Mod Note Post #1 - The 2022 All Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Fr Tod Umptious

Mod Note: Please read the charter before posting, particularly the parts regarding abuse (which includes abuse of players, managers etc.). There will be no excuses for breaking these rules if they result in warnings/bans. Please report any posts that cross the line.

The league is over, the championship starts very soon.

It's back to 2007 with the 2023 Div 3 and 4 teams not getting to the qualifiers unless they reach the provincial finals. They go to the Tommy Murphy Cup v2 (Tailteann Cup)

Gone are the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Groups Stages (Super 8s) and it's back to the knockout quarter finals.

Kerry are the clear favourites and rightly so.

They have brought back Jack O' Connor to end the (7 year) famine and he is leaving no stone unturned, playing almost full strength teams since the McGrath Cup.

Their first real test will only come in the SF if Dublin are there and have regained some of their form.

The problem for Dublin is that they don't look like regaining some of their form, even in the league when you though they had got something back and were doing enough to save themselves they come up short against Monaghan.

There is something not right with the camp, it's probably just a natural legacy of being so dominant for so long.

They might not even be in that SF come July.

The other side of the draw id a bit more interesting, both Ulster and Connacht are competitive.

Even though Mayo will be favourites in Connacht any of Roscommon or Galway could go on to win it also.

In Ulster I'd say it's Tyrone and Armagh and even Monaghan. I don't rate Donegal, they rely to much on Murphy and they have proven to be "soft" over the last few years when the fat is really in the fire.

As I said Kerry will be favourites but they are no invincible, there were times in the first half yesterday that there was loads of space in front of the Kerry goal, a good counter attacking team could put a real dent in Kerry's ambitions.

dobman88

Another Dublin v Mayo final is looming with the Dubs doing another job on them. Kerry are still a year away from winning imo so I've no expectations this year but I'd be expecting Jack to deliver next year after having a full season with the team.

Cork will be a huge test for Kerry in a few weeks now they have the siege mentality ramped up with the PUR/PUC/Killarney debacle. Kildare did an unexpected job on Mayo in similar circumstances a few years ago. And if the game does go ahead in PUR (as it should do) you can expect a Cork team to come all guns blazing and a boisterous Cork crowd. Saying that, I'd hope Kerry would edge a tight one.

Munster - Kerry

Leinster - Dublin.

Ulster - Armagh.

Connacht - Mayo.

All Ireland - Dublin.

davegilly

Dublin are finished as an All Ireland threat for a few years now I think - the wheels have well and truly come off. Whether is discontent, poor manager, hunger no longer there with the players or simply that it's the end of the current cycle and has to all start again - who knows? They look like they will still dominate Leinster for a year or two more due to the fact that the opposition is so poor there at the moment although I don't think Kildare are too far away, maybe another year or so and I wouldn't rule out Louth causing a shock or two either this year. Meath are as far away as ever unfortunately as are Laois, Westmeath etc.

In Munster, it's a one horse race - simple as that. The best any of the others can look at is AI QF possibly through the qualifiers.

Connacht, same as every other year for the last 5 or so it's between Roscommon, Galway and Mayo. The Rossies haven't a hope of progressing beyond AI QF regardless of whether they win Connacht or not, same goes for Galway. Mayo on the other hand could do anything - lose to Galway and be knocked out first round of qualifiers or just as easily, end up in the AI Final.

Ulster - Pick a number. Tyrone, Monaghan, Donegal, Armagh or Derry. Any of the five could end up Ulster Champions. I've a sneaky feeling Derry will go well this year, particularly in Ulster but in all likelihood it's Tyrone that will be the flag bearers come the business end of the championship.

I think Kerry are nailed on to be in the AI Final and will probably meet Mayo, Tyrone or Derry in the final come July 29th. On AI Final day anything can happen but Kerry to be lifting Sam for me.

Offaly to win Tailteann Cup!

