SFC Quarter-final draw

Dublin -v- Derry
Tyrone -v- Meath
Sligo -v- Cork
Kerry -v- Monagan

As a Dubs fan, i have to say i'm fairly happy with that draw. Am i right in saying that if we win, we'll play the winners of Kerry/Monaghan?

Aedh Baclamh

Not terribly exciting at all in the end.

TomMc

At least from Meath's perspective, you have to beat the big boys sooner or later and may be this is the best time to face Tyrone.

The Dublin v Derry game should be a cracker too.

mickrourke

Well, I think thats good enough, I would prefer Meath had a full strength squad, or back line even, but it's a good test of just how far we've come this year. Like I said before, it's been a bonus to get this far and I will be going on the lash after the game no matter what! Roll on Saturday! Blackbelt you were right, Meath did get Tyrone.

An Citeog

That's quite a tough draw for Dublin but I certainly feel we are well capable of beating Derry. I've always liked watching Derry and they have some really top class forwards. Should make for an exciting game. I'm really looking forward to this now and I see an epic game with Dublin shading it by a couple of points (a bit early for predictions, I know!). I'm glad we avoided Cork though!

In the other games, I can't see Meath getting past Tyrone and both Cork and Kerry will have too much for Sligo and Monaghan respectively.

TomMc

Dublin/Derry v Kerry/Monaghan

v

Meath/Tyrone v Cork/Sligo

So a Meath/Dublin, Tyrone/Derry or Kerry/Cork AI Final is a possibility.

Lemlin

Dublin will be happy with their draw. Cork, Monaghan or Meath would of been tougher opponents than Derry. Keep Bradley quiet and Derry will struggle. In saying that, keeping Bradley quiet is harder than it sounds.

I think the three provincial champions will win along with Cork. That leaves semi-finals involving Kerry, Cork, Dublin and Tyrone. Someone please tell me that Kerry and Cork aren't to play each other in another semi? They're terribly boring semi-finals.

Do the semi finals have to be drawn after this or what way does it work this year?

I'd like to see Dublin play Cork in the semis and Tyrone play Kerry. That would at least mean we'd get one team in the final who haven't been there in a while.

TomMc

Draw as above, at least on Gaa.ie

Leinster v Munster & Connaught v Ulster or their victors if a backdoor team.

blackbelt

No Lemlin,Dublin will play Kerry if they both win their respective matches.
On paper,the semi-final is set to be

Dublin v Kerry
Cork v Tyrone

So again we could be looking at Tyrone v Kerry in the AI Final.

Thats just on prediction though.Any of those teams could fall before that stage.

TomMc

Re mem mem re mem mem mem ber

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcgxOcTfKRE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl7rgq7QWIA

Haven't a Clue

Dublin -v- Derry - Traditionally there's a shock in the quarter final stage (e.g. Fermanagh v Armagh a few years back), and I believe that out of these four, a shock is most likely in this tie. Derry've been pretty impressive since their defeat to Monaghan and like all counties in Ireland, would love nothing more than to beat the Dubs in Croker. They should be able to match Dublin's physicalness too.

Tyrone -v- Meath - Too soon for Meath to be able to challenge Tyrone I feel. Their young players could suffer a bit up against the Tyrone defence. Although it'll be no walk in the park, I'd expect Tyrone to win.

Sligo -v- Cork - Sligo have got what they wanted out of this year already. I'd expect a reasonably comfortable win for Cork.

Kerry -v- Monaghan - Easy win for Kerry.

Lemlin

Haven't a Clue wrote:

Dublin -v- Derry - Traditionally there's a shock in the quarter final stage (e.g. Fermanagh v Armagh a few years back), and I believe that out of these four, a shock is most likely in this tie. Derry've been pretty impressive since their defeat to Monaghan and like all counties in Ireland, would love nothing more than to beat the Dubs in Croker. They should be able to match Dublin's physicalness too.

Tyrone -v- Meath - Too soon for Meath to be able to challenge Tyrone I feel. Their young players could suffer a bit up against the Tyrone defence. Although it'll be no walk in the park, I'd expect Tyrone to win.

Sligo -v- Cork - Sligo have got what they wanted out of this year already. I'd expect a reasonably comfortable win for Cork.

Kerry -v- Monaghan - Easy win for Kerry.

I think you are under estimating Monaghan and over estimating Derry tbh. Derry rely very heavily on Paddy Bradley and, to a lesser extent, Enda Muldoon. If Bradley can be shackled, they'll struggle badly.

