Monaghan v Down 07/02 Clones 2pm

Main Street · February 05, 2016, 01:53:31 PM

Referee: Cormac Reilly
Monaghan are made hot favorites to win this game this weekend. A false reflection I think.
Down are supposedly coming to Clones with their tails between their legs and we are supposedly on a high after a fortunate enough win in Roscommon.
Though I fancy us to win because i'm biased and we usually win these type of games at home against all (sweet, sour and bitter) ulster rivals.

Brick Tamlin · February 05, 2016, 02:59:25 PM

Im expecting Down to improve their performance from last weeks debacle.
But I still wouldn't give them a hope of beating a side who are miles ahead of them in terms of their development.
Bookies have it spot on im afraid. Put the house on Monaghan. I cant see how Down will beat Monaghan.

Schkite · February 05, 2016, 03:27:54 PM

It's the kind of game we've so often slipped up in over the years. A game we're expected to win and most people tipping us. For the most part we've learned to deal with that expectation a bit better in the last couple of years, but still we'll have to guard against complacency, but again the team is experienced enough at this stage to know that.

Down will be well improved I'm sure and out to prove a point, but they've a few key players missing and we're normally tough to beat in Clones, so I'd be confident enough of the win. Should we win that will leave us in a great position on 4 points and most of the league still to come. Malachy will be well aware that, despite getting the win, last Sunday's performance left alot to be desired so I'd want to see an improvement in ourselves aswell.

Main Street · February 05, 2016, 03:54:10 PM

Quote from: Schkite on February 05, 2016, 03:27:54 PM
It's the kind of game we've so often slipped up in over the years. A game we're expected to win and most people tipping us. For the most part we've learned to deal with that expectation a bit better in the last couple of years, but still we'll have to guard against complacency, but again the team is experienced enough at this stage to know that.

Down will be well improved I'm sure and out to prove a point, but they've a few key players missing and we're normally tough to beat in Clones, so I'd be confident enough of the win. Should we win that will leave us in a great position on 4 points and most of the league still to come. Malachy will be well aware that, despite getting the win, last Sunday's performance left alot to be desired so I'd want to see an improvement in ourselves aswell.

After me saying that we usually win these type of league games.

armaghniac · February 05, 2016, 04:04:21 PM

"Interesting" policy in Monaghan of making it harder for fans to attend, playing Mayo in 'Blayney and Down in Clones. Not very collegiate.

snoopdog · February 05, 2016, 04:13:43 PM

Totally agree this game would've been better in Blaney . Also it's years since I've been at a game in blaney so it would've been nice to see the new stand.

Down Follower · February 05, 2016, 04:16:53 PM

We are at a low ebb in terms of confidence and indeed personnel. We arent even as good as we were last year (which wasnt great) when we got promoted and nowhere near the team we were 5/6 years ago.
Given the above, we honestly dont expect to win this game, and in fact would probably secretly be delighted if we give it a good run. Even in NFL games now, the team has to be super prepared which Monaghan are, and we are not.
No fault of management as they are only in a wet week, just the way it is at the moment.

armaghniac · February 05, 2016, 04:27:21 PM

Quote from: snoopdog on February 05, 2016, 04:13:43 PM
Totally agree this game would've been better in Blaney . Also it's years since I've been at a game in blaney so it would've been nice to see the new stand.

Sure you can drive past it, giving you a chance to visit real football country on your way to Newry

GrandMasterFlash · February 05, 2016, 05:17:59 PM

Quote from: armaghniac on February 05, 2016, 04:04:21 PM
"Interesting" policy in Monaghan of making it harder for fans to attend, playing Mayo in 'Blayney and Down in Clones. Not very collegiate.

"Interesting" observation from a county who played most of their NFL games (until recently) in one venue (see Athletic Grounds history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Grounds).

All counties do that sh*t.. Monaghan fans had to travel to a 2,500 capacity stadium last weekend; what's your thoughts on that?

The rationale may be; not that many Mayo fans would travel, and hence 'Blayney would suffice whereas many Down fans would travel, and hence Clones was required.

