Westmeath Vs Dublin - Croke Park

[Hound]

Collins
Its nonsense to say Westmeath aren't trying because of the backdoor. They're doing their best against a superior team. Perhaps their tactics could be better, but Leinster is more important to Westmeath than the qualifiers.

As rodney, I think it was said, I think the Leinster semis as a double bill in Croker makes sense, but the quarter finals should generally be held in provincial venues.

[rodney trotter]

Im convinced in games like this, the lesser side's management are aiming not to take a hammering and hoping for no injuries in order to protect some confidence going into the qualifiers.

Still love this sport but despite the drastic financial improvement over the last 20 years - thanks largely to so many games these days - Gaelic football as a viewing spectacle has gone so far backwards in the same time span it's untrue.

Don't be a plonker Rodney.

Your suggestion, while a logical one and actually a necessary one for sporting fairness and integrity, could only be brought about by (a) the GAA opting to lose money and (b) the GAA not going along with the wishes of Dublin's County Board.

Neither will ever happen.

Replying to your own post It will never happen but a great thought. It's all geared towards suiting the Dubs. But as long as they are sorting out the Gaa, why would they care about the rest

[Collins]

You know why crap like this is produced now in the first round of the championship? Because of the qualifiers.

Since the introduction of the back door system, teams know it doesn't matter if they face the best team in the province (and in this case the country) in the first round and lose. Sure they'll get another crack so why bother? It's not as if many care about provincial championships anymore anyway. It's genuinely sad.

Years ago you didn't get such a lack of passion. Yes, there has always been games with a huge gulf in class like this one, but before the back door, you at least had the lesser teams put their heart and soul into it.

They mightn't have won, or even got close by the 70th minute, but at least it was interesting for the majority of the game.

Now we get filth like this - teams with a pathetic attitude (which in turn effects the better team's performance and as a result the game suffers) - on a regular basis.

Yeah, things were way better when weaker teams trained all winter for one game in the summer and then they were gone.
The championship isn't just about the teams that can ultimately win it.
The qualifiers have thrown up some great games and some big shocks in recent years.
They provide great entertainment and excitement and keep the interest levels up for counties who have no realistic chance of silverware.

This was what the GAA spouted when they brought the qualifiers in. That the poor wee teams would train all year and only get one game. (Which is, of course, bullshit given the amount of pre season competitions and league games these days) It was said that the back door system gives the small counties a greater chance of success.

WRONG.

Before the back door, many many "big" teams trained all year and only got one game. Now if they are caught on the hop, they have a chance to recover.

In the end the qualifiers only serves to increase the disparity between the big counties and the lesser ones. Which, by the way, we have seen come to fruition in the last 10 years. Is it any wonder the big counties are getting better the smaller ones are getting worse?

We used to be treated to some epic games in the first round and some major shocks. Now, when a major shock happens, sure so what really? Waterford beat Kerry? Well Kerry will just come through the back door and beat them if they play again. It doesn't reward the smaller team as much as the old system did.

It's introduction was nothing to do with fair play or given the weaker teams another chance. It was to do with one thing and one thing alone - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

PS: It's not just this game, but others too. And this isn't about Westmeath's tactics or the fact they are much inferior. As I said, a gulf in class between sides is something that's always been there at this stage of the championship. My issue is with the attitude of Westmeath and other sides of their ilk. No hunger. No desire. No nastiness. No nothing.

[theticklemister]

Dubs are better. Question answered. Move on....

[Zulu]

As someone from one of the weakest counties in Ireland I'm delighted there is a competition format, flawed as it is, that helps the cream rise to the top. That IS what a competition format should do. Your argument seems to be based on a desire to be entertained whereas I would feel the competition format should be about fairness and the players. We've had some great championships recently and some great stories, what in the name of Jaysus do people want??

[Jinxy]

You know why crap like this is produced now in the first round of the championship? Because of the qualifiers.

Since the introduction of the back door system, teams know it doesn't matter if they face the best team in the province (and in this case the country) in the first round and lose. Sure they'll get another crack so why bother? It's not as if many care about provincial championships anymore anyway. It's genuinely sad.

Years ago you didn't get such a lack of passion. Yes, there has always been games with a huge gulf in class like this one, but before the back door, you at least had the lesser teams put their heart and soul into it.

They mightn't have won, or even got close by the 70th minute, but at least it was interesting for the majority of the game.

