Ulster U21 Football Championship

Baile an tuaigh · April 14, 2007, 07:34:40 PM

Thanks Donagh

Rufus T Firefly · April 14, 2007, 07:56:46 PM

Great win for Armagh in a match that at one stage looked like being 'one of those days', i.e. Monaghan got an early goal and despite repeated attempts, poor shooting ensured Armagh could not seem to get level, and yet Monaghan on their sporadic attacks, were able to move the ball up the field well and snatch a point to keep them just ahead.

As stated, only for their shooting, Armagh would have been out of sight come the last ten minutes. It was in the last five or six minutes that they really pulled away, scoring a goal and adding a couple of points.

Stefan Forker was given man of the match (or to give him his official title, cadbury's most valuable player), although the performance of Charlie Vernon, Hanratty at full forward and David McKenna when he came on in the second half were also instrumental in the victory!!

Ulster Under 21 Champions! Fingers crossed for the All Irelands!!

brokencrossbar1 · April 14, 2007, 08:54:19 PM

Some debut year at seniors for the Cross boys! None of them had played senior football before the start of last season at a competitive level apart from Tony Kernan and now look at their haul. If they win the AI u 21 they could retire now near enough! They play a very strong Cork team now in the semi and that should be a great game. I have already been asked who am I supporting? Silly questions get silly answers

When is the semi on and what would the likely venue be as I would love to take a run up with a friend of mine who is a rebel to the backbone.

Congratulations to everyone involved especially all my old team mates. TK hopefully you'll be back for the semi!

bennydorano · April 14, 2007, 08:55:23 PM

Excellent win, Monaghan people could quite rightly claim that the end scoreline is a bit flattering for Armagh, but as stated the amount of wides kept it tight. Forker,Vernon, O'Neill, Dyas and Courtney all played excellently. Hate to be the eternal pessimist but Armagh's FB line is weak, donaghy and Finnegan(2 or 3 games in a row IMO with finnegan) were totally skinned in the first half, dont know how they fared in the second as I missed the first 15 mins of the 2nd half watching the National in St Enda's clubhouse

and the last 15 was spent mostly in Monaghan's half. MCkenna made a big difference when he came on. Hanratty contributed well near the end but I didn't think he'd had a great game up until then, O'Rourke worked very hard.

Cork next Sunday then? Hyde Park Roscommon?

brokencrossbar1 · April 14, 2007, 09:01:30 PM

QuoteCork next Sunday then? Hyde Park Roscommon?

Is it benny. Ah shit, I will be otherwise engaged that week, had hoped there might have been a couple of weeks.

Armagh Exile · April 14, 2007, 09:06:11 PM

Both semi-finals are next Saturday 21st.
With the Mayo v Leinster Champions pencilled in for O'Moore Park, Portlaoise.
What are the chances of both games being in Portlaoise?

john mcgill · April 15, 2007, 06:33:12 AM

to Armagh U21's and the management team. Hopefully now that this team is having some time together it can go on to greater glories. Monaghan contributed to an entertaining game. I thought that Toner had a mighty game for Armagh, one of his blocks with one hand was an exceptional piece of skill.

Armagh4SamAgain · April 15, 2007, 08:12:21 AM

Congradulations to Armagh. These lads can go on and win an all Ireland!!

Over the Bar · April 15, 2007, 11:00:56 AM

A good Armagh side that. Still young enough as its the bones of the 05 minor team so should scoop an AI in the next year or 2. Maybe even go on to lift Armagh's 2nd senior AI in the next 4-5 years!

stew · April 15, 2007, 02:17:12 PM

Quote from: Over the Bar on April 15, 2007, 11:00:56 AM
A good Armagh side that. Still young enough as its the bones of the 05 minor team so should scoop an AI in the next year or 2. Maybe even go on to lift Armagh's 2nd senior AI in the next 4-5 years!

It's a long way from an U21 AI win to a senior win but I share the sentiment, it depends on how many make the grade at Senior level but I have to say things look promising but I would never bet thefarm on Armagh winning anything, my heart has been broken far too often to count on them winning when it matters most.

Goats Do Shave · April 16, 2007, 08:09:27 AM

Quote from: john mcgill on April 15, 2007, 06:33:12 AM
to Armagh U21's and the management team. Hopefully now that this team is having some time together it can go on to greater glories. Monaghan contributed to an entertaining game. I thought that Toner had a mighty game for Armagh, one of his blocks with one hand was an exceptional piece of skill.

One handed block might I add!!! Soooper!

Thought he was excellent once moved till the full back line, he was struggling a little at centre back.

Paul Courtney did some super work around the middle in the 1st half, scored 2 great points & was the only Armagh player to have played well in the opening stages!

I thought James Lavery did well, but big McKenna made a helluva difference when he replaced him!

Hanratty is such an unselfish player...always brave & out to win the ball & lay it off!

Forker deserved the "Hero" award. He was the outstanding score taker on the field, made space so easily & hit some fantastic scores!

- Number 14 for Monaghan is a monster of a man.