Messages

1

GAA Discussion / Re: All Ireland Club Championships

« on: January 20, 2020, 09:30:05 PM »

Doesn't Corofin have a massive catchment area?

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GAA Discussion / Re: All Ireland Club Championships

« on: January 19, 2020, 06:16:28 PM »

Kilcoo are masters at the dark arts of the game and Corofin got sucked into a war of attrition during normal time. Crippled with fear and allowed Kilcoo to get under their skin. Amazing what happens when they just cut loose and played their own game.

Corofin showed themselves to be the master of the dark arts today.

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GAA Discussion / Re: All Ireland Club Championships

« on: January 19, 2020, 06:00:40 PM »

Think Kilcoo put an awful lot into chasing that game in the second half with 14 men and the sapping running game they play.

Did Ryan Johnston and Dylan Ward start ET, they are two huge players for them but I don't think I saw them there.

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GAA Discussion / Re: All Ireland Club Championships

« on: January 19, 2020, 05:45:53 PM »

Corofin embarrassed themselves today with their antics.

Oddly enough they are the poster boys for free flowing, football that is played in the right manner.

I wonder when geography won't dictate the narrative when it comes to gaelic football.

5

Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling

« on: January 19, 2020, 04:46:04 PM »

Be different game in Castleblaney.Banty playing a side that will be much changed in two weeks last night.

It was a strong enough side out last night for Monaghan but they wouldn't have the quality of cover that Tyrone have.

Two wins in our first two games should have us well on the way to safety.

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Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling

« on: January 19, 2020, 02:43:40 PM »

Was the referee as bad as Tyrones official twitter seemed to insinuate?

Only saw the last 15-20 minutes. Some mind boggling decisions. He blew Ronan O’Neill for overcarrying as he got through on goal. How he came by that decision is anyone’s guess.

O'Neill may have overcarried and it was harsh in terms of what is generally let go in terms of steps but the thing was he was fouled on about 3 separate occasions as he made his way toward goal.

I didn't think the referee performance was too bad though but maybe that's more an indication of how little Monaghan offered and how comfortable Tyrone were all night.

The following players saw no action in the McKenna Cup:

Hampsey
Harte
M Donnelly
R Donnelly
McClure
Loughran
Bradley

3 of those are guaranteed starters and Bradley and R Donnelly would be strongly pushing for spots too.

Rory Brennan was not in the 26 for the last two games and Coney and McHugh were pulled from the squad last night, also no sign of Brian Kennedy and Mulgrew came off early with what looked like some sort of injury, we also know McKernan will miss the most part of the league.

So all in all we are probably down about 10 players or more for the opener against Meath, it's a good opportunity for some of the new guys and some of the players on the fringes in the past few seasons to make their claim. From what I've seen from the new call ups this year, they seem to be capable of holding their own, Quinn and Grimes are just out of u20 so I suspect they are unlikely to feature a whole pile this year and are more ones for the future.

Usually Harte would trim the squad after the McKenna Cup but with so many absentees this year I'd imagine he'll probably wait until the cessation of the league to look at it again.

Are Mattie Donnelly, Hampsey and Loughran long term injuries? Will they be available for any of the league games?

Mattie will be doing well to be back for the Championship. Loughran also underwent surgery do not sure on his timeline. Haven't heard anything on Hampsey officially but I think it's been said that he had surgery on an pelvic issue that was causing him some problems lad year.

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Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling

« on: January 19, 2020, 10:49:50 AM »

Was the referee as bad as Tyrones official twitter seemed to insinuate?

Only saw the last 15-20 minutes. Some mind boggling decisions. He blew Ronan O’Neill for overcarrying as he got through on goal. How he came by that decision is anyone’s guess.

O'Neill may have overcarried and it was harsh in terms of what is generally let go in terms of steps but the thing was he was fouled on about 3 separate occasions as he made his way toward goal.

I didn't think the referee performance was too bad though but maybe that's more an indication of how little Monaghan offered and how comfortable Tyrone were all night.

The following players saw no action in the McKenna Cup:

Hampsey
Harte
M Donnelly
R Donnelly
McClure
Loughran
Bradley

3 of those are guaranteed starters and Bradley and R Donnelly would be strongly pushing for spots too.

Rory Brennan was not in the 26 for the last two games and Coney and McHugh were pulled from the squad last night, also no sign of Brian Kennedy and Mulgrew came off early with what looked like some sort of injury, we also know McKernan will miss the most part of the league.

