the man talks the biggest load off crap i have ever heard never says anything good about any team or player the man is a joke
i think he is purposely trying to be controversial like Dunphy as it will rise his profile.
Quote from: Fuzzman on June 15, 2008, 04:38:18 PM
i think he is purposely trying to be controversial like Dunphy as it will rise his profile.
I agree, hes trying to be the new Pat Spillane.
Quote from: JimStynes on June 15, 2008, 04:41:05 PM
Quote from: Fuzzman on June 15, 2008, 04:38:18 PM
i think he is purposely trying to be controversial like Dunphy as it will rise his profile.
I agree, hes trying to be the new Pat Spillane.
what would you know
Quote from: Our Nail Loney on June 15, 2008, 04:45:27 PM
Quote from: JimStynes on June 15, 2008, 04:41:05 PM
Quote from: Fuzzman on June 15, 2008, 04:38:18 PM
i think he is purposely trying to be controversial like Dunphy as it will rise his profile.
I agree, hes trying to be the new Pat Spillane.
what would you know
Thought your not talking to me.
I have never paid that much attention to McHugh before to-day's game. He really does talk an awful lot of nonsense and for some reason he seems to want to knock every player and every team. He really has nothing to offer as an "expert analyst". It must be hard to share a studio with him, without losing the head.
Quote from: Onlooker on June 15, 2008, 06:07:18 PM
I have never paid that much attention to McHugh before to-day's game. He really does talk an awful lot of nonsense and for some reason he seems to want to knock every player and every team. He really has nothing to offer as an "expert analyst". It must be hard to share a studio with him, without losing the head.
I have to agree, today of all days I thought to myself whats his point, I was so confused by all the contradicitons, he just seemed to be going round in circles. Maybe he just had a bad day at the office, ravving like that, surely hes better than that.
The BBC wouldn't exactly be great at reporting / commentating on the old GAA -
How many times today did yer man say " so and so is in a spot if bother" ?????
Read in whispered tones please, I don't want the Beeb to hear this:
Please stop talking about him McH on this board. The Beeb take all comments, positive or negative, as good and by posting about his trash summaries we are only helping this limp has been's PR reputation. He only deserves the disdain of silence.
I think he's excellent and his role should be enhanced it BBC have any eye for talent.
Where did they get the on eejit doing the line commentary hadnt a clue. More interested in talkin about Frs day to Joe Kernan who had 4 players on the team apparentyly.
They could have been a bit more deceptive with his make up. Embarasiing stuff altogether!!
Thought Maddens analysis was refreshing and witty, while Sidebottom seemed to be occupied checking his text messages
i think he said Clarke and McDonnell are no good in one on one situations!
think the lad gets a bit carried away!!......slighty ;)
Martin McHugh did make a fair point about the Armagh full-back line, however his arguement was full of holes Martin knows it. But you dont get on the BBC by being a shrinking violet.
McHugh continually loses the run of himself and rambles on.
I think he maybe has valid points sometimes but it seems to be he knows what point he has to make he just doesn't know how to talk it up so gets lost in his own crap.
Its great watching the wicked wee face on him when Burns is talking - he bes looking for something he can pour scorn on.
No matter how good a full back line you have, its still risky to leave them man for man - good forwards will always have the advantage. Thought that text about tyrones hunger was a good point too...
anyone hear ur man say "alot of people talking about derry and monaghan" for ulster....clueless shite
God bless you wee Marty. ;D
McHugh has lost the plot! It comes to half time in matches and he feels he has to start shooting his mouth off about whatever team he feels like. Thank God Burns is there to reel him in at times. Even yesterday he started slagging Armagh's tactics when they had clearly worked well for them in snuffing out Johnston and the fact Derry were a 'disgrace' against Donegal well that just defies belief. We struggled going into half time against a good DOnegal team and then we are a 'disgrace'? The man hasn't a clue and the sooner he gets off the TV the better. He used to be OK in fairness but this last year he has shown himself up to be a jumped up pompous ass!
I like the way Burns is standing up to him this year. In other years, he used to listen and not get involved, but this year, he's letting him away with nothing. The rows between the two can make for good tv, though.
Quote from: Seany on June 16, 2008, 09:49:01 AM
I like the way Burns is standing up to him this year. In other years, he used to listen and not get involved, but this year, he's letting him away with nothing. The rows between the two can make for good tv, though.
