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All this talk of weightlifters on the Armagh team is dung IMO, Vernon has been thon size since he was U16, what other weightlifters are dungballers like Indiana talking about??  A young team like that does need tightened up and I'm sure McGurn's sessions are tailored - for example I'd imagine he wants Vernon nowhere near weights, others need upper body strength training.

I also very much doubt there's half a dozen or more better players in the county - maybe a young lad with potential like McCumiskey will step up shortly, but these boys aren't overlooked - they are being waited for.

Firstly, well done to Monaghan, hopefully they will go on to win it.

Obviously very disappointing, I do hope we dont throw the baby out with the bathwater thou, we got a lesson yesterday (sending off very much contirbuting) hopefully we'll learn from it.  I really dont think there's a need for panic changes thou, a few months back we were hoping for tangible development and weren't expecting too much, the victory over Derry and league campaign infalted expectations wildly.  We are still essentially a new developing team, a kind draw in the qualifiers is crucial but i'd put money on us getting donegal and that's the sort of game we dont want, I think we need a soft one tbh to get the confidence up and momentum started.

I've never really been convinced about Lavery but it'll be him and Toner from now on (when fit), Vernon will have to take his HF role like it or lump it.  AK has had one half of a good game all year (1st v Derry) and the continual postive reviews have baffled me.  No harm to Mal Mackin, but he's not up for it, one good game in every four seems to keep on the radar and he has to be a casualty.  I thought F mo was woeful yesterday but he cant be dropped for one bad game, it would obviously be a big help if we could get Ronan Clarke back from what I have heard he's hoping for a mid-july return (if we are still about). 

Team I would like to see the next day:
Hearty
Mallon, Donaghy, Shannon or McKeown
Duffy, CMcK, F MO
Toner Lavery
Nippy, Vernon, MOR
Henderson, Stevie, J Clarke

[There seems to be an automatic assumption that ROI will be the daddy of this new UI?]

Barring the word re-unification, I am at a loss to see the similarities?

There was and still is resentment in the old West Germany at the subsidies that had to be paid to the East after re-unification. If anything I'd say the Southern Irish sentiment regarding unification would be better than  Germany's was in 1990.

There would be similar problems such as two different currencies and the very high amount of people employed in the public sector in the North. This would inevitably mean that the new Government would have to pick up the tab for that which would almost certainly mean higher taxes for those in the south.

Another similarity is the opposition of Britain. Thatcher was against the re-unification of Germany.

Dubious analogies as Germany integrated EG, there was no need for the creation of a new state.  Germany didn't have to contend with a couple of million malcontents who didn't want unification, didn't view themselves as German, would shoot and bomb if they didn't get their way.

Who'll be subsidising who in the new UI thou? The UK would have to throw an awful pile of money at unification for it to stand a chance.  There seems to be an automatic assumption that ROI will be the daddy of this new UI?

Are you joking. A State with 3 times the population integrates with a province and you think the State won't be the major party?

It will be about the creation of a 'new Ireland of equals' not the south integrating the north.  If the UK (and probably EU & US money) bankrolls the unification there will be no need for a 'daddy'. 

If people sit down and actually think about what they will be asked to give up support for a UI would disappear.  New Political parties, political institutions, judicial system, health, taxes, pensions etc..

BBC
Armagh: P Hearty, A Mallon, B Donaghy, V Martin, P Duffy, C McKeever, F Moriarty, C Vernon, K Toner, M Mackin, A Kernan, G Swift, B Mallon, S McDonnell, R Henderson

Vincey Martin for Lavery.  Not the worst move I ever seen if Woods is about, could be a red herring I suppose.

Barring the word re-unification, I am at a loss to see the similarities?

There was and still is resentment in the old West Germany at the subsidies that had to be paid to the East after re-unification. If anything I'd say the Southern Irish sentiment regarding unification would be better than  Germany's was in 1990.

There would be similar problems such as two different currencies and the very high amount of people employed in the public sector in the North. This would inevitably mean that the new Government would have to pick up the tab for that which would almost certainly mean higher taxes for those in the south.

Another similarity is the opposition of Britain. Thatcher was against the re-unification of Germany.

Dubious analogies as Germany integrated EG, there was no need for the creation of a new state.  Germany didn't have to contend with a couple of million malcontents who didn't want unification, didn't view themselves as German, would shoot and bomb if they didn't get their way.

Who'll be subsidising who in the new UI thou? The UK would have to throw an awful pile of money at unification for it to stand a chance.  There seems to be an automatic assumption that ROI will be the daddy of this new UI?

[emblems, symbolism and all,]

I'd also be extremely dubious as to whether or not a UI would be passed into law north or south of the border.   In the event of any such proposition being put to the electorate Mexicans will be confronted with wholesale structural changes, I'd imagine they'd pretty much think they'll just integrate NI into the ROI, but for this to be acceptable to Unionism (and me) it will have to be the creation of whole new state - emblems, symbolism and all, that's where the real sticking points will be. 

Bottom line is Will southerners give up their country for the creation of a new one?? Because that's what the minimum asking price will be.

Nope, bottom line is will there be a majority in the north in favour of new arrangements any time soon? Answer, no.

That bottom line will come some day (as this is a hypothetical discussion anyway ffs), when it does come will you give up your country for the creation of a new one?

A united Ireland will not happen this century - the reality of it will be too unpalatable for a lot of ROI citizens and I doubt the conviction and desire of Northerners tbh.

It won't be any more unpalatable for ROI citizens than re-unification was for Germans.

