USFC Qtr Final - Armagh V Down - Athletic Grounds 28th May 7:30pm

[DuffleKing]

All along i've held the notion (quietly) that armagh can produce a one off performance to win this game. All hope of that has left me in the last month. The stories of discontent from unusually senior players is alarming. That doesn't make them a bad team but morale and belief in the line can't be anything but woeful.

I think down will win pulling up after armagh have stayed with them for 50 minutes. That is a galling prospect as an armagh man as down have little to fear for us.

[umpire]

Armagh's W.U.M. are busy at work!!!

[PAULD123]

Armagh's W.U.M. are busy at work!!!

I've read a lot of Duffleking's posts, he is generally very honest and says what he believes. In addition Armagh WUMs are normally glaring sarcasm, not smugly subtle. I believe DK that that is what he genuinely thinks.

I don't share his pessimism. As I said we need to be on top form. But in fairness, we are in a bit of a better place than Armagh are right now to hit that standard.

It's not about me thinking that we have this vastly superior pool of talent to choose from. I simply think we are better because of circumstances. Our circumstances are more optimistic than Armagh's right now. If things had gone differently in the last 3 months this opinion could have been completely the reverse as both sets of players are similar in talent.

But our management is better, our form is better, our team is settled, our injury situation is less severe. It is these reasons that I see us in a better position to win. I think this is fair comment, and not offensive to Armagh supporters because I'm not basing it on a claim (which would be wrong) that their best 15 players aren't good enough.

[The Worker]

will it be possible to pay at the gate?

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

All along i've held the notion (quietly) that armagh can produce a one off performance to win this game. All hope of that has left me in the last month. The stories of discontent from unusually senior players is alarming. That doesn't make them a bad team but morale and belief in the line can't be anything but woeful.

I think down will win pulling up after armagh have stayed with them for 50 minutes. That is a galling prospect as an armagh man as down have little to fear for us.

Sadly I think that analysis is spot on.

[rionach 4]

PAULD123   I have read a lot of your posts and find you very fairminded and your assessment of the Armagh game for me is spot on.  I am an Armagh fan maybe even fanatic but like Duffleking said the problems are there and i would fully concur with his pre game analysis.  We do have the players, unfortunately not all fit or in the panel or playing in the right position. Our league form was dubious to say the least . Had we a half forward line   of 
Jamie Clarke Ronan Clarke Stephen Kernan
Full forward line of Oisin McConville(yes I know controversial) Stephen McDonnell  Gareth Swift/Tony Kernan/Brian Mallon/ Micheal O Rourke       
  Vernon  toner...Midfield
Dyas McKeever A Kernan......half backs
Mallon  Donaghy Duffy.......Full Backs
Then PaulD123 I would be looking forward to this game and to be honest with an eye even on the Ulster title and further
But that is not the case and will not be the team
that is why ticket sales in Armagh are poor to say the least ,apart from all the other attractions . We do have the players  to give it a rattle but as I said they arent playing  and thats that.
We may well pull a big one but in many instances it will only paper over the cracks but I will be there cheering my heart out for the orchard. and may the best team win

[PAULD123]

What about the Minors lads? Could be a cracker of a game. Down will have all their College players and Armagh are league champions. With Derry out The winners will have a serious opportunity to push on for Ulster.

[David McKeown]

What about the Minors lads? Could be a cracker of a game. Down will have all their College players and Armagh are league champions. With Derry out The winners will have a serious opportunity to push on for Ulster.

Obviously all hypothetical but if Armagh were to win this game and the next and make the Ulster Minor final that would be some achievement for the management team. Three Ulster finals in three years.  First county to do that since Cavan in 1976 ( I think based on a quick google)

[Joe Umbrella (hey)]

Armagh's W.U.M. are busy at work!!!

I think your right there. This will be Armaghs biggest game in 12 months, all the rumours about unrest in the Armagh camp are nonsense. Armagh did not become a bad side over night, they did not retain Division 1 status (without the Cross lads) by  being piss poor and falling out with each other. The Armagh camp will be chomping at the bit for Saturday night, the underdogs tag along with home advantage will see the so called wounded animal bite hard.

At the minute its impossible to predict who will line out in defence for Down with the exception of big Dan and McKernan(not the best CHB in Ireland btw). Our current midfield finds it hard to gather possession for long periods during games and out leader Benny has'nt kicked a ball for six weeks.

Both sets of players know each other so well now, neither team will give an inch.

[mackers]

I don't think home advantage will have a big bearing on the result as Armagh's record at the Athletic Grounds isn't that good. I'd say Armagh will push Down hard for 60 minutes or so but I'd say Down's greater tactical nous and belief in themselves will see them win by 2-3 points.  That self belief used to carry us over the line in tight matches, I just don't believe it's there anymore.............hope I'm wrong.

[Applesisapples]

I hope you are right Joe but we seem to be disorganised at the moment with no discernible game plan.

[naka]

good to see oisin taking a few sessions with the team over these past few weeks,we will have a game plan in place

[Sligopatriot]

I dont know much about Armagh, but from having seen Down in the flesh in the qualifiers last year I think they will win this game quite easily. Marty Clarke in my opinion is one of the best in the game at the moment.

[brokencrossbar1]

I dont know much about Armagh, but from having seen Down in the flesh in the qualifiers last year I think they will win this game quite easily. Marty Clarke in my opinion is one of the best in the game at the moment.

No harm to you but how can you make this type of a judgement will a self admitted lack of knowledge of one of the teams?  Idiot talk at the highest order.  I actually have lost a lot of my pessimism as the day approaches.  As more people right Armagh off, (myself included to as many Down people as will listen ) the more I think things lie right for Armagh.  I think bringing Oisin into the set up is a very positive factor.  I think there is a cockiness about the Down support that will work in the favour of Armagh.  I know at first hand that isn't reflected in the Down squad but that doesn't mean it can't be said to be the case   Get the auld siege mentality going and anything can happen.  Whatever about spilits in the camp, and there are splits, the simple fact is that once the players pull on the jersey and run onto the field, the nature of this fixture means that form is shoved out the window.  Head would automatically saw Down but there is a sneaking feeling growing in the pit of my stomach(and it is not the reaction to red wine  had last night ) that this could be a day for an upset. 

[Oraisteach]

Good man BC1.  That's just the injection I need.  So what's all this about Oisin.  Has he gone to Tir na NOg and come back rejuvenated?