Ulster Championship is Muck

[sheamy]

It's mostly down to increased fitness levels...when I was a cub it was said 'let the ball do the work'. That's fine but has risks i.e. interceptions, misplaced kicks etc. Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

Tyrone don't kick the ball at all, Donegal kick periodically from the 40. You saw the failings of the modern team in the first half of the AI final. The best team in the country continually gave the ball away every time they tried to play a foot pass of any distance. They got that knocked out of them a half time and went back to running and handpassing.

Bottom line is that possession is king and if the players can now cover the distance that the ball did in a game when I was a cub then it's here to stay. Cross were the exceptions to the rule but unfortunately I don't think that would work at inter-county level as the fitness levels are just too high (men back etc). Ballinderry also attempt to play good football with the emphasis on the foot.  Many good club footballers are put off by the nature of the game at inter-county level in that there is no chance to play the game they were coached as youngsters.

The game is still enjoyable imo but it can be hard watched too - especially at club level where poor imitations of Donegal are now the norm. The best footballers usually still win at club level as the fitness levels to play 'the modern game' against them usually aren't quite there. The same can't be said at intercounty level.

[armaghniac]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

[sheamy]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

Yeah, that's the point I'm making. I'd love to see it work at the top level of inter-county. Get McEntee in next year lads!

[Milltown Row2]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

But they also have players (AK) who work all over the pitch, he picked up the ball in corner back against us in the Ulster final and managed to make it to midfield were the ball was placed kicked to Osin and we were done after that. He's not on his own in that Cross team.

[brokencrossbar1]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

But they also have players (AK) who work all over the pitch, he picked up the ball in corner back against us in the Ulster final and managed to make it to midfield were the ball was placed kicked to Osin and we were done after that. He's not on his own in that Cross team.

The conditions on any given day too will determine how Cross play.  When it is very wet and mucky they will move the ball through the hand more but on a firmer sod it is kicked consistently. 

[Milltown Row2]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

But they also have players (AK) who work all over the pitch, he picked up the ball in corner back against us in the Ulster final and managed to make it to midfield were the ball was placed kicked to Osin and we were done after that. He's not on his own in that Cross team.

The conditions on any given day too will determine how Cross play.  When it is very wet and mucky they will move the ball through the hand more but on a firmer sod it is kicked consistently.

Which is part of their success, ability to adapt. We play the same (have) way all the time. Hopefully the new manager has changed that a bit, very difficult to change in fairness when it has brought success.

Overall though Ulster football will improve, it's better than the rest and if Donegal maintain anything close to what they have done this year then they will, at worst, make a semi final. Jim I'm sure won't want to be known as a flash in the pan, Dublin seemed to have gone off the rails and never looked like retaining it this year

[supersarsfields]

Modern intelligent coaches like Harte and McGuinness have simply said 'let the man do the work' as it's less risky, and more to the point he can now do so due to his conditioning.

As Applesisapples noted, the AI club champions do expect the ball the do the work. Perhaps that reflects your comment about teams playing them not being fit enough to do a Donegal

But they also have players (AK) who work all over the pitch, he picked up the ball in corner back against us in the Ulster final and managed to make it to midfield were the ball was placed kicked to Osin and we were done after that. He's not on his own in that Cross team.

The conditions on any given day too will determine how Cross play.  When it is very wet and mucky they will move the ball through the hand more but on a firmer sod it is kicked consistently.

Careful BC1. You could see yourelf expelled for giving away secrets like that!!