Wexford v Armagh

will1977

Teams for tomorrow

Armagh: P Hearrty, E McNulty, F Bellew, F Moriarty, A Kernan, A O'Rourke, C McKeever, P McGrane, K Toner, C Vernon, B Mallon, M O'Rourke, S McDonnell, R Clarke, S Kernan.

Wexford: A Masterson, D Walsh, P Wallace, B Malone, A Morrissey, D Murphy, C Morris, E Bradley, B Doyle, R Barry, P Colfer, C Byrne, C Lyng, PJ Banville, M Forde.

Collie Byrne in in place of Flynn for Wexford.
I would have liked to see Roche get a start but think they might have wanted someone a bit more physical considering its Armagh.

Also heard Matty was still not 100% in training last night and only kicked a few frees

Yavvy

Dont see Wexford wining this no matter what team they put out. The only thing they have done this year is have a good come back from a Meath team who were not as good as everyone expected them to be. Armagh I expect have the better players and the experiance to see off the yella' bellies.

But I'll be there cheering on Wexford !!

will1977

Think that will suit us. We have been written off before every game we played this year and proved everyone wrong, bar the Dublin game. I find it funny how people were saying all year that we play good attractive football and its a pleasure to watch and then one bad game against Down and we suddenly play ugly football

Yavvy

am 2 bad game.. Dublin...

CyberDave

On paper Armagh look far too strong for Wexford, but remember Fermanaghs win over Armagh in the 2004 All-Ireland Quarter final? Nothing is impossible.

Yavvy

and ..its also an importand note that games are nto played on paper

CyberDave

Alany wrote: »

and ..its also an important note that games are not played on paper

I think the very fact that I cited Fermanaghs win in 2004, is proof that I am not saying games are played on paper. The point of my post was that Wexford have as good a chance as anyone.

will1977

I hope your prediction streak keeps goin Alany. Every time u go against us we win :D

cruiserweight

Bad news Keith Barr has backed Wexford to beat Armagh

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaa-championships/amid-all-the-fixture-chaos-kerry-are-set-to-reach-remarkable-ninth-semifinal-on-the-trot-1449289.html

IT'S more than a bit amusing how we always seem to end up in something of a fixture crisis in the GAA. Here we are coming into the key period on the Association's calendar and we haven't time to dwell on a big game for even a week.

Contrast that with May, June and much of July when it was hard to get the pulse racing at all. But maybe we're missing the point here; rather than complaining about a fixture glut should we not be looking to have wall-to-wall big games every other week?

Kildare shouldn't have to play four weeks on the trot, but neither should teams be idle for five or six weeks due to the current system.

Credentials

That aside, the really big question going into last weekend was whether the All-Ireland champions could re-assert their credentials after losing to Cork and I think they answered it fairly emphatically. Monaghan are a better side than last season.

They delivered an intense, physical challenge and went toe-to-toe with Kerry until Kieran Donaghy's decisive goal. Last year's win brought Kerry on and so will this season's repeat.

Kerry may be a little bruised after last Sunday's efforts and I expect they will defeat Galway tomorrow but it's not a game without its dangers for the Kingdom.

In theory, Galway's running style should play into Kerry's hands. If you want to defeat the Kingdom, you have to be direct and you have to empty the tank for 70 minutes. Kerry are versatile, they can play it tight or open and I think they have too much strength for Galway. The danger, however, is that unlike Monaghan, no one fancies Galway, they enter Croker tomorrow still beneath the radar.

There were huge positives for Kerry in the victory over Monaghan. Darragh Ó Sé is returning to form, rubbishing those who have written him off with a solid closing 10 minutes.

I think it was striking how Kerry managed to prevail without either Colm Cooper or Declan O'Sullivan anywhere close to top form. Still, I think the Gooch can eventually prosper in his new role, dropping deeper behind the two big men up front. O'Sullivan will benefit from the game after his lay-off but it was also noticeable how well Kerry subs Tommy Griffin and Eoin Brosnan did after their introductions. Being able to bring in a player like Brosnan to run at tiring defences is yet another string to Kerry's bow. Still, my preference remains to start Brosnan in the middle with Darragh.

