Power Rankings

[Armagh18]

Rian was my player of the year last year - he single handedly dragged Armagh past Kerry imo in the outstanding performance of the year. True generational talent when he's in the mood.

He may well be, he's certainly in the top tier of players. However there appears to have been a rush since he came back to declare it as a matter of fact that I simply don't understand.

Wrong thread but anyway, think he's always been rated very highly in Armagh and people that have watched him from he was younger know theres a special player in there. He obviously doesn't put up the scores of a Clifford or O'Callaghan but then usually plays a different role more out round the middle. So so versatile and I rate him as vital for us if we're going to win Sam again. Hopefully the brother is fit as well by the time the quarter finals come around.

[gallsman]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

[Captain Scarlet]

I would have Offaly over Kildare before start of TC, but they don't seem to be going as well.
I'd love them in the 1/4 Final at home.
Meath and Louth both drained themselves in Leinster and are not bad, but not great.

[Rossfan]

Armagh, Donegal,  Kerry = serious contenders for Sam.
Galway,  Mayowestros,  Tyrone, Dublin,Monaghan could take out one of the above and who knows after that.
Derry...
Ros, Cork, Meath, Louth, Down, Cavan are a kind of Joe McDonagh group of teams, below the top table but above the next level.

[Armagh18]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

He's more of an all rounder than Clifford obviously, different players and different roles.

Regardless, Rian is in that top bracket of players for the big occasion who will be vital for us if we're going to retain Sam.

[tonto1888]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

he gives a lot more to the team than just a scoring threat which is where the better all round comments would come from

[thewobbler]

Clifford has a starting position on the greatest Gaelic Football team of all time.

O'Neill is one of the best players of a generation. In terms of recognition, it's a bloody high bar but still many notches below.

As a comparison, it's along the lines of equating Lionel Messi with Wesley Snijder.

You lads are mental.

[illdecide]

2 rounds in and the picture is becoming slightly clearer. Top 9 all capable of beating each other but hard to see all ireland winner not coming from top 3.

1. Armagh
2. Kerry
3. Donegal
4. Galway
5. Tyrone
6. Dublin
7. Mayo
8. Monaghan
9. Derry
10. Down
11. Meath
12. Louth
13. Roscommon
14. Cavan
15. Cork
16. Kildare
17. Clare
18. Westmeath
19. Fermanagh
20. Offaly
21. Sligo
22. Wicklow
23. Limerick
24. Laois
25. Wexford
26. Carlow
27. Antrim
28. Longford
29. Leitrim
30. Tipperary
31. London
32. Waterford
33. New York

My top 10 would be
1) Kerry
2) Donegal
3) Armagh
4) Galway
5) Dublin
6) Tyrone
7) Mayo
Derry
9) Monaghan
10) Rossies

Kerry have the best players from what i seen so far but may well get caught out when they finally meet a top Div 1 team due to playing lesser opposition and not battle hardened. Donegal are Ulster Champions and beat Armagh only a few weeks ago so have no2 spot for me. Armagh at 3 very closely followed by Galway and Dublin. Galway will get better and so will the Dubs who kicked a few bad wides and gave 3 20m free's for breach in a 5 min spell which won't happen again. It's very open and all top 10 ten teams can beat anyone in a one off game, it should be a good Championship and injuries with a wee bit of luck on the day any team in my top 6 can win SAM. (just my opinion of course)

[SouthOfThe Bann]

2 rounds in and the picture is becoming slightly clearer. Top 9 all capable of beating each other but hard to see all ireland winner not coming from top 3.

1. Armagh
2. Kerry
3. Donegal
4. Galway
5. Tyrone
6. Dublin
7. Mayo
8. Monaghan
9. Derry
10. Down
11. Meath
12. Louth
13. Roscommon
14. Cavan
15. Cork
16. Kildare
17. Clare
18. Westmeath
19. Fermanagh
20. Offaly
21. Sligo
22. Wicklow
23. Limerick
24. Laois
25. Wexford
26. Carlow
27. Antrim
28. Longford
29. Leitrim
30. Tipperary
31. London
32. Waterford
33. New York

My top 10 would be
1) Kerry
2) Donegal
3) Armagh
4) Galway
5) Dublin
6) Tyrone
7) Mayo
Derry
9) Monaghan
10) Rossies

Kerry have the best players from what i seen so far but may well get caught out when they finally meet a top Div 1 team due to playing lesser opposition and not battle hardened. Donegal are Ulster Champions and beat Armagh only a few weeks ago so have no2 spot for me. Armagh at 3 very closely followed by Galway and Dublin. Galway will get better and so will the Dubs who kicked a few bad wides and gave 3 20m free's for breach in a 5 min spell which won't happen again. It's very open and all top 10 ten teams can beat anyone in a one off game, it should be a good Championship and injuries with a wee bit of luck on the day any team in my top 6 can win SAM. (just my opinion of course)

Not far off but the Rossies dont deserve top 10.

[jmcgdoire]

Armagh have to be above Donegal right now! Donegal only beat them by a point after extra time and we seen them bounce back superbly with two strong performances (better than Donegal showed) and added an allstar back into their line up. (Armagh win that Ulster Final if Rian is fit to play)

For me, the debate is between Armagh and Kerry at 1 and then Donegal at 3.

For me 4.Tyrone, 5.Dublin, 6.Galway can be in whichever order in the next branch. We should know after next weekend.

Then Id have 7.Mayo and 8.Monaghan 9.Down

Putting Derry generously at 10. Power rankings should be based on form and although they had a good game on Saturday its difficult to make a case for a team that havent won a competitive game in a year.

[gallsman]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

he gives a lot more to the team than just a scoring threat which is where the better all round comments would come from

As he's generally played out the field more and Clifford is essentially deployed in the FF line. Rian probably better defensively and might have a better long shot on him but I haven't seen anything that he can do that Clifford can't.

[smort]

Con a better all-round player than both of them

[Armagh18]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

he gives a lot more to the team than just a scoring threat which is where the better all round comments would come from

As he's generally played out the field more and Clifford is essentially deployed in the FF line. Rian probably better defensively and might have a better long shot on him but I haven't seen anything that he can do that Clifford can't.

Track back? Lol

Different players, I'm biased but even I wouldn't put Rian above him. I'd love to see us use Rian at 14 the odd time, bound to carry a big goal threat with these new rules.

[gallsman]

Con a better all-round player than both of them

Again, quite possibly.

I've no issue whatsoever with anyone arguing that Rian is one of the very best footballers in the country. My issue is that over the last couple of weeks there appear to have been more than a few voices stating that he's unequivocally and unambiguously the best, which I've yet to see evidence of.

[gallsman]

Certainly better all round than Clifford? Not sure I agree with that. Maybe, but don't think there's anything to definitively say so.

he gives a lot more to the team than just a scoring threat which is where the better all round comments would come from

As he's generally played out the field more and Clifford is essentially deployed in the FF line. Rian probably better defensively and might have a better long shot on him but I haven't seen anything that he can do that Clifford can't.

Track back? Lol

Different players, I'm biased but even I wouldn't put Rian above him. I'd love to see us use Rian at 14 the odd time, bound to carry a big goal threat with these new rules.

Congratulations, you're arguing that Rian can run back towards his own goal. Well done.