Messages

[were found wanting]

It was 1-10 to 1-08 with 25 mins gone in second half then McNulty scored his goal to wrap it up. I

Apologies, I thought Dungannon pulled away slightly earlier.
But this reinforces the point that when the chips were down loughmacrory were found wanting.

This idiot clearly has an agenda v Loughmacrory, dont fall into it. 3 defeats all year for what I am lead to believe is a very young, up and coming team is not bad going, and I would imagine 95% of fans would gladly take that

Loughmacrory have a very young team. Another year in Div 2 would arguably be better for them than going to Div 1 prematurely.

A cabinet meeting called today to discuss the DUP threat to not pass the budget. Which would result in either labour backing it ot a government fail and probably a new election.

Be careful what you wish for Arlene....

Would Labour get in if there was an election?

Don't think so, feel neither party would secure a majority......coalition time again....this time with UKIP

Labour & everyone bar the Tories/DUP in a softer/no brexit coalition is possible

Anyone know will the Junior final be streamed on Sunday?

Think Beragh might take it but should be close - who would be favourites for this?

Real 50/50 game but Beragh might be very slight favourites based on league performances. Although Newton's Mayse may not have played much league football or even the semi final?

Terrible throw in time for a championship final. Not much consideration for young families

+1 Poor decision, seems like an after thought, a case of we'll just slot you in here sure

Big Finbar was fair giving out this evening in Sallys about it.

Standard enough for the county board in regards to the junior championship finals. Last 2 years they've been played as curtain raisers in dungannon and carrickmore. I suppose at least they're getting onto the hallowed turf at omagh.

Could Co Board not have put the Junior final on during the day and left the Senior or Intermediate semi until later in the evening?
I remember Trillick vs Moy intermediate final played in Carrickmore in 2008, so not as if it has to be played in Omagh. Often wonder why Junior or Intermediate finals not played there more often for the atmosphere.

[2). Limiting the number of defenders in your own half, I have suggested that each team must have a minimum of 4 Players (ex goalies) in both halves of the field at all times... This would hopefully reduce the blanket defense borefest that many games have become.]

I like the fact that the GAA realizes that change is needed and that they are trying to cut out some of the strategies that have poisoned the game recently.  I am looking forward to see how this works out, feel however they missed 2 more significant proposals namely:

1). No passing the ball back past the half way line when inside opponents half - this is sickening to watch.

2). Limiting the number of defenders in your own half, I have suggested that each team must have a minimum of 4 Players (ex goalies) in both halves of the field at all times...  This would hopefully reduce the blanket defense borefest that many games have become.

This is the first year that I have lost interest in football and it's not because of Dublin's domination, it's because of the lack of entertainment on display - it's win at all costs and more managers have been drinking Hartes "we're not here to entertain the fans" magic elixir.

Something has to be done, sports psychologists, specialized coaches and s&c coaches have produced better athletes which ironically has let to less enjoyment.

This!

I think one rule like this would solve a lot of the other 'problems' in the game. No need for 5 rule changes just one good rule change would solve a lot.

I'm not saying that sligoman's rule is the utopian proposal but it is certainly a better draft proposal than a lot of others.

The difficulty with this type of rule is actually enforcing it (i.e. who is going to be watching to ensure that 4 players staying in the opposing 45 when the game is at the far of the pitch?).

As an alternative, I suggest the following:
At kick-outs, the 6 forwards on both teams must be inside the 45 (i.e. in their respective attacking 45). All other players can go whenever they like.
The punishment would be as follows:
- if the team taking the kick out does not have it's 6 forwards in place then the ball is thrown up on the 20metre line (same punishment as currently in place for the goal-keeper taking too long on a kickout)
- if the team defending the kick out doens't have it's 6 players in place when the kick out is taken, the attacking team get a free from where the ball lands (or can play on if more advantageous).

The Pros:
- Keeper (or at least his team) can still dictate the pace of the kickout (i.e. don't have to wait for 30 players to take up positions)
- Should encourage long kick outs to midfield as the 6 forwards will be pushed up on the defenders (probably)
- Whoever gains possession in midfield will have a max of 8 defenders between them and the goal, which should hopefully encourage fast ball into the forwards
- Relatively straightforward to police as the referee just needs to glance around to check there are 6 guys in opposition 45. It's much easier to police than something similar during open play.

The Cons:
- Could lead to a situation where there are 2/3 players lined up on each 45 to run towards their own defence as soon as the kick out is kicked. I.e. teams might still be willing to give up the kick out to get bodies back to pack the defense. However, a good long kick-out, then a mark and another long kick forward would have the ball into the forwards long before the extra defenders get back.
- Possible issue towards the end of a game where a team is chasing a game and are willing to take a risk by putting extra men forward and leaving the 6 forwards unmarked inside the 45. If the team chasing the game wins possession they would immediately have a 14 V 9 overlap. [I think this is the biggest flaw with the proposal] Whilst this is possible to occur at any time during the game I don't think it would ever happen except when a team is chasing a game in the last couple of minutes because the risk is too great (i.e. leaving 6 forwards unmarked inside your 45).
- it doesn't stop teams from getting 15 men behind the ball during open play [However, I believe it encourages teams to keep players up the field]

I'm sure people will ridicule my proposal but think about it before doing so.

Nobody needs to count the 4 players who need to stay in their own half. Each team has 4 designated forwards who must stay in the attacking half of the pitch and 4 defenders who must stay in the defensive half. Those players have a large F for forward or D for defender on the front and back of the jerseys so the ref can see when they cros the halfway. No counting required and easy to referee at all levels of the game. This would transform the game as no team could have more than 10 outfield players in their own half. The other players can go anywhere on the pitch.

This is proper scary. You think this is a viable idea. Wow.