So all in all we are probably down about 10 players or more for the opener against Meath, it's a good opportunity for some of the new guys and some of the players on the fringes in the past few seasons to make their claim. From what I've seen from the new call ups this year, they seem to be capable of holding their own, Quinn and Grimes are just out of u20 so I suspect they are unlikely to feature a whole pile this year and are more ones for the future.

Usually Harte would trim the squad after the McKenna Cup but with so many absentees this year I'd imagine he'll probably wait until the cessation of the league to look at it again.

8

Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling

« on: January 18, 2020, 10:15:03 PM »

I actually think Burns is worth another game or two at full forward. Played well there last year for Pomeroy (I know I know it’s not the same level) and felt he was a good outlet there tonight. Michael O’Neill did himself no harm tonight at all and would be surprised if he was left out next Sunday. If 6 months ago you’d have said C McCann and RON would be in our full forward line for the first league game then you would be fearing the worst. I just don’t think they are up to the level but we’ll soon find out.

He won a lot of ball but he just looked so unnatural when he had to try and make a shooting opportunity out of it. He was running straight onto the ball.

The great thing about McShane was his movement first and foremost, he was superb last year in the angles he was able to come at the ball off. Burns is a good player, he's not a full forward for me though.

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Tyrone / Re: Tyrone County Football and Hurling

« on: January 18, 2020, 09:49:32 PM »

Poor enough game tonight, plenty of dew on the surface which meant the ball didn't bounce and there were a lot of handling errors.

McCurry was the star man for Tyrone when he came in, showed well for the ball and hit a number of lovely points. Ronan O'Neill scored a few nice points as well but struggled to win his own ball.

I thought Michael O'Neill looked very good at no 6, got on a lot of ball, made a few good turnovers and chipped in with a nice point in the first half. He may have put himself in the reckoning for next weekend. Kerr started off well, won a bit of ball and has a nice turn of pace and hit a good point early on but went very quiet for the remainder of the game, looks like he is worth keeping around for the league. Thought Quinn was solid at corner back, he's a good frame on him but is all bone at the minute and I'd say he needs a year or two in the gym before he'll force himself in that defence.

We had Burns at FF and he won a lot of ball but I think he looks like a fish out of water there, he didn't look comfortable there, hit a few wild shots and doesn't seem to be able to turn on the run so ended up 10 yards further back everytime he collected the ball. It's an experiment not worth looking at again for me.

McNamee and Hugh Pat were very good at the back, solid and won their battles fairly comprehensively. Colm Cavanagh got on an awful lot of ball in the first half and seems in good shape, he played as an orthodox midfielder tonight and had a good first half. Grugan really underwhelmed again and could be one of those likely to get the chop if we are cutting down the squad before the league. Tiarnan McCann had a poor enough game too. Meyler and McGeary got through a lot of work as usual.

I'd like to see something like the following for Meath next weekend.

1. Morgan
2. HP McGeary
3. McNamee
4. R Brennan
5. F Burns
6. M O'Neill
7. Rafferty
8. Cavanagh
9. Kilpatrick
10. K McGeary
11. Coney
12. Sludden
13. McCurry
14. C McCann
15. R O'Neill

That full forward line isn't going to put fear into anyone but we are bereft of a lot of options at the minute, Donnelly and Harte would be in there if available. McShane and Skeet are gone and I didn't think Burns worked there tonight. C McCann seems to have done ok in his two outings there so far so he should get the chance next weekend.

I'd give R O'Neill the benefit of the doubt tonight, we will probably need someone for the frees from the left and while he struggled to win ball he did finish off with a few nice points from play.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Joe Brolly

« on: January 18, 2020, 10:56:18 AM »

What are all of these slanderous rumours supposedly doing the rounds about Jim Gavin?

I wouldn't say there is much to them.

If there is, it might be another reddener for screenexile though.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Joe Brolly

« on: January 17, 2020, 06:20:24 PM »

Aye always a procession for Kerry in Munster, as in like, always.

Except the five times in the last 18 years its been won by Cork, and over 30 times in total. No procession in those years and it wont be next year either!

No county has won provincial titles more than Kerry have won Munster. They have 81 provincial titles, that's more than the combined amount of the other 5 Munster counties who stand at 50 as a cumulative total.

Clare in 1992 are the only county to have a Munster football championship outside of Kerry and Cork in the past 85 years.

If the Munster football has not been a procession historically then you must not know the meaning of the word.
[/quote]


Statistically you're a fair bit out Angelo.

Antrim have won more provincial championships than anyone....57 hurling against a combined total of 13 amongst the other Ulster Counties. 57 out of 70 runnings of the competition is a higher stat (80%) than Kerry's 81 out of 131 runnings (61%). But hi thats ONLY hurling, isnt it!

