McKenna Cup 2024

[tbrick18]

My 6 forwards of Derry / Armagh combined....

Ethan Doherty    Oisin O'Neill    Soupy Campbell
Andrew Murnin    Rian Oneill    Shane McGuigan

The reality is however, bar ethan Rafferty in goals, youd nearly go all Derry from 1 to 9

Is this a serious post?

Oisin O'Neill nailed on, not sure about McGuigan or Rian O'Neill or Ethan though... They'd have to earn their place

Have they been practicing penalty shootouts all winter?

Nah, they've been running up mountains carrying bags of cement and spending 8 hrs a day in the gym whilst geezer stares off at something on the horizon 

Almost forgot this was a McKenna Cup thread.
Game tomorrow should be good. I'd expect both teams will still be largely experimental.
From a derry pov, I'd like to see some more game time for the fringe players and new panel additions. A win would be a bonus.
I'd imagine Armagh will take a similar approach.

[tonto1888]

My 6 forwards of Derry / Armagh combined....

Ethan Doherty    Oisin O'Neill    Soupy Campbell
Andrew Murnin    Rian Oneill    Shane McGuigan

The reality is however, bar ethan Rafferty in goals, youd nearly go all Derry from 1 to 9

Is this a serious post?

Oisin O'Neill nailed on, not sure about McGuigan or Rian O'Neill or Ethan though... They'd have to earn their place

Have they been practicing penalty shootouts all winter?

Nah, they've been running up mountains carrying bags of cement and spending 8 hrs a day in the gym whilst geezer stares off at something on the horizon 

Almost forgot this was a McKenna Cup thread.
Game tomorrow should be good. I'd expect both teams will still be largely experimental.
From a derry pov, I'd like to see some more game time for the fringe players and new panel additions. A win would be a bonus.
I'd imagine Armagh will take a similar approach.

hopefully

[tbrick18]

2021 - no. Tyrone All-Ireland champions.
2022 - debatable whether Derry were better than Armagh considering respective performances against Galway
2023 - yes

Let's be honest Galway were far superior in the qf that day. They led by 6 points until injury time and then the madness happened. There was a feeling amongst Armagh fans at this time that they missed out on an AI final on pens, totally ignoring the fact they'd have to beat Derry.

disagree. The feeling was more we missed out on a good chance of reaching the final

Lots of people have a feeling that Armagh were not good enough then, or now.
But sure feelings prove nothing.
For about 25 years I felt Derry could win Ulster.....look where that got us!

[tonto1888]

2021 - no. Tyrone All-Ireland champions.
2022 - debatable whether Derry were better than Armagh considering respective performances against Galway
2023 - yes

Let's be honest Galway were far superior in the qf that day. They led by 6 points until injury time and then the madness happened. There was a feeling amongst Armagh fans at this time that they missed out on an AI final on pens, totally ignoring the fact they'd have to beat Derry.

disagree. The feeling was more we missed out on a good chance of reaching the final

Lots of people have a feeling that Armagh were not good enough then, or now.
But sure feelings prove nothing.
For about 25 years I felt Derry could win Ulster.....look where that got us!

haha.
Just going on my own feelings and those I would go to games with. Nobody was overlooking derry, but it felt like a missed opportunity

[93-DY-SAM]

Armagh for Sam (we just don't know which year yet!)

as likely to win it as Derry. ie not

Great comeback!!

The difference is Armagh ones seem to make the most noise about how great they are. Empty vessels and all that.

[tonto1888]

Armagh for Sam (we just don't know which year yet!)

as likely to win it as Derry. ie not

Great comeback!!

The difference is Armagh ones seem to make the most noise about how great they are. Empty vessels and all that.

A great comeback to a great post....

we are far from great. We got relegated to division 2 for a reason. Havent won an ulster in I cant remember how long for a reason. That said we were 2 kicks of the ball away from being Ulster champions and all ireland semi finalists last season. Have to have some hope to cling to right

[illdecide]

How has this turned into Armagh for the All-Ireland because i said Armagh, Derry, tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal are all similar levels and all could beat each other in any given day. The usual ones are on stirring the pot and there are always guys to react and take the bait. I've always said it for as long as I can remember and I've been around a few corners bar 2002 Armagh will find a way to break your heart consistently and are always the nearly men. Yes we have a decent team but we're 2-3 quality players short of a great team which puts us only in the top 10 teams. To be in the top 2 you need those quality 2-3 players that the Kerry's and Dublin have. Throw a blanket around the next 8 teams and they're all quite similar in ability and it's who turns up on the day or gets that wee bit of luck to get you over the line but ultimately when the best of the rest play the top 2 they will fall short (4 times outta 5). So never mind who would get on who's team as it's all shite talk...

