McKenna Cup 2024

[The GAA]

Training is the place to learn those lessons against the best in your sphere. make mistakes trying to do the right things where it doesn't matter.

It matters to a 19 year old defender to be making those mistakes in front of 5000 people

[bennydorano]

Did Deccie get the winning point?

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

My initial comment:

While its good to see younger lads coming through i couldn't help but feel very sorry for young mckenna tonight. the lad obviously isn't ready for this step up and i think his development will be irreversibly harmed by getting roastings like this.

Was a criticism of the management. It's particularly difficult for a young defender to come into a county senior team. Much easier for a forward. Young McKenna has plenty of potential but throwing him in there – and putting him on martin Clarke – is shocking stuff. That he didn't light the place up is not his fault.

A poster then asked the question about McKenna's performance. He was v v poor. Again, I don't lay any blame at his door. Should I tell lies to protect your sensibilities?

jaysus sake its the feckin mckenna cup. you're meant to throw in the young lads AND onto players like martin clarke. why not?

he'll hardly be stood on a bridge ringing the samaritans after 3 men and a dog watched him getting roasted by clarke on a 15th of feckin january mckenna game. i suppose you could wrap him in cotton wool and only play him in training matches and with a mask on to hide his face

There was a big crowd in Newry tonight. Not every county is like Derry you know. 

I think the important point to make is that defensively Armagh as a unit weren't good enough. As individuals Declan McKenna had a better game than at least one or two of his defensive team-mates. He'll learn and he'll improve. We're a bit stuck for backs at the minute so it may be a steep learning curve but having captained an All Ireland winning team he should have the mentality to handle it.

[fitzroyalty]

Training is the place to learn those lessons against the best in your sphere. make mistakes trying to do the right things where it doesn't matter.

It matters to a 19 year old defender to be making those mistakes in front of 5000 people

He captained Armagh minors to the AI in front of much more - I'm sure he'll cope. Give the man some credit.

[Mid Down Gael]

Did Deccie get the winning point?

Yes, and a fine score it was.

[The GAA]

Training is the place to learn those lessons against the best in your sphere. make mistakes trying to do the right things where it doesn't matter.

It matters to a 19 year old defender to be making those mistakes in front of 5000 people

He captained Armagh minors to the AI in front of much more - I'm sure he'll cope. Give the man some credit.

This is getting pedantic. i didn't criticise Declan. the fact that anyone played minor football at the highest level is irrelevent to the learning curve of senior football where the scrutiny and quality is much higher. we need our younger players better managed is my point.

Did Deccie get the winning point?

No - Shorty Clarke

[fan01]

yea shorty got the last two scores...he played really welll

[pearseog]

Training is the place to learn those lessons against the best in your sphere. make mistakes trying to do the right things where it doesn't matter.

It matters to a 19 year old defender to be making those mistakes in front of 5000 people

He captained Armagh minors to the AI in front of much more - I'm sure he'll cope. Give the man some credit.

This is getting pedantic. i didn't criticise Declan. the fact that anyone played minor football at the highest level is irrelevent to the learning curve of senior football where the scrutiny and quality is much higher. we need our younger players better managed is my point.

Did Deccie get the winning point?

No - Shorty Clarke

no it was decky...shorty got the equiliser. very harsh and decky there the gaa. After getting a so called 'roasting' he didnt do too bad putting that winning score over the bar. give the lad time. lets be honest he's not gona be starting come championship this year with the talent we have in the half back line. this is all just a learning curve for him.

[The GAA]

Fair enough pog - was certain it was shotry but i'm sure a clubmate would know.

[pearseog]

shortys a clubmate and deckys my mate so had a vested interest in both 

[armaghniac]

Shorty Clarke got an excellent point, probably the equaliser. Well worth a run out again.

[The GAA]

I was pleasantly surprised with shorty clarke - showed very well for the ball and there's a good argument for saying he was the difference between the teams at the end

[Throw ball]

Was at the Armagh Down game and what a fine exhibition of forward play from both sides. A thoroughly enjoyable match which will benefit both teams. As some have already said Clarke and Coulter were superb for Down.

Declan McKenna has been getting some stick on here which I think is surprising as a number of people in the stand around me were commenting how after a slow start he stood up to the plate and showed alot of potential. I also liked that he has the nerve to come up near the end and take the winning score. To me this showed  great leadership from a player making his debut. In all Armagh used 7 players in defensive positions and he definitely was nowhere near the worst and on a par with others.

Although many will disagree I thought Armagh played into Down hands for a period ten minutes from the end of the first half and much of the second half. Down played players back and tried to hit Armagh on the break. This left Armagh on many occasions with only two defenders inside the 45. It was like forget about defending just attack.

As for the forwards they all played well. I would say however that Grugan's vision was superb. It is a long time since Armagh have had a player like him.

[Lecale2]

Is Billy Joe Padden playing for Armagh?

[dodgy umpire]

Was at the Armagh Down game and what a fine exhibition of forward play from both sides. A thoroughly enjoyable match which will benefit both teams. As some have already said Clarke and Coulter were superb for Down.

Declan McKenna has been getting some stick on here which I think is surprising as a number of people in the stand around me were commenting how after a slow start he stood up to the plate and showed alot of potential. I also liked that he has the nerve to come up near the end and take the winning score. To me this showed  great leadership from a player making his debut. In all Armagh used 7 players in defensive positions and he definitely was nowhere near the worst and on a par with others.

Although many will disagree I thought Armagh played into Down hands for a period ten minutes from the end of the first half and much of the second half. Down played players back and tried to hit Armagh on the break. This left Armagh on many occasions with only two defenders inside the 45. It was like forget about defending just attack.

As for the forwards they all played well. I would say however that Grugan's vision was superb. It is a long time since Armagh have had a player like him.

He was my M.O.M