NFL Division 1 2024

[seafoid]

This could work for Donegal in the last 3 matches

https://www.ria.ie/cathach-psalter-st-columba

In the later Middle Ages the Psalter was in the possession of the O'Donnells but in the custody of the Mac Robhartaigh family at Ballymagroarty, Co. Donegal. It became known as the Cathach' or 'Battler' from the O'Donnell practice of carrying it thrice right-hand-wise around the field of battle as a talisman.

[imtommygunn]

Dublin and Kerry. Galway could end up playing both at the business end.  Galway have never beaten Dublin in an all Ireland final.

https://twitter.com/RTEgaa/status/1629979786679554049

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/02/24/new-calendar-means-kerrys-league-struggles-could-come-back-to-bite-them/

From last year's All-Ireland winning team, Kerry have lost David Moran to retirement and a couple of squad players in Joe O'Connor (injury) and Jack Savage (abroad). All Stars Shane Ryan and Gavin White are injured and David Clifford and Sean O'Shea only returned last weekend for a half. Paul Geaney and Stephen O'Brien are a bit away yet, not to mention they'll both turn 32 this year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces
Again, none of this would usually raise an eyebrow after three games of league football and most likely it still shouldn't. But if O'Connor has seemed a bit crankier than usual these past few weeks, it's not hard to work out why. Missing so many players for the start of the season was never ideal but he could at least hope to use the first three games to give himself options for the rest of the year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces. Tony Brosnan has been lively but he's a known quantity, he made his senior debut for Kerry in 2016. All in all, Kerry's championship team seems likely to be more or less the same as last year's. But that cast of characters was far more advanced this time last year than where it is now.
Will it be enough? Maybe. Would they be able to absorb a Clifford injury in June or July? Unlikely. Are we really, seriously, hypothesising this stuff before we're halfway through the league? Damn right we are.
The new championship body clock demands nothing less.

If Kerry were to lose Clifford I think ourselves, Mayo and Galway would be well able to beat them and the other D1 teams would fancy themselves, Derry and Dublin likely beat them too.

I don't think Armagh are quite at the level you think they're at tbh. Galway also depend on Comer and Walsh coming back and Derry are still in division two so a bit to prove. Don't forget Kerry have the likes of Geaney and Brosnan then a younger O'Sullivan, who's first name escapes me, is making waves too. Kerry team to beat and tbh I wouldn't think it's an ulster team who would beat them. Mayo could maybe challenge them in a semi final or earlier round. Galway I am not so sure about - they have lost Molloy and Silke and who knows when Walsh is back.

[galwayman]

The only positive out of that game is that he has put two great performances back to back, long may it continue.

This got lost in the Armagh/Kerry chat, just reposted from yesterday, curious as to what the thoughts of the Mayo /Galway bloggers on the board.

To be fair "An Fhairche Abu", you have been one of the most educated and honest commentators on Galway football on this board.
However as a Mayoman, I believe you are viewing the glass as half empty.

Galway have played the league without a full team, Three starting forwards, have hardly played, one of them arguably the best in Ireland. The lack of any other scoring forwards options was their achilles heel last, as including added time they failed to score in the last 15 minuets of the all Ireland final.
They have also been down two backs, a bit easier to replace, but still have a very solid base, who aside from not challenging Clifford for the ridiculously easy marks in the final, showed themselves to be very adept.
In addition to the forwards which have had to step up, Peter Cooke is another who did not figure last year, should be a contributor this year.
Finally, how big of a motivator is hurt, revenge and knowing deep down that you were probably better than Kerry last year, yet walking away with nothing. IMO immeasurable.

I will go on record that I do feel Mayo or Galway will be in the All-Ireland final, at this point leaning towards Galway, who knows maybe both.

Honest - I would like to think so. Educated - in no way, shape or form, far more properly qualified GAA people on here and elsewhere. Glass half empty - that's my natural inclination I'm afraid.

Galway made a great run last year and there is no doubt left a very winnable final after us but that said, and in fairness to Kerry, Galway were ultimately found wanting in several respects and weren't good enough on the day to do the business. Hurt over losing a final and the experience of playing on the biggest day should be of benefit but that motivation will only carry a team so far. We have a number of players who are definitely in the top bracket but when you get to wider squad I don't know if we have the bench impact needed or whether we can hold up to many injuries at all. Molloy and Silke are huge losses from a squad perspective, O Laoi was the 16th man last year and is gone as well. Big turnover of players has killed Galway year after year and there is no change in 2023, Flaherty could have been expected to try and challenge for the number one jersey but has opted out.

