2008 Ulster Club Championships

[Armamike]

Didn't get to see the game today but from was fully expecting Cross to win - Ballinderry got a lot of lucky breaks the first day and weren't likely to get the same breaks again.  Ultimately they never had the power up front to beat Cross. Cross continue to fascinate.  They are a case study in sporting success and team play.  Some people (e.g. Indiana) just don't 'get' them and fail to understand their mentality. They are a team in the true sense of the word and when you have a squad of players all on the same wavelength and playing for the common good of the team, allied with a lot of quality, then you are a very difficult proposition to beat.  It's alright saying speed and agility and this game plan or that will beat them, but how many teams out there at club level possess sufficient skill, speed, know how and team play to actually do it?  Crokes might, but who would bet against Cross?

[INDIANA]

Zulu, how much money are you putting on Drom? I think you'll take my point. If they could only score 0-6 against the clare champions. They'll score about 0-2 against Cross.

[INDIANA]

I actually don't think Crokes would beat Cross but I think Corofin could.  In my view they have the players to cause Cross a lot of problems at least. and its nothing to do with not getting Cross, but a lot of the Ulster club teams don't give themselves any chance of winning. For all thats said about Leinster football , a lot of which is true Cross haven't beaten Leinster opposition for a while. Not because Leinster football is a better standard but simply because they play a different style of football and give themselves a chance. a lot of the Ulster teams don't do that.

[Zulu]

Indiana Drom beat Kilmurry who only lost to Ballina by a point two years ago in the AI semi final and Kilmurry should have been beaten in that years Munster final. So the point is Munster club football is very strong and I can assure you Kilmurry are one of the country's best club sides. If Drom were playing anyone but Cross I'd give them a very good chance, like I said I wouldn't put money on them myself but to say they have no chance is wrong, especially since it is based on nothing more than the fact the are a Limerick football team.

[INDIANA]

Zulu i've seen them twice this year, I've relations in Limerick and I know the scene down there inside out. They don't have the firepower to beat Cross. Once Buckley and Reidy are marked they won't put up a winning score. They'll do well defensively but Cross will beat them and Drom will struggle to score from play. They've already achieved so much Drom, but this is a different level.

[INDIANA]

you have to have the players and Drom don't in my view. Portlaoise in 05 did and Vincents did earlier this year. Corofin might not sure the rest do. Balinderry had the players but had neither the gameplan nor belief to do the job.

[under the bar]

Well done Cross.  Thoroughly deserved.

[thebandit]

It might not have been pretty at times, but class always rises to the top. The 2 piees of play that epitomised the Cross ethos were Paul McKeown's point, and Aaron's run for Kyle Carragher's point. Mickey Mac was immense again today, I always thought when he was playing underage (we're about the same age) that he could be Monkey's successor, and he is really in form at the minute.

[aroundincircles]

Would like to have seen ballinderry win but has to be said cross possibly best club team from the start of all ireland club series well done to them they will not be easy beay good luck to them.mwould love the two mc entees playing for my club team pure class.

[ONeill]

The McEntees are legends of the game. They're been central to anything Armagh or Cross have achieved over the years. Seriously underrated by those outside of the province.

[orangeman]

The twins are as good as I have seen - but everything they do is so understated. They just get on with it - no big fuss - no looking for praise or glory.


As O'Neill says, their contribution is under rated by a lot of people.


Two legends of the game.

[aroundincircles]

Seem modest good guys into the bargain.

[seamusthebard]

Congratulations to Crossmaglen, in my opinion, much the better team over the two games and the their achievemnents bely belief. Their fitness, skill and determination should be patented.
As a "lose" Ballinderry/ Derry supporter, I have to admit that I was less than emamoured at Darren's Conways theatricals in the first game but was surprised at the publicity it got in the national media, never mind on here. However, it must be pointed out that he never hurt anyone physically.
Hence, my surprise, at how acceptable was the violence of Francie Bellew in today's game. He intended to cause physical damage to Brian McGuickian and indeed if it had happened in public, he would have been arrested. Strange how the public view these things.

[seamusthebard]

Would also agree that the McEntees have been great for Gaelic football over the past number of years. As you say, they seem very modest lads. Personally i thought that both of them had quiet games today by their standard and also thought that John was quite lucky not to get a red card with an elbow to a Ballinderry players face towards trhe end of the first half.

[orangeman]

Congratulations to Crossmaglen, in my opinion, much the better team over the two games and the their achievemnents bely belief. Their fitness, skill and determination should be patented.
As a "lose" Ballinderry/ Derry supporter, I have to admit that I was less than emamoured at Darren's Conways theatricals in the first game but was surprised at the publicity it got in the national media, never mind on here. However, it must be pointed out that he never hurt anyone physically.
Hence, my surprise, at how acceptable was the violence of Francie Bellew in today's game. He intended to cause physical damage to Brian McGuickian and indeed if it had happened in public, he would have been arrested. Strange how the public view these things.

Maybe that's why Crowe leaned towards Cross today ?