Lets get started. Would like to see Murtagh and Coulter together from the start. Assume Murdock will continue in nets, has wee James called any other keepers up? Avoid defet and I think Div 1 status would be safe.
murtagh def deserves to start again after playing really well the last day out. if benny is fit id assume lavery would be the one to miss out. murdock should start in nets but really needs to work on his kick outs as cork cleaned us out in midfield in AI final. the rest of the team prob wont be changed to much. this is obviously the toughest game so far and should give us a good indication of just how far this down team have come.
I know I'm in a minority here but if Benny is fit I wouldn't start Murtagh ;he brings more coming in to the game. Only other change would be Colgan to start in HB line. Brannigan has done well and gives his all but he will be forced to foul against Cork and Goulding will punish this.
How many of the Cork team were on the UCC panel ?
There were ten players from Cork on the team. The goalie was the only one that started against Monaghan. Think 2 more might be on the training panel.
i see mccartan was interviewed in the irish news there says he has a plan b for varying the kickouts this time, at least he had the balls to admit that, fair play if you ask me, have to say mccartans honesty is very refreshing
Quote from: Dubh driocht on March 07, 2011, 10:42:26 PM
I know I'm in a minority here but if Benny is fit I wouldn't start Murtagh ;he brings more coming in to the game. Only other change would be Colgan to start in HB line. Brannigan has done well and gives his all but he will be forced to foul against Cork and Goulding will punish this.
How many of the Cork team were on the UCC panel ?
If murtagh is dropped after the armagh performance id say he would be very demoralised, what does he have to do to get a start?!?
Colgan has impressed when he has come on this year...........as a midfielder, wouldnt have him anywhere near the half back line, he is seriously pushing king and fitzpatrick for a start in the middle though.
My 2 changes would be Garvey and Coulter for Brannigan and Laverty. And i have nothing against Kilcoo in case ur wondering MDG.
On the point about james honesty, id say he is honest when he wants to be with the media, he seems to know what he is saying all the time and savy in what he does and doesnt let the media know. Never bigs up the players or gives digs to the opposition, a bit like Mickey Harte in that regard.
Says on teletext Coulter doubtful with hamstring .Garvey should come in for Brannigan although i think Aidan has improved with each outing getting up and down the field in support although dodgy on the ball at times. Murtagh has to start won every ball that went in to him and scored 2 good points but tends to get himself killed at times by not getting rid of ball
I don't think who starts or who comes on is the most important issue. I see us as having at least 8-9 forwards that will be involved. As long as they are involved and contribute that's the important thing. Sure Danny, Marty and Benny would play the full 70 in all normal circumstances but McComiskey, Poland, Murtagh, Laverty, Maginn, and even J Clarke all have different things to add that could be important at different times in the game.
Quite possibly we shouldn't be looking for to find our best 6 but instead looking at the best way to get the maximum contribution out of our top 8-9 forwards and be expecting them all to play in every game.
It seems to me that James has that outlook.
Cadogan has opted for the footballers this weekend .
Quote from: marym on March 08, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
Cadogan has opted for the footballers this weekend .
Expect Down to finish with 14 men. That man would try the patience of Job!
QuoteExpect Down to finish with 14 men. That man would try the patience of Job!
And I thought it was only us humble Kerry folk who Eoin Cardigan wound up !!
Quote from: Kerry Mike on March 10, 2011, 09:35:27 AM
QuoteExpect Down to finish with 14 men. That man would try the patience of Job!
And I thought it was only us humble Kerry folk who Eoin Cardigan wound up !!
Eh? You're saying he never wound anyone up?
Quote from: Kerry Mike on March 10, 2011, 09:35:27 AM
QuoteExpect Down to finish with 14 men. That man would try the patience of Job!
And I thought it was only us humble Kerry folk who Eoin Cardigan wound up !!
Oxymoron
Some footballer though.He gave one of the best individuals displays in football seen for many a day against Monaghan.
Cadogan is an excellent footballer - is he the only man from Douglas in the panel ?
The Cork FB line will get a much harder time than they did in the AI final. Down's style of play has improved and is much more effective, Mc Comiskey was on fire in the final and friends of mine in Cork can't believe he hasn't tied down a regular starting place. I expect to see a lot of him on Saturday (although he may not start) and it is a sign of our strength that even if Benny is absent, we will give their defence plenty to think about.
