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My worry from today's game is that 6 games into the league and we are no closer to known what our starting 15 is for the championship, a lot of positions up for grabs......it is a major concern

Would agree with that. There have been no new 'finds' during the whole of the League that you could say have nailed down a startig spot. Forker and Swift are possibles whilst Dyas and Jamie Calrke got little or no action but a lot of questions remain about the fringe players.

On the positive side there is the spine of a good side there. Players such as Mallon, Donaghy, McKeever, Toner, Vernon, Clarke and McDonnell would start for any team in the country. The half forward line remains a huge concern and is still looking very poor. 

Kildare have been disappointing this year, I really expected them to kick on from the progress of the previous 2 years and challenge for a Leinster title at least, now I'm not so sure.

1 Aontroim 6 5 1 0 97 71 10
2 An Cabhán 6 3 3 0 97 88 6
3 Loch Garman 5 3 2 0 68 64 6
4 An Lú 6 3 3 0 83 80 6
5 Sligeach 5 3 2 0 69 72 6
6 Uibh Fhaili 6 3 3 0 89 92 6
7 Fear Manach 5 1 4 0 52 72 2
8 Ros Comáin 5 1 4 0 70 86 2

Promoted: Antrim + 1 other

Relegated: Fermanagh and Roscommon must win both remaining fixtures to have any chance of staying up. 

1 An Dun 5 4 0 1 74 50 9
2 Dún na nGall 6 4 2 0 86 68 8
3 Ard Mhacha 5 3 2 0 72 55 6
4 Cill Dara 6 3 3 0 76 77 6
5 Laois 6 3 3 0 82 86 6
6 An Mhí 6 3 3 0 70 78 6
7 Tiobraid Árann 5 1 3 1 59 72 3
8 An Iarmhí 5 0 5 0 61 94 0

Relegated: Westmeath

If Tipp are beaten tomorrow they will join Westmeath.

Down need 1 point from 2 games to gain promotion

If Armagh beat Tipp as expected they will have a shoot out in Ballybofey to see who goes up.

[It would also call into question his 100% desire to win this game]

I thought the post-match remarks by POR were aimed at trying to pacify the Down supporters after his defection to Armagh. He would have been better off saying nothing since he is now employed by Armagh county board. Instead he gave a glimpse of his deep-rooted feelings.

It would also call into question his 100% desire to win this game. At least Geezer had the good sense to refrain from making media comments in the build up to and the aftermath of the Armagh v Kildare game.   

Based on what?

Based on a natural affinity towards the county that you served as player and manager for so long. Could you honestly say that you would derive any satisfaction from beating the club or county team that you are attached to. This was always going to be a difficult game for POR in that sense and is the reason why I believe that ALL counties should be prevented from appointing outside men.

I thought the post-match remarks by POR were aimed at trying to pacify the Down supporters after his defection to Armagh. He would have been better off saying nothing since he is now employed by Armagh county board. Instead he gave a glimpse of his deep-rooted feelings.

It would also call into question his 100% desire to win this game. At least Geezer had the good sense to refrain from making media comments in the build up to and the aftermath of the Armagh v Kildare game.   

A few points from Saturdays game from an Armagh perspective:

The goalkeeper position is still up in the air as McAvoy has yet to convince that he is the long term solution. However I would stick with him for the remainder of the League since we already know what Hearty can do.

The defence is very solid, however Duffy may be better served at half back leaving a postion available at corner back (P Kernan, P McKeown)

Toner is developing into a very good midfielder and together with Vernon they can form the bedrock of future Armagh teams for years to come.

Aaron Kernan is not a half forward. He needs a lot of open space to operate in and is slightly ponderous in tight situations. I welcomed the idea of playing him in the half forwards but it clearly hasn't worked. Either play him wing half back or nowhere.

The lack of scoring threat from forwards outside of Clarke and McDonnell persists. However some of the management decisions in this regard were infuriating.
Swift had scored 2 points, was playing well and was strangely withdrawn.
Henderson was made a scapegoat just to get a clearly unfit Vernon on the pitch whilst Forker was withdrawn prematurely after a great performance against Kildare. Bringing off those players who at least carried a scoring threat, in preference to workhorses like M Mackin and T Kernan who have had umpteen chances to prove themselves were poor calls from the line.

As for the McKeever incident I think it was a storm in a tea-cup. Granted he should not have got involved with the crowd but the abuse he took from the Down crowd was disgraceful.

Down look to be well drilled outfit with some good forwards but I would see more potential for a sustained championship riun from this Armagh side.

where was the game....in Tipp??

plus tipp aren't a bad side....

It was in Newry as far as i know. I thought Down were bankers of the wekend and at 1/7 the bookies agreed. Tipp aren't a bad side but I'd expect them to go straight back down all the same.

Down 0-14 Tipp 1-11 full time.

Back to reality for Down.

Saturday 6 March

Allianz NFL Division 1
Cork 1-13 0-12 Galway, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30pm

Allianz NFL Division 2
Down 0-12 1-07 Tipperary, Newry, 7.30pm
Laois 0-08 0-09 Armagh, Portlaoise, 7.30pm
Meath 1-09 1-06 Westmeath, Pairc Tailteann, 7.30pm

Allianz NFL Division 3
Antrim 0-11 0-06 Fermanagh, Casement Park, 7.30pm

If that team starts tomorrow night then the 5/2 about Laois is massive. Outside of McDonnell and placed balls where are the scores going to come from?

was that not the day that coulter destroyed McKeever, who was taken off in the first half?

Yeah, football wise he did but Mckeever 'exerted his physical strength' on Coulter who was curtailed thereafter.

Can't believe its four years since we pinched that league win on our last visit to Newry. If ever a game proved that we have the upper hand it was that one. We should have been dead and buried but nicked a famous win

Remember that game well, the day McKeever ate up Coulter. I can remember a certain P O'Rourke gesticulating towards the stands at a few Down scores in the second half, oh how times have changed. It will be interesting to see what sort of reception POR gets from the Down fans. This game will tell us a lot more about the current state of both sides.   

[Quite pleased that smart money on down for ulster at 16's is now paying off, 10/1 now, if they go 8's before Donegal laying off would be a good option.]

I'd Love to come to a cross roads after confirming a decade of dominance in Senior football, as well as a minor AI Semi.

Cork fresh off an U21 All Ireland and performances of the championship up untill a physical final, will be growing and improving.

Tyrone showed their first 3 AI titles in the last decade, a number of superb minor teams and players.

Theres not much to choose between these 3, although a plus 3/1 price gives you an opportunity to back your fancy, before league and provincials slash odds, then maybe lay off in the semi?
Quite pleased that smart money on down for ulster at 16's is now paying off, 10/1 now, if they go 8's before Donegal laying off would be a good option.

Also the thread title is misleading, what good bet are you refering to?

Both Tyrone and particularly Kerry are not the powers they once were but they have still got a winning mentality come the latter end of the championship. For me Cork would be favourites at the moment since they are only one of the 3 with short term scope or improvement.

Down are still available at 14/1 for Ulster and would represent a good outside bet, however they have a tough draw.

Was at the game last night and it was a very poor game of football. I wasn't impressed at all with Down at all and 12 points was a poor return against a fairly average Meath side. Colgan was probably the best player on the field but I was expecting more from Down they badly need Gordon back at midfield

why were you expecting more from them??

Because i had heard several Down people talking up their forwards as the best in Ulster.