Armagh Club football & hurling

[on the sideline]

When does the Armagh club season start?

30th March or 6th April at a guess. 

Thanks

[general_lee]

All quiet on here, expecting a fairly straight forward victory on Saturday. A mention to the U20s who play tonight, are they playing for pride or can they still progress?  

The club leagues underway and I don't see anyone challenging Clann Éireann this year. Provided they keep everyone available and injury free, they're still a level above the chasing pack.

I did think the new rules would really suit a team like Cross but I see they succumbed to a 5 pt home defeat on Sunday!

[lurganblue]

All quiet on here, expecting a fairly straight forward victory on Saturday. A mention to the U20s who play tonight, are they playing for pride or can they still progress?   

The club leagues underway and I don't see anyone challenging Clann Éireann this year. Provided they keep everyone available and injury free, they're still a level above the chasing pack.

I did think the new rules would really suit a team like Cross but I see they succumbed to a 5 pt home defeat on Sunday!

Will be a decent big crowd at Davitt park this Sunday.

[general_lee]

Any thoughts on the leagues so far at the half way stage? No real surprises so far in 1A or 1B, although Culloville have kicked on a bit from last year and fair play if they go top this weekend.

2A is always a minefield - two things that stick out for me is how well Tullysaran are doing and how badly a team like Ballymacnab are struggling. Have Tullysaran played senior before? 2B is a 3 horse race and Collegeland as good as down.

An Port Mór are the standout team in 3A with their big transfer shooting the lights out. The wheels have badly come off at St Peter's II. 3B is going according to script so far - four of the five top teams are all IIs teams bar Newtown and it likely be two II teams getting promoted.

[Armagh18]

The big money signing for Blackwater is injured for the year, achilles I think.

The nab dont seem to be going great but they've had a rake of retirements, boys in Australia and then Gurgan moving to Galway is a big loss.

I think Tullysaran won a junior about 10 years ago and then were narrowly beaten in the intermediate final the year after,  been one of the stronger teams in intermediate since but haven't got their championship win yet.

[general_lee]

The big money signing for Blackwater is injured for the year, achilles I think.

The nab dont seem to be going great but they've had a rake of retirements, boys in Australia and then Gurgan moving to Galway is a big loss.

I think Tullysaran won a junior about 10 years ago and then were narrowly beaten in the intermediate final the year after,  been one of the stronger teams in intermediate since but haven't got their championship win yet.

Hadn't realised he was out for the year, brilliant footballer too good for that level anyway. Tullysaran have been knocking around but I thought they'd have missed their chance by now.

[Armagh18]

The big money signing for Blackwater is injured for the year, achilles I think.

The nab dont seem to be going great but they've had a rake of retirements, boys in Australia and then Gurgan moving to Galway is a big loss.

I think Tullysaran won a junior about 10 years ago and then were narrowly beaten in the intermediate final the year after,  been one of the stronger teams in intermediate since but haven't got their championship win yet.

Hadn't realised he was out for the year, brilliant footballer too good for that level anyway. Tullysaran have been knocking around but I thought they'd have missed their chance by now.

Achilles i think, far too good for junior surely.

Haven't seen Tullysaran but they seem to be going well.

[general_lee]

Business end of the leagues.

The county board seem to have put a bit of effort into promoting/marketing the leagues which is a positive and to be fair with two games remaining there's nothing set in stone just yet.

Any teams caught the eye? All of the top 4 in 1A have impressed me, all seem to be really gunning for a bit of silverware. Culloville in 1B have done well and 1 point sees them win the title.

Anyone any predictions for championship?

[statto]

Business end of the leagues.

The county board seem to have put a bit of effort into promoting/marketing the leagues which is a positive and to be fair with two games remaining there's nothing set in stone just yet.

Any teams caught the eye? All of the top 4 in 1A have impressed me, all seem to be really gunning for a bit of silverware. Culloville in 1B have done well and 1 point sees them win the title.

Anyone any predictions for championship?

Armagh Co Board deserve alot of credit for the way they have changed the leagues in order to make them so competitive.     Linking the championship seeding in intermediate and senior has also been a good incentive as means teams in mid table still have something to play for to try and get a better draw in championship. 

With two games in senior and intermediate league left the state of play is:

1A- Four teams can win the league(Clann Eireann, Madden, Cross, Killeavey).  Four teams can be relegated. (Harps, Clan nagael, Mullaghbawn, Silverbridge.)