This will be by far Down's hardest game (we let Mayo back into it ) but we will have added motivation to put in a big shift in Pairc Ui Rinn. A draw is a fair bet.
Quote from: western exile on March 10, 2011, 12:51:06 AM
Quote from: marym on March 08, 2011, 07:57:00 PM
Cadogan has opted for the footballers this weekend .
Expect Down to finish with 14 men. That man would try the patience of Job!
Where do you get that from? Because he was on the receiving end of a gouging by a self confessed serial gouger?
Or is the antrim hurler Watson that tried to start a fight with the entire cork team and was deservedly sent off?
Cadogan is a credit to the dual ethos of the GAA.
Alright lads, I'm heading to this match at the weekend and I was just wondering if there are any good bars close to pairc ui rinn to watch the arsenal-man u game before the main event?
Cheers in advance for all your help.
Quote from: John Martin on March 11, 2011, 11:46:16 AM
Alright lads, I'm heading to this match at the weekend and I was just wondering if there are any good bars close to pairc ui rinn to watch the arsenal-man u game before the main event?
Cheers in advance for all your help.
Is that on? :-\ I was hoping to catch the Ireland v. Wales 6Nations game at 5pm
Quote from: western exile on March 11, 2011, 01:06:02 PM
Quote from: John Martin on March 11, 2011, 11:46:16 AM
Alright lads, I'm heading to this match at the weekend and I was just wondering if there are any good bars close to pairc ui rinn to watch the arsenal-man u game before the main event?
Cheers in advance for all your help.
Is that on? :-\ I was hoping to catch the Ireland v. Wales 6Nations game at 5pm
Yeah, 5:15 kick-off for that match. Is there gonna be a pub nearby with facilities to show both the rugby and the soccer?
How many tolls is there on the way to cork now?
Quote from: Lazer on March 11, 2011, 04:25:48 PM
How many tolls is there on the way to cork now?
There's two from the Red Cow say, Abbeyleix and Fermoy, €1.80 each I think.
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on March 11, 2011, 04:33:30 PM
Quote from: Lazer on March 11, 2011, 04:25:48 PM
How many tolls is there on the way to cork now?
There's two from the Red Cow say, Abbeyleix and Fermoy, €1.80 each I think.
So thats 4 in total - M50 toll (€2.50 I think) and M1 (€1.90)
I'll probably go the quick way down on Saturday and home another way on Sunday!
Do Northeners actually get caught for not paying the toll? I mean do they actually manage to track people down?
Quote from: PAULD123 on March 11, 2011, 05:45:26 PM
Do Northeners actually get caught for not paying the toll? I mean do they actually manage to track people down?
The M50 is the only barrier free toll
Quote from: PAULD123 on March 11, 2011, 05:45:26 PM
Do Northeners actually get caught for not paying the toll? I mean do they actually manage to track people down?
you will more than likely get away without paying the m50 toll.
If you get billed it will be double.
i know people who live in dub with norn reg and never pay it.
but as a disclaimer its up to you.
Save yourself 6 quid, worth a try id say
Quote from: John Martin on March 11, 2011, 11:46:16 AM
Alright lads, I'm heading to this match at the weekend and I was just wondering if there are any good bars close to pairc ui rinn to watch the arsenal-man u game before the main event?
Cheers in advance for all your help.
I'm not too familiar with the watering holes around there John but there are a few close by alright. I'll see if I can find the name of a decent one for you but I may not get back to the computer before you've headed off.
Quote from: snoopdog on March 11, 2011, 09:11:20 PM
Quote from: PAULD123 on March 11, 2011, 05:45:26 PM
Do Northeners actually get caught for not paying the toll? I mean do they actually manage to track people down?
you will more than likely get away without paying the m50 toll.
If you get billed it will be double.
i know people who live in dub with norn reg and never pay it.
but as a disclaimer its up to you.
Save yourself 6 quid, worth a try id say
I've already got the car registered for the m50 toll - use it quite often so its easier, and they do follow up sometimes, but as far as I know they have no authority to actually get the money, they can send you the bill but you still don't have to pay!