Monaghan are a good side and they've been knocking on the door for a while now. They ran Tyrone close and I can see them putting it right up to Kerry.

seabee

Haven't a Clue wrote:

Sligo have got what they wanted out of this year already. I'd expect a reasonably comfortable win for Cork.

I was talking to a lad last week who says sligo are training as hard now as they ever were...

Rosita

Derry beat Armagh and beat Mayo and Laois quite well. They'll be hard beaten.

And it could be a good year for either Dublin or Derry to meet Kerry in semi-final as Monaghan will be Kerry's first game in a while and may not stretch them in the quarter-final (though I could be quite mistaken on that one). Kerry may not be as battle-hardened as last year at semi-final stage.

WarZoneBrother

Haven't a Clue wrote:

Kerry -v- Monaghan - Easy win for Kerry.

i wouldnt be too sure on that one...monaghan have shown that they diserve to be in top 8 so if the intimadate the kerry players they may actually win the match and then go on the life the sam which after knocking kerry out would make it a easy win..

Nalced_irl

I personally think there are a few good games there. Tyrone Meath will be a good one id say. I would say Tyrone will be too strong but you can never count out a team with good form and alot of momentum behind them either so definately not a walkover. Dublin Derry will also be close enough but again i think stamina may come into play late on in Dubs favour. Still again there is no walkover here either. Cork Sligo, well, my dad is a Corkman my ma is from Sligo so will be a big game in my place anyway. I cant see anything other than a Cork win here and has to be the banker of the lot. Altho still expect Sligo to push them hard and as the old saying goes, anyone can win on the day. Kerry Monaghan again should be a good game but Kerry should be strong enough. Again Monaghan have some good results behind them tho and will certainly believe they can cause the upset of the championship here. Kerry win tho imo.

kevmy

Was at the Mayo v Derry and I wasn't all that impressed with Derry. They didn't put us away in the first half then nearly collapsed in the second half only a very poor Mayo performance saved face. On this evidence I'd expect Dublin to win.

Sligo will give it they're all but you just have to wonder can they give it any more? Not overly impressed with Cork still though but they should just have enough to come through.

Tyrone are one of the very few teams to actually throw down a marker this year and with players coming back they will go far. Tyrone have way too much overall for Meath. Meath are building and will come better next year.

You have to say Kerry but Monaghan will give them a game and I'm not sold on Kerry at all this year. Management and hunger have gone since last year IMO but there should be enough skill and experience in them to see it through.

Erin Go Brath

Dublin -v- Derry

Should be a very tight one here. I think the tougher games that Derry have had will stand to them. The Dubs have had a handy ride through Leinster, apart from the games with Meath which were a good battle. Derry played crap against Monaghan in Ulster, but have been the form team since, beating Armagh, Mayo and Laois. Hard to call, I give the slight edge to Derry here who are scoring big lately. The Dubs are too inconsisent in front of goal apart from Vaughan. This will be a much tougher test for the Dubs than anything they've had in Leinster so far. Are they up to it? Maybe, but I fancy Derry to sneak it. Derry

Tyrone -v- Meath

Tyrone are the Ulster Champions again. Look like probably the best team in the country at the moment. Meath are improving and may well challenge for an All-Ireland in the next few years. Not this year though. Tyrone

Sligo -v- Cork

Cork, a bit unlucky not to beat Kerry. Playing good football at the moment. Sligo surprise winners in the West. Cork should be too strong here. Cork


Kerry -v- Monaghan

Very hard one to call. Monaghan came back from loosing the Ulster Final to give Donegal a good beating. They look a very good team. Kerry, not really firing, though they usually come good around August/September ominously for all the other teams. Possibility of an upset here. Have to fancy Kerry to come good though, especially with Donaghy in their team. Kerry

Utopia Parkway

I'm going for Cork, Tyrone, Derry and Kerry.

K-9

Dublin v Derry - Probably the Dubs.
Depends on what Derry turns up. If there up for it will run them close and on their day take it by 2/3 points. If not could be 8/9 points to Dublin. Would love to see Derry get to an AI just for Bradley and Muldoon though they don't seem to be relying as much on them this season.

Tyrone v Meath - has to Tyrone.
Though is Dooher and O'Neill doubtful? Need these with Mulligan and Cavanagh or Meath could take it by a couple of points.

Sligo v Cork -
Probably the best draw for Sligo tho, Cork have been the least impressive of the qualifier teams. If Sligo can do well on Masters and Cussen well who knows? I wonder though is this ideal preparation for a SF for Cork.

