Let hostilities commence......................... :)
I assume the team O'Rourke starts in this will be fairly close to the championship line-out. Would like to see Dyas fit enough to start - if he doesn't make this one, surely he'd have no chance of starting the Derry match. Ideally I'd like to see something along the lines of;
Hearty
A Mallon
B Donaghy
P Duffy
K Dyas
C McKeever
F Moriarty
K Toner
J Lavery
G Swift
A Kernan
C Vernon
S McDonnell
R Clarke
B Mallon
As badly as the farce in Newry hurt us supporters, you can only assume the players were much more disappointed. Where better to make amends than Croke Park?
(http://i849.photobucket.com/albums/ab56/declanrice/photo.jpg?t=1271001051r)
Portaferry have agreed to lend this scoreboard of theirs for the game though it is quite old and the A had to be cut off Ard Macha to get it to fit.
Hearty/McEvoy
Mallon
Donaghy
Shannon/P.Kernan
Duffy
McKeever
Moriarty
Toner
Lavery
Vernon
Clarke
Swift
Mallon
McDonnell
Henderson
Quote from: Benny Barnaveld on April 11, 2010, 11:58:02 PM
Hearty/McEvoy
Mallon
Donaghy
Shannon/P.Kernan
Duffy
McKeever
Moriarty
Toner
Lavery
Vernon
Clarke
Swift
Mallon
McDonnell
Henderson
Not really the time to start left field experiments like that. He doesn't look in good enough shape at the minute to play out there anyway.
Aaron Kernan will stay at CHF, and will most likely be there for the Championship. I don't think he's been anywhere near as bad as some have tried to make out. If a new player had come in and played as well, we'd all be saying he's been promising and that he should be allowed time to grow into the position. I think people expected too much from Kernan straight away. I think he's getting better and was good today, bar giving away a couple of lazy frees in the second half when the match had slumped to training game pace.
Have to agree with AFS comments about Clarke and Kernan. Tacs team seems fair enough to me but would expect Kernan or Shannon in for Dyas. Sure it will hardly matter anyway as Down will undoubtedly give us another football lesson. ;)
Quote from: Throw ball on April 12, 2010, 12:41:49 AM
Have to agree with AFS comments about Clarke and Kernan. Tacs team seems fair enough to me but would expect Kernan or Shannon in for Dyas. Sure it will hardly matter anyway as Down will undoubtedly give us another football lesson. ;)
Armagh did well today and seem to be gearing up for championship football, they now play against Down in Croker and will be looking for revenge after the debacle a few weeks ago in Newry.
This game will be a cracker, a derby game in the wide open spaces of croke Park.
prediction Armagh 2-14 Down 1-10.
Is this game in Croke Park? When was that decided?
Quote from: Lecale2 on April 12, 2010, 07:09:58 AM
Is this game in Croke Park? When was that decided?
Keith Duggan in his write up on yesterday's match says that the final is at Headquarters!
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 11, 2010, 11:22:44 PM
Let hostilities commence......................... :)
I assume the team O'Rourke starts in this will be fairly close to the championship line-out. Would like to see Dyas fit enough to start - if he doesn't make this one, surely he'd have no chance of starting the Derry match. Ideally I'd like to see something along the lines of;
Hearty
A Mallon
B Donaghy
P Duffy
K Dyas
C McKeever
F Moriarty
K Toner
J Lavery
G Swift
A Kernan
C Vernon
S McDonnell
R Clarke
B Mallon
As badly as the farce in Newry hurt us supporters, you can only assume the players were much more disappointed. Where better to make amends than Croke Park?
I would have Henderson in the corner instead of Mallon but aside from that that would be my team also. I think Henderson has been fairly harshly treated, he won the Laois match for us and was taken off twenty minutes in against Down despite doing nothing wrong. If we play Clarke, McDonnell and Henderson and feed them with low accurate ball (which we have done for most of the league but didn't in Newry) then there are plenty of scores in that trio.
As you say TAM, it was obvious that the Down team wanted to win more than Armagh in Newry, we won't have that excuse in Croker, if this Armagh team have any pride in themselves they'll be busting the changing room doors down on Sunday week.
Quote from: mackers on April 12, 2010, 10:48:09 AM
I would have Henderson in the corner instead of Mallon but aside from that that would be my team also. I think Henderson has been fairly harshly treated, he won the Laois match for us and was taken off twenty minutes in against Down despite doing nothing wrong.
Wouldn't agree. Mallon is more experienced and more consistent. I don't know how anyone could say Henderson has been harshly treated, he's had more game time than any of the other corner forward options this year. He has had more than his fair share of chances in the last two years, somewhere in the region of 13-15 starts by my reckoning, and has been consistently inconsistent. He puts in one good showing for every 4 or 5 starts, you just can't trust someone with that kind of return for Championship football.
Has the venue been confirmed by Croke Park? The league finals were not in Croke Park last year.
Quote from: Lecale2 on April 12, 2010, 12:08:54 PM
Has the venue been confirmed by Croke Park? The league finals were not in Croke Park last year.
No its not officially confirmed but for some reason I had it in my head that they've said it will in Croke Park. Was the Derry Kerry match not in Croke Park last year? The 08 final was Parnell but I've a feeling last year was Croke.
Yes the league Div 1 & 2 finals are being played as double headers in Croke Park on Sunday 25th
Paddy Power's giving nothing away on this one;
4/5 Down v 10/11 Armagh
Quote from: AFS on April 12, 2010, 11:02:43 AM
Quote from: mackers on April 12, 2010, 10:48:09 AM
I would have Henderson in the corner instead of Mallon but aside from that that would be my team also. I think Henderson has been fairly harshly treated, he won the Laois match for us and was taken off twenty minutes in against Down despite doing nothing wrong.
Wouldn't agree. Mallon is more experienced and more consistent. I don't know how anyone could say Henderson has been harshly treated, he's had more game time than any of the other corner forward options this year. He has had more than his fair share of chances in the last two years, somewhere in the region of 13-15 starts by my reckoning, and has been consistently inconsistent. He puts in one good showing for every 4 or 5 starts, you just can't trust someone with that kind of return for Championship football.
Mallon has has a number of poor seasons and quite often has been anonymous in games. Perhaps that was the system we were playing. With a better looking HF line we don't need so much of Mallon's foraging back and that's why I'd rather see Henderson in the corner. He is a naturally more gifted finisher and it's that rather than Mallon's all round game that I think is needed.
Quote from: Skiddybadoo on April 12, 2010, 01:40:55 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 12, 2010, 11:02:43 AM
Quote from: mackers on April 12, 2010, 10:48:09 AM
I would have Henderson in the corner instead of Mallon but aside from that that would be my team also. I think Henderson has been fairly harshly treated, he won the Laois match for us and was taken off twenty minutes in against Down despite doing nothing wrong.
Wouldn't agree. Mallon is more experienced and more consistent. I don't know how anyone could say Henderson has been harshly treated, he's had more game time than any of the other corner forward options this year. He has had more than his fair share of chances in the last two years, somewhere in the region of 13-15 starts by my reckoning, and has been consistently inconsistent. He puts in one good showing for every 4 or 5 starts, you just can't trust someone with that kind of return for Championship football.
Mallon has has a number of poor seasons and quite often has been anonymous in games. Perhaps that was the system we were playing. With a better looking HF line we don't need so much of Mallon's foraging back and that's why I'd rather see Henderson in the corner. He is a naturally more gifted finisher and it's that rather than Mallon's all round game that I think is needed.
That would be my line of thinking also, Henderson wouldn't be cut out for the aerial bombardment of our FF line that we had to endure for a few seasons. If we're going to create openings for our FF line with more fluid movement where ball winning isn't at a premium then Henderson's the man. AFS, if you're dropped at the earliest opportunity after every mediocre performance then it'll do nothing for your confidence. Henderson, more than most, has suffered from this type of treatment with the substitution in Newry being the ultimate example. He is very much a confidence player who would benefit from a run of games. Brian Mallon played well yesterday but has been a lot less prolific in front of goals than Henderson.
Quote from: mackers on April 12, 2010, 02:13:40 PM
That would be my line of thinking also, Henderson wouldn't be cut out for the aerial bombardment of our FF line that we had to endure for a few seasons. If we're going to create openings for our FF line with more fluid movement where ball winning isn't at a premium then Henderson's the man. AFS, if you're dropped at the earliest opportunity after every mediocre performance then it'll do nothing for your confidence. Henderson, more than most, has suffered from this type of treatment with the substitution in Newry being the ultimate example. He is very much a confidence player who would benefit from a run of games. Brian Mallon played well yesterday but has been a lot less prolific in front of goals than Henderson.
But that's my point. Henderson started the first five league games this year. Even if the Down game is ignored, that's still four starts in a row, more than any of the other corner forwards options were afforded. He also started our first nine games last year. I really fail to see how anyone can say he hasn't been given a good run. Bottom line for me is that of his 8 league starts (ignoring Down) in the past 15 months, he's played well twice (Laois and Wexford) maybe three times at a push (Meath). That's not consistent enough. I definitely concede that Mallon hasn't been the most consistent either, but in the absence of an outstanding candidate I'd give his experience the nod.
Quote from: Skiddybadoo on April 12, 2010, 01:40:55 PM
Mallon has has a number of poor seasons and quite often has been anonymous in games. Perhaps that was the system we were playing. With a better looking HF line we don't need so much of Mallon's foraging back and that's why I'd rather see Henderson in the corner. He is a naturally more gifted finisher and it's that rather than Mallon's all round game that I think is needed.
I suppose I'd disagree with that a bit too. From what I've seen this year, we still rarely play with three full forwards at any one time. One inside forward at a time seems to drop out to create space for the other two. Because of this, I reckon it's crucial that the third FF has a good all round game and is able to come deep when necessary, especially as Clarke and McDonnell are likely to remain inside as much as possible. I think Mallon's all round game gives him the upper hand on Henderson in this regard.
I think Henderson might have a role if both Clarke and Stevie are playing, these can both win ball and draw backs creating room for a layoff to a player running into space. But Mallon advanced his case yesterday. I wasn't impressed with Feeney when he came on.
But Mallon has started many games for Armagh also but doesn't have the same scoring stats as Henderson would have. Of course you're right about Henderson's level of consistency but remember we are after a SCORING forward. It's not that Mallon isn't a valuable player to us, he works hard for the team but we set out at the start of the league with a solid defence, a poor midfield and an over-reliance on Clarke and McDonnell in the scoring stakes.
Thankfully our defence, with the exception of a couple of silly individual errors, are continuing to work well as a unit, our midfield problems have improved no end and the best SCORING option after Stevie and Clarke has been Henderson. Mallon has been consistent but he doesn't really scare defences.
Quote from: mackers on April 12, 2010, 03:33:33 PM
But Mallon has started many games for Armagh also but doesn't have the same scoring stats as Henderson would have. Of course you're right about Henderson's level of consistency but remember we are after a SCORING forward. It's not that Mallon isn't a valuable player to us, he works hard for the team but we set out at the start of the league with a solid defence, a poor midfield and an over-reliance on Clarke and McDonnell in the scoring stakes.
Thankfully our defence, with the exception of a couple of silly individual errors, are continuing to work well as a unit, our midfield problems have improved no end and the best SCORING option after Stevie and Clarke has been Henderson. Mallon has been consistent but he doesn't really scare defences.
To be fair mackers, if I was a defender, I would be more scared of Mallon than Henderson. No harm to the man, I just don't think he wins enough of his own ball and is too dependent on others in the team to give him ball, granted he can do damage but, is that enough?
Mallon is a more intelligent player in that he can see opportunities, he looks for the man running into space etc whereas Henderson hasn't proven himself in that department just yet
It is a bit of a change with Clarke at CHF.
But he has played there for club and county on a few occassions & done ok.
Armagh have not had Clarke for most of the league and have not been playing the same high balls into the FF ine and have had success with this tactic. They could always swap him if it was not working out.
Surely a man with his skill and power, and ability to take a score could do well there.
Brian Mallon is a natural CHF and with signs of him returning to form he should get a run there, however AK is going to be there barring an injury by the looks of it. I really dont buy into AK as a CHF at all, I always get the feeling that it's a case of the emperor's new clothes with him, especially in some media circles, however he's not terrible, but I think there's better.
I suppose Armagh have something to prove, but it really is a totally pointless game, an NFL Div 1 title has some kudos, but Div 2 has zip.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 12, 2010, 08:53:01 PM
Brian Mallon is a natural CHF and with signs of him returning to form he should get a run there, however AK is going to be there barring an injury by the looks of it. I really dont buy into AK as a CHF at all, I always get the feeling that it's a case of the emperor's new clothes with him, especially in some media circles, however he's not terrible, but I think there's better.
I suppose Armagh have something to prove, but it really is a totally pointless game, an NFL Div 1 title has some kudos, but Div 2 has zip.
I agree a Division 2 title means nothing, I think it means something to the squad though in terms of what happened in the last game. Down shouldn't have won so easily last outing and I daresay it won't be so easy for them this time
This thread has been very Armagh dominated so far. From a Down point of view this should prove to be our toughest test yet. Armagh have undoubtedly found their form and after thrashing Donegal they should not lack confidence, the open spaces of Croker will truely test our full back line. The Armagh WHF left unmarked by Colgan (who will presumably sweep) will have plenty of room to run at our defence but I look forward to seeing MC thread passes through to our FF line who should flourish on this wide pitch. I expect Down to win the midfield contest and should King (who is playing great football) run out of steam, we have big Dan back in our arsenal! My 15 would be
McVeigh
Rafferty McArdle McCartan
McKernan Colgan Garvey
Rodgers King
Maginn M Clarke Hughes
Lavery J Clarke B Coulter
should Paul Mc C be fit i would have him on instead of Lavery, and I would like to see Gordon and Doyler get run outs
Quote from: bennydorano on April 12, 2010, 08:53:01 PM
Brian Mallon is a natural CHF and with signs of him returning to form he should get a run there, however AK is going to be there barring an injury by the looks of it. I really dont buy into AK as a CHF at all, I always get the feeling that it's a case of the emperor's new clothes with him, especially in some media circles, however he's not terrible, but I think there's better.
I suppose Armagh have something to prove, but it really is a totally pointless game, an NFL Div 1 title has some kudos, but Div 2 has zip.
Brian Mallon may be a natural CHF, but he does lack the physicallity of some of our recent former great CHF like McEntee & Marsden.
Agree with your selection dodgy, think mc com shades it but Laverty deserves a chance. Should be tight one but fancy us to turn them over again hopefully getting stronger grip at midfield from the off !! Dont think they did us any favours tankin Donegal at the weekend either.
Quote from: Boozehell on April 12, 2010, 12:18:39 PM
Yes the league Div 1 & 2 finals are being played as double headers in Croke Park on Sunday 25th
Pencilled in for Croker but I fear with the Dubs not making the Div 1 final and that contest now being west dominated we could find ourselves in Casement. If it's Croker then expect a big Armagh turn out and I reckon a squeak of a win.
Quote from: hobit hunter on April 12, 2010, 09:56:06 PM
Quote from: Boozehell on April 12, 2010, 12:18:39 PM
Yes the league Div 1 & 2 finals are being played as double headers in Croke Park on Sunday 25th
Pencilled in for Croker but I fear with the Dubs not making the Div 1 final and that contest now being west dominated we could find ourselves in Casement. If it's Croker then expect a big Armagh turn out and I reckon a squeak of a win.
Croke Park was confirmed earlier today. (http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1204101758-gaa-confirms-allianz-league-final-venues/)
Great news! Hadn't seen it
Quote from: dodgy umpire on April 12, 2010, 09:09:15 PM
This thread has been very Armagh dominated so far. From a Down point of view this should prove to be our toughest test yet. Armagh have undoubtedly found their form and after thrashing Donegal they should not lack confidence, the open spaces of Croker will truely test our full back line. The Armagh WHF left unmarked by Colgan (who will presumably sweep) will have plenty of room to run at our defence but I look forward to seeing MC thread passes through to our FF line who should flourish on this wide pitch. I expect Down to win the midfield contest and should King (who is playing great football) run out of steam, we have big Dan back in our arsenal! My 15 would be
McVeigh
Rafferty McArdle McCartan
McKernan Colgan Garvey
Rodgers King
Maginn M Clarke Hughes
Lavery J Clarke B Coulter
should Paul Mc C be fit i would have him on instead of Lavery, and I would like to see Gordon and Doyler get run outs
Why do people keep going on about the "wide open spaces of Croke Park" the pitch is 145m x 90m the same as 85% of all intercounty pitches so why do people think it's bigger/wider than the rest of the pitches, Dodgy umpire not getting at you either as the commentators in the TV studio have said the same thing ???
Quote from: dodgy umpire on April 12, 2010, 09:09:15 PM
This thread has been very Armagh dominated so far. From a Down point of view this should prove to be our toughest test yet. Armagh have undoubtedly found their form and after thrashing Donegal they should not lack confidence, the open spaces of Croker will truely test our full back line. The Armagh WHF left unmarked by Colgan (who will presumably sweep) will have plenty of room to run at our defence but I look forward to seeing MC thread passes through to our FF line who should flourish on this wide pitch. I expect Down to win the midfield contest and should King (who is playing great football) run out of steam, we have big Dan back in our arsenal! My 15 would be
McVeigh
Rafferty McArdle McCartan
McKernan Colgan Garvey
Rodgers King
Maginn M Clarke Hughes
Lavery J Clarke B Coulter
should Paul Mc C be fit i would have him on instead of Lavery, and I would like to see Gordon and Doyler get run outs
Dodgy I think your team and analysis are spot on.I believe Down are the stronger team at present but Armagh have been at Croke more often.While it may only be a Division 2 final, neither team will want to lose it.Interesting to see you want a Loughinisland man back in the team.You haven't been known to give much to the 'island over the years.
One change- Poland for Hughes - but I think James will go with your team.
Quote from: illdecide on April 12, 2010, 10:55:45 PM
Quote from: dodgy umpire on April 12, 2010, 09:09:15 PM
This thread has been very Armagh dominated so far. From a Down point of view this should prove to be our toughest test yet. Armagh have undoubtedly found their form and after thrashing Donegal they should not lack confidence, the open spaces of Croker will truely test our full back line. The Armagh WHF left unmarked by Colgan (who will presumably sweep) will have plenty of room to run at our defence but I look forward to seeing MC thread passes through to our FF line who should flourish on this wide pitch. I expect Down to win the midfield contest and should King (who is playing great football) run out of steam, we have big Dan back in our arsenal! My 15 would be
McVeigh
Rafferty McArdle McCartan
McKernan Colgan Garvey
Rodgers King
Maginn M Clarke Hughes
Lavery J Clarke B Coulter
should Paul Mc C be fit i would have him on instead of Lavery, and I would like to see Gordon and Doyler get run outs
Why do people keep going on about the "wide open spaces of Croke Park" the pitch is 145m x 90m the same as 85% of all intercounty pitches so why do people think it's bigger/wider than the rest of the pitches, Dodgy umpire not getting at you either as the commentators in the TV studio have said the same thing ???
Im prepared to be corrected but surely Croker is bigger than Pairc Esler where the teams last met? Granted i may have exagerated the importance that the space will have on the game, perhaps the anticipation of seeing Marty Clarke and co on the big stage got to me.
Quote from: Dubh driocht on April 12, 2010, 11:04:26 PM
Quote from: dodgy umpire on April 12, 2010, 09:09:15 PM
This thread has been very Armagh dominated so far. From a Down point of view this should prove to be our toughest test yet. Armagh have undoubtedly found their form and after thrashing Donegal they should not lack confidence, the open spaces of Croker will truely test our full back line. The Armagh WHF left unmarked by Colgan (who will presumably sweep) will have plenty of room to run at our defence but I look forward to seeing MC thread passes through to our FF line who should flourish on this wide pitch. I expect Down to win the midfield contest and should King (who is playing great football) run out of steam, we have big Dan back in our arsenal! My 15 would be
McVeigh
Rafferty McArdle McCartan
McKernan Colgan Garvey
Rodgers King
Maginn M Clarke Hughes
Lavery J Clarke B Coulter
should Paul Mc C be fit i would have him on instead of Lavery, and I would like to see Gordon and Doyler get run outs
Dodgy I think your team and analysis are spot on.I believe Down are the stronger team at present but Armagh have been at Croke more often.While it may only be a Division 2 final, neither team will want to lose it.Interesting to see you want a Loughinisland man back in the team.You haven't been known to give much to the 'island over the years.
