Division 2 2024

[Armagh18]

Still bemused what yesterdays team selection and rigid tactics were all about. I'm hoping it was some kind of master plan to conceal our game plan for the championship.

Not bothered in the slightest about not winning the trophy but in the wider scheme of things it was deflating. There must be a lot of disgruntled subs when you looked at the quality we had sitting on the bench and not used until it was last ditch desperation time.

Rian may have had his fitness issues but it's inexplicable how Oisin has seen so little game time in the League while the 3 Cullyhanna players seem to have fallen out of favour since winning the All Ireland.

Very lucky we are in the same side of the draw as the 7-9 ranked teams in Ulster, otherwise I'd be fearful of our Ulster championship prospects. We played right into Donegals hands yesterday in persisting with a short passing running game. As usual we produced a 10 minute burst when the game looked up and then retreated into our shells again when we looked like we might win it.

3 Cullyhanna lads- in fairness McElroy/Conor O'Neill have been doing that work horse half forward role that Duffy does so well and McElroy especially was excellent the whole league, can't really justify having Duffy ahead of him after coming back. Nugent hasn't looked the same from his injury and again Turbo, Conaty and Murnin inside were good the whole league so can't really complain there. McQuillan is a very good player but hasn't really lived up to it in an Armagh jersey from what I've seen of him albeit limited. I'd have him in that attacking half back role ahead of Jarly Og though.  No idea what the thinking was behind playing McMullan in a game like that given he didn't play the whole league.

Would definitely have liked to see more of them off the bench throughout the league though agreed. Surely both O'Neills need to start against Fermanagh.

[Armagh18]

If there's one thing more depressing than losing in Croke Park it's the predictable over reactions from Armagh "supporters" to a defeat and the giddiness when we stuff a Division 2 team. 

The free takers, Grugan, Turbitt and O'Neill all left scoreable frees behind them. Had they went over it was a completely different narrative today.

Was it Declan Kidney of Munster that used to say don't get too excited about a win and don't over react to a defeat.

Overall, decent league campaign for Armagh. Blooded a corner back and corner forward who will start in the Championship. Plenty of competition for places. Some of the old failings still apparent in terms of closing out games against Division 1 opposition. Also we remain reliant on the older guys.

However, getting promoted quite easily with about 6 guaranteed starters from recent years on the bench for most of the league is a sign of progress.

The mentality to close out games from a winning position is what we're missing and it's leadership on the pitch that is needed in the last few moments.

Nail on head. Promotion was main goal and we did that with a game to spare. No point lying I'm very disappointed we missed the chance at s trophy but think we can just put yesterday down to an off day and we'll be at ourselves come championship. 

[Ethan Tremblay]

Still bemused what yesterdays team selection and rigid tactics were all about. I'm hoping it was some kind of master plan to conceal our game plan for the championship.

Not bothered in the slightest about not winning the trophy but in the wider scheme of things it was deflating. There must be a lot of disgruntled subs when you looked at the quality we had sitting on the bench and not used until it was last ditch desperation time.

Rian may have had his fitness issues but it's inexplicable how Oisin has seen so little game time in the League while the 3 Cullyhanna players seem to have fallen out of favour since winning the All Ireland.

Very lucky we are in the same side of the draw as the 7-9 ranked teams in Ulster, otherwise I'd be fearful of our Ulster championship prospects. We played right into Donegals hands yesterday in persisting with a short passing running game. As usual we produced a 10 minute burst when the game looked up and then retreated into our shells again when we looked like we might win it.

Not sure what the issue on o O'Neil is. I would rank him as one of the finer players on the panel.

In terms of the 3 cullyhanna lads, the team was settled when they came back, so it would have been hard to slot them straight in.  I would say duffy would be the only one of the three that would start anyway.

As mentioned already, a league 2 title is a facile victory. Promotion to the top tier was achieved, a game against good opponents in croke Park was the bonus, and unearthing a few new players all adds to a successful league campaign leading into championship.

[tonto1888]

Donegal deserved to win but Armagh were awful. Falling back in to all the old habits I thought they had moved away from this year (Louth match excepted).

The manner of the defeat against a Donegal who will get much better is hard to take. I'd no longer be confident of an Ulster final let alone hoping for something more. 

having saw down Fermanagh and antrim they should be making it with bit to spare.