Kerry's defence did come under pressure at times, but there were still some great displays, particularly from Aidan O'Mahony. I think the big thing about the Kerry backs is that they have the confidence and self-belief to keep battling even if they concede scores. They know they have the firepower to turn any game around and it always seems to be the next ball that counts.

The big factor tomorrow is how well each side will cope respectively with the two key forwards.

Galway will probably leave Finian Hanley on Donaghy and hope that he will be strong enough to curtail the Kerry giant.

At the other end, Kerry must shackle Padraic Joyce whose form so far this season has been outstanding.

Kerry look better equipped for the task. If Joyce is doing well, they have a string of options to man-mark him, while an in-form Donaghy is almost impossible to mark. And as we saw again last Sunday, Donaghy isn't just a big target man, he's lethal.

It is an intriguing contest, nonetheless, as Liam Sammon has Galway playing their traditional, attacking game. They have prospered as a result and I expect they will just go at Kerry tomorrow hoping to exploit the fact that the Kingdom, playing their second game in six days, are expected to win comfortably.

While it will help Galway, the underdog tag isn't enough to see them past such an experienced outfit. So, along with everyone else outside of Galway, I predict Kerry to book a place in their ninth All-Ireland semi-final in-a-row. Remarkable!
There comes a time for every pundit to have a crack at predicting the upset.

We probably shouldn't but you have to give in to a hunch every now and again.

So I'm going to go out on a limb here and give Wexford the nod to cause a huge upset against Armagh tomorrow.

Now those who thought Jason Ryan's men could beat Dublin had a 23-point embarrassment on their hands on Monday morning.

So how on earth could you repeat the mistake against an experienced, physically-imposing outfit like Armagh? Well I've been harsh on Armagh all summer and I might as well be consistent.

I'm basing the hunch on the Division 3 league form, albeit form that has gone a bit askew recently. Armagh struggled initially to dispose of Fermanagh and Down and I think if you take out the Leinster final, Wexford's form is still fairly impressive.

They are also now very experienced in Croke Park while the Ulster champions pay HQ their first visit of the year tomorrow.

What's more impressive is how Wexford overcame that Dublin setback.

The players were allowed to go back and play with their clubs the following Wednesday and they didn't regroup until Friday, by which time they were ready to discuss their performance. There's certainly a lesson in that.

I like Ryan and he continues to impress me with his comments and style of management so I'm going to back his side to reach the semi-finals just like Fermanagh did in 2004.

In Sunday's quarter-final meanwhile, the other young manager of the season, Kieran McGeeney, knows deep down his side does have a chance of upsetting Cork.

If you exclude the 35 minutes of excellent football Cork played against Kerry, then it's really been a difficult season for the Rebels and while they should beat Kildare, I think they might struggle to put away a team they are expected to defeat easily.

While the Fermanagh match was brutal last week, I was still impressed with Kildare's second-half display of intensity and hunger. They are on the right track and I expect they will make life more than a bit suffocating for Cork.

Conor Counihan, undoubtedly, has the greater reserves with Michael Cussen, James Masters and Fintan Goold on the bench but one of the quarter-finals is going to take a twist, so I'm keeping my options open.

I may as well get hung for a sheep as a lamb here and go for a draw in this one.

will1977

"So I'm going to go out on a limb here and give Wexford the nod to cause a huge upset against Armagh tomorrow". Keith Barr

Will ir really be a HUGE shock if Wexford win

cruiserweight

The apocolypse must be upon us, RTE are tipping Wexford now :eek:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0808/wexford_armagh.html?gaa

Another of the many novel pairings the qualifier system has helped to produce sees a resurrected Wexford face the daunting task of trying to take down an Armagh side that is starting to show the doggedness that characterised Joe Kernan's managerial reign.