Kerry v Monaghan - has to be Kerry.

Monaghan are playing very like Armagh this year so Kerry might struggle till the last 10/15 minutes.

WarZoneBrother

Monaghan are due to play Kerry sunday week along with the all ireland hurling semi final between limerick and the winners of cork and waterford...will this mean that tickets will be harder to get?? also does ticketmaster sell tickets to this match..

Lex Luthor

blackbelt wrote:

No Lemlin,Dublin will play Kerry if they both win their respective matches.
On paper,the semi-final is set to be

Dublin v Kerry
Cork v Tyrone
.

Is this confirmed? where is your source?

TomMc

http://www.gaa.ie/page/bank_of_ireland_sfc_2007_fixtures.html

19th:
Bank of Ireland Football Championship Semi-Final
(Connacht v Uladh)

26th:
Bank of Ireland Football Championship Semi-Final
(Laighin v Mumha)

Meán Fómhair

16th:
Bank of Ireland All Ireland Football Championship Final
(Replay 30/09/07) !!!!

Meath v Dublin (wishful thinking):D

TomMc

WarZoneBrother wrote:

Monaghan are due to play Kerry sunday week along with the all ireland hurling semi final between limerick and the winners of cork and waterford...will this mean that tickets will be harder to get?? also does ticketmaster sell tickets to this match..

Act now

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/18003EF5D2B131AC?artistid=943446&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=229

Getting pricey too !!!

Nalced_irl

TomMc wrote:

Getting pricey too !!!

Certainly are. I think standing tickets are double what they were for the 1st game in the Leinsters now.

blackbelt

Are they even set to increase in price for the semi and final?

aidz

as a monaghan fan, for our quarter final, we already have to pay semi final prices as it is paired up with the hurling semi final. the cost is €45 seated, €30 hill.
crazy prices that...but we've been waiting a long time for this... 19 years to save!!!!

Pride Fighter

aidz wrote:

as a monaghan fan, for our quarter final, we already have to pay semi final prices as it is paired up with the hurling semi final. the cost is €45 seated, €30 hill.
crazy prices that...but we've been waiting a long time for this... 19 years to save!!!!

Also you live in the second richest nation in the world, unlike some of your fellow Ulstermen who are poverty stricken in the UK.

Delboy05

Erin Go Brath wrote:

Sligo -v- Cork

Cork, a bit unlucky not to beat Kerry. Playing good football at the moment. Sligo surprise winners in the West. Cork should be too strong here.

Cork 'playing good football at the moment'!!!! were you out of the country for the louth game? This cork team have beaten or ran kerry close the past few years in munster. But outside of munster they struggle.
Sligo love croke park and have been working hard for the past few weeks in training to prove the connaught final win was no flash in the pan. Sligo are 5/1 in the bookies-crazy price.
I reckon sligo to provide the shock of the round and win by 2 points.

Knowledgeiskey

Lemlin wrote:

I think you are under estimating Monaghan and over estimating Derry tbh. Derry rely very heavily on Paddy Bradley and, to a lesser extent, Enda Muldoon. If Bradley can be shackled, they'll struggle badly.

Monaghan are a good side and they've been knocking on the door for a while now. They ran Tyrone close and I can see them putting it right up to Kerry.

To be honest, this "relying" on a player thing is a load of nonsense. Paddy Bradley is a prolific scorer, any county in Ireland would grab him if they had the chance. He's derry's main scorer but i think ye have to also have a good defence, i don't think Paddy could score enough to shot derry to victory if their defence was p*ss! Just something to think about

K-9

Knowledgeiskey wrote:

To be honest, this "relying" on a player thing is a load of nonsense. Paddy Bradley is a prolific scorer, any county in Ireland would grab him if they had the chance. He's derry's main scorer but i think ye have to also have a good defence, i don't think Paddy could score enough to shot derry to victory if their defence was p*ss! Just something to think about

They're not just a one trick pony in the forwards either. Bringing Muldoon further out has helped and they've a couple of other handy forwards to.

Knowledgeiskey

Seanies32 wrote:

They're not just a one trick pony in the forwards either. Bringing Muldoon further out has helped and they've a couple of other handy forwards to.

I know, my point exactly, Derry have a lot of talented players especially in defence but a lot of Dubs don't seem to realise this, but it's better that way

meathman 007

i dont really think that is true to be honest. They really only have 2 big time forwards in muldoon and bradley - but if both of them perform that could be enough for derry. I just get the feeling that it will be a close game and the dubs will pull away in the last 10 minutes...

