Messages

As shown by this thread the big driver to the Tailteann Cup is that it's open for so many to get a run at it. Most of the counties in it could have a say if they get a bit of luck and a run going. We've had Wicklow, Laois, Antrim, Fermanagh, Down, Sligo, Kildare all tipped. If marketed right, this has potential. Makes a big difference from the AI run in! 

Potential for a very competitive competition. But it won't be promoted. Will get 2 minutes on the Sunday game and we will only see it  at semi final stage. The GAA don't do promotion unless it's the Munster hurling championship. The 3 games for 30 euro is a good deal. But if your Down a trip to London should maybe be taken out and a 2 games at a tenner each offered.
 

If by some miracle Utd beat Arsenal. Then Arsenal just aren't good enough.

All Ireland B semi finals are on this weekend also.  inaugural staging of that competition

This Saturday
Westmeath v Limerick in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 1pm

On Sunday
Down v Mayo in Breffni park at 1pm

Embarrassing that Mayo were let into that competition. There are plenty of weaker counties that this competition would mean more to.

Down are also in it, after winning 2 of last 3 Ulsters. It gives players more game time. I think that's the objective here. Down drew with Tyrone and should've beat them in group. But have had a few poor outings so are where they deserve to be. 

Mount was dreadful as per usual. I said when utd bought him it was a waste of money. He couldn't get in a terrible Chelsea team last season. City will win the Cup final with ease, it could be 6 or 7 nil. These guys have no heart or desire.

Massive win for the Minors. Are thry into the semi finals after that?

Have the gaa announced the date and time for the London game? Anyone thinking of travelling.

Could they use div 1 in the hurling league as some championship incentive. Most of the Munster teams are in it anyway. The league is like a mini munster championship. Get rid of this cup that provincial. Before they know it they will have very few games.

Is john mc govern still part of senior squad? I didnt see his name on squad last saturday. I hope he is as think he could be a good option when he works at it...

Now is the time to try new players.  3 games v Offaly, Limerick and London would be good to blood a few more lads.

Social media is proving to be one of the worst inventions of all time. It does much more harm than good.

Anyone here been to a game in Ruislip before? Thinking of making the trip if I can keep the costs down as it's unlikely we'll have too many games against them in the future

Best way would be fly to Heathrow. I was thinking about doing it , as you say when will Down ever be back in Ruislip.

[Same people complaining probably spend a few hundred pound to fly to england and watch 90 mins of 0-0 scoreline and lads falling like they broke their leg]

I for one enjoyed the game, having went to Clones expecting Down to be on the wrong end of a heavy beating, I was hoping to see what the Management where tactically capable off in order to make a much less physical and skilfully developed team cope with a top 10 team and thats exactly what I got. It was tactically spot on! Frustrated a team in every area they thrive on and hot them for scores outselves, only issue is our pack of ability to shoot from distance. In fact, the final score from Armagh there was a foul on Doherty that the ref didnt call. Was it great free flowing football? no because we would now be reading comments about how poor we are and unable to put it up to better teams if we had of tried. Tyrone and Donegal have won Ulsters playing frustrating football, you do what you have to. There are no rules that will change football back to the 90's. Coaches and backroom teams are too smart and  professional now to use rules to advantage. Just leave game alone. Same people complaining probably spend a few hundred pound to fly to england and watch 90 mins of 0-0 scoreline and lads falling like they broke their leg and walk with the ball. Least we get it for £20

Did u not watch Doherty on Saturday diving around the place?? It was embarrassing - I think he got 1 free out of 4 diving attempts. But in the Down club championship he gets all of them frees as our referees fall for them every time.
U20s win the Leo Murphy cup tonight - Laverty should introduce a few of them to the panel going into the B cup. Time a few were cut adrift as they are not getting near the match day squads. 

Who would you take up?

Doran is the only one who would make senior,  the rest forget

Only 1 player from the whole group?
Write the rest off? They were in an extremely tough group. Drew with Tyrone who are in the final.

It's a whole load of games to whittle the number of teams down from 16 to 12. And when the draw is made you will be able to predict the 4 teams who will be eliminated with a fair degree of certainty. The main interest will centre around which teams top their groups. 

That's true, because after last year, we all now realise what an advantage finishing top appears to be.

I said last year, if additional jeopardy is needed, we could have the four group winners and the best 2nd place team all progress directly to the quarters. The third place team with the worst record would be eliminated - that should mean little or no dead rubbers.

I'd also tweak it by giving the provincial winners and the 4 top league places (who weren't provincial winners) two home games and get rid of the neutral ground game - this would provide better incentives for provincial winners and league placings. It would also boost attendances as the neutral games last year were very poorly attended iirc.

But this scheme basically advantages Dublin and Kerry, if they didn't have enough advantages.

Everything the GAA do has Dublin and Kerry in its thinking. They wouldn't do it if it didn't give either an advantage.

A handful of Down supporters in the Gerry Arthur stand let themselves down to the point more sensible Down supporters intervened to tell them to wise up.

Middle aged men and women being extremely provocative with personal insults to Armagh players and supporters.  They should know better.

There are idiots everywhere unfortunately. No place for that nonsense. Drunk or sober.

I wasn't at clones this year. But I saw enough last year never to bring a young family there again. The time has no factor. Alot of people go for the booze. They ain't there to see football. That's a part of the bug drop in attendance from last year. Over 10k diff.

Is that Top 4 secure for Liverpool now after Spurs losing?

It looks like it. Unless Spurs win their 5 remaining games by a 20 goal difference and Liverpool lose their 3 remaining games

Stranger things have happened....

considering one of those 5 is Man City it would have to be very very strange

It's gone from winning the quadruple to worrying about finishing top 4.