Kernan was larger than life, and while Peter McDonnell might not possess the charisma of 'Big Joe', Armagh captain Paul McGrane reliably informed us this week that the current Orchard boss has all of his ambition.

McDonnell has overseen a return to top form of dynamic duo Steven McDonnell and Ronan Clarke, while McGrane himself has shown real leadership at midfield. They will need more help from those around them if they are to repeat the All-Ireland success of 2002, but another big game from that trio would set the Ulster champions well on their way to victory come Saturday.

Barring the capitulation to Dublin in the Leinster final, Wexford have enjoyed an exceptional year.

They have won the NFL Division 3, reached a provincial decider, and sealed a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. The fact they have achieved all the goals they set out for themselves can work in one of two ways.

It will certainly relieve of them of any pressure and the fact that there has been a scramble for tickets on Slaneyside suggests that few of their supporters hold out much hope of upsetting the odds.

But it could see the Model men content to rest on their laurels, and manager Jason Ryan will surely have spent the week drilling it into his men that they might never get a chance like this again.

There were huge question marks over the Wexford defence after the Dublin game but Philip Wallace and company answered some of them against Down last week. The problem is that Ross Carr's men were simply awful and with Clarke and McDonnell around the Model defence could easily be destroyed again.

However, Fermanagh showed in the Ulster final how ordinary Armagh can look without the ball and if Wexford can win a high percentage of possession it might just set the stage for a historic win.

One of the few redeeming features of this sub-par Championship has been its propensity to throw up surprises. Early comers to Headquarters could witness another one.

Verdict: Wexford

Yavvy

You know... given my prediction streak I may just back tyrone next week !!

C'mon the Yella' bellies ( but Armagh will still win)

Yavvy

CyberDave wrote: »

I think the very fact that I cited Fermanaghs win in 2004, is proof that I am not saying games are played on paper. The point of my post was that Wexford have as good a chance as anyone.

Strange I know..but I was actually agreeing with you.

cruiserweight

Looking at the Wexford line-up it seems that they will have a lot of bodies around midfield, Colfer, Doyle, Bradley and Byrne, to ensure that we don't get beaten there. Also looks like Malone won't be in a sweeper type role this week. I don't think that Colfer or Byrne will last the game, which would mean that the panther, Deeley or Roche would come off the bench for the alst 20 minutes to run at tired Armagh legs

gcgirl

I hope Wexford beat Armagh !! And yes The Wex Manager is a bit of a ride as well!!

Erin Go Brath

I was disgusted with the way Wexford lyed down and died against the Dubs. It must have been embarassing for their fans to watch that massacre with the Dubs fans jeering them. For that reason i'm going for Armagh. Although Wexford did come back well to beat Down in the next game, they have lost all respect from me after the Leinster final! Sorry Wexford fans, just don't think Wexford deserve to progress any further because of this.

cruiserweight

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

I was disgusted with the way Wexford lyed down and died against the Dubs. It must have been embarassing for their fans to watch that massacre with the Dubs fans jeering them. For that reason i'm going for Armagh. Although Wexford did come back well to beat Down in the next game, they have lost all respect from me after the Leinster final! Sorry Wexford fans, just don't think Wexford deserve to progress any further because of this.

What a shame that some people only think of a that bad 35 minutes when thinking of Wexford Undefeated in the league, first Leinster final in over 50 years and the All-Ireland quarter finals, and the season is not over yet

Erin Go Brath

cruiserweight wrote: »

What a shame that some people only think of a that bad 35 minutes when thinking of Wexford Undefeated in the league, first Leinster final in over 50 years and the All-Ireland quarter finals, and the season is not over yet

Fair points cruiserweight. I probably was a bit harsh, but i suppose its kind of a pet hate of mine when teams get hammered, and seemingly throw in the towel without any semblance of a fight. I usually cheer for Wexford, in the hurling anyway (my girlfriend and the gang i sometimes go to the hurling games with are from there). Anyway don't mind me, best of luck tomorrow.

blackbelt

What I find funny is how fans are very quick to write off Wexford and yet Armagh have been having their praises sung.I think too much respect has been paid to Armagh.Sure they won Ulster but I do believe that the draw was kind to them in that they didn't have to play Monaghan or Derry.They failed to put Fermanagh away convincingly and against Down did not find it easy and they should have hockeyed Cavan by more to be honest.

