All Ireland Club Championships: Semi Finals This Weekend

cson

The Hurling and Football Club Championships are up for decision this weekend;

Hurling
Portumna (Galway) V Loughmore Castleiney (Tipperary)
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

Birr (Offaly) V Dunloy (Antrim)
St Tiernachs, Clones

Football
Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) V Nemo Rangers (Cork)
Ennis

St Vincents (Dublin) V Crossmaglen (Armagh)
Navan

Current odds on Paddy Power;
Portumna 4/9
Loughmore 21/10
Draw 9/1

Birr 1/5
Dunloy 4/1
Draw 11/1

Ballina 11/10
Nemo 1/1
Draw 6/1

St Vincents 7/4
Crossmaglen 8/13
Draw 13/2

MrJoeSoap

I'll go with the four favourites here, Portumna are a pretty awesome team, I can see them going the full distance and winning it.

cson

Doubts as to whether Joe Canning will play though. Injured his hamstring playing for LIT and he'd be a huge loss.

MrJoeSoap

cson wrote: »

Doubts as to whether Joe Canning will play though. Injured his hamstring playing for LIT and he'd be a huge loss.

Portumna have named Joe Canning in their side to face Loughmore-Castleiney in Sunday’s All-Ireland club SHC semi-final in Limerick.

The ace attacker is set to line out at full forward for the Galway champions, though it is understood that his participation could yet depend on a late fitness test.

The youngest of the Cannings sat out Limerick IT's defeat of UCD in Wednesday's Fitzgibbon Cup game, but the prodigious talent is now set to terrorize the Tipperary side’s defence, along with brother David.

Two more Canning brothers will be looking to keep Loughmore out with Ivan starting in goal and former Tribesmen defender Ollie at number four.

Portumna: I Canning; M Gill, EMcEntee, O Canning; G Higney, M Ryan, P Smith; L Smith, E Lynch; A Smith, K Hayes, N Hayes; D Hayes, J Canning, D Canning.

He was awesome for LIT against Waterford. Not the kind of guy who'd miss out on a game like this unless he really had to.

cson

Yeah I'd imagine he'd play regardless of how injured he was. The thing about Joe is that he ties up 2 or even 3 backs allowing the other lads space. Niall Hayes has scored a huge amount this season from it. He cleaned up in the County Final.

K-9

Jaysus, thought there would have been a few posts about St. Vincents!;)


Hurling
Portumna (Galway) V Loughmore Castleiney (Tipperary)
Gaelic Grounds, Limerick

Birr (Offaly) V Dunloy (Antrim)
St Tiernachs, Clones

Both teams on their last legs. 4/1 is generous and Dunloy owe Birr one.

Football
Ballina Stephenites(Mayo) V Nemo Rangers (Cork)
Ennis

Toss of a coin this one. Want a Nemo V. Cross final so...

St Vincents (Dublin) V Crossmaglen (Armagh)
Navan

Cross by 2. Oisin McConville should be fit and there's even talk of Francie Bellew being fit. God love St. Vincents, he'll be starving for meat when he gets the smell of blood!

smashey

I'm going to go for Ballina against Nemo.

jackbhoy

Seanies32 wrote: »

Jaysus, thought there would have been a few posts about St. Vincents!;)

Yeah, came on during the week expecting a dedicated thread! Should be a good game and interesting to see how two contrasting styles fare against each other and how a young Vins side do against some of the old Cross warhorses. Haven't visited Navan/Pairc Tailteann in over 10 years, have bad memories of the place (seeing Westmeath getting hockeyed/St Pats beating us in Leinster colleges) but be nice to see Vins spring a surprise here.

An Citeog

Seanies32 wrote: »

Jaysus, thought there would have been a few posts about St. Vincents!;)

St Vincents (Dublin) V Crossmaglen (Armagh)
Navan

Cross by 2. Oisin McConville should be fit and there's even talk of Francie Bellew being fit. God love St. Vincents, he'll be starving for meat when he gets the smell of blood!

