Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 20, 2025, 06:24:32 PMQuote from: Armaghtothebone on January 20, 2025, 12:52:35 PMQuote 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.