Final 12 teams left in the football championship RANKED

[twohands!!!]

Donegal missed plenty themselves. How exactly one team playing a blanket and hockeying another team playing a blanket would have done anything to convince them not using a blanket is the way to way I don't know.

Saying Kerry playing a blanket like Donegal is just complete and utter nonsense. They put a defensive system in place, and that is more acute when playing against a team who play a blanket like Donegal or Monaghan, but its nowhere near what Donegal and Monaghan do.
Look at how Kerry or Dublin would set up against each other or against Mayo or Galway, and compare that to how Donegal would set up against Dublin, Kerry, Mayo or Galway.  Vast difference in approach.

It's not nonsense. Kerry had more in common with Donegal or Monaghan or peak Tyrone than Mayo or Dublin last year, a system totally predicated on stuffing the other team by having a lot of bodies back and breaking fast. I was at both of Kerry's semis and the final last year, it was plain to see that it was a far more 'modern' Kerry than the one under even Jack O'Connor. Fitzmaurice saw that he needed to tailor his team to guard against its weaknesses and exploit its strengths (JOD up until the semi replay, and Star for the final two games) and that was good management. On paper there's no way Kerry should have beaten that Mayo side or indeed even Donegal - their win was as much a triumph of a system as Donegal's was in 2013 or Tyrone in any of their winning seasons.

To say it's nonsense reeks of the romantic image of Kerry football, this Kerry team learnt its lessons from being burnt to the the ground tactically by northern teams a few too many times for their liking.

I'd suggest you watch the final back - if you think both sides were playing the same defensive system.
In terms of Donaghy's goal from Durkan's mistake - keep an eye on where Donaghy and Geaney were located for the Donegal kickouts throughout the game - it wasn't happenstance that Donaghy turned out to be where he was - Kerry were putting pressure on the Donegal kickout all the way throughout the game; not exactly a hall-mark of the blanket.

One reason why a lot of people say Kerry were so defensive in the final was because they weren't as daft/stupid as Dublin in the semi - when you compare Kerry's defence to the Dublin's complete and utter lack of a half-back line in the previous game Donegal played, of course Kerry look defensive - however for the most part it was just a standard half-back line.

Also people saw the poor quality of shooting for the Kerry team, then said it was a poor match and then said it was a poor match because of two sides playing defensively. Overall Kerry had 13 different players take shots for points in play in the final - really hard to see how Kerry were ulta-defensive with those sorts of numbers shooting. To do a bit of speculation in the rest of Kerry's championship games last year there were running around 50% in terms of shots from play - if they had performed at the same level in the final  they would have had an extra 7 points (which would have been a 10 point victory margin) and that's before you consider the other Kerry goal chances - there was the ball that hopped over Durkan's head and went narrowly wide, the long-range dropping effort that Durkan pushed onto the post and the effort that Geaney threw a foot at that went narrowly over the ball that could very easily have ended up in the back of the net. All hypothetical but how did Kerry have such an amount of chances playing uber-defensively?

Kerry might not have been playing 6 backs, 6 forwards and 2 in the middle but the notion that they were as defensive as Donegal is well wide of the mark.

The point about 13 different players taking shots from play makes little sense if you're trying to use it as a reason for Kerry not being defensive last year. The Ulster teams all have reputation for being very defensively set up which is a fair point as they are but how many times have we seen McGlynn, Lacey, the McGees and Thompson up kicking points at the other end of the pitch? It's a regular occurrence and using your logic would seem to suggest that Donegal aren't ultra defensive either.

You don't really seem to be too convinced by what you're trying to argue there.

As I said I'd suggest watching the game back again and see what your opinion of how defensive Kerry were.
Overall there's no way that Kerry were anywhere near as defensive as Donegal in the final.

[sligoman]

Donegal missed plenty themselves. How exactly one team playing a blanket and hockeying another team playing a blanket would have done anything to convince them not using a blanket is the way to way I don't know.

Saying Kerry playing a blanket like Donegal is just complete and utter nonsense. They put a defensive system in place, and that is more acute when playing against a team who play a blanket like Donegal or Monaghan, but its nowhere near what Donegal and Monaghan do.
Look at how Kerry or Dublin would set up against each other or against Mayo or Galway, and compare that to how Donegal would set up against Dublin, Kerry, Mayo or Galway.  Vast difference in approach.

