Qualifiers Round 1

Lemlin

Draw due to take place in the next ten minutes. Games will be played weekend of June 29th.

intellectual dosser

I take it its over now? I believe Sligo v Derry and Galway v Tipperary. If anyone has the rest handy could they post?

delta_bravo

Tyrone v Offaly
Galway v Tipperary
Derry v Sligo
Westmeath v Fermanagh
Laois v Carlow
Armagh v Wicklow
Louth v Antrim
Longford v Limerick

68Murph68

Offaly v Tyrone
Galway v Tipp
Derry v Sligo
Westmeath v Fermanagh
Carlow v Laois
Armagh v Wicklow
Louth v Antrim
Longford v Limerick.

No real big ties.

Immediate reaction as to likely winners
Tyrone
Tipperary
Derry
Westmeath
Carlow v Laois -hmmm
Armagh
Louth
Longford

intellectual dosser

Armchair assessment but - long summers for all the away teams?

Tom Joad

delta_bravo wrote: »

Tyrone v Offaly
Galway v Tipperary
Derry v Sligo
Westmeath v Fermanagh
Laois v Carlow
Armagh v Wicklow
Louth v Antrim
Longford v Limerick

Is first team listed at home?

68Murph68

Tom Joad wrote: »

Is first team listed at home?

Pretty sure the list I posted is correct re home v away.

Took it from gaa.ie

Brianderunner

As a Limerick man i wouldnt be worried about Longford. Written off every year in the qualifiers only to prove a few doubters wrong.

68Murph68

Offaly v Tyrone - Tyrone to have way too much for Offaly even in Offaly.
Galway v Tipperary - Even though its Division 2 versus Division 4 I'd rate Tipp as favourites for this given the way Galway are this year.
Derry v Sligo - Derry at home to have too much for Sligo
Westmeath v Fermanagh - Westmeath at home to prevail over Fermanagh
Carlow v Laois - I suppose Laois will be favourites but I have very little faith in them
Armagh v Wicklow - I think Armagh at home is too much of an ask for Wicklow. If it were in Wicklow it might be different but I just think home advantage will be enough for Armagh
Louth v Antrim - Louth with home advantage to proceed.
Longford v Limerick - Longford to proceed against a Limerick team that has regressed.

68Murph68

Brianderunner wrote: »

As a Limerick man i wouldnt be worried about Longford. Written off every year in the qualifiers only to prove a few doubters wrong.

A huge issue for me is Galvin's fitness.

Really looks like all the injuries have taken their toll. Heard he had great difficulty moving in the Cork game. Person I was talking to said he still had flashes of quality but wasnt anywhere near the force he had been in previous years.

Plus compared to previous years when they really put it up to Cork and Kerry, Cork beat them by 18 points without playing all that well.

force eleven

Writing off Limerick is a bit premature. They didnt show up against Cork, which was a massive disappointment. But overall, they had a decent league season and won the Division 4 playoff against Offaly. Yes, the gulf between Div 4 and Div 1 is obvious, but when it comes to Longford they are no great shakes. Limerick to progress. Tipp to go through too, Galway are in transition.

68Murph68

force eleven wrote: »

Writing off Limerick is a bit premature. They didnt show up against Cork, which was a massive disappointment. But overall, they had a decent league season and won the Division 4 playoff against Offaly. Yes, the gulf between Div 4 and Div 1 is obvious, but when it comes to Longford they are no great shakes. Limerick to progress. Tipp to go through too, Galway are in transition.

I'm not writing Limerick off. I just think Longford will be favourites.

Longford as you say are no great shakes and had a poor league getting relegated but I just think they will have enough at home to progress.

I think that basing Limerick's chances on their performances in the qualifiers in past years doesn't exactly make a whole lot of sense and I really can't put all that much stock in winning Division 4, especially when you look at how Division 4 teams have done this year in the Championship.

Will the worst team in Division 2 playing at home be better than the best team in Division 4?

To my mind it has to be Longford.

I could well be wrong (won't be the first time) but it's just my opinion.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Thankfully the Offaly Tyrone match is in Tullamore.

I was worried when I thought we would have to go up to Omagh to play them where there is no chance we would win but in Tullamore there is some chance of an upset.

