Ard Mhacha v Muineacháin - Athletic Grounds - 08/03/09

[GrandMasterFlash]

By the way, last night while looking for a wee report on the game, I got a small one from hill16.ie on the res dubs site. Boy, those fellas really don't like Monaghan!

Ayh, the dubs are big fellas alright. Probably cause we're about a 40th of the size but still manage to beat and draw with them in the last two outings. Never heard worse!! Apparently Dick has joined the gardai also, but sure isn't that what everyone outside the pale does!!?

[thebandit]

By the way, last night while looking for a wee report on the game, I got a small one from hill16.ie on the res dubs site. Boy, those fellas really don't like Monaghan!

Ayh, the dubs are big fellas alright. Probably cause we're about a 40th of the size but still manage to beat and draw with them in the last two outings. Never heard worse!! Apparently Dick has joined the gardai also, but sure isn't that what everyone outside the pale does!!?

I thought he was a chemical engineer turned sports scientist?

[Schkite]

Don't see how he could be a garda, but this is what one of the posts over there said about Dick: Top drawer ar$ehole as far as im concerned "ooohhhhh the autograph hunting 8 year olds were scaring me". What a credit he is to an Garda Siochana

A particular favourite quote of mine was: Woohoo, take that Banty! I know, I know it's only a challenge game but still it's a defeat of those whingy sh1tes!

You should check it out, it's very amusing!

[GrandMasterFlash]

Laois seemed to have stolen their chips or something too, maybe it's a blue and white thing? Cavan/Waterford are next...

[thebandit]

The nearest Cavn or Waterford will get to silverware is crystal, and they dont have much of that anymore either 

[mountainboii]

took a spin down to the game myself.

McEvoy done well in the first half and rodgers done well in the second.
Full back line was dodgy enough. andy needs more game time. shannan at fault for the goal.
half back line was ok. Rafferty done well kicked a wide in the first half but was very sound defensively. was replaced by mckeever half way through the second. mckeever done well. Mc Clennand was good on the ball but struggled to mark his man. Duffy again good going forward and scored 2 good points. was replaced by mcdonald half way through second half who struggled.
Mid field of mackin and o'neill tried hard with mackin making some good forward runs.Lavery came on and caught a good ball in the middle.
Half forward line. o'rouke worked hard as usual, mallon kicked a couple of scores and Courtney was replaced after 10 mins with mcdonnell who showed well for the ball. full forward line done ok barry toner was replaced after 10 mins by henderson who kicked a good score. mcdonnell showed well as did feeney.
There were a few other changes mcnulty came on for shannon and tried hard but looked out of match practice. o'rouke came on and scored a good 50.

encouraging enough performance especially as louth seemed to be nearly at full strength.

Shit, was it Rodgers in the second half? I didn't even notice the switch  In that case it was he that made two excellent saves in the second half.

[corn02]

Bump,di bump.

So what are we expecting team wise?

Has McEvoy impressed enough to break the roatation trend, our has Rodgers' saves against Louthput him back into the frame for a Championship slot?

What about the defence? Suspensions and injuries playing a role.

I doubt any Cross lads will be available.

Team I expect:

Rodgers

Moriarty Martin Mallon
Duffy McKeever Rafferty

Lavery Vernon

Paddy McKeever Mallon Barnsey
Henderson Clarke McDonnell

Team I would like to see:

McEvoy

Moriarty Martin Mallon
Duffy McKeever Shannon

Vernon Mackin

Mallon MORjnr Barnsey
Henderson Clarek McDonnell

[davo]

The team i would want to see would be:

Mc evoy
mallon moriarty shannon
duffy mckeever rafferty
mackin vernon
mor mallon barnsy
feeney clarke mcdonnell

should be a good game. plenty of hard hits with a big crowd

[mountainboii]

Is AOR injured? Any word on Donaghy or Toner either?

How long did Toal and JP get for their indiscretions? Just the standard month?

