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

[Jimmy Joe]

thought the athletic grounds development would have been a bit biiger. Behind the goals they have built good terrcing but Ive seen bigger stands built with the agricultaral grants inicitive in farmyards!!.

Have to agree - it's a bit of a half-job. Why did they decide to only cover the back 4 or 5 steps on the terrace? Surely when they were sticking a roof on it, they could have covered it out to the grass?
The far side looks a bit poor as well, with the 2 sets of seats either side of the building.

Think the roof could only come out that far due to planning issues, there is a row of houses immediately behind it which would've restricted the height they could build it to, the development is still a work in progress on the other side.

There are plans to put an extra tier of seat above the ones on the Ceannaras side which will run the entire length of that side(planning application has been submitted, perhaps approved).  This will create a tunnel effect for players to run out onto the field.  I think at present there are issues with local residents, however they missed their boat with the original application for the other ends and the newest proposal will have less of an impact on them as there are no houses at that end.

[naka]

happy enough with todays showing,in the league without the cross men it has given us a chance to look at what is on the panel come championship,kevin o rourke will prove to be the find i think,not convinced with henderson,lavery and some of our other panel players.if we can get injured players back and cross men focused still think we will be hard team to beat,my champonship 15
               rodgers
mallon       donaghy       mckeown

kernan       vernon        mckeever

   mcgrane  toner

mcclelland    mallon      toal

k orourke     clarke      mcdonnell

your 15 would be close to mine but would drop mc clelland and play j mc entee as centr half forward, considering that i would also like to see vernon at centre half bak in the next 4 league games to get a settled half back line bedded in, orourke and henderson are the only variables ibn that either could probably start at this stage

[Main Street]

As for Monagahan, that is the second time I have seeen them in the last twelve months or so and I think their recent Croke Park exploits has flattered them somewhat.

Flattered, as in that the team don't look like maintaining that standard?
Mostly the Monaghan members here are pleased enough with the development of the squad since last season.

I couldn't see them winning an Ulster.

To win Ulster, Monaghan have to travel to and beat Derry, after that beat the winners of Tyrone/ Armagh and even then they would only be in the final.
I'd agree, beating Tyrone is a tall order in a championship game. If they are motoring in upper 4th gear then they are an easy enough 4 points better than Monaghan.
Tyrone apart, every other Ulster team is beatable, from a Monaghan perspective.

[haveaharp]

TACADOIR

You are dead right it is inexcusable that we were a man down when Monaghan scored their goal _It's time Mckeever caught himself on, or perhaps it is time he was dropped for a few games to teach him some discipline

For god sake how long have we been saying that for?

In fairness Pints, Crossfire is talking balls. McKeever's attempt for the ball was more silly and reckless rather than the result of any red mist setting in. To me it seemed more of an error in judgment rather than any sort of discipline issue.

reckless, redmist whatever, we all know he's a complete liability - which is nothing new.

Ok what do we do, drop the best defender on the team ? I'd give him the captaincy personally.

[Onion Bag]

I would also have him as captain, he always gives 100%, and love to see him lining out, yes he does seem to play on the edge sometimes but it is just part of his game, Fantastic player

[Off The Fence]

happy enough with todays showing,in the league without the cross men it has given us a chance to look at what is on the panel come championship,kevin o rourke will prove to be the find i think,not convinced with henderson,lavery and some of our other panel players.if we can get injured players back and cross men focused still think we will be hard team to beat,my champonship 15
               rodgers
mallon       donaghy       mckeown

kernan       vernon        mckeever

   mcgrane  toner

mcclelland    mallon      toal

k orourke     clarke      mcdonnell

Obviously just home from the Pub

What is this fascination with Peader Toal? 

Didn't write here last night because I struggled to come up with something to describe Armagh's performance.  I think "lacking serious quality" in key areas of the pitch is the best way to describe it.  How anyone can defend the midfielders yesterday is beyond me.  Couldn't catch, couldn't get on the ball, couldn't tackle, misjudged countless kickouts no matter how good or how poor they were.  Unbelievable and what is more unbelievable is that the management sat and looked at this for the entire 70 minutes.  Was Gareth O'Neill on the bench?  Was he not worth a look?  Lavery, no harm to the lad, but he was shocking. Couldnt jump for the ball and neither did Charlie thus giving Monaghan a easy platform  for playing quality ball into the FF line.  McClelland was lost at 6 and the full back line got an awful roasting,  Up front, Kevin O'Rourke was the best on the day, Brian Mallon, who was poor in the first half, came into it well in the second half and Clarke showed glimpses despite been practically raped and getting no protection whatsoever from that clown of a referee.  McDonnell was nowhere and had no impact on the game whatsoever.  Did anyone else notice him telling Micheal O'Rourke to leave the sideline ball to him and goes and kicks it with the outside of his LEFT foot straight to Conor McManus, said it all. 