Now we get filth like this - teams with a pathetic attitude (which in turn effects the better team's performance and as a result the game suffers) - on a regular basis.

Yeah, things were way better when weaker teams trained all winter for one game in the summer and then they were gone.
The championship isn't just about the teams that can ultimately win it.
The qualifiers have thrown up some great games and some big shocks in recent years.
They provide great entertainment and excitement and keep the interest levels up for counties who have no realistic chance of silverware.

This was what the GAA spouted when they brought the qualifiers in. That the poor wee teams would train all year and only get one game. (Which is, of course, bullshit given the amount of pre season competitions and league games these days) It was said that the back door system gives the small counties a greater chance of success.

WRONG.

Before the back door, many many "big" teams trained all year and only got one game. Now if they are caught on the hop, they have a chance to recover.

In the end the qualifiers only serves to increase the disparity between the big counties and the lesser ones. Which, by the way, we have seen come to fruition in the last 10 years. Is it any wonder the big counties are getting better the smaller ones are getting worse?

We used to be treated to some epic games in the first round and some major shocks. Now, when a major shock happens, sure so what really? Waterford beat Kerry? Well Kerry will just come through the back door and beat them if they play again. It doesn't reward the smaller team as much as the old system did.

It's introduction was nothing to do with fair play or given the weaker teams another chance. It was to do with one thing and one thing alone - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

PS: It's not just this game, but others too. And this isn't about Westmeath's tactics or the fact they are much inferior. As I said, a gulf in class between sides is something that's always been there at this stage of the championship. My issue is with the attitude of Westmeath and other sides of their ilk. No hunger. No desire. No nastiness. No nothing.

After reading this, I really can't be bothered debating the issue any further.

[Captain Obvious]

They're doing their best against a superior team. Perhaps their tactics could be better, but Leinster is more important to Westmeath than the qualifiers.

Dublin are winning at ease in second gear. Westmeath can perform better than today and in fairness they got close to beating Kerry in the qualifiers last year and that was against another superior team.

[rodney trotter]

They're doing their best against a superior team. Perhaps their tactics could be better, but Leinster is more important to Westmeath than the qualifiers.

Dublin are winning at ease in second gear. Westmeath can perform better than today and in fairness they got close to beating Kerry in the qualifiers last year and that was against another superior team.

In Mullingar nonetheless, Dessie Dolan was a serious loss today. But the Dubs were always going to win.

[Jinxy]

They're doing their best against a superior team. Perhaps their tactics could be better, but Leinster is more important to Westmeath than the qualifiers.

Dublin are winning at ease in second gear. Westmeath can perform better than today and in fairness they got close to beating Kerry in the qualifiers last year and that was against another superior team.

That's another thing.
Teams grow into the qualifiers.
They move out of the big stadiums into smaller grounds with better atmosphere, against opposition they actually have a chance of beating.
Would Westmeath beat Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Tyrone or Mayo?
No, but they've no reason to fear anyone else.

[theticklemister]

Sack Pat Flanagan NOW!!!!




Spillane has been very good tonight.

[Gael85]

O'Brien named on the bench, niggle during the week probably cost him his starting jersey.

Good to see Cormac Costello on the bench. Gavin obviously has some trust in him despite him being injured throughout the league.

Supple, Bastick, Carty, Cullen, Devereux, Fitzsimons, McMahon, O'Gara and Rock are the other Dubs subs named

that a strong bench and still have Alan Brogan,Nolan and McManamon to come back. Is Emmet O'Conghaile still on panel?

[seafoid]

If you or someone you know have been upset watching this match, call the Division 2 victim support hotline .
A trained staff of Armagh, Laois, Galway and Longford fans are waiting to talk to you.

[From the Bunker]

Sack Pat Flanagan NOW!!!!




Spillane has been very good tonight.

Spillane was good tonight because there was nothing to analyse.

[Syferus]

If you or someone you know have been upset watching this match, call the Division 2 victim support hotline .
A trained staff of Armagh, Laois, Galway and Longford fans are waiting to talk to you.

Longford fans have some neck calling themselves D2.

[theticklemister]

Sack Pat Flanagan NOW!!!!




Spillane has been very good tonight.

Spillane was good tonight because there was nothing to analyse.

At least he told me why Waterford were playing Kerry 6 days after Kerry played their previous game