Exactly - think Dunphy v Giles, Hanson v Lawranson etc...
It's all about good cop bad cop, McHugh plays up to this as it makes good tv and gets people talking about the programme - as evidenced here!
Burns has improved immensely imo, but I dont think Austie is the answer as anchorman
To be honest I wouldn't concur that it gets people watching it. I watch it for the game itself - were it on RTE I'd watch it there instead. McHugh talks too much rubbish so I'd turn it over during his analysis. I think he does Burns's head in too. At least Brolly is amusing while he talks his shite!
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 10:46:48 AM
Burns has improved immensely imo, but I dont think Austie is the answer as anchorman
What was the question?
think it might have been is austie the answer as anchorman ;D
Quote from: Orior on June 16, 2008, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 10:46:48 AM
Burns has improved immensely imo, but I dont think Austie is the answer as anchorman
What was the question?
The eternal question of why was Jerome axed!!!
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 01:03:28 PM
Quote from: Orior on June 16, 2008, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 10:46:48 AM
Burns has improved immensely imo, but I dont think Austie is the answer as anchorman
What was the question?
The eternal question of why was Jerome axed!!!
jerome was axed due to a fall out with his bosses over a lack of GAA coverage during the winter
Quote from: dodgy umpire on June 16, 2008, 01:15:49 PM
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 01:03:28 PM
Quote from: Orior on June 16, 2008, 11:40:56 AM
Quote from: thebandit on June 16, 2008, 10:46:48 AM
Burns has improved immensely imo, but I dont think Austie is the answer as anchorman
What was the question?
The eternal question of why was Jerome axed!!!
jerome was axed due to a fall out with his bosses over a lack of GAA coverage during the winter
If thats true then its an absolute disgrace on the BBC! >:(
Quote from: dodgy umpire on June 15, 2008, 09:50:18 PM
anyone hear ur man say "alot of people talking about derry and monaghan" for ulster....clueless shite
Yep! You could see the two boys looking at him, but its a pity they didnt have the balls to say not too many talking about monaghan now considering they're out 2 weeks ago! I think he realised himself as he was saying it, he faltered a bit. And sidebottom had a serious hard on for brothers all day...
Wonder what Big Joe was up to when Sidebottom caught him "on the hop".
Could be wrong but sounded like a doughnut or something working its way down his gullet!
Quote from: Yes I Would on June 16, 2008, 03:02:19 PM
Wonder what Big Joe was up to when Sidebottom caught him "on the hop".
Could be wrong but sounded like a doughnut or something working its way down his gullet!
Classic. ;D
The thing that gets up my nose the most is sidebottom and this 'plays' shite!!
And 5 points plays 4 or 1-2 plays 2-3
>:(
Was Jerome axed cos of his colour?
Quote from: screenexile on June 16, 2008, 09:35:22 AM
McHugh has lost the plot! It comes to half time in matches and he feels he has to start shooting his mouth off about whatever team he feels like. Thank God Burns is there to reel him in at times. Even yesterday he started slagging Armagh's tactics when they had clearly worked well for them in snuffing out Johnston and the fact Derry were a 'disgrace' against Donegal well that just defies belief. We struggled going into half time against a good DOnegal team and then we are a 'disgrace'? The man hasn't a clue and the sooner he gets off the TV the better. He used to be OK in fairness but this last year he has shown himself up to be a jumped up pompous ass!
I agree Exile. Mchugh is the one who is a disgrace he just cant stand any team doing better than Donegal. He has a particular hatred of Derry and I have rarely heard him praise them and never without adding in some snide remark or questioning some aspect of their play. He has also shown more and more hostility towards Armagh during the last number of years probably due to them beating donegal reguarly.
All the analysts on all the channels are biased towards their own teams to a certain degree, but McHugh takes the biscuit and can never hide his hatred of other teams. A complete c**k.
Classic Quote Yesterday... (or words to that effect)
McHugh - I dont believe in the Armagh tactic of leaving two up and pulling men out putting it in hight and having no plan B and smothering defence and blah blah blah
Burns - Not really, Martin. McDonnell and Clarke are 2 genuine ball-winners and can catch with the best of them- they're not relying on nancy boy ball to get their possession.
The expression on McHugh's face when he says this is priceless.
Martin McHugh's comments about Armagh yesterday were spot on. I've been watching this Armagh team since 1999 and he made very valid comments.