On this basis which Ulster county has the most senior provincial honours of all in combined codes.....lol...lol.
[/quote]

I'm talking about football and you're talking about hurling. Ulster hurling was such a procession for Antrim that they scrapped it and bundled Antrim into a different province.

You're only serving to further my point.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Joe Brolly

« on: January 17, 2020, 06:14:34 PM »

That’s just the way the draw has worked out though. Cavan Fermanagh and down are not the same level as Tyrone or Donegal and nine times out of ten Monaghan would beat them but just appear to be a team that can be caught more than the other two.

It would be competitive between three or four yes I agree. You wouldn’t have any more than that capable of winning though.

They are still capable of beating Tyrone or Donegal on a given day or putting it up to them. That's competitive for me.

Monaghan have been beaten by Down, Fermanagh and Cavan in the last three seasons.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Joe Brolly

« on: January 17, 2020, 05:57:00 PM »

I don’t mean to be but when it comes to the business end only Galway and mayo are ever there.though you’re right probably a bit harsh.

Down, Derry and Armagh may be improving Angelo but Tyrone are miles ahead of them and so are Donegal. Monaghan can challenge Tyrone but seem more likely to be caught by other teams.

Basically Leinster is Dublin, Ulster is Tyrone, Donegal or monaghan(who I suspect will drop off), Connacht is Galway/ mayo / Roscommon and Munster is Kerry with an outside chance cork will come good.  The ai is Dublin. (Of those teams Monaghan, Roscommon and cork tend to drop off later in the year and really Donegal do a bit too. Add to that jury still out on Galway.)

That leaves one winner and really about three competitive teams.

To be honest it has become like the hurling - when you are off the pace you are really off the pace and

Not really. Fermanagh, Cavan and Down have contested three of the last Ulster finals. The gap is closing between the likes of Kerry, Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal and the rest. Unfortunately the gap is not closing with Dublin and the rest.

Take Dublin out and it would be a competitive championship.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Joe Brolly

« on: January 17, 2020, 04:06:03 PM »

Angelo a fact seems to mean something different to you than it does to anyone else

Bs Munster will likely be a procession next year too. As will Leinster. Ulster likely between tyrone Donegal barring a big surprise and if mayo / Galway are prepped they’ll win Connacht but it always looks like they prep for later in the year.

There is more than one issue with football. Super 8s are an issue. Professionalism levels. Drop off rates in most counties. How to combat the defensive dirge we are seeing too much these days. Mercenary coaches. The list goes on.

Nope, Munster has always been a procession (the facts verify that), there is nothing new there. Kerry were parachuted into the last 8 or 4 before that most years.

Leinster has turned into a joke because Dublin just batter anyone that crosses their path.

Connacht is competitive as it generally has been, Sligo have fallen back badly in the past decade but other than that it's generally competitive.

Ulster is still competitive. The likes of Derry, Armagh and Down are improving incrementally from a few years back.

The biggest issue is competitiveness, I can see why it's hard to justify the commitment unless you play for the top 4/5 counties. I'd imagine most Div 2 counties and some Div 3 counties will feel they could topple a Mayo/Kerry/Tyrone/Donegal on a given day but know all that awaits for them against Dublin is a merciless hammering. That's the biggest issue facing players today.

A lot of young lads will be working jobs and spending 10-15 hours of their lives in a gym on top of that, purely out of their own interests. Middle aged men will be working demanding jobs and then spending 10 hours at the weekend cycling around roads. Other chaps will want to do different things with their lives.

The main issue is players can't aim big when there is such a imbalance in the competing teams and that erodes the output for their input.

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General discussion / Re: The IRISH RUGBY thread

« on: January 17, 2020, 03:26:48 PM »

Devin Toner is back and Jean Kleyn isn't.
Funny old world

Will Devin be going to the WC in 4 years?  Very unlikely

Will Sexton be going to the WC in 4 years?   Very Unlikely

I get that Farrell is probably looking to have a reasonably experienced spine for the upcoming 6N's in the hope of not taking a battering in the big games but I'd like to think both will be phased out if not this year then definitely the next to allow those lads to come through that will be leading the team in 4 years.

Take a look at that French squad - that's World Cup planning

New Coach and 20 uncapped players.

No messing about there but he could well be looking over his shoulder if there's a few poor performances. The French rugby public are more unforgiving than the Irish.

The Dalai Lama is more unforgiving than the Irish rugby public.