Meanwhile,Wexford overcame a Meath team by a point after being 10 points down with 20mins left,comfortably beat Laois,had a bad second half against Dublin and got smashed and then came back and defeated Down in an ugly game of football which was marred by the rain.

Meath are rubbish as the Limerick result put that in perspective while Laois are going downhill as well.I don't believe Dublin have even been anywhere near their best when you put into context how Wexford didn't really challenge so by that logic,Dublin will be very dangerous as the championship progresses.

I think Wexford run to the quarters has been more impressive than Armaghs.Add to all of this that Wexford have a 3 match advantage over Armagh in playing in Croke Park,we could be looking at a Wexford win.I think Armagh should win,just about,but if Wexford win I won't be one bit surprised.

I think this match has huge potential to be very exciting.I've been to 4 Wexford matches this year so I've seen a lot of what they can bring as a team so pools aside,I'll be rooting for Wexford tomorrow.

Erin Go Brath

blackbelt wrote: »

What I find funny is how fans are very quick to write off Wexford and yet Armagh have been having their praises sung.I think too much respect has been paid to Armagh.Sure they won Ulster but I do believe that the draw was kind to them in that they didn't have to play Monaghan or Derry.They failed to put Fermanagh away convincingly and against Down did not find it easy and they should have hockeyed Cavan by more to be honest.

Meanwhile,Wexford overcame a Meath team by a point after being 10 points down with 20mins left,comfortably beat Laois,had a bad second half against Dublin and got smashed and then came back and defeated Down in an ugly game of football which was marred by the rain.

Meath are rubbish as the Limerick result put that in perspective while Laois are going downhill as well.I don't believe Dublin have even been anywhere near their best when you put into context how Wexford didn't really challenge so by that logic,Dublin will be very dangerous as the championship progresses.

I think Wexford run to the quarters has been more impressive than Armaghs.Add to all of this that Wexford have a 3 match advantage over Armagh in playing in Croke Park,we could be looking at a Wexford win.I think Armagh should win,just about,but if Wexford win I won't be one bit surprised.

I think this match has huge potential to be very exciting.I've been to 4 Wexford matches this year so I've seen a lot of what they can bring as a team so pools aside,I'll be rooting for Wexford tomorrow.

Are you for real? A team loosing by about 20 points in a provincial final and making through the back door is more impressive than the team which won the toughest provincial championship.

Edit: Good call by blackbelt! I think Leinster football may be of a higher quality than Ulster in light of recent results!

Geg124

Well its half time now and its 6-5 to Armagh. Wexford have been standing up and been counted for. Both teams have had a number of wides. At the minute its hard to call, it could be anyones game.

Its so close because Wexford have been playing with a sweeper and winning most of their kick outs i think they lost one in the whole half. Armagh started better but Wexford came back at them and deserve to be as close as they are in my view.

Wexford certinely have a chance and i hope they win

Geg124

bye bye armagh!

wexford won by 5 points. They played brilliant in the 2nd half to stick with Armagh. They kept coming from behind and ten minutes to go they were 1 point down and it looked over, everytime Wexford came back Armagh went ahead again.

10 minutes to go, and Matty Forde who was nothing near 100% fit, and he fired in a goal. He got 3 class points in the last 10 minutes aswell as the goal and he won the match for them really.

Fair play to Wexford. They fully deserved it in the end. Tyrone or Dublin away them now.

Erin Go Brath

Well done to Wexford! Didnt think they had it in them after the Leinster final tbh. Glad to be proved wrong though.

Mattie Forde was brilliant and made the difference.

K-9

Fair play to Wexford. Great result.