Armagh continually put difficult ball into Clarke and McDonnell who then have to fight for it and try and score from difficult situations. Plus they have to put so much effort into winning the ball and fighting off three or four men, it saps their energy. McHugh was making the excellent point that they should be trying to give Clarke and McDonnell easier ball to make it easier for them. This has been obvious for many years. If Armagh ran more at teams and opened up defences and laid off handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke in space, they would get more handy scores and handy frees. instead they play balls out to the corner flag to McDonnell, who then has to try to work a score.
McHugh was simply saying Armagh should play the running game more and give handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke. He also correctly pointed out that by dropping Martin O'Rourke back, it allowed Cavan to play an extra man as a sweeper at the back to double team McDonnell.
If armagh played the running game more, as McHugh correctly suggested, they would draw defenders out to meet the runner and the ball could then be hand passed to Clarke or McDonnell in space. Also Paddy McKeever and Martin O'Rourke could get forward and get more scores and frees.
McHugh's points about Armagh yesterday were 100% correct and, if they were taken on board, Armagh would be hard to stop. Martin McHugh is a great analyst.
So Derry were a 'disgrace' against Donegal then? Potential favourites for Ulster who had a long lay off before playing us and were billing this as the biggest match of their... we still go on to beat them yet we are a 'disgrace'. THe man hasn't a clue!
Quote from: hardstation on June 16, 2008, 04:15:42 PM
Perhaps he was referring to your actions in the back streets of Letterkenny.... ;)
What has eastern european hookers got to do with Ulster football ;) ;)
'He has a particular hatred of Derry'
Wee Marty would appear to have one redeeming feature, then ;)
Quote from: armawman on June 16, 2008, 04:07:03 PM
Martin McHugh's comments about Armagh yesterday were spot on. I've been watching this Armagh team since 1999 and he made very valid comments.
Armagh continually put difficult ball into Clarke and McDonnell who then have to fight for it and try and score from difficult situations. Plus they have to put so much effort into winning the ball and fighting off three or four men, it saps their energy. McHugh was making the excellent point that they should be trying to give Clarke and McDonnell easier ball to make it easier for them. This has been obvious for many years. If Armagh ran more at teams and opened up defences and laid off handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke in space, they would get more handy scores and handy frees. instead they play balls out to the corner flag to McDonnell, who then has to try to work a score.
McHugh was simply saying Armagh should play the running game more and give handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke. He also correctly pointed out that by dropping Martin O'Rourke back, it allowed Cavan to play an extra man as a sweeper at the back to double team McDonnell.
If armagh played the running game more, as McHugh correctly suggested, they would draw defenders out to meet the runner and the ball could then be hand passed to Clarke or McDonnell in space. Also Paddy McKeever and Martin O'Rourke could get forward and get more scores and frees.
McHugh's points about Armagh yesterday were 100% correct and, if they were taken on board, Armagh would be hard to stop. Martin McHugh is a great analyst.
I haven't heard McHugh in some time but if he believes any of the things in that post he hasn't a clue.
Quote from: armawman on June 16, 2008, 04:07:03 PM
Martin McHugh's comments about Armagh yesterday were spot on. I've been watching this Armagh team since 1999 and he made very valid comments.
Armagh continually put difficult ball into Clarke and McDonnell who then have to fight for it and try and score from difficult situations. Plus they have to put so much effort into winning the ball and fighting off three or four men, it saps their energy. McHugh was making the excellent point that they should be trying to give Clarke and McDonnell easier ball to make it easier for them. This has been obvious for many years. If Armagh ran more at teams and opened up defences and laid off handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke in space, they would get more handy scores and handy frees. instead they play balls out to the corner flag to McDonnell, who then has to try to work a score.
McHugh was simply saying Armagh should play the running game more and give handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke. He also correctly pointed out that by dropping Martin O'Rourke back, it allowed Cavan to play an extra man as a sweeper at the back to double team McDonnell.
If armagh played the running game more, as McHugh correctly suggested, they would draw defenders out to meet the runner and the ball could then be hand passed to Clarke or McDonnell in space. Also Paddy McKeever and Martin O'Rourke could get forward and get more scores and frees.
McHugh's points about Armagh yesterday were 100% correct and, if they were taken on board, Armagh would be hard to stop. Martin McHugh is a great analyst.
So, you've been watching Armagh for their most successful period ever, and you reckon this is where they're getting it wrong???
