The 2021 All Ireland Senior Football Championship

Fr Tod Umptious · 24-06-2021 4:29pm #1

It starts on Saturday.

Again it's straight knockout, hopefully this will be the last year of that and we can get back to something with a bit more intrigue next year.

Leinster and Munster look straightforward

That could have been said about Munster last year also but I seriously doubt Kerry will make the same mistakes and they did in 2020, there is no way they can.
And they have been playing the league like they cannot afford to put a foot wrong.

There is no use talking about the Leinster championship.

Ulster offers a bit of intrigue, Tyrone and Donegal could meet in a SF and Monaghan and Armagh could meet in the other,
Donegal really need to step up, for the last three years we were told that they were a team to watch and in all three occasions they could not make an All Ireland SF.
One would wonder how focused Tyrone were on their trip to Kerry a few weeks ago, with little really on offer.
Monaghan on there other hand had a lot of focus on the same weekend and staying in Div 1 will do them no harm at all.
Armagh are a potential dark horse.

Connacht is a two a two and a half horse race depending on Roscommon, they have caused shocks before in Connacht previously and I'd not be willing to right them off v a Galway teams that one really has to scratch ones head about.
Mayo have an easy run to the Connacht final but could become unstuck there without Cillian O' Connor
They struggled without him a few years ago.

Anyway it will end up with Dublin beating the Connacht champions without much fuss in the SF and Kerry beating the Ulster champs with a small bit more fuss in the other one.

Barring an early sending off like we had in the first game in 2019 Dublin will cruise to the title like they did in 2019 replay and 2020 finals, regardless of what people say about Kerry getting closer to them.

seligehgit · 24-06-2021 6:01pm

Good summation Tod.

Yip Dublin Kerry All Ireland final for me with Sam staying in the capital.

I've had very high expectations of Armagh in Ulster for a few years but they certainly didn't fulfill then last year.

Real dark horses for me in Ulster this year.

blowitupref · 24-06-2021 6:12pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

It starts on Saturday.

Again it's straight knockout, hopefully this will be the last year of that and we can get back to something with a bit more intrigue next year.
.

Fingers and toes crossed and hopefully a return to proper crowds at matches.

dobman88 · 24-06-2021 6:20pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

regardless of what people say about Kerry getting closer to them.

Mostly media driven from what I can see.

For me, they're 2 years away from properly challenging them never mind beating them. Still far too light defensively and if 1 or 2 lads have an off day in the forwards, like Cork last year, then theres no hope.

I've enjoyed watching them in the league, but championship is a different animal.

Dublin to retain without really breaking a sweat for me.

dunnerc · 24-06-2021 10:45pm

Dublin v Kerry final
Kerry to win and dominate for a few years

The_Kew_Tour · 25-06-2021 9:02am

Just make it a Kerry v Dublin final now and rest just playing for pride

dunnerc · 25-06-2021 1:28pm

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Just make it a Kerry v Dublin final now and rest just playing for pride

Done

gigantic09 · 25-06-2021 2:02pm

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Just make it a Kerry v Dublin final now and rest just playing for pride

Would that be gaa pride?.

BonnieSituation · 25-06-2021 2:03pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

It starts on Saturday.

Again it's straight knockout, hopefully this will be the last year of that and we can get back to something with a bit more intrigue next year.

Leinster and Munster look straightforward

That could have been said about Munster last year also but I seriously doubt Kerry will make the same mistakes and they did in 2020, there is no way they can.
And they have been playing the league like they cannot afford to put a foot wrong.

There is no use talking about the Leinster championship.

Ulster offers a bit of intrigue, Tyrone and Donegal could meet in a SF and Monaghan and Armagh could meet in the other,
Donegal really need to step up, for the last three years we were told that they were a team to watch and in all three occasions they could not make an All Ireland SF.
One would wonder how focused Tyrone were on their trip to Kerry a few weeks ago, with little really on offer.
Monaghan on there other hand had a lot of focus on the same weekend and staying in Div 1 will do them no harm at all.
Armagh are a potential dark horse.

Connacht is a two a two and a half horse race depending on Roscommon, they have caused shocks before in Connacht previously and I'd not be willing to right them off v a Galway teams that one really has to scratch ones head about.
Mayo have an easy run to the Connacht final but could become unstuck there without Cillian O' Connor
They struggled without him a few years ago.

Anyway it will end up with Dublin beating the Connacht champions without much fuss in the SF and Kerry beating the Ulster champs with a small bit more fuss in the other one.

Barring an early sending off like we had in the first game in 2019 Dublin will cruise to the title like they did in 2019 replay and 2020 finals, regardless of what people say about Kerry getting closer to them.