1B- Culloville need a win to win league. Three teams pushing for promotion(Cullyhanna, Granemore, Dromintee).  Four teams battling to avoid the drop to intermediate( St Peters, Maghery, Carrickcruppen, Pearse Og) with St Peters to play Maghery and the Ogs have both Cruppen and Maghery in last two games. 

2A-Tullysaran and Sarsfields battling for league title, Keady can still pip Sarsfields for second spot.  Belleek and Shane O'Neills battling to stay up with Whitecross already relegated.
 
2B- Derrynoose need a point to be champions.  Wolfe Tones, Forkhill, Grange, Annaghmore all seperated by a point to try and get promotion.  Wolfe Tones play Annaghmore this week, Grange play Forkhill last game.  Collegeland are relegated to Junior and will be joined by Tir NaNog or Clann Eireann seconds who play tomorrow night. 

Should be alot of games with a "championship" feel to them over the next few weeks. Would have been good if the last round of games could have been staggered across the weekend say Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday would have drawn big crowds.  (I see the last round of 2A games are on Wednesday.)

[general_lee]

Yes the league set up makes for an exciting finish with only a couple of clubs fate sealed at this stage.

I read Culloville only needed a point to secure the 1B title? Or maybe it was promotion. Either way they have really kicked on. I think the senior championship winners will be from the top four 1A teams. CÉ, Cross, Madden, Killeavy in that order.

2A is always a dogfight and the Intermediate the hardest championship to call, there's about 10 teams who'd have serious ambition of winning it.

[lurganblue]

Yes the league set up makes for an exciting finish with only a couple of clubs fate sealed at this stage.

I read Culloville only needed a point to secure the 1B title? Or maybe it was promotion. Either way they have really kicked on. I think the senior championship winners will be from the top four 1A teams. CÉ, Cross, Madden, Killeavy in that order.

2A is always a dogfight and the Intermediate the hardest championship to call, there's about 10 teams who'd have serious ambition of winning it.

Cant argue with that.

[general_lee]

Armagh SFC Winner EW: 1/3 Odds, 2 Places
Clann Eireann 13/8
Crossmaglen 7/4
Clan na Gael 5/1
Madden 7/1
Armagh Harps 10/1
Killeavy 14/1
St Pats Cullyhanna 14/1
Silverbridge 16/1
Maghery 25/1
Mullaghbawn 50/1
Carrickcruppen 50/1
Granemore 66/1
Dromintee 66/1
Culloville 100/1
St Peters 100/1
Pearse Og 125/1

[lurganblue]

Armagh SFC Winner EW: 1/3 Odds, 2 Places
Clann Eireann 13/8
Crossmaglen 7/4
Clan na Gael 5/1
Madden 7/1
Armagh Harps 10/1
Killeavy 14/1
St Pats Cullyhanna 14/1
Silverbridge 16/1
Maghery 25/1
Mullaghbawn 50/1
Carrickcruppen 50/1
Granemore 66/1
Dromintee 66/1
Culloville 100/1
St Peters 100/1
Pearse Og 125/1

Mad pricing. Clans shouldnt be 3rd Favs.  How are Killeavy sitting at 14s?

[Armagh18]

Armagh SFC Winner EW: 1/3 Odds, 2 Places
Clann Eireann 13/8
Crossmaglen 7/4
Clan na Gael 5/1
Madden 7/1
Armagh Harps 10/1
Killeavy 14/1
St Pats Cullyhanna 14/1
Silverbridge 16/1
Maghery 25/1
Mullaghbawn 50/1
Carrickcruppen 50/1
Granemore 66/1
Dromintee 66/1
Culloville 100/1
St Peters 100/1
Pearse Og 125/1

Mad pricing. Clans shouldnt be 3rd Favs.  How are Killeavy sitting at 14s?

Can't see anyone touch the top 2.

[bennydorano]

Before Friday night's Cross v Harps league game I was convinced Cross would win this year's SFC, but they look as disjointed and through other as they did last year, they still dont really play as a team imo. Clann Eireann are definitely a better structured side who actually play as a team. But, the league is the league, most teams blow hot & cold and each team have shown their good & bad sides in the league- none more than ourselves! Outside of the 'big 2', I reckon Madden could sneak a SFC if a wee bit of luck went their way.

Big end to the League this weekend, straight relegation battle v Mullaghbawn in Abbey pk means we'll be getting an early taste of championship.