Only four weeks to the start of the Ulster championship lads and I just thought I'd get a bit of chat going about it how we see it going this year. With Tyrone, Donegal and Monaghan sharing the last 10 years will we see that continue this year or will someone surprise us? Since 2009 Tyrone have won 4, Donegal have 4 and Monaghan 2.
Recent injury news means Monaghan lose one of their best players in Darren Hughes but have unearthed a few good forward to help out McManus and are no longer a one man team. Monaghan look to have the easier run to the final but Fermanagh soon ended that talk last year after they did the hard work beating Tyrone in Omagh.
Donegal will be excited by the return of Paddy McBrearty who some would say can be the top forward in Ireland on his day but only this week Odhrán Mac Niallais opted out of the panel again and will be a big loss. The Donegal men will be very hopeful of getting to the super 8s and beyond this year with a good mixture of youth and experience in their ranks now and a more open style of play. They finished very strongly in Div 2 and will have their tails up coming into this championship
Tyrone seem to be a team reborn in the latter stage of the league and were unlucky not to make it to the league final. They seem to have shaken off their defensive shackles with a lot more direct kick passing being used into a strong ball winning full forward line of Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte and young McShane.
We do have a very poor record for first round/preliminary round games in Omagh but even the most pessimistic Tyrone fan would say they should beat Derry easy plenty to spare in the 4 weeks time.
The winner of that game meet Antrim who have yet to nominate a venue for that game which is marked down for a Sat evening throw in. Actually there are a few Sat night games this year which I enjoy myself.
Down and Armagh and Cavan v Monaghan will now doubt be tasty local affairs which usually set the sparks flying early on.
Hopefully it's a more enjoyable championship that 2018 which besides the Fermanagh shock win over Monaghan turned out to be a rather boring non eventful year in Ulster.
Sunday 12 May 2019 Preliminary Round - Healy Park, Omagh at 16:00
Tyrone v Derry
Saturday 18 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Kingspan Breffni at 18:00
Cavan v Monaghan
Sunday 19 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Páirc Esler, Newry at 16.00
Down v Armagh
Saturday 25 May 2019 Quarter-Final at 18:00 NO VENUE YET
Antrim v Tyrone / Derry
Sunday 26 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Brewster Park at 14:00
Fermanagh v Donegal
Sunday 2 June 2019 Semi-Final 16:00
Cavan / Monaghan v Down / Armagh
Saturday 8 June 2019 Semi-Final at 17:00
Tyrone / Derry / Antrim v Fermanagh / Donegal
Sunday 23 June 2019 Final 14:00
Semi-Final A Winner v Semi-Final B Winner
This year Monaghan are very content with having achieved NFL Div 1 survival. It gets tougher every year.
But I suppose like in previous years, we'll beat Cavan in a tight game, then have a very decent chance in the semi final to make it to the final where we will surely reveal our essence, the essence of Monaghan football swank.
That's the Ulster Championship 2019 thread in a nutshell ... move on.
The Ulster championship is dead as the emu.
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
Will he be playing for Armagh this summer? John McEntee's column in the Irish News stated that Clarke wasn't going to feature for Cross this year.
The most notable absentee from both Cross's first two league games was Jamie Clarke.
Unfortunately for followers of the Rangers, Jamie has decided to withdraw from club activity again this year.
This is a huge blow to the club's chances of retaining the Gerry Fegan Cup but if you were to review his club activity over the past seven years, this announcement comes as no surprise.
He played no club football in the 2016 or 2018 seasons, two league games and 30 minutes championship in 2017 and previously in 2015 and no club football in 2013. It was 2014 that he was last able to commit fully to the club.
While this picture makes for depressing reading, Jamie is not a lone wolf in the inter-county scene.
As recently as last year there were at least two inter-county players who opted not to play for their club but instead they journeyed to London on Saturdays to play matches and return home on the following day, slightly worse for wear but with fatter wallets.
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 16, 2019, 04:41:10 PM
Only four weeks to the start of the Ulster championship lads and I just thought I'd get a bit of chat going about it how we see it going this year. With Tyrone, Donegal and Monaghan sharing the last 10 years will we see that continue this year or will someone surprise us? Since 2009 Tyrone have won 4, Donegal have 4 and Monaghan 2.