Cross are (clear) favourites for the tie and it will take one hell of a performance from us to beat them. They have class and experience throughout their side and have done it all before. Tbh, I don't expect anything out of the game and am delighted that we've made it this far, playing some brilliant free-flowing football. Ger Brennan in particular has been a collossus and if nothing else, has earned himself a shot at a starting place on the Dublin team.

McConville will be a huge threat and Mickey Whelan may assign somebody to man-mark him (possibly Paul Conlon). Much easier said than done though! The defence wont be able to afford anywhere near the same amount of space to the attackers as they did in the Leinster championship.

Our midfield of Hugh Coughlan and Mick O'Shea performed extremely well in the Leinster Championship and will have their work cut out again against a probable pairing of Stephen Kernan and Tony McEntee. This will be an important battle and if the Vincent's pairing can come out on top here, it would give us a nice platform to attack.

In the half-forward line, Diarmuid Connolly, Tiernan Diamond and Kevin Golden are well capable of holding their own against most opponents. It's gonna take a big performance from Dermo here, but it's something he's certainly capable of doing.

In the full-forward line, we have Brian Moloney, Pat Gilroy and Mossy Quinn,our top scorer and star forward of the championship. He is, in my extremely biased opinion, the most intelligent footballer and best finisher in Dublin. Gilroy has been a revelation since he was giving the number 14 jersey in the Leinster Championship but he wont have come up against a full back of Francie Bellew's standards in quite a few years. The high ball pumped into Gilroy, usually by Tiernan Diamond, has been a very successful tactic for us in recent games and has led to at least 3 or 4 goals. Unfortunately Gilroy lacks any sort of mobility and I really can't see him getting the better of Bellew. This means, if we are to have any chance of winning, Dermo and Mossy will need to be on top form.

There are a lot of ifs in there, but sure stranger things have happened!:)

For anyone that wants to see the Vins in action this year, there are a few videos here.

dgrif88

vincents are a cracking bet at 15-8 with ladbrokes for me.
since they started recruiting the country lads they have improved alot.

everyone knows what to expect from cross.it will be the usual "stifling the opposition" game plan.

oisin is not 100% fit so its vins for me.

hope they win and continue their great season

aidan24326

I've a feeling Vincents will take Crossmaglen. They will want it that bit more. I'd go for Ballina to win the other semi.

In the hurling assuming Joe Canning lines out you'd have to fancy Portumna. They recently beat the Galway senior team in a challenge and are definitely the best team left in it. Birr should beat Dunloy who have had their chances at this level.

An Citeog

Vincents of to a flying start. 1-1 to no score already after 3 minutes.

Tiernan Diamond high-ball which Brian Maloney smashed to the net!;)

An Citeog

2-8 to 0-4 for Vincents at half time. The Vincents midfield is winning everything, as is the half-back line and it's been a great platform for attack. The high balls into Gilroy are really hurting Cross and although McEntee (Bellew is on the bench) got into the game as the half went on, there'd been a lot of damage already done. Dermot Connolly is on fire and Aaron Kernan hasn't been able to live with him so far.

Game is far from over though and Cross will most definitely up their performance in the second half. More of the same in the second half and I'll be delighted.

Come on Vinnies!:cool:

An Citeog

All over!!! 2-9 to 0-11 for Vincents. First half performance was unbelievable, particularly by the forwards and midfield. Second half was the opposite and the Vincents defence were absolutely superb. Paul Conlon kept McConville relatively quiet for the game, Hugh Gill was superb, as was Eoin Brady and the half back line were magnificent.

Absolutely delighted! I'll be there in Croke Park for the final anyway. Bandwagoning ftw!!:D

Diarmsquid

It's great to see them doing so well. I''ll be there on Paddy's Day too.

