2019 All Ireland Senior Football Championship *Mod note: Post #1*

Fr Tod Umptious

Well since the league thread was shut I think it's time for a championship thread

Second year of The Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Group stages.

Groups are

Group 1
Munster Winner
Ulster Winner
Connacht final loser or qualifier
Leinster final loser of qualifier

Group 2
Connacht winner
Leinster winner
Munster final loser or qualifier
Ulster final loser or qualifier

In a change from last year the first round of QF games will be
13-14.07.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Provincial winner home v Qualifier

20-21.07.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Provincial winner v Provincial winner at CP
Qualifier v Qualifier at CP

03-04.08.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Qualifier at home v Provincial winner.

New rules like the advance mark and sin bin that were used in the league will not be used in the championship

So obviously Dublin are going for five in a row.
They had a (by their standards) poor league but I would not read anything into that
They will again breeze through Leinster.
Meath had a good league and could make the final as even Kildare are on the other side

Munster is equally as straight forward with Cork getting relegated, Kerry will breeze through it too

Ulster has a bit more spice
There are three decent teams in Ulster, in no particular order Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal
Tyrone and Donegal potentially meet in a SF thus leaving the loser with 3 games to get past to get to the group stages , and thus end up in any of the two groups.

Tyrone finished the league very strongly which is a good sign for them

Monaghan have the easier side on paper so have a good chance of getting to the final

Connacht is a two horse race
Newly minted League champions Mayo go to NYC next months an then play Roscommon or Leitrim if they win in NYC
Galway go to London first and if they win play Sligo
So that sets up a very important Connacht final in Salthill between Galway and Mayo
Galway have owned Mayo this last few years but have done little else
Even in the league they were 7 points up at 35 mins away from a league final the they conspired to lose the game and the final place

Winning this is very important for both and it makes the groups stages much easier

The Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Group stages.

Group 1 is an absolute stinker
Consider this
Kerry
Tyrone
Mayo/Galway
Donegal

All very possible
Kerry after they win Munster will be lauded as the team most likely to beat Dublin

But as we say in the league where they struggled v a stronger more experienced team in Mayo they ill meet similar opposition in Group 1 in the form of Tyrone/Monaghan/Donegal, Mayo/Galway etc.
Its far from a given that Kerry will get out of their group if the group is made up of anything like the above.
I'll say it now, if Kerry v Mayo is the first game in Group 1 then we may well see the end of Kerry's 20+ year unbeaten streak in Killarney

i can see Tyrone being strong here and getting to another SF

Group 2
Getting in here is vital for Mayo or Galway
You get to play Dublin in CP in July and avoid them in the SF
It is not as tough a group as Group 1 in my opinion, although it will also contain the Ulster loser or qualifier.

I can't see anyone stopping Dublin getting to the final and the only team I can see beating them or even getting close to beating them in the final is Mayo

Mod Note: Do not bring the Dublin financial advantage argument into this thread. The thread basically descends into trench warfare with neither side of the debate moving from their positions. It also means that nothing else gets discussed for pages and pages.
This can be discussed here.
Cards and bans will be issued if this rule is brought up here from now on.

irishgeo

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Well since the league thread was shut I think it's time for a championship thread

Second year of The Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Group stages.

Groups are

Group 1
Munster Winner
Ulster Winner
Connacht final loser or qualifier
Leinster final loser of qualifier

Group 2
Connacht winner
Leinster winner
Munster final loser or qualifier
Ulster final loser or qualifier

In a change from last year the first round of QF games will be
13-14.07.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Provincial winner home v Qualifier

20-21.07.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Provincial winner v Provincial winner at CP
Qualifier v Qualifier at CP

03-04.08.2019 (Sat/Sun)
Qualifier at home v Provincial winner.

New rules like the advance mark and sin bin that were used in the league will not be used in the championship

So obviously Dublin are going for five in a row.
They had a (by their standards) poor league but I would not read anything into that
They will again breeze through Leinster.
Meath had a good league and could make the final as even Kildare are on the other side

Munster is equally as straight forward with Cork getting relegated, Kerry will breeze through it too

Ulster has a bit more spice
There are three decent teams in Ulster, in no particular order Tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal
Tyrone and Donegal potentially meet in a SF thus leaving the loser with 3 games to get past to get to the group stages , and thus end up in any of the two groups.