Selected Down team v. Cork
Cathal Murdock (Boireann)
Gerald McCartan (Boireann)
Dan Gordon (Loch an Oileáin)
Luke Howard (Áth Bhriain)
Aidan Branagan (Cill Chua)
Kevin McKernan (Boireann)
Declan Rooney (Boireann)
Peter Fitzpatrick (Baile Mhairtín)
Kalum King (Áth Bhriain)
Daniel Hughes (Sabhaill)
Mark Poland (Cloch Fhada)
Conor Maginn (Áth Bhriain)
Conor Laverty (Cill Chua)
Ronan Murtagh (Baile Cholmáin)
Martin Clarke (An Ríocht)
Not much change from the last game
Quote from: Zulu on March 11, 2011, 09:50:18 PM
Quote from: John Martin on March 11, 2011, 11:46:16 AM
Alright lads, I'm heading to this match at the weekend and I was just wondering if there are any good bars close to pairc ui rinn to watch the arsenal-man u game before the main event?
Cheers in advance for all your help.
I'm not too familiar with the watering holes around there John but there are a few close by alright. I'll see if I can find the name of a decent one for you but I may not get back to the computer before you've headed off.
Try the Silver Keg beside the ground - good atmosphere for sport.
Lads for any of ye that can't make the game I will be doing live commentary on Five FM tonight. www.fivefm.co.uk
Quote from: laoisgaa on March 12, 2011, 12:32:47 PM
Lads for any of ye that can't make the game I will be doing live commentary on Five FM tonight. www.fivefm.co.uk
Thanks for the link Laoisgaa . Hope it goes well for you tonight .
Is the game on anywhere else ? I'm not getting onto Fivefm
Quote from: downredblack on March 12, 2011, 07:32:34 PM
Is the game on anywhere else ? I'm not getting onto Fivefm
wtf is wrong with 5fm >:( >:(
5FM not working for me either.
just got it on c103 and cork get a fecking goal
sounds like cork are well up for it,great commentary team
Any score lads??
goulding must be having a blinder
QuoteSome great kicking.
No better pair of teams to get a kicking.
Down playing much better football! If we could only stop conceding easy frees!
Total tanking. Great goals by Cork, especially O'Neills. Down seriously faded in the last quarter.
And that changes Down's scoring difference from +6 to -5. Bad day at the office, although they're unlikely to be in the relegation mix.
Quote from: Maguire01 on March 12, 2011, 09:07:09 PM
And that changes Down's scoring difference from +6 to -5. Bad day at the office, although they're unlikely to be in the relegation mix.
If they lose to Monaghan they could still get sucked in given their points difference - their last two games are Dublin and Kerry away.
Galway are going down, any one from Armagh, Monaghan, Mayo or Down could go with them.
Why is this game not on Setanta Ireland now?
A bit flattering to Cork, but a bit of collapse by Down nonetheless even taking the SO into account. Down need a FB to release Dan to MF where they are brutal.
Just back from game. Good contest for 50 mins but Down faded after second goal and did not look to be as fit as Cork. Down have problems at midfield and also give away silly frees. Still it searly season and they were not 11 points worse than Cork tonight.
(http://www.gaa.ie/content/images/news/cork/SheehanCiaran_v_Down.jpg)
Cork 3-17 Down 0-15
All-Ireland champions Cork finally rediscovered their goal-scoring touch to beat Down by 3-17 to 0-15 in an entertaining game at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.
With just one goal in their Allianz League campaign before tonight and having struggled to find the back of the net throughout their All-Ireland-winning run last year, the Rebels scored three fine goals to condemn the Mourne men to the first defeat in the League, ensuring they are now back on course to make the final of the competition for the second successive year.
Pearse O'Neill sent the Rebels on their way with a sixth minute goal that helped Conor Counihan's side to a 1-9 to 0-10 lead at the break, while Colm O'Neill and Paddy Kelly added a coat of gloss to the win with a pair of late goals.
It was dispiriting end to a game which Down contributed handsomely to, but the intricate forward play of the influential Mark Poland was not matched by the performance of the Mourne defence, which was guilty of giving Cork's forward far too much space.
In the end, Down finished the game with 14 men after Aidan Brannigan was sent off late in the game for raising his hand.
Cork's success was built upon their dominance in midfield, while man-of-the-match Daniel Goulding contributed 0-7 from play in the first half alone, although he failed to add to his tally after the break.
Down were two points ahead inside the first two minutes, as Ronan Murtagh and Poland gave James McCartan's side the perfect start to the game.
Goulding, however, gave off some early signs that he was in the right mood with a pair of frees to level the game in the fifth minute.