68Murph68

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

Thankfully the Offaly Tyrone match is in Tullamore.

I was worried when I thought we would have to go up to Omagh to play them where there is no chance we would win but in Tullamore there is some chance of an upset.

Gawd love your optimism.

It would be an absolutely MASSIVE upset were Offaly to beat Tyrone even at home.

intellectual dosser

force eleven wrote: »

Writing off Limerick is a bit premature. They didnt show up against Cork, which was a massive disappointment. But overall, they had a decent league season and won the Division 4 playoff against Offaly. Yes, the gulf between Div 4 and Div 1 is obvious, but when it comes to Longford they are no great shakes. Limerick to progress. Tipp to go through too, Galway are in transition.

Galway have been in transition for years now. I don't think Mulholland will get another go if they bow out to Tipperary at home - and then they're in for another year of transition under a new manager.

Galway MUST win for their own sake.

ebbsy

Wicklow will take Armagh, saw Armagh play Cavan they were useless and I doubt that they have got much better since then.

threebeards

intellectual dosser wrote: »

Galway have been in transition for years now. I don't think Mulholland will get another go if they bow out to Tipperary at home - and then they're in for another year of transition under a new manager.

Galway MUST win for their own sake.

After seeing their performance against Mayo, I said at the time that regardless of who they drew in the qualifiers, I was going to back against Galway. The fact that they're drawn v Tipp doesn't change my mind. The biggest thing about the game v Mayo was their lack of heart and belief. I understand that the captain has since left the panel and gone abroad. To the best of my knowledge, since they last won the All Ireland, Galway have won only 2 out of 10 qualifier games. I believe Galway football is at its lowest point in many years and it's sad to see. I think Tipp will prevail in this match, even though it will be in Salthill.

klairondavis

Offaly v Tyrone
No reason why Offaly cannot give this a good rattle. They put it up to Kildare for long periods and there would not be a whole pile between Kildare and Tyrone on recent evidence. Tyrone will pull away in the last quarter but Offaly will not leave them have it all their own way for 50 minutes or so.

Galway v Tipp
Would fancy Tipp if it was in Thurles but home advantage might swing it Galway's way.

Derry v Sligo
Derry easily.

Westmeath v Fermanagh
Westmeath should win it fairly comfortably.

Carlow v Laois
Would love to see Carlow win it but it's Laois's to lose depending on whether the players have the appetite for it.

Armagh v Wicklow
Wicklow really put it up to Armagh a few years ago and both counties have gone backwards since so this could be a close one again. Maybe Wicklow to cause a minor shock here.

Louth v Antrim
Louth comfortably.

Longford v Limerick
Longford to gain revenge for last year's extra time defeat.

InchicoreDude

threebeards wrote: »

I understand that the captain has since left the panel and gone abroad.

No, Hanley is the captain. But was missing through injury for the Mayo match.

The vice captain has left the panel. And a lengthy suspension was one of the motives behind that.

To the best of my knowledge, since they last won the All Ireland, Galway have won only 2 out of 10 qualifier games

Yeah, its a poor record alright. Do you know the 2 victories? I can't recall Galway winning any qualifer match. My memory isnt so long term these days! I remember losing against Wexford, Antrim, Donegal & Meath quite well though!

I fancy them to beat Tipp though. Galway are no great shakes at all at the moment but they also are not as bad as some people suggest.

dxhound2005

InchicoreDude wrote: »

No, Hanley is the captain. But was missing through injury for the Mayo match.

The vice captain has left the panel. And a lengthy suspension was one of the motives behind that.



Yeah, its a poor record alright. Do you know the 2 victories? I can't recall Galway winning any qualifer match. My memory isnt so long term these days! I remember losing against Wexford, Antrim, Donegal & Meath quite well though!

I fancy them to beat Tipp though. Galway are no great shakes at all at the moment but they also are not as bad as some people suggest.

Some stats here, but only up to June 2011.

http://adriankavanagh.com/2011/06/23/allirelandfootballqualifiers/

It seems that Galway have won one qualifier from 2002 to the time this was compiled but it doesn't say who they beat or when.

