I think this fixture is now inevitable.
Can Meath get the show on the road again? It isn't so long ago that Wexford shocked Armagh in a quarter final having been hammered by Dublin in the Leinster final. In that case Wexford had a game to get organised and probably Armagh underrated them, but also Wexford deep down didn't expect to do well against Dublin and this might not be the case for Meath. Armagh should not underestimate Meath, who have proved tough nuts on numerous occasions. Armagh are not Dublin, but the likes of Jamie Clarke would find space in the Meath defence on show today.
Given our slide into Division3, we have no business underestimating the Navan boys' U-9 'B' team.
Ideal game all the same,against a team we beat away from home during a disastrous league season.Confidence bound to be high in Armagh camp after yesterday,every chance of avenging 1999
Armagh can take another bite out of Meath.
The battle of the Tayto's.
Quote from: BennyCake on July 20, 2014, 05:16:01 PM
The battle of the Tayto's.
The Ashbourne crowd seem to have already sabotaged the real Tayto website (http://www.tayto.com)
When is this game?
Quote from: thejuice on July 20, 2014, 05:33:53 PM
When is this game?
I would expect it on Saturday 2 August. Meath have the advantage the A and B system designed to give them 2 weeks t recover from Leinster final.
August 2015 I hope.
The winner to face Donegal in the quarter final?
Quote from: Captain Obvious on July 20, 2014, 05:47:11 PM
The winner to face Donegal in the quarter final?
Yes. Quarter finals will be:
Donegal v Armagh/Meath
Dublin v Kildare/Monaghan
Armagh may think they will win this based on Dublin hammering Meath. But if Armagh were there today they would have faced the same result. Look at who Dublin have turned over easily since the League semi-final and think are these teams any lesser football teams than Armagh? The extra week will give Meath time to recover and this will be a close match!
Quote from: JP on July 20, 2014, 06:25:35 PM
Quote from: Captain Obvious on July 20, 2014, 05:47:11 PM
The winner to face Donegal in the quarter final?
Yes. Quarter finals will be:
Donegal v Armagh/Meath
Dublin v Kildare/Monaghan
If Armagh and Kildare were both to win, I think a draw would be needed?
Neutral venue or do Meath get a home draw as beaten Provincial finalists?
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on July 20, 2014, 06:42:28 PM
Neutral venue or do Meath get a home draw as beaten Provincial finalists?
Apparently at Croke Park
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on July 20, 2014, 06:42:28 PM
Neutral venue or do Meath get a home draw as beaten Provincial finalists?
Neutral venue. Act like ye've been here before, lads.
it will be in croke park on either sat evening aug 2nd or sunday august 3rd.
mayo v armagh in minor q/final may be played same day/evening. It is possible that the GAA may schedule them on same day, which means this could could be part of a treble header.
Mayo v Armagh
Armagh v Meath
Mayo v Cork/Sligo
Quote from: joemamas on July 20, 2014, 06:51:52 PM
it will be in croke park on either sat evening aug 2nd or sunday august 3rd.
mayo v armagh in minor q/final may be played same day/evening. It is possible that the GAA may schedule them on same day, which means this could could be part of a treble header.
Mayo v Armagh
Armagh v Meath
Mayo v Cork/Sligo
Jez that'd be one long day in Croker for Mayo supporters and most of us have to go back home after that!
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 20, 2014, 06:56:54 PM
Quote from: joemamas on July 20, 2014, 06:51:52 PM
it will be in croke park on either sat evening aug 2nd or sunday august 3rd.
mayo v armagh in minor q/final may be played same day/evening. It is possible that the GAA may schedule them on same day, which means this could could be part of a treble header.
Mayo v Armagh
Armagh v Meath
Mayo v Cork/Sligo
Jez that'd be one long day in Croker for Mayo supporters and most of us have to go back home after that!
And there's no street lighting in the bogs either.
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
May be only way GAA can get croke park one third full that weekend, either that or garff B decides to show up and do a set between the games.
Sorry to hijack thread, but it does seem logical from a mayo and armagh angle, but then again logic and the GAA..............
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
We usually stick it behind the stand on match-days but we set it up at the stand entrance so ye could get a good look at it. Plus the players could see it from the field. Probably distracted them with all that gleaming chrome.
Has to be a triple header in Croker (3 is the magic number these days) as was the case in 2011 with Armagh minors unlucky to lose to Roscommon, followed by Roscommon snrs unlucky to lose to Tyrone and the final game being the memorable Donegal V Kildare clash which was settled by Cassidy's mammoth point at the end of extra time.
Quote from: T Fearon on July 20, 2014, 07:58:11 PM
Has to be a triple header in Croker (3 is the magic number these days) as was the case in 2011 with Armagh minors unlucky to lose to Roscommon, followed by Roscommon snrs unlucky to lose to Tyrone and the final game being the memorable Donegal V Kildare clash which was settled by Cassidy's mammoth point at the end of extra time.
I hope this is the case, if it is
mayo v armagh
armagh v meath
mayo v cork/sligo
Then Mayo V Cork/Sligo would have to be moved from sunday, should not be such a big deal.
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 06:50:35 PM
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on July 20, 2014, 06:42:28 PM
Neutral venue or do Meath get a home draw as beaten Provincial finalists?
Neutral venue. Act like ye've been here before, lads.
Lol. Very good
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 06:50:35 PM
Quote from: Armaghtothebone on July 20, 2014, 06:42:28 PM
Neutral venue or do Meath get a home draw as beaten Provincial finalists?
Neutral venue. Act like ye've been here before, lads.
We have been here once before, but it was 11 years ago, so something of a distant memory.
I'm sick of Croke Park.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 21, 2014, 12:30:57 PM
I'm sick of Croke Park.
We fully intend to ensure you dont have to go to often this summer.
IF the GAA do actually put Mayo/Armagh double/tripleheader together,I won't be there to get T Fearon's autograph. The girlfriend has a holiday booked. :'(
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2014, 01:03:30 PM
IF the GAA do actually put Mayo/Armagh double/tripleheader together,I won't be there to get T Fearon's autograph. The girlfriend has a holiday booked. :'(
Would it be fair to say that said girlfriend has no interest in Gaelic football. setting a dangerous precedent in my opinion.
I assume that there will be an investigation into the incidents yesterday akin to Armagh against Cavan or will the ccc accept the referee`s report?
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
I would hope there would be some sort of backlash in this team.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 21, 2014, 02:06:44 PM
I would hope there would be some sort of backlash in this team.
I'm sure they'll bite back.
5-00pm on Saturday 2nd August in Croke Park.
(Kildare v Monaghan at 7-00pm)
Quote from: Hardy on July 21, 2014, 02:02:33 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
That isn't 1/1.
So?
I haven't seen much of Armagh this year are they any use?
Quote from: Jinxy on July 21, 2014, 03:19:10 PM
I haven't seen much of Armagh this year are they any use?
They've done nothing of consequence other than beating Meath in the League.
We owe you one so.
Quote from: drici on Today at 02:54:50 PM
5-00pm on Saturday 2nd August in Croke Park.
(Kildare v Monaghan at 7-00pm)
Garff Brooks to sing a few between games, as methinks it will the only way there will be 25k plus present.
Mayo Minors v Armagh as part of a treble header on Sunday, but seniors don't play Cork until 4pm. As they say, you cannot make this up. They must really dislike Armagh, that they could not put on two games same day. I am sure there will be some silly excuse.
Quote from: joemamas on July 21, 2014, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: drici on Today at 02:54:50 PM
5-00pm on Saturday 2nd August in Croke Park.
(Kildare v Monaghan at 7-00pm)
Garff Brooks to sing a few between games, as methinks it will the only way there will be 25k plus present.
Mayo Minors v Armagh as part of a treble header on Sunday, but seniors don't play Cork until 4pm. As they say, you cannot make this up. They must really dislike Armagh, that they could not put on two games same day. I am sure there will be some silly excuse.
Mayo are playing on the Sunday so they are doubling up for the furthest away County who are also ( unfortunately :'( :-\) Provincial champions.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 21, 2014, 04:02:27 PM
Quote from: joemamas on July 21, 2014, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: drici on Today at 02:54:50 PM
5-00pm on Saturday 2nd August in Croke Park.
(Kildare v Monaghan at 7-00pm)
Garff Brooks to sing a few between games, as methinks it will the only way there will be 25k plus present.
Mayo Minors v Armagh as part of a treble header on Sunday, but seniors don't play Cork until 4pm. As they say, you cannot make this up. They must really dislike Armagh, that they could not put on two games same day. I am sure there will be some silly excuse.
Mayo are playing on the Sunday so they are doubling up for the furthest away County who are also ( unfortunately :'( :-\) Provincial champions.
Imagine the scene: Cian and Andy side-by-side on some open-back wagon lifting Markham and Sam in the Square and confused Rossies in Ballagh cheering. I wanted AIs to come home but this isn't how I imagined it.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 21, 2014, 04:02:27 PM
Quote from: joemamas on July 21, 2014, 03:59:36 PM
Quote from: drici on Today at 02:54:50 PM
5-00pm on Saturday 2nd August in Croke Park.
(Kildare v Monaghan at 7-00pm)
Garff Brooks to sing a few between games, as methinks it will the only way there will be 25k plus present.
Mayo Minors v Armagh as part of a treble header on Sunday, but seniors don't play Cork until 4pm. As they say, you cannot make this up. They must really dislike Armagh, that they could not put on two games same day. I am sure there will be some silly excuse.
Mayo are playing on the Sunday so they are doubling up for the furthest away County who are also ( unfortunately :'( :-\) Provincial champions.
I would say part of reason they are playing Mayo seniors at 4, is that if they played at 2 and decided to leave after their game, they might be shag all left in stadium.
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 04:13:28 PM
Mayo are playing on the Sunday so they are doubling up for the furthest away County who are also ( unfortunately :'( :-\) Provincial champions.
Imagine the scene: Cian and Andy side-by-side on some open-back wagon lifting Markham and Sam in the Square and confused Rossies in Ballagh cheering. I wanted AIs to come home but this isn't how I imagined it.
[/quote]
For fcuk Syfín cop yourself on.
The only ones cheering will be silly you and the Ballagh traitors.
The real Rossies will be indifferent/angry/jealous or whatever as they go about their daily lives and ignore the Rhufest ( which won't happen at Senior level anyway).
Back to the subject of the thread -Armagh to win this one and set up a hammering by Dublin.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 21, 2014, 04:24:40 PM
Back to the subject of the thread -Armagh to win this one and set up a hammering by Dublin.
It is unclear to me if there could be a draw. If Armagh and Kildare win is there a draw for the QFs or not?
If either Meath or Monaghan win there cannot be a draw.
I'd expect Monaghan to win in any case and so ensure that Armagh play Donegal where a modest beating would not be too damaging to morale.
yes if Armagh and Kildare both win there will be a draw for the QF
Yay I can be on the hill for this game, its been bloddy ages since I got there last!
This game will need a strong ref.
I believe Armagh are very rough this year.
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 02:58:49 PM
Quote from: Hardy on July 21, 2014, 02:02:33 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
That isn't 1/1.
Well Syphilis 1/1 and 4/5 is pretty close and the bookies are usually a good indicator to the levels the teams are at as they very rarely get it wrong...Meath will be hurting after yesterday's game and will def be looking to show their fans that they are better than that
Quote from: illdecide on July 21, 2014, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 02:58:49 PM
Quote from: Hardy on July 21, 2014, 02:02:33 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
That isn't 1/1.
Well Syphilis 1/1 and 4/5 is pretty close and the bookies are usually a good indicator to the levels the teams are at as they very rarely get it wrong...Meath will be hurting after yesterday's game and will def be looking to show their fans that they are better than that
I like Syferus, but had a good laugh at that.
Quote from: illdecide on July 21, 2014, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 02:58:49 PM
Quote from: Hardy on July 21, 2014, 02:02:33 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
That isn't 1/1.
Well Syphilis 1/1 and 4/5 is pretty close and the bookies are usually a good indicator to the levels the teams are at as they very rarely get it wrong...Meath will be hurting after yesterday's game and will def be looking to show their fans that they are better than that
Maybe 'warm' gave you the wrong impression but Armagh were always going to be favourites after the hammering Dublin dished out yesterday. I can see the odds drifting further over the next two weeks too.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 21, 2014, 04:33:59 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on July 21, 2014, 04:24:40 PM
Back to the subject of the thread -Armagh to win this one and set up a hammering by Dublin.
It is unclear to me if there could be a draw. If Armagh and Kildare win is there a draw for the QFs or not?
If either Meath or Monaghan win there cannot be a draw.
I'd expect Monaghan to win in any case and so ensure that Armagh play Donegal where a modest beating would not be too damaging to morale.
I think the quarter finals are already set.
Dublin v Kildare/Monaghan
Donegal v Armagh/Meath
Quote from: Jinxy on July 21, 2014, 05:23:32 PM
This game will need a strong ref.
I believe Armagh are very rough this year.
More like every year.
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 05:41:14 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 21, 2014, 05:32:34 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 21, 2014, 02:58:49 PM
Quote from: Hardy on July 21, 2014, 02:02:33 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:18:07 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 20, 2014, 07:08:27 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 20, 2014, 07:05:38 PM
I'm not long back from Croke Park and tbh its very difficult to assess Meath on today's game because Dublin are just frightening the pace and power they play at. Its Dublin's to lose as they have the best team and players by far, so where does that leave Meath? Armagh certainly have nothing to fear as I'd put Meath on par with ourselves and maybe our momentum can carry us through a tight game.
I'd say bookies will have both teams at 1/1
Yer kidding, right? Armagh will be warm favourites.
I don't think there'll be much difference in price between them!!!
BTW I got a few nice snaps of your big yellow bus last night and you lot def have the best bus in Ireland
Correct.
Armagh 4/5 15/2 5/4 Meath.
That isn't 1/1.
Well Syphilis 1/1 and 4/5 is pretty close and the bookies are usually a good indicator to the levels the teams are at as they very rarely get it wrong...Meath will be hurting after yesterday's game and will def be looking to show their fans that they are better than that
Maybe 'warm' gave you the wrong impression but Armagh were always going to be favourites after the hammering Dublin dished out yesterday. I can see the odds drifting further over the next two weeks too.
Odds are drifting already, Armagh are cooling to 5/6 with Paddy P and 10/11 with Ladbrokes.
That's a pretty even forecast.
Belfast-Dublin return on the Enterprise for this still available at the £10 web fare. Translink won't be long pulling that when they realise there's a match on.
Quote from: Ulick on July 21, 2014, 07:09:50 PM
Belfast-Dublin return on the Enterprise for this still available at the £10 web fare. Translink won't be long pulling that when they realise there's a match on.
Hmm sold out
They are chancers
Quick work Translink. Knew I should have got a few extra when I had the chance.
Quote from: meathie on July 21, 2014, 04:57:26 PM
Yay I can be on the hill for this game, its been bloddy ages since I got there last!
No you can't Dublin not playing so Hill not open. €25 for the privilege.
Yea just saw that when I went to check ticket prices. ffs why do they always do that, it's really annoying that we don't get the choice. I'll never get back on the hill :'(
I don't think we can base our selection on the last game. We can't drop everyone.
I would go with the same selection although is would perhaps have Tormey in the middle with O'Rourke. I would be tempted to put Tormey and Meade at midfield with SOR in the half forwards but I think we still need Shane or Brian on the bench as neither are fit enough yet to last 70 mins.
McMahon could be replaced by David Bray who seems to have a better eye for the posts.
I'd put Shane O'Rourke full forward and use him as a target man.
It's pointless carrying a midfielder his size just for the sake of one or two clean catches a game.
I'd bring Menton into the middle with Brian Meade.
Bring Graham Reilly out as a '3rd midfielder' and go with O'Rourke and Newman as a two man FF line and bring Bray out to the HF line as well.
Have Bray following the ball in to pick up breaks off Shane.
1. P. O'Rourke
2. E. Harrington
3. K. Reilly
4. D. Tobin
5. P. Harnan
6. D. Keoghan
7. M. Burke
8. B. Meade
9. B. Menton
10. A. Tormey
11. D. Carroll
12. S. Bray
13. M. Newman
14. S. O'Rourke
15. G. Reilly
You'll have Tobin worn out playing two positions though.
He's well able for it.
Meath won't fear Armagh!
Quote from: Dinny Breen on July 22, 2014, 12:04:37 PM
Meath won't fear Armagh!
Eejits. Any Royal should fear dealing with Armagh people.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on July 22, 2014, 12:04:37 PM
Meath won't fear Armagh!
Will you be heading in early to support your Leinster brethren Dinny?
Truth be told I've seen little of Armagh this year so I'm not sure how they set themselves up. They gave us a bit of a trimming in the league but still got relegated.
I think we should have enough in us to win this one but I don't know what the lads heads will be like. Cork and Derry seem to have lost the will to live after their encounters with Dublin.
They're not as used to losing to them as us though.
Quote from: thejuice on July 22, 2014, 12:24:49 PM
Truth be told I've seen little of Armagh this year so I'm not sure how they set themselves up. They gave us a bit of a trimming in the league but still got relegated.
I think we should have enough in us to win this one but I don't know what the lads heads will be like. Cork and Derry seem to have lost the will to live after their encounters with Dublin.
Big heavy blanket, lots of fouling outside the 45 and obstructing frees to buy time to get their men back. Very weak looking in the middle. Some nice kick-passes the last day but that had more to do with poor defending by us than Gooch-level mastery by Armagh. I think Armagh's physicality has been played up too much and shouldn't have too much of an influence on the Meath man children.
I dunno how Meath will approach this one tactically.
Quote from: thejuice on July 22, 2014, 12:24:49 PM
Truth be told I've seen little of Armagh this year so I'm not sure how they set themselves up. They gave us a bit of a trimming in the league but still got relegated.
I think we should have enough in us to win this one but I don't know what the lads heads will be like. Cork and Derry seem to have lost the will to live after their encounters with Dublin.
We have been playing a tough defensive style of football that transits to counter attack very quickly, half backs push up to run off the shoulder of the man with the ball while there are plenty of willing runners up front giving an option for a kickpass. Ciaran McKeever is playing like a hybrid sweeper/quarter back.
We could be quite difficult for you to play against.
I'd well believe it.
If mentally the lads haven't let go of the Dublin game, we'll be beat.
Quote from: JP on July 22, 2014, 12:31:15 PM
We have been playing a tough defensive style of football that transits to counter attack very quickly, half backs push up to run off the shoulder of the man with the ball while there are plenty of willing runners up front giving an option for a kickpass. Ciaran McKeever is playing like a hybrid sweeper/quarter back.