:D Perhaps not, but to beat Armagh in a league final i'll make an exception !
Dodgy i agree with your team and anaylsis, and really do hope that Doyle and Gordon get a decent run, am still a bit worried about out FB line, as i think they are to small.
And agree with earlier comments that it probably did not suit us Donegal getting a pasting, they always seem to rebound after a bad result, they really are the most inconsistent team in Ireland.
Think that the division 2 final is a bit of a waste of time, but for confidence still think its important that we beat Armagh again
I really fail to see how people think that Liam Doyle & Dan Gordon will play in the league final.
Liam Doyle has had more injuries this last 7 years than anyone else on that panel and Dan Gordon is in self-imposed exile. They wont be playing in the league final as far as i can see and id doubt they will be lining out come championship opener either.
And before you all pounce, ive nothing against either of them, just sickens my hole when supporters are shouting for them to be back playing so soon. Give them time, let them train away and play away with clubs, whilst getting as much game time as possible, and then wee james will surely decide their roles.
Orchard TV presents coverage of Armagh's 16 point victory over Donegal. We have interviews with Stevie McDonnell and Paddy O'Rourke, and also a match report. Go to http://armagh-gaa.com/Orchard-TV.aspx
Enjoy
Brick I think you're spot on there with that, I was beginning to wonder was I the only one thinking it. YEahthese guys on their day are great footballers etc but the lads that got the team to the final deserve their run out first an foremost then take it from there...
The starting 15 against Armagh should be based on the league panel, but we have to remember that the only priority is the championship match in Donegal. Dan Gordon and Liam Doyle are capable of making a difference in Ballybofey, even from the bench, and it is only common sense that they should be part of the squad for Croke Park. Doyle is playing club football while Gordon is reportedly back in county training, so it is their match fitness which needs to be assessed.
I know he hasn't featured in the last 2 games but you can rule R Austin out as he broke his jaw last night in a club game
Quote from: illdecide on April 13, 2010, 11:24:57 AM
I know he hasn't featured in the last 2 games but you can rule R Austin out as he broke his jaw last night in a club game
Sorry to hear that. Hope he has a speedy recovery.
I can't see Gordon starting but nor can I see him not featuring for 25+ mins. Ambrose will start every Championship match that's he fit for in midfield, and James will need a competitive match to find out if Gordon brings more to the table than King.
As for Doyler, I'm not sure if he'll get a run out. I'd imagine he'll end up being cover for Clarke and Colgan should either pick up a knock, but it's hard to see where else he might get in the team this year. Hard to believe I'm saying that about one of the most talented footballers in the county.
I don't buy these concerns about the height of the full-back line. It's hardly as if we're going to run into a team with men mountain across their full-forward line. McArdle is six foot tall and has a prodigious leap on him which means he plays more like a man of 6 foot 2 or 3. I don't see that many taller full-backs in the game at present. McCartan is just a shade off six foot, and is positionally clever. Yep Dee Rafferty is small, and might get exposed should he ever meet Tommy Walsh, but we'll worry about that when it happens.
will these games be an all ticket affair
Quote from: fan01 on April 13, 2010, 05:14:15 PM
will these games be an all ticket affair
Would assume so. Nearly all games at Croke Park are I think.
Benny Coulter an injury doubt - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8618194.stm
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
While this is a blow, thankfully news like this no longer spells disaster for our chances
Quote from: fan01 on April 13, 2010, 05:14:15 PM
will these games be an all ticket affair
Yep....your club secretary will know what the crack is.
http://www.gaa.ie/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets/
Aibreán 24ú 2010, Páirc an Chrócaigh
Allianz GAA Football National League
Division 3 Final: Aontroim v Sligeach 7.00pm
Division 4 Final: Luimneach v Port Láirge 5.00pm
As with all events in Croke Park, this is an all-ticket fixture.
Ticket prices as follows:
Adult EUR 20
Student/OAP EUR 10 (Pay full price for Cusack Stand Ticket, receive concession at BLOCK D at Cusack Stand)
Juvenile EUR 5
Wheelchair EUR 20 (for wheelchair user and attendant)
Aibreán 25ú 2010, Páirc an Chrócaigh
Allianz GAA Football National League
Division 1 Final: Corcaigh v Maigh Eo 4.00pm
Division 2 Final: An Dún v Ard Mhacha 2.00pm
Ticket prices as follows:
Adult EUR 25
Student/OAP EUR 15 (Pay full price for Cusack Stand Ticket, receive concession at BLOCK D at Cusack Stand)
Juvenile EUR 5
Wheelchair EUR 25 (for wheelchair user and attendant)
Tickets are available from the GAA Ticket Office on 01 8717400.
Ticket outlets will be open on Sunday morning 25th April from 10am: GAA Ticket Shop on NCR (opposite Gill's Pub) and GAA Ticket Shop on Lower Dorset Street.
HOME / TICKETS & MERCHANDISE / TICKETS
TICKETS Aibreán 24ú 2010, Páirc an Chrócaigh Allianz GAA Football National League Division 3 Final: Aontroim v Sligeach 7.00pm Division 4 Final: Luimneach v Port Láirge 5.00pmAs with all events in Croke Park, this is an all-ticket fixture. Ticket prices as follows: Adult EUR 20
Student/OAP EUR 10 (Pay full price for Cusack Stand Ticket, receive concession at BLOCK D at Cusack Stand)
Juvenile EUR 5
Wheelchair EUR 20 (for wheelchair user and attendant)
Aibreán 25ú 2010, Páirc an Chrócaigh Allianz GAA Football National League Division 1 Final: Corcaigh v Maigh Eo 4.00pm Division 2 Final: An Dún v Ard Mhacha 2.00pm
Ticket prices as follows: Adult EUR 25
Student/OAP EUR 15 (Pay full price for Cusack Stand Ticket, receive concession at BLOCK D at Cusack Stand)
Juvenile EUR 5
Wheelchair EUR 25 (for wheelchair user and attendant) Tickets are available from the GAA Ticket Office on 01 8717400.
Ticket outlets will be open on Sunday morning 25th April from 10am: GAA Ticket Shop on NCR (opposite Gill's Pub) and GAA Ticket Shop on Lower Dorset Street.
€5 difference for the 2 finals?? An extra €5 to see so called 'better' football??! Who is to say that on the two days in question the better football won't be played by the lower division teams?!
Are the seats for the students the crap seats they can't sell to anybody else or are they alright?
QuoteAre the seats for the students the crap seats they can't sell to anybody else or are they alright?
Hopefully they are in some remote part of the stadium. Down people near you would be unpleasant, but bearable, but students!
Quote from: John o connor on April 13, 2010, 07:08:59 PM
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
Marty Clarke is a CHF end of, he is the ideal playmaker & his distribution is second to none, in simpler terms it's like playing Wayne Rooney as a winger or Brian O'Driscoll as a fly half, it's just madness to suggest we play Marty anywere else other than CHF.
Quote from: thewobbler on April 13, 2010, 01:48:31 PM
I can't see Gordon starting but nor can I see him not featuring for 25+ mins. Ambrose will start every Championship match that's he fit for in midfield, and James will need a competitive match to find out if Gordon brings more to the table than King.
As for Doyler, I'm not sure if he'll get a run out. I'd imagine he'll end up being cover for Clarke and Colgan should either pick up a knock, but it's hard to see where else he might get in the team this year. Hard to believe I'm saying that about one of the most talented footballers in the county.
I don't buy these concerns about the height of the full-back line. It's hardly as if we're going to run into a team with men mountain across their full-forward line. McArdle is six foot tall and has a prodigious leap on him which means he plays more like a man of 6 foot 2 or 3. I don't see that many taller full-backs in the game at present. McCartan is just a shade off six foot, and is positionally clever. Yep Dee Rafferty is small, and might get exposed should he ever meet Tommy Walsh, but we'll worry about that when it happens.
I hope that you are right there wobbler, and i hope that i am wrong, but i think Armagh, Kerry, Cork and Donegal all have potentially big Full Forward lines.
I agree with you about Gordon, but i would give Doyle a run as well, down the line i could still see how we may use him and this game might be a good time to introduce him.
lukin 4ward to the main event allready which will be the battle on the 40 between MCKEEVER and CLARKE.Cant see MCKEEVER stoppin AUSSIE and finnishin match
I'm going to be in the lake district for the game - anyone know of any pubs likely to be show it. Probably a fwiggin long shot though!
Quote from: Travis T O Justice on April 14, 2010, 05:09:22 PM
I'm going to be in the lake district for the game - anyone know of any pubs likely to be show it. Probably a fwiggin long shot though!
the Lake District is a big place saan, what part...i know a few around Egremont
Quote from: mournerambler on April 13, 2010, 09:53:17 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 13, 2010, 07:08:59 PM
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
Marty Clarke is a CHF end of, he is the ideal playmaker & his distribution is second to none, in simpler terms it's like playing Wayne Rooney as a winger or Brian O'Driscoll as a fly half, it's just madness to suggest we play Marty anywere else other than CHF.
You have picked me up wrong there rambler let me clarify ! Gaelic Football in the modern era (last ten years) weather we like it or not has changed beyond all recognition some games now resemble basketball especially in championship format with much more at stake, how we solve this problem and increasingly sub standard refereeing is for another day.My piont about Marty Clarke moving into half forward was nt strictly to keep him on the touchline , look at the sucess tyrone have tasted over last ten years . Micky Heart picks good footballers but more importantly clever ones who are comfortable playing all over the pitch in different positions.In my opinion a half forward line now is more or less a third back line and with Clarke Rodgers and Hughes being able to alternate between playmaking, running in support of midfielders and covering back we would be much more dynamic . It was just a suggestion for when Dan returns .As we know Marty will start at CHF against Armagh and has some unfinished business with the mc keever (another football lesson )
Quote from: John o connor on April 14, 2010, 08:49:50 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 13, 2010, 09:53:17 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 13, 2010, 07:08:59 PM
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
Marty Clarke is a CHF end of, he is the ideal playmaker & his distribution is second to none, in simpler terms it's like playing Wayne Rooney as a winger or Brian O'Driscoll as a fly half, it's just madness to suggest we play Marty anywere else other than CHF.
You have picked me up wrong there rambler let me clarify ! Gaelic Football in the modern era (last ten years) weather we like it or not has changed beyond all recognition some games now resemble basketball especially in championship format with much more at stake, how we solve this problem and increasingly sub standard refereeing is for another day.My piont about Marty Clarke moving into half forward was nt strictly to keep him on the touchline , look at the sucess tyrone have tasted over last ten years . Micky Heart picks good footballers but more importantly clever ones who are comfortable playing all over the pitch in different positions.In my opinion a half forward line now is more or less a third back line and with Clarke Rodgers and Hughes being able to alternate between playmaking, running in support of midfielders and covering back we would be much more dynamic . It was just a suggestion for when Dan returns .As we know Marty will start at CHF against Armagh and has some unfinished business with the mc keever (another football lesson )
Did i miss something? When was the first lesson???? You can't mean the marshes when he scored 1 point from play before being substituted in the 1st half :-\
Clarke is a hell of a footballer but I would be surprised if he gives McKeever a footballing lesson. It is a long time since anyone has and he has marked some good ones in the past: Stephen O'Neill and Benny Coulter to name but two.
lads, Fearon hasnt commented on this thread yet :o Is the whore living or dead? ;D
Yip.
McKeever is the business. One of the top half backs in the country.
Clarke has proved nothing yet, except for being on the starting 15 on the Down county team.
Quote from: illdecide on April 14, 2010, 05:21:18 PM
Quote from: Travis T O Justice on April 14, 2010, 05:09:22 PM
I'm going to be in the lake district for the game - anyone know of any pubs likely to be show it. Probably a fwiggin long shot though!
the Lake District is a big place saan, what part...i know a few around Egremont
A place called Grizebeck - looks like something out of the dark ages so I ain't holdin' out much hope leek. It's about 3-4 miles outside of Broughton in Furness.
Quote from: Apple Crumble on April 15, 2010, 03:05:09 AM
Yip.
McKeever is the business. One of the top half backs in the country.
Clarke has proved nothing yet, except for being on the starting 15 on the Down county team.
I agree, McKeever will relish the thought of putting Clarke in his box and has rarely been found wanting in the past when it comes to man marking duties. All this talk about Clarke giving McKeever a 'footballing lesson' is nonsense. He didn't even complete a full half during which he kicked a good point but contributed not much else of note.
This game should be a tight affair but I expect Armagh to turn the tables providing Ronan Clarke is fit this time round.
Why was Clarke taken off in the 1st place? What does he have to prove-he is a class act! thats not even up for debate!
Lastly, trying not to be biased here but look back on the first 15 minutes of that match in the marshes when down blitzed armagh...everything went thru Marty Clarke! CHF is a playmakers position-people are expectin him to rack up scores like a full forward! and i thought since the mc entees have retired even armagh fans could admit in Marty Clarke Down have one of the best (if not the best) young centre half forward in the country!
I disagree that mckeever will relish this battle as a footballing contest. its been well documented why clarke went off in newry-but marty clarke won that hands down! and i think clarke will be fired up for croker!
Armagh will be a different prospect this time round! Not buyin in to the win in letterkenny, but with ronan clarke and charlie vernon back they'l be a handful! expect armagh's defence to prove a point and not be blown away! Think this will be a tight game, down have a fightin spirit this year and it think therel be no more than a point or two either way in this game!
I've seen enough of Marty Clarke to know that he is going to be a class act. But his contribution to the game in Newry has been exaggerated by Down posters . Unfortunately his injury deprived us of the chance of seeing more of him........on the flip side however Down posters assume that McKeever is not fit to handle Clarke and rather than waste another ten pages on this thread with McKeever bashing let's wait to see how things pan out in Croker. As Throw Ball says, Clarke at this point is no better than Stephen O'Neill was in 05 and McKeever did a fine job on him.
I don't usually get into these sort of "my player is better than your player" but Marty Clarke has a lot to prove b4 anyone can start talking him up, yes he has potential and I've no doubt that he'll turn out to be a star for Down over the next 10 years but FFS wait until he has achieved this potential with Down b4 blowing him up to be the next superstar. He's a fare bit to go before he makes the Linden/Coulter/McCarten/Carr mould
Quote from: mackers on April 15, 2010, 01:48:28 PM
I've seen enough of Marty Clarke to know that he is going to be a class act. But his contribution to the game in Newry has been exaggerated by Down posters . Unfortunately his injury deprived us of the chance of seeing more of him........on the flip side however Down posters assume that McKeever is not fit to handle Clarke and rather than waste another ten pages on this thread with McKeever bashing let's wait to see how things pan out in Croker. As Throw Ball says, Clarke at this point is no better than Stephen O'Neill was in 05 and McKeever did a fine job on him.
He's nowhere near oneill05 yet. All he is is potential at this stage. Even though i'm an armagh man i hope he fully fulfiills that potential but there's a lot of ifs there yet
maybe mckeever will revert to 05 form and get clarke onthe ground drag him around f0r a bit pull the jersey off him then when clarke gets to his feet he;ll get a stright red CANAVANESQUE. The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
Quote from: shyted on April 15, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
maybe mckeever will revert to 05 form and get clarke onthe ground drag him around f0r a bit pull the jersey off him then when clarke gets to his feet he;ll get a stright red CANAVANESQUE. The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
Wha? ::) ::) ::)
Quote from: shyted on April 15, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
I'm no language expert but I think I can translate the above.
I have been watching Gaelic for many years and I've witnessed many intriguing battles. The most interesting contests are where the two combatants know each other very well. Indeed, when one player knows that his oponent is superior, he must use all his ingenuity to outfox him, and in some circumstances this can lead to the opponent being sent off.
Quote from: mackers on April 15, 2010, 04:51:13 PM
Quote from: shyted on April 15, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
maybe mckeever will revert to 05 form and get clarke onthe ground drag him around f0r a bit pull the jersey off him then when clarke gets to his feet he;ll get a stright red CANAVANESQUE. The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
Wha? ::) ::) ::)
Perhaps shoving a ref square in the chest twice was enough to get him lined. Peters gone, O'Neill always worried Armagh more anyway.
Quote from: shyted on April 15, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
I'm no language expert but I think I can translate the above.
I have been watching Gaelic for many years and I've witnessed many intriguing battles. The most interesting contests are where the two combatants know each other very well. Indeed, when one player knows that his oponent is superior, he must use all his ingenuity to outfox him, and in some circumstances this can lead to the opponent being sent off.
Absolute cracker Orior!
Quote from: haveaharp on April 16, 2010, 10:12:34 AM
Quote from: mackers on April 15, 2010, 04:51:13 PM
Quote from: shyted on April 15, 2010, 04:47:54 PM
maybe mckeever will revert to 05 form and get clarke onthe ground drag him around f0r a bit pull the jersey off him then when clarke gets to his feet he;ll get a stright red CANAVANESQUE. The best way ive ever seen to get a player who u know is goin to destroy u lined.
Wha? ::) ::) ::)
Perhaps shoving a ref square in the chest twice was enough to get him lined. Peters gone, O'Neill always worried Armagh more anyway.
i would agree with that, ONeill was always our biggest worry. Sure Enda always had Canavan in his pocket "feeding him on farts"
Quote from: Stevie Nicks on April 14, 2010, 11:32:10 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 14, 2010, 08:49:50 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 13, 2010, 09:53:17 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 13, 2010, 07:08:59 PM
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
Marty Clarke is a CHF end of, he is the ideal playmaker & his distribution is second to none, in simpler terms it's like playing Wayne Rooney as a winger or Brian O'Driscoll as a fly half, it's just madness to suggest we play Marty anywere else other than CHF.
You have picked me up wrong there rambler let me clarify ! Gaelic Football in the modern era (last ten years) weather we like it or not has changed beyond all recognition some games now resemble basketball especially in championship format with much more at stake, how we solve this problem and increasingly sub standard refereeing is for another day.My piont about Marty Clarke moving into half forward was nt strictly to keep him on the touchline , look at the sucess tyrone have tasted over last ten years . Micky Heart picks good footballers but more importantly clever ones who are comfortable playing all over the pitch in different positions.In my opinion a half forward line now is more or less a third back line and with Clarke Rodgers and Hughes being able to alternate between playmaking, running in support of midfielders and covering back we would be much more dynamic . It was just a suggestion for when Dan returns .As we know Marty will start at CHF against Armagh and has some unfinished business with the mc keever (another football lesson )
Did i miss something? When was the first lesson???? You can't mean the marshes when he scored 1 point from play before being substituted in the 1st half :-\
Are you blind Clarke ran the show in Newry and Mc Keever could not get near him which is why he reverted to type and started to how should i put this "cut the shit out of him "
Quote from: John o connor on April 16, 2010, 09:28:39 PM
Quote from: Stevie Nicks on April 14, 2010, 11:32:10 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 14, 2010, 08:49:50 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 13, 2010, 09:53:17 PM
Quote from: John o connor on April 13, 2010, 07:08:59 PM
Hopefully Benny will line out against "our ma " looks a lot leaner and hungrier this year and we need as much physical presence through the spine of the side as possible especially against the orange men. Also a pity big dan has left it so late to return ( im sure he has his reasons and owes the county nothing ) would have been great to have given him a run in last couple of national league games , the options around midfield grow all the time with King ,big pete ,and ambi. It is another alternative which could allow ambi to move into CHF and Marty out to the wing , speaking of which any more news on his " return to down under story " he must be mad to even think about it lol :P
Marty Clarke is a CHF end of, he is the ideal playmaker & his distribution is second to none, in simpler terms it's like playing Wayne Rooney as a winger or Brian O'Driscoll as a fly half, it's just madness to suggest we play Marty anywere else other than CHF.
