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Messages - Lamh Dhearg Alba

#1
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 20, 2025, 06:24:32 PM
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on January 20, 2025, 12:52:35 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on January 20, 2025, 11:02:20 AMCuala blew them away in the first half - given how far ahead they were at half time they were never going to continue at that level in the 2nd half.
EC pulled back as Cuala dropped off a bit, and Peter Harte played like a man possessed.
But Cuala always had that extra gear when it go too close - the result was never in doubt after about 20 mins in the first half.
EC couldnt get out of their own half.

Cuala were Faster, bigger, stronger and better.



Cannot believe I'm agreeing with tbrick18 on anything, but his last line is absolutely key.

Look at the absolute club kingpins from Ulster as regards the Club Championship (The Rangers).
Yes they had brilliant footballers, don't think I need to name them, but they ( when they were successful) also had plenty of old dogs ( no offence Brokencrossbar) for the hard road.
They could football you off the pitch but they had mem who loved the physical side too.
Any successful team (especially at Club level) needs that.
Yes Oisin  McConville/ Aaron Kernan etc were Rolls Royces of footballers but never underestimate the contributions of the Donal Murtaghs/ John Donaldsons etc.

In my humble opinion Errigal  lacked a bit  of "physical presence ".

Know/ do business with a few from Ballygawley and they'll be gutted today.

None taken....taken as a compliment actually!  Was talking about this last week at training that the core of our team were physically very strong,  12 of our wearing team in excess of 6 foot and well made. We could play anyone at football but if needed we physically dominated.  EC didn't have that yesterday. Physically not up to it and that's not a criticism,  just an observation.

While the come back was excellent a few factors need to be considered. There was the inevitable bounce from
Darraghs injury,  'let's do it for him' approach and that's fine. The only thing is that energy is not sustainable and Cuala were able to keep them somewhat at arms length.

Secondly,  no matter how much you say it doesn't play into your mind Cuala were playing for the final whistle from half time. They were 'managing' the game and I always felt they had the gears to up it if needed. They are a very good team.

With all that said,  and with genuine congratulations to Cuala,  I'd be sitting there as a manager of a senior club team and saying these AIs for winning. I'd say there are 5-6 teams sick this morning thinking 'what if'. While that could be said any year I wouldn't be fearing them if I was playing them next year.

If you're 14 points up and managing the game then you use the extra gears way before it gets down to 3 points in the closing stages. Not credible to suggest otherwise.
#2
At least Errigal made a game of it in the end but they'll be sick, getting so close after not turning up in the first half and playing so long without Darragh. A huge missed opportunity for them. Fair play to Petey Harte, dragged them back into it himself.

Congratulations to Cuala, worthy champions.
#3
Quote from: Cunny Funt on January 19, 2025, 04:08:35 PMMassive surprise Cuala have this AI final wrapped up so soon. Would have thought the Tyrone and Ulster champions would be battle harden and Cuala didn't blow any of the Leinster or Sligo champions away

I think more likely the many battles have worked against them, particularly extra time last week, looked very leggy right from the start. What will be more disappointing is that they lost their composure when they made the bad start, nobody stood up to try and keep them in it and get through the rough spell. In no time it was gone from them. Losing Darragh just another blow in a half hour when pretty much nothing went for them. Have to say I have sympathy for them, always sore to lose on the big day but to not turn up at all, that will leave you with massive regrets. Hope they can at least compete in the second half.
#4
GAA Discussion / Re: Your No1 County Moment
September 06, 2024, 07:04:54 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on August 27, 2024, 10:26:43 AM
Quote from: Lamh Dhearg Alba on August 26, 2024, 09:46:37 PM
Quote from: NotedObserver on August 24, 2024, 10:45:20 PMEither of these games against dubs

05- tyrone v Dublin replay. The noise from the dub supporters when coming back was something I've never heard since.

08. Tyrone v Dublin. The win in the rain was totally unexpected from my view point. Hitting dubs for goals was great to see

Two great choices. The noise from the Dublin fans in the first one when they hit those five points in a row to come back into it - then silence when Mugsy answered with the goal and celebrated by staring down the Hill. As iconic in its own way as the goal in the first game!

And 2008 was an incredible team performance.

My own favourite was the 2005 final. Some in Kerry - some very high in Kerry - had denigrated Tyrone after 2003 (chairman making comments in 2004 about saving the sport). Seeing Kerry simply unable to cope with Tyrone in 2005 was the most beautiful answer. The 3 point margin of defeat flattered Kerry and truth was that Tyrone were just a better team with better players.

You were a good bit the better team and now you seem to read in places that Kerry could have won. They could have but it would have really been against the run of the play. Tyrone much the better team in 05.

I don't there's a credible case that Kerry could have won in 2005. They made a good start and led 1-2 to 0-2 early on but Tyrone took over and from there to half-time outscored Kerry 1-6 to 0-3. They carried that into the second half and Kerry couldn't live with them with the lead going out to 1-12 to 1-7. Kerry were in dire straits and desperately needed a goal which came from Tomas O Se against the run of play. But from then getting back within a point Tyrone took over again and outscored them 0-4 to 0-2 to the finish. I don't see how Kerry could have won - other than the opening stages they were chasing the game and hanging onto Tyrone's coat-tails.

