Sam Maguire 2024 Group 1 - Galway, Armagh, Derry, Westmeath

[Armagh18]

A little surprised that Stefan isnt down to start (of course this may not be the team that starts). We certainly have good options off the bench. Every one of those lads are capable starters.

Thought he was quiet enough against Derry and Murnin was always going to come back in. Soupy is a great impact player imo. Him, Oisin O'Neill and the 3 Cullyhanna men could all start and there be no noticeable drop off which is great.

[bennydorano]

Did anything happen with Mackin or are we going down a self imposed disciplinary route? A silly precedent to establish if we are imo.

Mackin aside, Higgins call is a bit left field but strong looking team and bench, not surprised Soupy was dropped tbh, he was the only relatively poor performer I noticed v Derry.

[Armagh18]

Did anything happen with Mackin or are we going down a self imposed disciplinary route? A silly precedent to establish if we are imo.

Mackin aside, Higgins call is a bit left field but strong looking team and bench, not surprised Souoy was dropped tbh, he was the only relatively poor performer I noticed v Derry.

Higgins very good anytime he's played but strange one given how little we saw of him all year.

Think Mackin is carrying a knock. Murnin had to come back in and Soupy was the only man that could have justifiably been dropped imo.

[illdecide]

KMcG rarely changes a winning team and i'm a bit surprised he did but not shocked. As LB said this may not be the starting 15 anyway but one thing is noticeable that the bench is as strong as i've ever seen it. 80% of that bench could start and not make a difference to the performance levels. I suppose the players starting now know if they're not on it from the start they will get the curly finger.
Looking forward to the game, should be a good one. Galway have a few injuries but that's what your squad is for and sometimes other players step up to the plate, Galway always do well against Armagh and I expect nothing less on Sunday. Hope it's dry and a good hard fair game...Armagh by the min 1pt (don't rule out a draw)

[toby47]

Armagh in a great position regarding squad depth. They can drop their least effective player each game, with no drop off in quality for the fella coming in - Keeps everyone on their toes. Lots of teams don't have that luxury. They have really built a strong panel, with very little men opting to leave the panel in recent years.

That Armagh bench is stacked with talent. Oisin O'Neill, Jason Duffy, Aidan Nugent, Soupy, Jarly Og, Greg McCabe, Paddy Burns.

Connaire Mackin suspended, Ciaran Mackin out with cruciate. With the likes of Jamar Hall & Cian McConville not making match day panels.

Anyone think we will see Ethan Rafferty appear this year at all? Even in an outfield capacity?

[illdecide]

Armagh in a great position regarding squad depth. They can drop their least effective player each game, with no drop off in quality for the fella coming in - Keeps everyone on their toes. Lots of teams don't have that luxury. They have really built a strong panel, with very little men opting to leave the panel in recent years.

That Armagh bench is stacked with talent. Oisin O'Neill, Jason Duffy, Aidan Nugent, Soupy, Jarly Og, Greg McCabe, Paddy Burns.

Connaire Mackin suspended, Ciaran Mackin out with cruciate. With the likes of Jamar Hall & Cian McConville not making match day panels.

Anyone think we will see Ethan Rafferty appear this year at all? Even in an outfield capacity?

Depends on injuries and form. If Hughes stays fit and keeps the form then can't see him in Goals. If we're desperate then he could be introduced with 5-10 to go on the edge of the square (Possibly)

[lurganblue]

On Higgins. I watched him for Maghery v Clans just a couple of weeks ago.  He was by far the best player on the pitch. Now obviously this is a different level but he's clearly in form.

[naka]

For Armagh/Galway, any word on injured or returning players?
The likes of Murnin and Burns for Armagh...Comer, Kelly and Finnerty for Galway?

murnin named
kelly and finnerty named
so if all playing neither has any excuses

[David McKeown]

I'm not sure what I make of either of these teams. Galway looked good against Mayo but statistically at least seemed to be greatly assisted by frees. They struggled against Sligo, beat a 14 man poor Derry team but didn't get out of 3rd gear. Then didn't set the world alight against Westmeath.

Armagh were comfortable against Fermanagh, poor against Down, decent to good for large parts against Donegal. I thought they were professional against Westmeath and then good against a poor Derry team.

So I'm not sure either are really top top teams as yet. It may well come down to who is missing. Comer would be a huge miss but both Mackins will also be missed.

[Captain Obvious]

Winner of the match in Markiewicz Park (or in Armagh's case a draw will do) will mean straight into Quarter final with two weeks to prepare for it. Mayo,Tyrone,Cork the possible opponents

For the loser a winnable home game the following week and if won its likely up against a rested Kerry, Dublin.

[David McKeown]

Winner of the match in Markiewicz Park (or in Armagh's case a draw will do) will mean straight into Quarter final with two weeks to prepare for it. Mayo,Tyrone,Cork the possible opponents

For the loser a winnable home game the following week and if won its likely up against a rested Kerry, Dublin.

I thought it was only likely Kerry or Dublin if Armagh lose as they couldn't meet Donegal or Galway again. Galway would have the choice of the division winners. Also is there not a larger number of potential preliminary QF opponents. Galway of course not being able to meet Mayo.

[statto]

Did anything happen with Mackin or are we going down a self imposed disciplinary route? A silly precedent to establish if we are imo.

Mackin aside, Higgins call is a bit left field but strong looking team and bench, not surprised Soupy was dropped tbh, he was the only relatively poor performer I noticed v Derry.

Armagh in a great position regarding squad depth. They can drop their least effective player each game, with no drop off in quality for the fella coming in - Keeps everyone on their toes. Lots of teams don't have that luxury. They have really built a strong panel, with very little men opting to leave the panel in recent years.

That Armagh bench is stacked with talent. Oisin O'Neill, Jason Duffy, Aidan Nugent, Soupy, Jarly Og, Greg McCabe, Paddy Burns.

Connaire Mackin suspended, Ciaran Mackin out with cruciate. With the likes of Jamar Hall & Cian McConville not making match day panels.

Anyone think we will see Ethan Rafferty appear this year at all? Even in an outfield capacity?

Depends on injuries and form. If Hughes stays fit and keeps the form then can't see him in Goals. If we're desperate then he could be introduced with 5-10 to go on the edge of the square (Possibly)

Given the depth that Armagh have its keeper or nothing I would say.  Murnin, McParland, O'Neills(s) are just as effective on the edge of the square so don't see a cameo role out the field. 

[armaghniac]

Did anything happen with Mackin or are we going down a self imposed disciplinary route? A silly precedent to establish if we are imo.

Mackin aside, Higgins call is a bit left field but strong looking team and bench, not surprised Soupy was dropped tbh, he was the only relatively poor performer I noticed v Derry.

If a player risked getting a completely pointless red card which may affect team performance and prejudice referees, then should he be there?

[statto]

Did anything happen with Mackin or are we going down a self imposed disciplinary route? A silly precedent to establish if we are imo.

Mackin aside, Higgins call is a bit left field but strong looking team and bench, not surprised Soupy was dropped tbh, he was the only relatively poor performer I noticed v Derry.

If a player risked getting a completely pointless red card which may affect team performance and prejudice referees, then should he be there?

I can only presume he is injured.  Mackin should have got the road and the game could have been totally different against Derry.  I don't think any manager is going to leave a player out because they should have saw red.  I would hope and expect management have addressed this internally and the player himself will know that what he did was needless and daft. 

[Taylor]

I thought I read he had got a one game ban?