I think the management have lot to answer for, Cross players or no Cross players missing.  Why was the midfield not changed immediately at the start when it was blatantly obvious they were getting roasted.  Why the hell did they persist on bringing our most dangerous forward out to play midfield.  Henderson was hiding the whole game and at this level you will not win balls behind your man.  To say they have alot of work to do is a massive understatement!

[Onion Bag]

The Team i would like to see in the c'ship

(1) P Hearty
(2) A Mallon
(3) Donaghy/ K Toner
(4) Finn Mo
(5) A Kernan
(6) K Mc Keever
(7) P Duffy
( C Vernon
(9) D Mc Kenna
(10) P Mc Grane
(11) B Mallon
(12) P Toal
(13) K O Rourke
(14) R Clarke
(15) S Mc Donnell

[Goats Do Shave]

Just to remind people...

Tyrone's full forward line will be Stevie O'Neill, Sean Cavanagh & Mugsy

Francie will take Mugsy, Donaghy on Cavanagh? & McKeever on Stevie?

Now build your tema out! - I'd like to see Charlie at centre back in the league.

[corn02]

I think it is worth pointing out that McKeever did not pick up one yellow in last year's Championship. Like a lot of players, he plays on the edge and I wouldn;t have it any other way, the definition of a class act. Ironic that a Cross man got the dig in when Bellew played in a similar way, and that was exactly how we wanted him to play as well.

The radio was my only source yesterday and I can only really go by that.

They said Rodger's kickouts hung in the air far too long, it is the small things that I was on about TAC, that is why I am sure McEvoy has a championship panel spot nearly nailed down, although he will have to impress in the remaining games, if he does, he could push for a starting place.

Moriarty sounded like he was doing ok, while Mallon, understandably, was still a bit off pace. Martin sounded like he had a poor game, and at this level you don;t get many chances. Don;t know ow you thought he was brutal against Laois though Barney.

McKeever before the incident sounded inspired, while Shannon also continues to raise his hand. Shannon has been very impressive at corner-back, but he is a better wing- back. Ironically, despite yesterday's showing, he probably only has a realistic chance of starting in the full back line, so it is hard to know.

Barnsey must surely be a starter for the summer now?

Team I'd like to see for Championship:

McEvoy
Mallon Donaghy Moriarty/Shannon
McKeever O'Rourke AK
Vernon McGrane
MOR S Kernan Mallon
Barnsey Clarke McDonnell.

With Henderson, Toal, McKenna, Paul McKeown, Martin, Donnelly and Micheal O Rourke all with time to impress.

I also think people are bit quick to write off Bellew.

[Onion Bag]

It scares the lifeout of me the thought of AOR trying to mark Brian Mc Guigan, no way would i play him at CHB,in fact i would have him on the team, he aint mobile enough,

[corn02]

It scares the lifeout of me the thought of AOR trying to mark Brian Mc Guigan, no way would i play him at CHB,in fact i would have him on the team, he aint mobile enough,

Plenty would agree with you. O Rourke always does a job against top players, I would be confident.

[Goats Do Shave]

McGuigan isn't the quickest... Aiden would be fit for him.

[Onion Bag]

I wish i had the confidence in him you guys have, i can still see Mc Guigan skipping past mc Geeney in croker that day, and im afraid to say AOR would find himself in the same position

[BerfArmagh]

Enjoyable enough games yesterday, played before a large crowd. Despite the referee, both teams played to win & it was basically a clean game. The new rules & interpretation can be very frustrationg, Freemans yellow was a joke... As mentioned earlier, Clarke may have well wore a saddle yesterday...

I feel a more or less full strength Mongahan exposed Armaghs lack of squad depth. Mid field was wiped out again, Lavery played better this week, but lacks agression & mobility at this level. Charlie is a bit too 'nice' he needs some lessons form mc keever in the dark arts, because he has all the attributes to suceed at this level. You kevin O Rourke had an excellent first half & Calrke did well when he cam out the field. I thought young mc clelland (red haired lad) played v well. Very worrying (A repeat of Laoid Game) as soon as mc keever went off, defence goes in to disarray, second game in a row, a midfielder has run straight up our middle, unchallenged for a goal.

Again management, too slow to make changes. Armagh have the cross lads, Toner, Mc Grane etc to come back. I'd like to see the cross mid fielder given a run. We are very light at the minute, so mc entee coming back has its merits.

BTW, from the horse mouth (My father in law is on Tyrone county board) Armagh V Tyrone will be played in Healy Park Omagh. Was voted on the other night. Personally I think this is scandelous, 19k capacity, reduces the ability for families & supporters to attend, typical narrow minded ness form Tyrone, that said Harte did ask for Croker. I think Armagh have more of a chance against the in Healy park... as tyrone have a lot of pace, which suits croker to the ground

[corn02]

I wish i had the confidence in him you guys have, i can still see Mc Guigan skipping past mc Geeney in croker that day, and im afraid to say AOR would find himself in the same position

Very possible.

Your team isn't a bad effort Onion Bag.