Those 3 games between 2003 and 2008 brought 3 Tyrone wins with an aggregate margin of 14 points. The only one Kerry could have won was 2008 against the weakest Tyrone side of the three - and even then they were outscored 0-5 to 0-0 in the closing stages.
#5
Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling
September 06, 2024, 05:43:25 PM
Quote from: tiempo on September 06, 2024, 08:42:32 AM
Quote from: Moonshine on September 05, 2024, 10:45:46 PM
Quote from: tyrone08 on September 04, 2024, 08:02:28 PMThe square ball podcast with niall morgan was a great listen. Very insightful in terms of harte, current tyrone team and how respected Peter Donnelly is.

I thought the complete opposite, saying players weren't injured or faking. If he was a real leader he would of called it out at the time. Fella is a complete buffer loves the air time

Joke of a comment, Tyrone's best all time GK and a hugely committed player

Felt the interview was a good listen, honest without being dickish, doesn't have an axe to grind, just want to get the best out of himself teammates and win big

Agreed. It was a fascinating listen and confirmed what plenty of us were saying here for years, key examples the team being suffocated by Mickey's micro management (and being beaten after 5 mins because of the system), 2021 happening because the shackles were off, and that they were a rudderless ship from start of 2022 onwards. It was all clear enough looking in from the outside - but fascinating indeed to hear it confirmed. He was harder on himself than he needed to be too because he was part of a very small group whose individual standards didn't drop after 2021. A great listen.

Hopefully we'll get confirmation on the management ASAP and they can get to work on sorting things out. The talent is there.
#6
GAA Discussion / Re: Your No1 County Moment
August 26, 2024, 09:46:37 PM
Quote from: NotedObserver on August 24, 2024, 10:45:20 PMEither of these games against dubs

05- tyrone v Dublin replay. The noise from the dub supporters when coming back was something I've never heard since.

08. Tyrone v Dublin. The win in the rain was totally unexpected from my view point. Hitting dubs for goals was great to see

Two great choices. The noise from the Dublin fans in the first one when they hit those five points in a row to come back into it - then silence when Mugsy answered with the goal and celebrated by staring down the Hill. As iconic in its own way as the goal in the first game!

And 2008 was an incredible team performance.

My own favourite was the 2005 final. Some in Kerry - some very high in Kerry - had denigrated Tyrone after 2003 (chairman making comments in 2004 about saving the sport). Seeing Kerry simply unable to cope with Tyrone in 2005 was the most beautiful answer. The 3 point margin of defeat flattered Kerry and truth was that Tyrone were just a better team with better players.
#7
GAA Discussion / Re: County Manager Merry go round
August 26, 2024, 09:39:23 PM
Legends as a management team for 2021 and delivering an All Ireland that wouldn't have happened under the micro management of the second decade of the Mickey regime - very much the right men at the right time. Unfortunately three years of huge underachievement since and should have gone last summer. Huge potential in the county with the right appointment now.
#8
Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling
August 26, 2024, 09:16:02 PM
They will always be legends as a management team (on top of everything achieved as players) for 2021. They inherited a very fit and well drilled panel, took the shackles off and won an All Ireland that simply couldn't have happened under the micro management of the previous regime. Unfortunately as time went on it became clear they wouldn't be able to build on that and weren't quite cut out for inter county management. In truth we lost a couple of seasons there when the overall standard of the Championship has been very mixed and a well run Tyrone could have been real contenders. Should have gone at the end of the 3 year term but they've made the right call now. And at least that extra year did see lots of youngsters get some valuable experience, even in an underachieving team. Dooher in particular one of the all time Tyrone greats when you factor in his playing career, but two men who always gave everything and delivered the biggest prize. Never to be forgotten.

Crucial now that the county board make a strong appointment to make the most of the talent available and quality of players coming through.
#9
There is certainly a lot of discussion to be had about the quality of that match and the quality of this entire Championship - but that's for another day. Huge congratulations to Armagh, a team who are way more than the sum of their parts and who overcame a lot of setbacks along the way to win that title. Enjoy the day, night and weeks ahead. I know you will!
#10
GAA Discussion / Re: Donegal v Galway
July 14, 2024, 06:29:24 PM
Both teams far more composed than yesterday when there was a lot of wild shooting and very questionable decision making, albeit that made the closing stages of normal time and the extra time more excitement than today was. Was only towards the very end that we really saw mistakes come into it this afternoon.
Very little in it overall and the goal obviously crucial. I'd say Galway are capable of playing better than that but Donegal's defence get a fair bit of credit for that. Some job by McGuinness given the mess he inherited and will be interesting to see how it develops.

It hasn't been a vintage Championship but there is a lot to like about this final and it should be a terrific occasion.
#11
GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Kerry
July 13, 2024, 07:49:41 PM
Fair play to Armagh! I said before that Kerry should win but there were certain questions over them after that Derry match - and my word they were so poor there. The missed goal chances, the gift of a goal, then incredible lack of composure towards the end of full-time and even more so throughout extra-time. A team with so much talent but no spine or leadership.