Recent injury news means Monaghan lose one of their best players in Darren Hughes but have unearthed a few good forward to help out McManus and are no longer a one man team. Monaghan look to have the easier run to the final but Fermanagh soon ended that talk last year after they did the hard work beating Tyrone in Omagh.
Donegal will be excited by the return of Paddy McBrearty who some would say can be the top forward in Ireland on his day but only this week Odhrán Mac Niallais opted out of the panel again and will be a big loss. The Donegal men will be very hopeful of getting to the super 8s and beyond this year with a good mixture of youth and experience in their ranks now and a more open style of play. They finished very strongly in Div 2 and will have their tails up coming into this championship
Tyrone seem to be a team reborn in the latter stage of the league and were unlucky not to make it to the league final. They seem to have shaken off their defensive shackles with a lot more direct kick passing being used into a strong ball winning full forward line of Mattie Donnelly, Peter Harte and young McShane.
We do have a very poor record for first round/preliminary round games in Omagh but even the most pessimistic Tyrone fan would say they should beat Derry easy plenty to spare in the 4 weeks time.
The winner of that game meet Antrim who have yet to nominate a venue for that game which is marked down for a Sat evening throw in. Actually there are a few Sat night games this year which I enjoy myself.
Down and Armagh and Cavan v Monaghan will now doubt be tasty local affairs which usually set the sparks flying early on.
Hopefully it's a more enjoyable championship that 2018 which besides the Fermanagh shock win over Monaghan turned out to be a rather boring non eventful year in Ulster.
Sunday 12 May 2019 Preliminary Round - Healy Park, Omagh at 16:00
Tyrone v Derry
Saturday 18 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Kingspan Breffni at 18:00
Cavan v Monaghan
Sunday 19 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Páirc Esler, Newry at 16.00
Down v Armagh
Saturday 25 May 2019 Quarter-Final at 18:00 NO VENUE YET
Antrim v Tyrone / Derry
Sunday 26 May 2019 Quarter-Final - Brewster Park at 14:00
Fermanagh v Donegal
Sunday 2 June 2019 Semi-Final 16:00
Cavan / Monaghan v Down / Armagh
Saturday 8 June 2019 Semi-Final at 17:00
Tyrone / Derry / Antrim v Fermanagh / Donegal
Sunday 23 June 2019 Final 14:00
Semi-Final A Winner v Semi-Final B Winner
sure if its against Derry they wont have to, it will be in Celtic Park ;D
Down in Newry is never easy, they're rebuilding and Armagh are probably a bit ahead of them in terms of development. That said nothing is a foregone conclusion and can't take anything for granted.
As for the enigmatic Jamie Clarke, id certainly be a bit miffed if I was a fein. Is there something underlying or what's the story that he can commit to the county team but can't strip out for three Sundays in April for the club? Usually the other way round in Cross lol
Quote from: general_lee on April 17, 2019, 02:16:44 PM
Down in Newry is never easy, they're rebuilding and Armagh are probably a bit ahead of them in terms of development. That said nothing is a foregone conclusion and can't take anything for granted.
As for the enigmatic Jamie Clarke, id certainly be a bit miffed if I was a fein. Is there something underlying or what's the story that he can commit to the county team but can't strip out for three Sundays in April for the club? Usually the other way round in Cross lol
Crossmaglen don't care about leagues.
Quote from: general_lee on April 17, 2019, 02:16:44 PM
Down in Newry is never easy, they're rebuilding and Armagh are probably a bit ahead of them in terms of development. That said nothing is a foregone conclusion and can't take anything for granted.
As for the enigmatic Jamie Clarke, id certainly be a bit miffed if I was a fein. Is there something underlying or what's the story that he can commit to the county team but can't strip out for three Sundays in April for the club? Usually the other way round in Cross lol
I don't think RONeill has stripped out for them either so far. As far as McEntees column goes I will wait and see what happens come championship. More worrying is the rumours surrounding Niall Grimleys hand injury
Looks set up for Monaghan v Tyrone final with both reaching the last 8 at the very least regardless of the result. Armagh,Cavan might have decent run in the qualifiers. I'm not convinced will Donegal do much better than last year. A tougher Ulster draw for them this year (won't be avoiding Monaghan,Tyrone) and could miss out on the AI quarter finals depending on the draw.