You have picked me up wrong there rambler let me clarify ! Gaelic Football in the modern era (last ten years) weather we like it or not has changed beyond all recognition some games now resemble basketball especially in championship format with much more at stake, how we solve this problem and increasingly sub standard refereeing is for another day.My piont about Marty Clarke moving into half forward was nt strictly to keep him on the touchline , look at the sucess tyrone have tasted over last ten years . Micky Heart picks good footballers but more importantly clever ones who are comfortable playing all over the pitch in different positions.In my opinion a half forward line now is more or less a third back line and with Clarke Rodgers and Hughes being able to alternate between playmaking, running in support of midfielders and covering back we would be much more dynamic . It was just a suggestion for when Dan returns .As we know Marty will start at CHF against Armagh and has some unfinished business with the mc keever (another football lesson )
Did i miss something? When was the first lesson???? You can't mean the marshes when he scored 1 point from play before being substituted in the 1st half :-\
Are you blind Clarke ran the show in Newry and Mc Keever could not get near him which is why he reverted to type and started to how should i put this "cut the shit out of him "
No but thanks for your concern my eyesight is just fine :-\. As said before M Clarke is no doubt a talent but I saw no football lesson from him against McKeever in the marshes. A football lesson is strong talk for what I saw. Oisin scoring 2-7 in an Ulster Final is a lesson, one point from play until subbed on 20mins due to injury is far from a lesson. No doubt the guy has talent but don't blow it out of proportion.
Have to agree with my apple-munching counterpart. Some of us Down ones are seriously hyping the guy up on here.
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 16, 2010, 10:18:14 PM
Have to agree with my apple-munching counterpart. Some of us Down ones are seriously hyping the guy up on here.
[
Come on . You can play it down as much as you want Clarke before going to aus was the best minor prospect in the last 25 years. For a fella who has only played a handfull of games since his return and with the pressure on his shoulders i think he has been outstanding, we wont have to wait long to see round two now anyhow .quote]
It's difficult to see why people would claim Martin Clarke is being hyped up on the strength of a couple of posts on this thread when he has yet to kick a ball for Down at championship level. He certainly cannot be judged before he has made his USC debut, so, while the potential is there for all to see, we will have to wait until the end of Down's season for even an early assessment.
It is also likely that Down's first 15 for Sunday will include up to ten players who have never previously started a senior game at Croke Park. The possible exceptions are Brendan McVeigh, Kevin McKernan, Ambrose Rogers, John Clarke, Benny Coulter (if fit) and Danny Hughes (if selected).
Armagh were well beaten at the Marshes in the league, but will have Ronan Clarke and Charlie Vernon back as well as a hard core of others with Croke Park senior experience - including Hearty, Donaghy, Moriarty, McKeever, Toner, Mallon, McDonnell and the Kernans.
It is a derby at HQ, with a trophy at stake, and, as the bookies suggest, it should be very tight.
Would there be any such thing as a family ticket for a chap considering carrying a clatter of childer to Croker.
Not sure about a family ticket Feckitt but U16's are being charged €5 which isn't out of the way in my opinion.
Quote from: mournerambler on April 19, 2010, 02:21:44 PM
Not sure about a family ticket Feckitt but U16's are being charged €5 which isn't out of the way in my opinion.
Check your secretary. family tkts available for Davin Stand ( Canal end0
There was family tickets available on-line (www.ticketmaster.ie) for the lower Cusack at 25 yo yo's
Gaa.ie has Gerry Kinneavy (or his Irish equivalent) down to ref on Sunday. For interest for Armagh folk Paudie Hughes is down to ref Div. 1 final.
Prob the two worst refs in the country !
Honestly d'nt think this will matter about experience in Croker fancy Down to win comfortably and Hughes and Coulter to both start
The Indo has Enda McNulty back in the panel for this game and the championship. Thats an odd one, wonder what the thinking is behind it, he has been a fantastic servant but his best days may well be behind him. Would be a good man to have in the dressing room though
Quote from: Midman on April 20, 2010, 09:25:30 AM
The Indo has Enda McNulty back in the panel for this game and the championship. Thats an odd one, wonder what the thinking is behind it, he has been a fantastic servant but his best days may well be behind him. Would be a good man to have in the dressing room though
Cheaper than paying for his services! :P
Very strange one alright, it's been at least three years since Enda looked at ease in an Armagh jersey. He must be about 34 now, so fair play to him for having the drive to keep going. Can't see him getting much game time though, even allowing for the dearth of corner back options.
Hey I posted this in the Cork/Mayo thread, sorry for repeating myself.
Does anyone know how easy or difficult it is going to be to get tickets down there on Sunday? Heading down with a few mates and we never got tickets from any of our clubs, ticketmaster seems to be out and we wanted tickets beside each other. They'd hardly be expecting more than 40k for the game would they so you'd expect there to be plenty of tickets around, just don't wanna be running round Dublin all afternoon or queueing for ages for tickets.
Ticketmaster do have tickets, although the description of the area as Family Area might be a bit confusing. There will be plenty of tcikets around, I would imagine.
Yeah I saw that, I assumed they were family tickets? Are they not? Would have liked to have got some of them because they're decent seats.
I phoned up the GAA ticket office 0035318717400 and bought 2 adult & 2 u16 tickets for section 304 in the lower Cusack over lunchtime. Our club secretary is stuck in Portugal & I don't think any family tickets were ordered from the co board.
bit of a meaningless game really but always good to beat the orange scum.
Im looking forward to this game- it'll be the first real test of how both counties will fare over the next year or two. Clarke is a class act, and it'll be interesting to see how wee James deploys him in this game. I agree that he's being over hyped by some posters at this point but I think he will be a rock for Down in the next few years. As for mckeever- you get exactly what it says on the tin, no nonsense - walk a fine line- man marking defending. It does have the potential to be an intriguing battle and a key one for this game. Good to see Dan McCartan back for Down too.
dan mc cartan is too slow they would be better off with dan from the 60's team, he probually would be a better option even now. ;)
Quote from: John o connor on April 19, 2010, 07:18:29 PM
Prob the two worst refs in the country !
There's no such thing as probably, they are 2 clowns released from Duffy's circus because they kept the audience laughing too much because of their stupidity.
Quote from: heganboy on April 20, 2010, 04:26:56 PM
Im looking forward to this game- it'll be the first real test of how both counties will fare over the next year or two. Clarke is a class act, and it'll be interesting to see how wee James deploys him in this game. I agree that he's being over hyped by some posters at this point but I think he will be a rock for Down in the next few years. As for mckeever- you get exactly what it says on the tin, no nonsense - walk a fine line- man marking defending. It does have the potential to be an intriguing battle and a key one for this game. Good to see Dan McCartan back for Down too.
Not sure I'd agree with that. It's a bit of a pointless game, just a day out really. I doubt either side will be going full tilt.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 20, 2010, 04:13:58 PM
bit of a meaningless game really but always good to beat the orange scum.
Just u worry about celtic
I have to agree Dan Mc Cartan is slow and that is a hell of a chink in his armour well done for stating the obvious! I am sick of reading personal attacks on a player who would give his right arm for Down GAA and who gives 110 % every time he pulls on the jersey . Wat Dan lacks in pace he makes up for in effort ,bravery and dedication and if some of the other players over the last ten years had gave the same commitment the wilderness years might not have been so barron. So he deserves to start on Sunday and hopefully show yet again why real Down fans appreciate what he brings to the table.
Well said John O Connor
Quote from: charlieTully on April 20, 2010, 04:13:58 PM
bit of a meaningless game really but always good to beat the orange scum.
How can a county that has been so starved of Silverware for so long suddenly declare that this game is meaningless. Considering your recent lack of success at county senior level you should be jumping from the rooftops if you manage to win this one. Unfortunately I can see a defeat for the self-appointed aristocrats of Ulster and the manager of the 'orange scum' will prove that provided he has decent players to work with he can be successful.
Quote from: John o connor on April 20, 2010, 06:59:09 PM
I have to agree Dan Mc Cartan is slow and that is a hell of a chink in his armour well done for stating the obvious! I am sick of reading personal attacks on a player who would give his right arm for Down GAA and who gives 110 % every time he pulls on the jersey . Wat Dan lacks in pace he makes up for in effort ,bravery and dedication and if some of the other players over the last ten years had gave the same commitment the wilderness years might not have been so barron. So he deserves to start on Sunday and hopefully show yet again why real Down fans appreciate what he brings to the table.
Is this the same guy who walked out on his County at the start of the year ??? Why does he deserve to start? I don't think he does actually as he's only back a week or two so let him earn his place again.
Quote from: yellowcard on April 21, 2010, 09:22:57 AM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 20, 2010, 04:13:58 PM
bit of a meaningless game really but always good to beat the orange scum.
How can a county that has been so starved of Silverware for so long suddenly declare that this game is meaningless. Considering your recent lack of success at county senior level you should be jumping from the rooftops if you manage to win this one. Unfortunately I can see a defeat for the self-appointed aristocrats of Ulster and the manager of the 'orange scum' will prove that provided he has decent players to work with he can be successful.
Its a poor deflection tactic thats all. So if Down win they will be shouting from the rooftops, if they lose the game didnt matter. Looking forward to it, i expect Armagh to edge it
Quote from: illdecide on April 21, 2010, 09:55:53 AM
Quote from: John o connor on April 20, 2010, 06:59:09 PM
I have to agree Dan Mc Cartan is slow and that is a hell of a chink in his armour well done for stating the obvious! I am sick of reading personal attacks on a player who would give his right arm for Down GAA and who gives 110 % every time he pulls on the jersey . Wat Dan lacks in pace he makes up for in effort ,bravery and dedication and if some of the other players over the last ten years had gave the same commitment the wilderness years might not have been so barron. So he deserves to start on Sunday and hopefully show yet again why real Down fans appreciate what he brings to the table.
Is this the same guy who walked out on his County at the start of the year ??? Why does he deserve to start? I don't think he does actually as he's only back a week or two so let him earn his place again.
Wrong Dan
This match is more important to the fans that the players I'd say. Both sets of players will be starting to focus on the championship with it being so close. That said the Armagh squad are bound to be hurting after the Newry debacle and will have a point to prove. Neither team will give a stuff about a Division Two title.
Fair play to James McCartan he plays the media very well, building up Armagh again in the IN this morning having played down the result in Newry. He's got his head screwed on anyway.
Pity we've got Kinneavy to ref the game because it has the potential to be a clinker, the game in Newry was building up nicely until poor officiating by the linesman ruined it.
Mackers you're right about we James, i was in his company about 6 weeks ago in Lurgan and he laughed telling us how he deflects the attention away from his team and blows up the other team to the media. I know majority of people know what he's at and take it with a pinch of salt but it's all mind games and the we bollix is good at it :D.
On the game itself i believe it will be a close game with Armagh to edge it by one or two pts and thats prob down to having some experienced players who have already played at Croke Park and Armaghs game against Derry in the championship being before everyone else's game (not to mention the Newry game still in their heads)
Of more importance than the game is the absence of Tony and Trevor from this thread. Two great men for a football discussion!
Quote from: omagh_gael on April 21, 2010, 12:20:51 PM
Of more importance than the game is the absence of Tony and Trevor from this thread. Two great men for a football discussion!
R they banned?
They're on their honeymoon!
Perhaps the mods have had them interned? Tony could last a long time on hunger strike if it came to it :D
Bring back Tony I say. Can do without Trevor
Quote from: illdecide on April 21, 2010, 11:27:46 AM
Mackers you're right about we James, i was in his company about 6 weeks ago in Lurgan and he laughed telling us how he deflects the attention away from his team and blows up the other team to the media. I know majority of people know what he's at and take it with a pinch of salt but it's all mind games and the we bollix is good at it :D.
On the game itself i believe it will be a close game with Armagh to edge it by one or two pts and thats prob down to having some experienced players who have already played at Croke Park and Armaghs game against Derry in the championship being before everyone else's game (not to mention the Newry game still in their heads)
What about the fact that you dont know the difference between Dan McCartan and Dan Gordon...any comment???
I enquired about Fearons whereabouts a week ago on this thread, or his state actually ;D Got ZERO replies, feck off all of yis! :D
The rumour I heard about Ambrose being doubtful would appear to be true, according to what i have read on another website Ambrose is in a vacum cast, huge blow for Down if he's unavailable on Sunday & I would imagine that his absense would open the door for Dan Gordon to start at midfield.
Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..
A totally pointless game indeed but still smacks of getting the excuses in early.
Down have been championship fit for most of the league but will undoubtedly 'come back to the field' as others have stepped it up a gear in preperation for the championship. No matter what Down people and others think of Dan McCartan, James Colgan is your #1 weaklink, if Armagh refuse to let him swan about the place like Baresi and play up on him, he will be exposed. He's kat.
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 21, 2010, 10:05:14 PM
Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..
How can a national final in Croke Park be deemed a 'pointless challenge match' for Down. I am struggling to remember Down actually winning a game at HQ in recent memory, can anyone enlighten me on this one. Get the excuses in early lads so that afterwards you can say that you are more interested in the bigger picture. I detect plenty of fear coming from the Down camp for this one.
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 21, 2010, 09:24:40 PM
Quote from: illdecide on April 21, 2010, 11:27:46 AM
Mackers you're right about we James, i was in his company about 6 weeks ago in Lurgan and he laughed telling us how he deflects the attention away from his team and blows up the other team to the media. I know majority of people know what he's at and take it with a pinch of salt but it's all mind games and the we bollix is good at it :D.
On the game itself i believe it will be a close game with Armagh to edge it by one or two pts and thats prob down to having some experienced players who have already played at Croke Park and Armaghs game against Derry in the championship being before everyone else's game (not to mention the Newry game still in their heads)
What about the fact that you dont know the difference between Dan McCartan and Dan Gordon...any comment???
Alright Sammy saan i got mixed up ::) Dan this Dan that they're all the same to me, you get your knickers in a twist very easy ::)
Quote from: In the Onion Bag on April 21, 2010, 09:21:05 PM
Bring back Tony I say. Can do without Trevor
I say bring back Trevor. Tony was the problem.
Where is Tony btw - not banned is he?
Quote from: yellowcard on April 21, 2010, 10:25:31 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 21, 2010, 10:05:14 PM
Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..
How can a national final in Croke Park be deemed a 'pointless challenge match' for Down. I am struggling to remember Down actually winning a game at HQ in recent memory, can anyone enlighten me on this one. Get the excuses in early lads so that afterwards you can say that you are more interested in the bigger picture. I detect plenty of fear coming from the Down camp for this one.
We look to have a far stronger panel than we have done in years and wee james looks the part so far but the Championship is what we are lookin at for sure and a sixth all Ireland all the lads have to do is get us to the final and let nature take its course ;)
Lets not kid ourselves about this being a meaningless game. It is a final in HQ and both teams will want to win it.
As a Down man I think we have been playing closer to our championship level than some of the other teams so Armagh will be much improved from the game in Newry. It's a tough one to call but think Armagh will have a bit more Croke Park experience to shade it by a couple of points.
Quote from: John o connor on April 21, 2010, 11:51:29 PM
Quote from: yellowcard on April 21, 2010, 10:25:31 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 21, 2010, 10:05:14 PM
Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..
How can a national final in Croke Park be deemed a 'pointless challenge match' for Down. I am struggling to remember Down actually winning a game at HQ in recent memory, can anyone enlighten me on this one. Get the excuses in early lads so that afterwards you can say that you are more interested in the bigger picture. I detect plenty of fear coming from the Down camp for this one.
We look to have a far stronger panel than we have done in years and wee james looks the part so far but the Championship is what we are lookin at for sure and a sixth all Ireland all the lads have to do is get us to the final and let nature take its course ;)
Wee James is flat out in the media trying to keep a lid on things but it's obviously wasted on you!! I've a feeling your mummy was still wiping your a*se in 91 and 94 and you wouldn't know how much better the AI winning teams of 91 & 94 were compared to this years team. If Down (or Armagh for that matter) get to Croker to play in an AI QF this year they'll have had a successful season.
Orchard TV Preview ahead of NFL Division 2 Final
http://armagh-gaa.com/Orchard-TV/News/VIDEO--NFL-Division-2-Final-Preview.aspx
I fully expect more Armagh and Down fans to be at the game than Mayo and Cork. Fair play to both sets if that's the case. I've never seen more apathy with Mayo fans for a day in Croke Park in my life.
Both managers have been saying all week that this is not that important and that championship is all that matters...FFS grow a set the both of ya, it's def a good way of keeping the looser on the right side of the fans so that they will say "i told ya so, it's the championship that matters" do them two hoors think we are going to Dublin for a fish supper. Count the train fare, match ticket and you're grub (maybe a few pints too) and it's a good bit to be spending for them two to say "it's not that important if we're beat, it's the championship that matters"
Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early. ;D
Quote from: Throw ball on April 22, 2010, 07:11:48 PM
Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early. ;D
::)
Quote from: Farrandeelin on April 22, 2010, 08:04:20 PM
Quote from: Throw ball on April 22, 2010, 07:11:48 PM
Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early. ;D
::)
Only joking!
Any team selections released?
Anyone thinkin that a Down v Armagh derby in a final isn't important is in dreamworld. Thought of losing to Armagh would put wee James crazy... well even more crazy! :)
I'd say we'll win with a few points to spare.
Ronan Clarke starts as Paddy O'Rourke names his team for NFL Final
http://armagh-gaa.com/Football/News/Team-to-play-Down.aspx
Tickets sorted last night. Taking the wee fella for his first first (hopefully of many) visit to croker. looking forward to it, hoepfully its a good game... Up Armagh
Yeah my wee man is making his first trip to Croke Park too . Not as confident as I was going into the Newry game but still think Down can do it .
According to Hogan Stand, Ambrose has been named at midfield and the rest of the starting team is more or less as expected. There must stiill be quite a doubt about Ambrose, and both Benny and McComiskey are probably not 100 pc either, but at least we have some options on the bench. Maginn and Poland are particularly unlucky not to make the cut, and Kearney probably got the nod through his defensive work. Hughes is overdue a decent game, and hopefully it will go better for him than on our last Croke Park day.
The listed side is McVeigh, McCartan, McArdle, Rafferty, McKernan, Colgan, Garvey, Rogers, King, Kearney, M Clarke, Hughes, McComiskey, J Clarke, Coulter.
Stronger looking Armagh line up than the one that took to the field in Newry, so we have no excuses there. Probably our championship team so Sunday will be interesting.
McCartan said during the week that Ambrose would be named in the team regardless if he's fit or not.
Will be an interesting game but the Down defence will come under more pressure in this game than they have all year and as we all know its the weakest department in the current Down team which hasn't really been tested all season.
On a side note how many of the current Down team would've made the starting line ups in 91/94 ? Coulter and maybe Clarke are probably the only two imo.
Quote from: mackers on April 23, 2010, 12:30:41 PM
Stronger looking Armagh line up than the one that took to the field in Newry, so we have no excuses there. Probably our championship team so Sunday will be interesting.
Not much strength on the bench!
Jaysus, good point. nothing on the bench. Thought martin o'rourke was back in the panel?
Comparing teams from different eras is not exactly a scientific process, and Martin Clarke cannot be considered until he has actually played championship football. Aidan Farrell had a great summer in 1994, but Benny would be in front of him. Ambrose junior or Dan would probably have got the nod at midfield alongside big Gregory, with Conor Deegan switching to the half-back line in place of Eamon Burns, who had a brilliant final in 91 but was becoming injury prone in his latter years.
Quote from: Sandy Hill on April 23, 2010, 02:38:42 PM
Quote from: mackers on April 23, 2010, 12:30:41 PM
Stronger looking Armagh line up than the one that took to the field in Newry, so we have no excuses there. Probably our championship team so Sunday will be interesting.
Not much strength on the bench!
Depends what you call strength there are a right few on it who can take a score. I am surprised to see Clarkie starting
Quote from: angermanagement on April 23, 2010, 12:31:32 PM
McCartan said during the week that Ambrose would be named in the team regardless if he's fit or not.
Will be an interesting game but the Down defence will come under more pressure in this game than they have all year and as we all know its the weakest department in the current Down team which hasn't really been tested all season.
On a side note how many of the current Down team would've made the starting line ups in 91/94 ? Coulter and maybe Clarke are probably the only two imo.
The big danger with a question like that is that every player is perceived to be of a greater skill level
after they have played on a successful team, than before.