Especially given that they used the qualifers (including three wins over Wicklow, Armagh and Cork) as a springboard to winning the All Ireland in the first year that these were introduced (2001), Galway’s record in qualifier games in the following nine years has been very poor. When the three 2001 qualifier wins are taken out of the equation, Galway’s record in qualifier games played since 2002 would show just one win out of six games played (a 17% success rate), which would only leave London, Waterford, Leitrim and Antrim below them in the qualifier rankings.

Cosmo Kramer

dxhound2005 wrote: »

Some stats here, but only up to June 2011.

http://adriankavanagh.com/2011/06/23/allirelandfootballqualifiers/

It seems that Galway have won one qualifier from 2002 to the time this was compiled but it doesn't say who they beat or when.

It was Louth in 2004 wasn't it? I'd just about fancy them to take Tipp at home.

These games are not as easy to call as they might appear on first viewing because it is unclear in some cases how many teams have had players leave the panel after early provincial exits. Some of these teams have already had fairly demoralising defeats and may struggle to bounce back.

Interstingly I make it that the eight ties involve eight Division one or two teams (well Tyrone + 7 Div 2 teams) versus eight division 3 and four teams.

Division 2 teams have had a shocking championship this year with seven of eight in the first round of qualifiers and the eighth team (Wexford) having come out of a section of the Leinster championship containing division 2 teams only.

The drop in standard of Div 2 is having a large bearing on the very large gap in standards visible between the top teams and the rest.

Fireball07

Tyrone v Offaly
Offaly will give as good as they can, they gave Kildare a decent game, but some people saw Tyrone as contenders from the outset. They should win this.

Galway v Tipperary
Very hard to call, Galway have been bloody awful in the Championship in recent years...maybe home advantage will swing it, but I think Tipp will fancy their chances of going up there and winning.

Derry v Sligo
Derry really impressed me against Down, Sligo were terrible against London....Derry to win comfortably.

Westmeath v Fermanagh
This could be interesting, Westmeath's defence looked poor against an admittedly very-strong Dublin attack, while Fermanagh will probably improve from their last game. Still, I'd say home advantage will gave Westmeath a slight edge.

Laois v Carlow
Could be another tough one, Laois will really need to raise their game. Carlow aren't the greatest team around, but have a few handy players. Could be close.

Armagh v Wicklow
I think Wicklow will cause a minor upset here, they looked decent against Meath and were very unlucky....Armagh seem to lack direction.

Louth v Antrim
I'd fancy Louth to win this.

Longford v Limerick
The big one for me... I think we can certainly do it. Beat them last year when we were languishing in the middle of Division 4, and had lost to Clare. Okay, losing to Cork by so much could be a little demoralising...but I think as an all-round team, we're better than last year- with Galvin returning, O'Connor progressing and having more bench options. If Ryan is available, and we play like we can, I think we'll win. Longford got a lot of hype last year but weren't able to deliver, they had a poor league campaign, and I think they've regressed too. Home advantage and wanting revenge will spur them on, but Horan should be targeting a win here. Has to deliver after the failure in Munster.

68Murph68

Both Galway and Tipperary lost to a Division 1 [Mayo & Kerry]side by 17 points to end up in the qualifiers.

Galway came 5th in Division 2 so would be ranked as 13th

Tipperary came 3rd in Division 4 so would be ranked as 27th

[13th and 27th are where the teams were ranked according to their position in the league. Basically last in Division 1 means a team is ranked 8th, while winning Division 2 title means a team is ranked 9th]

A key factor in this game is how both teams will have reacted to being in the qualifiers and I would have major question marks about how the Galway squad will have reacted compared to how the Tipperary squad will be affected.

Despite the fact that both side lost by 17 points, I would argue that Tipp's loss was far less damaging as the loss was away from home in Killarney while Galway's loss came on their own home patch.

Throw in the fact that historically the rivalry between Galway and Mayo would generally mean things were a lot closer, whereas with Kerry and Tipperary, Tipperary had little to no expectation of beating Kerry. [Anyone know the last time Tipperary beat Kerry at senior football in Championship? 1928]

Basically since the draw was made before Christmas, Tipperary knew they were going to be heading for the qualifiers so it's not as if they have to regroup. The Galway players probably knew they weren't going to beat Mayo but probably had a notion at the back of their minds that just maybe if things went their way and they had a bit of luck they might just get a result. Instead they were embarrassed on their home patch by a local rival. Basically the Tipp squad have been training for the first game of the qualifiers all along as opposed to Galway who will have been training to do everything to avoid the qualifiers.