Yes I do. It opens I the game and means teams can't put 15 inside their own 45. If it's the letters on the jersey that people have a problem with it could be just players numbered 2-5 must stay in the defensive half of the pitch and players numbered 12-15 must stay as forwards. Easy to ref at all levels.

Or coloured armbands. If you want to switch someone from backs to forwards do a swap on the sideline.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/45250319
Mickey Harte 'happy' as Tyrone maintain RTE boycott for All-Ireland Final

"Keyboard warriors wasting their time - Harte"

What's wrong with Keyboard Warriors? 

1) are there Catholics who vote for the DUP?

2) are there Catholics who attend and celebrate Twelfth parades?

1)I'm sure there could be. Number doing so likely to negligibly small.

2) I'd say some go to observe or check out from interest point of view. Can't imagine any going to 'celebrate' given the fact the OO is exclusively protestant.

What date is the first round of Ulster Club?

21st October or 4th November

Where can the game be watched in full? Link? Thanks.

I think this feature hasn't been available for the past few years (certainly this year anyway) and you can only watch snippets from the Sunday Game rather than the full thing. As far as I can see, it is due to GAA GO being released. GAA charge to watch games back (and also The Sunday Game programmes).

[Great good athletes but fairly average footballers]

Beggan is better than Cluxton.

And Con O'Callaghan,Paul Mannion,Ciaran Kilkenny are Dublin forwards that would make the best team in Ireland.

Great good athletes but fairly average footballers

Delete your account.

[give Galbally the points]

I was in Galbally last night.Galbally were destroying a depleted Ardboe team,about to go 11 up and with 10 mins remaining God knows what the winning margin would've been.
I'm no medic and I can't say how badly injured our keeper was but from my vantage point behind the goals he didn't look to be in great nick.
Anyway,I'm not sure what the rule book says but I think Ardboe should've said to the ref to give Galbally the points.If the ref didn't agree to that then they should have played out the final 10 mins.
Galbally would have every right to feel hard done by if they are asked to play this again.

Hopefully someone honourable in Ardboe will take this approach, for the sake of their reputation at least.

game will be replayed then?

Galbally every right to feel very aggrieved. Ardboe should feel embarrassed having to lower themselves to such antics to get a second chance at the bottom of the table side.

[esser Championship]

Couldn't make it yesterday as I was down the country. However, I don't think it was as tight as the scoreline suggests. Lough were 6 points up with 5 to play and Derrytresk scored 1-02 to tighten up the final score. All about the two points to keep the push for division one on.

We're down to play our game in hand (v Greencastle) on the 27th which will push us two clear if we win. Next scheduled games after that are on the 1st July. Does that mean there are no fixtures planned for this weekend?

Reserve championship on at the end of this week, we're playing Augher on Thursday evening. Any Augher men about to give us the low down? If STG still puts on the boots we could have an onfield chat about big Mickey Harte!

Div 2 starting to take a bit more shape. Greencastle in big diffs surprised they could only muster 2 points against their neighbours at the weekend (Gortin are going well though). They are missing some quality players and heard a rumour that they will return at the end of the summer so they maybe will be going to rely on strenghten the team for a relegation playoff.

Kildress seemed to have turned a bit of a corner with two hard fought draws recently but would be nice to get a win in the next game - hoping we can avoid the playoffs and with two teams below us still to play I think we will - How many points would guarantee safety 11 or 12 probably?

Greencastle only scored their two points in injury time from two handy frees that Sean Hurson gave. Serious problems going on with them and out of all the teams near the bottom they look the most out of form. Be very lucky to survive a play off if things don't improve quickly.

Look on the brightside, they can win another Junior all ireland next season if they go down.

Oh here comes the sm@rt@rses with the usual comment. You must be from a privileged club which never struggles. I doubt that was Greencastle or anyones "big plans" for the year - sure lets get relegated and win a lesser Championship next year

I thought Greencastle didn't consider their Junior All-Ireland as lesser?

[trillick]

I reckon trillick be a team hard stopped in championship this year. If they are full out injury free they could go all the way this year again. unfortunate to lose to omagh last year and omagh ended up winning it. Errigal shouldn't be far away. Cant see omagh winning back to back. Dromore will always put up a fight. A lot of teams could be trickey this year for anyone. Any dark horses like pomeroy last year?

Those are the top 4 teams for many this year.

Who is over coalisland at the minute?

I thought they had about 5 managers on the line

Mckeever and Gilligan training them
In your own words " here's a man that knows nothing about division one football. Not a clue"

Coalisland folk praising them two as Messiah's before their most recent county final appearance.  What a difference a year (and a bit) makes.

Gormley is not done now never mind 7 years ago!
We aren't world beaters but know where we are.

Roddy you are kidding yourself. He's done. Legend and all that he was, he's clinging on and has been for far too long. He keeps this up he will tarnish the legacy that he had.

Conor Gormley was the second best player on the field in last years Championship Semi Final behind Sparky Kavanagh!
And going by reports in the Trillick game he was their best performer and against Omagh he seems to be taking the plaudits also.. Doesn't sound like a man finished at club football to me?

Anyone know whats going with Omagh at the minute, reports of a lot of players missing, that 2 games now you'd have expected them to win and they've just about rescued a draw!!

Dromore seem to be brushing teams aside at the minute, Ruairi Sludden the main instigator of scores, surely merits a run out for Tyrone!
Ricey also played for Dromore reserves at the wkend, Ive no doubt he'll feature in a few senior games this season!!

A fair few injuries and some players taking a long holiday, I believe, probably reason for Omagh having a few early season surprise results. Given they are the Co Champions they will hardly care and will be aiming to peak at the right time.

As for Dromore, I'm sure their early season form has something to do with their participation in the Ulster league. That and having really good players.