In fairness I was maybe a little raw after the match but I am not as confident as I was before yesterday

I'll give you great odds if you want to bet on us not getting to an Ulster final .

Not as confident of beating Derry in the final after seeing them yesterday.

We are capable of it if we turn up though

We aren't close to Derry let's be honest

[Armagh18]

Donegal deserved to win but Armagh were awful. Falling back in to all the old habits I thought they had moved away from this year (Louth match excepted).

The manner of the defeat against a Donegal who will get much better is hard to take. I'd no longer be confident of an Ulster final let alone hoping for something more. 

having saw down Fermanagh and antrim they should be making it with bit to spare.

In fairness I was maybe a little raw after the match but I am not as confident as I was before yesterday

I'll give you great odds if you want to bet on us not getting to an Ulster final .

Not as confident of beating Derry in the final after seeing them yesterday.

We are capable of it if we turn up though

We aren't close to Derry let's be honest

Going off yesterday absolutely not and we'll be massive underdogs if we do meet. But are we capable of beating them? I think so but goes without saying it'll take a massive improvement. That performance yesterday would see Derry beat us by at least 10 points.

[yellowcard]

Still bemused what yesterdays team selection and rigid tactics were all about. I'm hoping it was some kind of master plan to conceal our game plan for the championship.

Not bothered in the slightest about not winning the trophy but in the wider scheme of things it was deflating. There must be a lot of disgruntled subs when you looked at the quality we had sitting on the bench and not used until it was last ditch desperation time.

Rian may have had his fitness issues but it's inexplicable how Oisin has seen so little game time in the League while the 3 Cullyhanna players seem to have fallen out of favour since winning the All Ireland.

Very lucky we are in the same side of the draw as the 7-9 ranked teams in Ulster, otherwise I'd be fearful of our Ulster championship prospects. We played right into Donegals hands yesterday in persisting with a short passing running game. As usual we produced a 10 minute burst when the game looked up and then retreated into our shells again when we looked like we might win it.

3 Cullyhanna lads- in fairness McElroy/Conor O'Neill have been doing that work horse half forward role that Duffy does so well and McElroy especially was excellent the whole league, can't really justify having Duffy ahead of him after coming back. Nugent hasn't looked the same from his injury and again Turbo, Conaty and Murnin inside were good the whole league so can't really complain there. McQuillan is a very good player but hasn't really lived up to it in an Armagh jersey from what I've seen of him albeit limited. I'd have him in that attacking half back role ahead of Jarly Og though.  No idea what the thinking was behind playing McMullan in a game like that given he didn't play the whole league.

Would definitely have liked to see more of them off the bench throughout the league though agreed. Surely both O'Neills need to start against Fermanagh.

I agree McElroy did well during the League and deserved his starting spot yesterday but Duffy is simply a better player based on past performances and can threaten the scoreboard as well as doing the donkey work. I think Duffy deserves to start come championship, he has enough credit built up from previous years.

Above all others, I'm baffled how Oisin O'Neill hasn't got a game at midfield. Mackin and Crealy are 2 very game footballers but are big dogged athletic players who don't offer much in an attacking sense. The solution is obvious by playing one of them with an attacking midfielder.

Nugent is a streaky player but had a great championship campaign with Cullyhanna and looked back to the level of form of a few years ago but now seems to be well down the pecking order. 

Don't want to be too harsh with management because they are watching them every night in training and in McGrane and Conaty they have unearthed 2 very good additions during the League. However you still need to be able to have players capable of performing under pressure on the big day and you won't learn that in training matches.

[Armagh18]

Still bemused what yesterdays team selection and rigid tactics were all about. I'm hoping it was some kind of master plan to conceal our game plan for the championship.

Not bothered in the slightest about not winning the trophy but in the wider scheme of things it was deflating. There must be a lot of disgruntled subs when you looked at the quality we had sitting on the bench and not used until it was last ditch desperation time.

Rian may have had his fitness issues but it's inexplicable how Oisin has seen so little game time in the League while the 3 Cullyhanna players seem to have fallen out of favour since winning the All Ireland.

Very lucky we are in the same side of the draw as the 7-9 ranked teams in Ulster, otherwise I'd be fearful of our Ulster championship prospects. We played right into Donegals hands yesterday in persisting with a short passing running game. As usual we produced a 10 minute burst when the game looked up and then retreated into our shells again when we looked like we might win it.