* subscribes *

happyoutscan · 25-06-2021 2:06pm

I'd be happy winning Connacht and giving a decent show against Dublin in a SF I would expect Dublin to win by no less than 6 but probably more.

Can't see anyone touching Dublin for years.

gigantic09 · 25-06-2021 2:22pm

happyoutscan wrote: »

I'd be happy winning Connacht and giving a decent show against Dublin in a SF I would expect Dublin to win by no less than 6 but probably more.

Can't see anyone touching Dublin for years.

Cóc is a massive loss to Mayo and on paper seriously weakens our prospects this year.at least its happened early enough to give time to work a plan b. While I would be very dubious yet about kerry they could have won in 2019 and if they could sort out the defence they should offer a serious threat over the next few years.

26-06-2021 8:35am

I can’t see anyone stopping Kerry this year, not even Dublin.

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 9:08am

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I can’t see anyone stopping Kerry this year, not even Dublin.

The hype train is in full flow again I see this year.

I suppose, like a stopped clock, it'll be right eventually.

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 9:18am

happyoutscan wrote: »

I'd be happy winning Connacht and giving a decent show against Dublin in a SF I would expect Dublin to win by no less than 6 but probably more.

Can't see anyone touching Dublin for years.

Disagree ,Dublin are on the slide , whats coming in is nowhere near the standard of whats gone .

Kerry have built up a very impressive squad ,are the fittest team in the country
and are ready to dominate for years

Cant see anyone touching Kerry for years

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 9:23am

dunnerc wrote: »

Disagree ,Dublin are on the slide , whats coming in is nowhere near the standard of whats gone .

Kerry have built up a very impressive squad ,are the fittest team in the country
and are ready to dominate for years

Cant see anyone touching Kerry for years

"Fittest team in the [competition/country]" always fascinates me. Usually something for a group of players to hide behind as they've done nothing of note.

Was said about Scotland at the RWC19 and said about Galway, last year I think...

I thought with Kerry it was all natural god given ability and that they weren't athletes like the robotic, factory built Dubs?

Fr Tod Umptious · 26-06-2021 10:05am

dunnerc wrote: »

Disagree ,Dublin are on the slide , whats coming in is nowhere near the standard of whats gone .

Kerry have built up a very impressive squad ,are the fittest team in the country
and are ready to dominate for years

Cant see anyone touching Kerry for years

There is zero evidence out there to suggest Dublin are on the slide.

In fact the opposite is the case.
Their All Ireland wins in 2018, 2019 and 2020 were the most controlled and straight forward than the ones that came before.

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 11:08am

BonnieSituation wrote: »

"Fittest team in the [competition/country]" always fascinates me. Usually something for a group of players to hide behind as they've done nothing of note.

Was said about Scotland at the RWC19 and said about Galway, last year I think...

I thought with Kerry it was all natural god given ability and that they weren't athletes like the robotic, factory built Dubs?

Shhhhhhh:D

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 11:13am

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

There is zero evidence out there to suggest Dublin are on the slide.

In fact the opposite is the case.
Their All Ireland wins in 2018, 2019 and 2020 were the most controlled and straight forward than the ones that came before.

Kerry should have won the drawn game in 2019
Kerry underestimated Munster in 2020 ,only had eyes on Dublin and paid the price , they will not make the same mistake in 2021

Fr Tod Umptious · 26-06-2021 11:22am

dunnerc wrote: »

Kerry should have won the drawn game in 2019
Kerry underestimated Munster in 2020 ,only had eyes on Dublin and paid the price , they will not make the same mistake in 2021

Yes they should have.
But remember they had an extra man for most of the game.
There are a few teams that should beat Dublin if they play the game with one extra player, but that's not how it works.

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 11:33am

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Yes they should have.
But remember they had an extra man for most of the game.
There are a few teams that should beat Dublin if they play the game with one extra player, but that's not how it works.

Yes and that was 2 years ago , Kerry have improved in every way since then
stronger fitter more experience and a better squad , While Dublins aging squad are 2 years older , a hella lot of mileage on the legs and a lot of retirements .
But sure its all about opinions ,and we will find out soon enough
For me though Kerry are primed and ready to take over
Hope im wrong obviously

Fr Tod Umptious · 26-06-2021 11:40am

dunnerc wrote: »

Yes and that was 2 years ago , Kerry have improved in every way since then
stronger fitter more experience and a better squad , While Dublins aging squad are 2 years older , a hella lot of mileage on the legs and a lot of retirements .
But sure its all about opinions ,and we will find out soon enough
For me though Kerry are primed and ready to take over
Hope im wrong obviously

What evidence is there that Kerry have improved.
?

