Tailteann Cup 2024

[twohands!!!]

Could easily see Sligo having a right go at this.

[imtommygunn]

Kildare have much better players than anyone else there then second you would likely have down. Sligo aren't bad and could put the cat amongst the pigeons.

[seafoid]

It would be great to see a real minnow win this. Hopefully Wicklow can do it.

Not sure about Antrim, they haven't really taken off under Andy McEntee. They were good against us last year in the semi final but I thought he'd have them promoted in the league.

Kildare have the talent obviously so if they got the finger out would be strong but I can't see it. Outside that you'd imagine Down and Fermanagh as highest ranking teams would be favourites.

Interested to see how Wicklow and Sligo go as I'd say one of their managers will be in with us within the next couple of years.

Fermanagh have never even won a provincial title . The ultimate minnows. 

[imtommygunn]

I think Sligo are potential winners here.

[Rossfan]

What about Laois?

[imtommygunn]

They were very poor against Offaly I think it was? Down will blitz most teams tbh and then if the likes of Kildare get the finger out they could beat them. Sligo based on Galway game looked decent. Not sure about Fermanagh.

[Captain Scarlet]

We have been waiting all year for a reaction in Kildare, but nothing is coming. Oyr fitness levels are way off and Wicklow should have got something out of the game.

If a team sets up well against us, and it's a tight game I'd be worried. Hopefully it will click a bit and a few wins will get us going and into the knock-out stages with a bit of confidence.

The fact that if we did win it, it'd mean we can try more lads in Div 3 without the pressure iof having to win it to get back into Sam. Gettin' very far ahead of myself here...

But, all teams should fancy a crack as we just don't have our house in order.

[statto]

Kildare have much better players than anyone else there then second you would likely have down. Sligo aren't bad and could put the cat amongst the pigeons.

I would have Down ahead of Kildare on the basis they have players who have experienced a final in Croker already and the fact they have a number of Kilcoo players who have the experience of winning big games in croker.  Kildare have flattered to deceive for a long time now. 

[Captain Scarlet]

But sure as I said the punditry is terrible...namecheck Dan Flynn and Feely, then say we have great players and shouldn't be down here...

Like Flynn has been poor for 2 seasons and there are newer lads in who are really not up to it.

[seafoid]

Down 7/4
Kildare 4/1
Sligo 11/2
Fermanagh 8/1

[yellowcard]

Given how good they were as players Kildare were probably never likely to change management during the season. However I thought that they might have walked themselves after their Leinster exit after a catastrophic year to date. I can't see them getting a tune out of those same players when really they should be winning this cup based on the level of players available.

Down are worthy favourites and will have a point to prove after losing the last 2 big finals in Croke Park. They will have a big edge on the minnows purely on their athleticism and fitness but they lack any real good kickers of the ball when the levels of the opposition begin to increase and they can match them for running power. I'm not sure any teams in this competition are at that level though so Down to win it. 

[Truth hurts]

a fiver should be enough to get into the group stages games,

[mup]

Kildare will not win anything with this bunch of footballers. Simply not good enough. I've have them 3rd or 4th to win this competition but could easily be beaten by one or two more.

Down, Fermanagh or Sligo for me.

[Captain Scarlet]

Kildare v Roscommon and Monaghan last year is when they actually do OK, when teams fancy beating them and it opens up a bit they somehow find something.
BUT, when it's a dogged game and they have to actually move a defence around they are fecked. 4/1 are decent odds, but Fermanagh were much better than us already this year.

[imtommygunn]

Are Kildare not a different beast this year to last though? What about Ryan? Having spoke to someone in Longford they would reckon he's not too highly rated there and he might be a part of the problem.

I wouldn't have fermanagh as a potential winner tbh. I think they peaked their fitness very early to get results in the league and then when they were caught up they were found out. They have a few very good players but overall I think there are quite a few teams capable of beating them.

Being an antrim fan I'd be hopeful however I think Wexford have been decent this year and it's a tough game for us. Sligo probably a bit too good so the game in wexford a big one for us. Tipp may be a write off for the year but then again maybe the waterford game will stir them up a bit.