It's not nonsense. Kerry had more in common with Donegal or Monaghan or peak Tyrone than Mayo or Dublin last year, a system totally predicated on stuffing the other team by having a lot of bodies back and breaking fast. I was at both of Kerry's semis and the final last year, it was plain to see that it was a far more 'modern' Kerry than the one under even Jack O'Connor. Fitzmaurice saw that he needed to tailor his team to guard against its weaknesses and exploit its strengths (JOD up until the semi replay, and Star for the final two games) and that was good management. On paper there's no way Kerry should have beaten that Mayo side or indeed even Donegal - their win was as much a triumph of a system as Donegal's was in 2013 or Tyrone in any of their winning seasons.

To say it's nonsense reeks of the romantic image of Kerry football, this Kerry team learnt its lessons from being burnt to the the ground tactically by northern teams a few too many times for their liking.

I'd suggest you watch the final back - if you think both sides were playing the same defensive system.
In terms of Donaghy's goal from Durkan's mistake - keep an eye on where Donaghy and Geaney were located for the Donegal kickouts throughout the game - it wasn't happenstance that Donaghy turned out to be where he was - Kerry were putting pressure on the Donegal kickout all the way throughout the game; not exactly a hall-mark of the blanket.

One reason why a lot of people say Kerry were so defensive in the final was because they weren't as daft/stupid as Dublin in the semi - when you compare Kerry's defence to the Dublin's complete and utter lack of a half-back line in the previous game Donegal played, of course Kerry look defensive - however for the most part it was just a standard half-back line.

Also people saw the poor quality of shooting for the Kerry team, then said it was a poor match and then said it was a poor match because of two sides playing defensively. Overall Kerry had 13 different players take shots for points in play in the final - really hard to see how Kerry were ulta-defensive with those sorts of numbers shooting. To do a bit of speculation in the rest of Kerry's championship games last year there were running around 50% in terms of shots from play - if they had performed at the same level in the final  they would have had an extra 7 points (which would have been a 10 point victory margin) and that's before you consider the other Kerry goal chances - there was the ball that hopped over Durkan's head and went narrowly wide, the long-range dropping effort that Durkan pushed onto the post and the effort that Geaney threw a foot at that went narrowly over the ball that could very easily have ended up in the back of the net. All hypothetical but how did Kerry have such an amount of chances playing uber-defensively?

Kerry might not have been playing 6 backs, 6 forwards and 2 in the middle but the notion that they were as defensive as Donegal is well wide of the mark.

The point about 13 different players taking shots from play makes little sense if you're trying to use it as a reason for Kerry not being defensive last year. The Ulster teams all have reputation for being very defensively set up which is a fair point as they are but how many times have we seen McGlynn, Lacey, the McGees and Thompson up kicking points at the other end of the pitch? It's a regular occurrence and using your logic would seem to suggest that Donegal aren't ultra defensive either.

You don't really seem to be too convinced by what you're trying to argue there.

As I said I'd suggest watching the game back again and see what your opinion of how defensive Kerry were.
Overall there's no way that Kerry were anywhere near as defensive as Donegal in the final.

And as I said, you don't seem to be convinced of the argument you're trying to put forward. Referencing 13 different shooters from play seems to be clutching at straws. Donegal had 7 different scorers from play to Kerry's 4 in that same game. But stats don't really give you a lot when you look at them in isolation and they can be quite easily manipulated to suit an agenda like you've done there.

There's absolutely no doubt Kerry were very defensive last year and it would take an extreme level of delusion not to realise that. There's nothing wrong with what Kerry did and they were deserving winners on the day and the season but it didn't fit well with the good vs evil narrative that has been played out in recent years about certain counties and their style of play.

Kerry turned to the dark side and certain people don't want to face up to the reality of it.

[Captain Obvious]

Donegal were less defensive in the 2012 All Ireland final than Kerry were in last years final. Donegal didn't a get a blunder from a goalkeeper to set them on their way to victory and they didn't hold on to the ball for the final ten minutes playing out time like Kerry.