I'd say they'll be hoping for Tyrone now!

pisslips

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Are you for real? A team loosing by about 20 points in a provincial final and making through the back door is more impressive than the team which won the toughest provincial championship. I don't think that assessment stands up to any scrutiny.

It won't look like the toughest if Kildare beat Cork.In fact Ulster football doesn't look too strong this year at all.

KrazeeEyezKilla

If Dublin win next week it'll be an interesting semi-final. I don't think Wexford could be as bad as they were in the second half of the Leinster Final and it's a great chance to really make up for it.

tonc76

Fully deserved the win - Armagh should have ben out of sight in the first half but kicked some awful wides and then let Wexford back into it with frees

Well done Wexford

Can't see Cork losing tomorrow but what odds for Galway to beat Kerry and Tyrone to get past the Dubs?

Geg124

Seanies32 wrote: »

Fair play to Wexford. Great result.

I'd say they'll be hoping for Tyrone now!

no i have to disagree. i say they are hoping for dublin now..pay back for the leinster final.
and dublin might not take them that serious after the leinster final..which looking at the performace today would be a big mistake., if or WHEN we get past tyrone

Tazdedub

Well done Wexford. After seeing what happened them against the Dubs I didnt think they would get this far, but you have to hand it to them and their management to be able to pick themselves up after that defeat and beat what were suppose to be 2 very good Ulster sides.

Question I have to ask and maybe this should be for another thread but what does this say about Dublin, considering what the dubs did to this wexford side?

Erin Go Brath

pisslips wrote: »

It won't look like the toughest if Kildare beat Cork.In fact Ulster football doesn't look too strong this year at all.

I certainly overestimated Ulster football! I dont think their will be any Ulster team in the last 4 now. I think Leinster have defintely shown to be stronger than Ulster this year.

Erin Go Brath

tonc76 wrote: »

Fully deserved the win - Armagh should have ben out of sight in the first half but kicked some awful wides and then let Wexford back into it with frees

Well done Wexford

Can't see Cork losing tomorrow but what odds for Galway to beat Kerry and Tyrone to get past the Dubs?

Very big odds i'd say. Can't see either scenario happening. Although i've already been proven wrong today once so who knows.:D

Tazdedub

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

I certainly overestimated Ulster football! I dont think their will be any Ulster team in the last 4 now. I think Leinster have defintely shown to be stronger than Ulster this year.

I made that mistake myself about Ulster this year. Hoping there is no ulster team in the semi's now and hopefully this will be the death of the puke ball that we have seen come out of ulster for the last few years.

GAAman

Fair play wexford they deserved it all in all, armagh threw it away though not capitialising on their leads in the start of the second half, and that matty forde goal came outta nowhere he did nothin most of the match then 1-3 outta nowhere

I reckon the drubbin we gave them hasnt really had an affect on them, in fact it might be more incentive for when we face them after the tyrone match :eek:

Erin Go Brath

Tazdedub wrote: »

Well done Wexford. After seeing what happened them against the Dubs I didnt think they would get this far, but you have to hand it to them and their management to be able to pick themselves up after that defeat and beat what were suppose to be 2 very good Ulster sides.

Question I have to ask and maybe this should be for another thread but what does this say about Dublin, considering what the dubs did to this wexford side?

It says that Dublin are probably a good bit better than every team in the country, bar Kerry imo.

Harpie

Geg124 wrote: »

no i have to disagree. i say they are hoping for dublin now..pay back for the leinster final.
and dublin might not take them that serious after the leinster final..which looking at the performace today would be a big mistake., if or WHEN we get past tyrone

Ha if Dublin do beat Tyrone and meet Wexford again there is NO WAY they won't 'take them seriously'. Dublin are a focused unit this year and complacency would be unheard of at the semi-final stage.

