Messages

.......we also have to now consider how good/bad ulster is after that down performance...is that just down as we have known them in the qualifiers to date or a truer portrayal of the level football is at in ulster..??/...

I don't know what it can tell us about Ulster football..... we know Wexford is good, they beat Fermanagh to Div 3 title.
I think the big thing it does tell us is how Good Dublin is this year..... At the moment my €€€ is on them for Sam.
(also have a few bob on Monaghan of course - one of theses years I'll recoup all the money i have lost over the years  )

you really should put some of your money on kerry, they have a long history of winning the thing. dublin and monaghan have a lot of memories of losing to get over 

True, but that wouldn't be any fun!!!

All future qualifier round threes should be taken the f**k away from Croke Park. That was pathetic today.
First teams drew out should have home adavtage. End off!!

Couldn't do "first team out" because there are two bowl for 3rd round. Could have another pot to decide who gets home advantage.
.... personally I'd like to see a neutral provincial venue for the 3rd round. This removes any issues related to counties with small grounds hosting a relatively big match. 

Tyrone
Wexford
Fermanagh
Kerry - Monaghan Draw. Monaghan ET

Almost forgot Antrim for Tom

Good so far YIW, Hope you also right about tomorrows games!!!!

["RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES"]

I said it on another post during the week, and i'll say it again "RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES".
Absolutely no atmosphere at the games today.... I'm heading to croker tomorrow, and I expect another diluted atmosphere (Fans coming and going + fans scattered all over the place), although I do think it will be a bigger crowd than today.

Whatever influenced the decision to stage these games at croker; it wasn't in the Fans interest. I really hope the GAA don't break even from either day and start using the provincial stadia. No more double headers at croker!!!!

Do you think maybe they were thinking about the players rather than the fans? Its not all about the fans.

I don't think they were thinking about the players either....
Most players would prefer to play in front of 27,000 packed into a provincial venue than 27,000 scattered throughout croke park.

["RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES"]

I said it on another post during the week, and i'll say it again "RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES".
Absolutely no atmosphere at the games today.... I'm heading to croker tomorrow, and I expect another diluted atmosphere (Fans coming and going + fans scattered all over the place), although I do think it will be a bigger crowd than today.

Whatever influenced the decision to stage these games at croker; it wasn't in the Fans interest. I really hope the GAA don't break even from either day and start using the provincial stadia. No more double headers at croker!!!!

Eh, Banty was one of the most vocal in pushing for the Monaghan game at Croker.

Hey, It's not the first time the i disagreed with Banty....
Monaghan would definately have more of an advantage if the game was held at a provincial venue..... will will have 4 supporters for every Kerry supporter, that would give us a 16th man!!!

.......we also have to now consider how good/bad ulster is after that down performance...is that just down as we have known them in the qualifiers to date or a truer portrayal of the level football is at in ulster..??/...

I don't know what it can tell us about Ulster football..... we know Wexford is good, they beat Fermanagh to Div 3 title.
I think the big thing it does tell us is how Good Dublin is this year..... At the moment my €€€ is on them for Sam.
(also have a few bob on Monaghan of course - one of theses years I'll recoup all the money i have lost over the years  )

["RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES"]

I said it on another post during the week, and i'll say it again "RIDICULOUS DECISION TO STAGE A DOUBLE HEADER AT CROKER FOR THESE GAMES".
Absolutely no atmosphere at the games today.... I'm heading to croker tomorrow, and I expect another diluted atmosphere (Fans coming and going + fans scattered all over the place), although I do think it will be a bigger crowd than today.

Whatever influenced the decision to stage these games at croker; it wasn't in the Fans interest. I really hope the GAA don't break even from either day and start using the provincial stadia. No more double headers at croker!!!!

I always did love Cavan People...... so wise 

Good assessment cavanmaniac, hope you're right!!!

[You talk of Croke park as if Dublin own it.]

They dont expect tankie.  They are !

You talk of Croke park as if Dublin own it.

No i dont but its no fair on dublin fans to miss out when they have been going all championship when there are other stadia available for these other games to take place!

Nobody mentioned Dublin Missing out. Nobody minds the Dublin QF being a stand-along game. Bue everybody want fairness, in having all QF's at Croker.

Armagh and Galway both deserve their quarter finals in Croker but it doesn't look like it so I hope both have a home quarter final at least.

No way is that Fair!!!! Neutral Venues like all the other quarters (Technically in Dublin's case)

It's not just unfair on Armagh and Galway (+ whoever they are playing), it's also unfair on Cork opponents in both Hurling and Football. Sea of Red in Croker that day!!! The hurling and Football games should be played on separate weekends if possible??

Even coming from Ulster, I still can't understand this "Fortress Ulster" mentality. You don't see it in any of the other 3  Provinces.  Maybe it goes back to the days when ulster football was 4th ranked, and whoever got out of Ulster was always the underdog.

Personally, i have a number of Favourite teams (for various reasons) that I like to see doing well. These teams come from all the Provinces. Similarly, there are a small number of teams that I don't mind seeing loosing. I won't name them here (don't want to start another argument), but they come from all Provinces, including Ulster.

Sorry for straying off topic...

[Tyrone]

Tyrone to beat Mayo; Tyrone's two recent games Vs Mayo's 3 week lay-off + disappointment in Connacht Final

Down to beat Wexford; Easiest prediction here; Down on a Roll (albeit against weak opposition) Vs Wexford's collapse in Leinster Final.

Kildare to beat Fermanagh; Kildare momentum Vs Fermanagh Disappointment

Monaghan to beat Kerry; Completely heart ruling head here!!! Head says, Kerry is a wounded animal, with many points to prove, and some of the finest players ever to grace a Football field. Heart says, Muineachán Abú

Tyrone
Monaghan
Limerick
Down

If only Limerick had done their job...... Bookies win again!!!

Personally I wouldn't like to be part of a double header at Croker.  There is absolutely no atmosphere at those type of games. For the First game, you have people constantly arriving, and for the second game people are constantly leaving.
A totally diluted atmosphere is the result.
Certainly from a Monaghan point of view, our likely crowd advantage (kerry people waiting for the final) would be wiped-out in Croker.

My choice of venues would be (for what it's worth):
Kerry v Monaghan - Portlaoise (roughly half way, and good for supporters living in Dublin)
Mayo v Tyrone - Sligo (again, approx half way although capacity could be a problem here, 15,000???)
Wexford v Down - Navan on Sat (or Possibly Parnell Park, except it only holds approx 14,000)
Fermanagh v Kildare - Navan on Sun