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Interesting debate going on in another thread which I think merits a discussion of its own....

However if Donegal win the All-Ireland they will more than likely not get back to near the same levels as 2012 or 2014 next year given that the phenomenal physical and mental demands required to make their system work at the highest level. As no other team can currently do what Donegal do, it's likely that Dublin will once again win the All-Ireland in 2015 if they are on anything like the same form.

Tyrone's defensive system regularly bamboozled Kerry in the 2000s but Tyrone could never sustain that over successive years, and they were a more talented team than Donegal. Kerry's outrageous pure talent always allowed them back in for more All-Irelands. It's very likely that'll be the case with Dublin (although Kerry also had more pure talent than this Dublin team) as they are comfortably the most talented group of players around now.

It was not just hungry and injuries that prevented Tyrone winning back to back titles. There were many other reasons. Such as the  tragedies the panel had to deal with, Armargh being at a similar standard, not be able to build up slowly and only peak for the provincial final to enter the last 8, unlike other counties could do.

It wasn't hungry or injuries that prevent Dublin winning a back to back this year, it was a mixture of not taking goal chances when it mattered, complacency, and no plan b. That is no guarantee that they would have beat Donegal and Kerry if  they had addressed these issues.

Armagh weren't a factor in Tyrone not being the same force in 2004, 2006, 2007 or 2009, as Tyrone didn't play them in 2004, 2006 or 2007, and Tyrone beat them in 2009 when Armagh were in serious decline. Injuries and other things aside, Tyrone were way off the pace of the their All-Ireland wins in each of those years, and none of the teams that beat them went on to win the All-Ireland.

Donegal clearly have the best manager of the three teams mentioned. Tyrone introduced the blanket defence and Armagh brought the physical aspect to a new level.

Who are/were the best overall ? I think Donegal edge it because they have evolved from the primitive Ulster tactic of simply stopping the other team playing and are now a more positive team than the other two. They also have the best player in Michael Murphy and a better midfield (Tyrone didn't have a midfield in the conventional sense..or in any sense)

I'm struggling to think of any Armagh or Tyrone players that would make the current Donegal team ? Maybe the goalkeeping position is up for debate ? What do ye think ?

Incredible job he has done given the resources that Donegal have, at least in terms of player numbers etc.
I think Eamon Fitz is a good manager but Donegal will have a huge advantage on the line.

I wonder what separates him most from other managers...is it his tactical genius or his ability to motivate ?

I haven't seen any.

However, sensors around Dublin have detected a slight swagger developing. The situation will be monitored.
Please report anything you see or hear.

Peoples movement or conspiracy...what do you think ?

.......Doesn't a 7-year-old child being chased down and shot in the head deserve at least one mildly outraged thread

Well, I will go on record as saying this is wrong and no amount of whataboutrey by Seafoid or give her dixie will justify this.

From Hoganstand.com

McConville: Crokes comments could motivate Cross'
14 February 2012


Crossmaglen's Oisin McConvilleOisin McConville admits Dr Crokes' segregation comments could further motivate Crossmaglen.

As the defending All-Ireland club football champions prepare to put their title on the line against the Kerry kingpins this weekend, former Armagh star McConville says in the Examiner that Crokes' call for fan segregation will probably increase the Crossmaglen resolve, although he also adds that they are already motivated by a desire to improve on their performances against the same opposition in the 2007 All-Ireland final(s):

"I'd be lying if I said it hasn't had some sort of an effect. I'm not sure we really needed that much motivation.

"A part of motivation for Crokes is we feel we didn't do ourselves justice, especially in the first game when I think we were lucky to get a draw and I think everybody would accept that.

"In last year's semi-final, we were dead and buried, came back, dead and buried, came back. Last year's All-Ireland final, we did enough to get across the line. I'd rather we went out and expressed ourselves.

"If we do come across a team that is better than us that's fair enough but to actually put in a real, real good performance.

"I just know there are big, big performances in us, whether it's the next day or if we have a day after that..."

First this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTIwEo-W_xU

and now this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v954WVzDfMg&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL6A1A7EE8F98BDDAE

There should be more cooperation between the PSNI and the Gardai to keep these non-national scum where they belong i.e
back in their council houses getting brit handouts.

careful now. We are a stoic bunch but we have our limits.

from hoganstand.com

O'Connor: Defensive game wouldn't be accepted in Kerry
12 September 2011


Kerry manager Jack O'ConnorJack O'Connor has claimed that the ultra-defensive tactics adopted by Donegal this year wouldn't be tolerated by Kerry fans.