MacDanger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877930#Comment_118877930

"Cork will be a huge test for Kerry" - the same Cork who struggled to beat Offaly a couple of weeks ago in a relegation playoff? Will you go away out of that with the yerraing 🤣

The PUC debacle might give Cork some sort of boost but if they lose by less than we did yesterday, they'll be doing alright

Kerry v Tyrone in the final IMO and Tyrone to narrowly continue the hoodoo

Tombo2001

Monaghan to make the final.

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878003#Comment_118878003

No "Yerraing" here. I have never and never will partake in that nonsense. I try to be as honest and straight in my posts and they can be taken at face value. You can disagree with them, I'm sure plenty do and I sometimes look like a clown after making a bad prediction, like a lot of us here but I'm not into trying to play a "cute hoor" card on a random forum.

League and championship is always a different animal and Kerry/Cork is always feisty. I'd put last yeasr defeat down to a bad day at the office coupled with the fact Cork dumped Kerry out of the championship the year before so Kerry had a point to prove.

Now, the tables have turned and Cork are reeling from a record defeat and have created the siege mentality. As I said, I expect Kerry to win but I dont think it will be as straightforward as some are making out.

Fattybojangles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877930#Comment_118877930

Yerra shure aren't Limerick and Clare getting better as well shure poor auld Kerry haven't a hope yerra.

MfMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877930#Comment_118877930

Bit of yerrah going on here I think. Cork will be no test whatsoever for Kerry, will get even worse than what Mayo got yesterday. Kerry very strong looking and David Clifford is practically unmarkable by one man alone. (Not so much his brother). They still haven't been tested much yet this season though and doubts must remain about their defence until they are answered. How strong is their midfield also? Up front too, Stephen O'Brien and Paul Geaney have a lot of football played without too many medals to show for it. The semi-final with the Dubs will surely be the de-facto final.

Can't see Mayo emerging from Connacht, just too many fires to put out (and scoring forwards to find). Indeed, as poor as Galway were in certain sections yesterday, I still give us a good chance of triumphing in Castlebar in a few weeks. Can the Rossies be as good again as they were yesterday? if so, and they have the Indian eye over Galway currently, then they will win Connacht.

In Ulster, it will surely be between Tyrone and Armagh, with maybe Derry a wildcard. Think Monaghan flatter to deceive a lot in the championship. Winner of Ulster/Connacht semi' a toss-up.

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878049#Comment_118878049

I'd expect Kerry to beat Limerick or Clare quite convincingly if they meet. I'm not sure how you got any of that from what I posted when I didnt mention either county.

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878060#Comment_118878060

Nope, I hate that yerrah nonsense. I try to be as honest as I can with my posts here. I may look like a clown in a couple of weeks, and I'm sure I'll be reminded of such, but Kerry Cork being a tight game with Kerry winning is what I think will happen

Fattybojangles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878087#Comment_118878087

Cork are absolutely terrible and are blessed not to be in the Tailtean cup ye'll beat them out the gate.

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878094#Comment_118878094

And that may turn out to be the case. I'll obviously have been very wrong in my assertion of it being a tight game. People can have different opinions without being called "Yerrah" or whatever, it's what makes discussion boards like this great.

Always_Running

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877978#Comment_118877978

Galway and Roscommon haven't a hope of progressing beyond AI QF yet Derry with one decent scoring forward and finished 3rd behind those two in division 2 could reach the AI final?

davegilly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118881846#Comment_118881846

Correct

flasher0030

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878060#Comment_118878060

I think with Mayo, a lot depends on the injuries and if the injured players can recover on time.

Rob Hennelly

DIarmuid O'Connor

Oisin Mullen

Paddy Durcan

Cillian O'Connor

Those 5 should be realistically back. And would make a big addition to the team as opposed to what was out against Kerry - in place of Jack Carney, conor Loftus, Aidan O'Shea, Rory Brickenden and Rory Byrne. Wouldn't have beaten Kerry. But would have made a significant difference. If those 5 play against Galway, and assuming no more injuries between now and then, Galway will not beat them.

manofwisdom

A lot of hype about Derry this year and the majority of that hype seems to come from having Rory Gallagher as manager who gets a high media profile for whatever team he manages.

