McKenna Cup 2024

[Milltown Row2]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

I wish we took it seriously 

[ONeill]

Ach I think some people just like the excitement of inter-county football being back. It's a bit like the Charity Shield.

[imtommygunn]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

I wish we took it seriously 

 

Yeah charity shield good analogy. It's a good place for fringe players to stake a claim for the league.

[Itchy]

I don't understand why people think it needs to be taken really seriously. It's a warm up competition. The competition was dead on its feet until the league shifted to only being post Christmas. I don't know why there is a perception that it should be taken seriously. It's usually won by the team who takes it most seriously and doesn't mean that much...

The national league was changed from "split either side of Christmas" to "all after Christmas" in 2002. The McKenna Cup was halted for 2001 and 2002. It restarted in 2003 as a pre league round robin tournament we know today.

Before 2001 the McKenna Cup was played after the league and before the championship. It was also a knock out tournament during that time. There were often problems with fitting it in to the space between league and championship. For example, the 1968 McKenna Cup final ended up being played after the league finished in 1969. Cavan beat Down in the final. They were only champions for 1 week as the following weekend they were knocked out of the 1969 McKenna cup at the quarter final stage.  I think I will write a book on it.

[Wildweasel74]

Armagh had 52 players on the match day Ulster final programme last year, how about giving them lads a game?

[Armagh18]

Armagh had 52 players on the match day Ulster final programme last year, how about giving them lads a game?

If you bothered your arse to read the thread before making a smart arse comment you'd know they got a game.

[imtommygunn]

Harte out. *

Depending on wind and whether the game turns around 

[Wildweasel74]

No wind af the game, game played at a very slow pace, both teams missing alot of scores. Nearly think neither team don't want a few more games.It is freezing though.

[screenexile]

Thought Derry were poor in the first half but we're back to our usual selves in the second half.

Down couldn't cope with the defending and the speed we have and only 2 points conceded in a half is very encouraging.

McKinless MOTM looks like no worries after that injury last year.

[SHEEDY]

Thought Derry were poor in the first half but we're back to our usual selves in the second half.

Down couldn't cope with the defending and the speed we have and only 2 points conceded in a half is very encouraging.

McKinless MOTM looks like no worries after that injury last year.

Down were decent in first half and could have been further ahead but as you say Derry stepped it up a bit in the second half and Downs forwards got no change at all from Derrys defenders.

From a Down point of view I'd say Laverty will be happy enough, its good to get a tough match against a very good team so early in the year and good to get a few players back on the pitch who missed last year.

[Itchy]

Someone should've told Derry and Down that McKenna Cup doesn't matter. Game hinged on a really bad miss from a free for Down and a black card given when it should've been a free in.

[statto]

Someone should've told Derry and Down that McKenna Cup doesn't matter. Game hinged on a really bad miss from a free for Down and a black card given when it should've been a free in.

it matters to Mickey Harte.

[Itchy]

Someone should've told Derry and Down that McKenna Cup doesn't matter. Game hinged on a really bad miss from a free for Down and a black card given when it should've been a free in.

it matters to Mickey Harte.

Indeed and Mickey Harte is by far the most successful manager in it. There was a lot of fist pumping from Derry

[Wildweasel74]

Down havr a quick fast team but lacking size in too many places.once Rodgers switched players and had Murdock on the back foot, I couldn't see were Down were going to get scores at.Derry goalkeeper abit wild on it. I couldn't bare that come championship.

[Mario]

Down havr a quick fast team but lacking size in too many places.once Rodgers switched players and had Murdock on the back foot, I couldn't see were Down were going to get scores at.Derry goalkeeper abit wild on it. I couldn't bare that come championship.

I thought the keeper was very good for his first performance. I remember one loose pass in second half but he got plenty of short kickouts off and was good on the ball.