When asked for his opinion on last month's dreadful Dublin-Donegal All-Ireland semi-final, the Kerry boss said: "All I'll say about the game is, look, sure both teams were playing within the rules. It's up to every manager to try and set out the best way to get his team to perform.

"All I know is that if we tried to play as defensive as that, it's not the opposition that would be booing us, it's our own fans that would be booing us - so it wouldn't be a runner in Kerry.

"I'm not disrespecting the football that any other crowd are playing."

He continued: "I suppose if Kerry went ultra-defensive, the fans just wouldn't like that type of football and we wouldn't have the good will of the people. And sure if you don't have that, what are you playing the game for?

"I'm not castigating. It's up to any other manager to do what he wants. I'm just saying from our point of view, that's the way we have to set out our stall."

Fair dues. They have been very low key. Doing everything right. I don't think they are enjoying it very much but I suppose they won't care if they win.

What is different about this generation of Dubs that allows them to keep a lid on things so well ?

That thread that Canalman started about ructions in the Kerry camp was good craic, nice one canalman.
However, you'd have to wonder why a Dublin man would seem so preoccupied with Kerry at a time like this ?

Also, its very amusing reading the lads over on reservoirdubs ending every sentence with "assuming we get past Donegal"   ..almost as an afterthought, especially when they tag it on to a  50 line post about Kerrys strengths and weaknesses 

I know their more circumspect fans are doing their best but they simply can't hide it. I dont think we have had a semi-final in the last 20 years where one side is so sure that they are going to win.

Come on Donegal lads..ye should be all over this one.

I've seen a long of comments along the lines of Mayo getting "stuck in to Kerry" and the like.....along with a few sly digs about Galvin and his "man bags" and the whole fashion thing, as well as comments about having Donaghy and gooch 'whinging' with 5 mins to go. There seems to be a growing perception that Mayo will take Kerry on physically and that they will win that battle...a kind of unspoken feeling that Kerry aren't "up for it" in that respect. Also, we are not stupid, we know there is a deep antipathy toward us from Mayo folk after 04/06 so we know they are just looking for and opportunity to get revenge. I see a very intemperate encounter ahead with a few sendings off.


Is this the Mayo thinking..? If so, will they be able to back it up ?

Its great to see Dublin fans with a smile on their face isn't it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qapXZ0jMFro

If you post an article should you be on the hook to justify everything said in that article ?
If you post a hundred articles implying, alluding, hinting, ..... that black is better than blue then, is it fair to assume that you , yourself, personally, believe that black is better than blue ?

...or do you have a case for "plausible denial" i.e " dont shoot the messenger" ?

If the Nordies gave us $1000 each per year we'd be set........how about it lads ?

Kerry and Tyrone the greatest, McGeeney says
19 November 2010


Kieran McGeeney believes the Kerry and Tyrone teams of the past decade were the greatest of any era.

Speaking ahead of retired Kildare star Anthony Rainbow's farewell game tomorrow in Newbridge, the Kildare manager argues that Kerry's four and Tyrone's three All-Irelands in seven years equates to more than others have achieved.



"You take someone like Darragh O Se, who has won six All-Irelands, some of the other Kerry players have won five. That's some achievement," Armagh's 2002 All-Ireland winning captain said.

"I know these things are hard to measure against each other. And I'd also say that if the players of the past had the same opportunities as they players of today, they'd be just as good. That goes without saying."

He continued: "There is too much focus on what is wrong with Gaelic football, particularly from past players. I wouldn't accept the argument that Gaelic football skills are in decline.

"I feel Kerry and Tyrone have played to the highest standards, but too few are willing to give them credit for that."

http://www.reservoirdubs.com/forum/index.php?topic=10178.0

Dara made the mistake of saying something nice about the Dubs after the Armagh game. Now they are like crack whores looking for their fix of Dara affirmation. They are none too pleased that the great man has not acquiesced yet...

Jesus, some of those reservoir Dubs are fierce wusses altogether.

Had a peek in reservoirdubs.....why is Gilroy referred to as "wheelroy" by some Dubs ?

Your day has come son. Put away those Irish lessons......Gaaboard awaits your triumphant return to form.

Well, its disappointing but it was time for a change.

If Roscommon and Kildare win it will probably be the most exciting run in to an AI we will ever see as the hype will be unreal in the counties involved.

whats the most exciting buildup to a game you've had ? For me it was the '97 AI. Hunger is the best sauce.