Ulster Senior football championship 2024

[Armagh18]

Score are scores. Can hardly be criticised for being fouled and having a top free taker.

[Dreadnought]

Cavan team named.

No Killian Clarke, McLoughlin or McVeety in starting 15.

Would love to see Cavan win this but unfortunately I think Tyrone will win this by 8-10 points. Cavan struggle to score from open play and will struggle to keep all the Tyrone fires out.

Ie. Canavan, McCurry, McShane if he back on form.

Yeah only the 3-4 scored from open play last day out. Quite the struggle

4 points from play is not a great return haha.

3 goals from play however is very good, but the worrying thing is its not a common theme for Cavan to score goals but hopefully that's changing.

How many goals did they score in the league altogether 3 or 4?

Garavn Jones scored more from play in the Fermanagh game v Cavan that any Cavan player scored from pay in all 7 gmaes combined.

So there's definitely an issue with scoring from play for Cavan. But its championship now and trends can go out the window.

Well it's 7 scores from play in a gale force wind conditions, so it's ok considering that. Some of those goals would be chances that some would take points from, so good we've goals in us anyway.

Wouldn't be too concerned with that Fermanagh League game. We were clearly holding our water for 2 weeks after. They were playing for their lives and we had nothing to play for that day

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Cavan team named.

No Killian Clarke, McLoughlin or McVeety in starting 15.

Would love to see Cavan win this but unfortunately I think Tyrone will win this by 8-10 points. Cavan struggle to score from open play and will struggle to keep all the Tyrone fires out.

Ie. Canavan, McCurry, McShane if he back on form.

Yeah only the 3-4 scored from open play last day out. Quite the struggle

4 points from play is not a great return haha.

3 goals from play however is very good, but the worrying thing is its not a common theme for Cavan to score goals but hopefully that's changing.

How many goals did they score in the league altogether 3 or 4?

Garavn Jones scored more from play in the Fermanagh game v Cavan that any Cavan player scored from pay in all 7 gmaes combined.

So there's definitely an issue with scoring from play for Cavan. But its championship now and trends can go out the window.

Well it's 7 scores from play in a gale force wind conditions, so it's ok considering that. Some of those goals would be chances that some would take points from, so good we've goals in us anyway.

Wouldn't be too concerned with that Fermanagh League game. We were clearly holding our water for 2 weeks after. They were playing for their lives and we had nothing to play for that day

I agree on the goals very encouraging to see them go for the juggler instead of fisting over the bar. True on the Fermanagh game aswell but these are just observations I've made i'm not criticizing as it was a great performance the last day despite this; bit of a step up again this weekend but you don't know what your gonna get with Tyrone.

[Dreadnought]

I agree on the goals very encouraging to see them go for the juggler instead of fisting over the bar. True on the Fermanagh game aswell but these are just observations I've made i'm not criticizing as it was a great performance the last day despite this; bit of a step up again this weekend but you don't know what your gonna get with Tyrone.

That's it alright, we went for those goals while we took our frees when they came. We will need to alright. Think we've a decent chance, and great time to try and catch Tyrone on the hop after we've had a game and they've been waiting since last round of the League. It'll be interesting

[tbrick18]

Derry going with the same team as the league final.

No real surprise didn't think they'd risk McKinless from the start and he's a great impact sub.

No Murphy on the bench??

Wondered about that myself. Unless he's injured maybe?
It's almost full strength starting lineup with only McKinless missing out. If he's not fully fit, I wouldn't risk him at all at any stage, unless we really need him.

[yellowcard]

Thinking about how the lack of interest in games here reflect the general apathy in the community towards football. Used to be you'd have a thread for each of the big games here with multiple pages of craic, analysis and bickering. Now we've one amalgamated thread for all of ulster with very little interest or posts. You'll never see a 100page + thread of tyrone v Armagh banter ever again.

Came across this on YouTube the other day...

https://youtu.be/arMAgKKhltk?si=VJ9e3OEDG69jXF9u

It's a copy of the Sam 2005 dvd with extended highlights throughout that summer. Forgot how good these dvds were. What really stands out for me, outside of the crowds and quality of the football, was the general atmosphere in the games. The type of football played generated and sustained an almost constant noise throughout the match. The number of contests for the ball was significantly higher and its contests that generate that edge of the seat excitement that in turn created a cauldron of atmosphere and spectacle.

Youll still see unreal skills in today's game, mindblowing points and class goals. However, these are small peaks amongst the dredge we have to watch for 80% of the game. Watching games these days and I can't help but notice the level of general chat in the stands, people on phones and flatness. You'll hardly ever hear a chant outside of the odd come on you blues.

I've wrote this post as I've just completed the GAA games survey and hope that something will be found to return our game to its former glory. To me that is moving away from the obsession with possession based football and finding away to create more opportunities for contests in attack, midfield and forwards. Or maybe I'm a grumpy f**ker and will just have to accept transitions, 20+ passes back to the keeper and 30 players inside a 45 multiple times a game. What a load of shite.

The only way you can return to those days is a straight knockout from the start. It won't happen. 20 years ago I'd have sleepless nights about losing to Cavan. Now, whatever, still a lock a group games.

The GAA may be amateur but its money-making machine is as professional as the NFL in the States.

Group stages suck the life out of the championship, I hate them. I think the one extra chance back door system up until the quarter final stage would be much more interesting and would put less pressure on fixture scheduling as well. It's not like those group games are well attended either but there must be extra income generated from TV deals, otherwise I can't see any real upside.

[Tones]

The Preliminary Quarter Final is a balls too, no jeopardy, all about extra games, as you say probably TV rights, get beat in the first round of your Provincial Championship lose 2 matches in group stage and you could still be in a Preliminary Quarter Final , what a load of crap.

