Armagh Club football & hurling

[Onion Bag]

called off - rain.

When is it going to be played? Wasnt the Junior and Intermediate finals to be played next weekend

[Goats Do Shave]

Felt sorry for the Harps yesterday. Cracking 2nd half perofrmance. But as a neutral I think they have every right to feel agrieved with the performance from the officialS - including linesmen & umpires!

I don't think there are too many 50 - 50 decsions that went in their favour (bar Collie Holmes giving JD the knee's at the touchline)
Harps just had to work that bit harder for theiur scores in the end though & the best team did win!

The first game was more like a meaningless end of season league encounter. Best team won in the end, thanks to the Clarke brothers & Geard Barton who impressed. Don't recall one hard tackle though (bar a little scuffle between Stevie & Barton.)

[gander]

called off - rain.

When is it going to be played? Wasnt the Junior and Intermediate finals to be played next weekend

yeah it was supposed to be a double header but its just the junior now.  The intermediate semi will be played next sat with the final played the following week.  Not sure if it on the sat or sunday though

[goh4205]

 As for the Francie incident I was talking to a mate who was right behind the goals and seem what happened, the No.13 had been goading Francie for most of the 2nd half and he locked arms with Francie trying to get him to pull him down to get him booked & Francie just pushed him away & he fell.  

There's video evidence to the contrary friendo.  Goading?  If you knew the fella you'd realise how laughable that is.  Hate to drop to pettiness but maybe the fact that Bellew never won a ball all day was frustrating him.

Benny  I'm not taking any side I just pointed out some of the stuff I saw. Corn is probably right it sort of evens itself out in the end. What I will say about that lad kelly is, I was talking to a friend this morning who was/is close to the Harps and he said he was a yap!!   He was right beside were it happened and in no way did Bellew strike him with intent, all he tried to do was get kelly off him.

[Orior]

Who's in the junior final?

[corn02]

THEIR two teams may have been engaged in one of the best rivalries of recent times, but Tyrone manager Mickey Harte and current Ulster manager Joe Kernan will team up to manage an Allstar team that will face Armagh in a charity match.

Joe may have gotten one over Mickey in 02 while the Red Hand boss gained revenge in 03 and 05, but the duo will be plotting the downfall of Peter McDonnell and the current Ulster champions.
The event is being held in Dromintee on Saturday, October 18 and a host of big names will be lining out for the Allstar side including Justin McMahon, Brian Dooher, Graham Geraghty, Kieran McGeeney, Eamon O'Hara, Marty McGrath, Oisin McConville, Darren Clarke and Kevin McGourty.
A number of past greats, including Joe Brolly, Benny Tierney, Colm O'Rourke and Jimmy Smith, will also be there to take part or to offer their expertise through the microphone.

A number of other personalities, including Irish rugby international Rob Kearney, will also be present on the day and a 'nite-of-the-races' and charity auction, which will auction off a number of signed jerseys amongst other items, will follow the game.

Justin McMahon is a busy man at present after his impressive display in the All-Ireland final, but he is more than happy to help out on the day. Speaking from the launch in Belfast, the Omagh St Enda's man stressed the importance of the cause.

"It is great to see GAA players involved in such events," he said. "When you come to these things you realise how important these things are when tragedies like this affect GAA clubs. There has been a lot of great organisation involved.

McMahon is still on a high after their final triumph over Kerry but is glad to getting straight back into the action as his side face up to Dromore in the WJ Dolan SFC this Sunday.

"I was back up in Belfast this week so things calmed down a wee bit. We will have to keep our feet on the ground because Dromore will prove tough opposition. We just have to give the club championship a rattle and see how things go."

Armagh's Gareth O'Neill is delighted to see such a high calibre of players lining out in his home club.

"It is a great cause and hopefully the crowds will respond to it because there are some superb footballers travelling from all over the country."

It will only be the second time Armagh have lined out in Dromintee and they will provide fitting opposition to the Allstar team as the south Armagh club have five members on the county panel – O'Neill, Aidan O'Rourke, Martin O'Rourke, Micheal O'Rourke and Barry Shannon – the largest representation in the club's history.

