Messages

Not sure how Donegal have leapfrogged us based on championship games, think both have got the jobs done without being brilliant, both have shown top quality at times. Seems to be a clear top 4 at the minute, but wouldn't rule Tyrone and Dublin out of Sam, then Derry, Mayo, Monaghan, Rossies all capable of taking a scalp or 2, Louth, Meath Cork will be full of confidence as well and could beat a big team on their day.

Should be an excellent championship.

Thought that the new Rules would suit the Rossies as have some very good forwards, their last two performances have been very underwhelming I would imagine Burke will do well to see next year. 

I would expect Tyrone to be hard to beat and Dublin in Croke Park will not be easy for anyone.

Group stage draw on this Wednesday at 1:30pm


1st seeds -   Kerry/Clare   Galway/Mayo   Donegal/Armagh   Louth/Meath
2nd seeds -  Clare,Kerry     Galway/Mayo   Donegal/Armagh  Louth/Meath
3rd seeds -   Dublin,Tyrone,Monaghan,Roscommon
4th seeds -  Derry,Down,Cork,Cavan

Who would have thought after last year's league final that Derry and Dublin would be third and fourth seeds. Should make for a couple of tasty draws, albeit both sides aren't in a great spot at the moment.

Thoughts on Allen commentating while still in?
Surely takes away his focus a bit

Murphy(hard to listen too) also does it and Ronnie I have always thought that it should be a role when you have put the cue away and it might take your focus away from the job at hand.

@Captain Scarlet can update the thread title to 2025.

Kildare v Louth this weekend will decide the full set or Tailteann Cup seedings, with New York to join at the preliminary quarter-final stage. 


First Seeds: Offaly, Kildare / Louth, Fermanagh, Westmeath

Second Seeds: Sligo, Laois, Limerick, Wexford

Third Seeds: Antrim, Leitrim, Wicklow, Carlow

Fourth Seeds: Tipperary, Longford, London, Waterford

Fermanagh would have been viewed as a more defensive side in recent past but played some really nice football against Down with the new rules. Connor Love put in a great showing and be one to watch for them.  Winning the Tailteann be huge for Fermanagh given they have never won Ulster would be great to see.  I don't think they will have any fear of the other sides, Westmeath and the loser of Kildare/Louth won't be easy beat.  Sligo should be decent also. 

It's a tough one to call.  From an Armagh perspective it really depends who we have fit and on the field.  As others have said we really need Crealey fit along with another recognised midfielder, preferably Grimley.  Tyrone have a very strong midfield and I think we'll really struggle there unless we have these men back.

Aside from that discipline will be a major factor.  The first team to lose a man in what will be a highly charged game will probably lose.

Callum O'Neill did himself no harm the last day and would expect him to start if Grimley/Crealey don't make it.  Shane McParland seems to have fell down the pecking order a bit a player who I think would be well suited to the new game. 

Grimley and Crealey completely dominated the middle in league game so Tyrone will be hoping one of both are not available.  Crealey has made really big strides over the last couple of years and well suited to the new rules also with his height, has improved alot as a footballer too. 

[Tyrone were just ok against a very poor Cavan side. Didn't look that impressive tbh]

Tyrone v Armagh then...Bookies have Tyrone slight favourites to win this game and the pundits are bigging up Tyrone saying they're back as contenders but how do they base this on one game v a very poor Cavan team. I know Armagh have had a fair few injuries lately but Armagh destroyed them in league and are All Ireland Champions yet Tyrone are fav's. Do bookies and pundits know more than me?. (TBF most people know more than me...lol) I'm just basing this on facts and results, I think Armagh will beat Tyrone TBH but the mighty Down/Donegal will await (more likely the mighty Donegal).

Not sure what they're judging off. Would expect Canavan to be back for us but even then Armagh are just to physical. Even their second string are bigger, taller, faster, just more athletic in general. Can't see us getting within 7 points of them

The new rules are tailor made for the bigger stronger sides. If Armagh don't win it would be a major surprise.
Tyrone were just ok against a very poor Cavan side. Didn't look that impressive tbh, albeit without Canavan.

With the panel Armagh have been boasting about for the last 2 years it should be straightforward win for them shouldn't it?

For real? Tyrone beat Cavan in a canter without coming out of 2nd gear. With Darragh likely back and Hampsey and Myler apparently close to full recovery, could give Armagh bother... especially with their best player Rian gone.. 

Huge risk for Tyrone to be relying on Hampsey and Meyler to come in and hit the ground running they have both missed a serious amount of football. While they can both make big impacts further down the line I would think this weekend would come too soon for them.

Fair play to Forest. Just when you think their bubble has burst, they pull another big result out.

Spurs are dung, I was say they'd beat Utd if they meet in the final lol

Surely the worst Europa league competition of all time. United looking like finishing 16/17th in league, spurs and a team from Norway in last 4.

Tyrone are talking themselves up as All Ireland contenders again and coming up against a fairly patched up Armagh who was poor for half the match against a Division four Antrim. It's very much Tyrone's game to lose.

Literally not one tyrone person talking the team up. Looks like use armagh ones feeling the pressure. Tyrone regalted to div 2 with a new management up against current ai champions.  Be some upset if tyrone did win.

And that's why the bookies have them as favourites to win game.

Ronnie being a dick or genuine?

Looks like his appearance is up in the air.

Ronnie hard to like, him and carter a real clash of who is a bigger dose. Crucible curse strikes again with Wilson, Robertson nightmare first session left him too much to do.

Massive result for villa. I think that was a must win.

City up next. I'd take a draw

Villa are playing some stuff great side to watch.

Cliffords red was harsh, cork red ridiculous. A decision to even things up if ever saw one.

Down will be happy to get the win with Havern being pretty anonymous. Daniel Guinness was outstanding especially when game looked dead and buried.

Fermanagh had that game won however game management poor in the last ten minutes of that match.

Agree when Down got level after pinning Fermanagh in for a prolonged period, Fermanagh kick an awful ball over sideline poor basic skill error should have took the sting out of game and tried work a winning score. I think Down maybe got the winning goal off this.

Fair play to United and Amorim for the season they have been having and a question mark about the character and personality of alot of players they deserve enormous credit for turning that around last night. Lyon will be sick.

Oliver Glasner got a bounce out of Crystal Palace while moving from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1 (Utds new formation)

I'm afraid to say Rueben's not up to scratch lads

A fair few Palace players would start for United which shows where they are at.  Henderson, Guehi, Eze, Mateta, certainly would and could make cases for Mitchell, Munoz, Wharton, Lacroix.