REBEL CORK

Nemo beat Ballina 0-14 to 1-4. Yet another Cork team in an All-Ireland final

Flukey

Could be a good day and a good start to my series of visits to Croke Park this year. Blackbelt, as a St. Vincent's man, and myself and hopefully a few others will be there too.

cson

Portumna Vs Birr

St Vincents Vs Nemo Rangers.

Should be craic Paddys Day

jackbhoy

An Citeog wrote: »

.....the Vincents defence were absolutely superb. Paul Conlon kept McConville relatively quiet for the game, Hugh Gill was superb, as was Eoin Brady and the half back line were magnificent.

Absolutely delighted! I'll be there in Croke Park for the final anyway. Bandwagoning ftw!!:D

Yeah great performance and good support for both sides there. Thought Vins might nick a win as Cross aren't what they used to be but to dominate virtually every facet of the game was hugely impressive. The full back line in second half was immense and some very mature performances for lads in early 20s. Had to rub my eyes when Gilroy outran his marker twice in first 10 mins to get to ball first.
Its not often you seen any Ulster team lose out so much in midfield and be second to every breaking ball.

Anyway fair play to Vins lads, unfortunatly won't be able to make final as out if the country that weekend but I'm sure all ye bandwagoners will give them lots of support

TirEoghain

Flukey wrote: »

Could be a good day and a good start to my series of visits to Croke Park this year. Blackbelt, as a St. Vincent's man, and myself and hopefully a few others will be there too.

My trips to Croke Park has started already this year, and not so good a start, with Rock (Tyrone) beat by Canovee (Cork) in the Junior Club final.

Anyhow, I'll be there for the the Senior Finals. Should be cracking games, looking forward to them!

dgrif88

congrats to vincents.super stuff.
well deserved.

should be 2 dublin clubs contesting both finals on paddys day.

anyway,with home advantage vins should take care of nemo.
cork footballers have a habit of choking in football finals at HQ recently.

UP THE DUBS

smashey

smashey wrote: »

I'm going to go for Ballina against Nemo.

I'll get me coat.

aidan24326

dgrif88 wrote: »

should be 2 dublin clubs contesting both finals on paddys day.

How is that now?

aidan24326

smashey wrote: »

I'll get me coat.

Well I went for Balina aswell so I better join you. They were very poor. Should have seen it coming though, they hadn't been playing well at all in the runup to this game. Got hammered by Mayo in a challenge recently.

Vincents were very impressive in the first half. Even though they went astray a bit in the second half they had done enough and only needed to avoid conceding goals. They play a nicer brand of football than Nemo so I hope they win the final.

Hurling went as expected and should be a good final. Portumna didn't impress me so much today though. They will need to play better than that to beat Birr. Too much reliance on Joe Canning for scores. Damien Hayes needs to be contributing more on the scoreboard.

molby14

aidan24326 wrote: »

How is that now?

think he is hinting at boden getting the short end of the stick and shortsightness of the umpires in the leinster final v birr

MrJoeSoap

Only got to watch the Vincents game and they were awesome, completely dominant. Two well taken goals (dodgy goalkeeping, but don't let it take away from the finishes) and some really nice scores from play. Will also be in Croker tomorrow three weeks, and Nowlan Park the day before, and Walsh Park the weekend after! GAA is well and truly "back"!

aidan24326

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Only got to watch the Vincents game and they were awesome, completely dominant. Two well taken goals (dodgy goalkeeping, but don't let it take away from the finishes) and some really nice scores from play. Will also be in Croker tomorrow three weeks, and Nowlan Park the day before, and Walsh Park the weekend after! GAA is well and truly "back"!

Dodgy goalkeeping?? Not much he could do about the two goals. They were very well taken.

MrJoeSoap

aidan24326 wrote: »

Dodgy goalkeeping?? Not much he could do about the two goals. They were very well taken.

For the first goal he was way off to the side of the goal. It didn't really matter because the finish was great, but any sort of a shot into the far corner couldn't have missed.

