NFL Division 1

[Armagh18]

That table backs up the point a few of us Armagh posters were making about the strength in depth of our panel.  It has been pushed to the limit over the league campaign. Hopefully the injured players will start to come back over the next few weeks.

It's been severely tested lately leaving us with little or nothing from the bench. Our best 2 results have been when we've been able to spring the likes of O'Neill and Turbo off the bench. Some turnover of players in 18 months.

[Captain Obvious]

That table backs up the point a few of us Armagh posters were making about the strength in depth of our panel.  It has been pushed to the limit over the league campaign. Hopefully the injured players will start to come back over the next few weeks.

It also shows McGeeney doesn't overly trust his extended panellists. The lads out injured and just back will take many weeks to get up to speed, the league was the opportunity to try out new faces and at least 30 players. Yes some might be out be out of depth in Division one however better to find out now than during the championship.

[Armagh18]

That table backs up the point a few of us Armagh posters were making about the strength in depth of our panel.  It has been pushed to the limit over the league campaign. Hopefully the injured players will start to come back over the next few weeks.

It also shows McGeeney doesn't overly trust his extended panellists. The lads out injured and just back will take many weeks to get up to speed, the league was the opportunity to try out new faces and at least 30 players. Yes some might be out be out of depth in Division one however better to find out now than during the championship.

I'd say we aren't too bad panel wise now, looking at that team the other day the bench was experienced enough, think there was 3 or 4 young lads including O'Brien who played a good bit in the league. Hopefully Murnin, Grugan, McElroy are close to fitness.

[J70]

Curious as to how Kerry approach the league final with regard to Clifford.
 
(i) play him and let McGuinness run his eye over him along with the Donegal defence

(ii) hold him back like they did in the league game for obvious reasons

I mean, there is nothing McGuinness can learn about him anymore now than in the aif last year.  The only way to contain Clifford is to stop the ball going into him. 

I would say Kerry would be looking at how Donegal approach this game more than the other way around.   

This came up in Brendan Devenney's podcast, whether or not this was a no lose situation for Jack O'Connor with respect to Clifford and Kerry in general. As in if McGuinness figures something out for this game, what's to stop O'Connor coming up with something new if they were to meet in the championship.

Clearly McGuinness won't be going zonal again, but there's only so much you can do when you're up against that type of ludicrous talent. He's going to get 8-10 points no matter what, so you obviously have to try to win the outfield battles and limit the amount of time you spend defending.

No bother at all!  

[Armagh18]

Curious as to how Kerry approach the league final with regard to Clifford.
 
(i) play him and let McGuinness run his eye over him along with the Donegal defence

(ii) hold him back like they did in the league game for obvious reasons

I mean, there is nothing McGuinness can learn about him anymore now than in the aif last year.  The only way to contain Clifford is to stop the ball going into him. 

I would say Kerry would be looking at how Donegal approach this game more than the other way around.   

This came up in Brendan Devenney's podcast, whether or not this was a no lose situation for Jack O'Connor with respect to Clifford and Kerry in general. As in if McGuinness figures something out for this game, what's to stop O'Connor coming up with something new if they were to meet in the championship.

Clearly McGuinness won't be going zonal again, but there's only so much you can do when you're up against that type of ludicrous talent. He's going to get 8-10 points no matter what, so you obviously have to try to win the outfield battles and limit the amount of time you spend defending.

No bother at all!  

Only option is to as you say limit the ball he's getting, man mark Joe O'Connor, make sure Seanie doesn't get any time on the ball in the shooting zone. If I was McGuinness I'd stick Roarty on Paudie to just torture him the whole time.

[J70]

Yeah, if Paudie plays, which is reportedly a big if, Roarty is the obvious man to try to man-mark him.

A big ask for a young lad about to start his second championship season mind you.

[Armagh18]

Yeah, if Paudie plays, which is reportedly a big if, Roarty is the obvious man to try to man-mark him.

A big ask for a young lad about to start his second championship season mind you.

Would be more thinking of down the line in the summer if and when they meet. By all accounts Paudie won't feature at the weekend.