This weekend, James McCartan will take a Down team to Croke Park to contest a NFL D2 final in his first year in charge. Almost 20 years ago to the day, Pete McGrath took a Down team to Croke Park to contest a NFL final in his first year in charge. The players of that team were regarded in much the same way as the current players e.g. a few would have made the '68 team, but not many, etc. That '90 team lost their NFL final to Meath (a div 2 team at the time), but they went on to win 2 All-Irelands in the next 4 years. Then their status was raised and they were perceived to be of a greater skill!
I cannot predict the future, but some of the current players are more skillful than most are giving them credit for!
20 quid or 25 yoyos for the ticket on Sunday, is that right?
22 quid.
Hard one to call.Ambrose has had no luck in Croke park bur if he's fit, we'll win.
Ambrose senior loved playing at Croke Park and had probably his finest hour for Down in the 1983 league final against Armagh there. We won 1-8 to 0-8, and Ambrose got I think 1-3 from play against Jim McKerr. Ambrose junior has only played there once, in the 08 qualifier loss to Wexford, and ended up in intensive care with a ruptured spleen. His return to form as captain this year has been fantastic, but the word is that he is highly unlikely to start on Sunday. He would be a huge loss, particulary as Armagh wil have Ronan Clarke and Charlie Vernon back to fitness, but we will still give it our best shot.
Quote from: DuffleKing on April 23, 2010, 04:48:13 PM
Jaysus, good point. nothing on the bench. Thought martin o'rourke was back in the panel?
Feck me lads that's our league panel, that's the players that have got us this far. MOR, Jaimie Clarke, etc. drafted in for championship panel AFAIK.
Armagh 0-16
Down 2-9
1 point win will be the result, all right.
Here is their scoring difference during the league
P F A Diff Points
Down 7 6-94 3-65 38 13
Armagh 7 6-94 5-60 37 10
Prediction: Down 1-8 Armagh 0-10
I know it's "only the league" but the nerves are building up in me already. I am really looking forward to it tomorrow, leaving at 10.30 with a Mayo man
Quote from: ardmhachaabu on April 24, 2010, 09:07:52 AM
I know it's "only the league" but the nerves are building up in me already. I am really looking forward to it tomorrow, leaving at 10.30 with a Mayo man
"leaving at 10.30 with a Mayo man". To start a new life together?
After talking to a Stone match after their league game last night, Ambrose has a suspected broken foot and is out for 6 weeks. very good chance now that Gordon will start MF
Quote from: western exile on April 24, 2010, 12:35:53 AM
1 point win will be the result, all right.
Here is their scoring difference during the league
P F A Diff Points
Down 7 6-94 3-65 38 13
Armagh 7 6-94 5-60 37 10
Prediction: Down 1-8 Armagh 0-10
Down will win by 5 I'd say.
your man leon from boylesports was on todayfm this morning and he gave the result to armagh, every time this guy tips armagh we get beat. i think hes wrong this time but it will be low scoring. paddy o was interviewed on bbc, to be honest i didnt think he was really up for this and seems to be holding back a little, at least that was my impression. maybe Derry are in his thoughts? although its div 2 i think its the most intriguing of the games on this weekend
With Ambrose out , the likely replacement will be Pete Fitzpatrick, which means that St Louis will have provided the CHB,one of the midfielders , the CHF and CFF - remarkable for such a small school.The loss of our captain is a big blow but wee James always thrived in Croke Park and while it might take extra-time to separate the teams, Down to win out in the end.
like the look of the armagh team we have 2 good fielders which gives us an option if down try and crowd it
like the look of the forward line
armagh by 3 easing up
Quote from: mackers on April 22, 2010, 10:37:00 AM
Quote from: John o connor on April 21, 2010, 11:51:29 PM
Quote from: yellowcard on April 21, 2010, 10:25:31 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 21, 2010, 10:05:14 PM
Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..
How can a national final in Croke Park be deemed a 'pointless challenge match' for Down. I am struggling to remember Down actually winning a game at HQ in recent memory, can anyone enlighten me on this one. Get the excuses in early lads so that afterwards you can say that you are more interested in the bigger picture. I detect plenty of fear coming from the Down camp for this one.
We look to have a far stronger panel than we have done in years and wee james looks the part so far but the Championship is what we are lookin at for sure and a sixth all Ireland all the lads have to do is get us to the final and let nature take its course ;)
Wee James is flat out in the media trying to keep a lid on things but it's obviously wasted on you!! I've a feeling your mummy was still wiping your a*se in 91 and 94 and you wouldn't know how much better the AI winning teams of 91 & 94 were compared to this years team. If Down (or Armagh for that matter) get to Croker to play in an AI QF this year they'll have had a successful season.
Of course they will have had a successful season you wally !!!! But i hardly think my post will f*^k up the way in which wee james is playing the media do you ? I believe every time Down take the field we will win, i think a lot of down fans do. Down teams through the years have came from nowhere to win all Irelands playing football worth paying in to see unlike Armagh . So sorry if ive upset you with my confidence but you know how the saying goes " it breeds sucess "
DD, if Luke Howard was fully fit, he would probably be starting at corner back, meaning that all five lines in the team would then contain a St Louis man. Let's hope that Down have more luck tomorrow than St Louis did in their two MacRory finals.
Clarke out. Forker in for tomorrow :(
I was wondering why Forker wasnt on the bench. Thats very bad news for Armagh if true. Means he wont have played a full league game going into Derry. Going to be tough to start him in Celtic Park. Especially as he is a player who needs game time to be at his best.
Quote from: our_fella on April 24, 2010, 08:52:25 PM
Clarke out. Forker in for tomorrow :(
Is it a fresh injury or is he not starting but will see some action?
Clarke can fairly hit a free.
he sure can
but i think we are badly losing MF
Armagh fancy your full back line - they're kicking most ball in on top of them.
Down defence looks nervous.
How the hell are Down ahead? ???
Quote from: Jinxy on April 25, 2010, 02:36:48 PM
How the hell are Down ahead? ???
Down may send for a full back at half time.
Mc Donnell is cleaning his man out.
Armagh are well on top for my money.
Their foot-passing and shooting has been excellent.
First real time I've seen Clarke and other than his free-taking ability I'm not that impressed tbh.
Quote from: Jinxy on April 25, 2010, 02:49:30 PM
Armagh are well on top for my money.
Their foot-passing and shooting has been excellent.
First real time I've seen Clarke and other than his free-taking ability I'm not that impressed tbh.
Armagh definitely look the more composed and would seem to be well on top but it's not reflected on the scoreboard - it's still up for grabs and hopefully we'll get a good 2nd half. Benny hasn't really featured that much either.
Gearoid maybe fancies extra time in this one ?.
Down full back Mc Ardle is on a yellow now and is under pressure.
Armagh still holding the upper hand in terms of possession.
Lovely goal by Benny from a floated 45 into the square. Armagh 1 up now after Armagh dominating.
Quote from: orangeman on April 25, 2010, 03:07:20 PM
Lovely goal by Benny from a floated 45 into the square. Armagh 1 up now after Armagh dominating.
would you give Benny the goal, i thought he didn't get a touch at all.
own goal by keeper surely!
Quote from: Bogball XV on April 25, 2010, 03:17:24 PM
Quote from: orangeman on April 25, 2010, 03:07:20 PM
Lovely goal by Benny from a floated 45 into the square. Armagh 1 up now after Armagh dominating.
would you give Benny the goal, i thought he didn't get a touch at all.
Maybe so.
all to play for - that draw I mentioned earlier is still on.
Dan Gordon is rusty to say the least.
Down defenders are making it easy for Armagh to score both from play and from silly frees. Armagh's defence is standing them up and making them work hard for their scores.
Swift and Finnian have done rightly for armagh. McDonnell is back to his best but i reckon he needs to share the ball about a bit more, he just shoots on sight when there is men in better positions a lot of the time. Marty Clarke rarely wastes a ball and his free taking is good but he needs to get more scores from play if he is going to really worry teams. Benny has been quiet but is still going to end up with about 1-3 from play. Strange enough game but Armagh have been the better side for 70% of the game.
is the match being shown online - in london
Good perforamce by Armagh.
Down were the architects of their own downfall. Carrying the ball into 3/4 Armagh defenders and turning over the ball.
Great win for Armagh.
Armagh and Paddy O'Rourke will be delighted.
Apart from Benny up front and Clarke's frees, it's hard to see Down getting many scores this summer.
Good result
Could only listen to it on the radio but seemed an exciting game, mcdonnell back to form
Well done Armagh great game & great win
How many did stevie score and how many where from play?
Gordon did look rusty but great to see him back, we will need him in the Championship
Down men did carry the ball into 3/4 Armagh men way too many times.
Better team on the day won, thou we did have chances to win it.
I thought Marty Clarke played well, all out good attacks came thru him.
FB is still a worry for us
Quote from: JimStynes on April 25, 2010, 03:37:07 PM
How many did stevie score and how many where from play?
0-6 at least 3 from play
Quote from: JimStynes on April 25, 2010, 03:37:07 PM
How many did stevie score and how many where from play?
6 points he scored not sure how many from play? kernan scored 4
Whats the score???
The better team on the day did win however I do think that the two teams are a long distance off Sam contenders on that performance.
For Down - full back line was exposed yet again and unfortunately James Colgan is too limited of a footballer to be occupying no 6. Midfield never got going and in the half forward line Kearney was anonymous and wee Danny lost posession too many times by running into cul de sacs of Armagh defenders. Clarke impressed for me at 11 buy John at full forward was totally out of the game and McComiskey simply did not deliver enough from frees or play.
Armagh looked a bit hungrier for the win and much much tighter in their back 6. They won midfield and created an awful lot of room upfront by their running. Also their scoring ratio to shots i guess was very high with McDonnell extremely accurate.
As in previous years reaching the final of a league title a few weeks before a Championship outing may well prove as only a scouting exercise for their opponents and both teams might suffer in their first round games?!
Quote from: Tomorrow is another day on April 25, 2010, 04:01:57 PM
The better team on the day did win however I do think that the two teams are a long distance off Sam contenders on that performance.
For Down - full back line was exposed yet again and unfortunately James Colgan is too limited of a footballer to be occupying no 6. Midfield never got going and in the half forward line Kearney was anonymous and wee Danny lost posession too many times by running into cul de sacs of Armagh defenders. Clarke impressed for me at 11 buy John at full forward was totally out of the game and McComiskey simply did not deliver enough from frees or play.
Armagh looked a bit hungrier for the win and much much tighter in their back 6. They won midfield and created an awful lot of room upfront by their running. Also their scoring ratio to shots i guess was very high with McDonnell extremely accurate.
As in previous years reaching the final of a league title a few weeks before a Championship outing may well prove as only a scouting exercise for their opponents and both teams might suffer in their first round games?!
Armagh still looked a bit slugish at times and in the last 10 minutes their fitness started to shine through. Now from what I have read Armagh havent exactly been going all guns blazing with the training yet so the next couple of weeks they may step it up.
McDonnell was accurate on the first half, but in the second he completely fell off the radar. Forker and Jamie Clarke look confident up front today for the short spells that they had the ball. Mackin made a mends for his poor display earlier in the NFL and scored two decent points.
Hearty, now what the hell was he playing at? Maybe it was the defeces fault for letting coulter past them or maybe it was his for not meeting the ball and standing there with his arms in the air waiting for the ball to come to him. If Hearty did go up for the ball it wouldnt have been a goal.
A good run out for this young team, a taste of success will go a long way. Its also nice to know that Ronan Clarke wasn't playing so he has a little longer to recover.
Wouldnt read too much into this game, Armagh will be happy with the win and like the management have said...Armagh are preparing for the championship.
From a Down perpective I think this was a must win. I say this because what would you say the morale would be like? Going all the way through the league without suffering a defeat and having the title taken away in the last game. But then again they might have been getting carried away and being grounded was necessary for them.
Does anyone know why that free which resulted in a goal was given?
That free for the goal was a 45 the ref seems to have thought Donaghy got the touch on the ball and then tripped over himself. That said Hearty was very poor for the goal and seemed to behind the lineby the time Coulter was jumping for the ball.
I thought both teams were very good today and wouldn't think they are thatfar behind any team in the country at the minute. That said I still thought Armagh were the better team and deserved the win
Thought the ref had a poor enough game today but fair play to him for sending off McCartan, many refs would have bottled it in the same situation.
Finan Morriarity was my MOM although most of the team played well with the forwards taking most of their chances and the backs not giving too much away.
Armagh travel away to Derry and Down away to Donegal. It is quite likely that both teams will lose first day out as neither of them are that fae ahead of the opposition not to mention on championship day away from home.
Armagh have it more difficult than Down I think. I would be more confident playign Donegal than Derry.
I also felt today that both teams held back. It was nowhere near the same tempo as the previous meeting.
Donegal arent showing great form
Were beaten by Antrim in the opener last year, but yes they did beat teams through the backdoor eventually getting thumped by Cork. Murphy isnt going to get much this year, teams will be wary of him.
Armagh and Down are the teams on form, they have sounded out the warning to Ulster so now all counties will be on their toes. Not sure about Down though, they havent suffered a defeat till now, will they crumble or will Donegal suffer the backlash?
Armagh and Derry is going to be interesting and very tight. Wont even predict the score.
comfortable win for the enemy, dominated midfield, a lucky goal was all that kept us in it. armaghs defence were well on top, quite deflating really, gordon is a long way off championship level, you have to wonder what the f**k he was playing at opting out of the league, he is hardly gong to be in tiptop shape playing dirge like annaclone and banbridge in club football. no answer to McDonald at all, badly missed Rodgers and Rafferty, hope to God they are fit come the end of may. Marty Clarke is a great free taker but the quality player on show to today was Stevie as much as it pains me to say it.
Marty Clarke played well for me,but he didnt look fit,he looked to be carrying an injury.
Armagh are a lovely team to watch,a crisp running game out of defence and long accurate diagonal balls into Stevie Mac and Clarke whens hes fit,add to strength in depth,being able to bring on the likes of Stefan Forker,Mackin and co,they could suprise people this year.
Good game today, Armagh were far hungrier, very impressed with their tackling. Dissappointing goal to concede though I thought it was a free out previous and not a 45. M Clarke was good from the frees but other than him and Benny Coulter Down forwards weren't much threat. It was good to see so many Armagh players stepping up to the plate taking scores, especially from hb. Very impressed with Finn Mo today and only for Stevie's accuracy would be my MOTM.
No real complaints other than losing to them ones and a generation of young supporters ( my children included ) still haven't seen us win at HQ.
Armagh's bit of calmness and experience told in the last 10 - Daniel's head stagger has presumably cost him a ban for at least the Donegal game. No criticism of any player on a website ( but plenty in our car on the way home) and the big plus from the league is Kalum King.Anyway, does anyone remember division 2 league finals ? Cork look a fair side but Mayo were woeful- how did they finish top of Division 1 ?
Armagh were good value for their victory and should have been well ahead only for a mixture of stupid mixtakes and wrong option taking. Swift, Vernon, Finnian and Stevie performed well although Stevie always has and always will shoot on sight and I think its more the nature of the beast.
Quote from: Armaghgeddon on April 25, 2010, 04:40:41 PM
Hearty, now what the hell was he playing at? Maybe it was the defeces fault for letting coulter past them or maybe it was his for not meeting the ball and standing there with his arms in the air waiting for the ball to come to him. If Hearty did go up for the ball it wouldnt have been a goal.
Maybe shite all, It was hearty's fault plain and simple because he a second rate goalkeeper that cannot jump or catch a ball and that scares me as an Armagh fan, if you watch his movement it goes against all goalkeeping logic, also is Tierney still training them as it looks like Paul has been taking dietry tips from him instead ;).
Still a good win for Armagh and should set them up nicely for the coming championship, even if we dont progress past the jackal and Hyde that is Derry, a good run in the qualifers looks a possibility if the draw is favourable.
I thought Hearty had a very good game. Apart from the goal he was very good under the high ball and his place kicking was excellent. A very confident display and for me has nailed down his start against Derry. As for Mackin, must be at least five or six years since he made such an effective cameo.
Just in through the door there. Couldnt really ask for much more to be honest. Throughout the field we were on top. Thought Hearty had a mixed game, i'd say he would be the main cause for that Down goal, but same happened in Newry so i wouldnt look much into it. Whole FB line was immense. Donaghy had J.Clarke in his back pocket all day, shannon did a very solid job, Mallon was on top no matter who he was marking. Thought our HB line was as good as ive seen in a long while. Finn Mo at one stage won a ball in the 2nd half when he was out-numbered 4:1. Midfield, while not winning as much clean ball as usual, were deff on top throughout, toner's tackling was class. While i am a big fan of A.Kernan, have to say this was as bad as ive seen him in a long long time, wasnt at the races at all. Vernon and swift did well throughout, winning and dis-possessing constantly. With regards to stevie, really looks to be back to his best days, left and right foot, passing etc was first class. Felt Armagh made great use of their subs, with Mackin, Forker & Clarke all preforming well when taken on, esp with Mackin.
Our Fella I doubt your having an identity crisis, your profile has you as a down man!
Omagh_Gael. Its the wifes fault im stuck here >:(
Quote from: Ulick on April 25, 2010, 07:53:26 PM
I thought Hearty had a very good game. Apart from the goal he was very good under the high ball and his place kicking was excellent. A very confident display and for me has nailed down his start against Derry. As for Mackin, must be at least five or six years since he made such an effective cameo.
What game where you at? The goal wasn't the only mistake, there was more times he flapped at balls and I personally thought that Down were putting the ball on top of him on purpose. For the goal itself, he stood flat footed and never even attempted to attack the ball. If he had have went for it in the first place he'd have won a free out as the refs protect the keepers in 9 out of ten times in those situations.
Overall though, I was impressed with Armagh. I am aware that we are still a work in progress but I liked the way that they bounced back with two points after Down took the lead just before half time. On past occassions I think they wouldn't have it too bad going in a point down at half time. Also, the way Armagh closed out the game at the end was good and I am now optimistic of a good result against Derry
Best team won, no doubt about that. Always first to the breaking ball, fast intelligent movement, crisp passing and excellent finishing. Down did well to be competitive throughout, and kept battling, but with so many of our best players failing to do the simple things right, there was only ever going to be one result. Maybe this was the wake up call we needed, Donegal is another Day and hopefully a better result. Disappointed with Daniel Mc Cartan stamp on Kernan, dont think there was any real intent to injure, but it was deserving of a Red Card. Cant see Dan Gordon making starting 15 for Championship, either his Head or his Heart is just not up for it
Very good performance from Armagh today, we always looked in control of the game. In the past we leaned too heavily for scores on McDonnell and Clarke but today we looked as though there were scores all over the field. Morriarty, Swift, Vernon, McDonnell, A Mallon were all excellent but we are a goalkeeper a corner back and a centre forward away from being All Ireland contenders.
I do see a lot to be hopeful for though and we have an outside chance of getting to the last 4. Down looked well off the pace and whilst Clarke did play very well for them, there were very few others who could be entirely happy with their performances.
Quote from: supersub on April 25, 2010, 03:19:10 PM
own goal by keeper surely!
looked at it again there, can't see Coulter touching it, Clarke's goal imo, Hearty badly at fault (once again).
Not long home here, I'm happy with the way Armagh played today overall, their heads didn't drop for a second when they went behind and I was impressed with the way they kept battling to regain the advantage where once they would have been content with going in at half time 1 point down or even level.
A few comments on individuals;
Hearty's kickouts were varied and showed some intelligence today, he was at fault for the goal though
McKeever was superb today, he reminded me of Geezer at times
Finn Mo was my MOTM, his workrate and tracking back I felt were second to none and he proved that he can be very dangerous and tackle well
Mal Mackin had a chance for a goal but took the point
Henderson was fairly anonymous
Anyone know why Clarkie didn't start?
Welcome to reality today !
we are very limited and really we have a long way to go.
Armagh were a far better side and the result flattered us ( i suppose the lucky goal helped the scoreline) but we really were the second best.
Our full back line might just be the worst in ulster always seeming to be behind their men .
Garvey is most certainly not up to it , as for our midfield today it was woeful. In and around the middle we seemed to pass too much and with Armagh's fast tackling we were caught out on numerous occasions.
Up front Marty Clarke and Benny both tried hard but overall Armagh are a lot fitter and stronger than us.
Today shows that we are really up against it this year. The full back line and midfield needs wholesale changes and hopefully our management have the courage do the right thing.!I was also disgusted with the trampish stamping at the end.
the gael takes no prisoners!