An Citeog

aidan24326 wrote: »

Dodgy goalkeeping?? Not much he could do about the two goals. They were very well taken.

Hearty's positioning for the first one was fairly dodgy and he basically gave Maloney the whole goal to aim at. In fairness though, he absolutely buried it. Mossy's goal was an absolute peach aswell, after great work from Pat Gilroy.

I was really impressed with the Vins' full back line as well today. Hugh Gill and Eoin Brady cleaned up absolutely everything that came their way and Paul Conlon did a great job keeping McConville, the Ulster club player of the year, quiet. I think we'll see him being deployed to man-mark James Masters in the final.

An Citeog

For anyne that missed the games and highlights yesterday or for those that want to see them again (:)), they're up here: http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/audiovideo_index.html

MrJoeSoap

Canning was, as expected, lethal again yesterday. What a player, he's going to be huge for Galway over the next decade or so.

Bogger77

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Canning was, as expected, lethal again yesterday. What a player, he's going to be huge for Galway over the next decade or so.

If he ever plays for them.

Listening to his brother yesteday after the match, he was suggesting that his brother should take a year or 2 away, and go travelling during summers!!

MrJoeSoap

Bogger77 wrote: »

If he ever plays for them.

Listening to his brother yesteday after the match, he was suggesting that his brother should take a year or 2 away, and go travelling during summers!!

Ollie said that? I think someone fears for his reputation and doesn't want to be outshone by his little bro!

blackbelt

Excellent result for us at the weekend.I knew deep down that St Vincents had a real chance and that Crossmaglen had their back up against the wall more than we did.Having had more to lose than they did,St Vincents played Crossmaglen off the pitch when they needed to.

I'll revive a thread that has now been validated.:D:D:D:D:D

Gilroy,Connolly and Mossy had a great game.Pumping the ball into Gilroy paid dividends in the first half and Connolly was dangerous when he got the ball.I thought the real thorn in our side yesterday was McEntee.I thought he was the star man for Crossmaglen yesterday.

I loved the part when McConville shouldered Connolly only for Connolly to slap the ball out of McConvilles hands and made it look real easy.

We started off really well and the lads knew exactly that a good start was imperative.Luck would be on our side as St Vincents got the coin-toss and made full advantage of the wind.

It really was a case of different halves with the first half highlighting the power of our forwards and midfield and the second half highlighting our strength in defence.

I talked to some of the lads after training on Wednesday and never saw them so relaxed.The atmosphere around the club and in Marino and surrounding areas is unreal.I'll be there on the 17th following my club as usual and please God we'll bring the cup home.

As for the other game,I thought Ballina were very poor and I thought they'd take it myself.Looking at McGarrity and Brady in midfield,you would have had to say that Ballina should have won this game on that pairing alone.

1-04 was a terrible return.I think we have a really great chance against Nemo.We are the favourites and justifiably so.

patmac

Well done to Vinnies, will find it tough against Nemo but good luck! Btw how old is Gilroy looks about 40.

blackbelt

Pat is 36 as far as I know.One could only imagine that this year or even next year will be his last year on the senior team.After that,he may very well transfer down to intermediate Division 6 (my team).

The Chessplayer

patmac wrote: »

Well done to Vinnies, will find it tough against Nemo but good luck! Btw how old is Gilroy looks about 40.

Great to see Vincents put Crossmaglen to the sword. Looks like that negative Ulster style football has been found out at last. Fair play to them, hope they go on and win it - great attacking football.

An Citeog

blackbelt wrote: »

Pat is 36 as far as I know.One could only imagine that this year or even next year will be his last year on the senior team.After that,he may very well transfer down to intermediate Division 6 (my team).