"It will be a great day for the club," said O'Neill. "But it is more about raising the funds for such a good cause and it will be a great day's craic all round. I am expecting a big crowd and hopefully the day gets the support it deserves."

The match has been organised in memory of Gerald Fearon who was killed in a car crash two years ago. Admission is by voluntary donation and all proceeds will go to the Irish Air Ambulance service. Throw in is at 6.30pm.

[Handy]

 As for the Francie incident I was talking to a mate who was right behind the goals and seem what happened, the No.13 had been goading Francie for most of the 2nd half and he locked arms with Francie trying to get him to pull him down to get him booked & Francie just pushed him away & he fell.  

There's video evidence to the contrary friendo.  Goading?  If you knew the fella you'd realise how laughable that is.  Hate to drop to pettiness but maybe the fact that Bellew never won a ball all day was frustrating him.

Benny  I'm not taking any side I just pointed out some of the stuff I saw. Corn is probably right it sort of evens itself out in the end. What I will say about that lad kelly is, I was talking to a friend this morning who was/is close to the Harps and he said he was a yap!!   He was right beside were it happened and in no way did Bellew strike him with intent, all he tried to do was get kelly off him.

I saw the incident so I am not going on hearsay - Francie knew exactly what he was doing, he should of been given a straight red but the umpire shit himself!

[Donners]

Who's in the junior final?

The Grange and Middletown

[Throw ball]

Went to both matches yesterday. A few observations:-
1. Ogs v Killeavy. Never thought Ogs were in real bother. Ronan Clarke played very well and his brother JJ looked a real player when he came on, although a little selfish. Why do Killeavy insist on playing Stevie in MidField. What a waste of scoring talent.
2. Harps v Cross. Good game with an exciting finish. Always thought that Cross looked as if they could step up a gear, but they never did. Was at the Dalton Road end so got to see most of the controversal incidents. Thought the Cross penalty was a penalty but that the Full Back should have got a free out before that. Quigley also pushed a defender on his way to scoring his goal. Francie should have been sent off. I thought the referee had lost his cards. Twice Francie pulled the forward down when he had him beaten. He should have had a yellow at the very least. As regards the incident with Kelly I thought as the ball was being played in Francie was holding Kelly back by the arm (could have been a pen) Kelly tried to pull his arm away to get past. In the tussle I definitely think Francie caught Kelly and would have warranted a yellow (the second I think he should have got) rather than a red. How Kelly got the telling off I do not know. The incident was in my opinion similar to when Tony McEntee got caught. As regards the final free I had a very good view. Quigley hit an excellent free but it was stopped by a defender on the line. The whistle was then blown. Match over.
Thought John Mac, Jamie Clarke and Tony Kernan were excellent for cross. For the Harps Gill at full back was very assured, Morrison played well at full forward as did Quigley. After his missed pen and frees Kelly showed great Character to play very well in the second half. However, my man of the match was Swift. If he played like that for Armagh he would never be off the team.
3. Other points.
The ground looked very well. However, some parents will need to look after their children a bit better. The County Board will also need to put some yellow tape or something on the barriers. I saw a young Cross fan run straight into a barrier and suffer a bad cut. ( well done to those who went to his aid also) Finally, I hope that fool who went for the Harps player after the game gets taken to task. Also hope it does not mean we need higher barriers around the pitch. Good to see Aaron Kernan trying to sort it out.

[bubbles]

was at both matches myself.

The ogs as already pointed out were not in trouble at any stage in this match. when killeavy looked like they were getting back into it ogs just tagged on another score. they will have to improve on their shooting though if they are to have a chance at winning the title. think their defence is very good. all good footballers who can get out in front and also carry the ball.

The harps were unlucky in my view. they gave a good account of themselves in the second half. cross just shaded it and deserved their victory although it does seem that the officials favour them on occasions.

