Division 2 2024

[yellowcard]

Ive lost a lot of faith & interest in Armagh this year. Near half way through D1 last season I remember discussing how we should push on and try and win the league. We ended up relegated and then doubled down on the disappointment in the USFC & AI series. This year's league cakewalk just reinforces what a waste its been. Who can tell if any lessons have been learned?

I'm actually quite the opposite, the year in Division 2 has to me at least allowed Armagh to develop and hone a new game plan as well as unearth/develop a few new players. I'm not sure that would have been possible in Division 1. The proof of the pudding Will obviously be in the eating but I'm more satisfied with a league campaign than I have been in nearly 20 years.

I'd be the same. Less hype and media scrutiny playing in division 2 and we have produced a few new players that might not have been possible playing division 1 football. It didn't do Derry or Dublin any harm last year anyway. The League won't define our season but for the longer term good of Armagh football it's much better to be back up in the top division again.

We have the best defensive record in the country whilst not compromising our attacking threat so from that point of view I don't think we could asked for much more from this League campaign.

Up against very very little bar the Donegal game so hopefully we get a good competitive game in Croker to set us up well for Ulster. Only slight worry for me is the fitness of the 2 O'Neills. Won't beat a big team without them imo but if we'd them both in top form it would take a very very good team to stop us. 

Rian will come back in for the serious stuff, but I don't get the feeling Oisin will play much this year. Maybe bits and pieces off the bench. Seem to be very cautious with his workload, which is sensible enough considering his injury history. Stamina probably needs building back too given how long he has been away.

Rian looks nowhere near fit which would be my worry although plenty of time to get there. Hopefully both get a full game in Cork to get abit more into the legs.

He might be the most talented player but the Armagh forward line seem to function better as a unit when Rian isn't playing. I'm not sure Turbitt and Rian play well together for whatever reason.

It's a nice headache to have anyway.

[bennydorano]

Could do worse than let Rian have a run as a proper midfielder, doesn't look fit enough atm tho. I don't think Oisin is in the conversation to start. The likes of McGrane & Conaty got a good blooding in D2 but it only starts to get serious now.

[illdecide]

Yeah there's def a big step up from Div 1 and Div 2, Armagh and Donegal strolled thru the Division this year so it's difficult to know where we're at until we play a good Div 1 Team but all you can do is beat the teams in front of you and we've done that well. As you all have stated it's good to get some young blood into the team and competition for places, I actually agree with the RON scenario...I think we play better without him but he's such a talent that how can you leave him out when he's fit, he looks like he's still some timber to shift and another 4 weeks hard training to get into the legs but for the first time in a long time we have serious options on the bench that can change the game for us.
Armagh still have Cumisky, Morgan and Rafferty to come back too which just adds to the talent

[yellowcard]

Yeah there's def a big step up from Div 1 and Div 2, Armagh and Donegal strolled thru the Division this year so it's difficult to know where we're at until we play a good Div 1 Team but all you can do is beat the teams in front of you and we've done that well. As you all have stated it's good to get some young blood into the team and competition for places, I actually agree with the RON scenario...I think we play better without him but he's such a talent that how can you leave him out when he's fit, he looks like he's still some timber to shift and another 4 weeks hard training to get into the legs but for the first time in a long time we have serious options on the bench that can change the game for us.
Armagh still have Cumisky, Morgan and Rafferty to come back too which just adds to the talent

I'm not sure any of those lads will start though which is a nice problem to have. Would be incredibly harsh to drop Hughes on currrent form.

[illdecide]

Agreed...100%. But that's my point, more quality to the squad but not necessarily starters. I'd imagine KMG will be using his squad next weekend to get game time into legs that haven't featured much.

[5times5times]

Armagh team for players who haven't played much league football this year.... Best squad since the mid 00s?

Rafferty
Morgan Higgins McCambridge
JOB Cumiskey Rowland
Grimley McPartlan
Duffy Oisin O'Neill Hall
Nugent Rian O'Neill Kelly

[yellowcard]

Armagh team for players who haven't played much league football this year.... Best squad since the mid 00s?

Rafferty
Morgan Higgins McCambridge
JOB Cumiskey Rowland
Grimley McPartlan
Duffy Oisin O'Neill Hall
Nugent Rian O'Neill Kelly

That's probably a stronger XV than the team we played in the League. We mightn't necessarily have the best starting 15 but I'd say we have the best squad depth in the country at the minute.