A quick question from me that jumps out of the fixture list.
Antrim have a home game against Tyrone (or Derry). What is their venue or will they have to play at neutral ground?
(The Casement thing is some joke - very unfair on Antrim)
Also I note that Tyrone will have 2 games played and Donegal will have none. Makes no sense.
The Ulster decider will be the Donegal v Tyrone semi final.
Quote from: hardstation on April 19, 2019, 11:11:47 AM
Quote from: ck on April 19, 2019, 10:23:54 AM
A quick question from me that jumps out of the fixture list.
Antrim have a home game against Tyrone (or Derry). What is their venue or will they have to play at neutral ground?
(The Casement thing is some joke - very unfair on Antrim)
Also I note that Tyrone will have 2 games played and Donegal will have none. Makes no sense.
The Ulster decider will be the Donegal v Tyrone semi final.
Antrim v Tyrone likely to play in Armagh.
Donegal play Fermanagh?
May 26th in Brewster I think.
Quote from: tonto1888 on April 18, 2019, 05:29:57 PM
Quote from: general_lee on April 17, 2019, 02:16:44 PM
Down in Newry is never easy, they're rebuilding and Armagh are probably a bit ahead of them in terms of development. That said nothing is a foregone conclusion and can't take anything for granted.
As for the enigmatic Jamie Clarke, id certainly be a bit miffed if I was a fein. Is there something underlying or what's the story that he can commit to the county team but can't strip out for three Sundays in April for the club? Usually the other way round in Cross lol
I don't think RONeill has stripped out for them either so far. As far as McEntees column goes I will wait and see what happens come championship. More worrying is the rumours surrounding Niall Grimleys hand injury
The long break without football between league and championship always results in a few injuries being picked up. Apparently there a number of wrist injuries in the Down squad. Should be a good game of kick passing then
Quote from: ck on April 19, 2019, 10:23:54 AM
Also I note that Tyrone will have 2 games played and Donegal will have none. Makes no sense.
The 3rd and 4th quarter finals are on the same weekend due to the compressed schedule required by the Super 8s. Switching the 2 games so that the Donegal Q/F would be on Saturday would not make any meaningful difference.
Where is the south stand in Pairc Esler
The main covered stand??
Any definite word where Antrim will play their game?
Quote from: ONeill on April 26, 2019, 09:04:29 PM
Any definite word where Antrim will play their game?
would have to be the Athletic Grounds surely?
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
I hope Down give them a good turning over in Newry and that they get turfed out in the first round qualifiers. McGeeney is a mercenary who is bleeding the county, and therefore, the clubs dry, whilst at the same time ruining club football. A great many of the county players chose not to play club football in April in preparation for a training camp in Portugal at Easter. He never had any heed in club football himself and he's brainwashed his players into feeling the same way. He did the same in Kildare. Sooner he's gone the better
Tel us how you really feel.
😂😂😂
Just a big fan of your passion... ;)
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on April 27, 2019, 12:53:24 AM
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
I hope Down give them a good turning over in Newry and that they get turfed out in the first round qualifiers. McGeeney is a mercenary who is bleeding the county, and therefore, the clubs dry, whilst at the same time ruining club football. A great many of the county players chose not to play club football in April in preparation for a training camp in Portugal at Easter. He never had any heed in club football himself and he's brainwashed his players into feeling the same way. He did the same in Kildare. Sooner he's gone the better
Who chose not to play football so they could prepare for Portugal
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on April 27, 2019, 12:53:24 AM
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
I hope Down give them a good turning over in Newry and that they get turfed out in the first round qualifiers. McGeeney is a mercenary who is bleeding the county, and therefore, the clubs dry, whilst at the same time ruining club football. A great many of the county players chose not to play club football in April in preparation for a training camp in Portugal at Easter. He never had any heed in club football himself and he's brainwashed his players into feeling the same way. He did the same in Kildare. Sooner he's gone the better
Is that a fact?