And the rest!:D I'm guessing you missed Mickey Whelan's interview before the game when he mentioned having young players, mature players and very mature players.:D

Tbh, only Giller knows when he'll call it a day. He's been a great servant to the club and you couldn't meet a nicer bloke. He didn't feature that much (well not from the start) in the Dublin championship but has been absolutely instrumental in Vincent's march to the final. His experience and physical presence has been vital so far and to be able to boss Tony McEntee around like that in the first half was a joy to watch. The bookies have them as marginal favourites for the final but they'll feel like underdogs going into the game. Nemo Rangers are a huge club, who have won a record number of AI club championships. You can be sure the Vinnies management team will have them really fired up for the game.

Tbh, I'm actually quite happy that we didn't hit the same heights in the second half as we did in the first. I think there's still another big game in us and we haven't yet seen these lads at their peak for the 60 minutes. Can't wait for the final now, already booked my flights and everything!:)

Going back to my original post from before the game,

An Citeog wrote:

McConville will be a huge threat and Mickey Whelan may assign somebody to man-mark him (possibly Paul Conlon). Much easier said than done though! The defence wont be able to afford anywhere near the same amount of space to the attackers as they did in the Leinster championship.

That's exactly what happened and Conlon had a superb game.

An Citeog wrote:

Our midfield of Hugh Coughlan and Mick O'Shea performed extremely well in the Leinster Championship and will have their work cut out again against a probable pairing of Stephen Kernan and Tony McEntee. This will be an important battle and if the Vincent's pairing can come out on top here, it would give us a nice platform to attack.

Francie Bellew not starting meant that the Cross midfield had to do without Tony McEntee. This was one of the areas where Cross lost/Vincents won the game and Michael O'Shea was absolutely superb, as was Hugh Coughlan.

An Citeog wrote:

In the half-forward line, Diarmuid Connolly, Tiernan Diamond and Kevin Golden are well capable of holding their own against most opponents. It's gonna take a big performance from Dermo here, but it's something he's certainly capable of doing.

Goldy had a fairly quiet game and his frees were fairly poor but he worked his socks off. I think we'll see a better performance from him in the final. Dermo was absolutely superb (apart from when the ball kept slipping out of his grasp!) and scored some vital points. Aaron Kernan just didn't know what to do with him in the first half. Tiernan aswell got through a trojan amount of work, set up the first goal and bagged himself a nice point. His movement is brilliant and he's got a very direct and aggressive style of play that's magnificent to watch.

An Citeog wrote:

In the full-forward line, we have Brian Moloney, Pat Gilroy and Mossy Quinn,our top scorer and star forward of the championship. He is, in my extremely biased opinion, the most intelligent footballer and best finisher in Dublin. Gilroy has been a revelation since he was giving the number 14 jersey in the Leinster Championship but he wont have come up against a full back of Francie Bellew's standards in quite a few years. The high ball pumped into Gilroy, usually by Tiernan Diamond, has been a very successful tactic for us in recent games and has led to at least 3 or 4 goals. Unfortunately Gilroy lacks any sort of mobility and I really can't see him getting the better of Bellew. This means, if we are to have any chance of winning, Dermo and Mossy will need to be on top form.

There are a lot of ifs in there, but sure stranger things have happened!

Without Bellew, Giller ran riot. The catch and lay-off for Mossy's goal was sublime. Brian Maloney too had a great first half. Mossy's goal was just class all round but I don't think he played particularly brilliantly. Not saying that he was bad, just that there's plenty more to come from him in the final!;)

All in all, a great time to be a Vincents man!:)

blackbelt

You are right there Citeog,I did miss his interview.I'd imagine Gilroy will keep playing and maybe squeeze the remainder of this year and next year on the senior team.I am truly amazed at his ability despite the fact that he's not so agile and what Mickey would term as "a very mature player" but that didn't seem to matter at all.

He really came out of the blocks during the PortLaoise game and I can only imagine that Mickey strategically saved him for the latter part of the championship.I'd imagine Pat will play for years to come.Hopefully he can leave the senior team knowing that he won an All-Ireland with Dublin,A Dublin Championship and All Ireland Club medal.