But Armagh still had to take advantage and from a few points down too. For a team with a history of losing big games that was no mean feat. The standard was dreadful but Armagh won't care - and the best of the football came from them with some big scores. Congratulations to them and to all the Armagh posters on here.
#12
GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Kerry
July 13, 2024, 08:18:29 AM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on July 12, 2024, 11:21:25 PMKerry by a fair bit.

There are reasons to feel that should be the case at least. I know some Armagh fans have a go at McGeeney and I get that in the context of some suspect game management at key times in big matches - which is obviously hugely frustrating - but overall he has done a fantastic job with what is in the main a collection of solid players rather than great ones. Reaching this semi is another fine effort. But this is a team which hasn't been able to win a provisional title, despite their opposition in the last two finals being a Derry side thrown into disarray with the loss of their manager then a Donegal team which is very much a work in progress just a few months into McGuinness project part two. They haven't had a genuine big Championship win. They haven't thus far been able to consolidate in Division 1. It's a big leap of faith to think they are genuine All Ireland contenders, even in this rather strange summer.

What would give me a bit of confidence if I was an Armagh fan was Kerry's bizarre performance against Derry, sitting back and playing so carefully against a team that was done, and only pushing on in the closing stages (and even then cautiously). Post match comments confirmed these were the tactics. They gave Derry an opportunity to win that match. Derry of this summer weren't going to be able to grasp that chance. Derry in a better place probably would have. Big questions over their approach and Armagh right now are certainly better equipped than Derry to take advantage.

So basically if Kerry play as they can they'll win. Anything like the Derry game and Armagh might have a shot at it. Hope everyone heading down has a great day out - all the best.
#13
Derry / Re: Derry Club Football & Hurling original
July 08, 2024, 08:21:47 PM
Quote from: Norm-Peterson on July 08, 2024, 07:37:08 PM
Quote from: Lamh Dhearg Alba on July 08, 2024, 06:26:39 PMIt was quite funny from a Tyrone perspective to watch Derry's shambolic Championship performances this summer but really nobody wins from this.

Any true red hander (as your username states) would be supporting Ulster neighbours rather than finding it funny when southerners like Kerry and Galway beat them. You could argue than many Tyrone fans aren't very loyal Ulstermen at all.

I actually particularly enjoyed seeing Derry thumped by Donegal and Armagh with the concession of seven goals,does that me more "loyal"?

For what it's worth I well remember shouting for Derry in 93. I might do so again but make no apologies in the circumstances for enjoying Derry's farcical Championship after bringing in Mickey and all the talk of Sam. A little bit of light relief amidst Tyrone's listless performances.
#14
Quote from: Captain Obvious on July 08, 2024, 06:40:20 PMHow many people knew about this Louth talent before Harte became manager of them? They had a better/longer championship this year and a worse league campaign. 2025 will likely show how much Louth has actually kicked on under Brennan or year one under him was more about the ground work that was already done by Harte.

They very obviously had a level of talent in the county that was above Division 4 level and that was no secret. Mickey was the ideal man as a leader and figurehead to get people on board and motivated and that was no mean feat. Once that was done though, the talent, hard work and momentum did the rest and they rolled through Division 3 and did well in Division 2. Mickey deserves lots of credit for that and Brennan clearly benefitted from getting a motivated, fit and united setup. Mickey had pretty much reached his ceiling there though, the same old tactical and micro management issues would make further gains unlikely. Ultimately change came at a good time for Louth. Derry clearly hadn't done their homework.
#15
Surprised with how dramatically it went wrong for Mickey but not that it didn't work out, it was never a good fit. Said for years that he stayed with Tyrone too long and was left behind as a manager, the team was consistently set up badly and failed in the big games with the balance between defence and attack way off. His success with Louth was impressive but was really down to him being an impressive figure and leader who united a county who were underachieving. Once they were pulling together (and S&C sorted) it wasn't surprising they kicked on as the talent was there. Once they reached a level where they were playing teams with similar talent he'd have been found out again.

Derry on the other hand had already made those gains. They needed someone to find a better balance between defence and attack and to help them with big games in Croke Park. The two things Mickey hadn't done for over a decade. McGuinness coming back with Donegal was a nightmare for him too given Jim had owned him in the previous decade and seen Mickey subsequently obsessively try (and fail) to out McGuinness McGuinness.

It was quite funny from a Tyrone perspective to watch Derry's shambolic Championship performances this summer but really nobody wins from this. Derry have wasted a summer (and a bit of money) and whoever comes in has a bit of work to do with dealing with the fallout from some of those hammerings. Mickey's reputation as a manager has taken a battering and unfortunately his reputation as a Tyrone legend is damaged by taking the Derry job. His achievements will last forever but you just don't a job like that with a rival county. A lesson for others.

Actually one team did benefit - his departure came at a perfect time for Louth and they got someone better to build on what he had done and kick them on.