[redhandefender]

Can someone beat Donegal and Tyrone as soon as possible. The way they play is awful to watch. Armagh tried to mimic them this year and maybe if Tyrone and Donegal get well beat Geezer may decide playing football would be better. 14 men behind the ball is like watching George Graham's Arsenal.

Armagh won the All Ireland in 02 based on a defensive system. It wasn't as defensive as the modern defensive sytstem by Donegal. but it started the ball rolling.. Tyrone soon followed.

Every team needs a defensive system. It has just gone too far. 9,500 watched Armagh play Galway a couple of weeks ago. If Armagh do not develop an attacking system there will be quite a few less watching next year. Besides a defensive system can only take you so far. Ask Cavan under 21s of the last few years.

True. Cavan done enough to win 4 Ulster but didn't have real quality forwards to go beyond that.

The style Cavan played was mainly down to Peter Donnelly, who was a full time coach in Cavan. He would have been on the Tyrone panels who won All Irelands and was familiar with that syle of Football.

Lol quit talking out of your ass peter Donnelly was a strength and conditioning coach I hardly think terry hyland listened to him with regards style of play lol

[Redhand Santa]

The Cavan u21 style of football was nothing like the Tyrone senior teams back in the 2000s.

[SouthDublinBro]

Donegal were less defensive in the 2012 All Ireland final than Kerry were in last years final. Donegal didn't a get a blunder from a goalkeeper to set them on their way to victory and they didn't hold on to the ball for the final ten minutes playing out time like Kerry.

Donegal were playing a county who are allergic to success.

[rodney trotter]

Can someone beat Donegal and Tyrone as soon as possible. The way they play is awful to watch. Armagh tried to mimic them this year and maybe if Tyrone and Donegal get well beat Geezer may decide playing football would be better. 14 men behind the ball is like watching George Graham's Arsenal.

Armagh won the All Ireland in 02 based on a defensive system. It wasn't as defensive as the modern defensive sytstem by Donegal. but it started the ball rolling.. Tyrone soon followed.

Every team needs a defensive system. It has just gone too far. 9,500 watched Armagh play Galway a couple of weeks ago. If Armagh do not develop an attacking system there will be quite a few less watching next year. Besides a defensive system can only take you so far. Ask Cavan under 21s of the last few years.

True. Cavan done enough to win 4 Ulster but didn't have real quality forwards to go beyond that.

The style Cavan played was mainly down to Peter Donnelly, who was a full time coach in Cavan. He would have been on the Tyrone panels who won All Irelands and was familiar with that syle of Football.

Lol quit talking out of your ass peter Donnelly was a strength and conditioning coach I hardly think terry hyland listened to him with regards style of play lol

Well your wrong...

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjADahUKEwiQsK-5ufTGAhUsmtsKHX4FARc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fsport%2Fgaelic-games%2Fgaelic-football%2Fdonnelly-role-lays-solid-foundations-at-cavan-29191240.html&ei=2YqyVdDfGKy07gb-ioS4AQ&usg=AFQjCNG4wwcb89pVUaasVoivYn2nUKZ9VA

[omaghjoe]

Can someone beat Donegal and Tyrone as soon as possible. The way they play is awful to watch. Armagh tried to mimic them this year and maybe if Tyrone and Donegal get well beat Geezer may decide playing football would be better. 14 men behind the ball is like watching George Graham's Arsenal.

Armagh won the All Ireland in 02 based on a defensive system. It wasn't as defensive as the modern defensive sytstem by Donegal. but it started the ball rolling.. Tyrone soon followed.

Every team needs a defensive system. It has just gone too far. 9,500 watched Armagh play Galway a couple of weeks ago. If Armagh do not develop an attacking system there will be quite a few less watching next year. Besides a defensive system can only take you so far. Ask Cavan under 21s of the last few years.

True. Cavan done enough to win 4 Ulster but didn't have real quality forwards to go beyond that.

The style Cavan played was mainly down to Peter Donnelly, who was a full time coach in Cavan. He would have been on the Tyrone panels who won All Irelands and was familiar with that syle of Football.