Who would you like to see replacing Burns and McHugh as analysts?
Most high profile footballers/ex-footballers that make guest appearances either have an inability to construct a sentence or speak another language(oisin mcconville).
Only analyst I have any time for is Anthony Tohill. Seems to be able to see what is really happening in a game and is not afraid to contradict other analysts.
Tohill i like but he lost a bit of credibility on the Doherty incident!!
What about Hook and Dunphy!! No pussy footin about with them!!
Too much loyalty with former players! Understandable i suppose. Madden was good yesterday on the beeb!!
i respected Tohill more for the Doherty incident. It was nothing you wouldn't see 20 times in a club match.
Agree though, hard for an analyst to stay impartial. Some go over the top though with their 'patriotism'.
I see in this weeks Derry Post, Fergal P refers to Burns and McHugh as 'a presidential hopeful who couldn't actually kict the ball when he played midfield for Armagh and an all knowing mascot who still has a chip on his shoulder about Derry'
Meaow, saucer of milk for McCusker!
Not only does McHugh have an obvious hatred for Derry, but does anyone else find that he seems to love Tyrone (and Shann Cavanagh in particular)?
Also, was anyone else getting annoyed with Sidebottom constantly referring to Steven McDonnell as "Stevie Mac"?
Quote from: wherefromreferee? on June 17, 2008, 01:56:27 PM
I see in this weeks Derry Post, Fergal P refers to Burns and McHugh as 'a presidential hopeful who couldn't actually kict the ball when he played midfield for Armagh and an all knowing mascot who still has a chip on his shoulder about Derry'
Meaow, saucer of milk for McCusker!
If you read the start, he says that pundits can no longer comment on the game without being controversial in someway. I presume FP is winding a bit here.
Quote from: Will Hunting on June 17, 2008, 02:07:38 PM
Not only does McHugh have an obvious hatred for Derry, but does anyone else find that he seems to love Tyrone (and Shann Cavanagh in particular)?
Also, was anyone else getting annoyed with Sidebottom constantly referring to Steven McDonnell as "Stevie Mac"?
Sidebottom seems to get a word or phrase stuck in his head and uses it throughout the match. I actually like him and Madden. They can be quite humourous a times.
Martin McHugh has forgotten more about Gaelic football than half this board put together ever knew (and I include myself in that half).
He has forgotten more about football in the 80s and 90s.
The game has left him behind
Jezuz lads, from the bile spouted on here by certain "wans", McHughs not the one with the chip on his shoulder!
Quote from: armawman on June 16, 2008, 04:07:03 PM
Martin McHugh's comments about Armagh yesterday were spot on. I've been watching this Armagh team since 1999 ::) ::) and he made very valid comments.
Armagh continually put difficult ball into Clarke and McDonnell who then have to fight for it and try and score from difficult situations. Plus they have to put so much effort into winning the ball and fighting off three or four men, it saps their energy. McHugh was making the excellent point that they should be trying to give Clarke and McDonnell easier ball to make it easier for them. This has been obvious for many years. If Armagh ran more at teams and opened up defences and laid off handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke in space, they would get more handy scores and handy frees. instead they play balls out to the corner flag to McDonnell, who then has to try to work a score.
McHugh was simply saying Armagh should play the running game more and give handy passes to McDonnell and Clarke. He also correctly pointed out that by dropping Martin O'Rourke back, it allowed Cavan to play an extra man as a sweeper at the back to double team McDonnell.
If armagh played the running game more, as McHugh correctly suggested, they would draw defenders out to meet the runner and the ball could then be hand passed to Clarke or McDonnell in space. Also Paddy McKeever and Martin O'Rourke could get forward and get more scores and frees.
McHugh's points about Armagh yesterday were 100% correct and, if they were taken on board, Armagh would be hard to stop. Martin McHugh is a great analyst.
Since 1999??? ??? ???
Are you aware Armagh had a football team long before 1999 you bandwagoner.
Suppose your one of these Armagh Folk who think the history of the GAA started that year and bang on about how they are the best team ever. Sorry I just cant take people like you seriously.
(by the way Im not talking about true Armagh Supporters who were supporting the team in the dark days before 1999)
I think McHugh is one of the best GAA pundits on TV. Better than all but one or two of RTÉ's anyway. Plus you get more value for money from McHugh - I'd say his words per minute rate is the highest on TV. Jarlath is very slow.