They absolutely sucked in the championship last year.

They ran up huge scores on lesser teams in the half league/half preseason tournament this year, playing with a full strength team.
And all the while just scraped a draw v Dublin.

I'm sure they will get to the All Ireland final, but will they be within 5 points of a Dublin team at the end, I doubt it.

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 12:01pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

What evidence is there that Kerry have improved.
?

They absolutely sucked in the championship last year.

They ran up huge scores on lesser teams in the half league/half preseason tournament this year, playing with a full strength team.
And all the while just scraped a draw v Dublin.

I'm sure they will get to the All Ireland final, but will they be within 5 points of a Dublin team at the end, I doubt it.

As i said its all about opinions , just to add Kerry can only beat whats in front of them and in my humble opinion they will beat Dublin by 3 -5 points
Also in 2020 Dublin only beat a young Mayo team in transition by 5 pts and in my opinion Kerry are a far superior team than Mayo

DJIMI TRARORE · 26-06-2021 12:02pm

First shock of the championship today in Newry, Down at home, Donegal overrated,,high mielage on some of them,Murphy with injuries and finished

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 12:04pm

DJIMI TRARORE wrote: »

First shock of the championship today in Newry, Down at home, Donegal overrated,,high mielage on some of them,Murphy with injuries and finished

Wouldnt surprise me , but i fancy Donegal by 3 pts all the same

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 12:49pm

dunnerc wrote: »

Kerry should have won the drawn game in 2019
Kerry underestimated Munster in 2020 ,only had eyes on Dublin and paid the price , they will not make the same mistake in 2021

Lot of shouldas in there for Kerry to be making pronouncements on the current 6-time all Ireland champions being on the slide you would think.

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 12:51pm

dunnerc wrote: »

Yes and that was 2 years ago , Kerry have improved in every way since then
stronger fitter more experience and a better squad , While Dublins aging squad are 2 years older , a hella lot of mileage on the legs and a lot of retirements .
But sure its all about opinions ,and we will find out soon enough
For me though Kerry are primed and ready to take over
Hope im wrong obviously

You poor cratur.

You've bought in hook, line and sinker.

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 12:52pm

dunnerc wrote: »

As i said its all about opinions , just to add Kerry can only beat whats in front of them and in my humble opinion they will beat Dublin by 3 -5 points
Also in 2020 Dublin only beat a young Mayo team in transition by 5 pts and in my opinion Kerry are a far superior team than Mayo

You're ignoring evidence that doesn't suit your narrative and putting huge weight on that which does.

Go have a cup of sweet milky tea. You're clearly in shock.

dunnerc · 26-06-2021 12:55pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

Lot of shouldas in there for Kerry to be making pronouncements on the current 6-time all Ireland champions being on the slide you would think.

Please god im wrong and Dublin are in seventh heaven

BonnieSituation · 26-06-2021 12:57pm

dunnerc wrote: »

Please god im wrong and Dublin are in seventh heaven

Kerry could win the All Ireland, but you're going on like they've not been beaten in their province for 11 years or the championship for 7...

Grab a bowl of coddle and the Herald and sort yourself out.

moghrasa · 26-06-2021 1:00pm

dunnerc wrote: »

As i said its all about opinions , just to add Kerry can only beat whats in front of them and in my humble opinion they will beat Dublin by 3 -5 points
Also in 2020 Dublin only beat a young Mayo team in transition by 5 pts and in my opinion Kerry are a far superior team than Mayo

In fairness, once it's over 3 points, I don't think we can read too much into how many points Dublin beat a team by. Granted they only beat Mayo by 5 last year, but I can't help but feel that if Mayo grabbed a goal with 10 minutes left to make it a 2 point game, Dublin surely would have accelerated again to get their 4-5 point cushion back.

From what I've seen of them, Dublin conserve and play at their own pace once there's more than a single score in the game. Even the league match against Donegal a few weeks ago - it ended with a 4 point difference, but it was as many as 7 or 8 with only a few minutes left. Dublin knew they had it won and if they truly felt they were in danger it wouldn't have been much of a problem for them to go and tack on another 1-03, in my humble opinion - such was the ease and grace they played with that day.

I certainly think Dublin and Kerry are closer this year than they have been in years but Dublin still edge it for me. It'll be interesting now to see how Dublin/Kerry handle their AI semi finals when they get there.

PTH2009 · 26-06-2021 1:35pm

Not a fan of straight knockout even If the games are better quality

They could easily of fit in some sort of backdoor or even play a B competition with teams who are knocked out early

Suppose the 2022 season will be business as usual please god

The 2021 All Ireland Senior Football Championship

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