Yes
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on April 28, 2019, 05:13:43 PM
Yes
Come on, tell us which players sat out club games to prepare for the trip to Portugal
No
Clarke 0 matches
Hughes 0 matches
O Neill 1 match
Morgan 1 match
Sheridan 0 matches
Grugan 1 matches
Murnin 0 matches
Hall 1 match
Grimley 1 match
Vernon 1 match
Donaghy 0 matches
What about Jarly Óg? He's some player. Saw a bit of him playing Sigerson.
Quote from: Smurfy123 on April 29, 2019, 09:30:56 AM
Clarke 0 matches
Hughes 0 matches
O Neill 1 match
Morgan 1 match
Sheridan 0 matches
Grugan 1 matches
Murnin 0 matches
Hall 1 match
Grimley 1 match
Vernon 1 match
Donaghy 0 matches
Which Hughes is that? Grimley broke his hand. Murnin is injured.
There are others too but I don't want to name and shame as I don't blame them I blame the manager
Quote from: Smurfy123 on April 29, 2019, 09:30:56 AM
Clarke 0 matches
Hughes 0 matches
O Neill 1 match
Morgan 1 match
Sheridan 0 matches
Grugan 1 matches
Murnin 0 matches
Hall 1 match
Grimley 1 match
Vernon 1 match
Donaghy 0 matches
tbf if its blaine hughes then its because young craven is playing extremely well for cruppen, why drop the lad.
Club made the right decision there in my opinion
Quote from: Smurfy123 on April 29, 2019, 09:30:56 AM
Vernon 1 match
I cannot comment on the bulk of the names / games played that you have listed. However the one I have quoted is wrong.
Are any of ye close to any intercounty players at the moment?
Just wondering what is the general mindset of most of them nowadays?
Are they very much loving the image and fame that goes with being a county player and no longer care about the club or does it depend on the player himself?
I know from my own club Dooher and Stevie O'Neill put a lot of effort into the club but I'm just wondering has things changed nowadays.
Ye Armagh one certainly make it sound like they are discouraged to play for their club as much as possible.
I'm not based in Tyrone any more but I get the feeling most county men have lined out a lot for their clubs since the NFL finished for 5 league games.
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 30, 2019, 11:29:00 AM
Are any of ye close to any intercounty players at the moment?
Just wondering what is the general mindset of most of them nowadays?
Are they very much loving the image and fame that goes with being a county player and no longer care about the club or does it depend on the player himself?
I know from my own club Dooher and Stevie O'Neill put a lot of effort into the club but I'm just wondering has things changed nowadays.
Ye Armagh one certainly make it sound like they are discouraged to play for their club as much as possible.
I'm not based in Tyrone any more but I get the feeling most county men have lined out a lot for their clubs since the NFL finished for 5 league games.
I personally couldn't speak highly enough of my own clubs county men. Great fella's and give all for the club.
I believe Grimley played 2 matches for Madden, so there's another one quoted that is wrong.
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 30, 2019, 11:29:00 AM
Are any of ye close to any intercounty players at the moment?
Just wondering what is the general mindset of most of them nowadays?
Are they very much loving the image and fame that goes with being a county player and no longer care about the club or does it depend on the player himself?
I know from my own club Dooher and Stevie O'Neill put a lot of effort into the club but I'm just wondering has things changed nowadays.
Ye Armagh one certainly make it sound like they are discouraged to play for their club as much as possible.
I'm not based in Tyrone any more but I get the feeling most county men have lined out a lot for their clubs since the NFL finished for 5 league games.
We have 3 county men. 2 are more fringe players and are key for our club. The 3rd is a key man on county team and seems to hold himself back from the club ie: Injured a lot and sits out games.
I wouldnt blame the players at all, they want to play but it's county managers that dictate everything. They also tell the county board when to have fixtures. County managers run counties these days and it's very wrong!
Quote from: Ethan Tremblay on April 30, 2019, 11:38:18 AM
I believe Grimley played 2 matches for Madden, so there's another one quoted that is wrong.
Grimleys father is/ was club chairman. I have also seen Niall at underage matches - I am not a Madden man either.
