All-Ireland QFs: Armagh/Roscommon, Dublin/Galway, Donegal/Louth, Kerry/Derry

[tbrick18]

From a Dubs viewpoint, Cork would be the easiest draw we could get on paper.
Comer is the man I fear most. It was great to see him back yesterday, but only saw highlights so not sure how he was moving.  A fully fit Comer can destroy our full back line. Of course Walsh going off injured not good. They can never seem to get the full complement of their best players fully fit at the same time.

The extra week is a deserved advantage obtained by the group toppers, but is no guarantee of success.

Seems as if the preliminary quarters will be done away with next year so the extra week won't be a factor anymore.
If we draw Donegal we have a chance - if we draw Kerry or Dublin we have no chance.
That's the way I see it.

I think there's an uncertainty about how good Kerry are. But even if they are really good, I think they'll be vulnerable in the quarters as they've coasted to here, and if they get Galway or Derry, they'll have to switch it on big time.

Dubs haven't reached the intensity of last year. This is similar to 2012, 2014 and 2020. It's very difficult to defend when you have reached the target the previous year and need to start from scratch again.  From 2015 the aim wasn't to win 1 AI, it was to win 2 in a row, and when that was achieved it was immediately switched to 5 in a row. Levels naturally dropped when that was achieved. We should not have won in 2020 but the way that season worked out we didn't face anyone good enough to beat us even playing in 2nd/3rd gear.

Last year was a really massive effort and the goal was achieved. Intensity levels have, naturally, been down a bit this year. I felt we would need to suffer a sore loss to get it back and come through that way. Now maybe the Mayo draw when we could/should have lost will get us back to that level, it should certainly bring us on somewhat. But we are definitely not unbeatable for a Galway, Derry, Armagh, Donegal (as we pretty much were for those teams during the 5 in a row period) if they can produce a very good performance.

Long long time from we played Dublin in championship, would be a free hit if we did meet as we'd obviously be written off.

Dublin or Kerry will beat Derry out the gate. Galway with a full team have a good chance against any but given the turnaround and injuries they'll struggle.

No point Derry showing up if we get Dublin or Kerry.
Unless penalties are a cert. Then we'd be happy enough.
No point showing up against Donegal either, the master tactician will school us again.
We should probably withdraw from the rest of the year.

Armagh on the otherhand are flying - after a tough Ulster campaign squeezing past the powerhouses of Fermanagh and Down, and then losing a 2nd Ulster final in a row on penalties to Donegal, they were well set up for the group stages. After topping the group with a draw in the final group game against a top Galway side (missing their star player and hampered by injuries), the AI is just a sniff away now. Best forwards in the country, put your money on them now - especially with the tactical genius of McGeeney! They have proved themselves this year, with all the top teams they have beaten, as being a being a top side - especially after tanking a Derry team in complete disarray.

[tbrick18]

Shur how would they fix it on tv

To be fair - I had the same thoughts. 

[Armagh18]

From a Dubs viewpoint, Cork would be the easiest draw we could get on paper.
Comer is the man I fear most. It was great to see him back yesterday, but only saw highlights so not sure how he was moving.  A fully fit Comer can destroy our full back line. Of course Walsh going off injured not good. They can never seem to get the full complement of their best players fully fit at the same time.

The extra week is a deserved advantage obtained by the group toppers, but is no guarantee of success.

Seems as if the preliminary quarters will be done away with next year so the extra week won't be a factor anymore.
If we draw Donegal we have a chance - if we draw Kerry or Dublin we have no chance.
That's the way I see it.

I think there's an uncertainty about how good Kerry are. But even if they are really good, I think they'll be vulnerable in the quarters as they've coasted to here, and if they get Galway or Derry, they'll have to switch it on big time.

Dubs haven't reached the intensity of last year. This is similar to 2012, 2014 and 2020. It's very difficult to defend when you have reached the target the previous year and need to start from scratch again.  From 2015 the aim wasn't to win 1 AI, it was to win 2 in a row, and when that was achieved it was immediately switched to 5 in a row. Levels naturally dropped when that was achieved. We should not have won in 2020 but the way that season worked out we didn't face anyone good enough to beat us even playing in 2nd/3rd gear.