Having seen both games I thought Tipp's loss wasnt as bad as Galway's despite the identical margin of defeat. Tipp didnt give make anything like the basic errors that Galway made which lead to Mayo scores. To my eyes Tipp didnt fall apart and throw in the towel to the same extent that Galway did. Overall on the basis of the two matches which saw them end up in the qualifiers, I'd far prefer to be a Tipperary supporter that a Galway supporter.

Stevecw

Times & Venues announced for 5 of the 8 games. we even have some Friday night football!

Friday, June 28
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifiers Round 1
Carlow v Laois, Dr. Cullen Park, 7.45pm

Saturday, June 29
Longford v Limerick, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 7pm
Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 7pm

Sunday, June 30
Armagh v Wicklow, Athletic Grounds, 3pm
Derry v Sligo, Owenbeg, 5pm

Saturday, June 29/Sunday, June 30
Offaly v Tyrone, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, TBC
Louth v Antrim, Drogheda, TBC
Westmeath v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, Mullingar, TBC

Full fixture details for these three ties will be confirmed on Monday, June 24 once Hurling Phase 1 teams are confirmed.

Hulk Hands

threebeards wrote: »

After seeing their performance against Mayo, I said at the time that regardless of who they drew in the qualifiers, I was going to back against Galway. The fact that they're drawn v Tipp doesn't change my mind. The biggest thing about the game v Mayo was their lack of heart and belief. I understand that the captain has since left the panel and gone abroad. To the best of my knowledge, since they last won the All Ireland, Galway have won only 2 out of 10 qualifier games. I believe Galway football is at its lowest point in many years and it's sad to see. I think Tipp will prevail in this match, even though it will be in Salthill.

Wouldn't the odds dictate that? I'll give you even money if you like?

InchicoreDude

Despite the fact that both side lost by 17 points, I would argue that Tipp's loss was far less damaging as the loss was away from home in Killarney while Galway's loss came on their own home patch.

Throw in the fact that historically the rivalry between Galway and Mayo would generally mean things were a lot closer, whereas with Kerry and Tipperary, Tipperary had little to no expectation of beating Kerry. [Anyone know the last time Tipperary beat Kerry at senior football in Championship? 1928]

To be honest, I would argue the opposite. Galway really have something to prove in the qualifiers. If these Galway players do not show any fight after that Mayo match, then they never will. On the other hand, as you say Tipp are used to such beatings by the likes of Kerry. They dont have as much to prove. I really expect a determined performance from Galway in this game.

wow sierra

Tyrone v Offaly
Galway v Tipperary
Derry v Sligo
Westmeath v Fermanagh
Laois v Carlow
Armagh v Wicklow
Louth v Antrim
Longford v Limerick


My predictions are the teams in bold to win. Would be shocked if Galway don't go through - they were clueless against Mayo but they have some great players in their team. Armagh were beaten by Cavan but I watched that game and Cavan were very cynical in their fouling and got away with it - I don't think Wicklow will be a match for Armagh - even though Armagh are a shadow of their former selves. There are some seriously weak teams joining this as beaten semifinalists so the prize for getting through this round is big for these teams.

blowitupref

Stevecw wrote: »

Times & Venues announced for 5 of the 8 games. we even have some Friday night football!

Friday, June 28
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifiers Round 1
Carlow v Laois, Dr. Cullen Park, 7.45pm

Saturday, June 29
Longford v Limerick, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 7pm
Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 7pm

Sunday, June 30
Armagh v Wicklow, Athletic Grounds, 3pm
Derry v Sligo, Owenbeg, 5pm

Saturday, June 29/Sunday, June 30
Offaly v Tyrone, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, TBC
Louth v Antrim, Drogheda, TBC
Westmeath v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, Mullingar, TBC

Full fixture details for these three ties will be confirmed on Monday, June 24 once Hurling Phase 1 teams are confirmed.