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on April 27, 2019, 12:53:24 AM
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
I hope Down give them a good turning over in Newry and that they get turfed out in the first round qualifiers. McGeeney is a mercenary who is bleeding the county, and therefore, the clubs dry, whilst at the same time ruining club football. A great many of the county players chose not to play club football in April in preparation for a training camp in Portugal at Easter. He never had any heed in club football himself and he's brainwashed his players into feeling the same way. He did the same in Kildare. Sooner he's gone the better
Sure if you don't know the truth then just make it up...Firstly McGeeney's salary (if thats what you want to call it) is it really paid by the Co Board? You might want to check that out. If the players choose not to play for their clubs then that's their problem, If you're a good club man you'd play and not worry about KMcG and if you're good enough he'll not drop u either way.
Hope Armagh give Down a good turning over in Newry and they get turfed out in the first round of the qualifiers as the Tyrone man cleaned out Galway and now wants Downs coin too ;)
Quote from: illdecide on April 30, 2019, 02:04:49 PM
Quote from: Dougal Maguire on April 27, 2019, 12:53:24 AM
Quote from: Fuzzman on April 17, 2019, 11:13:11 AM
Not as dead or as boring as Munster or Leinster.
Every year I met several Dubs who come up for the Ulster final as they see it as a great day out where it is usually a good game and the result is not a forgone conclusion.
I'm a bit fed up talking about the Dubs and so think Ulster still has a lot to provide in excitement and entertainment. I know most of my Dub mates USUALLY enjoy watching the Ulster championship early in the year as it's the only one with a bit of excitement and FIGHT. Mayo v Galway is usually a decent game but that's it and sure Cork have gone to hell altogether recently.
Will Armagh not be able to give it a rattle this year with a few new players breaking through and if Jamie Clarke and Soupie are given good fast ball they should take Down and could even surprise Monaghan or Cavan in the semi.
I hope Down give them a good turning over in Newry and that they get turfed out in the first round qualifiers. McGeeney is a mercenary who is bleeding the county, and therefore, the clubs dry, whilst at the same time ruining club football. A great many of the county players chose not to play club football in April in preparation for a training camp in Portugal at Easter. He never had any heed in club football himself and he's brainwashed his players into feeling the same way. He did the same in Kildare. Sooner he's gone the better
Sure if you don't know the truth then just make it up...Firstly McGeeney's salary (if thats what you want to call it) is it really paid by the Co Board? You might want to check that out. If the players choose not to play for their clubs then that's their problem, If you're a good club man you'd play and not worry about KMcG and if you're good enough he'll not drop u either way.
Hope Armagh give Down a good turning over in Newry and they get turfed out in the first round of the qualifiers as the Tyrone man cleaned out Galway and now wants Downs coin too ;)
Not the first time this has happened. Accusations thrown about in the media and on here a couple of years back about specific players not playing for their clubs. Complete lies, as I watched said players in action.
Cavan 1-5
Monaghan 0-3
26 mins
Cavan 1-7
Monaghan 0-4
Cavan suffocating Monaghan and forcing them to make mistakes. Frustrating to watch and Monaghan do not seem be interested, living off frees.
Conor McManus and Kieran Hughes are some lads to dive and win handy frees. Expect Monaghan to up gears in second half and win game by 4-6.
Cavan look handy enough there. Monaghan need a big turnaround and at present don't look capable of it. Cavan hungrier and on top all over.
Quote from: kerryforsam19 on May 18, 2019, 07:43:19 PM
Conor McManus and Kieran Hughes are some lads to dive and win handy frees. Expect Monaghan to up gears in second half and win game by 4-6.
Be hard to turn around at half time. Cavan well in control. That'd be a swing of 10pts. Be hard to do with only 4pts in first half.
Only worry would be is if Cavan panic and freeze with them being so far in front and in control of the game.
Cavan falling all over the place
Well done Cavan.
Quote from: kerryforsam19 on May 18, 2019, 07:43:19 PM
Conor McManus and Kieran Hughes are some lads to dive and win handy frees. Expect Monaghan to up gears in second half and win game by 4-6.
Kieran was wild for it against Tyrone last year, especially late on when they were chasing the game.
No word at all here about Donegal and Fermanagh. We're all busy with more important things I guess!
Looking forward to the game, as always with the first run out in the championship, even if Brewster Park has a few bad memories for us. Last time I was there (been in the US quite a few years now) was for the 2003 meeting which was down there with Crossmaglen 2010 for shockingly poor Donegal performances and one of the worst games I've ever seen.