Schkite · February 05, 2016, 05:40:44 PM

Quote from: Main Street on February 05, 2016, 03:54:10 PM
Quote from: Schkite on February 05, 2016, 03:27:54 PM
It's the kind of game we've so often slipped up in over the years. A game we're expected to win and most people tipping us. For the most part we've learned to deal with that expectation a bit better in the last couple of years, but still we'll have to guard against complacency, but again the team is experienced enough at this stage to know that.

Down will be well improved I'm sure and out to prove a point, but they've a few key players missing and we're normally tough to beat in Clones, so I'd be confident enough of the win. Should we win that will leave us in a great position on 4 points and most of the league still to come. Malachy will be well aware that, despite getting the win, last Sunday's performance left alot to be desired so I'd want to see an improvement in ourselves aswell.
After me saying that we usually win these type of league games.

Ha yeah fair point! Now I think about it, my point probably fits in more to championship games where we were favourites after a previous win, you know the type.

armaghniac · February 05, 2016, 07:25:27 PM

Quote from: GrandMasterFlash"Interesting" observation from a county who played most of their NFL games (until recently) in one venue (see Athletic Grounds history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletic_Grounds).

The Athletic Grounds is central, and conventient to trunk roads, buses etc. Nothing to note about its use.

Quote from: GrandMasterFlash on February 05, 2016, 05:17:59 PM
All counties do that sh*t.. Monaghan fans had to travel to a 2,500 capacity stadium last weekend; what's your thoughts on that?

Because other people do it does not make it right. Monaghan complained about last week, and rightly so.

QuoteThe rationale may be; not that many Mayo fans would travel, and hence 'Blayney would suffice whereas many Down fans would travel, and hence Clones was required.

Perhaps. But I'd say 'Blayney would hold the crowd, Down people are not very upbeat at present.

I just think the GAA should facilitate people.

cluaineois · February 05, 2016, 08:45:59 PM

Ah lads let's not start this crap again. Clones is our nominated county ground.while I have nothing against blaney the design of the new stand is not great as it is set so far back from the pitch that you feel that you might as well be in doohamlet. Roscommons ploy of bringing us to kilotoom last week seems to have had the desired effect as I see that this week the new pitch for the Hyde was given the go-ahead. Believe it or not armaghniac clones does suit some of us.

Main Street · February 05, 2016, 09:24:05 PM

Clones being the nominated county ground doesn't cut the mustard, The point Armaghniac made is that Clones can be nominated one week for the game against Down and Blaney the next week for the visit of Mayo and maybe it would have been more logical to do it vice versa.
I would hope there is a good reason rather than some haphazard decision being made.

Schkite · February 05, 2016, 09:34:56 PM

Monaghan team:

1   Rory Beggan
2   Colin Walshe
3   Drew Wylie
4   Ryan Wylie
5   Dessie Mone
6   Kieran Duffy
7   Fintan Kelly
8   Neil Mc Adam
9   Darren Hughes
10   Karl O'Connell
11   Dermot Malone
12   Thomas Kerr
13   Shane Carey
14   Owen Duffy
15   Conor McManus

16   Mark Keogh
17   John McCarron
18   Conor Boyle
19   Niall Mc Keown
20   Mark Thornton
21   Padraic Keenan
22   Ryan McAnespie
23   Stephen Gollogly
24   Conor Mc Carthy
25   Daniel Mc Kenna
26   Barry Mc Ginn

GrandMasterFlash · February 06, 2016, 12:17:20 PM

My point re the ground was not in relation to the (now trite) argument re 'Clones not Clones'. I was making the point that counties pick their grounds to suit the game in question. We took Tyrone to Inniskeen a few years back to beat them, and it worked. Roscommon tried it last week. I'm sure the same rationale has been applied by the Armagh county board; sure didn't they opt for Clones for their championship games during the 00's when they were going well. Why? because it worked.

Also, when the fixtures were being made nobody knew or considered the relative happiness of the average Down fan..

I'd expect a bit more bite from them tomorrow after last weeks disaster. Not having O'Hare doesn't help their case mind..