Was down for both the senior games yesterday. Not a bad day out and enjoyed the occassion. For the second half of the Donegal game we moved round to the hogan stand to get back to the car in decent time. Ended up in a Kildare section. Was very surprised how strong some of their fans were supporting Kerry.
At the start the two men behind were shouting finish them off Kerry (strange comment given they were getting beat) and shouting support for all the Kerry players by name. I initially assumed they were Kerry men but doubted it from their accent and when I turned around realised they were in Kildare colours. Loads of other Kildare fans were doing the same and getting annoyed with the referee and strongly supporting Kerry. Like to the point were they were getting physically worked up. I also witnessed Dublin men getting cross leaving the ground and getting in arguments with Donegal fans.
I know we get abuse in Ulster for supporting our own teams but I found it very strange how people who should have been totally neutral were so fired up supporting a team from another province. I was clapping for Donegal scores but would never have got so worked up over another county team. Its also strange to see so many neutrals supporting a team with 36 All Irelands against a big underdog with 1. I know I'd have been supporting Kildare against Kerry as the underdog or even the Dubs last year. Its always good to see new teams come through.
Is the Kerry support due to Donegal tactics? If it is I still don't fully understand. Can anyone honestly say they preferred the second half of the Kildare Cork game compared to Donegal Kerry? I found the Kildare second half extremely boring and could have went for a nap. I didn't see any neutrals around me getting worked up over this. The second half of the Donegal game was very interesting and we witnessed some wonderful Donegal defending and great counter attacking football (just wish they'd attack a bit more).
I think its an insult to players and managers intelligance if we want teams to play in a way that doesn't work to their strengths and involves them getting hammered. Two years ago Donegal played nice football and got hammered out of Crossmaglen and a year or 2 before that got destroyed by Cork in croke park. I absolutely hated watching both games - they were terrible as a spectacle. Yet there was no outcry over it. Donegal should be praised for how they've turned things round and become competitive at the top level given their limitations. I'd rather see more teams compete than get hammered.
I can see why there's a worry that all teams will follow their trend and change football. I hope this won't happen but no doubt someone is going to come along with a better way of playing and defeat Donegal's system. I'm looking forward to seeing Cork attempt it and have no doubt we'll get a more interesting semi final than some others in recent years.
At the start the two men behind were shouting finish them off Kerry (strange comment given they were getting beat) and shouting support for all the Kerry players by name. I initially assumed they were Kerry men but doubted it from their accent and when I turned around realised they were in Kildare colours. Loads of other Kildare fans were doing the same and getting annoyed with the referee and strongly supporting Kerry. Like to the point were they were getting physically worked up. I also witnessed Dublin men getting cross leaving the ground and getting in arguments with Donegal fans.
I know we get abuse in Ulster for supporting our own teams but I found it very strange how people who should have been totally neutral were so fired up supporting a team from another province. I was clapping for Donegal scores but would never have got so worked up over another county team. Its also strange to see so many neutrals supporting a team with 36 All Irelands against a big underdog with 1. I know I'd have been supporting Kildare against Kerry as the underdog or even the Dubs last year. Its always good to see new teams come through.
Is the Kerry support due to Donegal tactics? If it is I still don't fully understand. Can anyone honestly say they preferred the second half of the Kildare Cork game compared to Donegal Kerry? I found the Kildare second half extremely boring and could have went for a nap. I didn't see any neutrals around me getting worked up over this. The second half of the Donegal game was very interesting and we witnessed some wonderful Donegal defending and great counter attacking football (just wish they'd attack a bit more).
I think its an insult to players and managers intelligance if we want teams to play in a way that doesn't work to their strengths and involves them getting hammered. Two years ago Donegal played nice football and got hammered out of Crossmaglen and a year or 2 before that got destroyed by Cork in croke park. I absolutely hated watching both games - they were terrible as a spectacle. Yet there was no outcry over it. Donegal should be praised for how they've turned things round and become competitive at the top level given their limitations. I'd rather see more teams compete than get hammered.
I can see why there's a worry that all teams will follow their trend and change football. I hope this won't happen but no doubt someone is going to come along with a better way of playing and defeat Donegal's system. I'm looking forward to seeing Cork attempt it and have no doubt we'll get a more interesting semi final than some others in recent years.