Inter-Provincial championship

[omagh_gael]

That d*ck Billy Sheehan must've taken something before the game[/quote]

Always thought he was a bit of a p***k anytime i have seen him play, especially against ourselves in 06.

[INDIANA]

That d*ck Billy Sheehan must've taken something before the game

Always thought he was a bit of a p***k anytime i have seen him play, especially against ourselves in 06.
[/quote]

42 carat w**ker fullstop really.

[ballinaman]

That d*ck Billy Sheehan must've taken something before the game

Always thought he was a bit of a p***k anytime i have seen him play, especially against ourselves in 06.

42 carat w**ker fullstop really.
[/quote]

Agreed. Used to tear around UCD like he owned the place...bigger d*ck when he somehow got to be manager of the freshers....

[Bainisteoir]

That d*ck Billy Sheehan must've taken something before the game

Always thought he was a bit of a p***k anytime i have seen him play, especially against ourselves in 06.
[/quote]

Thought the same myself, he was running about like someone on drugs!! A Few of the ulster lads tried to put manners on him!! Where was Karl Lacey yesterday?

[Rossfan]

I read that 350 turned up at Páirc na nGael last night for the Munster/Connacht game.

[border rabbit]

 Took in the game on Saturday. Get the whinge in 1st, how do they justify £9 in? I thought they were trying to promote the bloody thing, surely a fiver would hav been more than enough!!

Anyway i thought it was a decent enough game despite the terrible conditions. I suppose you knew that it wasnt going to be a wee run out for eithor team when Sheehan was trying to throw his weight about, he was kicking etc at Aaron before the ball was even thrown in, p@*ck.

Overall Ulsters attack never really got going, especially O'Neill / Murphy / Bradley, although on good day they would probably run riot. Some reports had Hub Hughes playing well, but i actually thoiught he was terrible in the 1st half and very lucky to stay on, he did improve at the end of the match of the match but have to say he was lucky to stay on. Joe McMahon is real unsung hero, the workrate that man has is unreal. The intro of Daniel Hughes was telling, his pace really troubled Leinster.

From an Armagh point of view, i thought Aaron done well, he really is a classy footballer. McKeever, what can i say, the man really is suited to winter football  , although as someone else said id rather have him. I felt sorry for young Donaghy, he obviously was one of our better performers this year but badly judged 1 ball and it cost him dearly.

On an other note, the respect that the crowd showed all subs that were taken off was commendable, even found myself clapping tyrone players, good to see everyone buying into the whole ulster thing and not just their own county men.

Anyone know what the attendance was? have to say there was a very decent crowd and most people seem to have went away happy, although a liitle cold! 

[muppet]

Took in the game on Saturday. Get the whinge in 1st, how do they justify £9 in?

£9? Are you serious?

The best footballers in Ulster on view and a few handy Leinster ones and you whinge about being charged £9.

[laoisgaa]

I was covering the Ulster v Leinster game yesterday myself - a good aul match, but still wondering who the hell Philip McMahon is!! No offence to the guy but surely there were alot more lads in Leinster who could have filled the role of full-back. And no Niall McNamee either.

Best part of the day was when the dog ran off with John Devine's kicking tee!!!!!!!!

[Family guy]

Good to hear hub had a good game,hopeduli next year he will keep up the good work and get his allstar,very unlucky to miss out this year,think its the only thing missn from his achievments as a player,who knows maybe even a title with his club

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Ulster-Leinster match report from today's Irish News. Great to see Kevin Hub still knocking over the points! 

Teams put wind in the sails of the interpros
From Niall McCoy


THE interprovincial series may still be greeted with a sense of indifference from many players and supporters alike, but if Saturday's clash in Crossmaglen, which saw Ulster qualify for their seventh final in 10 years, is anything to go by, there may be life in the old dog yet.

A sizeable crowd made their way to the south Armagh venue, and the two squads on show somehow managed to put on an entertaining hour's football despite atrocious weather conditions. The wind had dictated that this would be a game of two halves before the ball was even thrown in. Leinster enjoyed the elements in the first half to lead 1-9 to 1-2 at the turn before Joe Kernan's side took full advantage in the second to outscore their opponents 12 points to one.

It was Ulster who grabbed the first, and perhaps the most important, score of the game when Joe McMahon goaled in the fourth minute.  A Paul Finlay attempt at a point was held up in the air and, when Michael Murphy broke the ball down when it dropped short, the Tyrone man side-footed the ball to the corner of the net with aplomb.

Leinster's response was rapid, hitting four points in five minutes. Firstly John O'Loughlin curled the ball over the bar after good work from midfield partner Dermot Earley who dispossessed Kevin Hughes. John Devine's resultant kick-out hung in the air and landed back in the arms of centre half-forward Joe Sheridan who pointed, and then Bernard Brogan levelled the scores after good work from the mobile Seamus Kenny. Two minutes later, Brogan grabbed his second score from a free to move Leinster in front for the first time.

Murphy stopped the rot two minutes later when he pointed a 21-yard free – even such seemingly easy tasks were proving demanding in the conditions.