His championship record as manager

With Donegal in 2015, lost the Ulster final to Monaghan well beaten by Mayo in the All-Ireland quarter final

2016, lost to Tyrone in the Ulster final and well beaten by Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter final

2017, well beaten by Tyrone in the Ulster semi final and hammered out the gate by Galway in the qualifiers

2018 as Fermanagh manager and probably the best he's done thus far in management by leading them to the Ulster final however Donegal hammered them in that final and another hammering followed against Kildare in the qualifiers.

2019, Donegal eased to victory over Fermanagh in the Ulster Quarter final and Gallaghers final game as manager of them was a round 1 qualifier exit to Monaghan.

2020 as Derry manager, quarter final exit to Armagh side who was hammered by Donegal in the following game.

2021 quarter final exit to Donegal who was well beaten by Tyrone in the next game

2022 they'll likely face the defending Ulster and All Ireland champions Tyrone. The qualifiers will contain the loser of Donegal, Armagh and Mayo, Galway.

littlevillage

Barring injury to David Clifford, Kerry will win AI fairly handy this year. The only competition is for who they will wallop in the final... from the draw it seems to be one of (Tyrone, Monaghan, Mayo, Galway)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118884206#Comment_118884206

The only thing is that Tyrone take the year after an All Ireland win off, can you see them breaking this pattern? If they're on form then don't see much that has changed from last year, yes Kerry are better but only have a chance if David Clifford can play the full match. Galway/Monaghan would be really great for the game, but I think realistically at this stage only Kerry, Tyrone and Mayo can win it.

Kildare will probably win it now that I've shared my clever insights 😁

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118884206#Comment_118884206

The championship hasn't even started and already people are calling it a "handy" win if Kerry do it. Only Kerry seem to win handy ones.

Tbf, they were favs last year too and it meant fck all when Tyrone ramped things up in Croke Park. Its great to win a league and a final in Croke Park but it might not count for a lot when it comes to crunch time.

There is no such thing as a handy all Ireland. They're hard won.

ArnoldJRimmer

Kerry only meaningful run in the championship in recent years was 2019, and even then they lost the final. So although they have looked good in the league, I wouldn't have them as overwhelming favourites for the All Ireland. Favourites yes, but far from unbeatable, particularly if Clifford picks up an injury.

Its too early to write off the Dubs, Mayo will never again win a final, but could take out a big team or two along the way, and Tyrone are always capable of putting a run together. Donegal, Armagh, Monaghan, Galway are outsiders, but it wouldn't be a major shock if they beat any the favourites at the business end of the championship

littlevillage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118884918#Comment_118884918

Just home from the pub.

ArnoldjRimmer, you contradict yourself.

What exactly are you saying ??

Kerry favourites yes. Absolutely.

The rest, still lacing their boots... when they romp home

Fattybojangles

Kerry are by no means a foregone conclusion for the All Ireland this team has wilted in the face of true big match intensity the 2 times it's been faced with it Dublin replay in 2019 and Tyrone last year. If Kerry and Tyrone were level going into the last 10 minutes I'd have the mortgage on Tyrone.

Charles Babbage

Kerry are favourities, but could have three tough games and they might fail short in one of these. yrone will probably lack sufficient hunger in some key game. Armagh will find it difficult to win their first Ulster game with 4 players suspended, including their best one, Ballybofey is a hard venue at best. They could trouble teams in the All Ireland series though, not enough to win it but perhaps good enough on the day to knock out someone who might win it.

legendary.xix

Cavan and Tipperary are probably the most likely teams outside the League top 16 to make a provincial final. Cavan though will have a tough one to get by Donegal or Armagh.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878049#Comment_118878049

