NFL Division 3 2012

Keane · January 30, 2012, 05:31:53 PM

Wexford are the class of the division on paper but don't really seem to fire in the NFL.

AZOffaly · January 30, 2012, 05:34:11 PM

Janey I dunno Keane. Wexford wouldn't put the fear of God into anybody. They might be marginally the best team there, but I don't think anyone will be approaching their respective Wexford game thinking they'll be definitely losing.

Syferus · January 30, 2012, 05:39:52 PM

Wexford, depending on their panel, would be one of the strongest in the division but they're hardly head-and-shoulders above anyone. I'd say if we had a full panel available we'd be the strongest team - we've got good recent records against Sligo, Cavan and Longford and we beat Wexford over two championship games in 2009, and we're a far better team now. But like BallyhaiseMan said, this division can be very unpredictable and no team should be going into the season thinking they can't be promoted.

AZOffaly · January 30, 2012, 05:41:54 PM

I think that's why the division is so tight. I can honestly say that I would not be surprised if Offaly won every match in the division, nor lost every match in the division. I don't think there is any team I'd look at there and say, lovely, easy two points. (If you would ever say that as an Offaly person). Nor would I look at it and say 'Well, we're f*cked in that one'. (Ditto re Offaly person).

Lone Shark · January 30, 2012, 08:03:39 PM

Like AZ, I wouldn't go into any of the games out of the seven expecting to win, and neither would I go into any of the games thinking that we were without a decent chance, 30% at least.

Having said that, if somebody offered me a sixth place finish in the division now, I'd happily take it. We've a very new team, no idea when our one top class forward will be available for selection, and question marks over nearly every position. Richie Dalton will probably start at 8 or 9 in the championship, but other than that I wouldn't bet on anyone starting against Kildare at 3, 6, 8, 9, 11 or 14 at even money - which is a lot of questions to answer over the course of a league campaign.

Looking at the division generally, I'd agree with the sentiments that it's a difficult one to call, but I'd agree with the bookies rather than the consensus here with regard to Roscommon. They haven't beaten anyone other than division four teams and Sligo for two years - that's hardly the kind of form to suggest that they should be so highly rated in this league. 9/1 might be value if the St Brigids lads were available the whole way through, but without them, I'd honestly say they'd be my favourites to make the drop, albeit again in a league where any one of the eight could easily finish on the bottom.

Cavan for value for me. If they even improve a little bit they'll be right in there, four home games and plenty of good young footballers to bring on board.

commonman · January 30, 2012, 08:11:30 PM

Syferus, i don't know where you got our good rrecent records against longford cavan and sligo. Didnt longford hammer us last April and tihs weekend two years ago Cavan came to the hyde and scored 1-20 to our 1-10. And sure werent we blessed to beat sligo that last time we played them in the 2010 connacht final, as Eamon O Hara says (quite often) if the game was played the following tueday sligo would have won.
I'd be worried, we havent seen any sight of the likes of cregg, carty ward or o grady in the FBD, all due to injury i presume, we are missing at least 4 certain starters in mannion dommo senan and ian kilbride with bridgids and the likes of keenan and collins cannot make the DCU team. And the you have the curse of emmigration robbing us of james mckeague and when you take into account the fact that the new management will take a while to settle in, and we've no sponsor and no money. We're in poor shape really.

AZOffaly · January 30, 2012, 09:41:59 PM

Now *that* is quality cute hoorism

ross4life · January 30, 2012, 10:33:43 PM

With up to nine players out, now is the time to prove we have strength in depth better than i & many other rossies expect. It's worth pointing out the last time we played all these teams in the league we lost so the only way is up from here.

Looking at last year's Div 3 table 6pts got Limerick relegated while Louth got promotion with 8pts more of the same this year i feel.

Syferus · January 30, 2012, 10:51:16 PM

It all depends on how things sake down. Two points in Kiltoom on Sunday will set us up in a very good position going forward as that Tipp team is likely to, at minimum, be taking points off alot of teams. Do that and we'll be getting progressively strong each week as the college players start to come in more and the strange rash of groin injuries clear up. We got promoted last year without the Brigids players for the most part, and even though the standard is obviously higher this year that doesn't have to be the make-or-break factor in being promoted in the league.

I've noticed a tendency towards fatalism in supporters here but we're not going to be the only county suffering absentees and injuries.

Mayo Mick · January 30, 2012, 11:09:07 PM

Cavan and Tipp to go up. Offaly and Sheepmen for the drop.

mylestheslasher · January 30, 2012, 11:09:36 PM

Cavan are going to beat wexford on Sunday. You heard it here first.

ross4life · January 31, 2012, 01:27:19 AM

Quote from: Mayo Mick on January 30, 2012, 11:09:07 PM
Cavan and Tipp to go up. Offaly and Sheepmen for the drop.

? Meanwhile in Mayo.

Croí na hÉireann · January 31, 2012, 10:17:42 AM

Quote from: AZOffaly on January 30, 2012, 04:23:52 PM
Just the way we like it I remember the same last year, and I think we came within a last gasp defeat to Westmeath of making it up into Division 2.

It was winner takes all in Cusack Park and to be honest only for McNamee and some sloppy defending on our part Offaly would have been beat out the gate at half time. Easily our best performance of the year before we completely imploded in the championship.

Wexford will take one of the promotion spots with the other one up for grabs for any of the other 7, this division will be really tight again this year.

SLIGONIAN · January 31, 2012, 11:31:59 AM

Quote from: Magicsponge on January 30, 2012, 03:57:13 PM
Antrim
Sligo
Wexford
Roscommon
Tipperary
Cavan
Longford
Offaly

I originally only had one of Sligo and Antrim going up but I changed it because I've grown fond of Sligo and couldn't bare to be apart from them

Likewise, im at the stage now of our relationship that if we go up it just wouldnt feel right without Antrim by our side

im glad the feelings mutual.

SLIGONIAN · January 31, 2012, 11:37:06 AM

Quote from: commonman on January 30, 2012, 08:11:30 PM
Syferus, i don't know where you got our good rrecent records against longford cavan and sligo. Didnt longford hammer us last April and tihs weekend two years ago Cavan came to the hyde and scored 1-20 to our 1-10. And sure werent we blessed to beat sligo that last time we played them in the 2010 connacht final, as Eamon O Hara says (quite often) if the game was played the following tueday sligo would have won.
I'd be worried, we havent seen any sight of the likes of cregg, carty ward or o grady in the FBD, all due to injury i presume, we are missing at least 4 certain starters in mannion dommo senan and ian kilbride with bridgids and the likes of keenan and collins cannot make the DCU team. And the you have the curse of emmigration robbing us of james mckeague and when you take into account the fact that the new management will take a while to settle in, and we've no sponsor and no money. We're in poor shape really.

I'll another Eamonn o hara quote "i know roscommon only beat us by a point but they were way better than that on the day, should of been more" on that RTE show with marty last yr and I tend to agree with him. The ref should of played more Injury time and that was the only complaint from us but ye should of buried long before that far the better team.