It's hard to see many shocks, i think all the favourites should get through. Round 2 should have some close calls

zetecescort

friday night match is an interesting one. think its great for fans, perhaps not so much for players working.

68Murph68

InchicoreDude wrote: »

To be honest, I would argue the opposite. Galway really have something to prove in the qualifiers. If these Galway players do not show any fight after that Mayo match, then they never will. On the other hand, as you say Tipp are used to such beatings by the likes of Kerry. They dont have as much to prove. I really expect a determined performance from Galway in this game.

I just find it hard to see Galway responding all that positively. They're not exactly a squad that you would describe as being mentally strong or being a side who would be suited to battling out a win. The fact of Bradshaw leaving the panel isn't exactly the most positive of indicators. Given the state of the panel the loss of such an experienced player is a serious blow, even if he would have missed the match anyway.

zetecescort wrote: »

friday night match is an interesting one. think its great for fans, perhaps not so much for players working.

Yeah it will be interesting to see how this turns out. As a local derby, you'd think it would be an attractive tie for a Friday night.

Apparently 4 out of the 20 players who featured for Laois in their last game have left the panel. Carlow to be the surprise result of the first round of the qualifiers ??? Paddypower have Carlow at 4/1 which *might* be a value bet.

I think Sligo have lost a few players as well with Galway losing Bradshaw.

wow sierra wrote: »

There are some seriously weak teams joining this as beaten semifinalists so the prize for getting through this round is big for these teams.

Yup - the list of teams joining in the next round isnt going to be inspiring all that much fear

Waterford
Clare
Roscommon
1 of Leitrim/London
1 of Meath/Wexford
1 of Dublin/Kildare
1 of Monaghan/Cavan
1 of Donegal, Down

Assuming the bookies are right the 8 teams would be

Waterford
Clare
Roscommon
London
Wexford
Kildare
Cavan
Down

Basically all the sides would be fairly happy once they avoid Kildare & Down in Round 2.

leonidas83

Got the pp odds for the predictions below,


All-Ireland SFC qualifiers first round
Offaly v Tyrone – Tyrone (1/14)
Galway v Tipperary – Galway (4/11)
Derry v Sligo – Derry (1/4)
Westmeath v Fermanagh – Westmeath (8/15)
Carlow v Laois – Laois (2/9)
Armagh v Wicklow -
Louth v Antrim – Louth (1/6)
Longford v Limerick -


Wouldnt touch the other games, having seen both Wicklow & Armagh play I would give Wicklow a great chance of getting a result up there. Felt they were unlucky against Meath & had they taken their penalty chance Meath would have really been up against it. Their strong performance against Longford can't be ignored either. Armagh on the other hand were woeful against Cavan & I've a strong feeling that their manager is clueless. Even with home advantage I wouldnt go near Armagh for that one.

Longford & Limerick is another tough one, both teams are capable of a good run in the qualifiers & the last time they played it couldnt have been closer. Longford are on a bad run at the moment, getting knocked out by Wicklow in the first round of the Leinster championship & getting relegated from Div.2 in the league. Limerick on the other hand didnt do themselves justice against Cork as they are more than capable of giving the big teams a run for their money. Cork & Kerry in the munster championship in years gone by & Kildare last year in the qualifiers when they should really have won that game in Portlaoise. They will however be buoyed by their promotion from Div.4. Too close to call.

Find it hard to believe some posters are tipping Tipperary to beat Galway in Salthill. As bad as Galway were against Mayo I felt Tipperary were worse against Kerry. This is Galways last chance & they will be hurting after the Mayo match. Home advantage for Galway should see them safe in this one.

The other matches pick themselves although I think the odds on Derry & Louth winning are quite poor.

eamonpk

Stevecw wrote: »

Times & Venues announced for 5 of the 8 games. we even have some Friday night football!

Friday, June 28
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Qualifiers Round 1
Carlow v Laois, Dr. Cullen Park, 7.45pm

Saturday, June 29
Longford v Limerick, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 7pm
Galway v Tipperary, Pearse Stadium, 7pm

Sunday, June 30
Armagh v Wicklow, Athletic Grounds, 3pm
Derry v Sligo, Owenbeg, 5pm

Saturday, June 29/Sunday, June 30
Offaly v Tyrone, O’Connor Park, Tullamore, TBC
Louth v Antrim, Drogheda, TBC
Westmeath v Fermanagh, Cusack Park, Mullingar, TBC

Full fixture details for these three ties will be confirmed on Monday, June 24 once Hurling Phase 1 teams are confirmed.