Leinster were soon back in front as Dean Rock, son of Dublin legend Barney, broke the ball ahead of Justin McMahon allowing Paul Flynn to point. And then Rock, who dominated plenty of the pre-match chat due to the fact that he has yet to make his county debut, justified his inclusion with a trio of pointed frees the econd of which was a monster effort in front of the stand. Rock was involved again when Leinster grabbed their only major two minutes before the interval. Brendan Donaghy, a late addition to the side in place of Ryan McCloskey, criminally misread a long ball out of defence which sent the Ballymun man through on goal. He unselfishly squared the ball across goal for Sheridan to palm to the net. There was still time for Paddy Bradley to grab Ulster's first score in 18 minutes when he pointed a free.

McCloskey replaced Donaghy at the break with Dan Gordon coming off for Enda McGinley as Ulster tried to get a foothold in the middle, but a superb Sheridan free after the restart extended the gap to seven once again.

The Seneschalstown player kicked over from 45 yards right into the teeth of the wind. Sadly for Paul Caffrey, his side would not score again. The high quality scoring continued. First, Bradley pointed a sideline ball before Paul Finlay converted a beautiful effort from distance. The points kept coming for Ulster. Benny Coulter grabbed his sole score before Kevin Hughes pointed from close range. Bradley reduced the deficit further before substitute Conor Gormley brought the gap back to two when he boomed over a point that probably hasn't landed yet.

Another Bradley free left the minimum between them before another substitute, Danny Hughes, brought the sides level. Four minutes from time, Ulster were in front for the first time in 46 minutes thanks to Bradley's trusty dead-ball accuracy. Aaron Kernan secured the biggest cheer of the day with a point sandwiched between another Bradley free and a Kevin Hughes score, which left four between them at the end.

Kernan's side will now travel to Ruislip to face Munster on November 8. Saturday's encounter should ensure that some of the indifference may have drifted away before that clash.

MATCH STATS

Ulster: J Devine; B Donaghy, Justin McMahon, G O'Kane; A Kernan (0-1), C McKeever, D Harte; D Gordon, K Hughes (0-2); P Finlay (0-1), B Coulter (0-1), Joe McMahon (1-0); P Bradley (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 sideline), S O'Neill, M Murphy (0-1 free). Subs: E McGinley for Gordon (h-t), R McCloskey for Donaghy (h-t), C Gormley (0-1) for Harte (38), D Hughes (0-1) for Joe McMahon (49), T Freeman for Murphy (56).

Yellow cards: McKeever (31), K Hughes (38), Coulter (42).

Leinster: G Connaughton; C Hyland, P McMahon, E Bolton; G Brennan, B Flanagan, S Kenny; D Earley, J O'Loughlin (0-1); P Flynn (0-1), J Sheridan (1-2), B Sheehan; D Glennon (0-1), D Rock (0-3 frees), B Brogan (0-2, 0-1 free).

Subs: P Byrne for Sheehan (20, blood sub), R McConnell for Sheehan (48), J Sherlock for O'Loughlin (54), P Byrne for Brogan (58).

Yellow cards: Sheehan (2), O'Loughlin (14), Hyland (38).

Referee: V Neary (Mayo)

[ExiledGael]

Joe McMahon and Billy Sheehan/Ger Brennan (not sure which) seemed to get into a bit of a tussle along the far sideline and McMahon definitely threw something into the crowd. Anyone over that side or know if it was one of their boots?

[ExiledGael]

Quality

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Hopefully tg4 show the final live. When you look how strong the ulster team was yesterday I still think there could be life left in this competition if managed right. Best solution I've heard is to play the football final on St Paddys day in Croke Park along with the club football, have the hurling in Thurles with the club hurling. Most people are of work that day already and with the correct marketing could turn into a huge day for the gaa, there would surely be some potential to get tourists to come if done right.

Does anyone know if tg4 will cover the final live? I see Joe Kernan favours a St Patricks day final along with the club final. Anyone think this could work? I think it may be the only chance of saving the competition and could potentially showcase the gaa further on one of the biggest days in the calender.

[INDIANA]

Hopefully tg4 show the final live. When you look how strong the ulster team was yesterday I still think there could be life left in this competition if managed right. Best solution I've heard is to play the football final on St Paddys day in Croke Park along with the club football, have the hurling in Thurles with the club hurling. Most people are of work that day already and with the correct marketing could turn into a huge day for the gaa, there would surely be some potential to get tourists to come if done right.

Does anyone know if tg4 will cover the final live? I see Joe Kernan favours a St Patricks day final along with the club final. Anyone think this could work? I think it may be the only chance of saving the competition and could potentially showcase the gaa further on one of the biggest days in the calender.

I don;t agree the county players get enough days out without taking the club out of the equation. Both club finals should be played on the same day in Croke park. Why change something that is a massive success for something thats past its sell by date.

[ExiledGael]

What's this sell by date you speak of Indiana?
If you buy two litres of milk and leave it sitting out beside the fireplace it won't be long going off.