[smort]

And county boards aping this trying to get county players more games with their clubs

Championship structures at intercounty and club level are a bit of a mess

[thewobbler]

It's odd isn't it?

Every single last person involved in sport knows that protracted knockout competitions are a steaming pile of dung until the element of jeopardy arrives.

And yet all around Ireland, all around the world, we keep introducing and extending these formats.

Other sports can at least use professionalism and a need for paying spectators as their excuse.

We cannot.

[Dreadnought]

It's odd isn't it?

Every single last person involved in sport knows that protracted knockout competitions are a steaming pile of dung until the element of jeopardy arrives.

And yet all around Ireland, all around the world, we keep introducing and extending these formats.

Other sports can at least use professionalism and a need for paying spectators as their excuse.

We cannot.

It's very odd alright. the more it comes to it, the more I'd go back to Championship as straight knockout and expand the League or such to cover games. But there's no doubt that more matches does not equal better Championship. Less is more, and too many games is too many missable games so people start to stay away. If every game meant you had to win, we'd be heading somewhere. Do your provincials and seeding from League or such, but 2 tiers, 16 teams, let them go at it. People would go mental for it

[tiempo]

The Preliminary Quarter Final is a balls too, no jeopardy, all about extra games, as you say probably TV rights, get beat in the first round of your Provincial Championship lose 2 matches in group stage and you could still be in a Preliminary Quarter Final , what a load of crap.

Prelim QF was conceived as a result of meaningless games in the final round of the Super 8, its to try and incentivise that final round of group games where the top 2 is already confirmed and bottom 2 is not

Nothing screams its fucked quite like Kerry playing the second tier of Hurling (Joe McDonagh) but aren't allowed to play in the Munster Championship. Long story short, 57 varieties

[Tones]

The Preliminary Quarter Final is a balls too, no jeopardy, all about extra games, as you say probably TV rights, get beat in the first round of your Provincial Championship lose 2 matches in group stage and you could still be in a Preliminary Quarter Final , what a load of crap.

Prelim QF was conceived as a result of meaningless games in the final round of the Super 8, its to try and incentivise that final round of group games where the top 2 is already confirmed and bottom 2 is not

Nothing screams its fucked quite like Kerry playing the second tier of Hurling (Joe McDonagh) but aren't allowed to play in the Munster Championship. Long story short, 57 varieties

Worked well last year in 3 groups none of these games were meaningless!!

Kerry    5–24 – 0–11    Louth

Dublin    3–23 – 0–8    Sligo

Derry    1–19 – 1–13    Clare

[SouthOfThe Bann]

The Preliminary Quarter Final is a balls too, no jeopardy, all about extra games, as you say probably TV rights, get beat in the first round of your Provincial Championship lose 2 matches in group stage and you could still be in a Preliminary Quarter Final , what a load of crap.

Prelim QF was conceived as a result of meaningless games in the final round of the Super 8, its to try and incentivise that final round of group games where the top 2 is already confirmed and bottom 2 is not

Nothing screams its fucked quite like Kerry playing the second tier of Hurling (Joe McDonagh) but aren't allowed to play in the Munster Championship. Long story short, 57 varieties

Worked well last year in 3 groups none of these games were meaningless!!

Kerry    5–24 – 0–11    Louth

Dublin    3–23 – 0–8    Sligo

Derry    1–19 – 1–13    Clare

Them games you mention still weren't dead rubbers as score difference was massive due to Cork, Mayo and Kerry finishing on 4 points.

It turned out Kildare beat Roscommon so score difference didnt matter there but that was a shock result.

And if Clare beat Derry then Monaghan or Donegal could topped the other group.

There was also serious drama with John Heslin with a free to knock Tyrone out of the championship and a late rally from Armagh resigning Galway to the Prelim Quarter finals.

Was great entertainment that last week especially with all the games at the one time.

[LeoMc]

Cavan team named.

No Killian Clarke, McLoughlin or McVeety in starting 15.

Would love to see Cavan win this but unfortunately I think Tyrone will win this by 8-10 points. Cavan struggle to score from open play and will struggle to keep all the Tyrone fires out.

Ie. Canavan, McCurry, McShane if he back on form.

Yeah only the 3-4 scored from open play last day out. Quite the struggle

4 points from play is not a great return haha.

3 goals from play however is very good, but the worrying thing is its not a common theme for Cavan to score goals but hopefully that's changing.

How many goals did they score in the league altogether 3 or 4?

Garavn Jones scored more from play in the Fermanagh game v Cavan that any Cavan player scored from pay in all 7 gmaes combined.

So there's definitely an issue with scoring from play for Cavan. But its championship now and trends can go out the window.

Well it's 7 scores from play in a gale force wind conditions, so it's ok considering that. Some of those goals would be chances that some would take points from, so good we've goals in us anyway.

Wouldn't be too concerned with that Fermanagh League game. We were clearly holding our water for 2 weeks after. They were playing for their lives and we had nothing to play for that day

I agree on the goals very encouraging to see themgo for the juggler instead of fisting over the bar. True on the Fermanagh game aswell but these are just observations I've made i'm not criticizing as it was a great performance the last day despite this; bit of a step up again this weekend but you don't know what your gonna get with Tyrone.

When up against clowns you should go for the juggler.

[JoG2]

It's odd isn't it?

Every single last person involved in sport knows that protracted knockout competitions are a steaming pile of dung until the element of jeopardy arrives.

And yet all around Ireland, all around the world, we keep introducing and extending these formats.

Other sports can at least use professionalism and a need for paying spectators as their excuse.

We cannot.

Well considering 85% approx of money generated filters down to the clubs, we all win?