Like the look of Davo's team there all things considered, although I'd rather see Lavery persisted with than going back to Mackin. In fact I'd probably prefer O'Neill over Mackin too. Would love to see Feeney get more game time, although I can't see how there'll be room for him alongside McDonnell, Clarke and Henderson. Maybe Stevie could be tried at CHF 

[corn02]

Is AOR injured? Any word on Donaghy or Toner either?

How long did Toal and JP get for their indiscretions? Just the standard month?

Like the look of Davo's team there all things considered, although I'd rather see Lavery persisted with than going back to Mackin. In fact I'd probably prefer O'Neill over Mackin too. Would love to see Feeney get more game time, although I can't see how there'll be room for him alongside McDonnell, Clarke and Henderson. Maybe Stevie could be tried at CHF 

I have a soft spot for Mackin, probnably because he is always immense at club level, I just hold a bit of hope that he might make an impact, worth another look anyway.

GL said O Rourke is out with a hamstring, Donaghy and Toner are still out I think. I assume the duo got one month a piece.

Marty O Rourke has played every game to date, I would rets him forthe match, then again, if it going to be scrappy and he is the sort of boy you want there.

Is Henderson that far ahead of the pack?

[mountainboii]

I have a soft spot for Mackin, probnably because he is always immense at club level, I just hold a bit of hope that he might make an impact, worth another look anyway.

But for how long have we been saying this? If he's going to step up to the plate he'd need to do it very soon, he must be running out of chances.

Is Henderson that far ahead of the pack?

Not at all, but that's why I'd like to see more of him. As I've said before, this game could be as close to championship pace that we're gonna get in the league so it'll be a very good indicator for the summer.

[corn02]

I have a soft spot for Mackin, probnably because he is always immense at club level, I just hold a bit of hope that he might make an impact, worth another look anyway.

But for how long have we been saying this? If he's going to step up to the plate he'd need to do it very soon, he must be running out of chances.

Is Henderson that far ahead of the pack?

Not at all, but that's why I'd like to see more of him. As I've said before, this game could be as close to championship pace that we're gonna get in the league so it'll be a very good indicator for the summer.

I'd freely admit that about Mackin and I couldn;t seriously argue against it, as I say I just thing he has the potential.

[ardmhachaabu]

How many players have we heard that about corn?

By this stage, I think it's a cliche in Armagh IC football, to be honest.

I think it's time that Armagh supporters realised that the squad are in transition, so to speak.  The current crop have a long way to go before we are serious contenders for Sam again 

[Aghdavoyle]

Seriously physical game in prospect on sunday if the monaghan men bring their usual approach for armagh with them. Maybe they'll have their sunday best!

Have to say, we have to quit with this chopping and arsing about and get a settled team as far as possible. It stood to them in the championship last year when a settled team was in place through the league for the most part.

I also don't accept this "transition" crap. You have what you have - the best players in your county. natural selection takes care of those not good enough for football or physical reasons. They weren't that far away last year so we shouldn't be throwing the baby out with the bath water and the baby in armagh's case is the defending. 6 goals conceded in the first 2 league games?

Monaghan will tr**p all over armagh on sunday if they get half an idea that they'll be let. It happened last year (with the cross contingent) and only for aidan o'rourke and ronan clarke that day it'd have been a massacre. best foot forward sunday. mcgrane must be ready for action?

               Keeper
Moriarty     Martin   Shannon
Mallon      O'Rourke   McKeever
         Vernon     McGrane
O'Rourke   McKeever  Mallon
McDonnell   Clarke    Henderson

[mountainboii]

I think it's time that Armagh supporters realised that the squad are in transition, so to speak.  The current crop have a long way to go before we are serious contenders for Sam again 

I detest this phrase. Its an excuse for failure. It also makes the dangerous and baseless assumption that future success is just around the corner. How long have Meath or Down been 'in transition'?

Aghdavoyle is right, you make the best with what you have at any given time. No excuses.