We could be quite difficult for you to play against.
Do your defenders leave the field once your forwards get the ball. That could give us some opportunities.
Quote from: thejuice on July 22, 2014, 01:00:37 PM
Quote from: JP on July 22, 2014, 12:31:15 PM
We have been playing a tough defensive style of football that transits to counter attack very quickly, half backs push up to run off the shoulder of the man with the ball while there are plenty of willing runners up front giving an option for a kickpass. Ciaran McKeever is playing like a hybrid sweeper/quarter back.
We could be quite difficult for you to play against.
Do your defenders leave the field once your forwards get the ball. That could give us some opportunities.
They usually head off for a smoke behind the goal.
Quote from: thejuice on July 22, 2014, 01:00:37 PM
Quote from: JP on July 22, 2014, 12:31:15 PM
We have been playing a tough defensive style of football that transits to counter attack very quickly, half backs push up to run off the shoulder of the man with the ball while there are plenty of willing runners up front giving an option for a kickpass. Ciaran McKeever is playing like a hybrid sweeper/quarter back.
We could be quite difficult for you to play against.
Do your defenders leave the field once your forwards get the ball. That could give us some opportunities.
I have to say that this 'term' really fucks my nut!!!!! Its like he sits behind the breaking ball and sprays wonderful 40 yeard passes around at his leisure!!!! Why do we persist with the constant infestation of terminology from other games. Off the shoulder etc! I watched the game the other day and Peter Canavan spoke about players in terms of '15 possession' and I thought I was watching an Aussie rules game!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHH....curmudgeonary rant over!!!
PS we don't do good rant anymore btw, do you remember Hardy back in the good old days of real rants...ah the memories!
McKeever is more of a linebacker anyway.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 22, 2014, 12:24:39 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on July 22, 2014, 12:04:37 PM
Meath won't fear Armagh!
Will you be heading in early to support your Leinster brethren Dinny?
I will of course, I think we'll have two good games as well, Meath won't be as naive as Roscommon and try to run through Armagh and will move the ball into the forwards a lot quicker. Armagh aren't quick starters more of a grinding team and I think as the game progresses Meath will start to regain their confidence and if they have enough of that with 20 to go and it's still tight they should be able to exploit the space. On one level I'd like to see Meath win but the consequences of that is a potential q/f for Kildare against Dublin and to be honest Kildare aren't ready to play Dublin this year so on a functional level potentially it would be better for Kildare for Armagh to win.
I hope and expect to see a big row though. McGeeney no doubt will be doing his moving statue impression on the sideline if things go wrong for Armagh.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 22, 2014, 11:24:35 AM
I'd put Shane O'Rourke full forward and use him as a target man.
It's pointless carrying a midfielder his size just for the sake of one or two clean catches a game.
I'd bring Menton into the middle with Brian Meade.
Bring Graham Reilly out as a '3rd midfielder' and go with O'Rourke and Newman as a two man FF line and bring Bray out to the HF line as well.
Have Bray following the ball in to pick up breaks off Shane.
1. P. O'Rourke
2. E. Harrington
3. K. Reilly
4. D. Tobin
5. P. Harnan
6. D. Keoghan
7. M. Burke
8. B. Meade
9. B. Menton
10. A. Tormey
11. D. Carroll
12. S. Bray
13. M. Newman
14. S. O'Rourke
15. G. Reilly
Agreed, Shane O Rourke looked shagged after 20 mins, he is an incredibly talented footballer when on the ball.
Meath were avoiding midfield like a dose of (well you know what), I was shocked that they did not want to even contest the area from kickouts, It was like akin to Dublin's tactics v Mayo in the all-Ireland final.
Heading back for my annual fill of football at beginning of August, and will go to games on Saturday eve. I wonder what is the mentality like within the squad, a lot of teams often throw the towel in after a loss like they experienced, this stage of the qualifiers have almost always favoured the momentum teams that have come through the qualifiers. Armagh are decent, not world beaters and I was surprised how easily Roscommon controlled midfield for first 25 mins last Saturday. If Meath can somehow get a decent start they could beat Armagh, on the other hand if Armagh get ahead,........
It's go hard or go home time.
"G'wan or g'way will ya" time
Does Ger Houlihan still play for Armagh?
He'll take watching.
McEvoy
Morgan
Vernon
Mallon
Shields
Donaghy
McKeever
Findon
Harold
T.Kernan
Dyas
Campbell
Carragher
Clarke
A.Kernan (too good not to be starting esp v Meath)
Meath's master scavengers thrive in barren Orchard
MEATH 0-15 ARMAGH 2-05
CHAMPAGNE football, it wasn't. More like a cheap, deadly poitín, the sort of stuff concocted on islands off the west coast, available only to those who know the wrong people, household detergent for a bit of kick, a hangover to last for days.
When negativity infects the minds of football men, the results can be horrific. Armagh's tactical plan to a) combat Meath's notoriously sticky defence, and b) release their own danger-men Oisín McConville and Diarmuid Marsden signalled nought but dread: and dread inevitably came to pass in the form of a grinding, attritional affair that lends grist to those mills churning out the view that Gaelic football is an unpretty and unloved game. (Little did he know then)
NON-SPECTACLE
Even for those who know the true beauty occasionally achieved by Gaelic football Galway's All Ireland second-half last year, Offaly's Leinster final display the year before it is difficult to gainsay the above perception now enhanced by yesterday's non-spectacle.
Between the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
For those who haven't, think of Heuston Station shortly after 5.0 on Friday evening, people rushing here and there; into that congestion lob the concept of a game of Gaelic football and you get the idea.
Armagh will argue their best chance of victory lay in pulling half the county down into their half of the field, leaving Oisín McConville, Paddy McKeever and Diarmuid Marsden to work the other end.
And they can equally point to the fact that they hold no responsibility for putting on a show; they might even encourage those interested in entertainment to buy tickets for the Tivoli Theatre where they can be sure of a stageload of people paid to make you laugh or cry.
No, the problem with yesterday's match is the uncomfortable truth it tells us about Gaelic football; it is a game that can be choked up and with the best will in the world, opponents can't lift the standard above the mediocre when one team is committed to bunching.
If over half of the 30 players on the field flock like sheep to the middle third, from where they chase around after the bag of wind like we all did as kids in the schoolyard, then there will inevitably be untold spillage of ball, misdirected passes, and blocked kicks.
Anyone in the mood to revive the dormant argument for football to be reduced to 13-a-side, or even less?
Meath won because Meath nearly always win games like this. They have the best scavengers in town. They tackle with greater zeal than anyone else, and they dive on loose ball without a second thought.
And when their opponents kick away good chances during their period of dominance, Meath almost smell victory. No team lives off the mistakes of others better than Meath.
And after 15 minutes of the second-half yesterday, when Armagh had kicked six wides on the trot, you could almost chalk it down that Meath would win, even though they were two points in arrears.
Meath didn't hit the high spots yesterday, but they did more than enough to win. They are now the only team to contest four All Ireland finals (1990, '91, '96 and '99) in the 1990s.
Their opponents in a month's time, Cork, and Dublin are second in line with three final appearances apiece; we're counting the 1996 draw and replay between Mayo and Meath as one final.
Cork will not be discouraged by what they saw yesterday. The game confirmed that Meath can be beaten if faced with a well-ordered, confident team that keeps its errors to a minimum.
Armagh were in a match-winning situation at half-time, and they never capitalised. Their return of just one point in the second-half and that from a free is scandalously short of the required standard, particularly from a team which got into scoring positions.
CRIPPLING BLOW
The wides after the break Marsden, Jarlath Burns, McConville (2), John Donaldson and Tony McEntee were a crippling blow.
They came out of a 15-minute spell of dominance no further ahead than they were at half-time, and the 53rd minute point by Raymond Magee was of symbolic significance.
Trevor Giles, the orchestrator of the Meath revival, came back behind his own half-way line to take control of a free. Meath, too, had fallen into the trap of trying to solo their way through the overcrowded middle of the field, and it invariably ended in one more powerful shoulder charge, or a flailing arm, and the mini-move would come to nothing.
Giles, drawing on his celebrated awareness of what's happening on the field, recognised the free as an opportunity to re-align the Meath approach. He kicked it long and straight to full-forward Graham Geraghty, by now almost dying of starvation. Geraghty broke it down to Raymond Magee and, without any fuss, Meath scored a point. On a day of great waste, it was a master class in economy.
From this position, Meath cantered home, each point driving a spear even further through Armagh's heart. This is Meath at their most wicked, profiting from the misfortune of others, punishing to the maximum.
They even had two goal chances in the final few minutes, one saved by Brendan Tierney from Hank Traynor and the other intercepted by Tierney from Geraghty. By game's end, Armagh were beaten by a good deal more than the four points in the scoreline.
Armagh's contribution to their own demise was immense. McConville played the game under the almost intolerable pressure of his father being seriously ill. In the circumstances, he must be excused his six wides.
The tactic of isolating the front-runners came acropper in the second-half. Impatience set in and Marsden drifted out-field when he should have waited inside for the half-chance.
The 54th minute sending-off of Ger Reid was coming for ages. Reid ran into foul trouble early on, and would have been skating on wafer-thin ice if referee Paddy Russell had spotted all of his indiscretions, which included two hand-trips on Geraghty.
He was booked in the 17th minute and he was so addled by Geraghty's blinding pace that he continued to foul. The one that sent him packing could have been avoided; he was in control of the situation but failed to gather the ball, and in the panic he brought Geraghty down again.
Armagh co-manager Brian McAlinden was critical of referee Russell. ``He didn't seem to penalise Meath for anything,'' he said.
It looked a two-way thing. Russell did not have a good game. His decision-making was impossible to fathom. For instance, in the 35th minute, Kieran McGeeney clearly fouled Giles but the free went the other way.
Three minutes earlier, Reid had Geraghty by the leg but it was ignored and eventually Geraghty was penalised for a foul-pick. It wasn't an easy game to referee he still didn't do a good job.
Two first-half goals might have been the platform for an Armagh win, but it advertised a breadth which simply didn't exist in their attack.
BURROWED THROUGH
The first was created by a McGeeney ball inside the defence, where Marsden gathered and finished to the net. The second was a McConville piece of work. He fed Kieran Hughes galloping up the right wing and he burrowed through for a goal.
Meath full-back Darren Fay was at this time chasing John McEntee out the field, and minutes later his calming influence was restored to the edge of the square; there would be no more streaking runs inside the defence.
If Giles was the man who turned the screw, the consistency of John McDermott was unrivalled. Somehow rising above the mediocrity all around him, McDermott caught some great balls and also linked play up and down the field.
The defence, as usual, was uncompromising. The full-back line, when restored to conventional positions, put the squeeze on the Armagh full-forward line and from there the impetus swept up through the Meath team.
Scorers:
Meath T. Giles 0 5 (0 4 frees, 0 1 fifty); E. Kelly 0 3; R. Magee and D. Curtis 0 2 each; E. McManus, N. Nestor and G. Geraghty 0 1 each.
Armagh: D. Marsden 1 1; K. Hughes 1 0; P. McKeever 0 4 (0 1 free).
MEATH: C. O'Sullivan; M. O'Reilly, D. Fay, C. Murphy; P. Reynolds, E. McManus, H. Traynor; N. Crawford, J. McDermott; E. Kelly, T. Giles, N. Nestor; O. Murphy, G. Geraghty (capt.), D. Curtis.. Sub: R. Magee for Murphy, (injured 22nd minute).
ARMAGH: B. Tierney; E. McNulty, G. Reid, J. McNulty; K. Hughes, K. McGeeney, A. McCann; J. Burns (capt.), P. McGrane; T. McEntee, J. Donaldson, D. Marsden; P. McKeever, J. McEntee, O. McConville. Subs: C. O'Rourke for J. McEntee (60th minute); A. O'Neill for McGrane (66th).
Referee: P. Russell (Tipperary).
Attendance: 60,589.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 22, 2014, 12:49:00 PM
I'd well believe it.
If mentally the lads haven't let go of the Dublin game, we'll be beat.
After 2 minutes they'll realise it's division 2 shite , fuball purgatory.
Quote from: seafoid on July 22, 2014, 08:42:04 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 22, 2014, 12:49:00 PM
I'd well believe it.
If mentally the lads haven't let go of the Dublin game, we'll be beat.
After 2 minutes they'll realise it's division 2 shite , fuball purgatory.
Ye need a nice ould trip to D3 before you throw around big words like that, Seaeen.
Remember that game well in 1999.It was our first championship appearance in Croker in 17 years,and in truth we lacked experience and were still in a state of euphoria after winning our first provincial title in 17 years ( they actually meant a lot in those pre qualifier days).
Our cause wasn't helped by the subdued performance of Oisin owing to his father being on his deathbed at that time, and it's only now,looking back,that you realise that we were well capable of winning that game (Meath went on to win Sam that year) but we gave Meath far too much respect.
Still 10 or 11 of the team that day captured Sam a mere three years later
I remember watching Paddy McKeever that day thinking he was going to be some player.
Meath were just a bit too cute and had a bit too much quality in the likes of Giles and Geraghty. Armagh sat back too deep in the second half of that game and the missed chances at the start of the second half did for us (though from memory they were half chances under a lot of pressure). Came away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
QuoteBetween the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
There will be only half the attendance at this one and one twelfth of the TV audience, however drab it is.
QuoteCame away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
Indeed, we could hammer the likes of Down, but had problems with a real team. Stevie and Ronan completed the picture, if the modern team could unearth another Jamie we'd be hard to stop.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 22, 2014, 10:34:42 PM
QuoteBetween the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
There will be only half the attendance at this one and one twelfth of the TV audience, however drab it is.
QuoteCame away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
Indeed, we could hammer the likes of Down, but had problems with a real team. Stevie and Ronan completed the picture, if the modern team could unearth another Jamie we'd be hard to stop.
And get some Cross lads to play at midfield.
Quote from: Syferus on July 22, 2014, 10:36:36 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 22, 2014, 10:34:42 PM
QuoteBetween the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
There will be only half the attendance at this one and one twelfth of the TV audience, however drab it is.
QuoteCame away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
Indeed, we could hammer the likes of Down, but had problems with a real team. Stevie and Ronan completed the picture, if the modern team could unearth another Jamie we'd be hard to stop.
And get some Cross lads to play at midfield.
And find another John Mc entee, Paul mc grane, oisin and a few more.
They've plenty of cross lads on the team going by the Cavan and Tyrone games.
I'm not too sure of the average age of the Meath team but Armagh have quite a few young players involved and this game is vital for their progress over next year and beyond, a heavy defeat to Meath in Croke Park could set them back but a win there could really give them the confidence to move to the next level...
I'm not too sure how the injuries will have cleared up by next weekend but I'd imagine there won't be too many changes from the last game, I'm led to believe C Rafferty season is over as he apparently needs pins in his hand...
Quote from: Syferus on July 22, 2014, 10:36:36 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 22, 2014, 10:34:42 PM
QuoteBetween the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
There will be only half the attendance at this one and one twelfth of the TV audience, however drab it is.
QuoteCame away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
Indeed, we could hammer the likes of Down, but had problems with a real team. Stevie and Ronan completed the picture, if the modern team could unearth another Jamie we'd be hard to stop.
And get some Cross lads to play at midfield.
We have a number of key players around the middle injured who would help our midfield. Toner would be the most experienced. Ethan Rafferty who has the potential to be a great player and Caolan Rafferty who is , IMO, the biggest miss of all. The midfield played OK against Roscommon. Harold may be more suited coming on but Findon is showing potential in his first year. It was also Findon's fourth tough championship match in four weeks. I actually think he made his first senior start against Meath in the league and got black carded early on. I am sure he hopes to make amends.
Quote from: illdecide on July 23, 2014, 12:26:30 AM
I'm not too sure of the average age of the Meath team but Armagh have quite a few young players involved and this game is vital for their progress over next year and beyond, a heavy defeat to Meath in Croke Park could set them back but a win there could really give them the confidence to move to the next level...
I'm not too sure how the injuries will have cleared up by next weekend but I'd imagine there won't be too many changes from the last game, I'm led to believe C Rafferty season is over as he apparently needs pins in his hand...
Caolan Rafferty is a major miss. His pace frightens many teams. Pity.
Quote from: Throw ball on July 23, 2014, 12:28:57 AM
Quote from: Syferus on July 22, 2014, 10:36:36 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 22, 2014, 10:34:42 PM
QuoteBetween the 60,589 who attended the game, and the 500,000 or so more who watched it on the box, there can be few sports followers left in the nation who haven't heard tell of this drab encounter by now.
There will be only half the attendance at this one and one twelfth of the TV audience, however drab it is.
QuoteCame away from that match thinking that we needed more forward power. Luckily enough we unearthed two more gems in the following couple of years that eventually got us over the line.
Indeed, we could hammer the likes of Down, but had problems with a real team. Stevie and Ronan completed the picture, if the modern team could unearth another Jamie we'd be hard to stop.
And get some Cross lads to play at midfield.
We have a number of key players around the middle injured who would help our midfield. Toner would be the most experienced. Ethan Rafferty who has the potential to be a great player and Caolan Rafferty who is , IMO, the biggest miss of all. The midfield played OK against Roscommon. Harold may be more suited coming on but Findon is showing potential in his first year. It was also Findon's fourth tough championship match in four weeks. I actually think he made his first senior start against Meath in the league and got black carded early on. I am sure he hopes to make amends.
Jesus, I thought ye were well bet in the middle. Higgins was frigged after a bad knock in the first half and he still dominated his man despite Armagh being clearly the better team overall. His marker also seemed to think his incessant pushing and pulling on Higgins was subtle but Kinsella was seeing right through it. Shine won or broke plenty of ball too. Probably our best performers by a good margin.
Both our lads have seriously came on as players this year (they beat out the O'Sheas back in June) and have finally turned our midfield from a problem area to a weapon. All that said, both your lads looked like decent footballers but they were bullied and didn't look strong enough for the engine room and that particularly stood out when the rest of the Armagh team looked so physical and well conditioned for their roles.
Definitely should be looking at replacements for the next day in the middle. David McKenna really stands out to me as exactly the sort of tank that would be right at home in that Armagh team but I guess if the appetite for IC isn't there it isn't there.
Would agree Roscommon won midfield. Higgins was very impressive. I did, however, feel that Kinsella gave a couple of very soft frees against Harold. Findon is raw and does stupid things but is improving. You must also remember than in the system Armagh play the midfielders are not just primary ball winners. They have to do a lot of defensive cover and against Roscommon did score 3 from play.