Knowledgeiskey

meathman 007 wrote:

i dont really think that is true to be honest. They really only have 2 big time forwards in muldoon and bradley - but if both of them perform that could be enough for derry. I just get the feeling that it will be a close game and the dubs will pull away in the last 10 minutes...

So all these players are rubbish???

Eoin Bradley
Paul Murphy
Fergal Doherty
Kevin McCloy
Michael McGoldrick
Kevin McGuckin
Sean Marty Lockhart

meathman 007

Knowledgeiskey wrote:

So all these players are rubbish???

Eoin Bradley
Paul Murphy
Fergal Doherty
Kevin McCloy
Michael McGoldrick
Kevin McGuckin
Sean Marty Lockhart

i do wonder at times if people actually read a post before replying to it - where exactly did i say them players are rubbish? - i think you will find i mentioned forwards and yes derry only have 2 top class forwards - since when did eoin bradley, paul murphy, mark lynch and co become top forwards?

Flukey

Paddy Bradley and Enda Muldoon are the main element of Derry's attack. If they aren't on form or are kept under control, Derry suffer. As a Tyrone friend said to me over the weekend, watch Bradley warming up on Saturday and you'll have a good idea of whether he is up for it. Sometimes you can tell a lot about a team from the moment they come on the pitch. Mayo made a statement of intent when they came down in front of the Hill to warm up in last year's semi-final. In the 1995 final, Tyrone broke away from the pre-match parade as the band and teams came to Hill 16. From the moment they run on to the pitch, keep an eye on Derry next Saturday to see what signals they give. They need to be strong then, get off to a good start and to try and get positive energy from the atmosphere they will meet. They'll have plenty of support too, so it should be a very good atmosphere.

Knowledgeiskey

The type of person Paddy Bradley is I'd say he'll love that atmosphere, so he should be well up for it!

In the qualifiers Derry have started very well, so hopefully they can continue with this form!

I still think a lot of ones are underestimating Derry, especially their defence.

K-9

Flukey wrote:

Paddy Bradley and Enda Muldoon are the main element of Derry's attack. If they aren't on form or are kept under control, Derry suffer. As a Tyrone friend said to me over the weekend, watch Bradley warming up on Saturday and you'll have a good idea of whether he is up for it. Sometimes you can tell a lot about a team from the moment they come on the pitch.

Muldoon is playing half forward and often even midfield in the Qualifiers, its a different set up to previous Derry teams.Derry's forwards would be just as good as Dublins, Lynch and Eoin Bradley are not bad forwards, on their day can score 3/4 points from play. Bradley is IMO the most talented forward left in the championship, there are questions over his temperament and the great players answer it on days like Sat.

The Derry forwards often have 1/2 around Bradley as well so if he doesn't get the long direct ball often from Muldoon and it spills chances are another one will get it. Simple tactic but hard to defend against.

Their defence is good but are they mobile enough to deal with the Dubs?

D. Coughlan

I think looking back at the quarters, all of the big teams underperformed while Meath came out looking the strongest side.

Dublin did not perform to there best against Derry
I can not remember Kerry playing so bad in Croke Park
Cork really did not seem like All- Ireland contenders against Silgo
While Meath surprised a lot of people with there win over Tyrone and they seem to be improving with each match.

Cork v Meath- Well down here in Cork, nobody thinks we have any chance of getting Sam without Masters, I am trying to be optimistic but my head is saying Meath but we saw today what can happen when everyone rights off a team, they become stronger. Anyway up the Rebels.

Dublin v Kerry- Hard to call but I think Kerry should come through, particularly after there fright today.

Overall I think it will hard to stop Kerry retaining Sam. (for the first time since Cork did it in 89/90 ) UP THE REBELS!!!!!!!

K-9

D. Coughlan wrote:

Dublin did not perform to there best against Derry
I can not remember Kerry playing so bad in Croke Park

And people seriously underestimated Monaghan and Derry. If Derry had the belief Monaghan had and Monaghan had Paddy Bradley?

Derry lost the match during the period they went 7 points down. Wasted a couple of goal chances but more importantly kicked some bad wides and wasted possession. Shouldn't have been that far behind, which would have made a big difference.

The injury to Thomas Freeman was a turning point for Monaghan. Wasn't as effective afterwards and he is their best forward. Monaghan really believed they could do it as seen by their reaction at the end.

Both Paddy Bradley and Freeman should be shoe-ins for Allstars at this stage.

And who the hell is going to win Ulster next year?