I was happy to see Ruari Trainor get a run out and get involved in the mix.Like yourself Citeog,I was fairly happy to see that it didn't go all our own way for the fact that I was delighted to see that our defence could cope under extreme pressure.Against a weaker team you wouldn't mind but Vinnies needed a real test in defense as well.I think Crossmaglens possession in the 2nd half was more a case of their strength rather than our weakness.

You predicted the game very well too Citeog.I don't think any of the players could come out of that game disappointed with their performance.My view is that if we could take Cross (which I knew we could) than we can beat Nemo.I think the lads just soak up the under-dog tag and eat pressure for breakfast.

I'm v proud to be a St Vincents man and in 3 weeks time we'll be in Croker going for the big one.You should also read the thread I revived.I predicted this back in October.:D:D:D

jackbhoy

blackbelt wrote: »

Gilroy,Connolly and Mossy had a great game.

True but Maloney was best forward (imo) and has barely got a mention here. He had hand in build up to every score and pulled his man all over the place for whole game. Also thought E Brady in FB line had great game as well, he can really move for a big man.

All that 6am training really showed they got reward for all the hard work done behind the scenes.

molby14

was the wind stronger in the second half?

wow sierra

The Chessplayer wrote: »

Great to see Vincents put Crossmaglen to the sword. Looks like that negative Ulster style football has been found out at last. Fair play to them, hope they go on and win it - great attacking football.[/QUOT

I'm not a statistics expert but I believe Crossmaglens record is something like 11 Armagh titles in a row , and that team have won, I think, 5 Ulsters and 3 All Irelands.

If I was from a Club like that I think I could cope with being "found out at last"

Oisin McConville is a legend, Bellew the McEntees etc. Not from Cross or Armagh but I can admire great skill when I see it. They havent been found out - they got older!!(And if Francie had been fit the result might have been different - who knows)

That said fair play to Vincents. Great performace. Diarmuid Connollys scores were great. He made Kernan look average. Best of luck in the final.

K-9

Fair play to Vincents. Some excellent long ball, direct stuff. Cross did miss Francie and also McEntee in midfield and Oisin wasn't 100%. They had struggled through Ulster and Tir Conail Gaels. Not taking away from St. Vincents, some class football. O'Shea played some great stuff at midfield.

Would have been interesting though who would have won between the 2 best club teams in the history of the competition.

The Chessplayer wrote: »

Great to see Vincents put Crossmaglen to the sword. Looks like that negative Ulster style football has been found out at last. Fair play to them, hope they go on and win it - great attacking football.

Strange, Vincent's to me,played an Armagh style of football at their best. Plenty of men back but good direct ball into the Full Forward line. When Kerry, Galway or Dublin teams play that way it's called attacking football!

jackbhoy

molby14 wrote: »

was the wind stronger in the second half?

It picked up a little, it certainly got much colder. Mattered feck all anyway as Cross seemed intent on walking the ball in to FF line and didn't really use the wind as Vins did.

ardmacha

Strange, Vincent's to me,played an Armagh style of football at their best. Plenty of men back but good direct ball into the Full Forward line.

Exactly. Had Cross laid back and crowded the defence, Vincent's would not have managed such a large lead in the first half. One wonders if Big Joe had been managing them whether they would have played the extra man in the defence and limited the advantage gained by Vincent's with the wind. Fair play though to Vincent's for getting the right tactics and for showing obvious improvement since before Christmas, whereas Cross' never reached their performance in the Ulster final.

The Chessplayer

ardmacha wrote: »

Exactly. Had Cross laid back and crowded the defence, Vincent's would not have managed such a large lead in the first half. One wonders if Big Joe had been managing them whether they would have played the extra man in the defence and limited the advantage gained by Vincent's with the wind. Fair play though to Vincent's for getting the right tactics and for showing obvious improvement since before Christmas, whereas Cross' never reached their performance in the Ulster final.