Erin Go Brath

GAAman wrote: »

Fair play wexford they deserved it all in all, armagh threw it away though not capitialising on their leads in the start of the second half, and that matty forde goal came outta nowhere he did nothin most of the match then 1-3 outta nowhere

I reckon the drubbin we gave them hasnt really had an affect on them, in fact it might be more incentive for when we face them after the tyrone match :eek:

If Wexford came around and beat the Dubs in the semi-final (should Dublin make it of course) it will be the greatest turnaround ever seen. :eek:

Mehh

Fair play to Wexford, Armagh didn't put them away when they had the chance and Mattie punished em for it. So is big Francie retiring? It'd be a pity if that was his last game for Armagh, considering him letting Mattie Forde in for the goal.

Obviously the standard in Ulster this year has been poor (with the exception of Monaghan) but I think there's still a chance Tyrone could spring an upset on the Dubs

K-9

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

I certainly overestimated Ulster football! I dont think their will be any Ulster team in the last 4 now. I think Leinster have defintely shown to be stronger than Ulster this year.

Maybe, Monaghan, Derry and Donegal drawing each other knocked 2 of the top 5 Ulster teams out. Then Monaghan draw Kerry! Just to put a bit of perspective on it.

Armaghs old failing of not putting teams away comes back to haunt them.

Tyrone will have no fear of Dublin and will not be physically intimidated by them. However, unless they are on top form and score 1-13/14 or more, it has to be Dublin.

Mullet

Seanies32 wrote: »

Tyrone will have no fear of Dublin and will not be physically intimidated by them. However, unless they are on top form and score 1-13/14 or more, it has to be Dublin.

I agree and what i fear is the Dublin defence has not been tested yet.

K-9

Mullet wrote: »

I agree and what i fear is the Dublin defence has not been tested yet.

I don't think Tyrone will be that test. Cavanagh could well be needed in midfield at some stage which weakens the forwards. Mulligan is in bad form. They'd need him if he comes on, McCullough, McGinley and T. McGuigan all to be on top form.

K-9

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

It says that Dublin are probably a good bit better than every team in the country, bar Kerry imo.

Think that's what has happened. There no longer is a big 3 or big 4 anymore as Tyrone and Armagh have slipped back.

Indeed it's very hard to say who are the 3rd and 4th best sides.

If you are looking at a top 10/12 counties Ulster would still probably have the most teams.

With Tyrone and Armagh dropping back, Ulster is now more competitive. Fermanagh, Monaghan and maybe Down now are serious threats along with Donegal and Derry. It wasn't like that in 02 or 03.

Erin Go Brath

Seanies32 wrote: »

Think that's what has happened. There no longer is a big 3 or big 4 anymore as Tyrone and Armagh have slipped back.

Indeed it's very hard to say who are the 3rd and 4th best sides.

If you are looking at a top 10/12 counties Ulster would still probably have the most teams.

With Tyrone and Armagh dropping back, Ulster is now more competitive. Fermanagh, Monaghan and maybe Down now are serious threats along with Donegal and Derry. It wasn't like that in 02 or 03.

Yes I think Kerry are a bit better than Dublin who in turn are a good bit better than anyone else. I would also struggle to say who is the 3rd or 4th best team in the country right now. Could be Cork maybe Galway, very difficult to call. The Ulster teams would seem to have fallen behind, and its telling that there will probably be none in the semis.

K-9

Erin Go Brath wrote: »

Yes I think Kerry are a bit better than Dublin who in turn are a good bit better than anyone else. I would also struggle to say who is the 3rd or 4th best team in the country right now. Could be Cork maybe Galway, very difficult to call. The Ulster teams would seem to have fallen behind, and its telling that there will probably be none in the semis.

Cork would probably be there, if they win tomorrow, but they don't really get tested. They have had soft Q/F's the last 3 years.

The problem with Galway in the top 3/4 is Monaghan ran Kerry as close!

Het-Field

Seanies32 wrote: »

Maybe, Monaghan, Derry and Donegal drawing each other knocked 2 of the top 5 Ulster teams out. Then Monaghan draw Kerry! Just to put a bit of perspective on it.

Armaghs old failing of not putting teams away comes back to haunt them.

Tyrone will have no fear of Dublin and will not be physically intimidated by them. However, unless they are on top form and score 1-13/14 or more, it has to be Dublin.

