Muineachán V Ard Mhaca USFC

[Apple Crumble]

A lot of derry people seem to be of the opinion that Derry didn't close it out in the first half when they could or should have. (which I think is nonsense but anyway...)

One of the biggest turnarounds in the game IMO was Vernon moving to midfield. This has a two pronged effect on Armagh - 1. it strengthened their midfield as Vernon clearly revels there 2. whoever was moved onto Mark Lynch , not sure who it was, put the shackles on him.

One of the reasons Armagh got so comfortable second half was in the first half Derry's big threat was Mark Lynch. Vernon just didn't look comfortable there. Second half Lynch hardly touched leather. Who marked him - was it McKeever or the new guy who came on? (whose name escapes me)
Also I think Armagh are weak in the two WHF positions. While MOR has his flaws I would say there could be a good few arguments to put him on too...

Vincie Martin.

Don't think that POR will start MOR...........doesn't strike as POR's type of player. Donal Murtagh stated earlier in the year that the management team wanted strong athletic players in the HF line and MOR doesn't fit the bill. I wouldn't like to see Swift in particular dumped just because of one sub standard performance.

Swift didn't do much wrong.  If he had have took them 3 scores.  Thats what its all about.  At least got in the positions.

[gander]

A lot of derry people seem to be of the opinion that Derry didn't close it out in the first half when they could or should have. (which I think is nonsense but anyway...)

One of the biggest turnarounds in the game IMO was Vernon moving to midfield. This has a two pronged effect on Armagh - 1. it strengthened their midfield as Vernon clearly revels there 2. whoever was moved onto Mark Lynch , not sure who it was, put the shackles on him.

One of the reasons Armagh got so comfortable second half was in the first half Derry's big threat was Mark Lynch. Vernon just didn't look comfortable there. Second half Lynch hardly touched leather. Who marked him - was it McKeever or the new guy who came on? (whose name escapes me)
Also I think Armagh are weak in the two WHF positions. While MOR has his flaws I would say there could be a good few arguments to put him on too...

Vincie Martin.

Don't think that POR will start MOR...........doesn't strike as POR's type of player. Donal Murtagh stated earlier in the year that the management team wanted strong athletic players in the HF line and MOR doesn't fit the bill. I wouldn't like to see Swift in particular dumped just because of one sub standard performance.

Swift didn't do much wrong.  If he had have took them 3 scores.  Thats what its all about.  At least got in the positions.

Think swift deserves to keep his place imo.  If Brian Mallons role is to hang around midfield and support there rather than get scores then I think MOR can do that role just as well if not better.  Henderson def deserves to keep his place, he won an awful lot of ball and frees and used it well most of the time.

[camloughlad]

as someone already said armagh have played alot of football in clones in the last 10 years but this group of armagh players haven,so a good call from armagh to take it out of there back yard on a plus side belfast is a lot handyer to get out of than clones

[Ulick]

Dunno boys, for me, Brian Mallon has barely put a foot wrong this year and could be about to finally exploit the potential he was showing four or five years ago before the cruciate injury. He's been consistent, seems a lot stronger, comfortable on the ball, usually takes the sensible option and once he starts chipping over two or three per game, could be replacement for Marsden we've been waiting on. 

[brokencrossbar1]

Dunno boys, for me, Brian Mallon has barely put a foot wrong this year and could be about to finally exploit the potential he was showing four or five years ago before the cruciate injury. He's been consistent, seems a lot stronger, comfortable on the ball, usually takes the sensible option and once he starts chipping over two or three per game, could be replacement for Marsden we've been waiting on. 

He wins a lot of break ball and works very hard, but he needs to be more effective going forward, which I think is what people are griping about.  I think that if he is given a specific role at no.10, like Marsden, with AK and Swift finishing off the HF line and push Vernon to the MF with Toner then that might create more balance in the team.  That is if Lavery is not fit. I don't think Mal Mackin is the answer as for all his work, there is very little finished product.  With everyone fit 8-15 would be Vernon, Toner, Mallon, AK, Swift, Henderson, R Clarke, McDonnell.  If Clarke is not fit, I would still be reluctant to start Jamie Clarke but it will be hard not to. 

