McKenna Cup 2024

[tonto1888]

So why exactly did Armagh send a young team out? I haven't read a credible answer yet. Like, it's not cause of travel given that they went to Dublin. Is it really about not wanting to reveal tactics before a league game? Seems hard to belive that; Armagh are a settled team with relatively well established patterns of play. Is it that they wouldn't get enough of a challenge from Donegal? Possibly, but the gap isn't that big. 2 fingers to the McKenna cup? Don't see why they would want to do that.

Genuinely interested.

They wanted to. That should be that really

[StephenC]

Thanks lads. I really appreciate the genuine and non-defensive nature of the replies.

[Eire90]

They should rename the mckenna cup the ulster trophy or ulster plate or something.

[Kidder81]

The McKenna Cup is challenge games on steroids

[Wolfetones]

So Donegal played an ineligible player?

Yes and it's either through complete ignorance or a case of sticking two fingers up at the rules. Derry had to withdraw Callum Brown from the starting line up a few years ago for the exact same reason.

[Itchy]

The McKenna Cup has a long and interesting history. Some of it is listed here on Wikipedia but a lot is missing from my own high level reading on it. Deserves a little bit of respect in my opinion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_McKenna_Cup

[yellowcard]

So Donegal played an ineligible player?

Yes and it's either through complete ignorance or a case of sticking two fingers up at the rules. Derry had to withdraw Callum Brown from the starting line up a few years ago for the exact same reason.

According to Jimmy the young player in question hadn't even trained with his senior club yet which begs the question why did they play him. Were they actively sticking 2 fingers up at the rules. It would be very hard to believe that someone at intercounty level woulnd't have been aware of the rules. 

[naka]

So Donegal played an ineligible player?

Yes and it's either through complete ignorance or a case of sticking two fingers up at the rules. Derry had to withdraw Callum Brown from the starting line up a few years ago for the exact same reason.

According to Jimmy the young player in question hadn't even trained with his senior club yet which begs the question why did they play him. Were they actively sticking 2 fingers up at the rules. It would be very hard to believe that someone at intercounty level woulnd't have been aware of the rules. 

Armagh should get the points 

[armaghniac]

Armagh should get the points 

That seems reasonable.

[ONeill]

I was in Donegal over the weekend and Jimmy's Winning Matches was flat out in the pub. The good times are back.

[imtommygunn]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

[Milltown Row2]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

I wish we took it seriously 

[ONeill]

Ach I think some people just like the excitement of inter-county football being back. It's a bit like the Charity Shield.

[imtommygunn]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

I wish we took it seriously 

 

Yeah charity shield good analogy. It's a good place for fringe players to stake a claim for the league.

[Itchy]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

The national league was changed from "split either side of Christmas" to "all after Christmas" in 2002. The McKenna Cup was halted for 2001 and 2002. It restarted in 2003 as a pre league round robin tournament we know today.

Before 2001 the McKenna Cup was played after the league and before the championship. It was also a knock out tournament during that time. There were often problems with fitting it in to the space between league and championship. For example, the 1968 McKenna Cup final ended up being played after the league finished in 1969. Cavan beat Down in the final. They were only champions for 1 week as the following weekend they were knocked out of the 1969 McKenna cup at the quarter final stage.  I think I will write a book on it.