Now I have heard it all....Armagh blaming losing a match on the wind!!! Nevermind Big Joe, tactics will only do so much if you don't have the players! I admit Kernan is a good manager and he masterminded the sneakiest of wins when Cosgrove hit the post a few years ago in Croker, but Mickey Whelan is every bit the manager Kernan is. Cross were never going to be that waxy. All very well to be winning in Ulster, but it is a different kettle of fish altogether to be taking on the Leinster champs. Vincents didn't allow them to play like they did in the Ulster final, so I reckon credit where it's due - well done St Vincents!

K-9

The Chessplayer wrote: »

but Mickey Whelan is every bit the manager Kernan is. Cross were never going to be that waxy. All very well to be winning in Ulster, but it is a different kettle of fish altogether to be taking on the Leinster champs. Vincents didn't allow them to play like they did in the Ulster final, so I reckon credit where it's due - well done St Vincents!

Shame Dublin didn't think he was a good manager

Credit St. Vincent's definitely, also credit to Cross for their 4 All Irelands.;)

An Citeog

Seanies32 wrote: »

Shame Dublin didn't think he was a good manager

Credit St. Vincent's definitely, also credit to Cross for their 4 All Irelands.;)

Having had the fortune to play under Mickey Whelan (not for long mind you), he is without doubt the best manager I've ever had. He's the kind of person that strikes fear into you, yet at the same time you can't help but have the utmost respect for him.

It's not just him though and even he himself credited the management team on Sunday. Tony Diamond was there on the sideline and I'm pretty sure Niall Moyna was aswell. Not bad, eh!:D

If anyone fancies the read, here's a very good article on Whelan from November last year: Whelan still pointing way

K-9

An Citeog wrote: »

Having had the fortune to play under Mickey Whelan (not for long mind you), he is without doubt the best manager I've ever had. He's the kind of person that strikes fear into you, yet at the same time you can't help but have the utmost respect for him.

It's not just him though and even he himself credited the management team on Sunday. Tony Diamond was there on the sideline and I'm pretty sure Niall Moyna was aswell. Not bad, eh!:D

If anyone fancies the read, here's a very good article on Whelan from November last year: Whelan still pointing way

I think the Tribune did one around that time to and it quoted Jason Sherlock as saying how he repects his ways now, but felt some of the players where either too young then or, the experienced players where too used to O'Neills ways.

They should have given him a year or two more.

Anyway, seems there's a few posters left who have problems with Cross like The Chessplayer. I'll let their record speak for itself.

An Citeog

Seanies32 wrote: »

I think the Tribune did one around that time to and it quoted Jason Sherlock as saying how he repects his ways now, but felt some of the players where either too young then or, the experienced players where too used to O'Neills ways.

They should have given him a year or two more.

Anyway, seems there's a few posters left who have problems with Cross like The Chessplayer. I'll let their record speak for itself.

Sure it's all in the past now anyway.

Nobody can deny the undoubted ability of Crossmaglen and what they and their players have done over the past decade is nothing short of phenomenal. Tbh, I'm not sure how well they'll come back from this, particularly with the McEntees, Francie Bellew and Oisín McConville all getting on in years. Only time will tell though.

ardmacha

Now I have heard it all....Armagh blaming losing a match on the wind!!! Nevermind Big Joe, tactics will only do so much if you don't have the players!

A look at the scorelines in each half would strongly suggest that the wind influenced the game and the use each team made of it was important in the overall result. There is a lot of evidence that Cross have the players, which doesn't deny that Vincent's played better on the day and had better tactics. If Bellew was fit to play one half it should have been the first half where the ball was coming in.

All very well to be winning in Ulster, but it is a different kettle of fish altogether to be taking on the Leinster champs.

If being Leinster champs is such a big deal why is it 13 years since a Leinster team won the club AI and why have Leinster teams won less than Ulster clubs overall in the competition? (hopefully this will change this year).