Quote from: Throw ball on July 23, 2014, 01:13:50 AM
Would agree Roscommon won midfield. Higgins was very impressive. I did, however, feel that Kinsella gave a couple of very soft frees against Harold. Findon is raw and does stupid things but is improving. You must also remember than in the system Armagh play the midfielders are not just primary ball winners. They have to do a lot of defensive cover and against Roscommon did score 3 from play.
I'd agree they were marginal but most of them happened right in front of me (the benefits of sitting out in the pissing rain) and there were little impingements on Higgins, pulls, nudges, etc. Other times a ref mightn't catch it but if he does he does and it is still a foul.
If Armagh do better in the middle they can definitely beat Meath, indeed doing better at the middle would make giving Donegal a rattle quite possible if that was how the draw shook out.
Harold and Findon are both inexperienced at this level but they both have something to offer. I'd rather have them playing then for example Toner, who may be better at fielding a high ball but lacks the mobility of the other two. Both of them got on the scoresheet, can't remember the last time Toner scored. We also have James Lavery out injured who got a bad neck injury at the start of the year.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 22, 2014, 09:23:21 PM
I remember watching Paddy McKeever that day thinking he was going to be some player.
didn't turn out too bad...
Quote from: drici on July 22, 2014, 07:18:37 PM
Meath's master scavengers thrive in barren Orchard
MEATH 0-15 ARMAGH 2-05
MEATH: C. O'Sullivan; M. O'Reilly, D. Fay, C. Murphy; P. Reynolds, E. McManus, H. Traynor; N. Crawford, J. McDermott; E. Kelly, T. Giles, N. Nestor; O. Murphy, G. Geraghty (capt.), D. Curtis.. Sub: R. Magee for Murphy, (injured 22nd minute).
Hank Traynor
Great name.
(for a culchie anyway)
Quote from: Hound on July 23, 2014, 12:29:08 PM
Quote from: drici on July 22, 2014, 07:18:37 PM
Meath's master scavengers thrive in barren Orchard
MEATH 0-15 ARMAGH 2-05
MEATH: C. O'Sullivan; M. O'Reilly, D. Fay, C. Murphy; P. Reynolds, E. McManus, H. Traynor; N. Crawford, J. McDermott; E. Kelly, T. Giles, N. Nestor; O. Murphy, G. Geraghty (capt.), D. Curtis.. Sub: R. Magee for Murphy, (injured 22nd minute).
Hank Traynor
Great name.
(for a culchie anyway)
I played against Hank Kernan from Crossmaglen many years ago. He flirted briefly with the county team before heading off into obscurity - I'm sure someone from XMG will report if otherwise
Hank Kernan died the best part of a decade ago.
Hank died in 2008 I think it was, he played for Armagh for a few years and picked up 2 Ulster medals in 1980 and 82. He was torn apart by MS and it was devastating for him as he really lived life to the full. A legend on and off the field in these parts.
Ah, a sad story indeed
Quote from: illdecide on July 23, 2014, 12:26:30 AM
I'm not too sure of the average age of the Meath team but Armagh have quite a few young players involved and this game is vital for their progress over next year and beyond, a heavy defeat to Meath in Croke Park could set them back but a win there could really give them the confidence to move to the next level...
I'm not too sure how the injuries will have cleared up by next weekend but I'd imagine there won't be too many changes from the last game, I'm led to believe C Rafferty season is over as he apparently needs pins in his hand...
Interesting point about Meath's average age, I reckon the starting team vs Dublin average age is about 25.
Stephen Bray - 34
Eoghan Harrington - 29
Kevin Reilly - 28
Shane O'Rourke - 26
Graham Reilly & Paddy O'Rourke, Dalton McDonagh - 25
Mickey Newman, Andrew Tormey, Donnacha Tobin - 24
Donal Keoghan, Bryan Menton, Damian Carroll - 23
Bryan McMahon - 21
Padraic Harnan - 20
Hank Kernan,my old classmate,and a member of Armagh's 1977 minor team,that lost the Ulster Final after a replay to that year's eventual All Ireland Champions,Down,after a replay,along with my late brother and the late Paddy Mc Stay,all of whom died way too young,as did Ambrose Rodgers of the Down team that year.
Hank's real name was actually Frank,and when ine if the teachers at school finally realised that he made him use his real name in class and on books and home works etc
One thing's for sure, Meath won't fear Armagh.
Quote from: Sea The Stars on July 23, 2014, 10:50:11 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 23, 2014, 12:26:30 AM
I'm not too sure of the average age of the Meath team but Armagh have quite a few young players involved and this game is vital for their progress over next year and beyond, a heavy defeat to Meath in Croke Park could set them back but a win there could really give them the confidence to move to the next level...
I'm not too sure how the injuries will have cleared up by next weekend but I'd imagine there won't be too many changes from the last game, I'm led to believe C Rafferty season is over as he apparently needs pins in his hand...
Interesting point about Meath's average age, I reckon the starting team vs Dublin average age is about 25.
Stephen Bray - 34
Eoghan Harrington - 29
Kevin Reilly - 28
Shane O'Rourke - 26
Graham Reilly & Paddy O'Rourke, Dalton McDonagh - 25
Mickey Newman, Andrew Tormey, Donnacha Tobin - 24
Donal Keoghan, Bryan Menton, Damian Carroll - 23
Bryan McMahon - 21
Padraic Harnan - 20
I didnt realise that Stephen Bray was 34! Thought he was 30, maybe 31 max. Those ages dont make good reading for us thinking that we are building for the future. We might need to be running to even stand still.
Interesting to see Joe, Cian Ward and Queeney are tearing things up in the Meath championship this year.
I can imagine there might be a reluctance to go back that way but their experience on the bench wouldn't hurt. I don't think Joey Wallace is ready yet nor McMahon.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 24, 2014, 01:31:15 PM
One thing's for sure, Meath won't fear Armagh.
And Armagh will respect Meath.
Quote from: thejuice on July 24, 2014, 02:07:07 PM
Interesting to see Joe, Cian Ward and Queeney are tearing things up in the Meath championship this year.
I can imagine there might be a reluctance to go back that way but their experience on the bench wouldn't hurt. I don't think Joey Wallace is ready yet nor McMahon.
Was just saying that myself yesterday to a friend. I'd say O'Dowd is secretly thinking we could do with a few of those lads but he couldn't go back now. It's a pity cos I always thought it was a little hasty doing the cull, even with Brian Farrell....felt hugely sorry for joey Wallace, he will be super but Sunday was not a day for him. That pic of him and Paul Flynn summed it up I think, man and boy!
Banty'd never have made those mistakes.
O'Dowd may have been hasty getting rid of Sheridan and Farrell (In Sheridan's case probably not, in Farrell's case he possibly had another year or two to offer) but they're both 30 now and the year out will probably have set them back an awful lot so it's unlikely we'll ever see them in Meath jerseys again.
Ward and Queeney would be a bit younger. 27 and 28 respectively I think. Ward probably didn't fit in with the vision O'Dowd had but Queeney was probably a victim of his versatility and the multiple change in managers. He would probably have been worth a try in midfield.
It's hard to believe Bray is 34 alright. When you think about it all the players above getting culled and Bray would be a lot older and not only has he survived but he's thrived. O'Dowd has managed to keep him injury free too something he struggled with since Coyler. He has a Leinster u21 medal from 2001, an All-Ireland junior one in 2003 and an AllStar in 2007 as well as a couple of Meath SFC's and one IFC and then the infamous Leinster one in 2010. He deserves a second one though. There's no other footballer in the country that side of 30 who would is going as well as him in my opinion. A credit to Meath GAA.
I have the Meath GAA annual from 2003, Stephen Bray is on the cover and only a gossun.
I got to sit down and watch the Dublin game in full now today. To me, the fitness levels and strength and conditioning are worlds apart but for footballing and skills wise I don't think there is that much difference. When you are that much quicker than your opponent it's easier to find room and therefore less pressure on your shooting.
That said you would wonder why we tried going toe to toe with Dublin in the first half. I thought Mick would have had a more nuanced approach than that. I would have had the heavyweights like Burke on from the start kept plenty of men in our own half with O'Rourke and Bray as a two man forward line. With the extra bodies back there should be less space and therefore less running and less energy spent. All going well, there should be a tight game at the half, then bring in the quicker lads in the second half when it suits Meath to open up and attack.
Instead we had Reilly, O'Rourke and Carroll all knackered by half time. If we can close that gap in terms of fitness/S&C I think we'll not be far off. Easier said than done though. Trevor Giles or whoever is the fitness coach has his work cut out for him.
In my opinion, we can't cut the S&C gap with this current group of players.
Everyone can get fit but everyone can't be an athlete.
There's an important distinction between the two.
Our young players need to be arriving into the senior set-up with 4-5 good years of intelligent, science-based S&C training.
It may sound harsh, but we need to weed out players who don't have the necessary athleticism.
We have too many players that are not physically or biomechanically suited to the elite level of the modern game and trying to pack muscle on them won't make much of a difference.
It gives me no pleasure to say it, but some of our younger guys that played against Dublin will never be able to physically compete with them no matter how much training we throw at them.
And Dublin are the benchmark ultimately.
Of course, the other way to compete is to develop an ultra-defensive, ultra-physical, ultra-disciplined system of play.
That will narrow the gap in fairness, but it's a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 25, 2014, 12:45:01 AM
In my opinion, we can't cut the S&C gap with this current group of players.
Everyone can get fit but everyone can't be an athlete.
There's an important distinction between the two.
Our young players need to be arriving into the senior set-up with 4-5 good years of intelligent, science-based S&C training.
It may sound harsh, but we need to weed out players who don't have the necessary athleticism.
We have too many players that are not physically or biomechanically suited to the elite level of the modern game and trying to pack muscle on them won't make much of a difference.
It gives me no pleasure to say it, but some of our younger guys that played against Dublin will never be able to physically compete with them no matter how much training we throw at them.
And Dublin are the benchmark ultimately.
Of course, the other way to compete is to develop an ultra-defensive, ultra-physical, ultra-disciplined system of play.
That will narrow the gap in fairness, but it's a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Jasus you'll be looking to play in Ulster next...Dublin are good but they're not robots and they can be beaten, remember they are still city men and when a bunch of hungrier culchie men get at them they'll give Dublin their fill of it...for me Mayo or Donegal and possibly Kerry are the teams to knock them off their perch...
Anyway enough of that dung how many points defeat for u Meath men is acceptable :P...seriously though I think this game could finish up level after 70 mins as I don't see a big difference between the two teams. Meath now know there is no safety net and will be defensive like Armagh and they'll be hard to break down
you're probably right there Jinxy , but that said we're good enough to be in the top eight in the country with is group of players if they can improve their s&c. If they can get Meath consistently well placed in div 1 then they will have achieved something important from the county going forward though they might not get much silverware for it.
Quote from: illdecide on July 25, 2014, 01:08:35 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 25, 2014, 12:45:01 AM
In my opinion, we can't cut the S&C gap with this current group of players.
Everyone can get fit but everyone can't be an athlete.
There's an important distinction between the two.
Our young players need to be arriving into the senior set-up with 4-5 good years of intelligent, science-based S&C training.
It may sound harsh, but we need to weed out players who don't have the necessary athleticism.
We have too many players that are not physically or biomechanically suited to the elite level of the modern game and trying to pack muscle on them won't make much of a difference.
It gives me no pleasure to say it, but some of our younger guys that played against Dublin will never be able to physically compete with them no matter how much training we throw at them.
And Dublin are the benchmark ultimately.
Of course, the other way to compete is to develop an ultra-defensive, ultra-physical, ultra-disciplined system of play.
That will narrow the gap in fairness, but it's a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
Jasus you'll be looking to play in Ulster next...Dublin are good but they're not robots and they can be beaten, remember they are still city men and when a bunch of hungrier culchie men get at them they'll give Dublin their fill of it...for me Mayo or Donegal and possibly Kerry are the teams to knock them off their perch...
Anyway enough of that dung how many points defeat for u Meath men is acceptable :P...seriously though I think this game could finish up level after 70 mins as I don't see a big difference between the two teams. Meath now know there is no safety net and will be defensive like Armagh and they'll be hard to break down
I'm not worried about the robots, we can beat them!
Ard Mhacha will win this, Derry never recovered from when they were attacked by the Dublin Vikings in May, it'll be the same with the men from Tara.
Bookies have Armagh as slight favourites. It's an unusual situation where it's really hard to gauge how good either team really are. We've seen both bad and good from both this year. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture after this for Meath.
Quote from: thejuice on July 26, 2014, 05:45:40 PM
Bookies have Armagh as slight favourites. It's an unusual situation where it's really hard to gauge how good either team really are. We've seen both bad and good from both this year. Hopefully we'll get a clearer picture after this for Meath.
To be fair Armagh have been pretty consistent in this year's championship. The league seems an ancient memory for them at this stage.
It's a really hard one to call. Arguments can be made for both teams. I don't think Armagh will be reading too much into Meath's defeat to Dublin. Last year we met Galway off the back of their drubbing by Mayo and who weren't expected to be up to much. They turned their game plan around completely in the space of a few weeks and really tightened up. Would expect Meath to react in a similar way and to have learnt a good bit from the Dublin game.
A repeat of 94 would be nice.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1cDjq6dLqIk
Can we get Tommy Dowd back.
As an Armagh Supporter I know its hard to say this given we are a pessimistic bunch but I feel we might win this one comfortably. Cant really break it down but we have a lot of momentum ATM and I feel this team will thrive in Croker. I know I could be wrong however its how im feeling as opposed to the its gonna be tight blah blah.
QuoteAs an Armagh Supporter I know its hard to say this given we are a pessimistic bunch but I feel we might win this one comfortably. Cant really break it down but we have a lot of momentum ATM and I feel this team will thrive in Croker
The Wexford hurlers might have been said to have had momentum, but they've crashed and burned today against provincial final losers. Armagh should be careful with this one.
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on July 27, 2014, 02:51:59 AM
As an Armagh Supporter I know its hard to say this given we are a pessimistic bunch but I feel we might win this one comfortably. Cant really break it down but we have a lot of momentum ATM and I feel this team will thrive in Croker. I know I could be wrong however its how im feeling as opposed to the its gonna be tight blah blah.
Sickening arrogance.
To be fair
Most Armagh supporters think this will be a tough ask but are quietly confident.
Even if we do get over it can't see us going any further
Armagh have already beaten Tyrone who are a better side than Meath however the Leinster lads could be like a wounded animal after the lashing received last week and sometimes the croke park occasion can get to a side.
All the cute hoorism on this site would do your head in. It will be very disappointing if Armagh don't win.
Have had limited internet access over the last few weeks so forgive me asking a question which i'm sure has been asked before. Meath supporters, do you not feel that Meath lay down in the Leinster final? Never thought i'd see the day that happened, especially against the Dubs!
Quote from: Jinxy on July 27, 2014, 03:27:44 PM
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on July 27, 2014, 02:51:59 AM
As an Armagh Supporter I know its hard to say this given we are a pessimistic bunch but I feel we might win this one comfortably. Cant really break it down but we have a lot of momentum ATM and I feel this team will thrive in Croker. I know I could be wrong however its how im feeling as opposed to the its gonna be tight blah blah.
Sickening arrogance.
I fail to see how its sickening, have a look at the Tyrone v Armagh thread pre-game and then you will find arrogance. Jaysus this place has got very sensitive. I just feel we are due a really big day when everything clicks. We have amassed quite a lot of scoring opportunities and haven't really converted a high majority in any of our games. I just thought I would document it before the game rather than say I thought we would win this easy after the game. In saying that Meath could really blow us out of water and i could have egg on my face, but Hay-ho.
Don't really understand where the Armagh confidence is coming from. Meath are around the same standard as Armagh so I expect a very close game.
Most Armagh people that I've spoke with agree that its a 50/50 game and that I'll all be on the day, both teams are at the same level and I'd be very surprised if one team wins comfortably.
Quote from: thejuice on July 26, 2014, 10:57:02 PM
A repeat of 94 would be nice.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1cDjq6dLqIk
Can we get Tommy Dowd back.
I remember climbing over a wall to get into the Canal End in 1994, was that the semi-final?
Quote from: illdecide on July 27, 2014, 05:22:24 PM
Most Armagh people that I've spoke with agree that its a 50/50 game and that I'll all be on the day, both teams are at the same level and I'd be very surprised if one team wins comfortably.
I imagine the game will have at least the entertainment value of the hurling today.
Is Red Collier playing? Well, then we're golden!
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on July 27, 2014, 04:03:09 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 27, 2014, 03:27:44 PM
Quote from: RealSpiritof98 on July 27, 2014, 02:51:59 AM
As an Armagh Supporter I know its hard to say this given we are a pessimistic bunch but I feel we might win this one comfortably. Cant really break it down but we have a lot of momentum ATM and I feel this team will thrive in Croker. I know I could be wrong however its how im feeling as opposed to the its gonna be tight blah blah.
Sickening arrogance.
I fail to see how its sickening, have a look at the Tyrone v Armagh thread pre-game and then you will find arrogance. Jaysus this place has got very sensitive. I just feel we are due a really big day when everything clicks. We have amassed quite a lot of scoring opportunities and haven't really converted a high majority in any of our games. I just thought I would document it before the game rather than say I thought we would win this easy after the game. In saying that Meath could really blow us out of water and i could have egg on my face, but Hay-ho.
Is that directed at me?
How dare you!
Sickening aggression.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 27, 2014, 05:31:37 PM
Quote from: thejuice on July 26, 2014, 10:57:02 PM
A repeat of 94 would be nice.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1cDjq6dLqIk
Can we get Tommy Dowd back.
I remember climbing over a wall to get into the Canal End in 1994, was that the semi-final?
Quote from: illdecide on July 27, 2014, 05:22:24 PM
Most Armagh people that I've spoke with agree that its a 50/50 game and that I'll all be on the day, both teams are at the same level and I'd be very surprised if one team wins comfortably.
I imagine the game will have at least the entertainment value of the hurling today.
That's very unmanly of you.
I must say, I don't care for the attitude of a lot of these Armagh guys.
I'm putting it down to Geezer's time in Kildare.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 10:58:31 AM
I must say, I don't care for the attitude of a lot of these Armagh guys.
I'm putting it down to Geezer's time in Kildare.
That's bollix. We didn't like Meath long before Geezer went to Kildare.
Kildare doesn't really affect anything do with football, although they have some influence in the gees gees.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 28, 2014, 11:08:32 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 10:58:31 AM
I must say, I don't care for the attitude of a lot of these Armagh guys.