Last year was a really massive effort and the goal was achieved. Intensity levels have, naturally, been down a bit this year. I felt we would need to suffer a sore loss to get it back and come through that way. Now maybe the Mayo draw when we could/should have lost will get us back to that level, it should certainly bring us on somewhat. But we are definitely not unbeatable for a Galway, Derry, Armagh, Donegal (as we pretty much were for those teams during the 5 in a row period) if they can produce a very good performance.

Long long time from we played Dublin in championship, would be a free hit if we did meet as we'd obviously be written off.

Dublin or Kerry will beat Derry out the gate. Galway with a full team have a good chance against any but given the turnaround and injuries they'll struggle.

No point Derry showing up if we get Dublin or Kerry.
Unless penalties are a cert. Then we'd be happy enough.
No point showing up against Donegal either, the master tactician will school us again.
We should probably withdraw from the rest of the year.

Armagh on the otherhand are flying - after a tough Ulster campaign squeezing past the powerhouses of Fermanagh and Down, and then losing a 2nd Ulster final in a row on penalties to Donegal, they were well set up for the group stages. After topping the group with a draw in the final group game against a top Galway side (missing their star player and hampered by injuries), the AI is just a sniff away now. Best forwards in the country, put your money on them now - especially with the tactical genius of McGeeney! They have proved themselves this year, with all the top teams they have beaten, as being a being a top side - especially after tanking a Derry team in complete disarray.

Bit early for the stout yet..

[armaghniac]

[Applesisapples]

Armagh unlucky to lose to Donegal, but down to a lack of killer instinct when required in a game. They were lucky to meet a Derry side in free fall. They were poor for most of the Galway game and lucked out in the end. How anyone makes them third favourites for the AI I can't fathom.

[bennydorano]

It's just the vagaries of betting and being in the QF round when there was still a prelim round to run off, when the 4 QFs are set the betting will change again. A kind draw might keep us high up in the betting but we are well aware of the reality.

[Armagh18]

Armagh unlucky to lose to Donegal, but down to a lack of killer instinct when required in a game. They were lucky to meet a Derry side in free fall. They were poor for most of the Galway game and lucked out in the end. How anyone makes them third favourites for the AI I can't fathom.

4 teams that were straight into quarter finals were always going to be favourites pre this weekend.


Dublin and Kerry obviously 2 favourites as usual but then not much between us and Donegal.

[Wildweasel74]

Still in there, with a no. Of men still not firing on all cylinders, looked alot better playing defensive, even if alot of kickouts are conceded. Has done that In previous games we not conceded 9 goals. Thought b4 half time Glass should took his point, instead  of us trying to run it into the bck of the net. Mayo came up the field and scored, leaving 3 in it at half time and not 5pt lead. As for the ref, enough said, but the free Mayo picked up from O'Shea pushing McAvoy in the bck to the ground and him touching the ball on the ground. About everybody seen the push but the Ref.

[Armagh18]

And again!

[bennydorano]

I assume the draw will be similar to last year - not fully open, Dublin or Armagh will have to be drew out first I'd imagine? Possibly first & second?

[David McKeown]

So is it?

Armagh have to draw Roscommon or Louth with Donegal playing the other.

Dublin have to draw Derry or Galway and Kerry the other.

Going to be interesting.

[David McKeown]

So is it?

Armagh have to draw Roscommon or Louth with Donegal playing the other.

Dublin have to draw Derry or Galway and Kerry the other.

Going to be interesting.

No
You could have
Donegal v Derry
Armagh v Louth
Dublin v Galway
Kerry v Roscommon

[balladmaker]

It's looking like Dublin/Kerry vs Galway/Derry, and Armagh/Donegal vs Louth/Roscommon?

The following repeat pairings will not be allowed:

Kerry v Louth
Dublin v Louth/Roscommon
Armagh v Galway/Derry

[Walter Cronc]

Nice easy draw for Armagh coming up. Will the lurgan men travel or too busy watching the soccer?

[From the Bunker]

Can anyone see a pre-quarter final county winning next weekend? I just can't myself.
Derry would have been the best bet, but the extra time grind v Mayo has watered that down.