Limerick is more a dual county than Cork these days 😝

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118893125#Comment_118893125

Why would Tipp fancy themselves over Clare and Limerick who were both playing higher divisions this year.

legendary.xix

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118894090#Comment_118894090

Granted Clare and Limerick are playing in higher divisions, Tipperary however are capable of giving them a good game. Lower league teams do beat higher division teams. Tipperary will fancy their chances while also being fully aware of the challenge they are up against.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118895591#Comment_118895591

It's my fault you are dead right that Tipp are the most likely outside the top 16 as Limerick and Clare are inside the top 16

Fiyatoe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118884636#Comment_118884636

Yet the past winter in Kerry was spent murmuring about Tyrone’s ‘handy’ all Ireland and how they pulled a trick and then had only weak mayo to beat in the final.

ah Kerry, classic.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118937643#Comment_118937643

I live in Kerry

I've heard none of the above.

theoneeyedman

Watching Sligo v NY here. Sligo getting lots of it. 11 scores each 1-10 to 11 to Sligo, NY dominating since HT but can't score!

_NAGDEFY

Watching TSG. Pat Spillane is in New York co commenting on Sligo v New York. He's doing serious heavy breathing and groaning. Having an orgasm in the Big Apple😅 Of course Pat junior is playing.

TheRiverman

The artifical Gaelic Park pitch looks awful.

_NAGDEFY

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941119#Comment_118941119

Surely. Surface and gawdy markings.

theoneeyedman

There is a Great opportunity to promote the games being missed out with these games outside of the country. AFAIK the agreement for them to play in Connacht is now over, so they go direct into the Tailtean Cup in 2023.

Ive always thought NY (and indeed London) trips should be rotated among all 32 counties. Would give every counties fans a chance to travel every 16 years, and give the expats a chance to welcome different counties every year. Make a big deal of it, live TV and use the day to launch the championship. Huge opportunity

 Quote Thanks!

Cavan_King

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941159#Comment_118941159

That is a good idea. A huge Cavan contingent travelled to London for the Div 4 League game this year because of the novelty and of playing London over there.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941159#Comment_118941159

In what way is it " a Great opportunity to promote the games "

Who do you actually think that isn't already a football fan is suddenly going to be wooed by this promotion of the games.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941159#Comment_118941159

I think the complete opposite.

The New York game especially should be scrapped as a championship fixture and instead some team go on a tour there after the championship or something.

Other than a few close run things with Sligo and Leitrim and to a lesser extent Roscommon they have been cannon fodder.

The thing about New York is that they can't build any consistenty. Players pass through the place, and anyone who is there is there to work, not to play football, so football very much takes a back seat to everything else.

Then you have the issue of what actually happened if they won.

Would they be expected to travel to Connacht for their next game ?

Would there opponents be expected to travel to them ?

I thought I heard Sean Cavanagh on The Sunday Game say they would be in the Tailteann Cup.

Is that really the case ?

How is it going to work from an immigration point of view ?

All players etc would have to be legal to be able to travel to Ireland and return, so that cuts down on their opinions straight away.

London is different on the sense that they have none of the travel or legal issues NY has and they already play in the NFL.

Loafing Oaf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118940321#Comment_118940321

If only they still had Jamie Clarke but he chose a different path

theoneeyedman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118941819#Comment_118941819

In two ways really;

The first is that the championship always begins with a whimper, it is normally 3 or 4 weeks in before it is waisted to any level of consciousness to the general sporting public that it has started. Build in the TV coverage to the TV contracts to ensure coverage. It's all about the marketing, if an audience can be built up through marketing for a crap spectacle {imho) such as rugby union, then it can be done for Gaelic football.

The second part is more social, and a sop to the association's outposts in the likes of NY and London. These folks keep the games going, and having a touring party over for the games is a big part of their year. Good for them, help them by bringing the teams over. Realistically they are not going to disrupt the championship anyway, it's pretty much an exhibition game anyway. In fact, why not expand it further, West Coast USA, and/or Asia/Australia? Say the four provincial winners last year, send one each to East Coast USA, West Coast USA, Asia and Britain next year for the first game of the championship, have a full Sunday TV coverage with music and cultural events, promote the **** out of it.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942475#Comment_118942475

But who's going to watch it on TV ?