Tyrone finished the league very strongly which is a good sign for them

Monaghan have the easier side on paper so have a good chance of getting to the final

Connacht is a two horse race
Newly minted League champions Mayo go to NYC next months an then play Roscommon or Leitrim if they win in NYC
Galway go to London first and if they win play Sligo
So that sets up a very important Connacht final in Salthill between Galway and Mayo
Galway have owned Mayo this last few years but have done little else
Even in the league they were 7 points up at 35 mins away from a league final the they conspired to lose the game and the final place

Winning this is very important for both and it makes the groups stages much easier

The Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Group stages.

Group 1 is an absolute stinker
Consider this
Kerry
Tyrone
Mayo/Galway
Donegal

All very possible
Kerry after they win Munster will be lauded as the team most likely to beat Dublin

But as we say in the league where they struggled v a stronger more experienced team in Mayo they ill meet similar opposition in Group 1 in the form of Tyrone/Monaghan/Donegal, Mayo/Galway etc.
Its far from a given that Kerry will get out of their group if the group is made up of anything like the above.
I'll say it now, if Kerry v Mayo is the first game in Group 1 then we may well see the end of Kerry's 20+ year unbeaten streak in Killarney

i can see Tyrone being strong here and getting to another SF

Group 2
Getting in here is vital for Mayo or Galway
You get to play Dublin in CP in July and avoid them in the SF
It is not as tough a group as Group 1 in my opinion, although it will also contain the Ulster loser or qualifier.

I can't see anyone stopping Dublin getting to the final and the only team I can see beating them or even getting close to beating them in the final is Mayo

Great analysis.

C__MC

Definitely Dublin’s to lose, surprised the media are claiming there falling in back in the pack. They played the league without some of the great great players. Full back line is a worry but it has been since 2015. Doesn’t get exposed thar much as they cover so well and score at will at the other end.

Connolly and o Carroll returning ?

ProudDUB

No and oh hell no.

blowitupref

Galway reaching NFL final and their first AI semi final for a decade last year can hardly be classed as "done little else" to be fair. I don't see how Kerry will be lauded as the team most likely to beat Dublin off the back of winning a poor Munster championship? they aren't good enough in defense or midfield to challenge Dublin and i won't be surprised if they make another quarter final exit.

I'm not convinced will Donegal do much better than last year either, a tough Ulster draw for them this year and could miss out on the quarter finals depending on the draw.

Dublin were in pre-season mode for the league and worrying for Mayo they were well beaten by Dublin in game that Rob Hennelly was MOTM. I think the last four will be Dublin,Tyrone,Galway and Mayo and eventhough they were well beaten in the final last year i think Tyrone will be the side that gets the closest to Dublin this summer.

Fr Tod Umptious

blowitupref wrote: »

Galway reaching NFL final and their first AI semi final for a decade last year can hardly be classed as "done little else" to be fair. I don't see how Kerry will be lauded as the team most likely to beat Dublin off the back of winning a poor Munster championship? they aren't good enough in defense or midfield to challenge Dublin and i won't be surprised if they make another quarter final exit.

I'm not convinced will Donegal do much better than last year either, a tough Ulster draw for them this year and could miss out on the quarter finals depending on the draw.

Dublin were in pre-season mode for the league and worrying for Mayo they were well beaten by Dublin in game that Rob Hennelly was MOTM. I think the last four will be Dublin,Tyrone,Galway and Mayo and eventhough they were well beaten in the final last year i think Tyrone will be the side that gets the closest to Dublin this summer.

In 2016 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost a QF to the footballing giants that are Tipperary.

In 2017 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost the final to Roscommon, a team that went on to lose thier QF to Mayo by a mamoth 22 points, all be it after a replay.
Galway woosed out weakly to Kerry.

In 2018 they beat Mayo in Connacht and even though they beat Kerry in a non knockout game in CP they conspired to make things as tough as possible on themselves they losing at home to Monaghan and setting up a SF with Dublin which could have been avoided.
Oh and they woosed out weakly to Dublin.

I think the above is the definition of doing little else.

4 seasons on from breaking Mayo's grip on Connacht they are no closer to getting to an AI final, let alone winning one.

PARlance

C__MC wrote: »

Definitely Dublin’s to lose, surprised the media are claiming there falling in back in the pack. They played the league without some of the great great players. Full back line is a worry but it has been since 2015. Doesn’t get exposed thar much as they cover so well and score at will at the other end.

Connolly and o Carroll returning ?

