[/b]=topic=30847.msg2131555#msg2131555 date=1655302824]
I suppose for any player taking a short kickout, they should be running onto the ball at speed to avoid the chance of getting caught in the tackle if they win it clean. The biggest issue with Pattons kickout was it was central, the fumble allowed for more options for the Armagh players when attacking the goal. Had the ball been fumbled out on the sideline the Armagh players would have had a tougher time working a goal.
The big issue when they are coming at speed is if the kick is slightly off, it comes at you very quick and it’s harder to adjust your run. Plus that bit harder to put the ball into the path of the run for the keeper. With more teams pushing up it’s going to get riskier.
In the Ulster championship game Donegal got a lot of joy round midfield from forcing Armagh into longer kickouts. Surely they should have been happy to launch it longer? But a different game I suppose.
I haven't watched it back (and probably won't

), so I'm not exactly sure what changed in terms of tactics, but the whole reason Patton started the short ones was that Armagh had just got on top in the middle of the field over the previous five minutes. Donegal won everything for the first 25 minutes, but then it was like someone flicked a switch and Armagh were cleaning up.
Patton should have just hammered a few up to the Armagh 45. He's well capable of it. At least the team has time to set then if they lose it.