Ulster Senior football championship 2024

[snoopdog]

I wasn't at clones this year. But I saw enough last year never to bring a young family there again. The time has no factor. Alot of people go for the booze. They ain't there to see football. That's a part of the bug drop in attendance from last year. Over 10k diff.

[AustinPowers]

The Armagh v Down game was as bad a game of county football as I can ever remember. There were of course flashes of brilliance but really they were few and far between. It's not even the 15 men behind the ball by both sides, it's the lack of desire and intensity to win the ball back from the opposition that really frustrates me. That little bit of quality off the bench seemed to tip it slightly in our favour. 2 great scores by the Cullyhanna men.

The referee completely bamboozled me with his calls throughout the match.

I see some posts about the Armagh crowd at the game. I arrived to Clones pretty late and went straight to the ground. I have to say it was noticeable the amount of really drunk young ones, and a large Garda presence. Not just a few pints, but in bad shape. I wondered was it because of the 5.15 on Saturday game but I'm probably deluded in that.

Were  there any incidents re: the buckfast gang?

[twohands!!!]

Anyone asked the folk in the Ulster Council driving the Casement project how they feel about the  current proposed capacity for Casement given the crowd numbers for the various provincials this year and the talk about possibly shifting the provincials to before the league?

[lurganblue]

The Armagh v Down game was as bad a game of county football as I can ever remember. There were of course flashes of brilliance but really they were few and far between. It's not even the 15 men behind the ball by both sides, it's the lack of desire and intensity to win the ball back from the opposition that really frustrates me. That little bit of quality off the bench seemed to tip it slightly in our favour. 2 great scores by the Cullyhanna men.

The referee completely bamboozled me with his calls throughout the match.

I see some posts about the Armagh crowd at the game. I arrived to Clones pretty late and went straight to the ground. I have to say it was noticeable the amount of really drunk young ones, and a large Garda presence. Not just a few pints, but in bad shape. I wondered was it because of the 5.15 on Saturday game but I'm probably deluded in that.

Were  there any incidents re: the buckfast gang?

Not that I witnessed. Nothing major.  I was in the Pat McGrane though and everything was pretty civilised in there. Last year we had a flare thrown down on top of us from the hill so it was bonus not to have that again.

Incidentally I saw one bottle of buckfast and a lad in a town top was holding it. He must have been minding it.

[Aristo 60]

Anybody else in the Gerry Arthurs hear repeated playing of a cover of the cranberries' zombie? WTF was that about? It works for rugby so it'll work for clones? 

[Milltown Row2]

Anyone asked the folk in the Ulster Council driving the Casement project how they feel about the  current proposed capacity for Casement given the crowd numbers for the various provincials this year and the talk about possibly shifting the provincials to before the league?

You'll get capacity crowds for finals and better grounds 

[Armagh18]

The state of Clones, the traffic/parking would probably put plenty off going. The football (in our game) was brutal but at least it was close, Tyrone and Donegal was decent.

[Applesisapples]

The state of Clones, the traffic/parking would probably put plenty off going. The football (in our game) was brutal but at least it was close, Tyrone and Donegal was decent.

Plus the timing of 5 on a Saturday wasn't good. The crammed season also puts pressure financially on fans.

[Captain Obvious]

Odds

Paddy Power

Donegal 8/13
Armagh 6/5

Boyle Sports

Donegal 4/5
Armagh 11/8

Draw is 7/1

All the expectation on Donegal to succeed. Would go against logic if McGeeney (holding back Armagh according to some) was to topple a Donegal side managed by McGuinness with a clear focus to win Ulster since he returned.

[yellowcard]

Odds

Paddy Power

Donegal 8/13
Armagh 6/5

Boyle Sports

Donegal 4/5
Armagh 11/8

Draw is 7/1

All the expectation on Donegal to succeed. Would go against logic if McGeeney (holding back Armagh according to some) was to topple a Donegal side managed by McGuinness with a clear focus to win Ulster since he returned.

I'm not so sure about that. There is at least as much expectation on Armagh and it seems like we are either one victory away from a major breakthrough or one defeat away from another meltdown. Time is running out for a lot of our older players so I feel a bit like it is now or never for this group. If we can win Ulster it would be a very good season and we can go into the AI series with a lot more freedom and confidence. 

[befair]

Highlight of the match yesterday was young Conor Loyd from our club who played in the All Stars half time game! Grabbed the mic and walked off with it during the half time interviews! Very funny and well handled by the BBC team!

https://x.com/bbcsportni/status/1784586972054343937?s=46&t=Lxfigea4AyvSR2ixn0IP0Q

The GAAForAll halftime games were inspiring and quite emotional. At it's best the GAA can be the heart of a community

[Taylor]

Thoughts from the weekend.

We are far from the finished article - when we went in front we missed the leaders to close out the game. Donegal kept coming which seems to be a trait that McGuinness has brought back to them. Some of our shot selection was poor but that game will stand to us. Depending on the draw we could squeeze a semi final out of this year.
The form of some players is concerning though.

Down/Armagh. One of the worst games I have seen. Why Armagh dont just go out to win a game is a mystery. A mental weakness there that has been evident for quite some time. Wouldnt blame Down as they did what any team would do who are huge underdogs

[Applesisapples]

Donegal will win at a canter.

[Captain Obvious]

Odds

Paddy Power

Donegal 8/13
Armagh 6/5

Boyle Sports

Donegal 4/5
Armagh 11/8

Draw is 7/1

All the expectation on Donegal to succeed. Would go against logic if McGeeney (holding back Armagh according to some) was to topple a Donegal side managed by McGuinness with a clear focus to win Ulster since he returned.

I'm not so sure about that. There is at least as much expectation on Armagh and it seems like we are either one victory away from a major breakthrough or one defeat away from another meltdown. Time is running out for a lot of our older players so I feel a bit like it is now or never for this group. If we can win Ulster it would be a very good season and we can go into the AI series with a lot more freedom and confidence. 

A bit of luck could prove a difference and Armagh due it in a big game with penalty shootout losses in the Ulster final last year and the last two All-Ireland Quarter finals.

[trueblue1234]

Donegal will win at a canter.

I think they will win. But can't see it being a huge margin. Just don't think they have the forwards to start racking up a big score. Will be a tight cagey affair, but I think Donegal will stick to their system better and won't panic. And that'll edge them over the line. But only see 3/4 points in it.