3 Cullyhanna lads- in fairness McElroy/Conor O'Neill have been doing that work horse half forward role that Duffy does so well and McElroy especially was excellent the whole league, can't really justify having Duffy ahead of him after coming back. Nugent hasn't looked the same from his injury and again Turbo, Conaty and Murnin inside were good the whole league so can't really complain there. McQuillan is a very good player but hasn't really lived up to it in an Armagh jersey from what I've seen of him albeit limited. I'd have him in that attacking half back role ahead of Jarly Og though.  No idea what the thinking was behind playing McMullan in a game like that given he didn't play the whole league.

Would definitely have liked to see more of them off the bench throughout the league though agreed. Surely both O'Neills need to start against Fermanagh.

I agree McElroy did well during the League and deserved his starting spot yesterday but Duffy is simply a better player based on past performances and can threaten the scoreboard as well as doing the donkey work. I think Duffy deserves to start come championship, he has enough credit built up from previous years.

Above all others, I'm baffled how Oisin O'Neill hasn't got a game at midfield. Mackin and Crealy are 2 very game footballers but are big dogged athletic players who don't offer much in an attacking sense. The solution is obvious by playing one of them with an attacking midfielder.

Nugent is a streaky player but had a great championship campaign with Cullyhanna and looked back to the level of form of a few years ago but now seems to be well down the pecking order. 

Don't want to be too harsh with management because they are watching them every night in training and in McGrane and Conaty they have unearthed 2 very good additions during the League. However you still need to be able to have players capable of performing under pressure on the big day and you won't learn that in training matches.

Duffy maybe will be back in come championship who knows. Agree on Oisin O'Neill would have had him playing a lot more, not sure he has the legs for midfield compared to other top midfielders. His minutes are definitely being managed after missing so much football which is understandable but he is a starter for me.  McGrane and Conaty 2 huge positives from the league for sure.

[armaghniac]

Don't want to be too harsh with management because they are watching them every night in training and in McGrane and Conaty they have unearthed 2 very good additions during the League. However you still need to be able to have players capable of performing under pressure on the big day and you won't learn that in training matches.

You won't learn that playing the current Cavan or Kildare teams either. The games against Cork and Donegal were informative, in an somewhat unpleasant way, as to what happens when playing a last 12 team.
In relation to Oisin O'Neill, perhaps the medical advice is not to play a full game at this stage, if that approach means that he can play a full game in another 6 weeks then that's OK.

Duffy put in a few good shifts last year, and gets up and down the field in addition to taking the odd score, I would consider him a contender for a place.

[tonto1888]

I think Duffy will start come championship.

[Tones]

Maybe he's the new Niall Grimley 69th minute impact sub!

[Tones]

Rian would start any team in Ireland, you are an embarrassment, he can't get on to a top 10 team.

One of those lads who appears after we lose. Sound.

Wasn't at himself last year fair enough but watch him vs Monaghan 2021, best performance I've seen from an Armagh man in manys a day, or any of his games in 2022. If he's playing at his best he is a class act.

Your posts are an embarrassment.

[Tones]

Imagine creating an account just so you can post that

As opposed to creating an account to post your amazing views and opinions.

[tonto1888]

We have some embarrassing'fans'

[thebigfullforward]

Dont understand Armagh. They played some brilliant football all year in the league apart from the first game and then its like the management have seen theyve been playing attacking football and decided to pull the handbrake. Either that or the players are at fault. Serious questions need to be answered either way

[Applesisapples]

Donegal deserved to win but Armagh were awful. Falling back in to all the old habits I thought they had moved away from this year (Louth match excepted).

The manner of the defeat against a Donegal who will get much better is hard to take. I'd no longer be confident of an Ulster final let alone hoping for something more. 

having saw down Fermanagh and antrim they should be making it with bit to spare.

In fairness I was maybe a little raw after the match but I am not as confident as I was before yesterday

Not saying you are one of them, but Armagh fans have unrealistic expectations for this crop of players. The team is in a better place than it was but there's  still a way to go to get to Derry's level. Is McGeeney the man, I'm not sure but I don't think there is a queue for the job.  Rian O'Neill I understand has had issues outside of the game and is being eased back in. Talking of unrealistic expectations though the fans have placed too much on his shoulders and indeed Oisin's before him. Maybe just let them play football they both are class acts on their day. It was strange I'd say that the best club team in the county didn't have one starter.