Why would it be surprising that the media are going with the "decline" angle.
Dublin to ease to 5 in a row is a hard story to sell all summer.

ProudDUB

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

4 seasons on from breaking Mayo's grip on Connacht they are no closer to getting to an AI final, let alone winning one.

Far be it from me to get caught up in the cross fire of (yet more) Mayo/Galway border wars, but I would have thought that getting to an All Ireland semi final is a definite, measurable sign of getting closer to an All Ireland final? After all, only 4 counties do it every year.

spurshero

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

In 2016 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost a QF to the footballing giants that are Tipperary.

In 2017 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost the final to Roscommon, a team that went on to lose thier QF to Mayo by a mamoth 22 points, all be it after a replay.
Galway woosed out weakly to Kerry.

In 2018 they beat Mayo in Connacht and even though they beat Kerry in a non knockout game in CP they conspired to make things as tough as possible on themselves they losing at home to Monaghan and setting up a SF with Dublin which could have been avoided.
Oh and they woosed out weakly to Dublin.

I think the above is the definition of doing little else.

4 seasons on from breaking Mayo's grip on Connacht they are no closer to getting to an AI final, let alone winning one.

3 seasons on actually . They made a semi
Final last year although well beaten by Dublin . Always easy spot the Mayo fans that have a fear of Galway team winning all Ireland before them

PARlance

ProudDUB wrote: »

Far be it from me to get caught up in the cross fire of (yet more) Mayo/Galway border wars, but I would have thought that getting to an All Ireland semi final is a definite, measurable sign of getting closer to an All Ireland final? After all, only 4 counties do it every year.

There was no quarter final (knock-out) for them to lose...

bit early for this but sure is it ever too early.

ProudDUB

They made it to an All Ireland semi final last year, which is more than Mayo (or Kerry) did. They might have made an unmerciful haims of how they got there, but I wouldn't be so quick to rubbish the accomplishment over all.

Until Meath prove their promotion to Div 1 is more than just a flash in the pan, I'll have to make do with sticking my nose into your festering hatred of a neighbour to ease the boredom. Apols etc etc...

Fr Tod Umptious

ProudDUB wrote: »

Far be it from me to get caught up in the cross fire of (yet more) Mayo/Galway border wars, but I would have thought that getting to an All Ireland semi final is a definite, measurable sign of getting closer to an All Ireland final? After all, only 4 counties do it every year.

But they had an easy way to avoid Dublin an thus give themselves a better chance to get to a final, but they lost at home to Monaghan

Just as they lost to Tyrone this year after being 7 up at HT and thus blew their chances of getting to a league final.

That sort of stuff cannot be good for ones confidence in them.

Fr Tod Umptious

spurshero wrote: »

3 seasons on actually . They made a semi
Final last year although well beaten by Dublin . Always easy spot the Mayo fans that have a fear of Galway team winning all Ireland before them

Oh totally agree, give me Dublin's 5 in a row before Galway's one in a row

PARlance

ProudDUB wrote: »

They made it to an All Ireland semi final last year, which is more than Mayo (or Kerry) did. They might have made an unmerciful haims of how they got there, but I wouldn't be so quick to rubbish the accomplishment over all.

Until Meath prove their promotion to Div 1 is more than just a flash in the pan, I'll have to make do with sticking my nose into your festering hatred of a neighbour to ease the boredom. Apols etc etc...

Too early for me. We'll have to beat New York & Leitrim first.

blowitupref

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

In 2016 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost a QF to the footballing giants that are Tipperary.

In 2017 they beat Mayo in Connacht and lost the final to Roscommon, a team that went on to lose thier QF to Mayo by a mamoth 22 points, all be it after a replay.
Galway woosed out weakly to Kerry.

In 2018 they beat Mayo in Connacht and even though they beat Kerry in a non knockout game in CP they conspired to make things as tough as possible on themselves they losing at home to Monaghan and setting up a SF with Dublin which could have been avoided.
Oh and they woosed out weakly to Dublin.

I think the above is the definition of doing little else.

4 seasons on from breaking Mayo's grip on Connacht they are no closer to getting to an AI final, let alone winning one.

2016 Galway were a side that couldn't get out of Div 2 so winning Connacht (first since 2008) was achievement in itself



2017 Galway recovered to reach the quarter finals by giving Donegal a good trimming. Roscommon you shouldn't forget were close to beating Mayo in that drawn game.