Hearty was bad for the goal.
He was at least a foot behind the line anyways even if he haf of got a touch.
But Lavery did not cover himsel in glory either, backed under the crossbar and never got off the ground. Blocked Heart's view
Everybody blameing the goalkeeper, have a look at the highlights, at least two defenders in front of him and imo was blinded until the last second. the mistake he made was not clearing them out. Also how did Benny get the run in there,he should have been blocked off.
Down fans do not have much to say about Mc Cartans sending off,if Mc Keever had done this there would be an outcry.
Anyway a good win,and hope for the future.
thegael,fair play not all Down fans, good to see exceptions.
Quote from: JUst retired on April 25, 2010, 09:05:36 PM
Everybody blameing the goalkeeper, have a look at the highlights, at least two defenders in front of him and imo was blinded until the last second. the mistake he made was not clearing them out. Also how did Benny get the run in there,he should have been blocked off.
Down fans do not have much to say about Mc Cartans sending off,if Mc Keever had done this there would be an outcry.
Anyway a good win,and hope for the future.
Have to agree with that, it was a cowardly act standing on a man who was lying prone on the floor. I reckon McCartan may have played his last game for Down this year, he will probably get 3 months by which time Down will most likely have made their customary early championship exit.
Just home & had a quick look at the TV footage of the sending off because I didn't see it too well from were I was sitting, I have to say that it was loutish behaviour that fully deserved a red card & it's something that shouldn't be tolerated in Gaelic Football.
Disappointed with the result today but great work to get their and win promotion to Division 1, well done to Armagh.
Better team won today, so no complaints here.
Armagh's defence was very sharp, and McDonnell was his usual class act.
From a Down perspective the biggest problem today was decision making, much of which was nothing short of shocking.
Wanting to bring your full forward line into play early is admirable, but if a corner back is right up the attackers hole, then it is the wrong ball, simple as that. And that happened at least a dozen times today.
If you are facing the right direction, have the ball, and are unmarked, then playing a three yard first pass to a teammate facing the wrong direction is completely pointless, and potentially destructive if it slows things down to a stop. And that happened at least half a dozen times today.
Poor performance from Down today who yet again failed to deliver when it mattered. Full back line was suspect while Colgan should have been replaced for the remainder off the game after a head injury. He was clearly daised. McKernan and Hughes constantly got turned over in possession as did Gordon when introduced. We struggled to get break ball in the half forward line while John Clarke and McComiskey where woeful inside. Ive yet to see McComiskey perform when it mattered for Down from the start and i believe Murtagh should have started b4 him. Benny and Marty C where are best players by far. Maginnn and Kearney proved yet again how average they are. Very disapointed with the result but im sure ORourke is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Quote from: thegael on April 25, 2010, 09:04:27 PM
Welcome to reality today !
we are very limited and really we have a long way to go.
Armagh were a far better side and the result flattered us ( i suppose the lucky goal helped the scoreline) but we really were the second best.
Our full back line might just be the worst in ulster always seeming to be behind their men .
Garvey is most certainly not up to it , as for our midfield today it was woeful. In and around the middle we seemed to pass too much and with Armagh's fast tackling we were caught out on numerous occasions.
Up front Marty Clarke and Benny both tried hard but overall Armagh are a lot fitter and stronger than us.
Today shows that we are really up against it this year. The full back line and midfield needs wholesale changes and hopefully our management have the courage do the right thing.!I was also disgusted with the trampish stamping at the end.
the gael takes no prisoners!
My head tells me i shouldn't take the bait but im in a bad mood after today so i may aswell
Given our defensive record in the league we are clearly not the worst defenders in Ulster.
Garvey is a good, hard hitting and fearless player, and scored an excellent point.
Granted midfield was second best today, but Ambrose being out was a huge blow and King put in a good performance, no need for "whole sale changes"....
Good to redress our worst performance of the season. A lot of positives to be taken from the League were reinforced in today's performance. Our HFs are now an attacking force again. To think that Peter McDonnell didn't think Nippy Swift was good enough for the county panel..............suppose that was down to the way he was using his HFs. Nippy was my MOTM, closely followed by Finn Mo. Stevie is a legend nothing more needs to be said.
Hearty breeds uncertainty in his defenders and although some posters are right in pointing the finger at Lavery too, a good goalkeeper commands his square and calls for the ball coming in.
Was Clarke even togged out today? Bit worried, don't think he was. Jaimie Clarke and Malachy Mackin did well when they come on.
Loved Armagh's mobility and attacking space today, impressive performance with brilliant passing and score taking. Down met a different outfit today than that in Newry a few weeks ago, plus Croke Park seemed to suit Armagh better.
Armagh are on an upward curve and that's all we can take out of winning division 2. The thread this time 3 weeks will be interesting to say the least.
Quote from: balladmaker on April 25, 2010, 09:33:09 PM
Loved Armagh's mobility and attacking space today, impressive performance with brilliant passing and score taking. Down met a different outfit today than that in Newry a few weeks ago, plus Croke Park seemed to suit Armagh better.
Armagh are on an upward curve and that's all we can take out of winning division 2. The thread this time 3 weeks will be interesting to say the least.
In fairness Armagh met a diffrerent outfit today than in Newry a few weeks ago and took full advantage of it and good luck to them , they were worth their win .
The loss of Ambrose and Dee Raff can't be overstated but the no show from some of our senior players has to be looked at too . Thankfully the real business is a while away yet and this might be the type of grounding result players and fans alike need .
Quote from: downredblack on April 25, 2010, 09:44:42 PM
Quote from: balladmaker on April 25, 2010, 09:33:09 PM
Loved Armagh's mobility and attacking space today, impressive performance with brilliant passing and score taking. Down met a different outfit today than that in Newry a few weeks ago, plus Croke Park seemed to suit Armagh better.
Armagh are on an upward curve and that's all we can take out of winning division 2. The thread this time 3 weeks will be interesting to say the least.
In fairness Armagh met a diffrerent outfit today than in Newry a few weeks ago
A bit of an unfair statement there. I agree that Down never played to the same tempo but on the other hand Down played a 14 man Armagh team for a good bit of that game. Moriarity over the league campaign has proved his worth to the Armagh team. That game in Newry Armagh were beginning to find their feet and were knocked out of shape again when he was sent off.
You can say that you were missing Ambrose but for the past two meeting we haven't had Ronan Clarke.
Things are looking grand for both teams in the coming seasons and a little rivalry wouldn't go a miss.
We cannot complain about the result, as Armagh made less mistakes than Down did and had a little more know-how in key areas, but we almost sneaked it at the end and the experience should bring us on a fair bit. A concern is that by my reckoning today was our fifth appearance at HQ since the 1994 AI (Kerry in a league play-off about 96, Monaghan at the same stage in 97, Offaly in the D2 final of 04 and Wexford in the 08 final qualifier) and we have lost them all. We don't want Croke Park to become our unlucky ground.
Armagh won mainly because of a fine half-back line and McDonnnell up front, although asking Brannigan, who is a fringe defender at best, to come in and mark Armagh's top forward from the start was a very curious management move. McDonnell scored after less than 15 seconds, and Brannigan was switched immediately. He gave away a 45 which was scored by McDonnell shortly afterwards, and, although he settled later, it was also a surprise that he was not eventually replaced.
McVeigh was sound, apart from one handling error, with decent kick-outs, while McArdle is still on a learing curve and should benefit from the experience. McCartan, yet again, was our best defender, until his foolish moment in injury time. Kernan seemed to drop the knees on him in the first place, and there was definiitely no stamping movement from McCartan, but his foot completely unnecessarily landed on the chest of an opponent. While a three-month ban would be very excessive, he is pretty unlikely to be involved in Ballybofey, which is a blow.
Colgan had some reasonable touches, but was never the same after taking a big head-high hit due to yet another misplaced pass from Fitzpatrick just before half time. McKernan tired hard without looking comfortable, and lost possession on a couple of costly occasions - once when we had a certain score on near the end. Garvey battled away and kicked an excellent late point.
King began slowly but improved steadily, and his late point might even have been a goal, so he looks nailed on to start in Donegal. Fitzpatrick had one of his frustrating days, apart from one good point, repeatedly gave the ball away and might even have been taken off earlier. Much the same could be said about Hughes, as apart from his brilliant point before the break, little went right for him and he was indecisive when it counted. Kearney never really got going, and was the first to be benched, which was a pity after his league form.
Marty Clarke misplaced a couple of passes, but his quality was there in flashes and his free-taking was immaculate. His brother John was not as prominent as usual, but he may have been replaced a little too early. McComiskey won every ball in the first half but only scored once, although the television replays tonight indicated that another shot was wrongly ruled wide. Again, he might have been given another few minutes before the call ashore.
Benny was outstanding, all strength and passion, hit 1-2 from play, won a couple of important frees and might even have got another goal before he was fouled in the first half.
Gordon and Laverty came on together, but the only real contribution between them was the pass which Gordon picked off the ground before kicking what I think would have been the equaliser before it was rightly chalked off. Gordon certainly needed the game, but Laverty was repeatedly given passes when tightly marked. Murtagh had very little time, but did not make much impact, while Duffin was steady enough.
We have plenty to think about, but the result may take some of the pressure and attention off us for a while. We need Ambrose fit again, and Doyle would be a huge if unlikely bonus as well.
well done armagh and thank god r paddy o`rourke that armagh have got out of the defensive mode and started playing a better brand of attacking football which they are capable of and which is far more pleasing on the eye. players who were not in the panel or team last year for what ever reason are flying this year,duffy,mackin, etc today defence was v good noticed mckeever let clarke go and marked space in front of full back line ,while effective 2day might be different story v derry forwars such as 2 bradleys,kielt and co. midfield was wel on top making down resort to short kick outs which put them under a lot of pressure. stevie still the man who will get bulk of scores. most of the rest of forward line were in and out mallon and henderson were poor. dont know how kernan got the full game he not a chf full stop. subs took us over the line when we were starting to get tired mackin,clarke and forker all doing their part with mackin and forker getting on the score sheet. good team performance overall and top marks so far to management and coaching staff team looks v fit
Very please with today's performance, gives us something to build on for the championship, don't care what anyone says about 2day being meaningless, 2day's run out was better than a couple of challenge games...
Stevie is jus on fire at the min and 2day we saw Finn Mo, Nippy and A.M putting in some fine performances......have 2 agree with yellowcard in a previous post, we are a goalkeeper and a centre half forward away from being a real force this year.....it is key for a defence to have a strong goalkeeper playing behind them that they can trust and that is simply not the case at the min....P.H is a big man, but under a high ball he simple doesn't jump ???......
AK wil have to be switched to wing half forward with possibly vernon moving centrally, or else he mite try a fit Ronan Clarke there......but certainly at the min, there is serious competition for places come 3 weeks....Ard Mhaca Abú
Quote from: Armaghgeddon on April 25, 2010, 09:50:02 PM
Quote from: downredblack on April 25, 2010, 09:44:42 PM
Quote from: balladmaker on April 25, 2010, 09:33:09 PM
Loved Armagh's mobility and attacking space today, impressive performance with brilliant passing and score taking. Down met a different outfit today than that in Newry a few weeks ago, plus Croke Park seemed to suit Armagh better.
Armagh are on an upward curve and that's all we can take out of winning division 2. The thread this time 3 weeks will be interesting to say the least.
In fairness Armagh met a diffrerent outfit today than in Newry a few weeks ago
A bit of an unfair statement there. I agree that Down never played to the same tempo but on the other hand Down played a 14 man Armagh team for a good bit of that game. Moriarity over the league campaign has proved his worth to the Armagh team. That game in Newry Armagh were beginning to find their feet and were knocked out of shape again when he was sent off.
You can say that you were missing Ambrose but for the past two meeting we haven't had Ronan Clarke.
Things are looking grand for both teams in the coming seasons and a little rivalry wouldn't go a miss.
Ahh come on , Im taking nothing from Armaghs win today and said they were full value for it but from a Down point of view the loss of the 2 players I mentioned was massive . You mention Ronan Clarke , I would judge the loss of him as I would the loss of Dan Gordon . Two class acts who have seen little or no football to date . Both of them could change any game but for one reason or another today wasn't going to be their day .
Quote from: downredblack on April 25, 2010, 10:14:20 PM
Quote from: Armaghgeddon on April 25, 2010, 09:50:02 PM
Quote from: downredblack on April 25, 2010, 09:44:42 PM
Quote from: balladmaker on April 25, 2010, 09:33:09 PM
Loved Armagh's mobility and attacking space today, impressive performance with brilliant passing and score taking. Down met a different outfit today than that in Newry a few weeks ago, plus Croke Park seemed to suit Armagh better.
Armagh are on an upward curve and that's all we can take out of winning division 2. The thread this time 3 weeks will be interesting to say the least.
In fairness Armagh met a diffrerent outfit today than in Newry a few weeks ago
A bit of an unfair statement there. I agree that Down never played to the same tempo but on the other hand Down played a 14 man Armagh team for a good bit of that game. Moriarity over the league campaign has proved his worth to the Armagh team. That game in Newry Armagh were beginning to find their feet and were knocked out of shape again when he was sent off.
You can say that you were missing Ambrose but for the past two meeting we haven't had Ronan Clarke.
Things are looking grand for both teams in the coming seasons and a little rivalry wouldn't go a miss.
Ahh come on , Im taking nothing from Armaghs win today and said they were full value for it but from a Down point of view the loss of the 2 players I mentioned was massive . You mention Ronan Clarke , I would judge the loss of him as I would the loss of Dan Gordon . Two class acts who have seen little or no football to date . Both of them could change any game but for one reason or another today wasn't going to be their day .
Apologies if I came across as making it out as if you were doing down Armagh's performance. If anything very little seperates these teams at the moment. Yes, Down have showed great form throughout the league but Armagh - as evident in the last 10 minutes of todays game, they are building their fitness up towards the championship.
It will be interesting to see how Down cope after today. Now this is just my opinion but Downwent all the way without losing but on the last day they suffered a loss. Now I am not too sure about this but I think Down have peaked, they have beat almost everyone that they have played. I was at the Newry game and Down provided the championship intensity whereas Armagh wanted to play at their own intensity and because of that they were hammered - and rightly so.
The trophy mean not have been the most meaningful but the opposition certainly was and its nice to see an Armagh team lift a trophy in Croke Park for the second time in a few months. It was quite difficult at times to discern exactly what Armagh's positional tactics were, I noticed 3 different players marking Marty Clarke at times but fundamentally they seem to be playing Ciaran McKeever as a sweeper in front of the full back line, a role that worked well today. I'd expect to see him line out in a similar position against Derry.
I thought the performance of the wing backs was excellent, Finnian in largely curtailing Clarke's influence from play and Duffy in respect of the way he wins breaking ball and links defence and attack. Andy Mallon was excellent also, particularly in the final few minutes. Up front Stevie was sublime, he looks every bit as good now as his peak from 2003-2006 when he was the best forward in the country. If he carries this form on he'll probably win another All Star. The only worry would be if he got injured. We're very dependent on him for scores though Nippy Swift got a couple of points today and had a very effective match. Ronan Clarke wasn't togged out and he must be a huge doubt for Celtic Park now.
Congratulations to the management team also.
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:11:08 PM
The trophy mean not have been the most meaningful but the opposition certainly was and its nice to see an Armagh team lift a trophy in Croke Park for the second time in a few months. It was quite difficult at times to discern exactly what Armagh's positional tactics were, I noticed 3 different players marking Marty Clarke at times but fundamentally they seem to be playing Ciaran McKeever as a sweeper in front of the full back line, a role that worked well today. I'd expect to see him line out in a similar position against Derry.
I thought the performance of the wing backs was excellent, Finnian in largely curtailing Clarke's influence from play and Duffy in respect of the way he wins breaking ball and links defence and attack. Andy Mallon was excellent also, particularly in the final few minutes. Up front Stevie was sublime, he looks every bit as good now as his peak from 2003-2006 when he was the best forward in the country. If he carries this form on he'll probably win another All Star. The only worry would be if he got injured. We're very dependent on him for scores though Nippy Swift got a couple of points today and had a very effective match. Ronan Clarke wasn't togged out and he must be a huge doubt for Celtic Park now.
Congratulations to the management team also.
Apparently Ronan Clarke said to the management he didnt want to play. Im sure the commentator said that. Could be wrong.
Henderson hasnt a chance of getting a sniff because everyone on the armagh team just looks for Stevie and when Stevie is on fire then i suppose you cant blame them. I just feel Henderson gets a bad press even though he is making good runs but he is always the second option when Stevie is playing. I thought he was doing rightly in the first half.
Martin Clarke doesnt live up to the hype imo, a great player who rarely wastes a ball and is great from frees but from what ive seen of him so far he is overrated or maybe i am just expecting too much.
Armaghgeddon it was a re-occurence of his past injury. seemed to be limping a bit today when walking across the pitch
Only got to see the second half. Armagh looked stronger in all departments but still allowed an inferior Down side to hang in there and could've paid the penalty with that last move Down cocked up. Marty Clarke definitely improves the Down side but it seemed to be just him and Coulter v Armagh. Criminal pick off the ground by Gordon.
Was it my TV or is McDonnell carrying a good bit of timber? The Orchard are still the masters of the tackle. Derry'll bate them though. Then they'll lose to Down in the qualifiers and O'Rourke will be tied to a Mace trolley in Forkhill for a week.
Quote from: JimStynes on April 25, 2010, 11:17:39 PM
Henderson hasnt a chance of getting a sniff because everyone on the armagh team just looks for Stevie and when Stevie is on fire then i suppose you cant blame them. I just feel Henderson gets a bad press even though he is making good runs but he is always the second option when Stevie is playing. I thought he was doing rightly in the first half.
Martin Clarke doesnt live up to the hype imo, a great player who rarely wastes a ball and is great from frees but from what ive seen of him so far he is overrated or maybe i am just expecting too much.
To be fair to Clarke its pretty hard for him to live up to the unrealistic expectations a lot of Down people seem to have of him. To listen to some Down people you'd swear the Lord Incarnate had come down to play Gaelic football. He's a young fella adjusting to a level of football he's never played before and he's performed admirably so far. He wasn't great today but even at that his placed balls were Down's best opportunities for scores. No doubt he'll be one of the better forwards in Ulster over the next decade.
Quote from: our_fella on April 25, 2010, 11:22:03 PM
Armaghgeddon it was a re-occurence of his past injury. seemed to be limping a bit today when walking across the pitch
I thought Ronan was playing when he blocked the Down shot. But then the commentator said he pulled out of the squad.
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:36:21 PM
Quote from: JimStynes on April 25, 2010, 11:17:39 PM
Henderson hasnt a chance of getting a sniff because everyone on the armagh team just looks for Stevie and when Stevie is on fire then i suppose you cant blame them. I just feel Henderson gets a bad press even though he is making good runs but he is always the second option when Stevie is playing. I thought he was doing rightly in the first half.
Martin Clarke doesnt live up to the hype imo, a great player who rarely wastes a ball and is great from frees but from what ive seen of him so far he is overrated or maybe i am just expecting too much.
To be fair to Clarke its pretty hard for him to live up to the unrealistic expectations a lot of Down people seem to have of him. To listen to some Down people you'd swear the Lord Incarnate had come down to play Gaelic football. He's a young fella adjusting to a level of football he's never played before and he's performed admirably so far. He wasn't great today but even at that his placed balls were Down's best opportunities for scores. No doubt he'll be one of the better forwards in Ulster over the next decade.
Thats if hes not away back to oz. At the minute though opposition teams would be happy enough with him playing deep and playing balls in. Whereas i a centre half forward who runs at defenses and scores goals and points from play would be a nightmare for teams. I agree though it is going to take him time to get back into it again and after a while all the hype will die down and he will be able to just relax and play like he did for St Louis and the Down underage teams. I remember him playing against Colmans in the semi final or quarter final of the McCrory and they put 2 men on him from the start of the game plus he was dyingwith the flu and he still got man of the match, some player.
For a bit of divilment I had a look at the Armagh v Down thread from the match earlier in the League.
