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Armagh and Mayo two heavy hitters already in these qualifiers after today.

Teams that could potentially end up in the Sam Maguire qualifiers.
Based on league position : Kerry, Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, Kildare, Dublin, Roscommon, Galway, Derry, Meath, Clare, Cork, Louth, Limerick.
Have to get to a provincial final : Down, Westmeath, Longford, Wicklow, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford.

Preliminary Round - Weekend 25th/26th May
First Round - Weekend 4th/5th June
Second Round - Weekend 11th/12th June

The 4 winners of the first round will play the losers of the 4 provincial finals

London
Fermanagh
Antrim
Laois
Offaly
Carlow
New York

Teams who will be in the Tailteann Cup if they don't get to a provincial final -
Down, Westmeath, Longford, Wicklow, Cavan, Sligo, Leitrim, Wexford, Tipperary, Waterford.

Round 1/Round of 16 is scheduled for the weekend of the 28th/29th May but if all 17 teams end up in it there will be a preliminary game the week before.
Round 2/Quarter-finals are scheduled for the weekend of the 4th/5th June.
Round 3/Semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of the 18th/19th June.
Round 4/Final is scheduled for the 9th July.

It's straight knock-our this year for one year only.

Also New York get a bye to the quarter-final stage

[(d) In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall bedecided by the following means: (i) Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For) (ii) Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (i) (iii) A Play-Off]

Just looking at the rule book in terms of what will happen to London (who will definitely not be fielding a team) and what could happen to any other team that do not field e.g. if Fermanagh don't manage to field against Clare.

6.38 says that the game will be awarded to the opposing team - so for London this looks like Waterford and Carlow will be awarded 2 points.
Carlow are on 4 points currently and Waterford are on 3, so would then be sitting on 6 points and 5 points to play.
6.38 also says that rule 6.21 (4) (a),(b),(c), and (d) will be applicable.

6.21 (4) (d) looks to be the key part here. My reading of it is that it then becomes a sort of mini-league of the teams tied on points - if there are only 2 teams tied on points then it's score difference on the one game involving the two teams tied on points, if there are 3 tied on points then it's score difference in the 3 games involving the 3 sides, if there are 4 tied on points then it's score difference in the 6 games involving the 3 sides and so on.  If this doesn't resolve things, it goes to highest total score for and if that doesn't resolve things, there is the possibility of a play-off game.


Page 113 of the Official Guide Part 1

6.38

Leagues may be organised on a single or double round basis.
The Regulations outlined in Rule 6.21(4) (a), (b), (c) and (d) (in relation to a League part of a Championship) shall apply to League competitions.
Where a double round League is played, the combined scores of the two games shall be taken into account when applying clause 4(c)(i) of that Rule.

Penalty for each unfulfilled Fixture: Award of Game to Opposing Team; Minimum Fine - County €400, Club €100 or
alternative penalty specified in the Competition's Regulations of the Committee-in-Charge.

Rules 6.21 - Page 94

(4) If a Championship is partly organised on a League basis, the following Regulations shall apply:
(a) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win, and one for a draw.

(b) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams.

(c) Except where provided for otherwise in these Rules, in County Bye-Law or in Competition Regulation, when Teams finish with equal points
for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:

(i) Where two Teams only are involved - the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition;
(ii) Scoring Difference (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For);
(iii) Highest Total Score For;
(iv) A Play-Off.

Exceptions to (c):
Except where provided for otherwise in County Bye-Law or Competition Regulation, Regulations

(i), (ii) and (iii) above shall not apply to Under 16 or younger age grade competitions.

(d) In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall be
decided by the following means:
(i) Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other. (subtracting the total Scores Against from total Scores For)
(ii) Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved, have played each other, and have finished equal in (i)
(iii) A Play-Off

https://www.gaa.ie/api/pdfs/image/upload/ljywtjsso59j5omsvd3b.pdf

This is live on TG4 on Friday - throw-in at 7:30

Can Cork stop Kerry's U20 from doing a clean sweep in Munster?

GAA - Peter Creedon in the firing line as Laois players accused of drinking before games
Rory Delaney Rory Delaney18 Jul 2017Email: rory@leinsterexpress.ie
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Creedon in the firing line as players accused of drinking before games
Laois manager Peter Creedon.
Delegates at Monday night's Laois County Board meeting took aim at Peter Creedon after a disastrous year for the county's senior football team.