[Armagh18]

How has this turned into Armagh for the All-Ireland because i said Armagh, Derry, tyrone, Monaghan and Donegal are all similar levels and all could beat each other in any given day. The usual ones are on stirring the pot and there are always guys to react and take the bait. I've always said it for as long as I can remember and I've been around a few corners bar 2002 Armagh will find a way to break your heart consistently and are always the nearly men. Yes we have a decent team but we're 2-3 quality players short of a great team which puts us only in the top 10 teams. To be in the top 2 you need those quality 2-3 players that the Kerry's and Dublin have. Throw a blanket around the next 8 teams and they're all quite similar in ability and it's who turns up on the day or gets that wee bit of luck to get you over the line but ultimately when the best of the rest play the top 2 they will fall short (4 times outta 5). So never mind who would get on who's team as it's all shite talk...

Exactly. Wouldn't like to bet the house on the winner of us vs Derry, Donegal, Tyrone, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo, Rossies and probably Cork as well or any of those teams playing each other.

As you say Dublin and Kerry will beat any of them teams the majority of the time bar the odd ambush.

[Derryman forever]

Nothing between the 2 teams last night, Tyrone kicked some bad wides and Armagh dropping one into the net last kick of the game. Decent game for Jan and McKenna cup, some good positives for both teams. Armagh need a strong year this year and it's getting that wee bit of luck at vital times in big games. Armagh, Derry, Monaghan, Tyrone and possibly Donegal are all evenly matched and can beat each other in any game. For me the thing that's missing for Armagh is the marquee forward that most of the top teams have, the real game changer who'll get you a score outta nothing. Oisin O'Neill back and Niall Grimley are big positives, the young lad from Portydown Conaty (prob spelt that wrong) with his pace could be an impact off the bench.

Armaghs strength is in their forward line and every other county in Ulster would love to have our set of forwards. I'd argue that our weakness is in defence and the problem began when we began to stifle our attacking style to play a rigid defensive running game in order to shore up the defence.

Here we go. Hold on lads... it's gonna be a long summer of Armagh for Sam.

It's a massive jump to go from the best set of forwards in Ulster to winning Sam. If you could combine the Derry side up as far as midfield with Armaghs forwards I think you would have a strong contender though.

You would Drop P Cassidy, C mcfaul, S Mcguigan, E Doherty?
For whom?

All 4 would start the Armagh team. I accept that Armagh probably have more depth in their forward line though.

So you would add two Armagh players to Derry.
So would I.

[Derryman forever]

Does the £25 pass I bought for the mckenna cup series cover the semis and final?

Just the semis.
TG4 usually cover the final.

Thanks mate.

[Armagh18]

Nothing between the 2 teams last night, Tyrone kicked some bad wides and Armagh dropping one into the net last kick of the game. Decent game for Jan and McKenna cup, some good positives for both teams. Armagh need a strong year this year and it's getting that wee bit of luck at vital times in big games. Armagh, Derry, Monaghan, Tyrone and possibly Donegal are all evenly matched and can beat each other in any game. For me the thing that's missing for Armagh is the marquee forward that most of the top teams have, the real game changer who'll get you a score outta nothing. Oisin O'Neill back and Niall Grimley are big positives, the young lad from Portydown Conaty (prob spelt that wrong) with his pace could be an impact off the bench.

Armaghs strength is in their forward line and every other county in Ulster would love to have our set of forwards. I'd argue that our weakness is in defence and the problem began when we began to stifle our attacking style to play a rigid defensive running game in order to shore up the defence.

Here we go. Hold on lads... it's gonna be a long summer of Armagh for Sam.

It's a massive jump to go from the best set of forwards in Ulster to winning Sam. If you could combine the Derry side up as far as midfield with Armaghs forwards I think you would have a strong contender though.

You would Drop P Cassidy, C mcfaul, S Mcguigan, E Doherty?
For whom?

All 4 would start the Armagh team. I accept that Armagh probably have more depth in their forward line though.

So you would add two Armagh players to Derry.
So would I.

Could McFaul not play 6 for us? If yas send Glass and Chrissy McK down the road we'd gladly take them

[naka]

Armagh only named 22 for game v Derry and are also playing Mayo in a friendly
Wonder which game Geezer will attend

[Armagh18]

Armagh only named 22 for game v Derry and are also playing Mayo in a friendly
Wonder which game Geezer will attend

I'd say all the subs will see gametime tomorrow and theres likely near enough lads to have close to 2 teams against Mayo. Probably wasn't the plan to be in the semi final of McKenna cup but there's a fairly strong team named there and good chance for some of the newer lads to test themselves against a Derry team thats obviously not full strength without the Glen lads but is fairly close to it.

[tbrick18]

That's a strong starting lineup from Derry with a few others integrating in.
Good to see lynch back.

[yellowcard]

Mickey Harte going all out to win his umpteenth McKenna Cup by the looks of it.