2018 as i stated already another Connacht title won along with NFL final and first AI semi final for over a decade which is not the definition of doing nothing else.

Happyilylost

Fr Tod Umptious wrote:

4 seasons on from breaking Mayo's grip on Connacht they are no closer to getting to an AI final, let alone winning one.

At least we know how to win one when we have a decent team. Up until Mayo won a Mickey mouse league that no one cares about anymore ye hadn't a FBD let alone a Connacht title to your name in years. As we love to say in Galway. Come back to us when ye win one.

ProudDUB

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

But they had an easy way to avoid Dublin an thus give themselves a better chance to get to a final, but they lost at home to Monaghan

Just as they lost to Tyrone this year after being 7 up at HT and thus blew their chances of getting to a league final.

That sort of stuff cannot be good for ones confidence in them.

Oh they made a complete pigs ear of the Super 8's, there is no doubt about that. Whether they peaked too early & fell flat against Monaghan, or they just had an off day, or they underestimated Monaghan, who can really say? Six of one, half a dozen of another. Personally, I think they got cocky & underestimated Monaghan. But is it fair to slate Galway for it, when a case could be made for the very same thing being behind Mayo losing to Galway 3 years in a row?

The_Honeybadger

Good OP with a good summary of how the summer might shape up.

At the moment it’s very much Dublin’s to lose but I believe it will be Tyrone rather than Mayo that might have the best chance of toppling them. They finished the league very strongly and if they carry that form in to the summer they will be a dangerous opponent.

Mayo still have all the old failings that saw them fall short in the past and have gotten too much credit from some for beating a lightweight Kerry side in the league final. It’s not beyond them but I cannot see them beating Dublin in Croke Park, though I would certainly wish them well if they get that far. JMO

Hard to know what we will get from Donegal, Galway, Monaghan and Kerry. All have their flaws but any of them can take a big scalp on their day.

Are there signs that things may be levelling off and we may be in for a genuinely competitive championship? I hope so

spurshero

Do ya know what I actually shouted for mayo in league final cause I thought it was the least they deserved after the last 8 years having come close to the big one . However due to the small kindness of a couple of posters on here I won’t be shouting for them in come summer time .would love to see Moran Higgins etc win an all Ireland but there supporters would be too much to bear seen as most of them live in Galway !

Always_Running

ProudDUB wrote: »

Oh they made a complete pigs ear of the Super 8's, there is no doubt about that. Whether they peaked too early & fell flat against Monaghan, or they just had an off day, or they underestimated Monaghan, who can really say? Six of one, half a dozen of another. Personally, I think they got cocky & underestimated Monaghan. But is it fair to slate Galway for it, when a case could be made for the very same thing being behind Mayo losing to Galway 3 years in a row?

They were already into the semi final before that game was played and it meant a lot more to Monaghan a must win for them. Galway beat Kerry in Croke Park and Kildare in Newbridge to reach the last 4 the latter wasn't easy to do as Mayo found out.

yop

spurshero wrote: »

Do ya know what I actually shouted for mayo in league final cause I thought it was the least they deserved after the last 8 years having come close to the big one . However due to the small kindness of a couple of posters on here I won’t be shouting for them in come summer time .would love to see Moran Higgins etc win an all Ireland but there supporters would be too much to bear seen as most of them live in Galway !

The whole of Mayo will be sad not to have your backing.
Most of us live in Galway, jaysus we know Galway GAA boys don't know how to count receipts at gates but to come up with a finger in the air statement like that says enough. :rolleyes:

Good to see another thread hounded by Galway trolls.

spurshero

yop wrote: »

The whole of Mayo will be sad not to have your backing.
Most of us live in Galway, jaysus we know Galway GAA boys don't know how to count receipts at gates but to come up with a finger in the air statement like that says enough. :rolleyes:

Good to see another thread hounded by Galway trolls.

Galway trolls . Lol . Good lad .

spurshero

Anyway I think it’s fairly obvious that Dublin are going to be very hard to stop . Not sure they went to hard for league think it’s all about the 5 in a row . Hopefully they will get it a bit tougher then they did last year

Edgware

"Anyone for the last of the five in a row scarves"
Either Galvin is playing a cute game or the pack is catching up with Dublin.

flasher0030

spurshero wrote: »

Galway trolls . Lol . Good lad .