No one because it's a glorified exhibition.

Sure it's great for the people on the ground, but feck all interest to others removed from it.

The reason the GAA championship starts with a whimper is because of the structure.

You often have mismatched games at the start, it's not like other leagues where you can schedule high profile fixtures to start the season.

Next week you have a high profile game in Mayo v Galway, and it's getting the coverage it deserves, 4pm on a Sunday on RTE.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942475#Comment_118942475

No one would watch it though. No one outside of Sligo and a few diehard fans would give a sht about a New York match no matter how it's pushed.

Rugby which you mention has all the same issues. The 4 provinces play loads of games that the public don't really care about. The audience is only there for the internationals and a few European games.

theoneeyedman

I wouldn't say no one would watch it at all.

This year its Sligo, folk from Sligo will watch it, along with some folks from surrounding counties, plus some folk with family in NY. Next year it could be the Cavan crowd, the following year the Laois crowd, etc..... make it about more than the game itself, let the diaspora use it to promote themselves and give them a good day out, make them feel part of the whole thing.... I'm not saying it's gonna be the be all and end all, but with some imagination it can be used to promote the games home and abroad IMHO. Just a think outside the box thing really.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942908#Comment_118942908

I did say no one except Sligo. The whole point of "promoting" games is to reach a wider audience and attract new fans. Games against New York will do the absolute opposite of that. If you want to grow games in the US you need to get it into the schools like soccer did. A practically exhibition match like yesterday will do nothing to grow the game no matter how promoted it is. Won't matter a fk which provence they play in as it will be still treated as a bit of a joke.

What you are talking about is promoting the game to people who are already GAA fans which is pointless.

ATR72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118942195#Comment_118942195

It should not be scrapped. Gaelic Park was packed for the Sligo match. Thankfully no one on here is in charge of the GAA. NY are confident that they will have no immigration issues. Half the squad yesterday were US born players and the rest were all legal residents.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943379#Comment_118943379

Packed with 4000 people and how do you know the legal status of every player on that team ?

theoneeyedman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943084#Comment_118943084

Is it pointless? Is there not value in allowing the New York Gaels feel a part of the championship? Is there not a social value in having the games there and allowing different counties to travel to the US to see the games and meet up with (in this case) the Sligo expat community? I'd say there is a value in this, may be hard to quantify in euros, but it's not all about money.

On the field, the likes of NY will always have a chance, and will eventually take a scalp when they are playing a Division 3 or 4 team, maybe their place IS in the Tailtean Cup rather than in the Connacht Championship, which after all has 3/5 division 1 teams at the moment.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943571#Comment_118943571

I have never said don't play the New York games.

It's just the idea that showing it on TV is some sort of massive promotional opportunity that RTE are fking up by not taking is completely fantasy land stuff.

"Always have a chance" is also pushing it for a team that always lose.

Fr Tod Umptious

NY get a bye into the Tailteann Cup this year according to what I read on RTE.

That will be interesting as regards how it will be facilitated and how they will get on.

ATR72

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943547#Comment_118943547

Which is more than the official capacity. NY have stated they are happy to travel so clearly they have no issues with legality.

flasher0030

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118943749#Comment_118943749

They may not have an issue with legality. But surely they will have an issue with cost. If you take the players plus mentors plus whoever else is part of the overall set-up (nutritionist, physios etc.), there could be easily 40 people. I don't know how much a return flight from New york to Ireland and back again is these days, but taking an amount of €500 per person is €20,000. And then accommodation. They're hardly going to come over for one night and fly back to America the following day. So you could slot another €500 per person for accommodation and other expenses. That's another €20,000.

Even just taking those very rough figures, that's €40,000. Who is going to foot that bill?