Ulster Final 2008 - Armagh vs Fermanagh

armaghniac · July 23, 2008, 10:13:25 PM

Quotefermanagh will b the team who will b able 2 fix their game

We'll see. It is easier for Armagh to up their workrate than have a whole new set of tactics.
Perhaps you could also fix the shift key and the vowel keys on your keyboard.

Armamike · July 23, 2008, 10:50:19 PM

Watched the game there on Setanta earlier. Fermanagh got on a roll in the last 20 mins when they decided they had nothing to lose and just went for broke. When a team gets a head of steam like that, they're hard to stop. They won't do this for 70 minutes the next day though and i'd expect Armagh to tighten up around the middle for breaks and keep things tighter, in terms of shape and posession as the game wears on. The one niggling question i have is whether this Fermanagh comeback in recent games is all part of a cunning plan to finish strong late in games, or is it just the way events have panned out?

ExiledGael · July 23, 2008, 10:59:28 PM

Armagh were wiped out around the middle against Down. Analysis was they've learned from that and will certainly improve in that sector for the next day. Instead for the final they were even worse, or were even more dominated. They didn't tighten up for the final, is it now a case that they simply can't?
I think Fermanagh are much better when the pressure's off just, and when they go in as underdogs, again with no real pressure. They must start believing though and fulfil their potential under O'Rourke. Think after last week they will.

Yes I Would · July 23, 2008, 11:00:55 PM

Wouldnt say its deliberate to be chasing a game in final 10, but they now know they can do it, which is acredit to them against a team who are synonomous with closing a game out. If Armagh cant close them out this Sunday and are only a point or two ahead into the final ten, have a feeling Fermanagh will take them.

armaghniac · July 23, 2008, 11:14:58 PM

Finishing late may reflect the tight low scoring games sometimes open up a bit towards the end, it would be a dangerous strategy to rely too much on this. In the last 20 mins Fermanagh believed that if they didn't play out of their skins that the Ulster dream was lost, Armagh believed that they'd probably be able to hang on.

Experience can be a good teacher and when pride is at stake an improvement can occur, you only have to compare Armagh's performance against Meath in the league against their performance against Dublin. Fermanagh can tweak their tactics, but I doubt if they can try any harder than they did for that 20 mins.

The game put paid to the myth that Francie never kicks the ball, he made a fine kick pass to Clarke in the first half, unfortunately this resulted in Ronan's worse miss of the game, even that one would have made a difference!

armagh2002 · July 23, 2008, 11:18:31 PM

Hearty (just about)
Andy Mallon/Francie Bellew/Finton Mo (is Enda match fit)
AK/Mc Keever/AOR
Mc Grane/Vernon
MOR/Brian Mallon/PMK
Mc Donnell/Clarke/SK

The Armagh half back and half forwards need to support the midfield unit better on Sunday. Mc Grane was punching balls down and only Fermanagh men infront of him. If Armagh can win more breaking ball around midfield on sunday i believe they will win, we have one of the best FF lines in the country, any ball (good or bad) that went in ended up in a score. No disrespect to fermanagh but i believe we are better in every position 1-15, Armagh took their foot of the pedal and it looked like a repeat of Donegal 2006. A good kick up the arse was needed, Armagh by 5

McManus. · July 23, 2008, 11:21:16 PM

QuoteIt is easier for Armagh to up their workrate than have a whole new set of tactics.

yes well we didnt see this workrate from armagh on sunday they coudnt even get a score in the last 20 mintues. some workrate that is. armagh had a 8 point lead and they still couldnt put fermanagh away. i think armagh need to watch out cause fermanagh will be out 2 win

Yes I Would · July 23, 2008, 11:31:33 PM

Quote from: McManus. on July 23, 2008, 11:21:16 PM
QuoteIt is easier for Armagh to up their workrate than have a whole new set of tactics.

yes well we didnt see this workrate from armagh on sunday they coudnt even get a score in the last 20 mintues. some workrate that is. armagh had a 8 point lead and they still couldnt put fermanagh away. i think armagh need to watch out cause fermanagh will be out 2 win

Good shout Mc Manus. Hope Peter Mc Donnells reading.

armaghniac · July 23, 2008, 11:33:39 PM

Quoteyes well we didnt see this workrate from armagh on sunday

Really? I am sure the highly paid pundits like Brolly didn't notice that one. I'll pass it on to the Armagh camp.

McManus. · July 23, 2008, 11:42:02 PM

aye well they are only backing armagh as a safe bet. it suits all us fermanagh ones to be underdogs.

Armamike · July 23, 2008, 11:53:34 PM

For good portions of the Down and Fermanagh games Armagh competed ok at midfield - it's not true to say they were completely wiped out. The last 20 mins in both games was a big problem obviously. McGrane has been accused of tiring late in games, but he has been competing well with his direct opponents , winning and breaking the ball - its the Armagh half backs and half forwards who haven't contributed enough. Not sure if it's a lack of hunger, wrong tactics or whatever, but there simply were not enough bodies in there competing for the ball with Fermanagh men in that last 20. A fully fit Martin O'Rourke staying on the pitch for the full 70 would be a good help too.

McManus. · July 23, 2008, 11:59:30 PM

fair enough armagh did play a good game in the first half. but they simply are not fit enough to finish the 70mins. they have players on that team which are well ovr 30. fermanagh have a young and fit team they proved this on sunday that they were running rings around the armagh boys. armagh dont have enough power or strenght to see off fermanagh and i cant see this armagh team going much further.

Yes I Would · July 24, 2008, 12:05:23 AM

You could be right Mc Manus!! You just could be right!!

Armamike · July 24, 2008, 12:15:18 AM

If i were from Fermanagh i'd be confident too, based on that last 20 mins or so. But the first 50 mins wasn't exactly great was it? It's hard to know if Armagh can get things fixed at midfield in time, as others have said it has been an ongoing problem area. But if i was a Fermanagh supporter i'd be hoping for my own team to show a lot more composure in front of the posts.

McManus. · July 24, 2008, 12:23:26 AM

fermanagh wernt great in the first 50mins but we all believe it was nerves none if these boys have ever been in a ulster final but when they realised that they have the skills to win they went into action. fermanagh will come out on sunday and will play for the full 70mins they will have an even better second half and armagh wont be able 2 content with them. of course armagh will still be hot favourites to win bt i dont think they will be able to finish the game off they will have a good 1st half but they wont turn up for the 2nd half.