I'm putting it down to Geezer's time in Kildare.
That's bollix. We didn't like Meath long before Geezer went to Kildare.
Kildare doesn't really affect anything do with football, although they have some influence in the gees gees.
What? Niall Carew was manager of Waterford, Anthony Rainbow was manger of Carlow.....hmm I see what you mean now, carry on...
Quote from: Dinny Breen on July 28, 2014, 11:16:01 AM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 28, 2014, 11:08:32 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 10:58:31 AM
I must say, I don't care for the attitude of a lot of these Armagh guys.
I'm putting it down to Geezer's time in Kildare.
That's bollix. We didn't like Meath long before Geezer went to Kildare.
Kildare doesn't really affect anything do with football, although they have some influence in the gees gees.
What? Niall Carew was manager of Waterford, Anthony Rainbow was manger of Carlow.....hmm I see what you mean now, carry on...
Having given Dublin the lash, perhaps a thread on the performance of Kildare (population not far short of Kerry and Kilkenny combined).
Good idea.
Meath are very solid D2 and have that pedigree and should walk this really considering Armagh's league trajectory where they couldn't even beat Galway.
Armagh have achieved more than was expected of them this year, any trip to Croker is a bonus.
Quote from: seafoid on July 28, 2014, 01:44:19 PM
Meath are very solid D2 and have that pedigree and should walk this really considering Armagh's league trajectory where they couldn't even beat Galway.
Galway would have been relegated instead of Armagh because of Armagh's bizarre first half performance against Louth. I'm not quite sure why this was, but these things in the League often have to do with training regimes designed to provide performance much later in the season. Given the Armagh have obviously benefited from their fitness regime, I wouldn't draw too many conclusion from the League. That said Meath and Armagh are well enough matched.
Seafoid's right in one respect - Galway are mediocre.
It's a cliche but this game is 50/50 and is really hard to call. Meath have Croke Park experience, a decent forward line and have pride to restore after being humiliated by Dublin last time. Armagh have a bit of momentum, a good defensive system and no real pressure as they have probably exceeded expectations to date. It could take extra time to sort this one out.
I think that Armagh have the slight edge, with momentum. But really it doesn't count as I can't see either beating Donegal.
You can only dance with the girls in the hall.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 04:12:30 PM
You can only dance with the girls in the hall.
If you are in the mood but Meath weren't the last day.
We are all hoping for a better effort against Armagh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA
chase the dub blues away
Quote from: Armamike on July 28, 2014, 03:38:34 PM
Seafoid's right in one respect - Galway are mediocre.
The teams left in the qfs all are. I can't see Meath or Armagh lighting up the championship either.
50/1 seems fair for Meath and Galway and 40/1 for Armagh isn't much different.
But sure it's all a laugh anyway.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 04:12:30 PM
You can only dance with the girls in the hall.
That's true even when they are as rough as a badger's arse!!!!
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on July 28, 2014, 04:51:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 04:12:30 PM
You can only dance with the girls in the hall.
That's true even when they are as rough as a badger's arse!!!!
But they tend to be the must fun!!!
Quote from: Dinny Breen on July 28, 2014, 05:24:44 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on July 28, 2014, 04:51:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 04:12:30 PM
You can only dance with the girls in the hall.
That's true even when they are as rough as a badger's arse!!!!
But they tend to be the must fun!!!
Fat girls need love too ye know!!!!!
Just so we're clear, Armagh are the rough, fat girl in this case, right?
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 06:40:52 PM
Just so we're clear, Armagh are the rough, fat girl in this case, right?
Meath people are incredibly sophisticated, so it wouldn't refer to them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mQHvAAmPto
Quote from: Jinxy on July 28, 2014, 06:40:52 PM
Just so we're clear, Armagh are the rough, fat girl in this case, right?
How many good looking Royals have you seen - and I am not talking about those married to royals. ;D
In my entire life?
At least 127.
Quote from: Armamike on July 28, 2014, 03:38:34 PM
Seafoid's right in one respect - Galway are mediocre.
That's a big improvement on 2 years ago . the trend is very positive
Quote from: seafoid on July 28, 2014, 09:24:12 PM
Quote from: Armamike on July 28, 2014, 03:38:34 PM
Seafoid's right in one respect - Galway are mediocre.
That's a big improvement on 2 years ago . the trend is very positive
Different faces, same results. Welcome to the world of the Big One in Connacht, Seafoideen.
I see Grimley doesn't trust his players enough to let them speak to the press. Are they feeling a wee bit intimidated perhaps.
Quote from: thejuice on July 29, 2014, 12:21:49 AM
I see Grimley doesn't trust his players enough to let them speak to the press. Are they feeling a wee bit intimidated perhaps.
The players have not spoken to the press since Aaron Kernan spoke after the Cavan game.
Quote from: thejuice on July 29, 2014, 12:21:49 AM
I see Grimley doesn't trust his players enough to let them speak to the press. Are they feeling a wee bit intimidated perhaps.
Intimidated by what? They were instructed by management before the Cavan game not to talk to the press so I don't think intimidation is the right word. The media ban is over hyped anyway as most players say little of any interest. Their interviews are usually cliche ridden and predictable.
The only people who are complaining about players not talking to the media, are the media. Players tend to be boring and just full of banalities at this time of the year.
I remember listening to Newstalk one evening and they were going on about how the GAA needed the media more than the media needed the GAA!
I rarely bother with player interviews in paper or TV format.
It's usually cliche-ridden, by the numbers stuff.
Nobody is obliged to talk to the media.
Prediction:
Meath 2-17 Armagh 1-13
Hope I'm wrong.
We be better served if there was a blanket ban on player interviews. Such a load of shite they usually are.
Quote from: trileacman on July 29, 2014, 01:37:59 PM
We be better served if there was a blanket ban on player interviews. Such a load of shite they usually are.
Well, Armagh would know all about spewing shite.
Quote from: Syferus on July 29, 2014, 02:03:14 PM
Quote from: trileacman on July 29, 2014, 01:37:59 PM
We be better served if there was a blanket ban on player interviews. Such a load of shite they usually are.
Well, Armagh would know all about spewing shite.
Take your beating like a man Syphilis...you still bitter that Armagh beat you 2 weeks ago...FFS build a bridge and get over it, your summer is over. Go now in peace ;)
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 02:19:51 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 29, 2014, 02:03:14 PM
Quote from: trileacman on July 29, 2014, 01:37:59 PM
We be better served if there was a blanket ban on player interviews. Such a load of shite they usually are.
Well, Armagh would know all about spewing shite.
Take your beating like a man Syphilis...you still bitter that Armagh beat you 2 weeks ago...FFS build a bridge and get over it, your summer is over. Go now in peace ;)
Quote
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013
Athleague Hurling Club is to lodge a complaint concerning the release of the contents of a bus toilet outside the club's grounds on Sunday. After the Roscommon v Armagh hurling game game it was discovered that "somebody pulled the lever" of the Armagh team bus and the contents of the bus toilet made for an unpleasant sight right outside the GAA grounds.
Athleague was hosting the National Hurling League clash between Roscommon and Armagh hurlers and members of the Athleague Club are disgusted with the incident.
Liam Ross, Hurling Officer with the Armagh Hurling Board, who travelled on the team bus with the Armagh panel, said he "hadn't heard anything about it" when contacted by the Roscommon Herald. "There was no mention of anything like that from anyone or the players on the bus home," he said.
Gerry Naughton, Chairman of Athleague Club, said his club was going to make a formal complaint. "This behaviour is unacceptable," he said.
Armagh Hurling Officer Liam Ross did point out that the Armagh players were very disappointed that the showers weren't working properly. County teams normally use the new dressing rooms, but the county board instructed the Athleague club to make the old dressing rooms available for the teams on Sunday.
"The showers were very cold. It seems that there was no electricity in the dressing rooms. It wouldn't be a level you'd expect nowadays. I've no doubt that the Roscommon footballers wouldn't take it. It's not what we'd be used to from the Athletic Grounds. I played there 30 years ago and nothing has changed," said the hurling officer.
County Board Chairman Anthony Flaherty said the county team had been using the showers in Athleague three times a week for training and there was never an issue with the showers.
That sort of shite.
FFS that was last year or the year before and it wouldn't have been out of place at your ground either as it is a shithole ;) (i'm only messin :))
But you really do need to let that one go too!!!
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 02:27:41 PM
FFS that was last year or the year before and it wouldn't have been out of place at your ground either as it is a shithole ;) (i'm only messin :))
But you really do need to let that one go too!!!
Seemingly a common sentiment in Armagh GAA circles.
Quote from: Syferus on July 29, 2014, 02:34:31 PM
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 02:27:41 PM
FFS that was last year or the year before and it wouldn't have been out of place at your ground either as it is a shithole ;) (i'm only messin :))
But you really do need to let that one go too!!!
Seemingly a common sentiment in Armagh GAA circles.
Dry them Syferus, different year, different vintage!
Quote from: Jinxy on July 29, 2014, 11:59:05 AM
I remember listening to Newstalk one evening and they were going on about how the GAA needed the media more than the media needed the GAA!
I rarely bother with player interviews in paper or TV format.
It's usually cliche-ridden, by the numbers stuff.
Nobody is obliged to talk to the media.
Jinxy
When is the last time you read a good interview with a player ?
You need a good journalist to wangle the information out of them
Tell me this...Do Armagh/Meath play on the Sat 9th Aug? Has the draw and date already been made? I know we can't have Dubin v Meath again nor Monaghan v Donegal but has the dates been confirmed and Croke Park the venue?
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 08:42:48 PM
Tell me this...Do Armagh/Meath play on the Sat 9th Aug? Has the draw and date already been made? I know we can't have Dubin v Meath again nor Monaghan v Donegal but has the dates been confirmed and Croke Park the venue?
Meath/Armagh v. Donegal, 4:00 Saturday 9th August, Croke Park.
http://www.gaa.ie/fixtures-and-results/national-fixtures/gaa-football-all-ireland-senior-championship/
Unless both Armagh and Kildare win, then Armagh could potentially play Dublin as there will be a draw. That possibility was there for the other quarter finals anyway. http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/2/2107141421-football-championship-fixture-details-confirmed/
Quote from: Dubhaltach on July 29, 2014, 10:17:39 PM
Unless both Armagh and Kildare win, then Armagh could potentially play Dublin as there will be a draw. That possibility was there for the other quarter finals anyway. http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/2/2107141421-football-championship-fixture-details-confirmed/
You have it the wrong way around. Unless both Armagh and Kildare both win there will no draw. Armagh are slight favourites, but I wouldn't expect Kildare to beat Monaghan (fortunately).
There's rain forecast for Saturday.
That'll suit Armagh.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 29, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
There's rain forecast for Saturday.
That'll suit Armagh.
why?
*If either/both Meath or Monaghan win their Rd 4b games, there will not require to be a quarter final draw as Donegal cannot meet Monaghan again at this stage and Dublin cannot meet Meath. If neither win, there will be a draw to determine which of the Rd 4b winners (Armagh, Kildare) play which of the Provincial Champions in the All Ireland Quarter Finals..... From gah website.
Lillies to cheer for mcgeeneys Armagh then...revenge on the donegalmen for 2010...
Quote from: del_carroll on July 30, 2014, 12:28:35 AM
*If either/both Meath or Monaghan win their Rd 4b games, there will not require to be a quarter final draw as Donegal cannot meet Monaghan again at this stage and Dublin cannot meet Meath. If neither win, there will be a draw to determine which of the Rd 4b winners (Armagh, Kildare) play which of the Provincial Champions in the All Ireland Quarter Finals..... From gah website.
Lillies to cheer for mcgeeneys Armagh then...revenge on the donegalmen for 2010...
2011.
Seeing quite a lot of news stories with Grimley mentioned - wonder if the media are spouting shite again
Good luck Armagh.
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 11:40:08 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 29, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
There's rain forecast for Saturday.
That'll suit Armagh.
why?
Hard to play free-flowing football on a wet day.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 11:56:25 AM
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 11:40:08 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 29, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
There's rain forecast for Saturday.
That'll suit Armagh.
why?
Hard to play free-flowing football on a wet day.
That explains your heavy defeat to Dublin then as it was warm and sunny that day...you lot needed the rain too ;)
Quote from: illdecide on July 30, 2014, 03:49:04 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 11:56:25 AM
Quote from: illdecide on July 29, 2014, 11:40:08 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 29, 2014, 11:13:15 PM
There's rain forecast for Saturday.
That'll suit Armagh.
why?
Hard to play free-flowing football on a wet day.
That explains your heavy defeat to Dublin then as it was warm and sunny that day...you lot needed the rain too ;)
I don't know, Meath's performance that day was pretty wet.
First Kevin Reilly having a dig at Grimley and now Anthony Moyles. It appears that the Meath men have no great love for Grimley from his time as assistant manager in Meath.
Moyles wasn't having a dig, he was just saying that Grimley would be one for instilling a siege mentality in his players.
That works with some lads, it doesn't work with others.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 04:46:10 PM
Moyles wasn't having a dig, he was just saying that Grimley would be one for instilling a siege mentality in his players.
That works with some lads, it doesn't work with others.
'I probably wouldn't have seen eye-to-eye with Paul on some things.
Certainly not the way we were playing and some of the personnel we had that year, I definitely didn't see eye-to-eye with him.'
Sounds like a bit of a dig to me anyway. The strange thing is that Grimley was being heavily criticised a couple of months ago for being in the newspapers too much. I think Moyles has got this one wrong, the siege mentality and media ban is more likely to have come from McGeeney who is not a PR man and who doesn't suffer fools (a lot of journalists) easily.
Saying you didn't see 'eye-to-eye' with someone is considered a dig now?
That's just a statement of fact.
Some major injury news in Armagh
Will have major impact on Saturdays game.
It's preferable not to name the parties
Quote from: naka on July 30, 2014, 05:07:09 PM
Some major injury news in Armagh
Will have major impact on Saturdays game.
Wow!
Quote from: naka on July 30, 2014, 05:07:09 PM
Some major injury news in Armagh
Will have major impact on Saturdays game.
Unfortunately true.
Harold, who's injured? Please tell me. I swear I'm not, nor ever have been, a member of the media.
Why the smoke and daggers, as Bertie used to say?
Major impact - Sounds like Jamie Clarke or McKeever
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 20, 2014, 06:38:09 PM
Armagh may think they will win this based on Dublin hammering Meath. But if Armagh were there today they would have faced the same result. Look at who Dublin have turned over easily since the League semi-final and think are these teams any lesser football teams than Armagh? The extra week will give Meath time to recover and this will be a close match!
Only fools would think Armagh would win this easy...I'm not acting the soft fella here but I'd actually put Meath as slight favourites if I was setting the odds. It will be a very tight game and I couldn't rule out a draw
Quote from: naka on July 30, 2014, 05:07:09 PM
Some major injury news in Armagh
Will have major impact on Saturdays game.
It's preferable not to name the parties
Would be par for the course for us this year. Horrible run of luck with injuries all year. Hopefully nobody else will manage to get crocked before Saturday.
If it's McKeever (as rumours would suggest), at least there is a quality replacement available in AK. Black, yellow & Red card betting has been suspended.
If McKeever is out it is a massive blow to our chances. With McKeever I think we had a 50/50 chance and maybe even had the slight edge. Without him I think the balance tilts towards Meath.
God it's normally me that starts the bogus injury scares!!!! This one is true though from what I am hearing. Finn Mo will probably start given the fact that the management want to maintain their tactical master stroke option of holding AK till the game has opened up to use his to exploit the opposition.
Is the McKeever injury a season ending one?
I think the management will go for a more defensive minded player to replace McKeever and hold back Aaron Kernan until the 2nd half. Id be playing him from the start though, he has plenty of experience and it will be important to have mobile ball players in Croke Park.
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 08:37:57 PM
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
Without McKeever's passes inside Armagh might start looking very average indeed. If anything it's a bigger loss than Clarke right now.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 08:37:57 PM
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
That's true though he was a great driving force going forward. I reckon Aaron Kernan will come in and be our main man for getting the ball forward quickly.
Quote from: Syferus on July 30, 2014, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 08:37:57 PM
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
Without McKeever's passes inside Armagh might start looking very average indeed. If anything it's a bigger loss than Clarke right now.
Maybe not as big a loss as Clarke but the next biggest in any case.
Oisín writing for GAA.ie
Didn't realise we had an annual troidí with Armagh back in the day.
QuoteLet me start by taking you back to a time when Gaelic football was a bit different. When I first broke onto the Armagh senior football panel in the 1990s, I discovered that an annual ritual took place every year in Navan, a couple of weeks before the start of the championship.
It was the toughest, most physical environment you could ever end up in as a Gaelic footballer. It just used to always end in fights and rows. The chosen referee of the day was obviously given instructions to let a lot of things go, because his whistle hardly blew.
Meath and Armagh used to meet every year without fail in what I can only describe as a war of a challenge game around late April or early May. The game was often held behind closed doors and it's a blessing that it was because it literally was war. I don't know where the idea for the game started, I don't know who drove the staging of it, but I'd love to know who did because I would have told them to drive it in another direction!
It was the toughest, most physical environment you could ever end up in as a Gaelic footballer. It just used to always end in fights and rows. The chosen referee of the day was obviously given instructions to let a lot of things go, because his whistle hardly blew. And with that being the case, it meant a row was the only way to settle any grievances that happened. It usually would be sparked with Graham Geraghty and Ger Reid going at each other, and then everyone else would get stuck in.
When I first started to realise what was going on in this game, I was probably about 10 stone at most. So it was hardly the game for me, and I rarely played much football in them. But I remember in the dressing room before those games, the likes of Kieran McGeeney and Ger Reid were just relishing the prospect of going out and getting stuck into Meath. We had plenty of tough boys like Ger and Kieran, Diarmuid Marsden and Barry O'Hagan, and they had no bother matching up to Meath in the physical stakes.
But we nearly always came out the wrong side of it. I found it all quite amusing to be honest, as a young lad new to the scene. You'd have these brawls on the field - brutal and serious as they happened - and then at the end of it, everyone just moved on and forgot about it. Brushed it over, got into their cars, drove home and that was that. Well, that was that at least until the Battle of Páirc Táilteann the following year...
By the time Joe Kernan came on the scene with Armagh, he saw the folly in going down every year and taking a hammering so he brought a swift end to that particular ritual. But I always think of those games when I think of Meath.