Lol quit talking out of your ass peter Donnelly was a strength and conditioning coach I hardly think terry hyland listened to him with regards style of play lol

Well your wrong...

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjADahUKEwiQsK-5ufTGAhUsmtsKHX4FARc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fsport%2Fgaelic-games%2Fgaelic-football%2Fdonnelly-role-lays-solid-foundations-at-cavan-29191240.html&ei=2YqyVdDfGKy07gb-ioS4AQ&usg=AFQjCNG4wwcb89pVUaasVoivYn2nUKZ9VA

Did you read the article?

[rodney trotter]

Can someone beat Donegal and Tyrone as soon as possible. The way they play is awful to watch. Armagh tried to mimic them this year and maybe if Tyrone and Donegal get well beat Geezer may decide playing football would be better. 14 men behind the ball is like watching George Graham's Arsenal.

Armagh won the All Ireland in 02 based on a defensive system. It wasn't as defensive as the modern defensive sytstem by Donegal. but it started the ball rolling.. Tyrone soon followed.

Every team needs a defensive system. It has just gone too far. 9,500 watched Armagh play Galway a couple of weeks ago. If Armagh do not develop an attacking system there will be quite a few less watching next year. Besides a defensive system can only take you so far. Ask Cavan under 21s of the last few years.

True. Cavan done enough to win 4 Ulster but didn't have real quality forwards to go beyond that.

The style Cavan played was mainly down to Peter Donnelly, who was a full time coach in Cavan. He would have been on the Tyrone panels who won All Irelands and was familiar with that syle of Football.

Lol quit talking out of your ass peter Donnelly was a strength and conditioning coach I hardly think terry hyland listened to him with regards style of play lol

Well your wrong...

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjADahUKEwiQsK-5ufTGAhUsmtsKHX4FARc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fsport%2Fgaelic-games%2Fgaelic-football%2Fdonnelly-role-lays-solid-foundations-at-cavan-29191240.html&ei=2YqyVdDfGKy07gb-ioS4AQ&usg=AFQjCNG4wwcb89pVUaasVoivYn2nUKZ9VA

Did you read the article?

Yes what part did you find wrong?.. Donnelly had a big say in the defensive style. Talk to any of the Cavan players who played under him   More then just a S and C coach.

[omaghjoe]

Can someone beat Donegal and Tyrone as soon as possible. The way they play is awful to watch. Armagh tried to mimic them this year and maybe if Tyrone and Donegal get well beat Geezer may decide playing football would be better. 14 men behind the ball is like watching George Graham's Arsenal.

Armagh won the All Ireland in 02 based on a defensive system. It wasn't as defensive as the modern defensive sytstem by Donegal. but it started the ball rolling.. Tyrone soon followed.

Every team needs a defensive system. It has just gone too far. 9,500 watched Armagh play Galway a couple of weeks ago. If Armagh do not develop an attacking system there will be quite a few less watching next year. Besides a defensive system can only take you so far. Ask Cavan under 21s of the last few years.

True. Cavan done enough to win 4 Ulster but didn't have real quality forwards to go beyond that.

The style Cavan played was mainly down to Peter Donnelly, who was a full time coach in Cavan. He would have been on the Tyrone panels who won All Irelands and was familiar with that syle of Football.

Lol quit talking out of your ass peter Donnelly was a strength and conditioning coach I hardly think terry hyland listened to him with regards style of play lol

Well your wrong...

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDUQFjADahUKEwiQsK-5ufTGAhUsmtsKHX4FARc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fsport%2Fgaelic-games%2Fgaelic-football%2Fdonnelly-role-lays-solid-foundations-at-cavan-29191240.html&ei=2YqyVdDfGKy07gb-ioS4AQ&usg=AFQjCNG4wwcb89pVUaasVoivYn2nUKZ9VA

Did you read the article?

Yes what part did you find wrong?.. Donnelly had a big say in the defensive style. Talk to any of the Cavan players who played under him   More then just a S and C coach.

I didnt find any of it wrong, just couldn't find anything to back up your argument. I don't know any of the Cavan players maybe you have some quotes somewhere?