Here are some of the highlights;
Quote from: dodgy umpire on March 26, 2010, 11:15:10 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Down are the better team and would beat Armagh should they meet in the final. While it could be argued that Armagh would be better prepared to deal with Down should they meet, I believe that Down would go into the game confident and with the knowlege that they can beat Armagh (and by a big margin too), a feeling that none of these players will have had before. Were the game to be tight say in the 60th minute, this new belief would allow them to push on and secure victory. Then again, we may have finished the game off after 8 minutes anyway ;)
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 23, 2010, 08:31:15 PM
Are Westmeath Armaghs rivals now? Nothing like beating the oul neighbours, but its not much to brag about thesse days. ;D
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 08:35:41 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 21, 2010, 12:51:29 PM
Down are decent side on an upward curve but would anyone be genuinely afraid of meeting Down again in a league final or championship? I think not.
Obviously a seven point hammering and Down playing keep ball for the last twenty minutes wasn't enough for you.
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 11:06:44 AM
That may have only been a second division game last night, but Down are in a different league to Armagh. Its alright beating the likes of Donegal and Meath, but even the wee teams like Armagh have to be disposed off as well. Every aspect of last nights game has been covered over the last few pages, so I don't really need to add anything.
Quote from: Pangurban on March 20, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Great Down performance, in which every Man played his part. Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time, after his actions tonight. Armagh are a second rate outfit, reliant on too many old stalwarts whose best days are behind them. That along with a totally incompetent Manager, will ensure a short summer for them. As for Down, the future is Rosy, and the return of aristocratic football will be welcomed by all lovers of the game
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 20, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
Tony, first of all, Up your hole.
Secondly, a fairly comprehensive victory over a second rate outfit with limited ambition.Sluden did give us a lot in the first 20 although 8 up after 8 , when youse had 15, puts paid to the inevitable 'we only had 14 'argument. He did well to spot the first yellow for Moriarity against Kearney ( one James would have been proud of) and I didn't see the second but was told it was deserved.
Thirdly, I thought we had strong performers in the half back line, Kalum King is my man for MF, Maginn and Lavery were excellent off the bench and the Clarkes ,Kearney,Poland and Benny superb.
In the same way it takes 20 to win a game with our Mc Iver inspired gameplan, it takes different men to rise to the challenge in different games, and 7 points did not flatter us.
Finally, in the last quarter, if Sluden hadn't penalised us 4 times for silly handpass infringements we would have won by 10/12 points.
So , off to Mullingar we go and our opponents go back to the drawing board.
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:58:23 PM
For a bit of divilment I had a look at the Armagh v Down thread from the match earlier in the League.
Here are some of the highlights;
Quote from: dodgy umpire on March 26, 2010, 11:15:10 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Down are the better team and would beat Armagh should they meet in the final. While it could be argued that Armagh would be better prepared to deal with Down should they meet, I believe that Down would go into the game confident and with the knowlege that they can beat Armagh (and by a big margin too), a feeling that none of these players will have had before. Were the game to be tight say in the 60th minute, this new belief would allow them to push on and secure victory. Then again, we may have finished the game off after 8 minutes anyway ;)
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 23, 2010, 08:31:15 PM
Are Westmeath Armaghs rivals now? Nothing like beating the oul neighbours, but its not much to brag about thesse days. ;D
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 08:35:41 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 21, 2010, 12:51:29 PM
Down are decent side on an upward curve but would anyone be genuinely afraid of meeting Down again in a league final or championship? I think not.
Obviously a seven point hammering and Down playing keep ball for the last twenty minutes wasn't enough for you.
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 11:06:44 AM
That may have only been a second division game last night, but Down are in a different league to Armagh. Its alright beating the likes of Donegal and Meath, but even the wee teams like Armagh have to be disposed off as well. Every aspect of last nights game has been covered over the last few pages, so I don't really need to add anything.
Quote from: Pangurban on March 20, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Great Down performance, in which every Man played his part. Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time, after his actions tonight. Armagh are a second rate outfit, reliant on too many old stalwarts whose best days are behind them. That along with a totally incompetent Manager, will ensure a short summer for them. As for Down, the future is Rosy, and the return of aristocratic football will be welcomed by all lovers of the game
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 20, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
Tony, first of all, Up your hole.
Secondly, a fairly comprehensive victory over a second rate outfit with limited ambition.Sluden did give us a lot in the first 20 although 8 up after 8 , when youse had 15, puts paid to the inevitable 'we only had 14 'argument. He did well to spot the first yellow for Moriarity against Kearney ( one James would have been proud of) and I didn't see the second but was told it was deserved.
Thirdly, I thought we had strong performers in the half back line, Kalum King is my man for MF, Maginn and Lavery were excellent off the bench and the Clarkes ,Kearney,Poland and Benny superb.
In the same way it takes 20 to win a game with our Mc Iver inspired gameplan, it takes different men to rise to the challenge in different games, and 7 points did not flatter us.
Finally, in the last quarter, if Sluden hadn't penalised us 4 times for silly handpass infringements we would have won by 10/12 points.
So , off to Mullingar we go and our opponents go back to the drawing board.
I do love moments like this. Fans from other counties getting too far ahead of themselves. I have never be dragged to the level of rubbing a victory in because it always comes back to bite you on the arse which I knew would happen.
Anyone know how many were at the match?
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:58:23 PM
For a bit of divilment I had a look at the Armagh v Down thread from the match earlier in the League.
Here are some of the highlights;
Quote from: dodgy umpire on March 26, 2010, 11:15:10 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Down are the better team and would beat Armagh should they meet in the final. While it could be argued that Armagh would be better prepared to deal with Down should they meet, I believe that Down would go into the game confident and with the knowlege that they can beat Armagh (and by a big margin too), a feeling that none of these players will have had before. Were the game to be tight say in the 60th minute, this new belief would allow them to push on and secure victory. Then again, we may have finished the game off after 8 minutes anyway ;)
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 23, 2010, 08:31:15 PM
Are Westmeath Armaghs rivals now? Nothing like beating the oul neighbours, but its not much to brag about thesse days. ;D
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 08:35:41 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 21, 2010, 12:51:29 PM
Down are decent side on an upward curve but would anyone be genuinely afraid of meeting Down again in a league final or championship? I think not.
Obviously a seven point hammering and Down playing keep ball for the last twenty minutes wasn't enough for you.
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 11:06:44 AM
That may have only been a second division game last night, but Down are in a different league to Armagh. Its alright beating the likes of Donegal and Meath, but even the wee teams like Armagh have to be disposed off as well. Every aspect of last nights game has been covered over the last few pages, so I don't really need to add anything.
Quote from: Pangurban on March 20, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Great Down performance, in which every Man played his part. Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time, after his actions tonight. Armagh are a second rate outfit, reliant on too many old stalwarts whose best days are behind them. That along with a totally incompetent Manager, will ensure a short summer for them. As for Down, the future is Rosy, and the return of aristocratic football will be welcomed by all lovers of the game
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 20, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
Tony, first of all, Up your hole.
Secondly, a fairly comprehensive victory over a second rate outfit with limited ambition.Sluden did give us a lot in the first 20 although 8 up after 8 , when youse had 15, puts paid to the inevitable 'we only had 14 'argument. He did well to spot the first yellow for Moriarity against Kearney ( one James would have been proud of) and I didn't see the second but was told it was deserved.
Thirdly, I thought we had strong performers in the half back line, Kalum King is my man for MF, Maginn and Lavery were excellent off the bench and the Clarkes ,Kearney,Poland and Benny superb.
In the same way it takes 20 to win a game with our Mc Iver inspired gameplan, it takes different men to rise to the challenge in different games, and 7 points did not flatter us.
Finally, in the last quarter, if Sluden hadn't penalised us 4 times for silly handpass infringements we would have won by 10/12 points.
So , off to Mullingar we go and our opponents go back to the drawing board.
Armagh were the better team and deserved the victory, but when making my prediction i could not have forseen Ambrose and D Raff being out for Down, which i believe made a big difference for us. Not trying to take anything away from Armagh, worthy champions
Always nice to put Down back in their box whilst never engaging 3rd gear. Id say they will struggle big time this year, weak in the tackle and leaderless.
Just over 27,000 according to RTE
Are the Paddy O Rourke nay sayers backing down yet or will only an All Ireland suffice ? This Armagh side look like the best motivated, organised and balanced for 3/4 years. Used their bench well too.The draw hasnt been too kind in Ulster but whichever route they take I would expect that they will be playing football in August .
Down to me look like a team that might benefit from the extra games that a back door run would bring. Although a lot of these lads have won all irelands at under age and schools level but they still seem green enough - silly frees conceded and lacking nous in last minutes of each half . With Clarke around the forwards are keeping shape better and the defence is certainly better organised. Gordon was well off the pace yesterday but if he can sort his head/commitment out he has to be a big asset. As Colm O rourke said in his column yesterday this team has a future.
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
Great to see Armagh winning a bit of silverware again, but it must be borne in mind what League it was for.
That said, it was a far more competitive game than the following one and both will have gotten much more from it.
Ironically I think Down will be much the better for that game than Armagh.
I think all the talk has been about Armagh and their league run, but I don't think they'll last the championship pace and with all this talk about training and such I think they may have even peaked too soon.
Derry won't fear them in Celtic park and as has been obvious Derry threw in their chips in early in the League and haven't been heard of yet, no media, no rumours, just quiet preparation and this is a nice way to be setting an ambush up in Celtic Park.
The man that should have learned the most from yesterday should have been Damien Cassidy - Don't bring the ball into contact, move it at pace and put your best man marker on Stevie.
On the other side it will be interesting to see how Armagh prepare following this. They're a young team - but there is plenty of smart men on the sideline to turn it around for championship if they so wish.
If they can decide to avoid the physical element, don't try and muscle teams I think they'll be much better for it and use their natural ability more.
Roll on the main stage ...
Unduly negative assessment above
Well done Armagh, it seems light years from last years performance against Monaghan. This was the most refreshing performance from a young Armagh team which i have seen in years. THe back 6 played as a unit and worked to move the ball quickly from defence into attack. Vernon provided a great outlet from lick-out and under pressure defenders & I definetly feel the half forward position is suited to his talents. Stevie mc Donnell was 1st class yesterday, Also I have been saying it for the past 3 years, Nippy Swift was county standard and never got a fair crack of the whip the past 2 campaigns, after mc donnell he was Armaghs best forward & took 2 excellent scores from play. I thought Brian Mallon ahd an excellent first half, though faded in the second. Also A Kernan had a good game too (Lucky he was'nt sent off) ALl that said, the biggest liability in the side is hearty. He punches when he score be catching and vice versa, for a goal keeper his decision making his hair pulling. Bring on Derry, let battle commence ;D
Heard Clarke went over on his ankle, not a reoccurence of his achilles injury. Dont know if that's good news or bad as he seemed to be limping quite noticeably yesterday.
Good win yesterday, should have won by more for the possession we had, decent game but i didn't think it was anywhere near championship intensity. Also good to see we won while not playing at full tilt. Plenty of positives to take form the game but a few boys have done their championship chances no good,namely Brian Mallon, Henderson and AK who I thought were all pretty poor, how AK stayed on the full game is a mystery, his name saved him. Stevie, Nippy and F mo were the standouts for me. Hearty didn't cover himself in glory again, but having seen it again on tv Lavery looked to be at fault, Hearty should have cleaned everyone in front of him. Jamie clarke did well when he came on.
Mixed emotions for POR
http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/video-room/video/1/29966/
Interviews with Paddy O'Rourke, Steven McDonnell and Mal Mackin as Armagh beat Down in Croke Park to win the Allianz NFL Division II Title
http://armagh-gaa.com/Orchard-TV/News/AUDIO--Reaction-as-Armagh-win-NFL-Division-II.aspx
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 10:40:40 AM
AK who I thought were all pretty poor, how AK stayed on the full game is a mystery
I thought he looked shattered in the second half. Was standing trying to catch his breath a couple of times, and was beaten for pace fairly easily on a few occasions. Not like him to be found wanting for fitness, I'd say he picked up some sort of knock. Should've been replaced.
Quote from: JimStynes on April 25, 2010, 11:17:39 PM
Henderson hasnt a chance of getting a sniff because everyone on the armagh team just looks for Stevie and when Stevie is on fire then i suppose you cant blame them. I just feel Henderson gets a bad press even though he is making good runs but he is always the second option when Stevie is playing. I thought he was doing rightly in the first half.
I think that's a fairly lame defence to be honest. While I didn't think Henderson was that bad yesterday, getting on the ball a fair few times in the first half, he wasn't great either. It's worth pointing out that he was being marked by Dan McCartan, who is an average to poor intercounty corner back. Armagh will face much more talented corner backs in the coming months, and if Ryan can't perform against the likes of McCartan then I don't hold out much hope for him later in the year. As he continues to put in more and more of these types of average performances, I find it increasingly difficult to be convinced that he is actually capable of any better.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:02:36 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 10:40:40 AM
AK who I thought were all pretty poor, how AK stayed on the full game is a mystery
I thought he looked shattered in the second half. Was standing trying to catch his breath a couple of times, and was beaten for pace fairly easily on a few occasions. Not like him to be found wanting for fitness, I'd say he picked up some sort of knock. Should've been replaced.
Should be dropped more like.
MUCH has been made about the profile and regeneration of the Down and Armagh teams over the last few months. They're both young, ambitious and being constructed with an eye to the long-term future.
Yet for all the prosperity and youthful exuberance that exists between these rivals, it was the most experienced and decorated player on the field who ultimately separated them.
Steven McDonnell is simply too long winning big games for Armagh at Croke Park not to have a subtle feel for the place. He took the game by the horns right from the off, measuring the flight of James Lavery's free from the throwin to perfection, turning and arrowing over the opening point off his left foot just 13 seconds in.
This final was always mapped for McDonnell's instinctive predatory talents. He finished with six points, four of which had the hallmarks of some of his greatest days here.
Impressive
Down may have unveiled an impressive new defensive system during the group stages of the league that made them the meanest in all four divisions, but put them in Croke Park against a player of McDonnell's class and the true depth of their progress can be measured much more accurately.
In that respect, James McCartan will have to revisit the drawing board. How much their unfamiliarity as a team with Croke Park – by comparison to quite a few of the Armagh players – told is difficult to assess. But this was only their third senior match at headquarters since the 1994 All-Ireland final, all three ending in defeat.
Of course there was more to McDonnell that just sublime finishing. There was the constant threat he provided, the preoccupation the Down defenders had of his movements.
When Armagh were tearing themselves apart over a replacement for Peter McDonnell, Steven McDonnell who was one of those brave enough to make the leap of faith across the border into Down and support the case for Paddy O'Rourke. He played here as if he had part ownership of that decision.
As they stepped up the pace in the last quarter the impact of all three substitutes – Malachy Mackin, Stefan Forker and Jamie Clarke – was wholly evident. But it was McDonnell – nonplussed by the absence of his old sidekick Ronan Clarke once again after suffering a recurrence of his troublesome heel injury – who pulled all the strings.
"He's in better physical condition now and I must give that credit to Mike McGurn," acknowledged O'Rourke afterwards. "He's looked carefully at Stevie's training. He might not always be asked to do what a 20-year-old is doing but we tried to keep him fresh and get him ready for games."
McDonnell's class apart, it was an eminently enjoyable game, full of vigour and hard graft, great movement and scores with both sides excelling into the execution of the tackle.
By comparison to the showpiece Division 1 final it was much more intense. The law of the jungle applied throughout. A player who found himself in isolation was highly vulnerable. Space was at an absolute premium and the number of turnovers was consequently very high. In any audit the conclusion would have to be drawn that Armagh were more dominant physically.
"Some of our guys were getting personal attention they are going to get in the Ulster championship. They are going have to get used to it," admitted Down manager James McCartan afterwards.
"They didn't like it today, some of them, but if we are going to survive at this level we must get over that." It wasn't until that last quarter that it opened up in any way and Armagh found the openings. There were a couple of 'bottom lines' that applied to this final and they were weighted ever so slightly in Armagh's favour.
First was revenge. They had lost the group game in Newry quite easily (1-13 to 1-6) so their natural instinct would have to been to seek redress.
Second was the more recent historical element to it. Armagh have operated at a different level to Down for the last decade but their paths have rarely crossed. When they have, Armagh have had the edge. Thus they carry a superiority complex when it comes to Down football these days.
It was evident in the brisk start they made to this final, McDonnell's point quickly followed up by an Aaron Kernan free and a McDonnell '45 to frank their dominance. Gradually Down found a way into the game, adjusting to the settings of an environment they aren't used to.
Kaolan King had a decent spell at midfield, Martin Clarke linked the play well and kicked his frees even better and Daniel Hughes and Paul McCumiskey threatened without ever really penetrating.
Armagh's defence was resolute. Ciaran McKeever stepped back from the half-back line and played a sweeper's role effectively, Andy Mallon and the ever-improving Brendan Donaghy were on top of everything behind him.
Sublime
Still Down did manage to steal ahead as the break approached, Hughes landing an equaliser for 0-6 each before providing McCumiskey with the lead point on 32 minutes. But McDonnell wiped out the advantage in a sublime minute of extra-time action with two glorious points to send his side in 0-8 to 0-7 ahead.
For most of the second half, Armagh's movement and understanding just had more to it. McDonnell's fourth point from play on 43 minutes underlined that, with McKeever, Kieran Toner and Ryan Henderson stringing together the build up. Down's response was a goal out of nothing from Benny Coulter, who met the flight of a probing Clarke '45 with enough perfection and timing in the square to convince the umpires that it was legitimate.
But the advantage accrued from that, a 1-8 to 0-10 lead, was short-lived. Coulter would give them an advantage again later on with a point on 56 minutes but when McDonnell and Kernan exchanged to set up Stefan Forker for an impressive equaliser on 59 minutes they got a 'bounce' from it.
Mackin blazed through for two more points and earned a free for Kernan in a productive six minutes that had Down scrambling for a goal off a break from Dan Gordon. Their structure had disintegrated and to compound matters Daniel McCartan was red-carded at the end for an alleged stamp on Kernan.
SCORERS – Armagh: S McDonnell 0-6 (1f, 1 45), A Kernan 0-4 (4f), M Mackin, G Swift 0-2 each, S Forker, P Duffy, F Moriarty 0-1 each. Down: B Coulter 1-2, M Clarke 0-5 (5f), P Fitzpatrick, P McCumiskey, D Hughes, C Garvey, K King 0-1 each.
ARMAGH–P Hearty 6; A Mallon 7, B Donaghy 7, B Shannon 6; P Duffy 7, F Moriarty 7, C McKeever 8; J Lavery 6, K Toner 7; C Vernon 6, A Kernan 7, G Swift 7; B Mallon 5, R Henderson 5, S McDonnell 9. Subs: J Clarke 7 for Mallon (50), M Mackin 8 for Lavery (52), S Forker 7 for Henderson (56).
DOWN – B McVeigh 7; D McCartan 6, B McArdle 6, A Brannigan 6; K McKernan 6, J Colgan 6, C Garvey 7; P Fitzpatrick 6, K King 7;SKeraney5,MClarke7,DHughes7;PMcCumiskey6,JClarke 5, B Coulter 7. Subs: C McGinn 5 for Kearney, C Laverty 6 for J Clarke, D Gordon 5 for Fitzpatrick (47), R Murtagh for McCumiskey (65), K Duffin for McKernan (70).
REF – G O Conamha (Roscommon).
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 11:11:11 AM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:02:36 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 10:40:40 AM
AK who I thought were all pretty poor, how AK stayed on the full game is a mystery
I thought he looked shattered in the second half. Was standing trying to catch his breath a couple of times, and was beaten for pace fairly easily on a few occasions. Not like him to be found wanting for fitness, I'd say he picked up some sort of knock. Should've been replaced.
Should be dropped more like.
Easy to make bold statements like that, but in the absence of a standout replacement he's still the best option we have. The only viable alternatives I seen mentioned for CHF are Vernon and Mallon, and I'd be very suprised if either brought much more to the position than Kernan. Mallon has played there numerous times over the last few years with limited success. And knowing Charlie's penchant for 30 metre solo runs, I reckon his switch to the centre would result in even slower and less accurate ball into the FF line.
Kernan was decent in the first half yesterday, following up two very good displays against Tipperary and Donegal. As I said, for me he didn't look 100% in the second half, which perhaps explains the dip in performance.