Anyone know what the probable day at least is for the Westmeath v Fermananagh match is as Saturday is going to suit a lot better for me and most travelling fans. No idea how the hurling affects this fixture so maybe someone might enlighten me - Thanks

keane2097

I don't know how anyone could back Laois at 2/9.

Al_Coholic

I saw this on twitter earlier...i cannot say i blame the players...think its a stupid idea for a championship game on a friday night.

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=194696&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

intellectual dosser

Al_Coholic wrote: »

I saw this on twitter earlier...i cannot say i blame the players...think its a stupid idea for a championship game on a friday night.

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=194696&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

They're dead right. They've been training since November and their summer hinges on this game, having it on a Friday is a severe disadvantage and pressure on them. They are amateurs who have to work - they must be given that respect.

munchkin_utd

intellectual dosser wrote: »

They're dead right. They've been training since November and their summer hinges on this game, having it on a Friday is a severe disadvantage and pressure on them. They are amateurs who have to work - they must be given that respect.

So, players are expected by their county trainer to have training on a weekday evening all spring, summer, autumn and winter and thats grand, and they may train for their club also on work evenings BUT one day an intercounty match gets fixed on a Friday evening and its a scandal.

And what about club games on a weekday evening, should they now be banned too? Surely a big championship club game is also important and shouldnt be on a "workday".

I would suggest that these players escalate this and through their clubs bring a motion to congress to ban outright any training or matches on any day that someone may be working.
Its the only solution.

intellectual dosser

munchkin_utd wrote: »

So, players are expected by their county trainer to have training on a weekday evening all spring, summer, autumn and winter and thats grand, and they may train for their club also on work evenings BUT one day an intercounty match gets fixed on a Friday evening and its a scandal.

And what about club games on a weekday evening, should they now be banned too? Surely a big championship club game is also important and shouldnt be on a "workday".

I would suggest that these players escalate this and through their clubs bring a motion to congress to ban outright any training or matches on any day that someone may be working.
Its the only solution.

You're comparing club training sessions to inter county championship matches.....doesnt merit any more of a response...Munchkin.

premierstone

intellectual dosser wrote: »

You're comparing club training sessions to inter county championship matches.....doesnt merit any more of a response...Munchkin.

You claimed that the players were at a huge disadvantage?? A disadvantage compared to who? Its the same fixture for both teams.

People love to give out about the GAA, if they don't try anything different they are dinosaurs who are out of touch, and when they do try something initiative they are been disrespectfull.

intellectual dosser

premierstone wrote: »

You claimed that the players were at a huge disadvantage?? A disadvantage compared to who? Its the same fixture for both teams.

People love to give out about the GAA, if they don't try anything different they are dinosaurs who are out of touch, and when they do try something initiative they are been disrespectfull.

I'm not one of the people who loves to give out about the GAA. I never expected senior inter county championship matches to be played during weekdays.

I think a Laois player who lives/works in northern Co. Laois is going to be at a disadvantage compared to a Carlow player who lives/works in Carlow town. I'd imagine more than a few players from both sides are going to have to take time off work to prepare themselves - is it fair that they have to sacrifice their livelihoods (even further)?

We have to remember they are amateurs, and this is the highest level they are going to get to play their sport. They should be given every opportunity to prepare to do themselves justice.

I dont see the greater good in playing these games on a weekday - please explain if you have it.

premierstone

So do no county players work weekends?? You are not going to please everyone all of the time.

This was a well flaged idea that had been in the pipeline for some time and they were simply waiting for a fixture that suited.

LOI and Pro 12 games in this country have continually had increased attendances at Friday night games, and with the current fall in numbers attending games I see this as a justified experiment tbh.

keane2097

premierstone wrote: »

So do no county players work weekends?? You are not going to please everyone all of the time.

This was a well flaged idea that had been in the pipeline for some time and they were simply waiting for a fixture that suited.