[AFS]

Interesting how highly the IN rated Mallon's performance on Sunday, indicating that he was one of our main creative influences. I didn't see that myself, but maybe these are the things you miss when you're wound up and excited watching a game.

Wouldn't like to see Swift dropped, and doubt he will be anyway. He's been a real bright light during the league and the scores will come eventually.

Would perfer Mackin to drop out. He's a good worker and will put in a decent shift, but I don't think he has the guile of Martin O'Rourke or the footballing ability of Dyas. All depends on whether either of those are fully fit though.

[Onion Bag]

If i see MOR or Mc Nulty anywhere near the field of play i think i will go just go home, 

[eireogatron]

i hope to God i dont see MOR on a pitch for Armagh. His biggest "strength" is allegedly break ball winning but it has been shown in the last match that Duffy, Mallon and Toner can win plenty (9 between them). His passing is erratic, shooting absolutely terrible and his temperament suspect. Not good enough and not necessary.

Enda was brilliant but is done.

[Onion Bag]

i hope to God i dont see MOR on a pitch for Armagh. His biggest "strength" is allegedly break ball winning but it has been shown in the last match that Duffy, Mallon and Toner can win plenty (9 between them). His passing is erratic, shooting absolutely terrible and his temperament suspect. Not good enough and not necessary.

Enda was brilliant but is done.

and he is a Yap

and Yes Enda is done, we have seen the best and the worse of enda

[Feckitt]

It is as plain as the nose on your face that Armagh do not have enough scoring forwards, so for Armagh to play Swift, Mal Mackin, MOR, and B Mallon on the same team is suicide.

For what it is worth, I would go for

             Hearty
A Mallon  Donaghy  V Martin
Duffy      McKeever Moriarty
       Charlie    Toner
Mackin   A Kernan  Swift
Forker   McDonnell  Henderson

with Jamie Clarke as an impact sub.  When big Clarkie comes back later in the summer, then we will have seen enough of Forker, Henderson & wee Clarke to see which of them will complete the full forward line. 
I would keep Mackin in the team to help Charles out in Midfield.  Lavery is unlucky, but you have to play Charlie in Midfield.  He is brilliant there, but average anywere else.

[Onion Bag]

I'll take a stab at a team

1 P Hearty
2 A Mallon
3 B Donaghy
4 P Duffy/Finn Mo
5 K Dyas
6 K Mc Keever
7 Finn Mo/P Duffy
8 C Vernon
9 K Toner
10 B Mallon
11 A kernan
12 G Swift
13 S Forker
14 S Mc Donnell
15 R Henderson

Im assuming here J lavery is not fit

Subs: J Clarke, M Mackin, V Martin, M Mc Namee, Big Ronan Clarke,

Being realistic POR is not going to be using any of the other guys,

[eireogatron]

for me, if Lavery is not fit Vincie Martin staked a better claim to start against Monaghan than Dyas did. I could see Martin on Woods (as mentioned by someone)

[AFS]

for me, if Lavery is not fit Vincie Martin staked a better claim to start against Monaghan than Dyas did. I could see Martin on Woods (as mentioned by someone)

f**k me, do you not remember the last time that was tried? Maybe being harsh on Martin here, but I think he got a fairly easy ride in the second half on Sunday. The game was passing the Derry forwards, and Lynch in particular, by at that stage. There may be merit playing him around the middle somewhere, but his lack of pace would be dangerous if he was deployed anywhere near the FB line, as someone has suggested.

[Main Street]

I was impressed with some of Kernan's play against Derry, he is a skillful player.
Imo, the match saver for Armagh was McDonnell near the end of the first half, though I didn't notice him so much in the second half.
I have to admit, after 10 minutes, I was hoping Derry would steal the game as they would have been the more desired opponent, but early enough in second half, was resigned to looking at it as if this was Monaghan trying to break though and what would we do different.

Last time we met, the only memorable positive for me, apart from winning, was Dessie Mone's defending and Finlay's sublime winning point in ET.

[Onion Bag]

for me, if Lavery is not fit Vincie Martin staked a better claim to start against Monaghan than Dyas did. I could see Martin on Woods (as mentioned by someone)

V Martin was not even mentioned in anyones teams or possible subs before the Derry game, now we have guys looking to start him beacuse he came on against Derry, whats the craic