[Edit] - I'm talking about football only. Michael Duignan is by head and shoulders the best GAA pundit on TV. I'd put him close to the Ted Walsh class.
Quote from: unforgiven on June 16, 2008, 11:20:13 PM
Who would you like to see replacing Burns and McHugh as analysts?
Most high profile footballers/ex-footballers that make guest appearances either have an inability to construct a sentence or speak another language(oisin mcconville).
Only analyst I have any time for is Anthony Tohill. Seems to be able to see what is really happening in a game and is not afraid to contradict other analysts.
Mc Conville is very hard to understand and the fact that theres more brains in a false face doesnt help. Joe Kernan is another who is nearly impossible to understand but his analysis is very good with top class insights. Thought kevin madden was very good at the weekend and liked your man Mchale from down who done it years ago.
Quote from: billy the kid on June 17, 2008, 03:27:13 PM
Since 1999??? ??? ???
Are you aware Armagh had a football team long before 1999 you bandwagoner.
Suppose your one of these Armagh Folk who think the history of the GAA started that year and bang on about how they are the best team ever. Sorry I just cant take people like you seriously.
(by the way Im not talking about true Armagh Supporters who were supporting the team in the dark days before 1999)
Maybe he wasn't old enough to watch Armagh before that. Chill!
Quote from: Will Hunting on June 17, 2008, 02:07:38 PM
Not only does McHugh have an obvious hatred for Derry, but does anyone else find that he seems to love Tyrone (and Shann Cavanagh in particular)?
nearly spat out my hang sangwich readin that
If anyone can Shann can
PQ
i like McHugh but he annoys me 2 at the same time
i was laughin when he kept sayin Shann the other day
No man says "its interestin" more than McHugh --listen this Saturday
Austin looks nervous still i preferred Jeromes relaxed, easy style and he bantered well with the 2 boys in the studio, Austie could do the commentatin, Sidebottom should stick to the sideline and Kane should go to Spain
Quote from: Hardy on June 17, 2008, 03:29:10 PM
I think McHugh is one of the best GAA pundits on TV. Better than all but one or two of RTÉ's anyway. Plus you get more value for money from McHugh - I'd say his words per minute rate is the highest on TV. Jarlath is very slow.
Surely it should be quality rather than quantity we should be lookin for!!
Quote from: Gold on June 17, 2008, 10:27:04 PM
i like McHugh but he annoys me 2 at the same time
i was laughin when he kept sayin Shann the other day
That's the way "Sean" is pronounced in much of Donegal in my experience.
Yeah well that ain't how it is pronounced! Donegal is also responsible for the Divver thing too. Fair enough if that's how Damien wanted his name pronounced but ever since I can remember Joe's name is Diver (as in the deep sea). Just laziness on commentators part for both BBC and RTE!
Quote from: screenexile on June 18, 2008, 01:16:28 AM
Yeah well that ain't how it is pronounced! Donegal is also responsible for the Divver thing too. Fair enough if that's how Damien wanted his name pronounced but ever since I can remember Joe's name is Diver (as in the deep sea). Just laziness on commentators The for both BBC and RTE!
Wasn't just Damien I'm afraid. Diver is a common enough name in Donegal and everyone pronounces it "divver"!
I presume the Donegal pronunciation of "Sean" comes from Donegal Irish, where a-fada is pronounced as "ah", not "aw" as in other forms of the language.
I would have thought that most Ulster people would learn Donegal Irish and thus pronounce words like "Sean" correctly! ;)
Speaking of the name "Diver" - what is the Irish version of it. I would think that should shed some light on the correct pronunciation.
Is it a version of Ó Duibhir?
Quote from: Yes I Would on June 18, 2008, 12:02:42 AM
Quote from: Hardy on June 17, 2008, 03:29:10 PM
I think McHugh is one of the best GAA pundits on TV. Better than all but one or two of RTÉ's anyway. Plus you get more value for money from McHugh - I'd say his words per minute rate is the highest on TV. Jarlath is very slow.
Surely it should be quality rather than quantity we should be lookin for!!
Feck, I never thought of that.
Quote from: J70 on June 18, 2008, 03:19:36 AM
Speaking of the name "Diver" - what is the Irish version of it. I would think that should shed some light on the correct pronunciation.