When I think of Meath football, I think of the toughest, hardest battles I've ever been in in my life on a football field. They just had something about them. There was no Mick Lyons for Meath by the time I came along, but they still carried the aura that he had represented when he was there. John McDermott, Enda McManus, Darren Fay, players like that. They were just a big, tough physical outfit.
We played them in the 1999 All-Ireland semi-final, and came up just short of them by a few points. It was a strange game for me personally because my father was terminally ill at the time and I wasn't sure if I was going to go and play that game. My family, in particular my mother, convinced me to play in the end as it's what my father wanted, but it was a strange experience.
I remember we had a serious air of confidence about us going into that game, but from early on you knew it was going to be very tough. There's a famous shot of Tony McEntee and Fay colliding at one stage, and it summed up how physical a contest it was. I was marking Mark O'Reilly at first that day, and then Darren Fay was switched onto me. I actually had my hands on the ball a lot, especially in the first half, but I didn't get a score, and I'd have to say Fay had a lot to do with that.
We were well in the game at half-time, but we had Ger Reid sent off after the break and it just sort of went away from us from there. Looking back now though, that game was a very important one for us in terms of our development. We thought we were there. We had just won our first Ulster title, and while we celebrated it, we didn't over-celebrate it. We were focused on Meath and winning the All-Ireland but we just needed a few more years, and the injection of a few more young players, to push on.
Although it's a very different situation now, this Saturday's game against Meath in Croke Park is another important milestone for Armagh, who I am happy to say, have had a real resurgence this season. Armagh are a completely different team, squad and set-up to what they were this time last year. Last year, the big thing about Armagh was that they played 15 on 15, man on man and it was shambolic at times. We looked very, very poor, in particular against Cavan and Galway. We exposed a lot of our defenders and left ourselves open to a lot of criticism.
Armagh have clearly learned from that and learned from the defeats. But what has really impressed me recently is that Armagh are now learning from their victories - which is the big trick in modern Gaelic football. There has been a real progression since the win over Cavan in the Ulster quarter-final. We should have beaten Monaghan the first day out in the semi-final, and while there were some system malfunctions in the replay that cost us, the wins over Tyrone and Roscommon have been very encouraging.
The last day out against Roscommon, Armagh were impressive. They were very solid defensively, brought players back, lined them across the '45', and invited teams onto them. They turned over Roscommon 12 times in the first half alone. But what pleases me most is the fact that we have evolved in attack as well. We have mixed solid defence with a team that are also now pretty good going forward.
Kevin Dyas at centre half forward plays a big role in that. He is the outlet ball when Armagh move out from defence. He makes the run left and right because the space is there. He can link the ball, he can hold it up, he can pop it off his shoulder. And invariably, Armagh have players coming off the shoulder at speed. Or, if the kickpass is on, Armagh can deliver that too with players like Aaron Kernan, McKeever, Dyas and others all well capable of playing quality ball into the forwards.
There's a structure there now. We had 10 different scorers against Roscommon, got 1-13 from play and managed to get defenders forward a lot as well. Another major plus against Roscommon and this season in general is Aaron Findon at midfield. He has really stepped up to the mark, and I think he is exactly the sort of player we have missed since Paul McGrane retired. A midfielder who can hold his own in the middle, who is strong physically, good defensively, and who is able to get forward and punch a point.
Armagh have clearly learned a lot from last season and from earlier this season. Kieran McGeeney will get a lot of the credit for it because he's new to the set-up, but I think you have to give both him and Paul Grimley credit. They will have sat down at the start of the season, and the players will have had an input too, and asked themselves what's the best way to take the team forward? Let's look back again quickly - I watched Armagh get beaten by Tyrone in the McKenna Cup earlier this year and lose by 24 points. It was just so inept that day it was incredible.
Thankfully, things changed from there on. The full-back line got more protection during the league and Ciarán McKeever started to drop into that sweeper role, which he played so well in against Roscommon. It wasn't blanket defence or anything like that, but it was the start of an evolution which came to full fruition in the win against Cavan. Armagh basically knew going into that game if they went 15 on 15 against Cavan for the second year in a row, there was a chance they could get beaten, whereas if they lined out in same way Cavan did, they would beat them for the simple reason that they have better players and better forwards. So that's what they did and it worked. And that's been the basis for the rest of the summer.
Once it worked against Cavan, it was easy to show the players that this was the way to go, because one thing I've learned from being in dressing rooms all my life is that it's easy for a manager to sell an idea to his players if it has already worked. So it has evolved and Armagh are now in a pretty good place.
Getting back to Croke Park is a big deal for Armagh as well. It will be the first time we have played there since 2010, and playing on that stage is something a lot of these Armagh players want and need in their careers. It all feeds into an overall positive mood that is back in the county. It re-instils a little bit of belief. Armagh had a terrible league campaign, and off the back of a terrible league campaign it's very easy to go into your shell and think it's over. But that hasn't been the case. There have been basically no defections this year, unlike last year, and that's a big thing and a good sign for a squad. A sign that the mood is good.
So I would say the buzz is back. When Kieran McGeeney came back in, that did a lot for the mood in the county and instantly, it seemed to become cool again to play for Armagh. A lot of club players had opted out for a while because they didn't see Armagh going anywhere. Now though, players around the county are trying desperately to get into the squad, rather than get out of it, as has been the case at times over the last few seasons.
I will stress here though – I'm not getting carried away. I talked at the start of this piece about going back to a not-so-distant time when Gaelic football was a very different sport to what it is today. A time when Meath and Armagh were genuine All-Ireland contenders. The reality now is that neither of them are able to put a hand on the likes of Dublin (Meath have already found this out), and there is something I find genuinely sad about that.
That said, this is an important game for both counties and both will see it as a big chance for them to get to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. For Meath, they can either have a serious reaction to the hammering they got in the Leinster final or they can retreat even further into their shells and fall away. The easy thing for me to say here would be 'And if know Meath people, they won't retreat into their shell', but the truth is, I don't know. I find it hard to weigh this Meath team up.
I saw them a few times during the league. I saw them lose to Armagh, but then I saw them cut through and beat a Down team that was playing very defensive football against them. So they have something about them. They looked like relegation fodder at one stage and they were able to stay up. They are very fast, and they hurt Kildare in the semi-final with that, but the thing that really strikes me about them is their lack of physicality.
Given what I said before about what I thought of when I thought about Meath football, that in itself is a big reflection on how much things have changed in the landscape since the days when I was playing. So Armagh will definitely try to exploit that. Meath still have plenty of strengths that can hurt Armagh though. They have an excellent goalkeeper in Paddy O'Rourke, and they have fast, accurate forwards. The other thing is that they will realise very quickly in this game that they are not playing Dublin. That will be psychologically important and when I think of all those things, I see this as a pretty even game.
One thing I do know though is that it will be different to the Meath Armagh games I played in. I'm not entirely sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Quote from: thejuice on July 31, 2014, 09:25:19 AM
Oisín writing for GAA.ie
Didn't realise we had an annual troidí with Armagh back in the day.
Quote
It was just considered a normal game for the Meath team of those days
To everyone else it "literally was war" (Oisin's words, not mine)
I enjoyed that article.
Those were the days.....
Ah yeah, God be with the days when we played real football
(http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p348/thejuice2003/4E4375A6-5BF3-4DDE-8FAA-239438B86FBD_zpsetctg0ms.jpg)
Look at Bruce Lee flying in from the left. :D
Sure Liam Hayes was the one calling the Roscommon team if the early 90's the All-Ireland Challenge Champions such was our intensity. Armagh were only playing a cheap imitation of the real thing in those games.
I still don't get why a quality player like AK doesn't start. I'd always start my best 15.
Quote from: Applesisapples on July 31, 2014, 11:55:53 AM
I still don't get why a quality player like AK doesn't start. I'd always start my best 15.
I think it's a masterclass introducing him each time and one which is working to great effect for Armagh.
Quote from: Syferus on July 30, 2014, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 08:37:57 PM
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
Without McKeever's passes inside Armagh might start looking very average indeed. If anything it's a bigger loss than Clarke right now.
And you know so much about the Armagh team do you? McKeever is certainly a miss but I believe we have players who can pass the ball from the back line...stick to Roscommon.
Quote from: you take er! on July 31, 2014, 07:50:28 PM
Quote from: Syferus on July 30, 2014, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on July 30, 2014, 08:37:57 PM
It's tough alright but it's easier for a team like Armagh to deal with losing a defensive player rather than someone like Clarke, given the system of play.
Without McKeever's passes inside Armagh might start looking very average indeed. If anything it's a bigger loss than Clarke right now.
And you know so much about the Armagh team do you? McKeever is certainly a miss but I believe we have players who can pass the ball from the back line...stick to Roscommon.
Chippy buck, aren't ya? Anyone with eyes can see how important McKeever is to that team as a leader and as a player. He isn't easily replaceable nor is being able to pass the ball the sum of his worth to Armagh.
So, who do we have to replace McKeever? Aaron Kernan can certainly move the ball from the back, but he lacks that Stonewall Jackson quality that McK possesses. Bring in Finn Mo? Tough enough but not exactly a Franz Beckanbauer mid-defense general, though certainly likely to amass as many yellows and blacks as McK. Charlie Vernon might be a near fit, but don't want to shake up a fullback line that's holding its own. Any number of subs can fill the position, but none, I think, can exert anything close to McK's influence. As others have noted, a significant loss, one that makes our defense more porous and our attack a little more stodgy. Anyone want to propose a starting 15?
Is it confirmed that C McK is officially out?
Mind games.
I was watching the video of the league game earlier in the year. That was a somewhat unfamiliar Armagh team, e.g. with O'Neill from Carrickcruppen, but one that was well up for it. Caolan Rafferty did a lot of work that day, we could do with him on Saturday. Meath seemed to run out of stream that day, something they will presumably wish to avoid this time. Armagh would need not to give away any handy goals this time, and I doubt if we will.
Best of luck to both teams.*
* Copyright jinxy ;)
Met Eireann have just issued an Orange alert for Dublin tomorrow. Apparently a shower, the likes of which hasn't been seen for years, is on its way to the capital.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2014, 12:34:52 PM
Met Eireann have just issued an Orange alert for Dublin tomorrow. Apparently a shower, the likes of which hasn't been seen for years, is on its way to the capital.
STOLE THAT
for my mourne brethren who are feeling put out
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2014, 12:34:52 PM
Met Eireann have just issued an Orange alert for Dublin tomorrow. Apparently a shower, the likes of which hasn't been seen for years, is on its way to the capital.
Occasionally very heavy.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2014, 12:34:52 PM
Met Eireann have just issued an Orange alert for Dublin tomorrow. Apparently a shower, the likes of which hasn't been seen for years, is on its way to the capital.
2008 comes to mind. I heard it was brutal that day v Wexford. The weather, not the match.
QuoteSTOLE THAT
for my mourne brethren who are feeling put out
???????
Quote from: BennyCake on August 01, 2014, 01:15:18 PM
2008 comes to mind. I heard it was brutal that day v Wexford. The weather, not the match.
Serious rain that day. Fortunately, the worst of tomorrow's rain should be over before the game.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2014, 01:19:24 PM
QuoteSTOLE THAT
for my mourne brethren who are feeling put out
???????
Quote from: BennyCake on August 01, 2014, 01:15:18 PM
2008 comes to mind. I heard it was brutal that day v Wexford. The weather, not the match.
Serious rain that day. Fortunately, the worst of tomorrow's rain should be over before the game.
But they are expecting Thunder during the game :)
Quote from: illdecide on August 01, 2014, 01:50:31 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2014, 01:19:24 PM
QuoteSTOLE THAT
for my mourne brethren who are feeling put out
???????
Quote from: BennyCake on August 01, 2014, 01:15:18 PM
2008 comes to mind. I heard it was brutal that day v Wexford. The weather, not the match.
Serious rain that day. Fortunately, the worst of tomorrow's rain should be over before the game.
But they are expecting Thunder during the game :)
Or Tunder (depends where you're from ;))
Good luck to both teams
With mc keever out how the hell is this Armagh team going to know where to go in the parade.
Quote from: rrhf on August 01, 2014, 11:18:34 PM
With mc keever out how the hell is this Armagh team going to know where to go in the parade.
No parades in Qualifiers.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2014, 10:29:19 PM
I was watching the video of the league game earlier in the year. That was a somewhat unfamiliar Armagh team, e.g. with O'Neill from Carrickcruppen, but one that was well up for it. Caolan Rafferty did a lot of work that day, we could do with him on Saturday. Meath seemed to run out of stream that day, something they will presumably wish to avoid this time. Armagh would need not to give away any handy goals this time, and I doubt if we will.
O'Neill is from St Paul's... Not sure y he hasn't featured at all in Championship as he had a decent league
The day has come, Dublin has been thouroughly washed down in preparation. It is up to the honest drumlin GAA men from Armagh and Monaghan to put a stop to the domination of Greater Dublin, and its Pale reflection of the GAA.
We'll miss McKeever, but here is my prediction.
(http://i62.tinypic.com/kd1y7t.gif)
Is this on Premier Sports too or only on Sky Sports 3?
The local Irish bar only has PS.
Just sky3 I'm afraid
Or the alternate streaming options :-)
http://www.wiziwig.tv/competition.php?part=sports&competitionid=315&discipline=other
Hmmm might just stream it at home.
Quote from: mick999 on August 02, 2014, 02:14:04 PM
Or the alternate streaming options :-)
http://www.wiziwig.tv/competition.php?part=sports&competitionid=315&discipline=other
Grand job Mick. Thanks.
All the best to Armagh the day! C'MON ARMAGH
Tis stream is good quality
http://hdfoots.com/watch/skysports-3-live-streaming.html (http://hdfoots.com/watch/skysports-3-live-streaming.html)
Kevin Reilly out as well.
Looks like Shane O'Rourke is in at full back!! No bother to him I'm sure.
Tough conditions and both teams getting bodies back but you couldn't see either team going any further, real lack of quality on both sides. Decent viewing all the same even if that's more to do with the slipping sliding nature of the game than the quality of the football.
Meath are very poor.
Ulster teams are completely incapable of putting on a game worth watching in the championship. Armagh are the masters of anti-entertainment.
Quote from: Main Street on August 02, 2014, 04:52:10 PM
Tis stream is good quality
http://hdfoots.com/watch/skysports-3-live-streaming.html (http://hdfoots.com/watch/skysports-3-live-streaming.html)
Thanks for that link - it's a goodun
Great response from Meath in fairness and they are still in it.
What radio station is covering the match?
Has A. Kernan touched the ball?
Was enjoying that Armagh performance until they fell asleep.
Armagh switched off for half time minutes before the ref blew the whistle. Game on in the second half.
Christ, roaring at the lads for knocking it in long. Carroll putting in poor ball with Armaghs no. 6 sweeping up everything.
Got a text saying Graham Reilly had walked off the squad after being dropped, well dropping him has lit a fire under his arse.
Cian Ward is really pitching for a telly role.
Quote from: thejuice on August 02, 2014, 05:51:50 PM
Cian Ward is really pitching for a telly role.
I was thinking exactly the same thing there :D
Agree, he is very articulate and astute. A major improvement on most of the current ones. Darragh O'Se has put in a very poor shift as co-commentator I thought.
Lads, does anyone know what radio is covering the game? Thanks.
Try Lmfm.ie
Thanks a lot juice
Quote from: Oraisteach on August 02, 2014, 05:54:12 PM
Lads, does anyone know what radio is covering the game? Thanks.
I usually just google the two counties local radio stations when looking for coverage if a game.
If only Jamie Clarke could pass to himself!!
Sky need to do something about their co commentators, Earley and O'Se are as bad as each other
Cannot believe how poor Meath are but Armagh are very well organized and are hard to break down
Great credit to Armagh, I thought they were poor enough in many ways in the first half but they did a lot fd things well too and they must be happy with where they are at the moment. I suspect they've gone as far as they are going to go but they are in a good place at the moment.
Well done Armagh. Getting to quarters is massive achievement and it's all bonus territory now.
Better team won.
Better organised and more dominant physically. They use the ball better and more purposeful in attack. They look more confortable on the ball where our lads are skittish.
Apart from the closing minutes of the first half and their inability to win midfield kick outs, Armagh looked slick. Great ball movement and relatively few wides. Contrary to an earlier comment by a Dub poster, this was highly entertaining. Looked like a well-oiled machine. Didn't look like a Div. 3 team.
Armagh passing is very impressive.
Quote from: thejuice on August 02, 2014, 06:37:36 PM
Better team won.
Better organised and more dominant physically. They use the ball better and more purposeful in attack. They look more confortable on the ball where our lads are skittish.
There's a future there for Meath though. Get Wallace back fit and players like Carroll (impressed with him) and Tormey, Mcmahon, Flanagan etc. The last 5 minutes of the first half was old school Meath football at it's best.
Well done Armagh - hugely admirable performance and a display of all that is good about the game.
I don't agree, juice. I can't remember ever feeling as disillusioned, dispirited or disheartened as a Meath football man. We are at a sad low ebb. Our ineptitude is unbelievable. Our skill levels are unacceptable and our tactics are stone age. The only consolation is that we have good, earnest people on the field an on the sideline and we kept our dignity. But we're back at 1980 level as regards our ranking in football and I can't see any prospect of progress, short of starting from scratch with a ten-year programme of player development.
Meath are dirt, won't be winning much for the next good while.
Armagh looked good, some decent footballers there and it's nice to see a mini-renaissance for the likes of the Kernans, McKeever, the Mallons and Brendan Donaghy.
I'm not as dispondant as you Hardy but still disappointed. It's not like we are bereft of talant but the lads don't look as strong or physically made for the game. The fact that we lorded it in terms of kick outs but still could have been beat by a much bigger margarine says a lot of where we are tactically.
Quote from: Hardy on August 02, 2014, 06:44:42 PM
Well done Armagh - hugely admirable performance and a display of all that is good about the game.
I don't agree, juice. I can't remember ever feeling as disillusioned, dispirited or disheartened as a Meath football man. We are at a sad low ebb. Our ineptitude is unbelievable. Our skill levels are unacceptable and our tactics are stone age. The only consolation is that we have good, earnest people on the field an on the sideline and we kept our dignity. But we're back at 1980 level as regards our ranking in football and I can't see any prospect of progress, short of starting from scratch with a ten-year programme of player development.
I'm living in the county and there's serious young talent and commitment to develop young players coming through especially in non traditional strong clubs like Ratoath and Ashbourne. The worry is what was said by Daragh O'Sé on Sky where he said that Meath's tactics are the same as they were 10 or 20 years ago. The talent is coming through with the population explosion from the celtic tiger if they are let off the leash.