Barring the word re-unification, I am at a loss to see the similarities? 

[emblems, symbolism and all,]

I'd also be extremely dubious as to whether or not a UI would be passed into law north or south of the border.   In the event of any such proposition being put to the electorate Mexicans will be confronted with wholesale structural changes, I'd imagine they'd pretty much think they'll just integrate NI into the ROI, but for this to be acceptable to Unionism (and me) it will have to be the creation of whole new state - emblems, symbolism and all, that's where the real sticking points will be. 

Bottom line is Will southerners give up their country for the creation of a new one?? Because that's what the minimum asking price will be.

A Confederation of the 2 regions would be the obvious solution with the Dáil and Assembly looking after day to day matters within their own areas and the Confederacy looking after the bigger issues.
That way the 26 Cos could have it's own particular ways,keeping the Tricolour,A na bhF, bi lingual road signs  etc and the 6 Cos could have theirs, trilingual signs, a bland flag etc. 6 Co Residents would have the right to British citizenship/passports on application to the British Government.
Meanwhile the confederacy would have its own agreed  bland flag/Anthem etc

Same only different then?  Sort of defeats the purpose of unification.

[emblems, symbolism and all,]

I'd also be extremely dubious as to whether or not a UI would be passed into law north or south of the border.   In the event of any such proposition being put to the electorate Mexicans will be confronted with wholesale structural changes, I'd imagine they'd pretty much think they'll just integrate NI into the ROI, but for this to be acceptable to Unionism (and me) it will have to be the creation of whole new state - emblems, symbolism and all, that's where the real sticking points will be. 

Bottom line is Will southerners give up their country for the creation of a new one?? Because that's what the minimum asking price will be.

Nope, bottom line is will there be a majority in the north in favour of new arrangements any time soon? Answer, no.

That bottom line will come some day (as this is a hypothetical discussion anyway ffs), when it does come will you give up your country for the creation of a new one?

A united Ireland will not happen this century - the reality of it will be too unpalatable for a lot of ROI citizens and I doubt the conviction and desire of Northerners tbh.

[emblems, symbolism and all,]

I'd also be extremely dubious as to whether or not a UI would be passed into law north or south of the border.   In the event of any such proposition being put to the electorate Mexicans will be confronted with wholesale structural changes, I'd imagine they'd pretty much think they'll just integrate NI into the ROI, but for this to be acceptable to Unionism (and me) it will have to be the creation of whole new state - emblems, symbolism and all, that's where the real sticking points will be. 

Bottom line is Will southerners give up their country for the creation of a new one?? Because that's what the minimum asking price will be.

   

Normally I'm Mr Pessimistic, on this one I'm not sure what to expect, think I can see Armagh winning. We've the beneift of the Derry game behind us and I don't think the benefit of that can be underestimated, there's nothing like a good hard Championship match to bring you on a bit.

I hope we try to lay the expansive game that looked so promising through the league, but winning is still the priority. We probably will play a sweeper but if played correctly it could be the launchpad for attacks as well as serving it's primary defensive role.

Can't see too many changes, hopefully Nippy will keep his place and I also hope we resist the temptation to through Jamie clarke on from the start. Brian Mallon has to start for me, it was only when I re-watched the Derry game that I began to appreciate his input in getting the dirty ball, it's not glamorous but is effective. Henderson would be unlucky to miss out,but he started the Galway game in Clonmore which might suggest he was sort of on trial.

Any word on Lavery? I assume it was his hamstring, if it was bad he could be risky to start. We have a better balance with Vernon and Toner imo and I hope we start that way. I expect Hughes to mark Vernon wherever CV plays. If Lavery's out there's a place in defence available, probably will be Shannon although he must be looking over his shoulder at Paul McKeown if the challenge game v Galway is anything to go by. Dyas could be in there with a big shout too.

It will be tight.

Coulter is a joy to watch.  Marty Clarke will do it if he stays longterm.

Down have no reason to fear Tyrone, I'm pretty sure Tyrone would have preferred donegal to come through.  Still weak defensively thou and a team as experienced as Tyrone could exploit it bigtime.

Wasn't there but I assume the 2 corner forwards were Rafferty of Granemore and Stevenson of Sarsfields

There's value to be had there in a gambling sense, especially if you take a gamble that Ogs and Cross get pitted against each other before the final - then you could lay your bet off if your selection gets to the final.  Dromintee are good value there, ourselves with a full team would be well fit for anyone.  Whitecross could be the best outside bet.

Benydorano, if you had referred to a 30 yard, rather than a three yard, hand pass, it might have indicated that you had seen James Colgan fairly regularly. It is one of his great assets, and he is fully entitled to use it instead of a riskier thump up the field.

In terms of his leadership, he captained a tiny school to its first MacRory Cup final, which it lost after a replay, and also lifted  AI minor and Ulster u21 cups, so he's not doing too badly there either.

He has his strengths and weaknesses, like most other players, but he did consistently well against some decent teams in the NFL D2. He has only started a single USC match in his career, so it might be an idea to judge him at the end of his first proper season at senior level.

Very true, i wouldn't write anybody off at such a young age.

His natural position?  Sweeping with no marking responsibilities, nice work if you can get it. 

I've watched thon fella from McRory, through Sigerson (when he could get a game) to Senior.  I dont rate him, you could count the number of kick passes he makes on one hand, he's a master of the 3 yard fist pass thou.

Why would you see him as a future captain - because he talks shite during games??  There's more to leadership than that, especially when people see through you.