Guide to the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup in 2024

[Blowitupref]

Wouldn't be comparing it professional sports. The proof will be in the pudding for the All Ireland Quarter finals this summer. I believe Mayo and Tyrone would have given a better account of themselves last year with more time to prepare for their Quarter final and it's worth taking into account Tyrone and Mayo would be among the best when it come to fitness and conditioning of their players. 

No point in pulling out hypothetical situations to fit your narrative. Both Kerry and Dublin would widely be seen as better sides with bigger squads than either Tyrone or Mayo. I could equally point to how a rested Armagh were knocked out by Monaghan (after extra time) despite them playing 3 weeks in a row and who were seen as underdogs prior to that match. There are a whole range of factors that could affect a result including momentum, injuries, suspensions, illness, match fitness, confidence, freshness etc.

It might well be an advantage depending on the circumstances but I just don't think its as cut and dried as some people try to make out. There will be players who would much prefer to be playing every week because if they aren't they are invariably spending a full day in a training camp on the weekend before the next match anyway.   

Granted Dublin and Kerry are better but 12 points the better team I think not.  No amount of training replicates a high intensity championship knock out tie and coming through that and going up against a rested Kerry,Dublin the following weekend most certainly doesn't help in making an All Ireland quarter a competitive watch. 

[cavanmaniac]

Not a brutal draw from Cavan's perspective - absolutely delighted there's no other Ulster team in there, but perhaps it's all moot anyway with the news that Paddy Lynch is gone for the season after doing the cruciate.

You'd imagine Galway or Mayo will be good enough for second place behind the Dubs and Cavan and Roscommon will renew their modern day B-lister rivalry for the third spot. Roscommon wouldn't be overly fearful in that one either.

[Armagh18]

Not a brutal draw from Cavan's perspective - absolutely delighted there's no other Ulster team in there, but perhaps it's all moot anyway with the news that Paddy Lynch is gone for the season after doing the cruciate.

You'd imagine Galway or Mayo will be good enough for second place behind the Dubs and Cavan and Roscommon will renew their modern day B-lister rivalry for the third spot. Roscommon wouldn't be overly fearful in that one either.

If Cavan bring the intensity they brought in the 2 Ulster games at times they'll give any of the Connacht teams a good rattle. Lynch is some loss though, was sorry to hear that.

[Gael85]

Not a brutal draw from Cavan's perspective - absolutely delighted there's no other Ulster team in there, but perhaps it's all moot anyway with the news that Paddy Lynch is gone for the season after doing the cruciate.

You'd imagine Galway or Mayo will be good enough for second place behind the Dubs and Cavan and Roscommon will renew their modern day B-lister rivalry for the third spot. Roscommon wouldn't be overly fearful in that one either.

Has Gearoid McKernan retired?

[Main Street]

Would be happy enough with that draw from a Monaghan perspective, though Meath and Louth probably thinking the same thing.

We  could write off the first game v (probably) Kerry in Killarney, but good to have home ground v (hopefully) Louth and neutral v Meath. There's hope.
Whoever loses the Ulster final will probably wonder why they bothered trying to get there.

[Armagh18]

Would be happy enough with that draw from a Monaghan perspective, though Meath and Louth probably thinking the same thing.

We  could write off the first game v (probably) Kerry in Killarney, but good to have home ground v (hopefully) Louth and neutral v Meath. There's hope.
Whoever loses the Ulster final will probably wonder why they bothered trying to get there.

To win it. Fairly unlikely that an Ulster team wins Sam.

[cavanmaniac]

Has Gearoid McKernan retired?

Not part of the panel this year. Either wasn't asked or decided not to. His last few seasons his form had dropped off significantly, to be fair, but he had big mileage clocked up.

[cavanmaniac]

If Cavan bring the intensity they brought in the 2 Ulster games at times they'll give any of the Connacht teams a good rattle. Lynch is some loss though, was sorry to hear that.
[/quote]

Years of ingrained tactical baggage seem to still inhibit this team, until a game is slipping away. Then, when there is literally no reason left standing not to throw caution to the wind and just have a right cut off it, instinct and skills are given their head and apparently we can give a game to a good many teams. It's maddening stuff at times and we keep repeating the dose.