Down V Armagh - Newry 26th Feb

[whitegoodman]

Duffleking what did u think of the laughable bad defenders performance to keep one of the best forwards in ireland to a point from play?!?

[DuffleKing]

Thought dan gordon was very impressive

[whitegoodman]

Would you revise ur view on his defensive capabilities?  What about Mckernan who I agree needs work defensively but upped his game considerably in terms of his responsibilities as a defender first and attacker second.

[DuffleKing]

Certainly reappraise gordon - though its the first time he's given me reason to do so. McKernan was as naive and sloppy defensively last night as ever - that it wasn't exploited doesn't make him a better defender.

[Orior]

Apparently he isn't eligible as he played championship over in NY.

There was a quote from Tony Mac in the programme at Navan to the effect that while some peripheral members of the Cross panel had gone to the US/Australia, nobody of any use had done so!

The game in Newry was enjoyable enough, the Marshes is now a fine ground. Down deserved the narrow win, but weren't as good as some Mourne posters think. Neither was it the worst Armagh performance for years, anyone who says that wasn't in Navan etc in recent leagues. It is very noticeable that Armagh lack pace and lack the organisation to have the man running to take the pass. I imagine that Down and even Monaghan have taken some of the Tyrone philosophy of training at pace to promote speed of thought. Armagh is still more in the stand your ground and win your own ball mode.

Classic Tony Mac. I read in Oisin's book that during a bonding session for the Armagh team, he told a fellow panelist that he wasnt county standard. Is there a name for someone that cant tell lies?

[NaomhBridAbú]

was at the game last night - impartial, as im a tyrone fan...thought that both teams didnt look great...Armagh looked lost and very unsettled in midfield for parts of the game...Clarke was given too much freedom bu to be fair isnt really all that...Steve McD did alot of running and looked v strong...cant see either team doing much for the year, unless big improvements

[BarryBreensBandage]

Allianz Football League Division 1        P W D L  F      A     +/-    Pts
1 Dublin                                           3  3 0 0  8-35 2-42 11      6
2 Down                                           3  2 1 0  5-30 2-33  6       5
3 Cork                                             3  2 0 1  1-48 5-38 -2       4
4 Mayo                                            3  1 1 1  3-35 4-28  4       3
5 Kerry                                            3  1 0 2  3-37 3-35  2       2
6 Monaghan                                     3  1 0 2  1-44 2-40  1       2
7 Armagh                                         3 1 0 2  2-33  2-37 -4       2
8 Galway                                          3 0 0 3   1-35 4-44 -18     0

Not a bad look to the table from my point of view - Down with the best defence and second in the scoring ranks - hope I can say the same after their next three matches!

[whitegoodman]

Lol did tony mac actually say that to a fellow member of the panel, he is certainly straight and to the point

[armaghniac]

was at the game last night - impartial, as im a tyrone fan.

Had a yearning for Div 1 football, I suppose.

NaomhBridAbú

Don't be using that username about Cross'

[Leo]

Did I read somewhere that Ross "Michael McGimpsey" Carr gave ronan Murtgah mom on Setanta?
Not enough to be boring, has to be bullsh1t champ as well!

[whitegoodman]

He was very close to my mom too, 2 cracking scores,at least 2 assists and won every ball that went in, who was urs Leo

[Leo]

He was very close to my mom too, 2 cracking scores,at least 2 assists and won every ball that went in, who was urs Leo

Danny Hughes by a mile - taking the hits, foraging deep to fetch and turn defence to attack, even a couple of beautiful catches under pressure, not perfect butt a BIG game, duracell man.....
I like Murtagh, I see alot of club games where he is immense, he did well - but nowhere mom - ahead of him were Hughes, Gordon and McKernan (who made me eat my words after recent displays).

[whitegoodman]

Thought Danny had a great first half but quieter in the second and made some wrong decisions which may have been punished against stronger opposite. Agree that Dan and mckernan played very well but thought considering he came in at very late notice and was up against one of the best full backs about, murtagh got the vote for me

[Throw ball]

As an Armagh man I thought Danny Hughes was the best player on the pitch by a distance. If we could take one Down player to player for Armagh I would pick him every time. As for Gordon he did play rightly last night but on most other days Stevie would have scored 3 or 4 from play with the chances he got. The Monaghan player marked him nearly as well but Stevie finished the match with 3 from play. I like McKernans attitude to playing but he was marking an inexperienced player (in intercounty terms) and it should be a few more games before you can see if he is improving defensively.
I know some Down posters are suggesting that Armagh did not have many missing from their first team - and they might be true - but last night our major problem was that we had no obvious options to bring on. Down could bring on fresh legs that gave the team impetus while it seemed to me Armagh only brought the last couple of subs on when they thought the game was slipping away. More panic than plan!
Finally can Armagh posters help me here. I go to most Armagh matches.  Since the introduction of Saturday night floodlit matches how many league games under lights have Armagh actually won. I can only think of the Laois game last year. Any more? We have definitely taken some heavy defeats! Ban these matches I say!

[ardchieftain]

Agree completely with Tevez.

Time for a bit of realism here. Armagh have no game plan whatsoever as far as i can see. If we do, would someone kindly explain it to me ?

I've heard the rumours of the players having no respect for the management before and it may or may not be true but Armagh look like a team playing on instinct alone which simply won't cut it in this day and age.

This is no knee jerk reaction to a defeat to Down either. Last season i thought we were in trouble tactically and there has been no improvement whatsoever this season.
feels like the dark days again..................................