That development starts for 10 but will deliver from 5 years onwards as players improve before that and feed into existing resources and then it should deliver for 5 years before it's a case that others doing it differently are now doing it better and you will be back among the pack. Don't be too hard on your team Armagh fair play are on a huge upward curve and are the most improved team in Ireland this year. Fair play to Paul Grimley he has managed this group and resourced them well. If I was the county board I'd be looking him to stay on and oversee their development next year as well. His knowledge of the attacking and midfield areas are a joy to watch and with mc gene keeping his eye on his rearguard Armagh are definitely balancing out well.
Quote from: Hardy on August 02, 2014, 06:44:42 PM
Well done Armagh - hugely admirable performance and a display of all that is good about the game.
I don't agree, juice. I can't remember ever feeling as disillusioned, dispirited or disheartened as a Meath football man. We are at a sad low ebb. Our ineptitude is unbelievable. Our skill levels are unacceptable and our tactics are stone age. The only consolation is that we have good, earnest people on the field an on the sideline and we kept our dignity. But we're back at 1980 level as regards our ranking in football and I can't see any prospect of progress, short of starting from scratch with a ten-year programme of player development.
In fairness ye are one good Manager away from being back to a high standard. The reality of the modern game is that the Manager is very important. In the old days good teams could get away with not having a good Manager. In todays game the Manager (and back room team) are vital to progression. Managers today won't get away with coasting.
young shiells reminds me of andy mc cann. my man of the match
And on top of everything else, we have to look forward to ten months of the Man. Utd. thread on top of the other side of the board. I'm getting out the Tullamore Dew and retiring to the back room.
Impressed with Armagh. In the first half I thought the no10 (Forker?) was excellent. Has a great burst of pace. Second half, Campbell 14, was super.
Meath did an awful lot of silly things while in possession. A game that won't be enjoyable on the video, but perhaps can learn a lot from it.
Quote from: thejuice on August 02, 2014, 06:55:53 PM
I'm not as dispondant as you Hardy but still disappointed. It's not like we are bereft of talant but the lads don't look as strong or physically made for the game. The fact that we lorded it in terms of kick outs but still could have been beat by a much bigger margarine says a lot of where we are tactically.
Damn predictive text!
In fairness, juice, the ball was greasy today, and Armagh were butter able to adapt to the conditions.
Quote from: Hound on August 02, 2014, 07:35:37 PM
Meath did an awful lot of silly things while in possession. A game that won't be enjoyable on the video, but perhaps can learn a lot from it.
Yeah, lots of poor use of the ball, poor decision making and I think that comes from being physically under strength. The lads were always in two minds about where to go.
Quote from: Hardy on August 02, 2014, 07:12:39 PM
And on top of everything else, we have to look forward to ten months of the Man. Utd. thread on top of the other side of the board. I'm getting out the Tullamore Dew and retiring to the back room.
Well yis were warned last night about the Orange alert.
To be fair though, I did buy a bag of Navan potatoes last night in Tescos which I hope, in some small way, eases the pain for the Meath people.
Quote from: thejuice on August 02, 2014, 06:55:53 PM
I'm not as dispondant as you Hardy but still disappointed. It's not like we are bereft of talant but the lads don't look as strong or physically made for the game. The fact that we lorded it in terms of kick outs but still could have been beat by a much bigger margarine says a lot of where we are tactically.
You are utterly bereft of new talent. The standard of your club game is rubbish- I've seen enough of it. You can't fix a problem if you don't recognise one exists.
The other issue is your manager got rid of some experienced players for some younger players that aren't up to it. A silly move now in hindsight as the experienced players were immeasurably better then their replacements.
Change for change sake is always a sign of desperation.
Can I just get in before the rest of my fellow county men and wish Armagh the best for the year. If they win the all Ireland I will be a good Christian and give them the credit they deserve. We all know what happens the year after Armagh win all Irelands.
Quite a good performance from the fierce Ulidians.
I generally dislike criticising particular players in an amateur game, especially given the level of commitment neccesary, but desperate times call for desperate measures. In my estimation Burke, Harrington, Harnan, D Bray, MacDonagh, Meade, Wallace & McMahon at least are not good enough. That's eight passengers, for Christ's sake no panel can carry eight players. And there are more who are far from convincing. To be frank, it would be easier to name the players who you could be happy with this year. Tactically, we're brain dead. In the last two games we have allowed teams to play short kickouts at their leisure and run unchallenged up to the 50 yard mark. Mick O'Dowd has to take a degree of responsibility for that.
It's not all bad news. Next year will see the return of E Wallace, Gillespie, D Dalton and C O'Sullivan, all of whom would have started that game today. Nevertheless, we're in bad need of uncovering some new talent as well. I'd like to see the two Queeneys in, C Ward as well, and Daire Rowe is a better footballer than Joey Wallace and if we're honest, was overlooked because he plays for Syddan. If he played for Ratoath, he'd have been in the panel. There's plenty of other players there to be found if we go looking, I don't buy the claims that Meath are 'utterly bereft of new talent'. The situation has actually dramatically improved on where it was some years back, except that we don't have any exceptional players in the 'experienced' category to help along. Newman, E Wallace, Cillian O'Sullivan and Donal Keoghan are some of the best players Meath have had since our last AI, and Adam Flanagan has the potential to join them.
Another great win for Armagh, serious momentum built up from the last three wins. Donegal will have to be at their very best if they want to reach the All Ireland semi final this summer.
Armagh in an all Ireland quarter final. Not bad for a team who were called a lot of unsavory things in April. Well done to Paul Grimley and the panel for proving the naysayers wrong.
Quote from: rrhf on August 02, 2014, 08:00:32 PM
Can I just get in before the rest of my fellow county men and wish Armagh the best for the year. If they win the all Ireland I will be a good Christian and give them the credit they deserve. We all know what happens the year after Armagh win all Irelands.
Ah bless - did you take down your wee bitter topic from this morning and me having a great day in Dublin and never got to read it.
Quote from: Ard-Rí on August 02, 2014, 09:26:54 PM
I generally dislike criticising particular players in an amateur game, especially given the level of commitment neccesary, but desperate times call for desperate measures. In my estimation Burke, Harrington, Harnan, D Bray, MacDonagh, Meade, Wallace & McMahon at least are not good enough. That's eight passengers, for Christ's sake no panel can carry eight players. And there are more who are far from convincing. To be frank, it would be easier to name the players who you could be happy with this year. Tactically, we're brain dead. In the last two games we have allowed teams to play short kickouts at their leisure and run unchallenged up to the 50 yard mark. Mick O'Dowd has to take a degree of responsibility for that.
It's not all bad news. Next year will see the return of E Wallace, Gillespie, D Dalton and C O'Sullivan, all of whom would have started that game today. Nevertheless, we're in bad need of uncovering some new talent as well. I'd like to see the two Queeneys in, C Ward as well, and Daire Rowe is a better footballer than Joey Wallace and if we're honest, was overlooked because he plays for Syddan. If he played for Ratoath, he'd have been in the panel. There's plenty of other players there to be found if we go looking, I don't buy the claims that Meath are 'utterly bereft of new talent'. The situation has actually dramatically improved on where it was some years back, except that we don't have any exceptional players in the 'experienced' category to help along. Newman, E Wallace, Cillian O'Sullivan and Donal Keoghan are some of the best players Meath have had since our last AI, and Adam Flanagan has the potential to join them.
Your club game is way off what it was. The Meath County Final this year was one of the poorest games I've seen in a while in Meath.
The likes of Harrington and D Bray have proven to be able to compete at this level and you're putting a sizeable amount of faith in a lot of young players who've done nothing at underage level and not much at this level either to date. Some of the guys you've mentioned I'd agree with you on.
James Mc Entee is a young player who played very well for UCD this year- never made an appearance. Your manager is obsessed with speed because of Dublin. He drops Reilly because he had one bad game. Reilly is one of your best players.
If teams stopped trying to play like Dublin they might actually beat them. Meath need to start investing in training their young footballers correctly in the art of sports science without forgetting the traditional values that made them a footballing power.
I'm not aware of any of the other top six teams in the country who "try to play like Dublin "
Nor have Dublin met any of those teams yet it is worth remembering
Quote from: INDIANA on August 02, 2014, 10:04:40 PM
Your club game is way off what it was. The Meath County Final this year was one of the poorest games I've seen in a while in Meath.
The Senior Championship has not been great in the last couple of years. That's a very different thing than being bereft of underage talent, or indeed, reflecting the club scene generally.
QuoteThe likes of Harrington and D Bray have proven to be able to compete at this level and you're putting a sizeable amount of faith in a lot of young players who've done nothing at underage level and not much at this level either to date. Some of the guys you've mentioned I'd agree with you on.
Harrington used to be a very handy back but I don't recall him playing a good game for Meath in a long long time. A couple of years even. David Bray had one really good performance for Meath that I recall, against Mayo in 2009. Hardly proving himself capable of performing at this level, that was five years ago. In terms of having faith in the younger players, you have to do it at some stage. And our experienced players never exactly set the world alight themselves.
QuoteJames Mc Entee is a young player who played very well for UCD this year- never made an appearance. Your manager is obsessed with speed because of Dublin. He drops Reilly because he had one bad game. Reilly is one of your best players.
Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with you on this. I've never seen a Meath team as windy or light as the team we are fielding at the minute. And the speed we have as a result is not working in our favour, we can't make a ball stick in the forwards. I guess that's where strength and conditioning comes into it.
QuoteIf teams stopped trying to play like Dublin they might actually beat them. Meath need to start investing in training their young footballers correctly in the art of sports science without forgetting the traditional values that made them a footballing power.
Again, I'm inclined to agree.
Another excellent win.This time last year I watched Tyrone defeat Meath in a tight game the outcome of which was in doubt until the final whistle.I remember thinking Armagh were light years behind both teams.What a difference a year makes
Quote from: Hardy on August 02, 2014, 07:12:39 PM
And on top of everything else, we have to look forward to ten months of the Man. Utd. thread on top of the other side of the board. I'm getting out the Tullamore Dew and retiring to the back room.
No ice in mine Hardy. Delighted with the progress this year and all credit to the team and management. Hard to say what will happen from here, Donegal will rightly be favourites and will be tough nuts. Fair play to the meath lads, no whining there. A spade is a spade and a bit of class carries you a long way.
Well done Armagh. Like Hardy I am a bit despondant tonight.
There are so many areas of despondancy that I could be writing for ages. Overall I would agree with much that has been said. We are in a bad place. Not competing at underage level is a surprise considering our population, traditions etc. I am not sure if all the bad press about Meath being physical in the eighties has got to the powers that be but we dont seem to want to develop players with a physical edge to their game anymore.From what I hear the Dubs train it into the players from a young age but we dont seem to develop that side of the game.
I would like to keep MOD on but I have to say that I was shocked to see him bringing Joey Wallace in to that game. That decision alone has seriously dented my faith in him. I also think that we have no defensive system and we dont seem to have any plan B to deal with a team like Armagh who play to a defensive strategy. If Micko stays on then he MUST upgrade his backroom team with someone tha can develop our defensive system
lastly, the Meath support in Croke Park was v poor today. Armagh outshouted us all game and we are just down the road from Croker. Much more excuses for Armagh fans to travel. Best of luck to them the next day.
Excellent performance from our lads, proud of each and everyone of them. Must say the Meath crowd were a class act, wishing us well after the game. To their fans, dont be disheartened you only have to look at our progress to see how easy it is to turn it round. When the final whistle went you could see how many fans we had fair play to all the supporter who traveled down. Away to get dried.
Probably the best Armagh performance in 10 years. Great result. Every man give his all. Very proud of the team, so I am.
Quote from: Zip Code on August 02, 2014, 10:04:14 PM
Quote from: rrhf on August 02, 2014, 08:00:32 PM
Can I just get in before the rest of my fellow county men and wish Armagh the best for the year. If they win the all Ireland I will be a good Christian and give them the credit they deserve. We all know what happens the year after Armagh win all Irelands.
Ah bless - did you take down your wee bitter topic from this morning and me having a great day in Dublin and never got to read it.
Enjoy your success.
Quote from: BennyCake on August 02, 2014, 11:34:08 PM
Probably the best Armagh performance in 10 years. Great result. Every man give his all. Very proud of the team, so I am.
You re talking like Baker Bradley , so you are
Quote from: Gaffer on August 03, 2014, 12:14:59 AM
Quote from: BennyCake on August 02, 2014, 11:34:08 PM
Probably the best Armagh performance in 10 years. Great result. Every man give his all. Very proud of the team, so I am.
You re talking like Baker Bradley , so you are
Aye, I am, so I am. The only thing missing is a Paisley-like 'ssss' at the end.
It's very disappointing from a Meath point of view to go out again after a Leinster Final loss and a Round 4 loss. You can't have any complaints though. Armagh were way the better team and they're ready for a crack off Donegal.
I don't like to see the overreaction though from Meath fans. It's not as if this wasn't coming. Everyone knew it could happen. Someone said Daire Rowe is not playing because he's for Syddan. That is hilarious. Rowe is only a minor and will get plenty of chances soon. He's a promising footballer. Awful siege mentality going in Syddan !
Ard Ri - You are an example of another Meath fan who needs to calm down too. You've mentioned a load of players that aren't good enough yet have put all this faith in Newman, Wallace and Cillian O'Sullivan. The reality is these 3 aren't much better than the players you are giving out about. O'Sullivan has played a game and a half in the League and you are completely overestimating him. Next year after a few bad games, will you be putting him in your other list? Eamonn Wallace has to come back from a serious injury. There's no point writing off 7 or 8 players and then hoping the rest will turn out to be saviours. The reality is all those players are around the same level.
Also don't agree with the S&C argument. Meath are as well conditioned as Armagh. There's room there for improvement for sure but if you came up with a measure of S&C of all county teams, Meath would fare as well as most. Again the reality here is not good enough when it comes to playing football. The passes, the shooting, the fumbling were all evident yesterday, why overlook these and blame S&C?
The unfortunate reality is Meath were not good enough to win yesterday. The better team won. On a different day you might have had a different result, who knows. For now, it's best that Meath take the positives from the year and come back again and regroup for next year and stick to the original target of top 8 (Division 1 & QF's) next year. That's a realistic aim. Every will agree Meath are in the top 12 but are struggling to make the next step.
Quote from: thejuice on August 02, 2014, 06:37:36 PM
Better team won.
Better organised and more dominant physically. They use the ball better and more purposeful in attack. They look more confortable on the ball where our lads are skittish.
Quote from: Hardy on August 02, 2014, 06:44:42 PM
Well done Armagh - hugely admirable performance and a display of all that is good about the game.
I don't agree, juice. I can't remember ever feeling as disillusioned, dispirited or disheartened as a Meath football man. We are at a sad low ebb. Our ineptitude is unbelievable. Our skill levels are unacceptable and our tactics are stone age. The only consolation is that we have good, earnest people on the field an on the sideline and we kept our dignity. But we're back at 1980 level as regards our ranking in football and I can't see any prospect of progress, short of starting from scratch with a ten-year programme of player development.
I would tend to agree with the main points in these posts.
Hardy - I wouldn't be so as down as you. I think there is hope for Meath to keep progressing although All-Irelands are a million miles away yes. But Division 1 next Spring is realistic and losing the next few Leinster Finals to Dublin is probably also realistic ! At some stage we might get fortunate in a Round 4 Qualifier.
Our ranking is top 12 if you read much into those things. I don't think too many will argue.
The frustrating thing is this time last year, Meath people would have taken a game with Armagh for granted. No disrespect to Armagh. It's frustrating to see how Armagh have passed Meath out even since the League. That is probably what annoys a lot of Meath people too.
I'd not be too despondent if I was a Meath fan. Not nice to lose but there is a young talented squad there. Injuries have robbed them of a few good men also.
Meath clubs were poor and standard of club football heavily criticised all through the 90's so that's a non issue. Derry have great club football standard - no use to the county team results.
A few players mentioned like Wallace ( both of them) might never be good enough , as while they have speed- they still lack a lot of basic skills. That can improve though.
Plenty of skillful players there but they need a mix of brawn and speed too. Not sure if Mickey Burke can do it as he is suited to a style from decade ago. Carroll quick but might have difficulty taking tactics on board as he only knows one way. Still all may have a place in the jigsaw.
Odowd and giles might be showing their lack of experience and I'd not have promoted them so quickly into the jobs they have. A few more years on the management and coaching/tactics learning curve would have benefited them and the future county team.
A more exp and Wiley tactician like Davy Nelson or Andy Mcentee would IMO have been better in the current set up. Though Sean Kelly and Colm Brady bring huge positives to the management.
A few decisions and the changing style of play didn't help matters esp in the forwards but maybe I'm being harsh on mod as injuries have enforced changes all the time.
Am happy with young Flanagan as he looks to be a combo of meade's aggression and gillespie's silky footballing passing skills. Clonard in prev seasons had been complaining about him being overlooked so fair play to Mod as he does seem to be giving every good player from every club a shot! Syddan will just need patience!
It would poss have been better for Mod to have came on to the mgt when this squad had a few more years on them but there is talent there again.
Prob wasn't fair to play the game in croker as so many Crossmaglen players would have the benefit of too much game time in hq ::)
And congrats to Armagh
Great perf from a good side in terrible conditions
An enjoyable game and both sides competed well - Armagh deserved the win as their delivery movement and attacking tactics were superior
Quote
It's very disappointing from a Meath point of view to go out again after a Leinster Final loss and a Round 4 loss. You can't have any complaints though. Armagh were way the better team and they're ready for a crack off Donegal.
I don't like to see the overreaction though from Meath fans. It's not as if this wasn't coming. Everyone knew it could happen. Someone said Daire Rowe is not playing because he's for Syddan. That is hilarious. Rowe is only a minor and will get plenty of chances soon. He's a promising footballer. Awful siege mentality going in Syddan
I'm not from Syddan, nor do I even like them. I just see the fact that Daire Rowe is a better footballer than Joey Wallace, and the fact that we're picking lots of Ratoath footballers for the panel - and just about the whole lot of them are not cutting it. It's not an overreaction when a team has produced not only the worst performance in modern Meath football history, but also limp out of the championship with another soulless display. It's not good enough, and if you're happy enough not to react to it, then you're happy enough to see it go on year after year. This is the third year we lost a Leinster Final (first by 3, then by 7, and this year by 16) and then on each occasion got knocked out in the round 4 qualifier. That is not progress.