I guess we are warm favourites for this, but I don't expect anything close to the one-sided affair that was the Ulster final. I think if we turn up, we should win by three or four points after a tight enough game. You never know in Ulster though!
Be interesting to see what team lines out for us. With McBrearty back, assuming he starts, we have a lot of options up front (MacNiallais's absence notwithstanding), although it would be hard to see Oisin Gallen being squeezed in too (might find Ulster Championship football at bit different to the league too as a young lad). Maybe they'll play Murphy centre forward and go with McBrearty, Gallen and Brennan, but where do you put Niall O'Donnell then, another young lad who had a good league?
Well after all the excitement of the last 2 weekends I expect this to be a more traditional ulster championship game.
Fermanagh seem to have a fully fit panel to pick from .
Quigley has been absolutely flying for Roslea in April and looks to be in the shape of his life.
Can't see anything other than Fermanagh sitting deep, packing the defence and trying to frustrate Donegal.
Donegal seem to have a lot of options up front but Brewster has been a fortress for Gallagher over his reign in Fermanagh.
I have a sneaky feeling we might just scrape this .
Fighting talk ;D this isn't an easy game for Donegal.
Stop MMurphy and Fermanagh win......simple!!!
Minors Friday 21 June
Ulster MFC semi-finals
Donegal v Monaghan, Brewster Park, 8pm
Derry v Tyrone, Athletic Grounds, 8pm
Why the general move away from the minor games being on before the senior games?
Quote from: lurganblue on May 23, 2019, 10:05:45 AM
Why the general move away from the minor games being on before the senior games?
All part of the tiering plan .
Quote from: Dire Ear on May 23, 2019, 09:46:09 AM
Stop MMurphy and Fermanagh win......simple!!!
Let's hope they triple mark him. Should open up a bit of space for the likes of McBrearty, McHugh, Brennan and so on. :)
Quote from: J70 on May 23, 2019, 02:48:32 PM
Quote from: Dire Ear on May 23, 2019, 09:46:09 AM
Stop MMurphy and Fermanagh win......simple!!!
Let's hope they triple mark him. Should open up a bit of space for the likes of McBrearty, McHugh, Brennan and so on. :)
Che Cullen will be grand on his own.
Quote from: lurganblue on May 23, 2019, 10:05:45 AM
Why the general move away from the minor games being on before the senior games?
Counties wanted a backdoor championship and they wanted an exam break. Minor and senior championship no longer tied
Jones beats the Donegal man around the head 3 times and only gets yellow.
Typical Joe McQuillan, the big hag.
Awful game to watch. Fermanagh with 15 behind a ball on a small tight pitch makes it hard for Donegal to shoot..
Anybody, instead of doing community service, should be made to watch this. What a punishment!. I'm away to cut the grass.
Shocking stuff.
Donegal need to speed things up, get a few one-twos going, get up the field quicker.
And get Jamie Brennan on the end of things. He can get the shot away in very tight quarters.
It is tough playing/ watching Fermanagh on a tight pitch l8ke Brewster Park.
The sooner Rory Gallagher slips off and takes some poor club side somewhere the better. His tactics make me sick. My wee lad is on the x-box, couldn't watch it and I couldn't blame him.
How da f**k could the commentator say this is a better game than last night? Pure muck
Would you rather they heroically attacked Donegal and got smashed by 10 + points?
Have a word with yourselves lads - sure they'll train for 6 months, have no lives for that great Sunday when they got slaughtered for the entertainment of the GAA Board.
They are doing a job here and they are making this a contest - they owe nothing.
If I was a Fermanagh fan I'd be very disappointed in the referee.
Donegal players are playing the referee and he is caving into them. Lots of diving and surrounding the referee over some innocuous tackles, the yellow Cullen got was ridiculous and it was all because Ryan McHugh started jumping up and down in front of the referee waving his hands.
Quote from: Angelo on May 26, 2019, 02:45:52 PM
If I was a Fermanagh fan I'd be very disappointed in the referee.
Donegal players are playing the referee and he is caving into them. Lots of diving and surrounding the referee over some innocuous tackles, the yellow Cullen got was ridiculous and it was all because Ryan McHugh started jumping up and down in front of the referee waving his hands.
