Messages

I wouldnt say Woods is useless,but he doesnt have the physique to be out in the half forward line,If hes going to play at this level,it would have to be in the FF line where he can use his strength.

Woods has ability, but he's never been fit enough to play or have serious effect at Intercounty and probably never will at this stage.

Probably not matter to the CCCCCC about the dig at Early, but it should.
Woods has plenty of previous in this regard, but has gotten away with a lot over the past.

Just thinking -

In the Kildare changing room McGeeney will say a few words. Aidan O'Rourke may or may not speak now ....

In the Monaghan room down the corridor, who speaks? All 3? Just Banty? Banty & Grimley?
Must take a bit of coordination to back sure there's not too much said and no crossed wires, mixed messages.

This is where you can judge a manager.
Half time, game is on the line and lose this and you're gone!

That was the only way for Monaghan to start if they were going to give themselves any chance.

This will be the game where McGeeney earns his money.
I bet he wishes he had Grimley following him into the changing room at half time today.

I predict Galvin to get a 4 week ban this weekend

I would love to write a long post about what I think will happen Monaghan if they lose today but I'll just leave it for now ...

I think that will be a wonderful drama when it happens!

[Monaghan delay selection]

From Hoganstand:

Monaghan delay selection
23 July 2010

Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney won't be naming his team to face Kildare in tomorrow's All-Ireland football qualifier until just before throw-in.

The Farney County have injury concerns over goalkeeper Shane Duffy, full back JP Mone and the versatile Vinny Corey, who missed last Sunday's Ulster final defeat to Tyrone, and have decided to delay announcing their side until the last minute.


What do they do for the match programme in those situations? Do they just throw them out a dud?

Will somebody tell McEneaney, McElkennon and now Grimley that it doesn't suit Monaghan to do "cute hoorism". Nothing is ever straightforward with Monaghan. Rumours abound in the run up and the morning of the game, they have an outfield player wearing number one, they don't wear the proper kit etc etc etc. To be honest I think all this sh1te interrupts the teams preparations. I fancied Monaghan for this fixture but if they continue this "cute hoorism" then the pendulum is swinging towards Kildare.

How exactly?

- I think Banty would have injury concerns and after 6 days isn't 100% if someone like Corey is fit
- It does Monaghan every advantage to delay selection and keep Kildare guessing
- Monaghan players won't be bothered in the slightest, they know their team already I'd say

Might not suit the observer, but all's fair in love and war.

drumlane won by 1-10 to 0-07.  ballymachugh winning by 0-05 to 0-04 at half time.

03.40?

That game ended late!
Extra Time?

Cork have tough, hard settled team and I think if they are smart about it they'll use the back door to get as far as the All Ireland and if they avoid Tyrone and get Kerry in the Final I think they've the best possible chance to win.

I tend to look at it the other way. I reckon Cork would definitely beat Tyrone but only probably beat Kerry, IMO they are better than both but seem to have a hang up about Kerry. I couldn't see Tyrone beat Cork but with O'Sullivan, Cooper, Donaghy and Galvin Kerry have the firepower to beat Cork if they aren't at their best.

And what have limerick done in the championship to merit such a billing?

They've ran both Kerry and Cork closer than any other team bar Tyrone. It is all good and well saying Cork or Kerry wouldn't be taking Munster seriously but they have played them many times, including finals and have never been far away. Going close once or twice could be down to luck or the opposition having other things on their mind (i.e. an AI). But no team wants to lose a provincial final and both Cork and Kerry know Limerick are decent so I think it is fair to say Limerick have put two of the best teams in Ireland to the pins of thier collars in important games that Cork and Kerry would have been well primed for.

They also lost to Kildare and Meath by narrow margins and Meath reached two AI semi finals and are current Leinster champions, while Kildare just hammered Derry in Derry and pushed Tyrone all the way in last years QF's. To me that marks Limerick out as a serious championship team, and this year they have their strongest ever panel and team. They are still a bit limited in front of the posts but 1-9 they are as good as there is in the country.

No one can say with certainty that Cork would beat Tyrone Zulu this year.

I know why some would think so and I would agree - based on last years games only - but a lot has happened since.

Two main reasons ....

