TrueGael wrote: » SO let me get this straight Dublin are guaranteed 2 Home Games to everyone elses 1 and also whoever plays them in their 'Croke Park' fixture will have 2 away matches which nobody else will have And people who dare question Dublin's preferred status within the GAA bitter culchies:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: Might as well call it the Dublin Juggernaut Invitational
rossie1977 wrote: » I don't think anyone outside Dublin and Kerry should feel they have an automatic right to be in the final 8 this year. Obviously Mayo and Tyrone will expect to be there but both have very tough first round games to Galway and Monaghan respectively. Win those and it's pretty much nailed on they reach the last eight, lose them and it's four qualifier games and while both have shown they can traverse that route it only takes one poor performance to be knocked out. Elsewhere I expect the winner of Cavan and Donegal to get that far, it's a long route for the winner of that game still but Derry and the winner of Down/Antrim shouldn't halt eithers momentum. After that it's a toss up. Kildare probably only need to win one qualifier game to reach last game, same with winner of Cork and Tipp. Galway look very impressive so far but it's depends on Mayo game, again win it and they should reach that stage comfortably, lose it and it's a long road. If we (Roscommon) win Connacht we will obviously be there but if we lose in Connacht our record in the qualifiers is awful and I think fourth round qualifer is again six days after Connacht final like in 2016. There is always a dark horse every year that nobody expects it seems. Longford, laois, meath, sligo, clare could spring a surprise or two this year.
manofwisdom wrote: » I for one don't see that Galway game as important as its made out to be. Mayo are one of the most seasoned and experienced teams around i will be shocked if they don't reach the last 8 via the front or back door this summer.
C__MC wrote: » I think the rossies could well win Connacht again. They have a stronger panel then last year and will have a home final plus an easy semi final. There panel also stronger than last year. Kerry will win Munster at a canter as will Dublin in Leinster Donegal have a great chance in ulster. They are improving despite relegation and have an easy side to draw. My bets Dublin Kerry Roscommon Donegal Tyrone Mayo Galway Armagh/Tipperary Are the qualifiers based on two seperate draws again this year?
threeball wrote: » Dublin should have to play 2 away games every second year they qualify to bring some bit of fairness to the structure.
EICVD wrote: » & not one Dub would disagree, we wouldn’t even complain if we play our ‘home’ one away every year
blanch152 wrote: » This Croke Park thing is a myth. In the League, where we have to play as many games away as at home, we have reached the last 6 finals, winning 5 of them. That is better than our record in the Championship where we play all but one at home. How do the Dublin-haters explain that?
StupidLikeAFox wrote: » Think this is going to be great. Each of the last 4 games before super 8s (provincial losers vs qualifiers) are going to be like a final for the teams involved. Then you are going to have proper, meaningful football being played all over the country in August.
Mushy wrote: » Couldnt agree more, its making me excited for the football championship more than ever id say. Having competitive games in neutral grounds will make for great encounters, look at Kerry-mayo in Limerick. Should be great atmosphere at them, the towns will be busy which will help it. Better than half empty Croker week in week out.
TrueGael wrote: » “I honestly believe Croke Park must be worth an eight-point advantage to Dublin,” https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/how-big-is-dublins-croker-shadow-468882.html You and your cohorts are fooling nobody that home advantage doesn't exist big time for Dublin. Every one of those finals and semi finals were at home regardless of how where ye finished in the league table. Galway finished 1st in the table yet their reward was an away final(what other sport in the world would that happen?) which by the way could easily have been played at Salthill given the pitiful attendance (even Dublin fans are well bored now and not willing to fork out money and who could blame them) In the 'Super 8' if ye draw Tyrone, Mayo and Tipperary it doesn't take a genius to work out which game they will 'force' ye to play away now does it? Its bad enough that the 2 Home Games is another advantage to be added to the long list but this years Ulster Champions will have to play 2 games AWAY from home which means whoever gets to the Ulster Final would be much much better off losing which is all because of the GAA's obsession with pandering to the Juggernaut
danganabu wrote: » So we finally have you admitting that Croke Park is a home game for Dublin, not hiding behind this facade of Parnell Park? Some of your fellow jacks not going to be best pleased :D
Bonniedog wrote: » Hurlers set the balance right. In last three years, we've had three "home" games from 11. Two of them in Croke Park which is certainly not an advantage to Dublin. no-one ever mentions that
Bonniedog wrote: » Incidentally Dangan old chap, Tipp have had 6 of their 9 Munster, qualifier and quarter finals in Thurles over same period. Who will stop the Tipp juggernaut? The stadium doping ;-)
danganabu wrote: » When Waterford county board get their finger out and now we have Frank Bowl it wont take long for that to be addressed.
blanch152 wrote: » You haven't addressed my main point. Why have Dublin done better in the League than in the Championship over the last six seasons, given they play a higher proportion of away games in the League?
Bonniedog wrote: » Hurlers set the balance right. In last three years, we've had three "home" games from 11. Two of them in Croke Park which is certainly not an advantage to Dublin. no-one ever mentions that Incidentally Dangan old chap, Tipp have had 6 of their 9 Munster, qualifier and quarter finals in Thurles over same period. Who will stop the Tipp juggernaut? The stadium doping ;-)
Fr Tod Umptious wrote: » Mushy wrote: » Couldnt agree more, its making me excited for the football championship more than ever id say. Having competitive games in neutral grounds will make for great encounters, look at Kerry-mayo in Limerick. Should be great atmosphere at them, the towns will be busy which will help it. Better than half empty Croker week in week out. They won't be in neutral grounds other than CP. For example Mayo v Kerry will be in CP Mayo v Qualifier will be in Mayo Qualifier v Mayo will be at qualifiers venue. Provincial champ v Provincial champ and Qualifier v Qualifier = Croke Park Provincial champ v qualifier = home/away.