The players did not escape censure either, with some delegates laying the blame for the year at their door, with on delegate also alleging four of the starting team were drinking prior to games.

A wide-ranging debate on the 2017 season took place at the Laois GAA offices in Parkside, and it was kicked off by Arles-Kilcruise delegate JJ Conway, who spoke of his disappointment that men from outside the county had been drafted in to act as selectors.


He also criticized the preparation of the team. "It was a disastrous year. Against Kildare, if we had never brought the team together for the seven months before the game, left them to their clubs and brought them together the week before, they would have done as well. There was no passion in our team this year."

St Joseph's delegate Michael Moore then initially proposed that Creedon be removed from the role, but when it was pointed out that he was only appointed on a one-year term, and was not technically currently in the role, he then proposed that his term not be renewed.

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JJ Conway seconded the motion.

Portarlington's Niall Slevin informed the meeting that Creedon's performance had been discussed at committee level in his club, and they were not in favour of him returning either. "I'm speaking on behalf of Portarlington GAA Club, we had a meeting after the Kildare game and we are in no way in favour of him remaining on as manager.

"To think of bringing him back after this year should not be on the cards."

Emo delegate, and former Laois footballer and U-21 manager Mick Lawlor, also felt Creedon could not be allowed to continue. "Last year we played the All-Ireland champions down in Kilkenny, and after 15 minutes we were down to 14 men, John O'Loughlin was sent off, but we could still compete and put up a serious effort.

"To watch what happened this year, and to be even considering holding on to that man is suicidal*.

"From what I saw this year, to hold on to that man, you could be putting Laois football back five or six years."

The Heath's Philip Keane wanted answers from the players. "What is the situation with the players? Do they feel they didn't perform to the level they can? It's grand saying we blame the manager, he picks the team, but the players themselves, do they feel they played as well as they could have, or that they were below par in some of the matches, and they should shoulder some of the blame?"

He added. "I don't think we should be rushing to get rid of a manager until the players own up to how they felt the year went. If five players put their hands up and say I didn't go as well as I should, then you can't hold the manager responsible for that."

His sentiments were echoed by Timahoe's Willie Ramsbottom. "I think a few of the players need to look into their hearts" noted Ramsbottom.

"You can hang it on the manager, everybody makes mistakes and everyone in this room has made mistakes, but when you put on a jersey you're supposed to go out and give every drop of sweat you can for an honest effort, and our lads this year did not give an honest effort. The players have to stand up and be counted, and be honest with themselves."

Crettyard's John Burke also criticised the players, alleging some of them had been drinking in the run up to games. "Here is the place for an honest discussion, we're all adults here.

"I'd just like to make the point, and I'll ask the question here; is it the manager's fault that at least four of our senior football players congregate for drinking sessions? Everyone in the street is talking about that, is that the senior manager's fault? Or is it the players fault? Four of our starting team were involved in that."

Chairman Gerry Kavanagh responded that there is a "collective responsibility" on all interested parties.

Willie Ramsbottom agreed. "I agree with you 100% John, I said it before myself a year and half ago and I was told I was washing dirty linen."

John Burke continued. "If we want to come in here now and have an honest discussion, we'll have one. The discussion we'll have will be all over the media in the morning, Laois are doing this or Laois are doing that. You can't drink pints of Guinness and talk sh*te in a pub, and then play football."

To a query on whether this was the night before a game, Burke said it was "days before".

Stradbally's Eamon Delaney said anyone who is aware of county players allegedly acting in such a manner should make sure the information is passed on to Peter Creedon, or confront the players themselves. "If I was aware of it, I'd be letting them know. If anyone knew and did nothing about it, they are partly responsible as well.

"It's grand and fine to blame players, and they absolutely should apply themselves and give themselves every chance. But if a person here is out socially and you see them (county players), if it meant a thing at all to you, to be paying your €30 going into O'Moore Park or wherever to go and see them, the very least you could say, in a polite and manly way, is that 'you should be doing better than that.' And they should be doing better than that."

While the mood in the room would suggest that Creedon lacks support, Chairman Gerry Kavanagh informed the meeting that they would first have to meet the players representatives before reporting back to delegates.