I'm yet to be assured Cork have improved.
They MAY well have, but looking at the Kerry team that beat them, which I think is weaker than last year, you'd have to ask the question. Secondly, unless they get a good test (and let's be honest Cavan and Wexford is no preparation for Tyrone) soon it will be a big step up to play Tyrone.

Secondly, Tyrone don't often do mistakes twice. I think they'll adopt a completely different approach to playing Cork this year if they meet and I think Cork would struggle. Also the All Ireland showed Tyrone and others how to play Cork. IMO Tyrone were already showing signs of fatigue and overtraining before they reached Croke Park last year and I think on the day Cork had everything going for them. That's not taking away from Cork - I think Cork would have won anyway and won very well and rightly so on the day.

Perhaps we'll be blessed with that game shortly!

I don't think Down are good enough.
End of story.
Sligo aren't world beaters, but should be better than these boys.

2nd last game for both anyway.

I'm going for a Louth win.
Dublin beat a very bad Armagh team, they'll have let a little hype seep into the squad - no mater how hard Gilroy tries.

On the other hand you've a wounded animal in Louth, with a great emotion driving them on. Someone mentioned Fitzer on about the replay and ref - forget about him. McEniff is the man to think about.
Imagine him speaking to the team - no better and shrewder man to turn the ship around and press the proper buttons on a team and motivate them properly.

The only caveat is that Louth have to start in 5th gear from the warm up. If they let Dublin settle they lose a huge home advantage. They need to get on top and run constantly for the first 15 minutes, not letting the Dublin back line know who they are marking and keep them chasing shadows get a few points on the board and drive on.
This will put pressure on Gilroy too on the line and I don't rate the Dublin backroom when it comes to working under pressure in a game.

If they can do that and drive it home they'll beat Dublin.

Won't be much in it, but they can.

Cork have tough, hard settled team and I think if they are smart about it they'll use the back door to get as far as the All Ireland and if they avoid Tyrone and get Kerry in the Final I think they've the best possible chance to win.

Limerick will run them close, strong Midfield, but might run out of puff in the second half, Good forwards and tight backs, i think if the attitude is right they'll bring it to a photo finish.

The only worry for Cork is that if they don't come with all heads screwed on right and are anyway lazy, they'll find themselves in the changing room at half time 6 points and a man down with a fight on their hands.

If Counihan is on his game though and boys are fighting for places expect a Cork win by 3 or 4 points

Monaghan.

I think Kildare are a good team, I don't think (and no disrespect to them) Derry was as much of an achievement. I think this will be a far harder game for them especially after a few weeks on the road too. I know both teams played and have short turn arounds, but there'll not be much between them. Callaghan is doing well and Doyle will take marking, but Walsh or most likely Dessie Mone will take him. We all know what Mone is about, and that'll be the kind of game it'll be.

Monaghan will be smarting after the last weekend.
Embarassed at home after (5 years of hard work) and 8 months of hard training in Clones in front of their own people, I think Monaghan will be out in force for this one.

Playing in Croker will liberate them too, in many ways it'll be easier than playing at home in Clones for them and I expect them to empty the tank this weekend.

Kildare won't have met a team like this yet this year and while they are well drilled I think this will be a dog fight with Monaghan going back to rough, tough negative win at all costs football.

Grimley came in and has tried to bring in attacking positive football, but based on last week and his knowledge of the Kildare camp, Monaghan will tighten their defence as tight as anyone can and go back to last years style of badger everything that moves.

Injuries will be tough on Monaghan, but here's a brave bet - MOTM - I expect Darren Hughes to get Man of the Match. Hugely underrated footballer and liberated now to CHB will attack at every chance, regardless of the man he has to mark as he's currently fit enough to do both.
Lennon and Clerkin will have big games, because they had nothing to do last weekend!!! (Ok a bit harsh), but they'll be angry at how Tyrone won and neither stepped up after the League they had. Expect Early to get a wallop in the first 30 seconds too and I'd be surprised if he finishes the game.

I know I'm going against the grain, but I think Monaghan will pull a surprise out of the bag.

Don't expect a good game.

Anyone know if Pillar is rated? In fairnress he has plenty of Leinster honours to his name but will that cut it at Ulster. If Pete is genuinely interested i reckon he is our man.

Think he had a very good club record too, so he'd be good.
Possibly even more up to date than Pete.

Pillar for Cavan?