QuoteArd Ri - You are an example of another Meath fan who needs to calm down too. You've mentioned a load of players that aren't good enough yet have put all this faith in Newman, Wallace and Cillian O'Sullivan. The reality is these 3 aren't much better than the players you are giving out about. O'Sullivan has played a game and a half in the League and you are completely overestimating him. Next year after a few bad games, will you be putting him in your other list? Eamonn Wallace has to come back from a serious injury. There's no point writing off 7 or 8 players and then hoping the rest will turn out to be saviours. The reality is all those players are around the same level.
I've watched Cillian O'Sullivan playing for years, come back to me this time next year and tell me I've overestimated him. That lad is the pick of the bunch if he can stay fit. Newman and Wallace both proved they could produce it at the top level last year, unfortunately this year has been a disaster and we have not seen as much from Newman and Wallace of course is injured. There is no point in not writing off the 7 or 8 players. If they're not good enough, they're not good enough, simple as that. Try somebody else. But don't leave them in there just because we're not bothered making the effort to try others. Same thing with Joe Sheridan and Brian Farrell last year. They weren't good enough anymore. There's no room for sentimentality.
QuoteAlso don't agree with the S&C argument. Meath are as well conditioned as Armagh. There's room there for improvement for sure but if you came up with a measure of S&C of all county teams, Meath would fare as well as most. Again the reality here is not good enough when it comes to playing football. The passes, the shooting, the fumbling were all evident yesterday, why overlook these and blame S&C?
Some of those stem from Tactics as well which is an issue, but a lot of those errors come from Strength and Conditioning. If you are telling me that you think say, Brian McMahon, has the appropriate S&C work done, then you have to be watching a different game. Dalton MacDonagh I'd say likewise. We can't make a ball stick in the forwards, the reason is our lads are not strong enough. On the other side of the coin, you have Menton, Tormey etc. who do seem to have the work done so perhaps it's a case of the player-centred programmes that are at fault.
Quote
The unfortunate reality is Meath were not good enough to win yesterday. The better team won. On a different day you might have had a different result, who knows. For now, it's best that Meath take the positives from the year and come back again and regroup for next year and stick to the original target of top 8 (Division 1 & QF's) next year. That's a realistic aim. Every will agree Meath are in the top 12 but are struggling to make the next step.
There are sweet FA positives from this year. One of the worst years I've ever seen in Meath football, and if something like that can't motivate change then we'll go nowhere for a very long time.
On a side note; credit Armagh, they deserved to win and you'd have to think they'll give Donegal a good game at the very least in the QF.
Has the big windmill debate caused problems within the county.
Ard Ri, you could be right about Cillian O'Sullivan. He could turn out to be a great footballer but I'd be a bit more cautious. He is no impressive than Graham Reilly or Damian Carroll were at their age. You might also have watched him for years but you haven't watched much of him in the last 2 because he was in Australia a lot of last year and injured since the middle of February this year. Again another reason to be cautious when rating him. He's missing a lot of football at a crucial age.
I agree with you there's no obvious evidence of progress and yesterday had a touch of the soullessness about it. But on the Ratoath thing, the underage teams have been dominated by players from Ratoath recently. I don't think there is any bias there. Daire Rowe is by all accounts a great prospect and I'm sure will get his chance in time. To be fair to you, the Joey Wallace thing hasn't worked but it was a gamble the management thought was worth making. Who knows what he was doing in training. If you've seen Cillian O'Sullivan for years, you've surely seen Wallace a bit too and he's been an obvious candidate as one who stands out.
Its just starting again on sky. Get the full value.. Watch again 8)
Enjoyed the game yesterday bar about 7-8 mins of the first half where we switched off but in fairness Meath hit a few cracker pts during that spell. Jamie Clarke didn't have a good game but keeping him on still takes the attention of the opposing teams best defenders... I thought S Campbell, A Mallon, big Charles where best for Armagh, A Kernan was quiet first half but had an impressive 2nd half. Some people around me were giving off when mistakes were made but it was obvious people like that never played the game as any player will tell you playing in them conditions yesterday would be impossible not to make mistakes.
I was very surprised with the crowd there yesterday, I thought Armagh had the biggest support there and we would have had the longest journey to make, def thought the double header would have attracted about 45000 but there you go. Looking forward to Donegal next week which will be a tough ask but we have a chance
What was the attendance? I got soaked as I was sitting in row K of the Hogan. Mind you pints of Carlsberg at €5 a throw soon dried me out. Must be the cheapest place for drink in Dublin
Quote from: Nigel White on August 03, 2014, 10:26:20 AM
What was the attendance? I got soaked as I was sitting in row K of the Hogan. Mind you pints of Carlsberg at €5 a throw soon dried me out. Must be the cheapest place for drink in Dublin
TGI's up near my hotel was €4 a pint of Bud
Quote from: illdecide on August 03, 2014, 10:04:28 AM
Enjoyed the game yesterday bar about 7-8 mins of the first half where we switched off but in fairness Meath hit a few cracker pts during that spell. Jamie Clarke didn't have a good game but keeping him on still takes the attention of the opposing teams best defenders... I thought S Campbell, A Mallon, big Charles where best for Armagh, A Kernan was quiet first half but had an impressive 2nd half. Some people around me were giving off when mistakes were made but it was obvious people like that never played the game as any player will tell you playing in them conditions yesterday would be impossible not to make mistakes.
I was very surprised with the crowd there yesterday, I thought Armagh had the biggest support there and we would have had the longest journey to make, def thought the double header would have attracted about 45000 but there you go. Looking forward to Donegal next week which will be a tough ask but we have a chance
Thought the same about Jamie when I was at the game. Then watched it on Sky+ when I got home and was surprised at how well he did play.
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 09:57:27 AM
Ard Ri, you could be right about Cillian O'Sullivan. He could turn out to be a great footballer but I'd be a bit more cautious. He is no impressive than Graham Reilly or Damian Carroll were at their age. You might also have watched him for years but you haven't watched much of him in the last 2 because he was in Australia a lot of last year and injured since the middle of February this year. Again another reason to be cautious when rating him. He's missing a lot of football at a crucial age.
I agree with you there's no obvious evidence of progress and yesterday had a touch of the soullessness about it. But on the Ratoath thing, the underage teams have been dominated by players from Ratoath recently. I don't think there is any bias there. Daire Rowe is by all accounts a great prospect and I'm sure will get his chance in time. To be fair to you, the Joey Wallace thing hasn't worked but it was a gamble the management thought was worth making. Who knows what he was doing in training. If you've seen Cillian O'Sullivan for years, you've surely seen Wallace a bit too and he's been an obvious candidate as one who stands out.
I think when managers start talking about 5 year plans- you can forget about it.
Sean Collins in Clare has done more in one year in Clare then Meath have achieved in 2 years.
I can't understand why you'd get rid of experienced players even to bring off the bench. Especially when Meath's impact players this year have been so underwhelming its been beyond belief. Pace and skill have to go hand in hand. To me Meath are picking pace for the sake of it.
As I've said previously James Mc Entee is a fine player yet he's nowhere to be seen. So I don't know what the talent identification process is in Metah but having seen their u16 team recently they are set for a long spell in the doldrums.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 03, 2014, 02:54:52 PM
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 09:57:27 AM
Ard Ri, you could be right about Cillian O'Sullivan. He could turn out to be a great footballer but I'd be a bit more cautious. He is no impressive than Graham Reilly or Damian Carroll were at their age. You might also have watched him for years but you haven't watched much of him in the last 2 because he was in Australia a lot of last year and injured since the middle of February this year. Again another reason to be cautious when rating him. He's missing a lot of football at a crucial age.
I agree with you there's no obvious evidence of progress and yesterday had a touch of the soullessness about it. But on the Ratoath thing, the underage teams have been dominated by players from Ratoath recently. I don't think there is any bias there. Daire Rowe is by all accounts a great prospect and I'm sure will get his chance in time. To be fair to you, the Joey Wallace thing hasn't worked but it was a gamble the management thought was worth making. Who knows what he was doing in training. If you've seen Cillian O'Sullivan for years, you've surely seen Wallace a bit too and he's been an obvious candidate as one who stands out.
I think when managers start talking about 5 year plans- you can forget about it.
Sean Collins in Clare has done more in one year in Clare then Meath have achieved in 2 years.
I can't understand why you'd get rid of experienced players even to bring off the bench. Especially when Meath's impact players this year have been so underwhelming its been beyond belief. Pace and skill have to go hand in hand. To me Meath are picking pace for the sake of it.
As I've said previously James Mc Entee is a fine player yet he's nowhere to be seen. So I don't know what the talent identification process is in Metah but having seen their u16 team recently they are set for a long spell in the doldrums.
It's probably easier to say that as a Dublin supporter Indiana. I'd give Micko the benefit of the doubt and give him the 5 years. If you look at it, Meath got out of Division 3 and finished third in Division 2, two Leinster Finals have probably cemented Meath's status as second to Dublin in Leinster. It's not what the supporters will settle for but in my opinion it's not bad looking at the bigger picture with what's available.
James McEntee is a good youngster. He missed the u21 campaign with injury and only came into the senior panel after that. He's the same age group as Joey Wallace. Maybe he's unlucky not to be getting the chances Joey got. Also agree Meath are not going well at underage.
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 03:42:57 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on August 03, 2014, 02:54:52 PM
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 09:57:27 AM
Ard Ri, you could be right about Cillian O'Sullivan. He could turn out to be a great footballer but I'd be a bit more cautious. He is no impressive than Graham Reilly or Damian Carroll were at their age. You might also have watched him for years but you haven't watched much of him in the last 2 because he was in Australia a lot of last year and injured since the middle of February this year. Again another reason to be cautious when rating him. He's missing a lot of football at a crucial age.
I agree with you there's no obvious evidence of progress and yesterday had a touch of the soullessness about it. But on the Ratoath thing, the underage teams have been dominated by players from Ratoath recently. I don't think there is any bias there. Daire Rowe is by all accounts a great prospect and I'm sure will get his chance in time. To be fair to you, the Joey Wallace thing hasn't worked but it was a gamble the management thought was worth making. Who knows what he was doing in training. If you've seen Cillian O'Sullivan for years, you've surely seen Wallace a bit too and he's been an obvious candidate as one who stands out.
I think when managers start talking about 5 year plans- you can forget about it.
Sean Collins in Clare has done more in one year in Clare then Meath have achieved in 2 years.
I can't understand why you'd get rid of experienced players even to bring off the bench. Especially when Meath's impact players this year have been so underwhelming its been beyond belief. Pace and skill have to go hand in hand. To me Meath are picking pace for the sake of it.
As I've said previously James Mc Entee is a fine player yet he's nowhere to be seen. So I don't know what the talent identification process is in Metah but having seen their u16 team recently they are set for a long spell in the doldrums.
It's probably easier to say that as a Dublin supporter Indiana. I'd give Micko the benefit of the doubt and give him the 5 years. If you look at it, Meath got out of Division 3 and finished third in Division 2, two Leinster Finals have probably cemented Meath's status as second to Dublin in Leinster. It's not what the supporters will settle for but in my opinion it's not bad looking at the bigger picture with what's available.
James McEntee is a good youngster. He missed the u21 campaign with injury and only came into the senior panel after that. He's the same age group as Joey Wallace. Maybe he's unlucky not to be getting the chances Joey got. Also agree Meath are not going well at underage.
But its more fixable in Meath then other counties and it sure don't take 5 years.
You've a stack of clubs, not a lot of hurling to worry about. You need to pick your best players and forget 5 year plans. Focus on training your players correctly from a younger age.
But Mick O Dowd isn't going to see that part of it so he needs to forget about 5 year plans.
Just on Mc Entee he kicked 0-5 from play in the Dublin SFC for UCD. So he wasn't doing too badly.
What about the likes of Barry Dardis? Knows where the posts are. Put O Rourke in front of the goal instead of asking him to mark the fittest GAA player in Ireland. I really think your management have done a poor job this year.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 03, 2014, 03:52:48 PM
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 03:42:57 PM
Quote from: INDIANA on August 03, 2014, 02:54:52 PM
Quote from: Sea The Stars on August 03, 2014, 09:57:27 AM
Ard Ri, you could be right about Cillian O'Sullivan. He could turn out to be a great footballer but I'd be a bit more cautious. He is no impressive than Graham Reilly or Damian Carroll were at their age. You might also have watched him for years but you haven't watched much of him in the last 2 because he was in Australia a lot of last year and injured since the middle of February this year. Again another reason to be cautious when rating him. He's missing a lot of football at a crucial age.
I agree with you there's no obvious evidence of progress and yesterday had a touch of the soullessness about it. But on the Ratoath thing, the underage teams have been dominated by players from Ratoath recently. I don't think there is any bias there. Daire Rowe is by all accounts a great prospect and I'm sure will get his chance in time. To be fair to you, the Joey Wallace thing hasn't worked but it was a gamble the management thought was worth making. Who knows what he was doing in training. If you've seen Cillian O'Sullivan for years, you've surely seen Wallace a bit too and he's been an obvious candidate as one who stands out.
I think when managers start talking about 5 year plans- you can forget about it.
Sean Collins in Clare has done more in one year in Clare then Meath have achieved in 2 years.
I can't understand why you'd get rid of experienced players even to bring off the bench. Especially when Meath's impact players this year have been so underwhelming its been beyond belief. Pace and skill have to go hand in hand. To me Meath are picking pace for the sake of it.
As I've said previously James Mc Entee is a fine player yet he's nowhere to be seen. So I don't know what the talent identification process is in Metah but having seen their u16 team recently they are set for a long spell in the doldrums.
It's probably easier to say that as a Dublin supporter Indiana. I'd give Micko the benefit of the doubt and give him the 5 years. If you look at it, Meath got out of Division 3 and finished third in Division 2, two Leinster Finals have probably cemented Meath's status as second to Dublin in Leinster. It's not what the supporters will settle for but in my opinion it's not bad looking at the bigger picture with what's available.
James McEntee is a good youngster. He missed the u21 campaign with injury and only came into the senior panel after that. He's the same age group as Joey Wallace. Maybe he's unlucky not to be getting the chances Joey got. Also agree Meath are not going well at underage.
But its more fixable in Meath then other counties and it sure don't take 5 years.
You've a stack of clubs, not a lot of hurling to worry about. You need to pick your best players and forget 5 year plans. Focus on training your players correctly from a younger age.
But Mick O Dowd isn't going to see that part of it so he needs to forget about 5 year plans.
Just on Mc Entee he kicked 0-5 from play in the Dublin SFC for UCD. So he wasn't doing too badly.
What about the likes of Barry Dardis? Knows where the posts are. Put O Rourke in front of the goal instead of asking him to mark the fittest GAA player in Ireland. I really think your management have done a poor job this year.
Yeah I couldn't understand why Dardis didn't start for the u21s. He's still u21 next year so he might get his chance then to shine.
I would agree too it's not the manager's job to be looking 5 years down the line. His job is get the best out of the team that particular year and someone else should be worrying about the future.
Still there's not much structure in Meath and maybe Micko is taking responsibility for that. I'm happy to see him remain. There's not much good changing the manager every 5 years.
Well done to Armagh, fully deserved their win.
Clueless stuff from us as usual.
Paddy O'Rourke, Keoghan, Tobin and Tormey can hold their heads up high in terms of their efforts this summer.
As for the rest of the squad and management, please see my comments following the Dublin game because I can't be arsed typing them out again.
Armagh going forward are a joy to watch, and Croke Park suits them with loads of space to attack, and always another man coming up on the shoulder to take the ball at speed. They showed great composure in possession, and alot of them young lads with little or no experience of Croke Park. From relegation to Div 3 a couple of months ago, to where Armagh are now is some transformation.
Jamie Clarke is worth his place every time should he never touch the ball. The amount of times he pulls the opposition defence all over the place, and creates so much space for other forwards is unreal, he's a class act every time he touches the ball. Campbell, Dyas, the Forkers, Carragher, Kernan's ... all are stepping up to the mark, and is the whole team.
Donegal will be a very tough nut to crack next Saturday, but Armagh have a chance. It's all bonus territory from here on, no pressure on the team, they're obviously enjoying themselves at present, and long may they continue.
Would like to acknowledge the Meath supporters after yesterday's game, all very gracious in defeat, fair play lads.
Taken from the Armagh discussion forum:
Right folks. Please take time to read this as I feel strongly about this.
Its been a long time since I posted a comment on this site, although I regularly link in to read all the various insightful (and some less insightful) contributions about our county players and county team's performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and the result and also the Monaghan/Kildare match - I even found myself cheering when Monaghan scored their first goal!
Anyway, most of you will be familiar with the big "Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour" banner which the Breen brothers from Portadown have taken to Armagh matches all over the country for the past decade and and half. It has appeared at McKenna Cup matches, N/League matches, and Championship matches. You name the ground - that banner has been there - especially not far away from the goal end-lines where it has been seen on TV on countless times. The lads and their banner have seldom missed a game.
As genuine county fans, they have followed Armagh through the glory years and the lean years.
What many people do not know is that each time before they leave for an Armagh game, they go to St John's cemetery to place the Armagh flag over their brother's grave. He was an ardent Armagh fan who died too young.
That said, I don't know how many of you saw or noticed the incident involving the Breens in Croke Park at Saturday's match. The lads had spread their banner across several rows of empty seats in the old Canal End (now the Davin stand).
Given the ongoing and horrific events in the Middle East, the Breen brothers had added four words to their banner -"We Stand With Gaza" - along with a Palestinian flag.
At half-time, Croke Park officials - not the stewards, but the well-paid men in green jackets - sought to remove the banner. When the Breen's refused, 'the men in green jackets' threatened them with the Gardai.
The Gardai dutifully arrived and threatened them with arrest.
Sitting at the far end of the Cusack Stand, myself and a number of other fans were too far away to help the lads.
Clearly, such a banner was deemed by 'the men in green jackets' as possibly upsetting to some SKY viewers.
After a lot of arguing, the lads reluctantly removed the banner.
However, during the second half, when all "officialdom" had left the area in the belief that the brothers had been cowered, they again spread their banner out once more where it stayed until the final whistle. And at the final whistle, they raised aloft the Palestinian flag.
Next Saturday, Armagh are back in Croke Park - its been a long time since we've been there two weekends in a row!!
The Breen bothers will also be back with their banner.
Yes, I know there are those who say you shouldn't mix sport and politics.
But opening up Croke Park to other games was done for political as well as financial reasons.
Inviting and hosting the British (or as our Celtic cousins in Scotland would say) the English Queen to Croke Park was done for political as well as 'national reconciliation' reasons.
