NFL Division 1

[Armamike]

We're conceding too many goals (made worse by not scoring any ourselves!). McGeeney in every post match interview over the weeks is blaming a lack of scoring efficiency.  Interesting that he hasn't referred to the fact that we are letting in goals.

[Ethan Tremblay]

Division 1 is a game of fine margins and Armagh are getting beat by the minimum at the moment.  The lack of goals and the goals conceded are of course issues, but the biggest problem is the massive leads they are having to claw back to get into games. 

They need that bit of cute whoreism when a team is all over them, it is their biggest flaw and may cost them division 1 status for next year.   

I have ever faith they can get a result against Dublin, and, depending on the Kerry team that arrives into Armagh, a result there also. 

Seen highlights of Kobe.  A confident and skillful player, big loss to Mayo when he goes. 

[Wildweasel74]

That lad McDonald a big cub? Looks well over 6ft on TV? Can shift too!

[twohands!!!]

Armagh only made 3 subs in each of the games against Monaghan, Galway and Donegal.
Roscommon was the only game McGeeney used all 5 subs.
It's rare enough to see a Division 1 side not use all 5 subs in a game.
For it to happen in 3 games out of 4 in Division 1 is highly unusual.

I know Armagh have had injuries and lads working back to fitness (just like every other team in the land) but if an intercounty manager is not using all his subs on a consistent basis he's just begging for lads to walk away, especially when the guys who are on the pitch aren't winning games. It's one thing to be riding the bench if the lads ahead of you are playing well and winning games but a whole different kettle of fish when players clearly aren't. Have to wonder what the atmosphere in the squad is like.

[Armagh18]

Armagh only made 3 subs in each of the games against Monaghan, Galway and Donegal.
Roscommon was the only game McGeeney used all 5 subs.
It's rare enough to see a Division 1 side not use all 5 subs in a game.
For it to happen in 3 games out of 4 in Division 1 is highly unusual.

I know Armagh have had injuries and lads working back to fitness (just like every other team in the land) but if an intercounty manager is not using all his subs on a consistent basis he's just begging for lads to walk away, especially when the guys who are on the pitch aren't winning games. It's one thing to be riding the bench if the lads ahead of you are playing well and winning games but a whole different kettle of fish when players clearly aren't. Have to wonder what the atmosphere in the squad is like.

In fairness the boys not getting game time are cubs in their first year on the panel who have achieved the square root of f**k all so far in their careers, so if they want to throw the head up and walk then they probably aren't lads you want on the panel in the first place. I don't really see any sign of that in fairness.

Geezer built an All Ireland winning squad of lads that would run through a brick wall for the team even if they'd no chance of making a match day 26 never mind starting 15, lads like Cian McConville and Callum O'Neill have been knocking on the door for a long time and are only really nailing down starting spots last year and this. I can remember people for years about Ross McQuillan not getting a chance but now he's developed into a top player. I think medium to long term we'll be alright.

[lurganblue]

Armagh only made 3 subs in each of the games against Monaghan, Galway and Donegal.
Roscommon was the only game McGeeney used all 5 subs.
It's rare enough to see a Division 1 side not use all 5 subs in a game.
For it to happen in 3 games out of 4 in Division 1 is highly unusual.

I know Armagh have had injuries and lads working back to fitness (just like every other team in the land) but if an intercounty manager is not using all his subs on a consistent basis he's just begging for lads to walk away, especially when the guys who are on the pitch aren't winning games. It's one thing to be riding the bench if the lads ahead of you are playing well and winning games but a whole different kettle of fish when players clearly aren't. Have to wonder what the atmosphere in the squad is like.

In fairness the boys not getting game time are cubs in their first year on the panel who have achieved the square root of f**k all so far in their careers, so if they want to throw the head up and walk then they probably aren't lads you want on the panel in the first place. I don't really see any sign of that in fairness.

Geezer built an All Ireland winning squad of lads that would run through a brick wall for the team even if they'd no chance of making a match day 26 never mind starting 15, lads like Cian McConville and Callum O'Neill have been knocking on the door for a long time and are only really nailing down starting spots last year and this. I can remember people for years about Ross McQuillan not getting a chance but now he's developed into a top player. I think medium to long term we'll be alright.

Yes agreed, but there are also lads who have been knocking around that panel for years now and arent getting even a minute here or there.  I think of the 2 CE lads for example and wonder how long they will stick that.

That being said, I'm sure there would be a queue to take the place of anyone who didnt want to be there.

[Armagh18]

Armagh only made 3 subs in each of the games against Monaghan, Galway and Donegal.
Roscommon was the only game McGeeney used all 5 subs.
It's rare enough to see a Division 1 side not use all 5 subs in a game.
For it to happen in 3 games out of 4 in Division 1 is highly unusual.

I know Armagh have had injuries and lads working back to fitness (just like every other team in the land) but if an intercounty manager is not using all his subs on a consistent basis he's just begging for lads to walk away, especially when the guys who are on the pitch aren't winning games. It's one thing to be riding the bench if the lads ahead of you are playing well and winning games but a whole different kettle of fish when players clearly aren't. Have to wonder what the atmosphere in the squad is like.

In fairness the boys not getting game time are cubs in their first year on the panel who have achieved the square root of f**k all so far in their careers, so if they want to throw the head up and walk then they probably aren't lads you want on the panel in the first place. I don't really see any sign of that in fairness.