What??? You are from Galway. And you are trolling. Hence "Galway trolls"

spurshero

flasher0030 wrote: »

What??? You are from Galway. And you are trolling. Hence "Galway trolls"

Where was I trolling ? Unless ya mean when I said most of mayo live in Galway ?? And let’s be honest there’s a fair bit of truth in that .

Fr Tod Umptious

Edgware wrote: »

"Anyone for the last of the five in a row scarves"
Either Galvin is playing a cute game or the pack is catching up with Dublin.

Neither

Gavin is not playing a cute game, he is not hiding anything, everyone knows how good they are.

And if you look at Donegal 2014, Mayo 2016 and 2017 and even Kerry 2015, the pack are not as far behind Dublin as people think.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

Happyilylost wrote: »

At least we know how to win one when we have a decent team. Up until Mayo won a Mickey mouse league that no one cares about anymore ye hadn't a FBD let alone a Connacht title to your name in years. As we love to say in Galway. Come back to us when ye win one.

As if Galway wouldn't be happy to win the league.

Pocaide

I'm with Trump on his one we need to build a wall. Keep hose pesky Mayoers out of Galway :):):)

Hammer Archer

Mod:
The NFL thread was closed because it turned into a Galway/Mayo sh!tshow! This is going the same way but we obviously can't close it. Cut out the back and forth or we'll start handing out cards/bans.

Happyilylost

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote:

As if Galway wouldn't be happy to win the league.

I think any team would be happy to win a competition. But it's third on a list of four. And with the reformatted championship it's importance has waned further for me.

OldMrBrennan83

Dublin aren't winning it this year, the pressure will tell. I just haven't decided who will yet.

Cavan_King

Edgware wrote: »

"Anyone for the last of the five in a row scarves"
Either Galvin is playing a cute game or the pack is catching up with Dublin.

I'll wait and see how Dublin are in the Championship. I wouldn't read too much into League form.

jr86

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

Dublin aren't winning it this year, the pressure will tell. I just haven't decided who will yet.

But for each year of the 4 in a row run there has been ‘pressure’ on them and in each case they’ve passed with flying colours

In 2015 it was could they bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Donegal in 2014. They beat a fine Mayo side after a replay, and dragged it out against defending champions Kerry in horrible conditions

In 2016 they were aiming to become the first 2 in a row team in almost a decade and the first with the same manager in 16 years. Had a tough enough route where they had to beat the last 2 AI winners bar themselves plus Mayo, and in the semi and both finals they were in real bother at stages yet showed amazing bottle to come through

In 2017 was the 3 in a row and overcame a superb Mayo performance. In 2018 it was to equal the great Kerry side and they cantered through the year.

One of the most admirable things about this Dublin side is how they always find a way to win, even if they’re playing below par or they’re up against a lethal performance

Looking at it objectively, barring an extraordinary amount of intangibles going against them, there really looks no-one to match them performance and ability wise.

Its definitely not a vintage era for football.

Kerry haven’t had a real significant championship win since 2015 and look to be a year or two off still. Dublin beat Tyrone at a canter in 2017 and never really looked in bother in 2018. Tyrone have a tough province to navigate and were very nearly dumped out of the back door last year. Mayo haven’t even won their own province since 2015, have a lot of baggage against this Dublin side and lack a substantial amount of top forwards. Galway were well beaten in the semi last year and again don’t look ready to truly challenge them.

Sport being sport could throw up a surprise, of course, but objectively speaking and provided there isn’t a freak outbreak of injuries or whatever, this Dublin team still seems way too far ahead to be caught just yet. Maybe they might run into a Mayo where all the forwards play out of their skins and post big individual tallies or a Kerry who suddenly age significantly on the day, but it won’t be pressure that gets to them anyway, that’s for sure

C__MC

jr86 wrote: »

But for each year of the 4 in a row run there has been ‘pressure’ on them and in each case they’ve passed with flying colours

In 2015 it was could they bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Donegal in 2014. They beat a fine Mayo side after a replay, and dragged it out against defending champions Kerry in horrible conditions

In 2016 they were aiming to become the first 2 in a row team in almost a decade and the first with the same manager in 16 years. Had a tough enough route where they had to beat the last 2 AI winners bar themselves plus Mayo, and in the semi and both finals they were in real bother at stages yet showed amazing bottle to come through

In 2017 was the 3 in a row and overcame a superb Mayo performance. In 2018 it was to equal the great Kerry side and they cantered through the year.