All that said if you told me that Galway would get nothing out of the league (obviously outside of staying up) then sorting out the kick outs and being able to find players from restarts consistently down the stretch of matches then I'd be happy enough with it. Galway's current propensity to give up a load of scores in the final minutes of matches is directly traceable back to this, a sense of panic descends because once the opposition gets a run on the kickouts and starts getting points, Galway don't have the ability to pull a cast iron routine out of the bag that will nearly guarantee possession. Gleeson is limited on restarts and is making mistakes under high balls, if every punter in the stands can see this then the highly resourced modern coaching tickets will be targeting it. I'm sure trojan work is going on to try and improve this (it's not all on the keeper either) but it is what it is at the minute, something that will cost us. Realistically if Galway had excellent restarts and could secure enough possession on a consistent basis then we could have potentially been out the gap at HT in the final last year. That wasn't the case and it cost badly, it will do so again this year at some stage unless it improves.
The vagaries of the new format and the extra games make it hard to predict who will come out on top, suffice to say that the stronger squads will have an advantage. This is where I feel Galway may be a bit light, plus we have no natural replacement waiting in the wings for Paul Conroy who is still vital for Galway even at this stage of his career. I did not see the run Galway went on last year coming so we'll wait and see how this year plays out, we are not playing well in this league but championship performances are all that matter. It might be that the final appearance last year may prove to have been a Down 2010esque flash in the pan but it's up to the players to try and get back there in the next couple of seasons again.

While they are the front runners I don't see Kerry as unbeatable favourites (yet at least, they may kick on this summer to a new level, they have got over the hurdle now) and if Clifford gets injured they will be eminently beatable if a quality opponent shows up and plays to their best on the day. Dublin will surely go all out this year to get another before irreplaceable legends like McCarthy hang the boots up. Derry will look to go a stage better and Mayo playing to potential could absolutely make and win an AI final, sure they played in the two previous before last year and have blooded a lot of new players who might step up to replace the previous heroes that have departed over the past few years. It might be more open than people think, or perhaps we'll just end up with another Dublin Kerry final!!

Good post.100% on the money re the kick outs being the source of those late failings.
We just can't secure our own ball easily and that is magnified when a team gets a run on us and pushes right up.
I think there's 4 teams capable of winning it out. Kerry are clearly a very good team but are beatable.
Dublin are clearly not the team they were but are capable of beating anyone if they click.
Derry and Mayo the other two contenders in my opinion.
I don't think any of the other teams can win it.
As for Galway I think we're capable of beating most teams on our day - but I'm not sure we have the consistency or squad depth to go all the way.
Silke and Molloy absences and the ongoing kickout woes make it hard to make a case for Galway as potential AI champs.
We live in hope though and maybe it will all click come championship who knows.

[imtommygunn]

You need a new keeper. I mean no offense to the fella but in big games you won't win unless you get a much more reliable one.

[Armagh18]

Dublin and Kerry. Galway could end up playing both at the business end.  Galway have never beaten Dublin in an all Ireland final.

https://twitter.com/RTEgaa/status/1629979786679554049

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/02/24/new-calendar-means-kerrys-league-struggles-could-come-back-to-bite-them/

From last year's All-Ireland winning team, Kerry have lost David Moran to retirement and a couple of squad players in Joe O'Connor (injury) and Jack Savage (abroad). All Stars Shane Ryan and Gavin White are injured and David Clifford and Sean O'Shea only returned last weekend for a half. Paul Geaney and Stephen O'Brien are a bit away yet, not to mention they'll both turn 32 this year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces
Again, none of this would usually raise an eyebrow after three games of league football and most likely it still shouldn't. But if O'Connor has seemed a bit crankier than usual these past few weeks, it's not hard to work out why. Missing so many players for the start of the season was never ideal but he could at least hope to use the first three games to give himself options for the rest of the year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces. Tony Brosnan has been lively but he's a known quantity, he made his senior debut for Kerry in 2016. All in all, Kerry's championship team seems likely to be more or less the same as last year's. But that cast of characters was far more advanced this time last year than where it is now.
Will it be enough? Maybe. Would they be able to absorb a Clifford injury in June or July? Unlikely. Are we really, seriously, hypothesising this stuff before we're halfway through the league? Damn right we are.
The new championship body clock demands nothing less.

If Kerry were to lose Clifford I think ourselves, Mayo and Galway would be well able to beat them and the other D1 teams would fancy themselves, Derry and Dublin likely beat them too.

I don't think Armagh are quite at the level you think they're at tbh. Galway also depend on Comer and Walsh coming back and Derry are still in division two so a bit to prove. Don't forget Kerry have the likes of Geaney and Brosnan then a younger O'Sullivan, who's first name escapes me, is making waves too. Kerry team to beat and tbh I wouldn't think it's an ulster team who would beat them. Mayo could maybe challenge them in a semi final or earlier round. Galway I am not so sure about - they have lost Molloy and Silke and who knows when Walsh is back.