What a pile of shite.
Fermanagh should be content enough they didn't have to play almost the entire match with 14 men.
Quote from: hardstation on May 26, 2019, 02:46:32 PM
I don't know about that.
I thought Jones should have walked. He threw 3 slaps at the man's head.
I don't like players surrounding referees trying to pressure him into making a decision, they have done this a number of times today. McGrath got shoved in the back after winning a free as well and went down holding his face while the Donegal players were running to the umpire behind the goal.
Quote from: J70 on May 26, 2019, 02:51:02 PM
Quote from: Angelo on May 26, 2019, 02:45:52 PM
If I was a Fermanagh fan I'd be very disappointed in the referee.
Donegal players are playing the referee and he is caving into them. Lots of diving and surrounding the referee over some innocuous tackles, the yellow Cullen got was ridiculous and it was all because Ryan McHugh started jumping up and down in front of the referee waving his hands.
What a pile of shite.
Fermanagh should be content enough they didn't have to play almost the entire match with 14 men.
Nothing to do with a lack of effort on behalf of the Donegal players to have them down to 14.
Jones also blocked Langan from getting the ball, a 3rd man tackle. He should have walked after that at least. Joe never seen it. The mans a feckin' dose.
Quote from: Sportacus on May 26, 2019, 02:37:54 PM
The sooner Rory Gallagher slips off and takes some poor club side somewhere the better. His tactics make me sick. My wee lad is on the x-box, couldn't watch it and I couldn't blame him.
He does manage a club side
Terrible game not Donegals fault. Fermanagh are shocking.
Thought we did what we had to. Plenty of work for us ahead of Tyrone, but good to grind out a win like that and get McBrearty back into the swing of things.
Yeah can't fault Donegal at all, and Fermanagh using their system to stay in the game, just makes for a pissy game.
Quote from: Rudi on May 26, 2019, 03:36:55 PM
Terrible game not Donegals fault. Fermanagh are shocking.
What a statement. One of the smallest picks in the country and yet always competitive. Catch yourself on man.
The abuse Fermanagh get is way over the top, they regularly punch above their weight and this style of play while it may not be pretty allows them to do so.
I have no issue with it, some people would rather Fermanagh just offered themselves as a punching bag for bigger counties. Hopefully they will regroup and give the qualifiers a good rattle.
Quote from: J70 on May 26, 2019, 02:28:08 PM
Shocking stuff.
Donegal need to speed things up, get a few one-twos going, get up the field quicker.
And get Jamie Brennan on the end of things. He can get the shot away in very tight quarters.
Jamie Bryson could do better than some of them !
Sean Quigley had a fourteen night stay in an hotel to get his fitness up according to the guru Mc Hugh.Then rory takes him off early.
Quote from: GetOverTheBar on May 26, 2019, 02:44:25 PM
Would you rather they heroically attacked Donegal and got smashed by 10 + points?
Have a word with yourselves lads - sure they'll train for 6 months, have no lives for that great Sunday when they got slaughtered for the entertainment of the GAA Board.
They are doing a job here and they are making this a contest - they owe nothing.
They should be thrown down to a lesser competition so that no kid has to choose between watching them and playing his xbox.
Quote from: Esmarelda on May 26, 2019, 05:22:44 PM
Quote from: GetOverTheBar on May 26, 2019, 02:44:25 PM
Would you rather they heroically attacked Donegal and got smashed by 10 + points?
Have a word with yourselves lads - sure they'll train for 6 months, have no lives for that great Sunday when they got slaughtered for the entertainment of the GAA Board.
They are doing a job here and they are making this a contest - they owe nothing.
They should be thrown down to a lesser competition so that no kid has to choose between watching them and playing his xbox.
That's an entirely different argument ;)
Quote from: J70 on May 26, 2019, 03:44:35 PM
Thought we did what we had to. Plenty of work for us ahead of Tyrone, but good to grind out a win like that and get McBrearty back into the swing of things.
Was really suprised with the amount of breaking ball Fermanagh won around the middle of the field. I'd say that's the main area of concern.
