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Central Council has avoided the temptation to meddle with the format of the Allianz FL and left the current four divisions of eight teams in place.

A proposal was in place to change the current setup of the top two divisions, replacing Divisions 1 and 2 with two groups randomly made up of the top 16 teams.

This drew much criticism, especially from managers who felt there was a distinct difference in standard between the top two tiers.

It was decided yesterday to keep the current format with semi-finals now introduced in Division 1 only.

Thank god this has happened... It would be tough on Donegal and Laois if they were stuck in division 1b playing most teams from last year - when they gained promotion away from them...

Few league game stoday - think i will go to the Burren v Rostrevor game as it has a good billing.  Last time out Rostrevor won both the game and the fight - should be interesting tussle...

well i think terrible is a little too harsh in fairness.. i was standing listening to both sets of supporters shouting and roaring at the referee for every single thing he blew for... Their men were pulling, dragging, clamping their arms around their opponents, tackling from behind, persistent fouling in the tackle, persistent fouling off the ball when it was being played in... What is the referee supposed to do here... If he lets the advantage rule kick in - he is criticised if the play breaks down, if he dont let it kick in - he is criticised.  If he allows the pulling, and dragging thing to continue both on and off the ball - he gets criticised.  Every single aspect listed above is breaking the rules.  You may throw - ah but jaysus let common sense prevail - no - its breaking the rules and thats it.  If you continue to break them you get booked or sent off.  The players in this county are well aware of what the rules are and while clubs are partial to releasing some of their hard earned money to various managers and trainers - they would do well to actually coach the tackle and explain what you are allowed to do and not allowed to do in a game.  Training sessions usually end with a game - this is where the corrections should be made.  Stop the game if there is a genuine foul and explain why.  Maybe then people would get off referees backs and actually watch the game.  And for all the supporters of Mooney - he scored one hell of a point in the first half claiming the ball in front of the stand and hitting a 1 - 2 and putting it over the bar and his point in the second half was decent - but he should not have been on the pitch at this stage imo.  He persistently fouled in the first half and finally got booked - should have got his scond yellow card - but the referee did rostrevor a huge favour by not depleting them... but did the referee get any plaudits - na - only criticism....

Thought our game was a foregone conclusion tonight so i ventured to burren to see them topple the ford... my god burren are rubbish... the started with a bang and scored a goal through mc kernan but then took the foot off the gas... i was standing at half time saying to others the real burren will surely come out in the second half... but they were worse if anything... the ford completley dominated the game and Kalum King caused all sorts of problems in full forward.  Great to see Joe Ireland playing good football again - a player who surely deserves a place on the county team... If the ford maintain this level of football - they will take some stopping in the championship... As for us - well Liatroim have been knocking the door and suppose we were due a defeat caus we have been winning games we didnt deserve to...

Any word of the team for the Clare game???

Thats two newspaper articles in two days about the "faceless" critics on the discussion boards who are doing all the harm.  Looking back through the history of this board will show that last september, august, july when the county were building up a head of steam - there was nothing but positivity and everyone was full of praise for certain individuals.  They werent writing in the papers thanking us - no - they were lapping up the praise and watching their own heads getting bigger by the day.  Now the shit hits the fan and - as always - we express our opinion - and they throw their toys outta the pram.  Grow up county boys.  If you are good enough to take the praise - then take the constructive criticism.

You certainly werent on praising anyone p***k,

Your a complete tool   

Your someone til talk alright and redandblackareback is in the same category.  Two peas in the same runt pod.

No he didnt say that was his main reason for retiring but he mentioned these discussion boards as did benny yesterday. Yes we are in some cases constructive and in some cases destructive - but its all for the love of the game.  we say what we see out ther - maybe James should do likewise.

Thats two newspaper articles in two days about the "faceless" critics on the discussion boards who are doing all the harm.  Looking back through the history of this board will show that last september, august, july when the county were building up a head of steam - there was nothing but positivity and everyone was full of praise for certain individuals.  They werent writing in the papers thanking us - no - they were lapping up the praise and watching their own heads getting bigger by the day.  Now the shit hits the fan and - as always - we express our opinion - and they throw their toys outta the pram.  Grow up county boys.  If you are good enough to take the praise - then take the constructive criticism. 