Tyrone were beaten by Down. They beat a 13 Man Westmeath team, and an ordinary Mayo team. They have proven nothing and if they enter the Dublin game with no fear, they will get pulverised.

Northern Football has been totally overestimated this year (Kildare exposed Fermanagh, Wexford highlighted that the Down revival was a flash in the pan, and Armagh were hot air, Monaghan gave a good shot but too little too late, and Derry and DOnegal were no showers), and Tyrone went in the early rounds of that povince. They are living on reputation, and they have done nothing to warrent a mild favourites tag against the Dubs. If Dublin keep their heads then they are in the semi final

K-9

Het-Field wrote: »

They are living on reputation, and they have done nothing to warrent a mild favourites tag against the Dubs. If Dublin keep their heads then they are in the semi final

Mild favourites, what?

The rest of your post shows how even and competitive Ulster is. The Tyrone Down matches were classics.

Tyrone haven't been impressive, but the point is they don't fear Dublin or indeed Kerry. Still Dublin are favourites and rightly so.

Kildare beating Fermanagh is no reflection on Kildare!

Donegal, Derry and Monaghan not alone were on the same side of the draw in Ulster, they were in the Qualifiers too! Double jeopardy!

Het-Field

Seanies32 wrote: »

Mild favourites, what?

The rest of your post shows how even and competitive Ulster is. The Tyrone Down matches were classics.

Tyrone haven't been impressive, but the point is they don't fear Dublin or indeed Kerry. Still Dublin are favourites and rightly so.

Kildare beating Fermanagh is no reflection on Kildare!

Donegal, Derry and Monaghan not alone were on the same side of the draw in Ulster, they were in the Qualifiers too! Double jeopardy!

In fairness its even and competitive in the worst possible way i.e. they are all very poor. If the likes of Down were capable of taking Tyrone all the way then Tyrone have got to be worried. Down showed a complete inability to compete against a team who one week earlier had been on the recieving end of a 23 point drubbing from Dublin.

Fermanagh showed signs of greatness during the Ulster championship but bottled it against a very poor Kildare team, who should be given a roasting by either Cork or Kerry. Would Derry have been on the recieving end of a Kildare defeat ? Its hard to tell.

Donegal have been also rans since the 1992 championship, and have spent most of the past 15 years. They have been in the shadow of Derry, Down, Tyrone, Armagh, and in recent years Fermanagh. 2002 they showed some signs of improvement, but they have never repeated that.

Monaghan have been a shining light for Ulster football in many ways. To take the Kingdom to the wire two years in a row is very impressive. Dublin really didnt take them to the wire last year.

To say they dont fear Dublin or Kerry is valid. But I think it is irrelevant, as fearlessness doesnt equal victory. They need to have it on the pitch. I realise I am biased but three years after their last meeting Dublin have improved beyond belief while Tyrone have regressed. I do recall that an ordinary Dublin side (somewhat smarting after the 2003/2004 championships) gave Tyrone the shock of their lives, and I feel it is witing Tyrone to do this.

However, I dont think fearlessness will be enough

pisslips

Look at Kildare.If the leinster championship were starting again tomorrow, I would fancy Laois, Wexford and Dublin to beat them.Louth, Wicklow and Meath would be 50/50 games.
Yet there in the quater-finals and an upset wouldn't surprise me.THe point is that different systems and players work differently against different oppositon in different provinces, it's not all about the quality of the individuals as lots of Ulster teams have proved in the last decade.Tyrone are the type of team, Physical, to challenge the dubs, who basically bully their leinster opposition exept for Meath and Louth.

On Wexford, they've some great forwards, but Matty Forde, unable to sprint 1-3 in about 10 minutes on Francis Bellew....He's consistent also....the best forward in the game.

K-9

Het-Field wrote: »

In fairness its even and competitive in the worst possible way i.e. they are all very poor. If the likes of Down were capable of taking Tyrone all the way then Tyrone have got to be worried. Down showed a complete inability to compete against a team who one week earlier had been on the recieving end of a 23 point drubbing from Dublin.