That meeting with the players could potentially take place this week.

------------------------------------------

* Emo delegate Mick Lawlor has subsequently contacted the Leinster Express to apologise for his use of the word 'suicidal', and he regrets using that particular term.

http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/sport/260276/creedon-in-the-firing-line-as-players-accused-of-drinking-before-games.html

I was looking back at the period 2009 to 2016 and what were the minimum points that would have been needed to make finals i.e  assuming there was no semi-finals, what did the side who finished 2nd in the league end up on.

2016 10
2015 9
2014 9 (not all sides on 9 points would have qualified for the finals)
2013 10
2012 9
2011 10
2010 10 (not all sides on 10 points would have qualified for the finals)
2009 9 (not all sides on 9 points would have qualified for the finals)

From this the odds of Mayo winning the league have taken a sizable hit tonight.

The excitement is only massive with Limerick taking on Clare for the privilege of playing Kerry in the next round.

Very hard not to see a Clare win here given the relative league campaigns of the two teams - both leaving Division 3 but Clare as champions while Limerick drop down to the dead zone of Division 4.

There were 3 games in Munster tonight.

Kerry   2-21        Waterford   1-2   
Clare           0-9        Limerick   1-5   
Cork           1-14        Tipperary   1-11

Tipperary play Limerick and the winner of that play Waterford and the winners of that play Cork in one semi-final.

Kerry play Clare in the other semi-final.

2-17 of that total from Kerry came from play and they have a chunk of players from the Hogan Cup winning team so you'd imagine they will be fairly serious contenders again this year.

Smiley Jim doing another one of his rote interviews.

He truly is the master at saying absolutely nothing in interviews.

Kerry 9 points to 2 up against Cork after 18 minutes.

Cork's 2 points from frees, they're being beaten all over the pitch .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LApx8VoI-1g

First of the provincial finals.

Both sides usually name their teams on the Thursday night, so we should have word soon.

Kerry didn't exactly set the world on fire against Tipp while Cork seemed to benefit from the fact that Clare didn't have all that much in the way of lads who got put the ball over or under the bar missing 3 goal chances and notching 12 wides.

I have close to zero faith in Cork - Cuthbert seems to me to be a massive spoofer for the most part- Also to me the recall of O'Connor in midfield just reeks of desperation, this Cork team haven't a notion how to defend and I just don't think the management  team are remotely capable of pulling a rabbit from a bag that would spectacular enough to stun the Kerry folk. Their one slim hope is if the inside men get goals and plenty of them as the  this Cork defence constantly concedes big scores against top teams.

Kerry are a bit more of an interesting question - lots of folk missing throughout the league, a squad that looks decent but with some interesting questions hanging over them and the small matter of being the reigning All-Ireland champions of course, but it's one thing to have a decent squad and a whole other thing to sort them into a decent team. When it comes to Kerry under Fitzmaurice he has a fairly decent record in terms of getting the match-ups right so unless he makes a mess of things, I'd expect them to triumph.

The starters are done with, we're getting down to the main course now ( August and September are the desert the best part of the meal in my opinion)

The Kerry Senior Football Team to play Tipperary in the Munster Football Championship semi final in Thurles on Sunday contains just 7 of the team that started the All Ireland Final against Donegal last year.

All Stars, Paul Murphy and David Moran, miss the game due to injury while Brian Kelly, Aidan O'Mahony, Fionn Fitzgerald, Stephen O'Brien, James O'Donoghue and Donnchadh Walsh are all named in the substitutes list for Sunday's game.

Of the six subs that saw action against Donegal last September, Shane Enright, Michael Geaney, Bryan Sheehan and Barry John Keane are all included in the starting fifteen this time round while Kieran O'Leary is injured and Declan O'Sullivan has since retired. 

Jonathan Lyne of Killarney Legion makes his full Championship debut while Colm Cooper is named at centre forward for his 77th championship game and returns to championship action for the first time since the 2013 All Ireland semi final against Dublin.