Putting "We Stand With Gaza" on a banner may be political to some, but given the civilian death toll and the hundreds of children slaughtered there, it is also a very basic humanitarian sentiment shared by tens of thousands of ordinary GAA members, players and supporters.
Saturday's 'Irish News' (2/9/14) had an article on page 7 stating that the Michaela Harte Foundation had launched an appeal to help those children suffering in Gaza. Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, was quoted as stating that he had been "horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza".
I have no doubt that, at some time in the near future, John and the Michaela Harte Foundation will most likely seek to promote that cause in Croke Park.
Just like the Breen brothers who have also been horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza.
Hopefully, the Breens will stand with their banner behind the Goals in Hill 16 next week.
All I am asking is that Armagh, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan fans all stand firmly beside the Breen brothers next week in case 'the men in green jackets' try to stop their banner's message from offending the sensitivities of some SKY viweres.
If we all stand together, 'the men in green jackets' will not be as keen in enforcing their petty censorship.
The buckfast brigade was out in full force last night I noticed.
The language from a small number of Armagh fans was digusting. I thought it was drunk teens, but no, middle aged folk. No doubt attending their first Armagh match in 10 years. I also noticed a small number give the ref dogs abuse, and standing up giving the middle finger towards the play. Embarrassing is not the word.
I know all counties have them, but try to remember theres young kids about. When people resort to this behaviour, they're not only letting themselves down, but their county too.
Quote from: BennyCake on August 03, 2014, 06:38:02 PM
The buckfast brigade was out in full force last night I noticed.
The language from a small number of Armagh fans was digusting. I thought it was drunk teens, but no, middle aged folk. No doubt attending their first Armagh match in 10 years. I also noticed a small number give the ref dogs abuse, and standing up giving the middle finger towards the play. Embarrassing is not the word.
I know all counties have them, but try to remember theres young kids about. When people resort to this behaviour, they're not only letting themselves down, but their county too.
Couldn't agree more... I seen a few in the lower Hogan who could hardly stand...def embarrassing alright as the other counties look at the rest of us sober guys and tar us all with the same brush...
Quote from: BennyCake on August 03, 2014, 06:38:02 PM
The buckfast brigade was out in full force last night I noticed.
The language from a small number of Armagh fans was digusting. I thought it was drunk teens, but no, middle aged folk. No doubt attending their first Armagh match in 10 years. I also noticed a small number give the ref dogs abuse, and standing up giving the middle finger towards the play. Embarrassing is not the word.
I know all counties have them, but try to remember theres young kids about. When people resort to this behaviour, they're not only letting themselves down, but their county too.
The plonker with the giant umbrella who stood up halfway through the half in the middle of the Cusack Stand and argued with all around him and stewards is also an example of the type of "fan" that we could do without. No genuine fan would obstruct the view of others.
Political banners have no place in Croke Park or any other GAA ground.
Quote from: Harold Disgracey on August 03, 2014, 05:30:58 PM
Taken from the Armagh discussion forum:
Right folks. Please take time to read this as I feel strongly about this.
Its been a long time since I posted a comment on this site, although I regularly link in to read all the various insightful (and some less insightful) contributions about our county players and county team's performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and the result and also the Monaghan/Kildare match - I even found myself cheering when Monaghan scored their first goal!
Anyway, most of you will be familiar with the big "Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour" banner which the Breen brothers from Portadown have taken to Armagh matches all over the country for the past decade and and half. It has appeared at McKenna Cup matches, N/League matches, and Championship matches. You name the ground - that banner has been there - especially not far away from the goal end-lines where it has been seen on TV on countless times. The lads and their banner have seldom missed a game.
As genuine county fans, they have followed Armagh through the glory years and the lean years.
What many people do not know is that each time before they leave for an Armagh game, they go to St John's cemetery to place the Armagh flag over their brother's grave. He was an ardent Armagh fan who died too young.
That said, I don't know how many of you saw or noticed the incident involving the Breens in Croke Park at Saturday's match. The lads had spread their banner across several rows of empty seats in the old Canal End (now the Davin stand).
Given the ongoing and horrific events in the Middle East, the Breen brothers had added four words to their banner -"We Stand With Gaza" - along with a Palestinian flag.
At half-time, Croke Park officials - not the stewards, but the well-paid men in green jackets - sought to remove the banner. When the Breen's refused, 'the men in green jackets' threatened them with the Gardai.
The Gardai dutifully arrived and threatened them with arrest.
Sitting at the far end of the Cusack Stand, myself and a number of other fans were too far away to help the lads.
Clearly, such a banner was deemed by 'the men in green jackets' as possibly upsetting to some SKY viewers.
After a lot of arguing, the lads reluctantly removed the banner.
However, during the second half, when all "officialdom" had left the area in the belief that the brothers had been cowered, they again spread their banner out once more where it stayed until the final whistle. And at the final whistle, they raised aloft the Palestinian flag.
Next Saturday, Armagh are back in Croke Park - its been a long time since we've been there two weekends in a row!!
The Breen bothers will also be back with their banner.
Yes, I know there are those who say you shouldn't mix sport and politics.
But opening up Croke Park to other games was done for political as well as financial reasons.
Inviting and hosting the British (or as our Celtic cousins in Scotland would say) the English Queen to Croke Park was done for political as well as 'national reconciliation' reasons.
Putting "We Stand With Gaza" on a banner may be political to some, but given the civilian death toll and the hundreds of children slaughtered there, it is also a very basic humanitarian sentiment shared by tens of thousands of ordinary GAA members, players and supporters.
Saturday's 'Irish News' (2/9/14) had an article on page 7 stating that the Michaela Harte Foundation had launched an appeal to help those children suffering in Gaza. Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, was quoted as stating that he had been "horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza".
I have no doubt that, at some time in the near future, John and the Michaela Harte Foundation will most likely seek to promote that cause in Croke Park.
Just like the Breen brothers who have also been horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza.
Hopefully, the Breens will stand with their banner behind the Goals in Hill 16 next week.
All I am asking is that Armagh, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan fans all stand firmly beside the Breen brothers next week in case 'the men in green jackets' try to stop their banner's message from offending the sensitivities of some SKY viweres.
If we all stand together, 'the men in green jackets' will not be as keen in enforcing their petty censorship.
what has Gaza got to do with their brother's grave?
Quote from: Harold Disgracey on August 03, 2014, 05:30:58 PM
Taken from the Armagh discussion forum:
Right folks. Please take time to read this as I feel strongly about this.
Its been a long time since I posted a comment on this site, although I regularly link in to read all the various insightful (and some less insightful) contributions about our county players and county team's performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and the result and also the Monaghan/Kildare match - I even found myself cheering when Monaghan scored their first goal!
Anyway, most of you will be familiar with the big "Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour" banner which the Breen brothers from Portadown have taken to Armagh matches all over the country for the past decade and and half. It has appeared at McKenna Cup matches, N/League matches, and Championship matches. You name the ground - that banner has been there - especially not far away from the goal end-lines where it has been seen on TV on countless times. The lads and their banner have seldom missed a game.
As genuine county fans, they have followed Armagh through the glory years and the lean years.
What many people do not know is that each time before they leave for an Armagh game, they go to St John's cemetery to place the Armagh flag over their brother's grave. He was an ardent Armagh fan who died too young.
That said, I don't know how many of you saw or noticed the incident involving the Breens in Croke Park at Saturday's match. The lads had spread their banner across several rows of empty seats in the old Canal End (now the Davin stand).
Given the ongoing and horrific events in the Middle East, the Breen brothers had added four words to their banner -"We Stand With Gaza" - along with a Palestinian flag.
At half-time, Croke Park officials - not the stewards, but the well-paid men in green jackets - sought to remove the banner. When the Breen's refused, 'the men in green jackets' threatened them with the Gardai.
The Gardai dutifully arrived and threatened them with arrest.
Sitting at the far end of the Cusack Stand, myself and a number of other fans were too far away to help the lads.
Clearly, such a banner was deemed by 'the men in green jackets' as possibly upsetting to some SKY viewers.
After a lot of arguing, the lads reluctantly removed the banner.
However, during the second half, when all "officialdom" had left the area in the belief that the brothers had been cowered, they again spread their banner out once more where it stayed until the final whistle. And at the final whistle, they raised aloft the Palestinian flag.
Next Saturday, Armagh are back in Croke Park - its been a long time since we've been there two weekends in a row!!
The Breen bothers will also be back with their banner.
Yes, I know there are those who say you shouldn't mix sport and politics.
But opening up Croke Park to other games was done for political as well as financial reasons.
Inviting and hosting the British (or as our Celtic cousins in Scotland would say) the English Queen to Croke Park was done for political as well as 'national reconciliation' reasons.
Putting "We Stand With Gaza" on a banner may be political to some, but given the civilian death toll and the hundreds of children slaughtered there, it is also a very basic humanitarian sentiment shared by tens of thousands of ordinary GAA members, players and supporters.
Saturday's 'Irish News' (2/9/14) had an article on page 7 stating that the Michaela Harte Foundation had launched an appeal to help those children suffering in Gaza. Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, was quoted as stating that he had been "horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza".
I have no doubt that, at some time in the near future, John and the Michaela Harte Foundation will most likely seek to promote that cause in Croke Park.
Just like the Breen brothers who have also been horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza.
Hopefully, the Breens will stand with their banner behind the Goals in Hill 16 next week.
All I am asking is that Armagh, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan fans all stand firmly beside the Breen brothers next week in case 'the men in green jackets' try to stop their banner's message from offending the sensitivities of some SKY viweres.
If we all stand together, 'the men in green jackets' will not be as keen in enforcing their petty censorship.
I remember an Ulster final 2004 I think it was against Donegal in Croke Park. The Garvaghy road Orangemen on tour banner was draped from upper deck of canal end. They were asked to remove it then and they did. Only a bit of craic FFS.
The issue is bringing banners and massive flags into CP per se as opposed to the message on them.
They're not allowed.
In the AI semi against Down Kildare fans protesting the Hill 16 fencing had banners removed. It's Croker Policy end of right or wrong.
Quote from: Jinxy on August 03, 2014, 08:30:01 PM
The issue is bringing banners and massive flags into CP per se as opposed to the message on them.
They're not allowed.
Fair enough but it was only draped over the wall in front and not obscuring anything. There was others as big there that day, I was under impression it was because of what was on it. It was the day after my brothers wedding and my view of events might have been somewhat skewed. Anyway could be wrong, and personally think all politics should be kept out of sport but what then is the retort when you get the national anthem being played in the north issue getting thrown into the mix ?
Fair play to the Breen brothers-sometimes these rules are worth breaking.
Would this humanitarian statement be seen as inflammatory?-hardly. The Republic is like a political ostrich these days-afraid to upset anyone in case of financial repercussions.
Quote from: Harold Disgracey on August 03, 2014, 05:30:58 PM
Taken from the Armagh discussion forum:
Right folks. Please take time to read this as I feel strongly about this.
Its been a long time since I posted a comment on this site, although I regularly link in to read all the various insightful (and some less insightful) contributions about our county players and county team's performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and the result and also the Monaghan/Kildare match - I even found myself cheering when Monaghan scored their first goal!
Anyway, most of you will be familiar with the big "Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour" banner which the Breen brothers from Portadown have taken to Armagh matches all over the country for the past decade and and half. It has appeared at McKenna Cup matches, N/League matches, and Championship matches. You name the ground - that banner has been there - especially not far away from the goal end-lines where it has been seen on TV on countless times. The lads and their banner have seldom missed a game.
As genuine county fans, they have followed Armagh through the glory years and the lean years.
What many people do not know is that each time before they leave for an Armagh game, they go to St John's cemetery to place the Armagh flag over their brother's grave. He was an ardent Armagh fan who died too young.
That said, I don't know how many of you saw or noticed the incident involving the Breens in Croke Park at Saturday's match. The lads had spread their banner across several rows of empty seats in the old Canal End (now the Davin stand).
Given the ongoing and horrific events in the Middle East, the Breen brothers had added four words to their banner -"We Stand With Gaza" - along with a Palestinian flag.
At half-time, Croke Park officials - not the stewards, but the well-paid men in green jackets - sought to remove the banner. When the Breen's refused, 'the men in green jackets' threatened them with the Gardai.
The Gardai dutifully arrived and threatened them with arrest.
Sitting at the far end of the Cusack Stand, myself and a number of other fans were too far away to help the lads.
Clearly, such a banner was deemed by 'the men in green jackets' as possibly upsetting to some SKY viewers.
After a lot of arguing, the lads reluctantly removed the banner.
However, during the second half, when all "officialdom" had left the area in the belief that the brothers had been cowered, they again spread their banner out once more where it stayed until the final whistle. And at the final whistle, they raised aloft the Palestinian flag.
Next Saturday, Armagh are back in Croke Park - its been a long time since we've been there two weekends in a row!!
The Breen bothers will also be back with their banner.
Yes, I know there are those who say you shouldn't mix sport and politics.
But opening up Croke Park to other games was done for political as well as financial reasons.
Inviting and hosting the British (or as our Celtic cousins in Scotland would say) the English Queen to Croke Park was done for political as well as 'national reconciliation' reasons.
Putting "We Stand With Gaza" on a banner may be political to some, but given the civilian death toll and the hundreds of children slaughtered there, it is also a very basic humanitarian sentiment shared by tens of thousands of ordinary GAA members, players and supporters.
Saturday's 'Irish News' (2/9/14) had an article on page 7 stating that the Michaela Harte Foundation had launched an appeal to help those children suffering in Gaza. Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, was quoted as stating that he had been "horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza".
I have no doubt that, at some time in the near future, John and the Michaela Harte Foundation will most likely seek to promote that cause in Croke Park.
Just like the Breen brothers who have also been horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza.
Hopefully, the Breens will stand with their banner behind the Goals in Hill 16 next week.
All I am asking is that Armagh, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan fans all stand firmly beside the Breen brothers next week in case 'the men in green jackets' try to stop their banner's message from offending the sensitivities of some SKY viweres.
If we all stand together, 'the men in green jackets' will not be as keen in enforcing their petty censorship.
Fair play to them. I won't be there but I hope the banner is out
From what I understand the order to remove the flag came from Sky representatives.
Quote from: Harold Disgracey on August 04, 2014, 12:16:38 AM
From what I understand the order to remove the flag came from Sky representatives.
Who told you that? Croke Park have had this policy long before Sky came along.
From someone who witnessed & videoed the incident. I'm aware of previous incident of stewards trying to get the boys to take down the flag in years over the years. This was different I believe and related to Gaza.
So, in previous years they were also asked to remove it, but this time it was because of Sky and gaza?
Quote from: maddog on August 03, 2014, 07:19:24 PM
Quote from: Harold Disgracey on August 03, 2014, 05:30:58 PM
Taken from the Armagh discussion forum:
Right folks. Please take time to read this as I feel strongly about this.
Its been a long time since I posted a comment on this site, although I regularly link in to read all the various insightful (and some less insightful) contributions about our county players and county team's performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and the result and also the Monaghan/Kildare match - I even found myself cheering when Monaghan scored their first goal!
Anyway, most of you will be familiar with the big "Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour" banner which the Breen brothers from Portadown have taken to Armagh matches all over the country for the past decade and and half. It has appeared at McKenna Cup matches, N/League matches, and Championship matches. You name the ground - that banner has been there - especially not far away from the goal end-lines where it has been seen on TV on countless times. The lads and their banner have seldom missed a game.
As genuine county fans, they have followed Armagh through the glory years and the lean years.
What many people do not know is that each time before they leave for an Armagh game, they go to St John's cemetery to place the Armagh flag over their brother's grave. He was an ardent Armagh fan who died too young.
That said, I don't know how many of you saw or noticed the incident involving the Breens in Croke Park at Saturday's match. The lads had spread their banner across several rows of empty seats in the old Canal End (now the Davin stand).
Given the ongoing and horrific events in the Middle East, the Breen brothers had added four words to their banner -"We Stand With Gaza" - along with a Palestinian flag.
At half-time, Croke Park officials - not the stewards, but the well-paid men in green jackets - sought to remove the banner. When the Breen's refused, 'the men in green jackets' threatened them with the Gardai.
The Gardai dutifully arrived and threatened them with arrest.
Sitting at the far end of the Cusack Stand, myself and a number of other fans were too far away to help the lads.
Clearly, such a banner was deemed by 'the men in green jackets' as possibly upsetting to some SKY viewers.
After a lot of arguing, the lads reluctantly removed the banner.
However, during the second half, when all "officialdom" had left the area in the belief that the brothers had been cowered, they again spread their banner out once more where it stayed until the final whistle. And at the final whistle, they raised aloft the Palestinian flag.
Next Saturday, Armagh are back in Croke Park - its been a long time since we've been there two weekends in a row!!
The Breen bothers will also be back with their banner.
Yes, I know there are those who say you shouldn't mix sport and politics.
But opening up Croke Park to other games was done for political as well as financial reasons.
Inviting and hosting the British (or as our Celtic cousins in Scotland would say) the English Queen to Croke Park was done for political as well as 'national reconciliation' reasons.
Putting "We Stand With Gaza" on a banner may be political to some, but given the civilian death toll and the hundreds of children slaughtered there, it is also a very basic humanitarian sentiment shared by tens of thousands of ordinary GAA members, players and supporters.
Saturday's 'Irish News' (2/9/14) had an article on page 7 stating that the Michaela Harte Foundation had launched an appeal to help those children suffering in Gaza. Michaela's widower, John McAreavey, was quoted as stating that he had been "horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza".
I have no doubt that, at some time in the near future, John and the Michaela Harte Foundation will most likely seek to promote that cause in Croke Park.
Just like the Breen brothers who have also been horrified by the death and destruction in Gaza.
Hopefully, the Breens will stand with their banner behind the Goals in Hill 16 next week.
All I am asking is that Armagh, Donegal, Dublin and Monaghan fans all stand firmly beside the Breen brothers next week in case 'the men in green jackets' try to stop their banner's message from offending the sensitivities of some SKY viweres.
If we all stand together, 'the men in green jackets' will not be as keen in enforcing their petty censorship.
I remember an Ulster final 2004 I think it was against Donegal in Croke Park. The Garvaghy road Orangemen on tour banner was draped from upper deck of canal end. They were asked to remove it then and they did. Only a bit of craic FFS.
On a personal note, my sympathies are very firmly with the Palestinian people. I think the Jews are acting the Hitler in this situation.
But I also believe that all politics, be it republican/unionist or anything else, should be kept out of the GAA.
I better not bring my "Garth Brooks on Tour" banner next week then?