Geezer built an All Ireland winning squad of lads that would run through a brick wall for the team even if they'd no chance of making a match day 26 never mind starting 15, lads like Cian McConville and Callum O'Neill have been knocking on the door for a long time and are only really nailing down starting spots last year and this. I can remember people for years about Ross McQuillan not getting a chance but now he's developed into a top player. I think medium to long term we'll be alright.

Yes agreed, but there are also lads who have been knocking around that panel for years now and arent getting even a minute here or there.  I think of the 2 CE lads for example and wonder how long they will stick that.

That being said, I'm sure there would be a queue to take the place of anyone who didnt want to be there.

Fair play it is some commitment for boys getting little or no gametime. Is Daniel Magee injured? Looked decent in the McKenna cup but don't think he's been on a panel yet in the league.

[GoldCoastRossie]

Just finished watching Dublin Roscommon there. First 20 minutes from Roscommon the worst a team has looked under the new rules so far I think. Went to a minor game instead and at least the young lads had a go at it

First 20 minutes Roscommon had about 12 shots and it included probably one of the worst misses for a goal chance I've seen this year.  Dublin from nearly every miss broke on the counter for easy scores and ended the game as a contest before half time.

We were awful today.
Relegation back on the table unfortunately.

Only one set of remaining results sees Roscommon relegated:
Roscommon lose to Donegal
Roscommon lose to Mayo
Armagh beat Dublin
Armagh beat Kerry
Dublin beat Galway
Galway beat Monaghan

If any one of these results doesn't happen, Roscommon are safe.
About 3% chance of relegation I'd say

I think Roscommon will draw with Mayo in the last game, both teams will play second teams with one eye on the Championship and it will be nothing game. It depends on whether Mayo want the league final or not. If Donegal and Kerry win next week, both teams may go through the motions in Castlebar.

[illdecide]

See things are already leaning towards a will they, won't they scenario...If you're lucky with the draw and your last 2 league games are against teams who are safe from relegation and have no desire to go for the league due to Championship around the corner then you can avoid relegation. This is a bit unfair but I know it's situation that's really difficult to avoid and people will say "well if you didn't get enough points in the first 4-5 games then it's your own fault" and that is sort of fact too but take Monaghan for example...if they were to win their last 2 games and have 4pts and play 2 teams who don't care for winning and they avoid relegation then is that a fair reflection on their Div 1 form. I suppose the only way around it is to have the Championship 2-3 weeks after the league final and teams will be bursting a gut to get more competitive games in and reach the final for that additional game...Never gonna happen I know...just a thought.

[Rossfan]

Have no League Finals.
Top team wins and is given a home draw in the AI.

[imtommygunn]

Division 1 has been like this for years. Teams who have enough points on the board are completely safe and don't care much about winning it as one eye on championship so take their foot off the gas. It's kind of the opposite in division 4 with only promotion mattering after a while.

2 and 3 are the only ones with everyone playing to the end.

[tbrick18]

Have no League Finals.
Top team wins and is given a home draw in the AI.

Wise up with your crazy (100% sensible) ideas.
Always thought league finals were a waste of time, especially when you go down the divisions.
Maybe of top 2 teams in Div 1 are level on points play a final, but otherwise just use league position, like any other league.
League finals are just a revenue generator.

[Armagh18]

Have no League Finals.
Top team wins and is given a home draw in the AI.

Wise up with your crazy (100% sensible) ideas.
Always thought league finals were a waste of time, especially when you go down the divisions.
Maybe of top 2 teams in Div 1 are level on points play a final, but otherwise just use league position, like any other league.
League finals are just a revenue generator.

I see where you're coming from but then think of the likes of Leitrim a few years ago when they got to a league final, must have took most of the county to Croker for whats probably a lot of counties only chance at getting there to play for silverware, wouldn't like that to be taken away.

[Captain Obvious]

Donegal,Mayo,Kerry are the three sides aiming to reach a league final with two games to play.  Monaghan as good as gone, Armagh v Dublin a relegation decider and Roscommon,Galway will be happy once it's 100% known they have retained Division one status for 2027.

League final is scheduled for March 29th

Mayo's championship opener is April 11th against Division 4 london, no need or little chance of them easing off and trying to avoid a league final

Donegal championship opener is against Down on April 26th and Kerry play Clare on April 25th so both will be pleased to reach the final.

Donegal basically in the final already with two very winnable games to play and Kerry v Mayo to fare off in Tralee next.

[tbrick18]

Have no League Finals.
Top team wins and is given a home draw in the AI.

Wise up with your crazy (100% sensible) ideas.
Always thought league finals were a waste of time, especially when you go down the divisions.
Maybe of top 2 teams in Div 1 are level on points play a final, but otherwise just use league position, like any other league.
League finals are just a revenue generator.

I see where you're coming from but then think of the likes of Leitrim a few years ago when they got to a league final, must have took most of the county to Croker for whats probably a lot of counties only chance at getting there to play for silverware, wouldn't like that to be taken away.

Don't get me wrong - if your team is in it, it's an occasion. I thoroughly enjoyed Derry v Dublin league final a couple of years ago.
But if the finals were done away with, that league game that cements the league win for you becomes a final of sorts. I get your point though on getting to play in croker, taking that away from the lower leagues makes croke park a venue for the elites only, and I don't like that either.