The Rebels seized the initiative when they grabbed the only goal of the first half a minute later, when Alan O'Connor once again won the ball in midfield and Paudie Kissane played Pearse O'Neill through on goal. The Aghada man stretched and drove the ball home.
Goulding finished the first half with seven points, including a fine effort from play after 16 minutes, which gave Counihan's side a four-point lead, 1-5 to 0-4. It was a brilliant first-half display from the Éire Óg man, who was Cork's match-winner in the All-Ireland final defeat of the Mourne men last September, when he scored 0-9.
Colm O'Neill and Goulding, his seventh, left the Rebels in a comfortable position as half-time approached, but Down had the last say of the opening period when Conor Laverty finished off a fine move to leave just two points, 1-9 to 0-10, in it at the break.
Down opened the second half in style and were level by the 40th minute, when Martin Clarke slung over a point from a free. Cork, however, gave the perfect riposte, hitting three successive points, with Kelly on target twice and Fintan Goold sending over his third of the game.
Aidan Walsh came on for a visibly flagging Nicholas Murphy to bolster the Cork midfield and the Kanturk man made an impact, driving over a fine point from play before Cork made the decisive burst for the line in the 57th minute.
Noel O'Leary delivered a long ball into Colm O'Neill in the full-forward and the big St Colum's man turned sharply to drive home a superb goal.
Down were reduced to 14 men in the closing stages when Brannigan was sent off, while Cork finished with a flourish and a Kelly goal with practically the last play of the game gave them a 3-17 to 0-15 win.
An epic, where Down were just undone by an every so slightly superior Cork outfit in the closing quarter.
Red card was a joke - more of a slight push off so he could get the free taken rather than anything serious. Yellow card at most.
Some strange stuff went on tonight - thankfully it didn't come down to Fitzpatrick's 'point' in the end.
Did any of ye catch my commentary after - didn't know there was an issue with audio problems on the website.
No way is there 11 points between these 2 sides.
Quote from: orangeman on March 12, 2011, 10:52:42 PM
No way is there 11 points between these 2 sides.
No, it was indeed 3-17 to 0-15 for Cork.
It was depressing to get such a hammering at the end of a game where we were in with a good chance going into the final quarter, but we need to take some lessons on board. Our kick-outs are beyond a joke, and must be addressed. While it would be wrong to blame Murdoch in his first league start, he did more or less the same as McVeigh in directing most of them straight to a beaten midfield. Our management team have done fantastically well over the last 14 months, but it is hard to understand how they allow this to happen. Take them short if you can, push them down the wings if necessary, but don't put them down the throats of a rampant opposition.
Although Cork are already AI champions and still improving, we made it fairly easy for them in the end. We largely dominated in the first half, but we kept giving Goulding the sort of frees which he very seldom misses. This is again fairly basic stuff. A forward on the ball under pressure has less than a 50/50 chance of scoring. If we tug at his jersey or hang off his neck, Goulding will put the free over nine times out of ten.
Conceding 3-17 is alarming, even against a fine side, and it is difficult to remember a worst total against us in league or championship for many years. The frustrating aspect is that 15 points at the other end is a more than reasonable effort away from home and could win most matches at this stage of the seasonn.
Assessing performances on television is a bit risky, but Murdoch started brightly, and had the boost of a 45 right over the black spot before his kick-outs fell apart late on. McCartan is looking like the find of the league, and has the knack of keeping out of the action but giving his man very little space. Howard struggled, and may be one of a number heading for the bench. Big Dan had some decent moments but the free he hit straight to Goulding seemed to ruin his confidence and Cork sussed that he is much more vulnerable to the low rather than the high ball.
Rooney got his usual point, and pushed up well, but was not as effective as he can be. McKernan got a wonder point, but lacked concentration and a foolish lift off the ground summed up his night, Brannigan can compete for broken possession but has little composure or discipline. His punch for the red card was pretty stupid, and may effectively finish his season.
King's fitness has become a major concern, and Ambrose cannot come back quickly enough. Fitzpatrick is brilliiant going foward but, apart from one outstanding catch, wins very little primary possessiion.
Hughes and Poland had simiilar evenings, mixing great flair with strange errors. Poland's missed 20m free cost us dearly, as it stopped our momentum during a key passage, but he always works his socks off, and Hughes will get better on the firm grounds. Marty had great moments in the first half but he did not appreciate taking on O'Leary in the second period and it was eventually his worst fade-out since Casement Park against Tyrone last summer.
