Messages

Only watched it on Tv and it was shocking.  I actually thought Lavery did pretty well and I think at the minute he's the best option to partner McGrane.  Charlie Vernon was the proverbial fish out of water at CHF (a position that I have never ever seen him play before), amazing that he hasn't been given a run in his natural position in the HB line, I suppose you have to give Joe the benefit of the doubt but it is strange.  In the early stages of the first half I was thinking that Marty O'Rourke was having the worst game I had ever seen him play, but he probably ended up our best player.  Losing faith rapidly in Finnian Moriarity.  Maybe the paranoia from the Dromintee boys isn't unfounded.

If Derry got their act together mentally they could be a serious team as they have a lot of class.  It could be a very short summer as I don't think we've a mission against Donegal and one unlucky tough draw in the qualifiers and we're screwed.

Ulster is going to be fierce hard as usual, if Armagh can get all their available players back(just the Cross ones left to comeback now) and training together they will take a lot of stopping.

Benny, i'm not convinced that the particular cross players available this year will make that big of an impression. Tony K is obviously the exception, being a reliable free taker but beyond that i think only hanratty will make an impact.

The main one you seem to have omitted is David McKenna in MF, a lot will be expected of him.  I think there is 5 or 6 boys to come in. MCKenna, Hanratty, Tony Kernan, Paul Kernan, another Hanratty (Kyle?).  I dont know how big of an impression they'll make but they'll probably be on the starting 15.

Weather looks fine

http://ukie.accuweather.com/ukie/forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&traveler=0&postalcode=IRL|MTH|RATOATH|&metric=1

Both dropped.

Armagh team

McKinney
Mallon; McNulty; Moriarity
McCreesh; McKeever; McClelland
McGrane; Lavery
P McKeever;C Vernon; Martin O'Rourke
McDonnell; Mackin; Keenan

Great to see McGrane back, not happy to see Miceal O'Rourke dropped, a genuine scoring forward, for Mackin or Keenan; neither are of the required ability IMO.  I'd be a bit worried about F Mo' in the FB line after the skinning he got in the Sigerson final. 

Someone was telling me this morning that 2 of the Chase races are off already, any official confirmation of that?

Ulster is going to be fierce hard as usual, if Armagh can get all their available players back(just the Cross ones left to comeback now) and training together they will take a lot of stopping.

ATG = All Time Great, a select band of brothers.

Stumpy with St Mary's? 1989(after research)  although thinking about it he always referred to it as St Joe's which must put him pre-almagamation.

Obscure or an ATG?

My admiration of James Colgan as a footballing heavyweight continues to evolve  . Yet again his reputation garnered him a starting place.

Evolve or dissolve?  I mentioned to someone last night that the only time I saw him was for the throw-ins.  Obviously he's still only a lad with plenty of time to develop.

Wouldn't have gave MOTM to McGourty either, thought Johnny Bradley (#9) for UUJ was excellent.  Vernon and Miceal O'rourke showed up well for Queens, could understand Queens taking off O'Rourke near the end, he was torturing that FB.

That's an argument for refusing to take the money if you won the lottery.

You stake a pound or couple of Euro on the lotto, not a few hundred million.

Don't see the point in selling it, what happens when the monies recieved are spent and are all gone? Hard to believe that any sum recieved will be spent so wisely that we wont have to worry about anything ever again.

I'd be very interested to hear what these supposed 'Player Welfare' issues are as well. 

Big fan of Dyas, but he's only a lad and a light lad at that, he needs a spell in the gym and a stone on him.

Biased an' all as I am, Peadar Toal has to the be closest thing to 'new' player making the breakthrough.  I can see why some people find him frustrating, but he's learning, also, he will be a far better player when the ground firms up a bit.