Tír Eoghain vs Áth Cliath '08

[INDIANA]

well they'll have to start teeing it up ie getting the best 15 , on the chance that they beat tyrone and advance down the line. because the reality is all teams left on our side of the draw are thinking about a potential joust with donaghy and kerry

[Yes I Would]

Looking forward to this one more so than any of the other quarters.

Gonna be a real battle. Dubs will not fancy meeting a Tyrone team who have yet to really ignite, with many questioning whether the old campaigners still have it and whether the young guns are good enough.
The longer Tyrone can stay in this game the more i would fancy them to take it. The expectation and pressure on these Dublin players is immense to deliver Sam.
Dublin have the firepower to win, no doubt about it, but Harte if anyone well be well aware of this and will be planning accordingly. Mc Menamin and Gormley seem to have refound their nasty streaks and will relish the battle.
Still not convinced by Dublins defence and feel that if Tyrone can get sufficient ball around the middle then, the cracks could appear. 

The victors in this one will gain serious confidence and should go on to contest the Kingdom for the title.

[DUBSFORSAM1]

I can't remember a Dublin victory over any one of the top teams in a long time so there's a massive level of pressure on Dublin going into this game - it's a must win game for the manager and team.  They're a bit overhyped (as usual) and Tyrone under Harte are very capable of putting in a big performance.  His ability to maximise his options and make the most of his resources in any one game is probably unrivalled by any other manager.   Tyrone have always got a chance in any game with the likes of McMenamin, Dooher and Cavanagh driving them on - big will to win with them. But they have gone back since 2005 - they are a slower team now all round, with far less intensity to their play (where's the ferocious, swarming tackling these days?).  Dublin have a decent set of forwards but will they have the composure and wherewithall as a team to do it?  Big question mark over whether they have developed to this point as a team yet and whether Pillar as a manager has learned anything these past few years. The Tyrone game will be a defining one for this Dublin team.

Who are the top teams though??? We lost to Kerry last year, Mayo the year before (threw it away), Tyrone in 05 etc...all the top team or 2nd best team in the country at the time....Tyrone have been losing to Down, Meath, Mayo etc and when they last beat one of the top teams???

So you haven't seen Pillar making quick changes when players are struggling, moving players to different positions, going hourses for course etc this season then???

[Armamike]

I can't remember a Dublin victory over any one of the top teams in a long time so there's a massive level of pressure on Dublin going into this game - it's a must win game for the manager and team.  They're a bit overhyped (as usual) and Tyrone under Harte are very capable of putting in a big performance.  His ability to maximise his options and make the most of his resources in any one game is probably unrivalled by any other manager.   Tyrone have always got a chance in any game with the likes of McMenamin, Dooher and Cavanagh driving them on - big will to win with them. But they have gone back since 2005 - they are a slower team now all round, with far less intensity to their play (where's the ferocious, swarming tackling these days?).  Dublin have a decent set of forwards but will they have the composure and wherewithall as a team to do it?  Big question mark over whether they have developed to this point as a team yet and whether Pillar as a manager has learned anything these past few years. The Tyrone game will be a defining one for this Dublin team.

Who are the top teams though??? We lost to Kerry last year, Mayo the year before (threw it away), Tyrone in 05 etc...all the top team or 2nd best team in the country at the time....Tyrone have been losing to Down, Meath, Mayo etc and when they last beat one of the top teams???

So you haven't seen Pillar making quick changes when players are struggling, moving players to different positions, going hourses for course etc this season then???

I was making the point that this Dublin side have failed against the top teams of the day for a number of years now. They now need to push on and take a big scalp. Dublin were beaten by Kerry last year, Tyrone in 05, Armagh in 02 and 03.  Kerry before that in 2001. All defeats to the top teams at that time. A lot of these players have been around since 2002 at least (not sure about 2001), so they need a big scalp now. I think Tyrone, regardless of their form this year, would be viewed as a big scalp and a confidence booster.  Dublin will never really believe they can win an AI until they take out one of the big guns - they've had too many big game losses  and sad stories stored up in the memory banks.  A win over Tyrone and they'll be chomping at the bit for the semis.

I'll hold judgement on Pillar until the pressure is really cranked up,  from the quarters onwards.

By the way, outside my own county i'd love to see Dublin win an AI - that team has put in a lot in over the past few years and have come back from some sickening defeats, so fair play if they can go on and do it.

[Jinxy]

I was at the 05 replay and the atmosphere when Dublin started reeling Tyrone in during the 2nd half was unreal. Never experienced noise like it.

[20leg-end08]

I was at the 05 replay and the atmosphere when Dublin started reeling Tyrone in during the 2nd half was unreal. Never experienced noise like it.

Very true but the best part was how quiet it all became when Mugsy scored the second goal and stared down the hill. One of the best moments of the year 

[Tyrones own]

I was at the 05 replay and the atmosphere when Dublin started reeling Tyrone in during the 2nd half was unreal. Never experienced noise like it.

I was at it as well, some atmosphere and noise alright.
Def can't beat the Dubs for the atmosphere....minus the soccer chants
and the whistling of free kicks of course

[Zapatista]

Def can't beat the Dubs for the atmosphere....minus the soccer chants
and the whistling of free kicks of course

the Monaghan fans were at that last Sunday too. Fermanagh give it a good lash in Clones too.

[ONeill]

Mugsy seems to be making noises regarding a starting slot. It seems likely that for the first time in 4 games, Mickey will not name the same side before the game. Was there any specific reason given for Quinn and Penrose not starting or was it simply tactical?

[loughshore lad]

Mugsy seems to be making noises regarding a starting slot. It seems likely that for the first time in 4 games, Mickey will not name the same side before the game. Was there any specific reason given for Quinn and Penrose not starting or was it simply tactical?

PJ had a back injury, he was having treatment all last week and a fitness test on saturday morning but didnt come through.

[ONeill]

On a more serious note, how are the beards coming along? Remember to include the women in this tactic as well.

[Doire abú]

I thought Tyrone wemen were the prototype, they've been growing beards for years.

[loughshore lad]

I thought Tyrone wemen were the prototype, they've been growing beards for years.

Maybe thats just the Ballinderry wemen?

[feetofflames]

Ive been growing abeard from Saturday too and it looks rediculous already, the wifes not speaking to me and I think it scares the kids. -  But I think its a great thing and I know at least 2 other supporters who are growing beards as well.  Lets keep them going until September anmd if we win Sam have a big charitable shave night.   

[Doohicky]

Don't think I'll be growing a beard. After 3 or 4 days it is bad enough. I'll just make sure and not shave for a few days before each match and I'll have a pretty full beard anyway.
If I didn't shave until the AI final I would be eligible to join ZZtop!