NFL Division 1

[J70]

I was pleasantly surprised how competitive we were yesterday considering the players we were missing and Donegal at full strength.

That said, the poor finishing and decision making is getting to be a habit now, that's three matches in a row, and that has to be getting into the players' heads. Grugan returning would help with the composure in the forward line.  He is our leader up there.  Next two matches are massive.

Donegal did not have Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy.
Grugan was certainly help, a calm head and an organiser.

O'Baoill, Patton, Thompson and Murphy were the only notable absentees from who will (assuming fitness is sorted) be in the regular rotation come championship. McBrearty, Niall O'Donnell and the two Dohertys have retired/opted out. Odhran McFadden Ferry has opted out too I believe, although he didn't feature a whole lot last year (apart from upsetting the Armagh bench after the final whistle in Clones! ).

[Armagh18]

I was pleasantly surprised how competitive we were yesterday considering the players we were missing and Donegal at full strength.

That said, the poor finishing and decision making is getting to be a habit now, that's three matches in a row, and that has to be getting into the players' heads. Grugan returning would help with the composure in the forward line.  He is our leader up there.  Next two matches are massive.

Donegal did not have Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy.
Grugan was certainly help, a calm head and an organiser.

O'Baoill, Patton, Thompson and Murphy were the only notable absentees from who will (assuming fitness is sorted) be in the regular rotation come championship. McBrearty, Niall O'Donnell and the two Dohertys have retired/opted out. Odhran McFadden Ferry has opted out too I believe, although he didn't feature a whole lot last year (apart from upsetting the Armagh bench after the final whistle in Clones! ).

Patton do well to get his place back, other fella seems to be serious operator.

I'd be leaving Murphy on the bench tbh and leave him as an impact sub, imagine the boost Donegal would get off him for 15 minutes in semi final or final down the line.

[mackers]

I was pleasantly surprised how competitive we were yesterday considering the players we were missing and Donegal at full strength.

That said, the poor finishing and decision making is getting to be a habit now, that's three matches in a row, and that has to be getting into the players' heads. Grugan returning would help with the composure in the forward line.  He is our leader up there.  Next two matches are massive.

Donegal did not have Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy.
Grugan was certainly help, a calm head and an organiser.

Forgot about O Baoill, super player.  Murphy will be used as a sub as others have said.

[gallsman]

Come the big games in the summer I fully expect Murphy will be starting.

[lurganblue]

I was pleasantly surprised how competitive we were yesterday considering the players we were missing and Donegal at full strength.

That said, the poor finishing and decision making is getting to be a habit now, that's three matches in a row, and that has to be getting into the players' heads. Grugan returning would help with the composure in the forward line.  He is our leader up there.  Next two matches are massive.

Donegal did not have Daire Ó Baoill and Michael Murphy.
Grugan was certainly help, a calm head and an organiser.

O'Baoill, Patton, Thompson and Murphy were the only notable absentees from who will (assuming fitness is sorted) be in the regular rotation come championship. McBrearty, Niall O'Donnell and the two Dohertys have retired/opted out. Odhran McFadden Ferry has opted out too I believe, although he didn't feature a whole lot last year (apart from upsetting the Armagh bench after the final whistle in Clones! ).

Patton do well to get his place back, other fella seems to be serious operator.

I'd be leaving Murphy on the bench tbh and leave him as an impact sub, imagine the boost Donegal would get off him for 15 minutes in semi final or final down the line.

Top class he was. Even the odd kickout with the left foot that went exactly where he wanted it.

[AustinPowers]

Come the big games in the summer I fully expect Murphy will be starting.

....his antics again.

[naka]

Come the big games in the summer I fully expect Murphy will be starting.

Actually think Donegal are better with him off the bench.
Age catches up with all .

[gallsman]

Come the big games in the summer I fully expect Murphy will be starting.

Actually think Donegal are better with him off the bench.
Age catches up with all .

We'll have to see. He was a FOTY nominee like. It's certainly possible at his, but to go from that to incapable of starting would be a hell of a fall off.

[twohands!!!]

Murphy completely faded out of games all throughout the championship last year.

It was blatantly obvious he wasn't up to impacting a full game.

I thought it was terrible management by McGuinness having him start games last year.

It will be incompetence on a hilarious level if he's playing full games this summer.

[DaleCooper]

Was expecting the Canavan strategy. With Murphys maybe pull him 5 mins before half time, then bring him in last 20mins.

[illdecide]

Donegal v Galway - Donegal x3
Kerry v Monaghan - Kerry x10
Mayo v Armagh - Mayo x5
Roscommon v Dublin - Rossies x2

[bennydorano]

Funny enough I fancy Armagh this weekend. We're not playing too bad, won't take much to turn the point or 2 defeats into victories. Our FB line is the main concern, young and green, it would be great to see McKay or McElroy back in there. Forker can't be too far away but I can only see regression with him tbh after the year he's had with injuries. Would like to see Thomas Galvin getting minutes up front, I've heard a bit of excited chatter about him.

[5times5times]

IMO, not all as doom & gloom as Armagh ones making out... They're head & shoulders above anything thats in Div2.

Should have beat Galway, bar incorrect breach call + 50m pen for last play
Should have beat Rosc, bar stupid breach call again & missed goal chances
Could have beat Donegal, and missing the following for the 4 games thus far, not inc retirees.

McElroy - Played 1.5 games
Murnin - Played 2.5 games
McKay
ONeill
McCambridge
Mackin x2
Grugan
Forker
Grimley

[statto]

Funny enough I fancy Armagh this weekend. We're not playing too bad, won't take much to turn the point or 2 defeats into victories. Our FB line is the main concern, young and green, it would be great to see McKay or McElroy back in there. Forker can't be too far away but I can only see regression with him tbh after the year he's had with injuries. Would like to see Thomas Galvin getting minutes up front, I've heard a bit of excited chatter about him.

McElroy is vital to the Armagh team he does alot of the dog work and link play, I don't like him playing in the inside line at all to me doesn't utilise his strengths. Would agree that the full back line is a concern I think there's a player in Murphy but would be better beside a couple of more experienced heads.  Would have Paddy Burns playing ahead of McGrane, who I don't think has had a great league. 

Hoping that Armagh's greater need for win will see them over the line in this one. 

[statto]

IMO, not all as doom & gloom as Armagh ones making out... They're head & shoulders above anything thats in Div2.

Should have beat Galway, bar incorrect breach call + 50m pen for last play
Should have beat Rosc, bar stupid breach call again & missed goal chances
Could have beat Donegal, and missing the following for the 4 games thus far, not inc retirees.

ONeill
McCambridge
Mackin x2
Grugan
Forker
Grimley
Murnin

O'Neill, Grimley, Connaire Mackin won't likely be involved this year for one reason or another.  Grugan would be one to add to the list.

I am encouraged by the league to date despite the position we are in. The transition period has started and are still competing well though Donegal/Kerry seem to have made a bit of seperation with the pack.