Fermanagh showed signs of greatness during the Ulster championship but bottled it against a very poor Kildare team, who should be given a roasting by either Cork or Kerry. Would Derry have been on the recieving end of a Kildare defeat ? Its hard to tell.

Donegal have been also rans since the 1992 championship, and have spent most of the past 15 years. They have been in the shadow of Derry, Down, Tyrone, Armagh, and in recent years Fermanagh. 2002 they showed some signs of improvement, but they have never repeated that.

Monaghan have been a shining light for Ulster football in many ways. To take the Kingdom to the wire two years in a row is very impressive. Dublin really didnt take them to the wire last year.

To say they dont fear Dublin or Kerry is valid. But I think it is irrelevant, as fearlessness doesnt equal victory. They need to have it on the pitch. I realise I am biased but three years after their last meeting Dublin have improved beyond belief while Tyrone have regressed. I do recall that an ordinary Dublin side (somewhat smarting after the 2003/2004 championships) gave Tyrone the shock of their lives, and I feel it is witing Tyrone to do this.

However, I dont think fearlessness will be enough

You are comparing one game against another.

Using your logic Dublin have been also rans since 95.

Also you have contradicted your belief about Ulster. If it's so bad, why did you say Tyrone are mild favourites? Makes no sense.

Btw, teams improve and regress. That Tyrone team won the best championship this decade, both in terms of Competitiveness and quality. Any team can have a bad day, Dublin in 06 being a perfect example. Maybe Tyrone had a bad day against Meath last year? The facts subsequently makes it look that way!

PS. Fearlessness isn't going to win the match on its own, but if it's tight with 10 minutes to go on Saturday, Tyrone will believe they can beat Dublin, unlike say Galway with Kerry today or Wexford with Dublin.

Anyway, Tyrone winning will be a big surprise.

cruiserweight

I am stuck in the airport but very happy with the result Roll on the 31st

K-9

cruiserweight wrote: »

I am stuck in the airport but very happy with the result Roll on the 31st

Ah Congrats, they thoroughly deserved it, Armaghs old failing coming back to haunt them. Had a notion for Wexford last night, but didn't bet on them.

Jaysus if Mattie was fully fit he'd have murdered Francie.

Anyway, good prediction in the pools. I've a notion there's going to be another surprise, either Kildare or Tyrone though!

Het-Field

Seanies32 wrote: »

You are comparing one game against another.

Using your logic Dublin have been also rans since 95.

Also you have contradicted your belief about Ulster. If it's so bad, why did you say Tyrone are mild favourites? Makes no sense.

Btw, teams improve and regress. That Tyrone team won the best championship this decade, both in terms of Competitiveness and quality. Any team can have a bad day, Dublin in 06 being a perfect example. Maybe Tyrone had a bad day against Meath last year? The facts subsequently makes it look that way!

PS. Fearlessness isn't going to win the match on its own, but if it's tight with 10 minutes to go on Saturday, Tyrone will believe they can beat Dublin, unlike say Galway with Kerry today or Wexford with Dublin.

Anyway, Tyrone winning will be a big surprise.

Dublin have won 5 Leinster Championships since 1995 and have been in 7 of the last 8 quarter finals. I am not speaking in terms of teams being also rans vis a vis their success in the Championship. just in general.

I dont understand you deference to "facts subsequent". They were knocked from a competitive but poor Ulster Championship by a poor but flattered team, and were lucky to beat a 13 man Westmeath team. Mayo have never been any great shakes.

Finally when I mentioned "mild favourites" I was speaking in very general terms, and not adhearing to anything I have heard in the press or on the street. I was simply stating that to make the favourites for the upcoming game (whhile not necessairly foolish) would at least be fanciful.

Im not trying to fight with you. I jsut think that the competitive nature of Ulster in 2008 is not reflective or relevant to the lacking that has become apparent, even more so after todays quarter final