Maginn pops up everywhere but was not as effective as he can be and had little impact when the game slipped away from us. Murtagh looked great early on, and, even though a typical piece of over-carrying resulted in a score for them rather than us, was unfortunate to be replaced. Laverty also had decent spells and it was questionable that he was withdrawn.
Our use of subs has been excellent in division one to date but made little difference tonight. Colgan and John Clarke barely touched the ball, while McComiskey missed his only opportunity badly. Garvey was not great, but is almost certain to start against Monaghan ns what has suddenly become a big test.
A point should keep us up, but a defeat, with trips to Dublin and Kerry following and our scoring difference swinging into the red, would be a big setback. This is a year which is still capable of going in very different directions, so, while tonight was a bad day at the office, we are still probably just about ahead of schedule.
Midfield won it again for Cork. Also Marty Clarke seems to find it very hard to cope with Noel o ' Leary.
I know Cork were in South Africa for most of Janurary. Just wondering were Down away as well. Felt that they did not have the same level of fitness as Cork in the 2nd half
Quote from: laoisgaa on March 12, 2011, 10:40:17 PM
Red card was a joke - more of a slight push off so he could get the free taken rather than anything serious. Yellow card at most.
Looked like a strike to me.
Quote from: Maguire01 on March 13, 2011, 08:52:59 AM
Quote from: laoisgaa on March 12, 2011, 10:40:17 PM
Red card was a joke - more of a slight push off so he could get the free taken rather than anything serious. Yellow card at most.
Looked like a strike to me.
On the strict reading of the rules it was a strike and the man deserved to go though I have to say the Cork man when down like he was shot and I didn't think there was that much force in it.
35 scores in 70 min is some going. Great down support, game had good atmosphere for a league game.
Down didnt deserve to lose by that much, some of their forward play was sublime.
Back to the drawing board for the defence. Midfield again a problem. Too much overplay of the ball by the forwards.
Murdock 7 Not to blame for the goals, Kick outs good and then very bad.
McCartan 7 Best of the fb line, did a good job all night
Gordon 5 Bit of a roasting at times, I still can't believe we are persisiting with him at 3
Howard 5 Started well and then seemed all at sea for rest of his time on pitck
Brannigan 7 Not my cup of tea but was competing & doing reasonably well until harsh sending off.
McKernan 6 Back to the same problem - he is great on the ball & going forward but you can drive a truck down the middle of our hb line
Rooney 6 Below par and was run ragged at times
King 7 Better than some are giving him credit for - gave Murphy plenty of his own medicine to stem his influence & swept up a loy of ball
Fitzpatrick 7 Still a way to go but I rate this player and he will be a fixture in this team - prone to lose possession at times but gives it all
Hughes 5 Worst game for a long time as Kissane harried him everywhere
Poland 7 Probably our best player although one free was a bad miss
Maginn 5 Ran all night but not very effective. Can we afford him & Poland in same team?
Laverty 7 Surpassed my expectations and was one of our better performers
Murtagh 7 Now that he is starting games he is drifting back to his old habit of holding on to the ball too long and ontwo occasions it was lost and led directly to crucial Cork scores. If he could cure this he is a great asset.
Clarke 6 His point was pure class and he looked on top of his game in the first half. When O'Leary took him on he seemed to lose appetitie. Had a por second half and should have been substituted earlier.
I give my top award to the Down supporters who travelled in such significant numbers and very few of whom left early desite the game being over wuth 10 to go.
although theres no way are 11pts worse than cork, to concede 3-17 is v alarming. midfield was cleaned out again. cork seemed much fitter in all areas of the field. downs defensive unit were poor apart perhaps from mc cartan, too many easy frees conceded. kick outs were poor again, im wondering were any lessons learned from AI final.in the last 2 games marty hes been dominated by his marker, mc keever and o leary and seemed to fade in both these games and become less of an influence. next weeks game is massive and might just determine if we stay up or not.
Down, like against Mayo ran out of steam with 15-20 minutes left. They are not at the same fitness levels as some counties yet. i think we will just about take Monaghan next sat night but the Dubs are flying and are super fit already, Down will prob stay wih them for a bit longer as it will be a few weeks further down line.
I think Big Dan is wasted in Defence, you play your best players in their best positions he would be much more of an asset for Down at MF.