[Armagh18]

Yeah there's def a big step up from Div 1 and Div 2, Armagh and Donegal strolled thru the Division this year so it's difficult to know where we're at until we play a good Div 1 Team but all you can do is beat the teams in front of you and we've done that well. As you all have stated it's good to get some young blood into the team and competition for places, I actually agree with the RON scenario...I think we play better without him but he's such a talent that how can you leave him out when he's fit, he looks like he's still some timber to shift and another 4 weeks hard training to get into the legs but for the first time in a long time we have serious options on the bench that can change the game for us.
Armagh still have Cumisky, Morgan and Rafferty to come back too which just adds to the talent

I'm not sure any of those lads will start though which is a nice problem to have. Would be incredibly harsh to drop Hughes on currrent form.

Could find Rafferty out the field, Blaine well ahead of him as a keeper imo. Would be a serious man to bring off the bench great fielder and can kick points from range. Morgan would be in my best 15 if hes at his best but not sure who for. 

[Armagh18]

Armagh team for players who haven't played much league football this year.... Best squad since the mid 00s?

Rafferty
Morgan Higgins McCambridge
JOB Cumiskey Rowland
Grimley McPartlan
Duffy Oisin O'Neill Hall
Nugent Rian O'Neill Kelly

McQuillan as well hasn't played a whole pile. Good competition for places anyway.

[yellowcard]

Yeah there's def a big step up from Div 1 and Div 2, Armagh and Donegal strolled thru the Division this year so it's difficult to know where we're at until we play a good Div 1 Team but all you can do is beat the teams in front of you and we've done that well. As you all have stated it's good to get some young blood into the team and competition for places, I actually agree with the RON scenario...I think we play better without him but he's such a talent that how can you leave him out when he's fit, he looks like he's still some timber to shift and another 4 weeks hard training to get into the legs but for the first time in a long time we have serious options on the bench that can change the game for us.
Armagh still have Cumisky, Morgan and Rafferty to come back too which just adds to the talent

I'm not sure any of those lads will start though which is a nice problem to have. Would be incredibly harsh to drop Hughes on currrent form.

Could find Rafferty out the field, Blaine well ahead of him as a keeper imo. Would be a serious man to bring off the bench great fielder and can kick points from range. Morgan would be in my best 15 if hes at his best but not sure who for.

Rafferty definitely an option at midfield but the long injury lay off may go against him when it comes to playing out the field. He could be a useful impact sub to have though.

It remains to be seen if Morgan can get back in the side. He's picked up a lot of injuries in recent years and isn't getting any younger.

[SouthDublinBro]

We mightn't necessarily have the best starting 15 but I'd say we have the best squad depth in the country at the minute.

I will never understand where this Armagh delusion comes from. You have accomplished nothing with these players and yet you actually believe this.

[JoG2]

We mightn't necessarily have the best starting 15 but I'd say we have the best squad depth in the country at the minute.

I will never understand where this Armagh delusion comes from. You have accomplished nothing with these players and yet you actually believe this.

Absolute gold from the 'Dub' 

[Wildweasel74]

Nobody more depth than the Dubs.

[yellowcard]

We mightn't necessarily have the best starting 15 but I'd say we have the best squad depth in the country at the minute.

I will never understand where this Armagh delusion comes from. You have accomplished nothing with these players and yet you actually believe this.

It's not delusion, it's just one persons opinion and squad depth does not equal the best team so I wouldn't be getting too upset over it. I'm not sure Dublin have the same depth they had about 5 or 6 years ago.

McGeeney operates with a squad of about 40 players which means that there are 10 lads who don't even get game time at training matches. But you can see that they are ready to make an impact if called up as they are conditioned and train like an inter county footballer. It takes a serious level of buy in from players to be able to committ to that without even getting into the training matches never mind the match day squad.

[Itchy]

We mightn't necessarily have the best starting 15 but I'd say we have the best squad depth in the country at the minute.

I will never understand where this Armagh delusion comes from. You have accomplished nothing with these players and yet you actually believe this.

It's not delusion, it's just one persons opinion and squad depth does not equal the best team so I wouldn't be getting too upset over it. I'm not sure Dublin have the same depth they had about 5 or 6 years ago.

McGeeney operates with a squad of about 40 players which means that there are 10 lads who don't even get game time at training matches. But you can see that they are ready to make an impact if called up as they are conditioned and train like an inter county footballer. It takes a serious level of buy in from players to be able to committ to that without even getting into the training matches never mind the match day squad.

BUT, surely Armagh have to win Ulster this year or McGeeney will have failed? Is he a decade in charge, no silverware and lots of hard luck stories. They've the best draw they could've got in Ulster, they appear to have the players. Surely it's shit or get off the pot time now?