The team, captained by Kieran Donaghy is as follows:

1. Brendan Kealy  Kilcummin

2. Marc Ó Sé An Ghaeltacht

3. Mark Griffin   St Michaels/Foilmore

4. Shane Enright   Tarbert

5. Jonathan Lyne  Killarney Legion

6. Peter Crowley Laune Rangers

7. Killian Young   Renard

8. Anthony Maher  Duagh

9. Bryan Sheehan St Marys

10. Michael Geaney Dingle

11. Colm Cooper Dr Crokes

12. Johnny Buckley  Dr Crokes

13. Paul Geaney Dingle

14. Kieran Donaghy (C) Austin Stacks

15. Barry John Keane  Kerins O'Rahillys

Fir Ionaid:

16. Brian Kelly Killarney Legion

17. James O'Donoghue Killarney Legion

18. Stephen O'Brien  Kenmare

19. Aidan O'Mahony Rathmore

20. Darran O'Sullivan Glenbeigh-Glencar

21. Fionn Fitzgerald   Dr Crokes 

22. Tommy Walsh  Kerins O'Rahillys

23. Alan Fitzgerald  Castlegregory

24. Donnchadh Walsh Cromane

25. Jack Sherwood Firies

26. Pa Kilkenny   Glenbeigh/Glencar 

Bainisteóir: Eamonn Fitzmaurice (Finuge) 

Róghnóirí: Diarmuid Murphy (Dingle), Mikey Sheehy (Austin Stacks), Cian O'Neill (Moorefield, Kildare) 

Additional Information:

Injuries Update

The following players are not available for selection due to injury:

David Moran (Shoulder Injury)

Paul Murphy (Shoulder Injury)

Paul Galvin (Quad Injury)

Kieran O'Leary (Recovering from surgery on Achilles Tendon Injury)

http://www.kerrygaa.ie/news/360920/Kerry_Senior_Football_Team_v_Tipperary_Munster_Semi_Final

TEAM CORK SENIOR FOOTBALL

1. Ken O'Halloran (Bishopstown)

2. Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)

3. Michael Shields (St. Finbarr's) Capt.

4. James Loughrey (Mallow)

5. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)

6. Brian O'Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)

7. Barry O'Driscoll (Nemo Rangers)

8. Alan O'Connor (St. Colum's)

9. Kevin O'Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)

10. Colm O'Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)

11. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)

12. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)

13. Colm O'Neill (Ballyclough)

14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)

15. Donncha O'Connor (Ballydesmond)

Subs:

16. Paddy O'Shea (St. Vincent's)

17. Ian Maguire (St. Finbarr's)

18. Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)

19. Noel Galvin (Ballincollig)

20. Fintan Goold (Macroom)

21. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues)

22. Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)

23. Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg)

24. John Hayes (Carbery Rangers)

25. Donal Óg Hodnett (O'Donovan Rossa)

26. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)

Unavailable for selection: John O'Rourke and Tom Clancy (Clonakilty) long term injury. Eoin Cadogan received an ankle injury during training Tuesday night. Jamie O'Sullivan is serving a 1 game suspension.

That defence and midfield is fairly unimpressive stuff.

Division 4 teams played 99 championship games in this 5 year period.

They won 29 games lost 66 and drew 4.

At first glance that doesn't look too bad.

However when you look at who the wins came against, things look a lot more of an issue.

2 of those wins came against New York who don't compete in the league.
15 of those wins came against other Division 4 teams.
8 came against Division 3 teams.
3 came against Division 2 teams.
1 came against a Division 1 team.

Overall 99 championship games and 4 wins against top 16 teams.

So far this year in the championship it's been Division 4 teams played 8 lost 7 with the only win coming when two Division 4 teams played each other.

* This doesn't include New York's loss to Galway. I've used Division 4 status at the start of the year as opposed to at the end as 1) it was easier 2) although the form of those teams that win promotion is decent, playing other Division 4 sides is a terrible preparation for championship 3)I suspect it probably makes the Division 4 figures look a bit better – if I had to guess I'd say the promoted Division 4 teams are probably responsible for a serious chunk of the wins while I'd say the record of those teams relegated from Division 3 in the championship is unlikely to do much to improve the figures and I would strongly suggest would only end up making it look worse.

Also it's hard to tell with the small sample size but if anything it looks like the record against top 16 sides is getting worse - the win against Division 1 opposition was in 2010, while 2 of the 3 wins against Division 2 sides came in 2011.