Him and Ambrose would be very hard to beat in the middle and oif your winning high % in middle you will win most games Down are winning most games without dominating the middle so imagine what could be achieved with our best 2 in the centre.
James cant let this go on any longer surely King or Fitz could swap with Dan.
An awful lot of negativity on here. Lets take stock and think about where we have come from since the disaster days in fermanagh and wicklow just 2 short years ago. We are now giving the best team in ireland a game of it for 55-60 mins before running out of steam, something that i wouldnt get too worried about in the middle of march.
For the first time in years i can say with confidence that we are well inside the top 8 teams in the country. If u take out Cork, Kerry and Dublin I would have confidence that we can beat any team in the country. An ulster title should be our aim this year.
On the game itself I feel a bit sorry for both the keeper and the midfielders. With none of the half forward line anywhere near 6ft the options other than to hit it straight down the middle are limited. Perhaps given his size Rooney should be showing himself as an option on the wings more but hughes, poland,mcginn or clarke are not going to win their own ball. Id play coulter in the half forward line when fit to win dirty ball and provide another option at kickouts.
Id stick with what we have at midfield, Dan has generally been excellent at FB even though he was given a bit of a roasting last night. The way i look at it is what is the alternative at full back and what is the alternative at midfield. We can play fitzpatrick, king and ambrose when he is fit at midfield instead of dan but who is the alternative at FB, the idea of King at FB is funny!!!!
Unlike previous games the subs didnt work out last night, IMO having mccumisky and laverty in the full forward line was wrong,one or the other not both and colgan, garvey or clarke didnt have much of an impact.
For me changes for next week would be Garvey for Brannigan and coulter for mcginn if fit.
Finally and i didnt think id be saying this but we missed dan mccartan last night!!!
Quote from: whitegoodman on March 13, 2011, 01:25:41 PM
Finally and i didnt think id be saying this but we missed dan mccartan last night!!!
As a Daniel-sceptic I have to agree. His steely determination has lifted other players who maybe have greater footballing skills but certainly not as much grit. Rafferty also a big miss. In my assessment I hope i wasn't full of negativity just calling it like it is. Back to the drawing board on full back and while KK may not have 70 mins in him at midfield at this stage he gives all in his shift and was far from at fault last night. Would love to see by championship time a midfield pairing of KK and Dan with Ambrose roving in fromm a wing half forward position to give it that bit extra.
Team for Armagh subject to fitness:
McVeigh
McCartan D, Rooney, Rafferty
McKernan, Garvey, Howard
Gordon, King
Hughes, Poland, Rodgers
Murtagh, Coulter, Clarke M
Quote from: PAULD123 on March 11, 2011, 05:45:26 PM
Do Northeners actually get caught for not paying the toll? I mean do they actually manage to track people down?
Don't bother paying it, I'm up and down at least once a month and I haven't been billed yet.
Great to see the supporters down in their droves, all the Cork people I was talking to thought it was fantastic that there was that level of support. The goals won it for Cork last night, the scoreline definitely does not reflect the match. Would love to see Alder in the nets against Monaghan.
Interesting team Leo.
On current form i would have gerrard mccartan on before Howard. I would also keep dan at fb as think he is the best option we have there and has had more good days than bad days in that position.
Think if ambrose is fit he has to play in the centre and midfield would be the position id play him. Remember POR and Ross both trying him on the wing and he struggles to get into games playing there IMO.
My team for the armagh match for what its worth
McVeigh
D McCartan, Gordon, Rafferty
McKernan, Rooney, Garvey
King, Ambrose
Hughes, Poland, Coulter
McCumisky, Murtagh, M Clarke
all in all poor night saturday. Dont think big Kalum or Peter were as bad as they are being painted. At the end of the day there isnt many other options in this sector although when colgan came on i would of put king in at full forward as another option of kicking the ball in. Gordon might win a few balls at midfield alright but i dont think he would do the work up and down the field that fitzpatrick does. Dont think Rooney at full back would be the answer he played there before with limited success better out the field. Defence really needs Daniel back as he organises them all even K Mc Kernan and would not leave Gordon as exposed as he was at times the other night Gerald Mc Cartan done well and gets up the field to support the forwards There is no goal threat when Benny is not advailable more chance of getting a goal from Fitzpatrick .Thought O Learys tackle on Poland was desperate and should of been red worst than what Brannigan did imo