Seriously - there is no way these two men come all the way to down to train for expenses.  |Its being buried in the expenses for the county somewhere.  We are not the only county to be paying trainers but its def happening.  Lets snap outta the trance lads.  Yes Burren are county champions - but Kilcoo were in same position the year before and had 3 or 4 on the panel at the start and then 2 by the time of the AIF.  Mc Kernan, G Mc Cartan are really worth their places on the team - Rooney is average and has bad attitude - he didnt play against the Ford about a month ago caus he didnt train with his club in the week leading up to it - fair play to Dawson for dropping him from the panel for this breach.  Duffin is a better player than him anyhow.  Sean Murdock like so many others was class at underage - but is finding it hard at senior level to cope with the physicality.  Dan is done, Eoin is great player but not fit to train so shouldn be there, Mc Ardle is big strong lad - but he hasn really shone in any club games - so how did he reach this level??? Murdock the keeper is off the panel - but he is one they should stick with as he is prob second best in the county and plays well for the club week in week out.

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Wise up Paul talk sense will you all we lost was a game of football against Armagh doesnt make our team or backroom team bad and doesnt make POR a messiah . As for Mc Gurn not so long ago Armagh people were saying the players were too bulky but now he is the best trainer in ireland .O Hare highly rated in our county by who the ladies team if he was a keen Down man what was he doing dressed head to toe in orange and white .Mc Grane and Mc Conville only there this last few weeks hardly part of the management set up . POR was an all ireland winner when he was with us and look what good it did . As for our underachieving backroom team take a look at last year not going to go on any more but wise up

Yes all we lost was a game of football - but all my point was is that someone came on here slating their management set - up - well they must be doing something right... O'Rourke was winner with us and look what good it did - what the hell does that mean.  the county board got rid of him when he wanted another season with the group he had.  OHare was with the u21s in 2005 when they got to the all Ireland Final and i know the lads in my club rate him - what is he supposed to do wear down gear just caus he is from the county - even tho he works for another county now? Did Mc Cartan approach him to take him in - surprised he didnt caus the rest of Burren are there at present.  And how about you wise up - lets look at last year and yes we had a great long summer and many memories - but we didnt do what we set out to do - WIN..  We played in 2 national finals and won damn all - thats a great return for a season. NOT. and if you honestly think Mc Ilvor and Tally are leaving Ballinderry and |Galbally twice or three times a week for "expenses" - then you really do live in a bubble. 

[The armagh management team are a mickey mouse outfit]

I didnt post immediately after the game because i actually couldnt get my head round how we lost BOTH games on Saturday evening. I left the Athletic grounds angry and upset over a number of things.

1. The team is getting clearly wiped out in the middle sector and we take our corner forward off. Surely with the quality of coach/trainer/selector/eye in the stand/manager that someone can see this!
2. The armagh management team are a mickey mouse outfit but their team looked sharper and fitter than our guys?? Someone touched on here before about the injuries?? What are we actually doing at training?
3. I will not get personal about James younger brother but he should have been replaced after 15mins. Not fair on the lad to leave him hanging out to dry like that.
4. The burren players are not an issue for me, their current county champions so they deserve to be on the panel BUT!! if young Eoin cant get a start for Burren why do we need to bring him into an inter county championship tie? Are the rest that bad??
5. The minor debacle!! where do we start?? I said on this forum a long time ago Peter Mc Grath is a complete legend, but his appointment was a major major step back!! That was a crime that team didnt walk Ulster!!

Well if thats the case - ours must be worse.  Armagh have Paul Mc Grane in, Oisin Mc Conville in, Murtagh, O'Rourke - all - all Ireland winners, Mike Mc Gurn who is renowned fitness coach and O'Hare from Burren who lots in our county rate highly. How do you rate our overpaid underachieving coaches???

Is Jamie Clarke this great player or is he just a flash in the pan.  A few years back they were talking about Charlie Vernon being the next big thing and he has failed to deliver on the big stage.  Will Clarke be the same?? Also interesting posts about the Armagh half forward line being their weakest line - Mackin is a Derby winner but cant play ball, Billy Joe Padden hasnt got the legs anymore and Tony Kernan is no Aaron.  Charlie has played in there a bit as well but to no avail.  I cant see the threat from these lads to our established half back line.  I honestly think this will be the platform to our success on Sat night...

Have to say i agree with Alba2 on his selection of our county team and what he says about the armagh players.  I have total respect for armagh and what they have done in football terms over the last ten years - but this currect crop of players simply are not good enough.  If we are being realistic - how many armagh players would get into the Cork team at the minute?? Probably Stevie Mc Donnald and maybe Jamie Clarke - if he bulked up a bit. Whereas from down - Dan Gordon could slot in anywhere for them, Kevin Mc Kernan would replace canty the player who stole his all star last year,  King would play in midfield as a defensive foil for Walsh, Marty, Benny, Danny Hughes would all feature in their forward line.. Armagh - like many other teams were on top for a long period - but their time has come to an end and the calibre of player in their panel now is poor.  From watching their national league performances esp in newry for the second year They have no desire, hunger or trust in each other the way the armagh of old had.  I honestly believe we will win and win easily on saturday evenin.  AN DUN ABU