I believe that the best 2 teams in the county are now contesting the county final and it should be a cracker. both teams will need to improve from their last performance and at this stage you also need a little luck.

[pintsofguinness]

Goh - this morning

As for the Francie incident I was talking to a mate who was right behind the goals and seem what happened, the No.13 had been goading Francie for most of the 2nd half and he locked arms with Francie trying to get him to pull him down to get him booked & Francie just pushed him away & he fell.

Goh - later this morning

Benny  I'm not taking any side I just pointed out some of the stuff I saw. Corn is probably right it sort of evens itself out in the end. What I will say about that lad kelly is, I was talking to a friend this morning who was/is close to the Harps and he said he was a yap!!   He was right beside were it happened and in no way did Bellew strike him with intent, all he tried to do was get kelly off him.

The first post suggests that kelly was goading Francie, Francie pushed him away and Kelly dived.  However your second  (by the way you haven't pointed out anything you saw you're relying on a "mate's" version of events) suggests that Bellew struck but not with intent    Which is it?
Oh and Kelly is a yap?  What has that got to do with anything, what relevance has that?

C'mon GOH I think you're a better poster than that.


Berf

The level of bias towards cross in the county is unbelievable, actually it must be a Sth Armagh thing, because the Ogs got nothing from the ref in the previous game.

FFS don't start that shite.

[bennydorano]

I believe that the best 2 teams in the county are now contesting the county final and it should be a cracker. both teams will need to improve from their last performance and at this stage you also need a little luck.

Very debatable bubbles, the Ogs should take confidence from the games yesterday but not get carried away. I dont think the Ogs are any better than the Harps or Dromintee and are contesting their second county final in a row without having played either Dromintee, Clans or Harps in that 2 year championship period.  I'd dare most of these teams would have made the Co finals with the draws the Ogs have had these last 2 seasons.

[bubbles]

im going on the league table as well. the ogs came second in the league the past 2 seasons as well as the 2 county finals.

everyone has their opinion i suppose. dont want to get into an argument of whose the second best team.

should be a good game and hope the ogs win it as it will give all the other teams in the county a huge lift

[pintsofguinness]

should be a good game and hope the ogs win it as it will give all the other teams in the county a huge lift

I think the worrying thing from a Cross point of view is that the Ogs have seen cross rattled yesterday and are probably (or should be) confident they can do the same.

[winsamsoon]

I believe that the best 2 teams in the county are now contesting the county final and it should be a cracker. both teams will need to improve from their last performance and at this stage you also need a little luck.

Very debatable bubbles, the Ogs should take confidence from the games yesterday but not get carried away. I dont think the Ogs are any better than the Harps or Dromintee and are contesting their second county final in a row without having played either Dromintee, Clans or Harps in that 2 year championship period.  I'd dare most of these teams would have made the Co finals with the draws the Ogs have had these last 2 seasons.

I would tend to agree with bubles here benny. No one will debate top spot in the county but i think og's would just shade it now at number two. Whilst i admit the ogs would find it more difficult to beat the harps and Dromintee for example. I think they would still have came through these games. But i take on board what you are saying Benny about an easier draw. But as i say i think in terms of a solid team to challenge cross i think the og's are as close as we shall get.

Wasn't at the games yesterday but listened to them and from all those unbias posts that have been put on here today. I have came to the conclusion that Harps were very unlucky and the og's won handy enough. Fair play to the Harps, the Cross destroyed us in the quarters and Harps after being relegated and all could have fallen the same way. But fair play to them they came out and gave it a rattle and in many ways have restored a bit of hope back in other teams. I would say yesterdays result has given the Og's a confidence boast ahead of the final. (Though if the harps thought this, they probably wouldn't have done this favour for the og's)  . I would think the og's would be confident if they were to meet the harps in the championship and seeing the Harps run Cross so close yesterday it will give them an extra edge.

But once again well done to the Cross (for an outstanding record that will never be beaten) and the Ogs who are bound to be hurting from last year. Good luck to both in the final.