2011 Ulster Championship

[whitegoodman]

Given we are half way through the league campaign what are peoples thoughts on the ulster championship.  I think it could be the tightest and best one for a while.  This is the way I see the contenders from strongest to weakest

1) Tyrone - May not be the team that they once were but are still the team to beat and they have had the indian sign over Down for the majority of the last 15 years. They can be got at but still have some outstanding footballers and the best manager in the country.

2) Down - Arguably the favourites for the ulster championship given last years performance and there performance to date in the league.  Can still be a bit brittle but James has made them harder to beat and they have the forwards to put it up to anyone in the country.  The current squad have no silverware at senior level and will be targeting an ulster title.

3) Armagh - Depending on whether Ronan Clarke comes back and IF he comes back the same player which is a big IF then the orangemen will be very hard to beat.  Defensively strong, getting better at midfield, stevie mac still at his best and one of the best managers about

4) Monaghan - Although they have brought in alot of younger players in the league who have impressed they may still be relying on the older heads come the championship.  Can they go to the well one more time.  It may be a year or 2 before they are back in the final

5) Derry - The perennial under achievers.  As talented as squad as there is about and Brennan seems to have them fired up but can they step it up at championship tiime or will they choke again.  Paddy Bradley can beat teams on his own but they have alot to prove after years of failure.

6) Donegal - Complete rebuilding job required here but they have a young, energetic and modern thinking manager who should be given time to get things right.  On the easier side of the draw so could earn an ulster final place with a bit of luck.

7) Antrim - Decent first 15 and manager seems to be a good motivator but far too reliant on Paddy Cummingham who struggles from play against the top top defenders.  Mick McCann and Mick Magill are big misses and u wouldnt no which of the mcgourtys turn it is to walk out.

Cavan - Not the team they were a few years ago and looking from the outside it was a strange decision to appoint a former manager again who wasnt that successful the first time around.  Too over reliant on Seanie Jonston too.  Difficult times ahead

9) Fermanagh - Punched above their weight  for a while but given their limited pick they are always gonna struggle to compete with the top teams.  Seem to lack the spark and fire that they had under Mulgrew. Even more difficult times ahead.

Any one of the first 6 teams could claim to be in with a chance and there isnt much between the first 4 but if Down can get out of the Athletic grounds with a win, i fancy them to go all the way.

The current odds would also be interesting to know.

[RMDrive]

From PP

Tyrone  15/8 

Monaghan  7/2 

Down  9/2 

Derry  5/1 

Armagh  9/1 

Donegal  9/1 

Cavan  22/1 

Fermanagh  33/1 

Antrim  50/1 

[armaghniac]

For information

15.05.11 (Sun)  Preliminary Round
Donegal V Antrim : Venue: Ballybofey

22.05.11 (Sun)  Quarter Final
Derry V Fermanagh  Venue: Celtic Park

28.05.11 (Sat)  Quarter Final
Armagh V Down   Venue: Athletic Grounds

05.06.11 (Sun)  Quarter Final
Tyrone V Monaghan  Venue: Healy Park, Omagh

12.06.11 (Sun) Quarter Final
Cavan V Donegal / Antrim  Venue: TBC

19.06.11 (Sun)  Semi Final
Armagh / Down V Derry / Fermanagh

26.06.11 (Sun)  Semi Final
Donegal / Antrim / Cavan V Tyrone / Monaghan

[bennydorano]

I thought Monaghan were at home to Tyrone, if they were i would fancy them to come through.  It and Armagh v Down should be very tight, the others should be straightforward.

Down v Donegal final.

[oakleafgael]

Given we are half way through the league campaign what are peoples thoughts on the ulster championship.  I think it could be the tightest and best one for a while.  This is the way I see the contenders from strongest to weakest

1) Tyrone - May not be the team that they once were but are still the team to beat and they have had the indian sign over Down for the majority of the last 15 years. They can be got at but still have some outstanding footballers and the best manager in the country.

2) Down - Arguably the favourites for the ulster championship given last years performance and there performance to date in the league.  Can still be a bit brittle but James has made them harder to beat and they have the forwards to put it up to anyone in the country.  The current squad have no silverware at senior level and will be targeting an ulster title.

3) Armagh - Depending on whether Ronan Clarke comes back and IF he comes back the same player which is a big IF then the orangemen will be very hard to beat.  Defensively strong, getting better at midfield, stevie mac still at his best and one of the best managers about

4) Monaghan - Although they have brought in alot of younger players in the league who have impressed they may still be relying on the older heads come the championship.  Can they go to the well one more time.  It may be a year or 2 before they are back in the final

5) Derry - The perennial under achievers.  As talented as squad as there is about and Brennan seems to have them fired up but can they step it up at championship tiime or will they choke again.  Paddy Bradley can beat teams on his own but they have alot to prove after years of failure.

6) Donegal - Complete rebuilding job required here but they have a young, energetic and modern thinking manager who should be given time to get things right.  On the easier side of the draw so could earn an ulster final place with a bit of luck.

7) Antrim - Decent first 15 and manager seems to be a good motivator but far too reliant on Paddy Cummingham who struggles from play against the top top defenders.  Mick McCann and Mick Magill are big misses and u wouldnt no which of the mcgourtys turn it is to walk out.

Cavan - Not the team they were a few years ago and looking from the outside it was a strange decision to appoint a former manager again who wasnt that successful the first time around.  Too over reliant on Seanie Jonston too.  Difficult times ahead

9) Fermanagh - Punched above their weight  for a while but given their limited pick they are always gonna struggle to compete with the top teams.  Seem to lack the spark and fire that they had under Mulgrew. Even more difficult times ahead.

Any one of the first 6 teams could claim to be in with a chance and there isnt much between the first 4 but if Down can get out of the Athletic grounds with a win, i fancy them to go all the way.

The current odds would also be interesting to know.

The current derry squad is very poor compared to the 2008 squad that won the National League, we are a long way off the standard required to win an Ulster title. If we manage to win the Anglocelt it will say a lot about the current standard of Ulster football or the ability of John Brennan to gather up a team.

[ross4life]

Down will probably lose to Armagh in the first match, i would fancy a Armagh v Tyrone final

1998 since Armagh/Tyrone didn't win Ulster.. time for a change?

[sammymaguire]

No-one predicts the Ulster Championship, we all know ANY team can beat any other team on any given day. Saying that, I could see Derry giving it a good rattle this season

[borderfox]

I think whoever wins the game in the Athletic grounds will win Ulster.

[Maguire01]

8 ) Cavan - Not the team they were a few years ago and looking from the outside it was a strange decision to appoint a former manager again who wasnt that successful the first time around.  Too over reliant on Seanie Jonston too.  Difficult times ahead

Same as Monaghan then.