Doesn't matter what the Irish version is. I think the point exile is trying to make is that Joe pronounces it
dye-ver. Show the man a bit of respect and say his name correctly. By the way, I think exile likes his name pronounced
ball-dee ;D
Eoin McHugh? Nope
Quote from: unforgiven on June 18, 2008, 02:40:27 PM
Quote from: J70 on June 18, 2008, 03:19:36 AM
Speaking of the name "Diver" - what is the Irish version of it. I would think that should shed some light on the correct pronunciation.
Doesn't matter what the Irish version is. I think the point exile is trying to make is that Joe pronounces it dye-ver. Show the man a bit of respect and say his name correctly. By the way, I think exile likes his name pronounced ball-dee ;D
c**k!
Quote from: screenexile on June 16, 2008, 09:35:22 AM
McHugh has lost the plot! It comes to half time in matches and he feels he has to start shooting his mouth off about whatever team he feels like. Thank God Burns is there to reel him in at times. Even yesterday he started slagging Armagh's tactics when they had clearly worked well for them in snuffing out Johnston and the fact Derry were a 'disgrace' against Donegal well that just defies belief. We struggled going into half time against a good DOnegal team and then we are a 'disgrace'? The man hasn't a clue and the sooner he gets off the TV the better. He used to be OK in fairness but this last year he has shown himself up to be a jumped up pompous ass!
DEFAMATION!!!
Quote from: ONeill on June 18, 2008, 07:08:30 PM
Quote from: screenexile on June 16, 2008, 09:35:22 AM
McHugh has lost the plot! It comes to half time in matches and he feels he has to start shooting his mouth off about whatever team he feels like. Thank God Burns is there to reel him in at times. Even yesterday he started slagging Armagh's tactics when they had clearly worked well for them in snuffing out Johnston and the fact Derry were a 'disgrace' against Donegal well that just defies belief. We struggled going into half time against a good DOnegal team and then we are a 'disgrace'? The man hasn't a clue and the sooner he gets off the TV the better. He used to be OK in fairness but this last year he has shown himself up to be a jumped up pompous ass!
DEFAMATION!!!
sssssssshhhhhhhhh Oneill I don't think the mods spotted it!!
Would it be fair to say that the Derry ones are a little edgy this year? Expectant almost
For all you McHugh fans out there on GAA Board - He's not in studio tomorrow night. It's James McCartan instead.
Brolly fairly tore into Mc Hugh in todays GL. Can't stand Mc Hugh, I know that he gets under a lot of players skin with some of his ridiculous comments. He's like listening to a pure poison on a bar stool!!
Brolly's column was highly entertaining, and more than a bit personal. He's definitely off Marty's Christmas card list.
Quote from: young anail on June 20, 2008, 03:04:38 PM
Brolly fairly tore into Mc Hugh in todays GL. Can't stand Mc Hugh, I know that he gets under a lot of players skin with some of his ridiculous comments. He's like listening to a pure poison on a bar stool!!
Both barrels as well. Very funny piece. Brains indeed Martin... :D
Just eat tuna...
Joe Brolly column
The National Broadcaster wasn't carrying the Cavan Armagh game live last Sunday, so with some trepidation I pressed 2 on the remote and settled back. Things have changed. My first question was 'Where is Jerome Quinn?' It seems that the man who almost singlehandedly batted for the GAA in the corridors of the BBC for twenty years is gone.
There were however some familiar faces. Jarlath looked resplendent as always, a President in the making. Martin meanwhile, is the only Donegal man to dress like a Tory politician, luminous blue tie knotted in a full Windsor, and city broker pin stripe suit. Classy.
First up was a discussion on the demise of Tyrone and Benny Coulter's point that wasn't. You can always tell by the reaction of the player. As the ball tailed wide, Benny grimaced and turned away. The crowd behind the goal were silent. Then the umpire waved the flag and they erupted. The delayed reaction said it all.
So, what did the lads in the studio think of it?
Martin McHugh, came to the conclusion that "In the end, that decision didn't cost Tyrone the game." It took a minute for the penny to drop with me. My first reaction when he said it was that I must have got the final score wrong. But then I checked my notes, and realised that Tyrone had indeed lost by a single point. But apparently, that decision didn't cost them the game. If this contribution was odd, it merely set the tone.
At halftime in the live match, with Armagh leading 0-9 to 0-5 and absolutely strolling it, Martin's opening line was "Armagh have shown their limitations in the first half. They are not able to put teams away." He must have forgotten it was only half-time. But, as Jimmy Cricket was wont to say 'there's more.'
