Armagh Club football & hurling

[brokencrossbar1]

What's Maghery's chances on Friday night?

Strong chances.  Have beaten us twice in the league this year so will likely be slight favourites after getting through 2 harder rounds

Slight favourites!? They're 4/1 with the bookies.

That's just on name only. Results for the year are in the favour

I suppose Granemore will be favourites in the final as well?

BCB will need all his legal skills to argue this one.
Strange goals were a feature of the semi finals, perhaps Granemore can get one of these.

Even I couldn't make any argument here!

Bizarre goals is right from the weekend. Was pleasantly surprised by us but really taken aback by how poor Maghery were. Sure enough the early goal knocked them back but they had nothing in the tank. Also thought it was quite sad seeing James Lavery coming on,  a great stalwart for them for years but clearly well out of shape due to non involvement this year. The heart may be there but the body wasn't.

Granemore in real bonus territory and nothing to lose. Will be interesting to say the least how the final works outs

[Highland Paddy]

Have Crossmaglen ever had an outside manager?

[pbat]

Gareth O Neill   

[brokencrossbar1]

Have Crossmaglen ever had an outside manager?

Nope....despite what smart hole pbat says!

[Highland Paddy]

To never have had an outside manager is serious going fellas

[brokencrossbar1]

To never have had an outside manager is serious going fellas

Outside fitness coaches but never a manager. Not being smart but when you have lads who have won championships left, right and centre for years there's plenty of choice. A big thing is that the senior players have historically coached at underage as well so that has helped.

Of the team that played in 1996 to 2000 for instance 10-11 regular starters and 4/5 of the subs have all been involved in coaching underage or senior. 8-9 have been involved in the senior management.  The next 'group' would be the Kernan's team that won the minors in 2001 and then were the bedrock of the senior team for years. Off the top of my head 5/6 are currently involved in coaching in the club at a variety of levels. Obviously a few are still playing as well and will become heavily involved as they step away. The club is very good at re-investing so to speak.

[general_lee]

To never have had an outside manager is serious going fellas

They prefer outside players 

[pbat]

Like the UN.

[brokencrossbar1]

To never have had an outside manager is serious going fellas

They prefer outside players 

Not biting!!!

[brokencrossbar1]

Another one in the bag,  nice after a 2 year 'famine'!  Was pressure on that game today and the players and management came out with great credit. Built well game on game so hopefully that continues in Ulster. Will need to improve again though

[Brick Tamlin]

Never got out of 2nd gear. Totally untested and won at a canter. Doesn't really tell you anything about this group until they have serious questions asked of them. They'd harder league games I'd suspect. Let's be honest, granemore had a handy draw and found themselves in a final where they never really had a chance. To try and convince anyone otherwise Is tripe.

[brokencrossbar1]

Never got out of 2nd gear. Totally untested and won at a canter. Doesn't really tell you anything about this group until they have serious questions asked of them. They'd harder league games I'd suspect. Let's be honest, granemore had a handy draw and found themselves in a final where they never really had a chance. To try and convince anyone otherwise Is tripe.

Agreed that they were not really tested. The pressure was internal more than external. We were in a no win situation. Maybe not the best preparation for Ballybay but it's all there is

[Brick Tamlin]

Probably says more about the teams in Armagh over the years than a reflection of Crossmaglen. Suppose they can only beat whats in front of them. Were they even tested this year?
Clann Eireann gave up the crown easily, Maghery seem to be a beaten docket and on the way down and that Ballymacnab team isnt getting any younger.

[brokencrossbar1]

Probably says more about the teams in Armagh over the years than a reflection of Crossmaglen. Suppose they can only beat whats in front of them. Were they even tested this year?
Clann Eireann gave up the crown easily, Maghery seem to be a beaten docket and on the way down and that Ballymacnab team isnt getting any younger.

Hard to tell really. Silverbridge gave it a fair rattle but didn't have the finish in them. Clann Eireann have fallen off the face of the plant and may drift down to Intermediate unless they get things going again. Killeavey have talent but are notorious when it comes to championship for leaving all behind them. Maghery and Ballymacnab have a lot on their legs. Clans are a doing team and could be a challenger over the next few years. Hard to tell really. Like everything else the reality is we are the best in the county and have improved every game this year. I suspect that we have the players there already and players coming through to be dominant over the next 4/5 years within the county. I think we will hit the half ton of titles sooner rather than later

[general_lee]

Clann Éireann won't be in intermediate anytime soon, give your head a wobble! Agree on Killeavy, a bit like the Harps - two league teams, although at least Harps crop have a championship medal to show. I think Ballymacnab have maybe one more assault left in them, Maghery are as good as gone after that emphatic semi final exit to Cross. I think Mullaghbawn will be another Silverbridge, good but not good enough, Clans have a good team in the making but probably a year or two away to be considered proper contenders. Cross are the standard bearers and even in "famine" were regularly challenging, I think they've a fairly good chance of over-coming Ballybay, arguably the best forward line in Ulster club football at the minute.