To put it another way in the 2012 to 2015 period so far Division 4 sides have played 68 championship games and only won 1 against a side from Division 1 or 2.

Lineups in the link

http://www.the42.ie/tipperary-waterford-team-news-munster-senior-football-championships-teams-2131636-May2015/

Tipp are 1/10 which says it all about where the teams are currently.

Throw-in at 3:30

The Limerick senior football manager John Brudair has named his team to start the Munster senior football championship match against Clare in Ennis on next Saturday 23rd at 7pm.
Four players are making their Munster championship debut, Robert Browne at corner back, Cillian Fahy at centre back, Stephen Cahill at wing back and Peter Nash at corner forward. Limerick senior football team will line out as follows,

1. Brian Scanlon (Gerald Griffin's),
2. Sean O'Dea (Kilteely/Dromkeen),
3. Johnny McCarthy (St.Kieran's),
4. Robert Browne (Fr. Casey's),
5. Iain Corbett (Newcastlewest),
6. Cillian Fahy (Dromcollogher/Broadford),
7. Stephen Cahill (Mountcollins),
8. Thomas Lee (Ballylanders),
9. Gearoid Hegarty (St. Patrick's),
10. John Riordan (Fr Casey's),
11. Pa Ranahan (Ballysteen),
12. Darragh Tracey (St. Kieran's),
13. Peter Nash (Kildimo/Pallaskenry),
14. Seanie Buckley (Captain)(Dromcollogher/Broadford) 
15. Ian Ryan (St. Senan's).

http://limerickgaa.ie/john-brudair-name-his-starting-fifteen/

I thought I'd post up the candidates for the Young Player of the Year.

These are the current Paddypower odds.

Also a player has to be under 21 this year to be eligible.

Cormac Costello 9/4
Ryan McHugh 8/1
Diarmuid Murtagh 9/1
Damien Comer 9/1
Brian O'Driscoll 10/1
Colin O'Riordan 11/1
Eamon Wallace 14/1
Ethan Rafferty 14/1
Cathal McShane 16/1
Ryan Wylie 16/1
Enda Smith 20/1
Liam Silke 20/1
Stephen O'Brien 66/1
Ian Maguire 25/1
Ciaran O'Hanlon 25/1
Stephen Coen 33/1
Diarmuid O'Connor 33/1
Ryan McAnespie 40/1
David Hyland 40/1
Hugh McFadden 50/1
Darach O'Connor 50/1
Ciaran McFaul 50/1
Adam Flanagan 50/1
Conor McAtamney 66/1
Stephen O'Brien 66/1
Niall Kelly 66/1
Eoin McHugh 80/1
Padraic Harnan 80/1
Paul Kingston 80/1
Terence O'Brien 100/1
Shane Dempsey 125/1
Neil Flynn 125/1
Ryan Burns 125/1
Cian Breheny 125/1
Eoin Carroll 125/1
Jamie Malone 150/1

A key issue for Young Player of the Year is getting sufficient game time to make an impression ; also the further the team goes in the championship the better a player's chance

List of past winners - Pretty decent strike rate looking back

2014   Ryan McHugh
2013   Jack McCaffrey
2012   Cillian O'Connor
2011   Cillian O'Connor
2010   Aidan Walsh
2009   Michael Murphy
2008   Tommy Walsh
2007   Killian Young
2006   Keith Higgins
2005   Aaron Kernan
2004   Niall Tinney
2003   Sean Cavanagh
2002   Ronan Clarke
2001   Cormac McAnallen
2000   Joe Bergin
1999   Phillip Clifford
1998   Michael Donnellan
1997   Mike Frank Russell

The new rules for the naming of championship teams are in place now.

So far only Leitrim have actually named their full 26 - Galway, Westmeath and Offaly have named only their starting 15. No sign of Donegal, Tyrone, Louth or Longford.

Anyone think that the GAA should publish the full 26 for all teams on their main site at something like 12pm ?

http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1405151343-new-rules-for-team-lists-and-match-day-panels/

These 2 heavy-weights of league football go head to head in a battle for the ages.

Can Dublin do a league three in a row to set them up for the arduous assault on Leinster?

Could Cork win some silverware this year under Cuthbert to make up for the loss of their McGrath Cup title?