Congratulations to Armagh, worthy winners on the day! With that said people seem to forget there was one kick between between them, and could have been different result!
I think both teams are on a similar level, and are sitting well for their Championship games! Down let themselves down in Croker yet again, but Wee James should still be commended-just didnt turn up on the day! Marty Clarke is the heart of that team, but i feel the slow build up kills his chances of playmaking!
Stevie McDonell seems to revel in Croker, joy to watch. 2/3 of Armagh scores in the league-unbelievable! With the exeption of frees, cant see where there gonna get scores! Clarke needs to get fit fast, because once McDonnell has an off day Armagh will lose!
All the best to both teams in Championship-hopefully get another go at Armagh with a worthy occasion in the Championship!
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:23:42 AM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 11:11:11 AM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:02:36 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 10:40:40 AM
AK who I thought were all pretty poor, how AK stayed on the full game is a mystery
I thought he looked shattered in the second half. Was standing trying to catch his breath a couple of times, and was beaten for pace fairly easily on a few occasions. Not like him to be found wanting for fitness, I'd say he picked up some sort of knock. Should've been replaced.
Should be dropped more like.
Easy to make bold statements like that, but in the absence of a standout replacement he's still the best option we have. The only viable alternatives I seen mentioned for CHF are Vernon and Mallon, and I'd be very suprised if either brought much more to the position than Kernan. Mallon has played there numerous times over the last few years with limited success. And knowing Charlie's penchant for 30 metre solo runs, I reckon his switch to the centre would result in even slower and less accurate ball into the FF line.
Kernan was decent in the first half yesterday, following up two very good displays against Tipperary and Donegal. As I said, for me he didn't look 100% in the second half, which perhaps explains the dip in performance.
If you are talking about the ball being released into the FF quickly then Kernan is hardly the answer
Who is then?
Where is Fearon?
Quote from: Man Marker on April 26, 2010, 11:54:53 AM
Where is Fearon?
Has he the vision to replace AK? :P
A nice day for me with my home county and adopted county top of the pops! While the were a few very good performances from Armagh men, Swift, Moriarty and McDonnell being the pick with Andy Mallon getting a special mention for the last 10 minutes when I think he was immense, I thought the whole way Armagh went about things was the most impressive thing. the style of football was good, the sharpness into tackles was fierce and there seems to be a coherence among the players that has been missing for a few seasons. Obviously new voices bring new ideas but the biggest thing that stood out for me was the condition of the Armagh players. They all seemed to be able to ship tacjkles and take hits pretty comfortably and also they could dole them out pretty well too!
A good pick up in prepartion for the Ulster Championship and if they were able to get over Derry there is an Ulster in this team. This would be a fine achievement at this atge of the teams development and would be a very realistic target if they win the Derry match.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on April 26, 2010, 12:05:04 PM
Quote from: Man Marker on April 26, 2010, 11:54:53 AM
Where is Fearon?
Has he the vision to replace AK? :P
A nice day for me with my home county and adopted county top of the pops! While the were a few very good performances from Armagh men, Swift, Moriarty and McDonnell being the pick with Andy Mallon getting a special mention for the last 10 minutes when I think he was immense, I thought the whole way Armagh went about things was the most impressive thing. the style of football was good, the sharpness into tackles was fierce and there seems to be a coherence among the players that has been missing for a few seasons. Obviously new voices bring new ideas but the biggest thing that stood out for me was the condition of the Armagh players. They all seemed to be able to ship tacjkles and take hits pretty comfortably and also they could dole them out pretty well too!
A good pick up in prepartion for the Ulster Championship and if they were able to get over Derry there is an Ulster in this team. This would be a fine achievement at this atge of the teams development and would be a very realistic target if they win the Derry match.
Id agree with that. Derry will be the biggest challenge
I would like to also say that O'rouke is making a fantastic impact on this team. He brought in some of the u-21 players just in time and the experience will hopefully spur them on.
Nice to get back on track yesterday. Stevie looked backed to his best, Nippy played well and looked comfortable in his position, Andy Mallon played well and i thought McKeever did rightly. Midfield i thought Down shaded it. Feeling positive about the summer nearly on us whether we take Derry or the scenic route. Next years league might throw up a great opportunity for a weekend away - Kerry or Cork away would be the one.
Mr O Leary, keep the flights at £3 a pop ya boy ya
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
Quote from: goldenyears on April 26, 2010, 11:18:33 AM
threat he provided, the preoccupation the Down defenders had of his movements.
When Armagh were tearing themselves apart over a replacement for Peter McDonnell, Steven McDonnell who was one of those brave enough to make the leap of faith across the border into Down and support the case for Paddy O’Rourke. He played here as if he had part ownership of that decision.
He's in better physical condition now and I must give that credit to Mike McGurn," acknowledged O'Rourke afterwards. "He's looked carefully at Stevie's training. He might not always be asked to do what a 20-year-old is doing but we tried to keep him fresh and get him ready for games."
It's a well known fact that after Grimley refused to take the post, it was McDonnell who pursued and then championed the appointment of Paddy O'Rouke, so the need to lead is a natural human reaction.
But it is a little known fact that although Armagh were famous for their weightlifting and mad Gym sessions during the noughties McDonnell largely ignored these, that is until this year, he started training before the squad even got back together and even just 4 weeks ago I heard he was still a level ahead of the rest of the panel as regards to the plan for the coming year.
Was it just me or was the Referee for the Armagh game very whistle happy when it came to contact, it seemed to be any player who lost their footing got a free, some great shoulder to shoulder hits got punished, any player surrounded got a free. This was in contrast to Paudie Hughes' interpretation in the Div 1 which seemed to allow for a more physical encounter. We dont want our manly game evolving into outdoor Basketball.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 12:49:29 PM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
I'd agree with most of that, although we want to hold on to possession and want to move away from the long aimless balls into Clarke, sometimes Aaron does overdo the soloing but you're right, he's the best player we have for CHF at the minute. While I'm a big Andy Mallon fan I wouldn't agree with some posters who thought he had a good game. He's not suited to marking a physically strong player like Coulter, he's not weak in the air like Heaney thinks but struggles against a physical presence like Coulter. The wee boy Laverty suited him down to the ground and he came to the fore then, thought Laverty was going to disappear up his own hole for a while.
For a young team I thought they responded brilliantly to a sickener of a goal and if they can pick up the resilience of the 99-05 era it wouldn't be a bad habit to get into.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 12:49:29 PM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
I know where you are coming from but i always thought John Mc held on to the ball too long when he played at 11 (cracking player that he was), cant help but feel AK is doing the same thing.
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on April 26, 2010, 01:31:56 PM
Was it just me or was the Referee for the Armagh game very whistle happy when it came to contact, it seemed to be any player who lost their footing got a free, some great shoulder to shoulder hits got punished, any player surrounded got a free.
It wasn't just you. Andy Mallon's perfectly executed shoulder on Colgan (I think) in the first half, which resulted in a free that Clarke subsequently struck over, was one of countless examples of Kinneavy's intolerance of physicality. I really wish that someone would inform some of these referees that it is possible for a player to go to ground
without a foul having been committed.
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
You are joking surely?
Dont forget, it wasnt that long ago when the Down fans turned their back on him. So dont be giving off about him turning his back on Down [which he hasn't].
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
Paddy owes Down nothing. Remember that it was Down that ran him. Should he sit in the house and do nothing? I'd say that he's hoping that a sucessful stint at Armagh might give him another shot at the Down job. Fair play to him I say.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 12:49:29 PM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
Cannot agree at all, if you look at yesterday's game again the best passing into the FF line came from the wing forwards, AK was a passenger, when he did get the ball I didn't see him making much use of it bar a sidewards fist pass, pish -pure and simple.Club loyalties aside i think the good from of Nippy and Vernon is disguising the fact that the CHF is not doing his job. Gerard O'kane (whom I would expect at 6) will devour AK.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 03:41:12 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 12:49:29 PM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
Cannot agree at all, if you look at yesterday's game again the best passing into the FF line came from the wing forwards, AK was a passenger, when he did get the ball I didn't see him making much use of it bar a sidewards fist pass, pish -pure and simple.Club loyalties aside i think the good from of Nippy and Vernon is disguising the fact that the CHF is not doing his job. Gerard O'kane (whom I would expect at 6) will devour AK.
But what are our options Benny, would you play Nippy or Vernon in CHF? Personally I wouldn't start shifting either of them about as both of them seem to be starting to believe that they belong on the county team. I don't think anybody's saying that AK is the perfect CHF but nobody else jumps out. AK seems to be getting grumpier on the field and getting involved in niggly sh1t on the field that he never has done before. Presumably borne out of frustration.
Down had plenty of possession yesterday but failed to utilise it in the manner which Armagh did!!! I would have tried Garvey on Stevie as he is a great reader of the game who has played kernan extremley well in both games this year.. in saying that though i think Ak is a great talent but he would be better in defence!!!
I have to stand up for Daniel McCarten though as i have played football with him througout school and seen him play for school , club, uni and county and he is not the kind of player who would intentially stamp on an opposing player!!! He should get the red card overturned as he was running forward and could not get out of the road!!!
QuoteI have to stand up for Daniel McCarten though as i have played football with him througout school and seen him play for school , club, uni and county and he is not the kind of player who would intentially stamp on an opposing player!!! He should get the red card overturned as he was running forward and could not get out of the road!!!
??? ??? ??? ??? ???
Quote from: T O Hare on April 26, 2010, 04:48:11 PM
Down had plenty of possession yesterday but failed to utilise it in the manner which Armagh did!!! I would have tried Garvey on Stevie as he is a great reader of the game who has played kernan extremley well in both games this year.. in saying that though i think Ak is a great talent but he would be better in defence!!!
I have to stand up for Daniel McCarten though as i have played football with him througout school and seen him play for school , club, uni and county and he is not the kind of player who would intentially stamp on an opposing player!!! He should get the red card overturned as he was running forward and could not get out of the road!!!
Think you're going to have to watch the TV replays again. If Ciaran McKeever had've done it I think the Gaaboard would've exploded with all the Down posts about it.
Quote from: T O Hare on April 26, 2010, 04:48:11 PM
Down had plenty of possession yesterday but failed to utilise it in the manner which Armagh did!!! I would have tried Garvey on Stevie as he is a great reader of the game who has played kernan extremley well in both games this year.. in saying that though i think Ak is a great talent but he would be better in defence!!!
I have to stand up for Daniel McCarten though as i have played football with him througout school and seen him play for school , club, uni and county and he is not the kind of player who would intentially stamp on an opposing player!!! He should get the red card overturned as he was running forward and could not get out of the road!!!
f**k me at least be honest about it, he stamped on the lad end of story. totally uncalled for.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
Well said. Agreed.
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
Quote from: stew on April 26, 2010, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
too young i fathered you ya ****.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
You're Mo Johnston analogy is very apt, he went across the hate line instead of being involved with his boyhood club and set about dominating Scottish soccer and winning trophies for the next 10 years, I'd like to think POR may help do that ;D
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on April 26, 2010, 07:43:14 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
You're Mo Johnston analogy is very apt, he went across the hate line instead of being involved with his boyhood club and set about dominating Scottish soccer and winning trophies for the next 10 years, I'd like to think POR may help do that ;D
Checkmate me thinks!
There has been some rubbish posted about the match since yesterday >:(As much as it pains me to say it Armagh deserved the win they looked fitter, hungrier,and more fluent in attack,so well done POR hope they gave you the deserved credit after all the initial crying about a Down man getting the Armagh job . MC Donnell was unmarkable at times yesterday ,fantastic player however i would be concerned for Armagh ( not really ) if he picked up an injury.
From a Down point of view M Clarke has played 8 or 9 games in three years so give the man time there is a lot more to come . Benny gave his usual effort yesterday ,again another goal to add to the tally is there anyone better currently at getting the 3 pointers ? Thought once he got into the game big King played well and looks a perfect foil for ambi or dan later in the season. I think to many Down fans however are getting carried away with the display , apart from R Clarke that was Armaghs Full team yesterday wereas we were missing D Raff, Ambrose, Gordon and Luke Howard and argueably one or two more. Our lack of experience in headquarters also told IMO and certain players just did nt step up on the day , combine this and the fact Armagh are 2 weeks closer to Championship Football we should nt lose sight of the improvement since last season. Lastly and most controversially I am sure Daniel Mc Cartan is kicking him self for the stamp at the end of the match but no one has mentioned onTV in the slow motion you can clearly see A Kernan deliberately land both knees in the middle of Dans chest on the way down so there are 2 sides to every story
Always nice to get a bit of silverware of any sort but the encouraging thing is the way the team is shaping up under the new management. Still a work in progress but the team has a hell of a lot more going for it than this time last year. Fair dues to O'Rourke and his management team. There have been small signs in this league of a decent team starting to come together (e.g. the Kildare game). Players are playing with a bit more confidence and freedom than has been the case the past few years and are starting to show at senior level the type of performances they gave at underage level. It was pleasing as well to see the 3 forward subs coming on and looking lively and dangerous. The wing backs and wing forwards have been doing very well for us this year so far - again, a big difference from last year. It's a pity that we didn't get the chance to see Ronan Clarke and Dyas in action in the league but hopefully they'll be fit to play a part in the championship. The team can head to Celtic Park now with some confidence. If Derry beat them it won't be due to a lack of effort on Armagh's part.
Despicable antics from Dan McCartan yesterday, stamping on a man whilst he is on the ground, if he done that to a man on the street he would be arrested, what he done can not be compared to McKeever tap on Clarke in the last match.
Great win for Armagh and to beat them when it matters more and in front of the whole country at Croker was even better.
Still livid that, that third rate county beat us in Newry no doubt if the ref had not have sent Finn Mo off we would have went on to win.
Down are still in our shadow.
as for thon tr@@p McKeever, what more would you expect from a pig other than a grunt.
Dunno maybe it was when mckeever stood on him? Had the kids with me tonight such a role model mckeever is.
Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time
due to that scum bag McKeever
That kn**ker should not be allowed to wear a jersey of any kind, he is a disgrace to his county
being a cynical s**mbag
these are just a very small handfull of things that were said about mckeever from the las game.i think we should change mckeevers name and put dan mccartan name in them posts above.if mckeever had of stamped on someone this form would of been on page 50 by now.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 07:39:28 PM
Quote from: stew on April 26, 2010, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
too young i fathered you ya ****.
Notice this man doesn't have a club... he's one of those shits who follows the county for about ten games a year and think they know it all
I agree with some things you said BUT when did down last get 10 games in a year? ;D
Paddy O Rourke is a football man, the fact he is from Down is not a bother.
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 02:40:05 PM
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on April 26, 2010, 01:31:56 PM
Was it just me or was the Referee for the Armagh game very whistle happy when it came to contact, it seemed to be any player who lost their footing got a free, some great shoulder to shoulder hits got punished, any player surrounded got a free.
It wasn't just you. Andy Mallon's perfectly executed shoulder on Colgan (I think) in the first half, which resulted in a free that Clarke subsequently struck over, was one of countless examples of Kinneavy's intolerance of physicality. I really wish that someone would inform some of these referees that it is possible for a player to go to ground without a foul having been committed.
I think it was Mallon in the second half on Comiskey which produced a free as well even though the shoulder was perfect. Yon referee should look at the game again and learn from his mistakes, this time
Quote from: John o connor on April 26, 2010, 09:21:35 PM
There has been some rubbish posted about the match since yesterday >:(As much as it pains me to say it Armagh deserved the win they looked fitter, hungrier,and more fluent in attack,so well done POR hope they gave you the deserved credit after all the initial crying about a Down man getting the Armagh job . MC Donnell was unmarkable at times yesterday ,fantastic player however i would be concerned for Armagh ( not really ) if he picked up an injury.
From a Down point of view M Clarke has played 8 or 9 games in three years so give the man time there is a lot more to come . Benny gave his usual effort yesterday ,again another goal to add to the tally is there anyone better currently at getting the 3 pointers ? Thought once he got into the game big King played well and looks a perfect foil for ambi or dan later in the season. I think to many Down fans however are getting carried away with the display , apart from R Clarke that was Armaghs Full team yesterday wereas we were missing D Raff, Ambrose, Gordon and Luke Howard and argueably one or two more. Our lack of experience in headquarters also told IMO and certain players just did nt step up on the day , combine this and the fact Armagh are 2 weeks closer to Championship Football we should nt lose sight of the improvement since last season. Lastly and most controversially I am sure Daniel Mc Cartan is kicking him self for the stamp at the end of the match but no one has mentioned onTV in the slow motion you can clearly see A Kernan deliberately land both knees in the middle of Dans chest on the way down so there are 2 sides to every story
There didn't seem to be 2 sides to the story when McKeever was hung after the Marshes!?
Heaney's giving Armagh the kiss of death in this morning's IN. Normally it's Derry he's blowing about at this time of the year and they fall flat on their faces at the first hurdle, think he's trying a bit of reverse psychology this year. The less articles about us in the papers the better.
Quote from: ogshead on April 26, 2010, 10:07:27 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 07:39:28 PM
Quote from: stew on April 26, 2010, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
too young i fathered you ya ****.
Notice this man doesn't have a club... he's one of those shits who follows the county for about ten games a year and think they know it all
you just stick to throwing your petrol bombs in dalton, i know you.
any news on Ronan Clarke
from the Indo
ARMAGH boss Paddy O'Rourke faces a nervous wait today on the results of a test on injured forward Ronan Clarke, with less than three weeks to go to the Ulster Championship opener against Derry.
Clarke made his long-awaited comeback from an Achilles tendon injury when he came off the bench in the last round of the league against Donegal, but he had to be pulled from last Sunday's Division 2 title win over Down after aggravating it again in a club game and is having a scan today.
"He had been back in full training for a fortnight and we felt we had held him back long enough so he played a full game for the club 10 days ago," O'Rourke explained.
"But as soon as he played a match, it flared up again."
Armagh are desperately hoping that this is not a substantial set-back but the fact that they sent him for a scan indicates they are worried.
"It doesn't seem to be too serious but we will not know until we get him scanned if he is going to be out for a period of time or could be back training on Thursday. Hopefully the latter is the case," said O'Rourke.
However, he admitted that if Clarke has to go back in a boot-cast "then he could be out for another five or six weeks".
The Orchard County pulled Clarke from the league final 48 hours beforehand as he woke up last Friday feeling pain in his Achilles again.
"The doctor just felt it was a massive risk and it is probably getting very close to the championship for him. We were very keen to get him on the field but we have to keep him healthy," O'Rourke added.
His only consolation, apart from Steven McDonnell's brilliant vein of form, is the rise of Gareth Swift and good back-up from super-subs like Malachy Mackin and Stefan Forker.
O'Rourke is insistent that his team are not dependant on their two marquee forwards and, apart from giving Aaron Kernan a new centre-forward role, has urged others to shoot more often.
"I have encouraged them to go for the score and just give them the confidence. Nobody is going to give off to any lad for missing. You have to give them the freedom to go out and do it and I think that once lads know that you want them to have a go, and that is okay if it doesn't work out for them, they will go for it," he said.
I can't see Ronan lining out against Derry, he just hasn't had enough game time. He was very rusty when he came on against Donegal and I reckon it'd take him a few club games to get back into the swing of things. It's a lot more important to have him 100% for the latter stages of the Ulster Championship and/or the qualifiers, so if he needs to be left out of the Derry match to be make sure of this, so be it.
Quote from: AFS on April 27, 2010, 02:05:42 PM
I can't see Ronan lining out against Derry, he just hasn't had enough game time. He was very rusty when he came on against Donegal and I reckon it'd take him a few club games to get back into the swing of things. It's a lot more important to have him 100% for the latter stages of the Ulster Championship and/or the qualifiers, so if he needs to be left out of the Derry match to be make sure of this, so be it.
Anyone starting the Derry thread?
I'd like to but my Irish isn't the best!!!!!
Quote from: ardmhachaabu on April 25, 2010, 09:04:06 PM
Not long home here, I'm happy with the way Armagh played today overall, their heads didn't drop for a second when they went behind and I was impressed with the way they kept battling to regain the advantage where once they would have been content with going in at half time 1 point down or even level.