Second area of concern is that the Donegal defence didn't exactly look all that secure against a fairly anemic looking Fermanagh attack.
Where to begin with that.
Frustration would be the word.
Certainly an improvement on the Ulster final performance but ultimately we were still beat.
Donegal were the better team with the better forwards and that was the difference.
We started the game with what I would call 2 natural forwards. Everybody else plays there club football in midfield or defence.
Quigley had absolutely no help. He played most of the game at wing half back.
We got destroyed in midfield in the second half. Donegal took a grip after half time.
We have no plan b except to throw Tom Clarke into full forward. Even when we did this, we refused to either kick the ball into him or when we did, have anybody there to support him.
We need Tomas and Ruairi Corrigan back playing .
Rory had certainly improved the team defensively but we have to evolve. We are too rigid and are stuck to the system.
We have to commit to the attack.
Though Kelm and Ciaran Corrigan were excellent today.
There were moments when we committed to the attack we did carve Donegal open but they were too few .
Qualifiers await and my gut feeling is we will get Monaghan.
Donegal were well worth there win. Very patient on the ball and have alot of options up front. Defensively I think that Tyrone and McShane in particular will trouble them .
Michael Murphy certainly has his post playing career lined up as a referee as he told Joe exactly when to award frees and yellow cards .
Quote from: Walter Cronc on May 26, 2019, 04:05:25 PM
Quote from: Rudi on May 26, 2019, 03:36:55 PM
Terrible game not Donegals fault. Fermanagh are shocking.
What a statement. One of the smallest picks in the country and yet always competitive. Catch yourself on man.
Fermanagh were competitive for a while when Pete McGrath was manager and before that when Malachy O'Rourke managed them. They didn't play the turgid stuff Gallagher has them playing.
Sounds like a few other people said that about Murphy before re the ref.
He does take a lot of abuse off the ball though himself but he is always whinging at the ref.
Donegal v Tyrone will probably be another tactical hard hitting battle like most of the last few years but it will be interesting to see does Mickey play Mattie further forward to support McShane as he will no way be left one on one for this game.
His ability to catch high ball and turn and shoot has meant he has been the player of the season so far but surely Donegal will keep a sweeper in front of him now so Mattie will also need to play up beside him in my eyes.
I don't think a sweeper would really be able to cut out a lot of the type of ball that McShane is getting. Him being directly double marked would absolutely nullify him though and if Donegal do that then you have to play Donnelly up and have him 1v1 against his man because you can't double mark both of them, or at least Donegal wont do.
I think Donegal will play some sort of sweeper and if Tyrone do leave both the above up they will attempt to play in front in the traditional sweeper manner and if the quality of ball in is the same as it has been they will be by standers.
It is a good test to see where Neil McGee is as I think he is slowing and could be exposed though I am not sure mcshane will have seen the likes of mcgee's antics before so that could throw him a bit.
It has the makings of a very interesting game. I would expect Tyrone to be a bit too strong though.
Mcshane plays club football in Tyrone so if its the evil were lead to believe I'm sure there's mot much he's not seen 😂😂
What sort of character is McGee anyroad behind it all? seems here like He's very figgity and doesnt make eye contact.
https://youtu.be/6whlXI8bW9g
Quote from: imtommygunn on May 28, 2019, 09:38:15 PM
It is a good test to see where Neil McGee is as I think he is slowing and could be exposed though I am not sure mcshane will have seen the likes of mcgee's antics before so that could throw him a bit.
It has the makings of a very interesting game. I would expect Tyrone to be a bit too strong though.
Cathals senior county debut was against McGee as direct marker in 2015.
Ah. Didn't realise that.
I suspect he will be fit for him but I guess we'll see and depends what system Donegal play.
Quote from: omaghjoe on May 29, 2019, 04:41:03 AM
What sort of character is McGee anyroad behind it all? seems here like He's very figgity and doesnt make eye contact.
https://youtu.be/6whlXI8bW9g
Like a man that would take your life for a size 5!
Quote from: omaghjoe on May 29, 2019, 04:41:03 AM
What sort of character is McGee anyroad behind it all? seems here like He's very figgity and doesnt make eye contact.
https://youtu.be/6whlXI8bW9g
lol, you're a quare gegg Omaghjoe