Roarty is an exceptional talent and athlete, think he would snuff Paudie out if he was given the job.

[AustinPowers]

I think McGuinness will  field a weakened team. O'Connor won't

McGuinness will let Kerry have their victory while  maintaining  they didn't really beat us , and keep Kerry guessing for later  on in the summer

It's all mind games  with Jimmy. 

[Cunny Funt]

Going by the scores Donegal have conceded in their last two games 2-20 v Roscommon and 3-15 v Monaghan you would have to wonder how much Kerry will score on Sunday.

Then again Kerry apart from the Mayo game haven't been overly great.  Lucky to win against Roscommon,lost to Donegal, just did enough against Dublin in a poor quality game and drew with Galway and Armagh.

Jim McGuinness and his players will go strong Donegal don't have many National titles to their name. Would still expect Jack O'Connor to keep his record of winning the league and then going on to win the All-Ireland going.

[Armamike]

Would expect Donegal to go full pelt to win this and have the psychological benefit of beating Kerry. There's bound to be a hangover from the AI final and a good performance and win here would help the healing and build the belief.

[bennydorano]

I really don't expect Donegal to go flat out on Sunday, Kerry have a different mentality, they will undoubtedly go for the jugular, but I just dont think it's in Jimmy's mental set up - they can never show the full hand for fear of being exposed.  They should take the opportunity to see where they're really at not indulge in shadow boxing balls, but I dont see them trying to test and expose their own limits & frailties. I think Kerry are pulling away from the pack tbh, Sunday will tell a tale.

[EoinW]

I really don't expect Donegal to go flat out on Sunday, Kerry have a different mentality, they will undoubtedly go for the jugular, but I just dont think it's in Jimmy's mental set up - they can never show the full hand for fear of being exposed.  They should take the opportunity to see where they're really at not indulge in shadow boxing balls, but I dont see them trying to test and expose their own limits & frailties. I think Kerry are pulling away from the pack tbh, Sunday will tell a tale.

Kerry do give that impression of being one level above the rest.  Why not given all their incredible talent and how they dismantled their opposition the end of last season.

Yet they just came off a draw against Armagh.  A game where they were spotted a 10-0 lead.  Also a game in which when Armagh got the lead Kerry were only able to stay in touch with 2-pointers.

My point being: that hardy fits the idea of Kerry pulling away.

[Armagh18]

I really don't expect Donegal to go flat out on Sunday, Kerry have a different mentality, they will undoubtedly go for the jugular, but I just dont think it's in Jimmy's mental set up - they can never show the full hand for fear of being exposed.  They should take the opportunity to see where they're really at not indulge in shadow boxing balls, but I dont see them trying to test and expose their own limits & frailties. I think Kerry are pulling away from the pack tbh, Sunday will tell a tale.

Kerry do give that impression of being one level above the rest.  Why not given all their incredible talent and how they dismantled their opposition the end of last season.

Yet they just came off a draw against Armagh.  A game where they were spotted a 10-0 lead.  Also a game in which when Armagh got the lead Kerry were only able to stay in touch with 2-pointers.

My point being: that hardy fits the idea of Kerry pulling away.

I know its only the league and neither team were at full strength, but I saw enough to suggest that we've every chance against a Donegal or Kerry down the line.

[marty34]

I really don't expect Donegal to go flat out on Sunday, Kerry have a different mentality, they will undoubtedly go for the jugular, but I just dont think it's in Jimmy's mental set up - they can never show the full hand for fear of being exposed.  They should take the opportunity to see where they're really at not indulge in shadow boxing balls, but I dont see them trying to test and expose their own limits & frailties. I think Kerry are pulling away from the pack tbh, Sunday will tell a tale.

I don't understand this statement. Expose what?

It'll make no difference - people overhype this 'don't want to show their hand' waffle.

If that's the case, lose 5 league games and get relegated.

I hear this all the time - just throw the game...as we don't want to show our hand.

[Rossfan]

Its not as if Jack doesn't know the Donegal players or vice versa!!