Ulster Senior football championship 2024

[93-DY-SAM]

Some mental gymnastics being employed on this thread when it comes to 'peaking'. It seems that whenever a team wins a few games that it was down to them specifically targeting those games above all others. And when they lose it was down to them timing their 'peak'. All done with the benefit of hindsight or no inside knowledge of their training programmes.

These top county teams are so meticulously prepared now that I don't believe any side has any significant advantage over each other in terms of fitness or S & C programmes. Most of these lads now maintain a very good general level of conditioning all year round. If there are smaller advantages they will be found tactically or in other areas. But the primary advantage will still remain the quality of player available, nothing to do with peaks.       

Ah would you houl yer whisht and stop talking sense. No place for that on here 😂

[Captain Obvious]

Handy win for Monaghan tomorrow?

If Cavan are as poor as they finished the league it will be handy win for Monaghan. However this is championship playing the neighbours and live on BBC and RTE if no kick and competitive showing from Cavan it will speak volumes about them.

[Derryman forever]

Some mental gymnastics being employed on this thread when it comes to 'peaking'. It seems that whenever a team wins a few games that it was down to them specifically targeting those games above all others. And when they lose it was down to them timing their 'peak'. All done with the benefit of hindsight or no inside knowledge of their training programmes.

These top county teams are so meticulously prepared now that I don't believe any side has any significant advantage over each other in terms of fitness or S & C programmes. Most of these lads now maintain a very good general level of conditioning all year round. If there are smaller advantages they will be found tactically or in other areas. But the primary advantage will still remain the quality of player available, nothing to do with peaks.       

Yep.
When Dublin beat Derry in celtic park Derry and Mickey Harte had bottled it, and feared Dublin. When they  trounced Tyrone, they were the real deal.
Everything they done was calculated and fluid. They were the masters of the game and everyone else were to be also rans.
They didn't beat Derry and suddenly it was all about the players that were not playing, but nobody will  identify   the players to be replaced.
Dublin will only improve and Derry were playing at their limit.
As in all matters the narrative must suit the bias.

I see Colm Boyle saying that today as well. Derry couldn't beat the dubs at 70%. The week before he tipped the dubs to win comfortably and now he's quoting the players missing. Dublin's biggest fans in the media are often the former Mayo players. I think by bigging up the Dubs it helps build up their team who could never beat them

I was thinking about this.
Now in my opinion had Dublin won the game by 3 or four points you might get away with saying they were running at 70%. But when they actually only just manage a draw, with a late free you would be wondering why a team, with so much skill, ability and ambition cant sum up enough intestinal fortitude to raise their game by one or two percent to see the dogged lesser opposition off. Unless of course you are already running at 100 percent.

[bennydorano]

The only certainty this championship season is that Derry ones are going to be very hard to listen to.

[Angus MacGyver]

Handy win for Monaghan tomorrow?

If Cavan are as poor as they finished the league it will be handy win for Monaghan. However this is championship playing the neighbours and live on BBC and RTE if no kick and competitive showing from Cavan it will speak volumes about them.

Cavan were pretty bad in the league but still were hard to beat. Meath for example should have had them beat out the gate by half time in Breffni but by the 60th minute Cavan were ahead.
Monaghan are brittle and low on confidence, plus they are missing their big attacking threats.

Best value bet is Monaghan ahead at HT but Cavan by a couple at the end.

[Main Street]

Handy win for Monaghan tomorrow?

If Cavan are as poor as they finished the league it will be handy win for Monaghan. However this is championship playing the neighbours and live on BBC and RTE if no kick and competitive showing from Cavan it will speak volumes about them.

Cavan were pretty bad in the league but still were hard to beat. Meath for example should have had them beat out the gate by half time in Breffni but by the 60th minute Cavan were ahead.
Monaghan are brittle and low on confidence, plus they are missing their big attacking threats.

Best value bet is Monaghan ahead at HT but Cavan by a couple at the end.

I hope you go ahead and put a shít load of money on that one.
Anyway that's enough talk about other teams in Ulster, let's get back to chat about the AI Final Derry ('the second coming') V the Dubs

[Itchy]

Handy win for Monaghan tomorrow?

If Cavan are as poor as they finished the league it will be handy win for Monaghan. However this is championship playing the neighbours and live on BBC and RTE if no kick and competitive showing from Cavan it will speak volumes about them.

Cavan were pretty bad in the league but still were hard to beat. Meath for example should have had them beat out the gate by half time in Breffni but by the 60th minute Cavan were ahead.
Monaghan are brittle and low on confidence, plus they are missing their big attacking threats.

Best value bet is Monaghan ahead at HT but Cavan by a couple at the end.

It reminds me of 2020 this run up to this game. No one giving Cavan a chance, particularly our own fans. Maybe they'll come out shooting.

[Captain Obvious]

Handy win for Monaghan tomorrow?

If Cavan are as poor as they finished the league it will be handy win for Monaghan. However this is championship playing the neighbours and live on BBC and RTE if no kick and competitive showing from Cavan it will speak volumes about them.

Cavan were pretty bad in the league but still were hard to beat. Meath for example should have had them beat out the gate by half time in Breffni but by the 60th minute Cavan were ahead.
Monaghan are brittle and low on confidence, plus they are missing their big attacking threats.

Best value bet is Monaghan ahead at HT but Cavan by a couple at the end.

Cavan were easy to score against and beat in their two league games against Armagh,Fermanagh. Monaghan will have put league relegation behind them and against Tyrone,Mayo in round 6,7 they showed they are coming into form again.  In David Garland,Jack McCarron,Conor McManus, Michael Bannigan etc Monaghan have forwards to cause damage if Cavan defend as poorly again.  You might get decent value however bet responsibly.

[JoG2]

The only certainty this championship season is that Derry ones are going to be very hard to listen to.

  I know someone who'll give Derry folk a run for their money.

[Blowitupref]

Half time Monaghan 0-7 Cavan 0-5

[screenexile]

Both teams have been average going forward but some great defending at both ends.

Monaghan with the better forwards worth the 2 point advantage at @ HT. It looks a tight breeze though can Cavan reel them in second half?

[Wildweasel74]

Not a big crowd. McArthur not full.

[seafoid]

The only certainty is that Ulster football today is very hard to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaaL-z4z3wo

[Blowitupref]

[screenexile]

Horrible injury for Hughes hope it isn't as serious as it looks!