One of the most admirable things about this Dublin side is how they always find a way to win, even if they’re playing below par or they’re up against a lethal performance

Looking at it objectively, barring an extraordinary amount of intangibles going against them, there really looks no-one to match them performance and ability wise.

Its definitely not a vintage era for football.

Kerry haven’t had a real significant championship win since 2015 and look to be a year or two off still. Dublin beat Tyrone at a canter in 2017 and never really looked in bother in 2018. Tyrone have a tough province to navigate and were very nearly dumped out of the back door last year. Mayo haven’t even won their own province since 2015, have a lot of baggage against this Dublin side and lack a substantial amount of top forwards. Galway were well beaten in the semi last year and again don’t look ready to truly challenge them.

Sport being sport could throw up a surprise, of course, but objectively speaking and provided there isn’t a freak outbreak of injuries or whatever, this Dublin team still seems way too far ahead to be caught just yet. Maybe they might run into a Mayo where all the forwards play out of their skins and post big individual tallies or a Kerry who suddenly age significantly on the day, but it won’t be pressure that gets to them anyway, that’s for sure

Solid analysis. Championship suits them now. For example mayo or Galway win Connacht and there in the super 8 group with Dublin, they might win that but would still have to beat them possibly in a final. Have to laugh at media reports bigging up the meath revival, Dublin would crush them

superbluedub

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Neither

Gavin is not playing a cute game, he is not hiding anything, everyone knows how good they are.

And if you look at Donegal 2014, Mayo 2016 and 2017 and even Kerry 2015, the pack are not as far behind Dublin as people think.

Not forgetting Kerry in 2016 Kerry 2-14 Dublin 0-22

Agreed pack where never far behind.

robbiezero

superbluedub wrote: »

Not forgetting Kerry in 2016 Kerry 2-14 Dublin 0-22

Agreed pack where never far behind.

Of all the last 4 years, the pack were farthest off last year.
If you compare with KK going for 5 in a row, the biggest test to their 4 in a row had come the year before.
From the league, I haven't seen much for the Dub fans to be worrying about, looks like Mayo if they can make it to face the Dubs will be the biggest danger to the 5 in a row.

superbluedub

robbiezero wrote: »

Of all the last 4 years, the pack were farthest off last year.
If you compare with KK going for 5 in a row, the biggest test to their 4 in a row had come the year before.
From the league, I haven't seen much for the Dub fans to be worrying about, looks like Mayo if they can make it to face the Dubs will be the biggest danger to the 5 in a row.

I for one am not worrying, my hunger for sams has been quenched with the 4 in a row , if the 5 is done even better , we will just have to wait and see !

grbear

C__MC wrote: »

Definitely Dublin’s to lose, surprised the media are claiming there falling in back in the pack. They played the league without some of the great great players. Full back line is a worry but it has been since 2015. Doesn’t get exposed thar much as they cover so well and score at will at the other end.

Connolly and o Carroll returning ?

Maybe I am being overly cynical here but I think theres been a definite attempt after the league to talk Dublin down for the following reasons:

1. Talking down the championship last year, both in terms of the quality of football and Dublins dominance, backfired big time as people simply weren't as interested. The viewing figures for the All-Ireland final were down by almost 300,000 compared to 2017. If that sort of slump was reflected in other forms of media then there has to be a lot of journalists starting to get nervous about their employment prospects.

2. With the greatest of respect to Cavan-Monaghan, which is the pick of the early games, there isn't a real headline grabbing match early in the championship. Mayo-Galway may have turned out to be a dour match but from the moment the league finished last year it really stood out as a game where the outcome would have a big impact on how the championship would shake out. The possible emergence of Galway as a contender versus the idea of this being the last hurrah of a great Mayo side generated plenty of talking points. There doesn't seem to be an equivalent match early on this year.

robbiezero

grbear wrote: »

Maybe I am being overly cynical here but I think theres been a definite attempt after the league to talk Dublin down for the following reasons:

1. Talking down the championship last year, both in terms of the quality of football and Dublins dominance, backfired big time as people simply weren't as interested. The viewing figures for the All-Ireland final were down by almost 300,000 compared to 2017. If that sort of slump was reflected in other forms of media then there has to be a lot of journalists starting to get nervous about their employment prospects.

I agree completely. I have been very surprised at the store being put in Dublins league defeats by the media. I do think its an attempt to talk up the championship a bit, but I haven't talked to any real supporters that have placed any significance the league outcomes.