Yeah without a doubt Kerry still the team to beat- but hypothetically a Clifford injury would bring them right back to the pack with most of division one not a million miles away from each other- Tyrone have looked woeful but there will be a kick in them come championship time you'd imagine. Dublin haven't looked like world beaters either but it is only the league- they're still the team with the best chance of beating Kerry.

[galwayman]

You need a new keeper. I mean no offense to the fella but in big games you won't win unless you get a much more reliable one.

Can't argue with you on that.

[imtommygunn]

Dublin and Kerry. Galway could end up playing both at the business end.  Galway have never beaten Dublin in an all Ireland final.

https://twitter.com/RTEgaa/status/1629979786679554049

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/02/24/new-calendar-means-kerrys-league-struggles-could-come-back-to-bite-them/

From last year's All-Ireland winning team, Kerry have lost David Moran to retirement and a couple of squad players in Joe O'Connor (injury) and Jack Savage (abroad). All Stars Shane Ryan and Gavin White are injured and David Clifford and Sean O'Shea only returned last weekend for a half. Paul Geaney and Stephen O'Brien are a bit away yet, not to mention they'll both turn 32 this year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces
Again, none of this would usually raise an eyebrow after three games of league football and most likely it still shouldn't. But if O'Connor has seemed a bit crankier than usual these past few weeks, it's not hard to work out why. Missing so many players for the start of the season was never ideal but he could at least hope to use the first three games to give himself options for the rest of the year.
Yet who has staked their claim? Barry O'Sullivan around the middle third maybe. Darragh Roche has done his bit but he's a tip-of-the-spear type of forward and there is no vacancy in that position for Kerry as long as Clifford can tie his laces. Tony Brosnan has been lively but he's a known quantity, he made his senior debut for Kerry in 2016. All in all, Kerry's championship team seems likely to be more or less the same as last year's. But that cast of characters was far more advanced this time last year than where it is now.
Will it be enough? Maybe. Would they be able to absorb a Clifford injury in June or July? Unlikely. Are we really, seriously, hypothesising this stuff before we're halfway through the league? Damn right we are.
The new championship body clock demands nothing less.

If Kerry were to lose Clifford I think ourselves, Mayo and Galway would be well able to beat them and the other D1 teams would fancy themselves, Derry and Dublin likely beat them too.

I don't think Armagh are quite at the level you think they're at tbh. Galway also depend on Comer and Walsh coming back and Derry are still in division two so a bit to prove. Don't forget Kerry have the likes of Geaney and Brosnan then a younger O'Sullivan, who's first name escapes me, is making waves too. Kerry team to beat and tbh I wouldn't think it's an ulster team who would beat them. Mayo could maybe challenge them in a semi final or earlier round. Galway I am not so sure about - they have lost Molloy and Silke and who knows when Walsh is back.

Yeah without a doubt Kerry still the team to beat- but hypothetically a Clifford injury would bring them right back to the pack with most of division one not a million miles away from each other- Tyrone have looked woeful but there will be a kick in them come championship time you'd imagine. Dublin haven't looked like world beaters either but it is only the league- they're still the team with the best chance of beating Kerry.

Yeah Dublin for me are the only one with the players to potentially beat them. Mayo might have a chance but not in the final. Galway dropping off for me and Tyrone might have the players to be up there but they look a long way off at the minute.

[illdecide]

Armagh have been poor this year in general with the odd spurt of good play but nothing of good consistency. They had done well to contain Kerry to a certain point and there were points where you could have said "if we'd scored that point" or "if we hadn't have fouled there" but if you look at it again DC kicked 4-5 bad wides against Armagh that he'd normally kick for fun and Kerry may well have pulled away from Armagh handy enough if DC had been on form. We played for 10 mins against Monaghan and 10 mins against Mayo. The Roscommon game was a decent first half and when expected to kick on in the second half we never came out for the second half at all and the Rossies ended up easy winners.

It's my opinion if we lose against Donegal on Sat night we'll be relegated as I only see Galway getting stronger and if we need to go to Omagh needing 2 points then we're in trouble. It is still February (just about) and I'm not hitting the panic button just yet; we don't know what KMcG's plan is for the summer, we may be trying to peak later this year. We may have a few key players carrying knocks or a minor injury we don't know about but what I do know is we are struggling around the middle of the field and if we can get an injury or two cleared up or unearth a gem for that position, we'd be a lot better team. Teams have us sussed by pushing up on our kickout and making us kick it long where the generally have the stronger mid field.