LOI and Pro 12 games in this country have continually had increased attendances at Friday night games, and with the current fall in numbers attending games I see this as a justified experiment tbh.

It was an idea they tried to force on Dublin and Kildare IIRC and were swiftly told to GTFO.

Hammer Archer

I'd be one of those against Friday evening games. Yes, some players work weekends but the number would be minuscule compared to those who work Fridays. The players who work in Dublin (and I'm sure there's a good few of them) will have to sit in rush hour traffic on the N7 and then play a full intercounty championship knockout game. Not exactly great preparation for it. Either that or they'll have to use a holiday to prepare for it.

Another thing that seems strange is that Dr. Cullen Park has no floodlights as far as I know. I was in Aughrim last Saturday for a game which threw in 45 minutes before this one will and in the last 10 minutes it got extremely dark. If the weather is as bad as it was on Saturday in Carlow then I can't see the match being able to finish, especially if it goes to extra time.

I think it's very hard on both Carlow and Laois players that none of them were consulted about the fixture, given that Kildare were obviously consulted about a possible league game on Friday night and rejected the idea.

MaroonAndGreen

Anyone think Tipp have a chance v Galway?

Fireball07

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Anyone think Tipp have a chance v Galway?

Yes

Stevecw

Crazy playing the Carlow/Laois game on a Friday evening.
How can lads do a days work in Dublin till 5 or 5.30 which is the case for most of the Carlow lads anyway, and then drive home and play a championship game that evening?? No chance, they will all have to take a days annual leave.

The 7.45 start is madness too, DCP has no lights...so the game won't be over till around 9.15. If its a dull evening, will be hard to see at that time. Qualifiers are meant to go to extra time too, so this can't happen in this case.

Gaa should forget about this stupid idea, and fix the game for Saturday evening at 7

DEFTLEFTHAND

MaroonAndGreen wrote: »

Anyone think Tipp have a chance v Galway?

Both teams need a performance after their disastrous opening days. If it were in Thurles I'd fancy Tipperary. Should be still a close game but I think Galway will get through at home.

klairondavis

Stevecw wrote: »

Crazy playing the Carlow/Laois game on a Friday evening.
How can lads do a days work in Dublin till 5 or 5.30 which is the case for most of the Carlow lads anyway, and then drive home and play a championship game that evening?? No chance, they will all have to take a days annual leave.

The 7.45 start is madness too, DCP has no lights...so the game won't be over till around 9.15. If its a dull evening, will be hard to see at that time. Qualifiers are meant to go to extra time too, so this can't happen in this case.

Gaa should forget about this stupid idea, and fix the game for Saturday evening at 7

It's madness and just goes to show how out of touch the bean counters in Croke Park are with the wider organisation.

wow sierra

Are there not "procedures" for these things as we say in the GAA? Would the two managers/county boards not have been consulted to some degree in fixing this? If they have serious concerns why aren't they on RTE complaining if they have concerns or more to the point why isn't there an objection in?? I think it is a rediculous day for a Championship game but I don't think Twitter is the place to complain about it.

premierstone

Looks like I am very much in the minority thinking this is worth a try Guess I can't be right all the time

Fr Tod Umptious

On the Friday night thing, a hurling qualifier was played on a Thursday night about 8 years ago, don't think it went down too well, Offaly were involved I think.

68Murph68

Stevecw wrote: »

Crazy playing the Carlow/Laois game on a Friday evening.
How can lads do a days work in Dublin till 5 or 5.30 which is the case for most of the Carlow lads anyway, and then drive home and play a championship game that evening?? No chance, they will all have to take a days annual leave.

The 7.45 start is madness too, DCP has no lights...so the game won't be over till around 9.15. If its a dull evening, will be hard to see at that time. Qualifiers are meant to go to extra time too, so this can't happen in this case.

Gaa should forget about this stupid idea, and fix the game for Saturday evening at 7

Hadn't realised the DCP doesn't have lights.

Had automatically assumed that there was no way the evening tie would be fixed there without lights.

Had also assumed that the teams were consulted beforehand and were ok with it.

I really don't think its the worst idea overall in the world but it looks like the execution of this idea was piss-poor. Having it played at a pitch without lights is just reckless stupidity and not having at least consulted with the players is just moronic.