IMO Dublin won't be coming back to the pack this year, it will be up to a team to come out of the pack and bring it to them. For me the most likely to do that is Mayo, but the reason they are 8/1 and Kerry are 4/1 even though in a single match up v Dublin, Mayo have a much better chance than Kerry, is that Mayo have a reasonably tough route to the Super - 8s, whereas Kerry's second team would get to the Super 8.

robbiezero

grbear wrote: »

2. With the greatest of respect to Cavan-Monaghan, which is the pick of the early games, there isn't a real headline grabbing match early in the championship. Mayo-Galway may have turned out to be a dour match but from the moment the league finished last year it really stood out as a game where the outcome would have a big impact on how the championship would shake out. The possible emergence of Galway as a contender versus the idea of this being the last hurrah of a great Mayo side generated plenty of talking points. There doesn't seem to be an equivalent match early on this year.

Yep. Nothing for a while. Munster and Leinster have no matches of interest really.
The likely match up of Mayo v Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final will be of some interest alright to see what Horans Mayo are made of in championship action, although Mayo should win this, and then a likely Connacht final v Galway will certainly be an interesting tussle.
Ulster, you are probably waiting on the Donegal v Tyrone semi-final which will be the biggest clash of the championship to that date and will see one of the top 6 head the qualifying route.
Cavan v Monaghan is relatively interesting in that its going to be a really tough fixture for Monaghan in Breffni and if they were to falter at that hurdle, it would be a long haul for them into the Super 8s.

OldMrBrennan83

robbiezero wrote: »

Yep. Nothing for a while. Munster and Leinster have no matches of interest really.
The likely match up of Mayo v Roscommon in the Connacht semi-final will be of some interest alright to see what Horans Mayo are made of in championship action, although Mayo should win this, and then a likely Connacht final v Galway will certainly be an interesting tussle.
Ulster, you are probably waiting on the Donegal v Tyrone semi-final which will be the biggest clash of the championship to that date and will see one of the top 6 head the qualifying route.
Cavan v Monaghan is relatively interesting in that its going to be a really tough fixture for Monaghan in Breffni and if they were to falter at that hurdle, it would be a long haul for them into the Super 8s.

Should be some decent games early in Leinster, it's just that we won't see them. Louth v Wexford, Kildare v Longford, Westmeath v Laois all look potentially good when you're not just looking for the big boys.

Munster does look very one sided until we get to Tipperary and Cork in the semi finals though.

BonnieSituation

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

Munster does look very one sided until we get to Tipperary and Cork in the semi finals though.

Makes a change from every other year I guess...

robbiezero

OldMrBrennan83 wrote: »

Should be some decent games early in Leinster, it's just that we won't see them. Louth v Wexford, Kildare v Longford, Westmeath v Laois all look potentially good when you're not just looking for the big boys.

Munster does look very one sided until we get to Tipperary and Cork in the semi finals though.

Decent games and will have plenty of local interest and passing interest elsewhere, but none of them will have any impact on the final stages of the championship.

The first round of the hurling is an absolute sizzler. All huge games bar the Carlow one.

Fr Tod Umptious

Mayo win in NYC by 21, game over after 10mins, no surprise.

Galway on the other hand survive a scare in London by winning by 4

Not sure how much of a scare it was but that's what the are saying in the media.

blowitupref

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Mayo win in NYC by 21, game over after 10mins, no surprise.

Galway on the other hand survive a scare in London by winning by 4

Not sure how much of a scare it was but that's what the are saying in the media.

Level at half time. Just 3 points in it going into injury time when London hit the post to level it would be a big scare. By all accounts, London came with a plan, were fit and well organized probably something Galway weren't expecting.

Grueller

blowitupref wrote: »

Level at half time. Just 3 points in it going into injury time when London hit the post to level it would be a big scare. By all accounts, London came with a plan, were fit and well organized probably something Galway weren't expecting.

Any Ciaran Deely coached team will be fit and well organised. Serious loss to football in Wexford.

blowitupref

Half times in the Leinster and Munster championship games

Kildare 0-9 Wicklow 0-4
Tipp 0-8 Limerick 0-8
Clare 0-8 Waterford 0-2

Mahony0509

Limerick leading by 7 with 10 mins left. Now that's a shock.

Mahony0509

What a result for Limerick.
Tipperary 1-10
Limerick 3-11

Cork vs Limerick on June 1st in Pairc ui Rinn.

TCM

Limerick given no chance. Some result.