[Armagh18]

Armagh have been poor this year in general with the odd spurt of good play but nothing of good consistency. They had done well to contain Kerry to a certain point and there were points where you could have said "if we'd scored that point" or "if we hadn't have fouled there" but if you look at it again DC kicked 4-5 bad wides against Armagh that he'd normally kick for fun and Kerry may well have pulled away from Armagh handy enough if DC had been on form. We played for 10 mins against Monaghan and 10 mins against Mayo. The Roscommon game was a decent first half and when expected to kick on in the second half we never came out for the second half at all and the Rossies ended up easy winners.

It's my opinion if we lose against Donegal on Sat night we'll be relegated as I only see Galway getting stronger and if we need to go to Omagh needing 2 points then we're in trouble. It is still February (just about) and I'm not hitting the panic button just yet; we don't know what KMcG's plan is for the summer, we may be trying to peak later this year. We may have a few key players carrying knocks or a minor injury we don't know about but what I do know is we are struggling around the middle of the field and if we can get an injury or two cleared up or unearth a gem for that position, we'd be a lot better team. Teams have us sussed by pushing up on our kickout and making us kick it long where the generally have the stronger mid field.

Kind of hoping we're aiming at peaking later on and just doing enough to stay up. I'd say the Roscommon game was one we had banked on winning but obviously didn't go to plan. 2 massive home games coming up now- 2 wins would have us sitting lovely.

[Rossfan]

With only 4 points between 1st and 8th after 4 Rounds Div 1 is all to play for at both ends.
Anything could happen from here on.

We're not looking so hot now after Clones and may yet be thankful for the 3 early wins from a head to head point of view.
Mayowestros and Kerry most likely to reach the Final if they really want to but nearly any team hitting form now could make it.

Some say the NFL is the GAA'S best competition format.  Hard to prove them wrong.

[imtommygunn]

You look at division 1 relegation, division 2 relegation, the 2nd division 3 promotion spot, who gets promoted from division 4. It really is very interesting across the board. You'd imagine Cavan, Derry and Dublin have 3 promotion spots and the rest are up for grabs but even that could change. Tbh I don't think the top of division 1 matters as much - staying in it is the key thing.

[yellowcard]

Armagh have been poor this year in general with the odd spurt of good play but nothing of good consistency. They had done well to contain Kerry to a certain point and there were points where you could have said "if we'd scored that point" or "if we hadn't have fouled there" but if you look at it again DC kicked 4-5 bad wides against Armagh that he'd normally kick for fun and Kerry may well have pulled away from Armagh handy enough if DC had been on form. We played for 10 mins against Monaghan and 10 mins against Mayo. The Roscommon game was a decent first half and when expected to kick on in the second half we never came out for the second half at all and the Rossies ended up easy winners.

It's my opinion if we lose against Donegal on Sat night we'll be relegated as I only see Galway getting stronger and if we need to go to Omagh needing 2 points then we're in trouble. It is still February (just about) and I'm not hitting the panic button just yet; we don't know what KMcG's plan is for the summer, we may be trying to peak later this year. We may have a few key players carrying knocks or a minor injury we don't know about but what I do know is we are struggling around the middle of the field and if we can get an injury or two cleared up or unearth a gem for that position, we'd be a lot better team. Teams have us sussed by pushing up on our kickout and making us kick it long where the generally have the stronger mid field.

Kind of hoping we're aiming at peaking later on and just doing enough to stay up. I'd say the Roscommon game was one we had banked on winning but obviously didn't go to plan. 2 massive home games coming up now- 2 wins would have us sitting lovely.

We need to win at least one of those 2 home matches and I'm not sure one win would guarantee safety the way everybody is beating each other. Donegal for example have Mayo and Roscommon in their last 2 fixtures and normally you would say they would struggle against those 2 sides whereas now that they are both probably safe on 6 points, they could benefit from that. Armagh have 3 dogfights coming up and ideally we would go into the Omagh fixture already safe. It could quite easily come down to head to head results also.

[Armagh18]

You look at division 1 relegation, division 2 relegation, the 2nd division 3 promotion spot, who gets promoted from division 4. It really is very interesting across the board. You'd imagine Cavan, Derry and Dublin have 3 promotion spots and the rest are up for grabs but even that could change. Tbh I don't think the top of division 1 matters as much - staying in it is the key thing.

Yeah Mayo and Roscommon especially won't be too worried about a league final since they play each other the following week in a big game. Kerry would probably like a decent game to get more miles in the legs since they'll not have another competitive game until the AIQF or even semi draw dependent.

[balladmaker]

Bottom line for Armagh is home wins against both Donegal and Galway, anything less and we're in bother.  Athletic Grounds should be rockin' on Saturday night!

[Armagh18]

Bottom line for Armagh is home wins against both Donegal and Galway, anything less and we're in bother.  Athletic Grounds should be rockin' on Saturday night!

Absolutely. Said it at the start of the year would love us to go to Omagh safe and with a chance to relegate themmuns. Really looking forward to Saturday.