The chat turned to Armagh's defensive formation, which I thought was working a dream. Martin O'Rourke was dropping back in front of the lethal Seanie Johnston, assisted by Aaron Kernan and Paddy McKeever. The result was that by half-time Seanie hadn't touched the ball, never mind score. Martin opined that Armagh's negative approach wasn't working. "Why is that Armagh feel the need to have Martin O'Rourke dropping back in front of Seanie Johnston?" Well, let me throw out a random thought on that one Marty. Might it be because they have won six Ulster titles and an All-Ireland using that tactic?
For me, Armagh looked excellent, and had a well conceived and executed game plan. The half forward line swamped the defensive area, then counter attacked at speed. The midfield looked terrific, with young Toner playing as a veteran might. Their movement up front was exemplary. Clarke and McDonnell were eternally dangerous and generally, their game plan interlocked beautifully. Fourteen points from play, with eight different scorers, coupled with limiting the incredible Seanie Johnston to two points from play? Peter McDonnell has created a very formidable team. Who will want to play them?
I have saved the best until last, the analytical highpoint of the day. Martin, who seemed strangely agitated, turned to Jarlath and asked "What did I say before the game?" Jarlath didn't seem to be that sure. "You remember?" said Martin. "Come on, what did I say?" The two boys continued to look blankly at him. Martin soldiered on: "Didn't I say that there was one thing that would win this game?" Martin paused for effect, and I leaned forwards on my sofa, waiting for the secrets of the football universe to be unlocked. "Brains" he proudly announced, in the manner of Stephen Hawking unveiling his new theory on time travel.
So there you have it. Brains wins matches.
Fermanagh have plenty going for them. They are disciplined, they have gained great confidence from their victory over Monaghan. I should also point out that they have lost only one competitive game all year long, and that was down to a calamitous goalkeeping performance. It was not because the team under-performed. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they have a manager who is rapidly becoming a source of envy to other counties. Malachy has demonstrated his brilliant managerial ability with every team he has taken, the fact that he brought the Loup to an Ulster title remains a source of amazement to Derry Gaels.
Fermanagh will keep it very tight on Saturday evening, they will employ at least two seepers in their defence in front of Derry's full forward line. They will tackle without fouling, and when they do foul, it will be outside the scoring zone. They will patiently hold possession at all times, and the mistakes will be at a premium. In short, they have a gameplan that extracts the absolute maximum from the team. Their two goals against Monaghan may well have been bolts from the blue, but there was never any time in that game when it looked like Monaghan might win.
Derry have learnt to bruise their way through tough games as they showed in their comebacks from big deficits against Kerry and Donegal.
In fact, our victory over Donegal was the first big championship match that Derry have won in ten years (I discount the victory over a Tyrone team in 2006 that was in total disarray). It has been our remarkable togetherness and focus shown by the Derry team this year - Derry's attack is criticized for being one-dimensional and there is no doubt that we lack cohesion in the forward line.
Yet, we could and should scored 70 from play against Donegal, and the second-half scoring spree against Kerry clearly underlines the point that the front six are very capable of amassing a big scoreline, if they click.
Fergal Doherty's loss is a massive blow to Derry, his speed and power has been instrumental in Derry's season to date. He tackles so well and quietly links the play between defence and attack. Yet often people say he has had a quiet game. But the proof of the pudding is in the eating and in the one weekend that Fergal did not play, Galway destroyed us. He is also the hardest hitter I have ever seen on a Gaelic football field, he remind's me of Ali's famous line on Joe Frazier after their legendary fight in Madison Square Gardens. Asked in the press conference afterwards about the Frazier punch that knocked him to the canvas, Ali said, "He hit me so hard my relatives in Africa felt it." Barry Dunnion's relatives must flinch at the thought of Fergal's collosal shoulder charge in Clones two years ago.
To win this game, Derry would be extremely patient, must work the ball around Fermanagh's screen, and must grind to the bitter end. If they do not win, we were never good enough in the first place. If we do win, we will be Ulster champions. Each man must steel himself.
And poor Martin on his hospital bed, he'll not like that. I expect a real Derry bashing in the Star this week in his columns, if he's fit to write that is.
Good article. His closing line: does that mean he thought Fermanagh were going to be tougher than whoever they would have met in the final? Seems to.