goal in the quarter-final.

Sunday's winners will face Kildare in a May 28 quarter-final.

OFFALY (SFC v Westmeath): P Kelly; G Rafferty, S Sullivan, N Grennan; K Lynam, S Brady, K Slattery (capt); C McManus, A McNamee; C Quinn, N Coughlan, J Reynolds; T Deehan, P Kellaghan, N McNamee.

cruiserweight

Also Tipp have named their team to play Limerick on Sunday, I am expecting Brendan Cummins to be very busy in this one

Influential duo Paul Kelly and Benny Dunne are absent from the Tipperary side as 20-year-old Shane McGrath comes in to make his SHC debut at midfield in the Munster SHC clash against Limerick in Thurles at 2.00pm on Sunday.

Kelly is not fit enough to start the clash but it is hoped he may feature at some stage during the game on Sunday. McGrath has appeared at minor and under-21 for the Premier County.

Diarmuid FitzGerald, impressive at wing-back last year, has been named at right-corner forward. Team captain Ger 'Redser O'Grady starts at centre-forward.

Tipperary (SHC v Limerick): B Cummins; D Fanning, P Maher, P Curran; E Corcoran, C O'Mahony, H Maloney; S McGrath, C Morrissey; J Carroll, G O'Grady, J O'Brien; D Fitzgerald, M Webster, E Kelly.

cruiserweight

Limerick have also named their team for Sundays munster Championship game :

Injured duo Mark Foley and Mark Keane have provided a tremendous boost for Limerick in advance of Sunday's Munster Hurling Championship showdown against Tipperary by declaring themselves available for selection.

Keane suffered a groin injury in the League semi-final victory over Clare, and Foley sustained a similar injury in their final defeat to Kilkenny.

Both players took part in a light training session at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday evening.

There are two championship newcomers, goalkeeper Brian Murray and wing back Denis Moloney. The O'Gradys, Paul and Declan, not related, will operate in midfield.

Limerick (SHC v Tipperary): B Murray; D Reale, TJ Ryan, M Foley, O Moran, B Geary, D Moloney; P O'Grady, D O'Grady; D Ryan, S Lucey, C Fitzgerald, A O'Shaughnessy, B Begley, M Keane.

mchurl

This game really should be a cracker between Limerick and Tipp. Both teams are missing influential players and it shoudl be a really tight, typical munster derby. Here's hoping anyway

cruiserweight

A few more team line-ups have been announced

WESTMEATH (SF v Offaly) - G Connaughton; J Davitt, M Ennis, J Keane; D Healy, D O'Donoghue, G Glennon; D Duffy, D O'Shaughnessy; G Duffy, G Dolan, J Smyth; PJ Ward, D Glennon, A Mangan.

MEATH (SF v Louth) - B Murphy; N McLoughlin, K Reilly, N McKeigue; S McGabhann, C King, S Kenny; N Crawford, M Ward; P Curran, J Sheridan, P Byrne; D Regan, G Geraghty, B Farrell.

MONAGHAN (SF v Armagh) - S Duffy; G McQuaid, J Coyle, C Flanagan; D Freeman, V Corey, D McArdle; E Lennon, P Finlay; D Clerkin, S Gollogly, J McElroy; T Freeman, R Ronaghan, R Woods.

cruiserweight

Glen Ryan and Damien Healy are out of Kildare's game against Offaly in 2 weeks time

Glen Ryan and Damien Healy are set to miss the start of Kildare's Leinster Championship campaign through injury.

Ryan fractured his sternum in a challenge match with Galway yesterday, while Healy broke his wrist.

Both players are expected to be out of action for up to six weeks, meaning they will miss Kildare's championship opener against Offaly in 13 days' time.

mchurl

Big blow for Kildare missing Ryan and also his direct replacement in Hendy.

blackbelt

Does anybody think that the start of this years championship is very poor?It seems to lack the fanfare it had in previous years.Most notably the games in Croke Park over the weekend were very quiet.I would have expected bigger attendences from Meath,Louth,Offaly and Westmeath fans.It doesn't seem to have the flare and escitement of last year but I will wait and give it a chance for things to pick up.

Kildare v Offaly and Meath v Wexford should be better on paper and I would expect better attendences and more excitement from those matches.I hope we have matches like Offaly v Laois,Dublin-Tyrone,Dublin-Wexford,Dublin-Laois,Armagh-Tyrone and Kerry-Limerick from last year...that same type of match with twists and turns.This years games in the championship thus far seem to lack that.

Anto McC

I think this could be Dublins year in the football!!!

mickomack

Anto McC wrote:

I think this could be Dublins year in the football!!!

As much as I'd like to see Dublin win the All-Ireland I think they are still a bit off the pace in terms of the ''Big three''.Going on league form (i know its unreliable) they seemed to lack consistency having played pretty well against Tyrone they were totally flat against Monaghan.They were average against Offaly and Cork and good aginst Mayo and Kerry.

Also Pillar seems to put faith in players who are a bit off championship pace and continues to play them in important positions and they are clearly found out when they come up against big teams eg. Coman Goggins.

They need to bring Bryan Cullen back to centre back to steward the half back line.This in my opinion is their best team.

Dublin Team-Cluxton,OShea,Cahill,Shaughnessey,Griffin,Cullen,Henry,Whelan, s ryan,Moran,Sherlock,Connell,Brogan,Keaney,Quinn

I would have Magee partnering Whelan Midfield but he's currently injured.

At best I'd say they'll get to an All-Ireland semi Final.At worst a leinster title

mchurl

I fancy us to win Leinster at least. I feel that the biggest obstacle in front of us is Laois and i think we will be too strong for them. As for getting into the All-ireland series, im still not overly confident. I feel we have some catching up to do if we are to compete with the top two of Kerry and Tyrone, but then again so do the rest of the country:D

cruiserweight

You got to love this Dublin confidence and they have not even kicked a ball in the championship yet