A few comments on individuals;
Hearty's kickouts were varied and showed some intelligence today, he was at fault for the goal though
McKeever was superb today, he reminded me of Geezer at times
Finn Mo was my MOTM, his workrate and tracking back I felt were second to none and he proved that he can be very dangerous and tackle well
Mal Mackin had a chance for a goal but took the point
Henderson was fairly anonymous
Anyone know why Clarkie didn't start?
cant understand why you thought henderson was anonymous i was at the match front row of hogan & watched match later on tv, i thought henderson was out in front of his marker every time & set up numerous easy chances with good lay offs which resulted in at least four points, should have been more if the chances had been converted, only took one shot on he probaly shouldnt have, maybe he should have been more selfish & tryed for his own scores he would have gotten more recognition for that,
Quote from: gerryg on April 27, 2010, 05:25:48 PM
Quote from: ardmhachaabu on April 25, 2010, 09:04:06 PM
Not long home here, I'm happy with the way Armagh played today overall, their heads didn't drop for a second when they went behind and I was impressed with the way they kept battling to regain the advantage where once they would have been content with going in at half time 1 point down or even level.
A few comments on individuals;
Hearty's kickouts were varied and showed some intelligence today, he was at fault for the goal though
McKeever was superb today, he reminded me of Geezer at times
Finn Mo was my MOTM, his workrate and tracking back I felt were second to none and he proved that he can be very dangerous and tackle well
Mal Mackin had a chance for a goal but took the point
Henderson was fairly anonymous
Anyone know why Clarkie didn't start?
cant understand why you thought henderson was anonymous i was at the match front row of hogan & watched match later on tv, i thought henderson was out in front of his marker every time & set up numerous easy chances with good lay offs which resulted in at least four points, should have been more if the chances had been converted, only took one shot on he probaly shouldnt have, maybe he should have been more selfish & tryed for his own scores he would have gotten more recognition for that,
Agree 100%, the only shot he had was from a pass from Finn Mo when Finn had a better angle himself.
Quote from: charlieTully on April 27, 2010, 11:25:00 AM
Quote from: ogshead on April 26, 2010, 10:07:27 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 07:39:28 PM
Quote from: stew on April 26, 2010, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
You dont know enough to know fcuk all Charlie. :-*
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
too young i fathered you ya ****.
Notice this man doesn't have a club... he's one of those shits who follows the county for about ten games a year and think they know it all
you just stick to throwing your petrol bombs in dalton, i know you.
Quote from: mackers on April 26, 2010, 04:11:11 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on April 26, 2010, 03:41:12 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 12:49:29 PM
Quote from: haveaharp on April 26, 2010, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: AFS on April 26, 2010, 11:47:35 AM
Who is then?
My own preference would be Brian Mallon and if not him then Swift. I think you need a player there with some directness about them. Kernan holds on to the ball too long and allows defenders to funnell back. Id sooner see his brother playing there and thats saying something.
Fair enough, it seems you're not alone with this opinion. Though I'd wonder is this quick, direct ball a bit overrated. We've been using it for years and while it work back around 2002, success has dried up in recent times. Perhaps more measured, possession football is a better route to go down. It doesn't seem to have done us any harm so far this year, and McDonnell's form wouldn't suggest he has suffered through lack of ball. I'd be of the opinion that Kernan is playing an important role in this new system. In previous times the player in his position would have been under orders to release the ball into the FF line as quickly as possible, which resulted in a lot of shit 50/50 balls being thrown on top of Clarke in particular. Kernan seems to have more licence to take his time and make sure the ball is retained first and foremost, which allows the previously bypassed wing forwards and wing backs to join the attack.
Cannot agree at all, if you look at yesterday's game again the best passing into the FF line came from the wing forwards, AK was a passenger, when he did get the ball I didn't see him making much use of it bar a sidewards fist pass, pish -pure and simple.Club loyalties aside i think the good from of Nippy and Vernon is disguising the fact that the CHF is not doing his job. Gerard O'kane (whom I would expect at 6) will devour AK.
But what are our options Benny, would you play Nippy or Vernon in CHF? Personally I wouldn't start shifting either of them about as both of them seem to be starting to believe that they belong on the county team. I don't think anybody's saying that AK is the perfect CHF but nobody else jumps out. AK seems to be getting grumpier on the field and getting involved in niggly sh1t on the field that he never has done before. Presumably borne out of frustration.
My preferred option would be an in-form Brian Mallon at chf, but he's not in form and AK will play 11 in the championship, as always I hope he prove's the doubters wrong.
Things about the game (apart from the win) that brightened my day;
- Our defence
- the apparent return to form of Andy Mallon
- the definite continuing top form of S McDonnell
- the fact that we had 7 scorers and a total of 17 scores (a few years ago we were averaging 11 pts per game)
- Jamie Clarke
What I didn't like;
- Hearty's f><kin about - he's going to cost us dear someday soon
All in all, a great day at the office!
Quote from: Sandy Hill on April 27, 2010, 08:27:48 PM
Things about the game (apart from the win) that brightened my day;
- Our defence
- the apparent return to form of Andy Mallon
- the definite continuing top form of S McDonnell
- the fact that we had 7 scorers and a total of 17 scores (a few years ago we were averaging 11 pts per game)
- Jamie Clarke
What I didn't like;
- Hearty's f><kin about - he's going to cost us dear someday soon
All in all, a great day at the office!
Hearty costs us dear every year, he is a liability, he is prone to the major gaffe and his dead ball kicks couldnt find an Armagh man if his life depended on it.
Quote from: Goats Do Shave on April 27, 2010, 08:12:16 AM
Quote from: John o connor on April 26, 2010, 09:21:35 PM
There has been some rubbish posted about the match since yesterday >:(As much as it pains me to say it Armagh deserved the win they looked fitter, hungrier,and more fluent in attack,so well done POR hope they gave you the deserved credit after all the initial crying about a Down man getting the Armagh job . MC Donnell was unmarkable at times yesterday ,fantastic player however i would be concerned for Armagh ( not really ) if he picked up an injury.
From a Down point of view M Clarke has played 8 or 9 games in three years so give the man time there is a lot more to come . Benny gave his usual effort yesterday ,again another goal to add to the tally is there anyone better currently at getting the 3 pointers ? Thought once he got into the game big King played well and looks a perfect foil for ambi or dan later in the season. I think to many Down fans however are getting carried away with the display , apart from R Clarke that was Armaghs Full team yesterday wereas we were missing D Raff, Ambrose, Gordon and Luke Howard and argueably one or two more. Our lack of experience in headquarters also told IMO and certain players just did nt step up on the day , combine this and the fact Armagh are 2 weeks closer to Championship Football we should nt lose sight of the improvement since last season. Lastly and most controversially I am sure Daniel Mc Cartan is kicking him self for the stamp at the end of the match but no one has mentioned onTV in the slow motion you can clearly see A Kernan deliberately land both knees in the middle of Dans chest on the way down so there are 2 sides to every story
There didn't seem to be 2 sides to the story when McKeever was hung after the Marshes!?
Have to say now did nt see M Clarke thump the ribs of Mc Keever before hand did you ? As i said Dan will be kicking himself for reacting but look at the replay its clear to see why
well the result and the match we needed with Derry just around the corner. overall i was very pleased. armagh were fitter and really well coached. the lack of panic when they fell behind was very noticeable. Stevie is a legend, and mckeever does geezer to a tee, finnian mo is a class act reminds me of Tomas o Se, and now the best bit of all, 'Arron kernan was good' he worked his ass off released the ball quickly etc all the criticism over the league campain he simply blew it away. THIS is what we want! I still don't think hearty is the man he doesn't really look comfortable although the goal wasn't all his fault the buck stops with him, also we were gettin a roasting in midfield for most of the game and Paul didn't vary his kickouts enough that meant he put himself and his defence under more pressure . down were winning midfield and even they kicked short a few times. apart from coulter down were toothless, wee mccomisky did a bit but come championship and the inevitable hard hitting some defender will put him in a sandwich. what about mal mackin? out of the blue! great stuff, and just what he needed a confidence booster.
ps what about hearty kicking into the crowd on purpose for a change :D :D ::) hes great value i'll give him that
Quote from: charlieTully on April 27, 2010, 11:25:00 AM
Quote from: ogshead on April 26, 2010, 10:07:27 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 07:39:28 PM
Quote from: stew on April 26, 2010, 06:56:39 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: mournerambler on April 26, 2010, 05:50:58 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 26, 2010, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: passedit on April 26, 2010, 09:17:58 AM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on April 25, 2010, 09:20:25 PM
Very disapointed with the result but im sure the turn coat from Burren is happy enough winning a league where McDonnell has been outstanding.
Please tell me you're not serious.
should hope is he serious. o,rourke is a traitor. plian and simple. he should hand back his all Ireland medal.
I'd dare say you posted this to stir the sh-t Charlie & I wasn't going to respond but then I saw it was from a soccer head who's knowledge of Gaelic Games would be similar to your beloved Glasgow Celtic's trophy cabinet, so I thought I had to say something.
You really ought to catch a grip of yourself ffs, POR was nothing but loyal to his County as a player & manager & as far as i Know he literally begged the CB at the time for another year in the job.
POR owes his County nothing, the true Gaels of Down are proud of his achievements & wish him well in the future.
to put it in soccer parlance he is mo johnstone. a turncoat. and trust you mournerambler to take the bait, so predictable, i will retire now for another few months and then come back to annoy you some more. YOU c**k.
Stay retired you muppet, fair play to O'Rourke, I will tell you this, if McGeeney had managed Armagh, got the road and ended up going to Down I would wish him well, as long as he never won the fcukers the AI I would be fine with it and I could never wish that man ill, how you can talk about O'Rourke in those terms defies belief, I take it you are too young to remember big Paddy Gracing HQ in the red and black and winning AI titles for fun with Burren
too young i fathered you ya ****.
Notice this man doesn't have a club... he's one of those shits who follows the county for about ten games a year and think they know it all
you just stick to throwing your petrol bombs in dalton, i know you.
Your comment just proves you don't know me ::)
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
QuoteTG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
Wise move! Match implies a game where the outcome is in some doubt.
Quote from: drici on April 27, 2010, 11:50:10 PM
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
surely it is a copyright infringment calling cuchulainns a hurling club, your claim to fame is a div 4 feile title at under 14s. DIV 4 that is.
Quote from: lawnseed on April 27, 2010, 08:58:26 PM
and now the best bit of all, 'Arron kernan was good' he worked his ass off released the ball quickly etc all the criticism over the league campain he simply blew it away.
Interesting opinion.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 28, 2010, 05:42:59 PM
Quote from: lawnseed on April 27, 2010, 08:58:26 PM
and now the best bit of all, 'Arron kernan was good' he worked his ass off released the ball quickly etc all the criticism over the league campain he simply blew it away.
Interesting opinion.
I didnt think Aaron was the best player on the pitch or anything but I also felt he had a very good game. My brother who hadnt seen Armagh this year due to family and work commitments, felt he was easily the best player we have had in that position for 4 or 5 years
I thought he played well enough too - he used the ball well when he got it and was perfect from the frees. he used the ball a lot quicker as well which is an improvement as well. He'll not be the perfect CHF over night but I think he has the ability to be a sucess there. I also think the half back line is better this year as well
Quote from: charlieTully on April 28, 2010, 09:19:24 AM
Quote from: drici on April 27, 2010, 11:50:10 PM
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
surely it is a copyright infringment calling cuchulainns a hurling club, your claim to fame is a div 4 feile title at under 14s. DIV 4 that is.
try telling the group of young lads who play hurling in a largely football based area that the all-ireland they won is ONLY division 4.
hurling in armagh isn't exactly strong but a lot of work has been done in recent years and success like that should be applaueded not laughed at. Shows what a true GAA man you are. Now f**k off back to whatever hole you climbed out of!
Met Tony Fearon in croker after the game
He had a winning bet slip on Armagh
Quote from: pearseog on April 28, 2010, 06:33:13 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 28, 2010, 09:19:24 AM
Quote from: drici on April 27, 2010, 11:50:10 PM
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
surely it is a copyright infringment calling cuchulainns a hurling club, your claim to fame is a div 4 feile title at under 14s. DIV 4 that is.
try telling the group of young lads who play hurling in a largely football based area that the all-ireland they won is ONLY division 4.
hurling in armagh isn't exactly strong but a lot of work has been done in recent years and success like that should be applaueded not laughed at. Shows what a true GAA man you are. Now f**k off back to whatever hole you climbed out of!
The hurlers in the town have a proud history... including having played in Div 1 of the Antrim league!! This fella's is a p***k of the highest order and it's probably best to ignore him. He's just a glorified soccer supporter anyway
Quote from: ogshead on April 28, 2010, 09:50:26 PM
Quote from: pearseog on April 28, 2010, 06:33:13 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 28, 2010, 09:19:24 AM
Quote from: drici on April 27, 2010, 11:50:10 PM
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
surely it is a copyright infringment calling cuchulainns a hurling club, your claim to fame is a div 4 feile title at under 14s. DIV 4 that is.
try telling the group of young lads who play hurling in a largely football based area that the all-ireland they won is ONLY division 4.
hurling in armagh isn't exactly strong but a lot of work has been done in recent years and success like that should be applaueded not laughed at. Shows what a true GAA man you are. Now f**k off back to whatever hole you climbed out of!
The hurlers in the town have a proud history... including having played in Div 1 of the Antrim league!! This fella's is a p***k of the highest order and it's probably best to ignore him. He's just a glorified soccer supporter anyway
nothing like annoying the armagh scum to brighten up my day. :D
tut tut, ??? Giving abuse about a bunch of 14 year olds success, even though you know nothing about my club, but your comments do not annoy an Armagh scum like me, I just pity the mother that brought you into this world, pm me if you fancy a chat, I think you need some help!!
Quote from: charlieTully on April 29, 2010, 09:33:10 AM
Quote from: ogshead on April 28, 2010, 09:50:26 PM
Quote from: pearseog on April 28, 2010, 06:33:13 PM
Quote from: charlieTully on April 28, 2010, 09:19:24 AM
Quote from: drici on April 27, 2010, 11:50:10 PM
TG4 are showing the Armagh match again at the moment instead of Cork v Mayo.
surely it is a copyright infringment calling cuchulainns a hurling club, your claim to fame is a div 4 feile title at under 14s. DIV 4 that is.
try telling the group of young lads who play hurling in a largely football based area that the all-ireland they won is ONLY division 4.
hurling in armagh isn't exactly strong but a lot of work has been done in recent years and success like that should be applaueded not laughed at. Shows what a true GAA man you are. Now f**k off back to whatever hole you climbed out of!
The hurlers in the town have a proud history... including having played in Div 1 of the Antrim league!! This fella's is a p***k of the highest order and it's probably best to ignore him. He's just a glorified soccer supporter anyway
nothing like annoying the armagh scum to brighten up my day. :D
You obviously have a very sad life. More to be pitied.
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:58:23 PM
For a bit of divilment I had a look at the Armagh v Down thread from the match earlier in the League.
Here are some of the highlights;
Quote from: dodgy umpire on March 26, 2010, 11:15:10 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Down are the better team and would beat Armagh should they meet in the final. While it could be argued that Armagh would be better prepared to deal with Down should they meet, I believe that Down would go into the game confident and with the knowlege that they can beat Armagh (and by a big margin too), a feeling that none of these players will have had before. Were the game to be tight say in the 60th minute, this new belief would allow them to push on and secure victory. Then again, we may have finished the game off after 8 minutes anyway ;)
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 23, 2010, 08:31:15 PM
Are Westmeath Armaghs rivals now? Nothing like beating the oul neighbours, but its not much to brag about thesse days. ;D
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 08:35:41 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 21, 2010, 12:51:29 PM
Down are decent side on an upward curve but would anyone be genuinely afraid of meeting Down again in a league final or championship? I think not.
Obviously a seven point hammering and Down playing keep ball for the last twenty minutes wasn't enough for you.
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 11:06:44 AM
That may have only been a second division game last night, but Down are in a different league to Armagh. Its alright beating the likes of Donegal and Meath, but even the wee teams like Armagh have to be disposed off as well. Every aspect of last nights game has been covered over the last few pages, so I don't really need to add anything.
Quote from: Pangurban on March 20, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Great Down performance, in which every Man played his part. Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time, after his actions tonight. Armagh are a second rate outfit, reliant on too many old stalwarts whose best days are behind them. That along with a totally incompetent Manager, will ensure a short summer for them. As for Down, the future is Rosy, and the return of aristocratic football will be welcomed by all lovers of the game
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 20, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
Tony, first of all, Up your hole.
Secondly, a fairly comprehensive victory over a second rate outfit with limited ambition.Sluden did give us a lot in the first 20 although 8 up after 8 , when youse had 15, puts paid to the inevitable 'we only had 14 'argument. He did well to spot the first yellow for Moriarity against Kearney ( one James would have been proud of) and I didn't see the second but was told it was deserved.
Thirdly, I thought we had strong performers in the half back line, Kalum King is my man for MF, Maginn and Lavery were excellent off the bench and the Clarkes ,Kearney,Poland and Benny superb.
In the same way it takes 20 to win a game with our Mc Iver inspired gameplan, it takes different men to rise to the challenge in different games, and 7 points did not flatter us.
Finally, in the last quarter, if Sluden hadn't penalised us 4 times for silly handpass infringements we would have won by 10/12 points.
So , off to Mullingar we go and our opponents go back to the drawing board.
You can't beat the devilment
Quote from: Dubh driocht on June 06, 2010, 07:36:41 PM
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on April 25, 2010, 11:58:23 PM
For a bit of divilment I had a look at the Armagh v Down thread from the match earlier in the League.
Here are some of the highlights;
Quote from: dodgy umpire on March 26, 2010, 11:15:10 AM
There is no doubt in my mind that Down are the better team and would beat Armagh should they meet in the final. While it could be argued that Armagh would be better prepared to deal with Down should they meet, I believe that Down would go into the game confident and with the knowlege that they can beat Armagh (and by a big margin too), a feeling that none of these players will have had before. Were the game to be tight say in the 60th minute, this new belief would allow them to push on and secure victory. Then again, we may have finished the game off after 8 minutes anyway ;)
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 23, 2010, 08:31:15 PM
Are Westmeath Armaghs rivals now? Nothing like beating the oul neighbours, but its not much to brag about thesse days. ;D
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 08:35:41 PM
Quote from: bennydorano on March 21, 2010, 12:51:29 PM
Down are decent side on an upward curve but would anyone be genuinely afraid of meeting Down again in a league final or championship? I think not.
Obviously a seven point hammering and Down playing keep ball for the last twenty minutes wasn't enough for you.
Quote from: Trevor Hill on March 21, 2010, 11:06:44 AM
That may have only been a second division game last night, but Down are in a different league to Armagh. Its alright beating the likes of Donegal and Meath, but even the wee teams like Armagh have to be disposed off as well. Every aspect of last nights game has been covered over the last few pages, so I don't really need to add anything.
Quote from: Pangurban on March 20, 2010, 11:55:23 PM
Great Down performance, in which every Man played his part. Mc Keever is an absolute disgrace, and should not be seen on any Football field for a long time, after his actions tonight. Armagh are a second rate outfit, reliant on too many old stalwarts whose best days are behind them. That along with a totally incompetent Manager, will ensure a short summer for them. As for Down, the future is Rosy, and the return of aristocratic football will be welcomed by all lovers of the game
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 20, 2010, 10:35:46 PM
Tony, first of all, Up your hole.
Secondly, a fairly comprehensive victory over a second rate outfit with limited ambition.Sluden did give us a lot in the first 20 although 8 up after 8 , when youse had 15, puts paid to the inevitable 'we only had 14 'argument. He did well to spot the first yellow for Moriarity against Kearney ( one James would have been proud of) and I didn't see the second but was told it was deserved.
Thirdly, I thought we had strong performers in the half back line, Kalum King is my man for MF, Maginn and Lavery were excellent off the bench and the Clarkes ,Kearney,Poland and Benny superb.
In the same way it takes 20 to win a game with our Mc Iver inspired gameplan, it takes different men to rise to the challenge in different games, and 7 points did not flatter us.
Finally, in the last quarter, if Sluden hadn't penalised us 4 times for silly handpass infringements we would have won by 10/12 points.
So , off to Mullingar we go and our opponents go back to the drawing board.
You can't beat the devilment
;D :D