FERMANAGH V DOWN Preliminary Round USFC

[FermPundit]

Good to see Clucker back.  But Owens, Womble and McCabe are looking unlikely to be back.

You're right FP.  We need to ensure Clucker and Mcgrath are fit for the Down match if we are to have any chance.

After all the rotating in the McKenna Cup and League we have no more of a view of what the team is likely to be.  Aside from one or two of Daryl K, O'Brien and Carson starting it's probably going to be a similar team to last year's championship (minus the aforementioned players)

It doesn't really have the makings of a classic this one....

I can't see too many changes from last year's team as well. Hopefully Marty will start at midfield allowing Ryan Carson to move to full forward. He showed well against Armagh in the league in this position so he could cause the Down full back line one or two problems.

For the love of God, don't be putting Fermanagh on the TV again this year. I'd rather watch re-runs of the Antiques Roadshow outtakes.

Now don't be silly, O'Neill. We all know that secretly you're a big fan of Fermanagh football and their style of play. Nothing would make you prouder than seeing the Erne county winning its first ever Ulster title 

[lfdown2]

jesus fermanagh lads dont see where all the pessimisim is coming from, i would say there will be little more than a point or 2 in it either way, both sides seem in a similar position, fermanagh playing higher class of opposition and demoted, down playing 'lower' opposition and promoted, neither with a settled team, both with injuries and imho the fermanagh 15 that finished the league are at least as good as the down 15.... so it must be mind games from the fermanagh lads!!

[Our Nail Loney]

Yeah I would have Fermanagh to win this by three as it stands.

[Leo]

My team at moment would be:

1 B McVeigh
2 L Howard
3 C Garvey
4 D Rafferty
5 A Carr
6 D Rooney
7 P Murphy
8 P Fitzpatrick
9 D Gordon
10 A Rodgers
11 K McKernan
12 D Hughes
13 P McComiskey
14 B Coulter
15 R Murtagh

How about:

McVeigh
Cole
Garvey
Howard
Murphy
Turley
Duffin or Rafferty
Gordon
Fitzpatrick
Maginn
Rodges
Hughes
McComiskey
Coulter
Carr (playing as a 3rd midfielder)

[Mourne Rover]

I think Leo's team is pretty close to our strongest line-up, although we should probably have experimented with Carr as a third midfielder during the league and not left it until the championship. I also think that starting Fitzpatrick at midfield in his championship debut would be a big gamble. Kearney was average against Tipperary but had a reasonable league, so it might make more sense to keep him beside Dan and move Fitzpatrick to CHF.

I'd love to see Ambrose in there, but, as he could not manage even ten minutes against Tipp, he must be more likely to come off the bench. Although Maginn has been excellent for the u21s, he looked lightweight during his senior games so far. I would be more inclined to take a chance on Michael Magee, who is not only a decent size but gives us a left-sided option from both frees and play, with Hughes as the other wing forwrd.

However, given his recent  selections, I would not be surprised if Ross starts McGovern ahead of Cole at corner back and finds a place for Murtagh up front. I don't think either of those guys will let anyone down, but their league form was mixed at best.

Depending on how things go in the u21 final, Murney and O'Reilly could also be in the shake-up.  Ireland is another possibility, as we are short of left-footers and he was one of the few who did well against Tipp.

[Trevor Hill]

I`ll go with

McVeigh
Cole, Garvey, Howard.
Carr, Murphy, Duffin.
Fitzpatrick, Gordon.
Maginn, Coulter, Ireland.
Hughes, McComiskey, J O`Reilly

I think Coulter will be wasted in the full forward line if we aren't getting a good supply of ball into him and Maginn, O`Reilly and Hughes would get great supply from him, with McComiskey and O`Reilly playing as a 2 man full forward line. I haven't included any of the injured players as we have shown that throwing players into big games while they aren't fully recovered isn't the answer.
Failing that I would just put out the U21 team with Coulter and Gordon included. They have shown they can shoot from distance, unlike most of the senior panel and are not afraid of the likes of Armagh and Tyrone.

[D4S]

I see the match is live on RTE 3.30pm.  Hopefully be a decent match or Joe Brolly (although i like him) will take great delight in slating both teams.  The 1st round game The Winners v Cavan is also on live RTE 7pm sat 6th June.

If Fitzpatrick continues playin the way he is for the U21s and has a great final, himself + Dan Gordon in midfield on 17th May will be a great pairing.  He's still young but think he's levelheaded, experienced and strong enough to make the transition to senior championship football.  Think we will win this one by 3-4 points, Down will not play like they did against Tipp last week...massive difference in a Division 3 League Final in front of 300 in Longford and championship football in Brewster Park with an attendance in the region of 15-18000!

[Leo]

Heard that the match will be all-ticket.

[haranguerer]

Preliminary round is crap...people are stuck in the middle of exams in May and so won't be able to drive up and down...and our crappy TV service has BBC1 NI but not BBC2 NI...so all I can do is pray RTE will televise it 

Live on RTE for those with misplaced loyalty 

Not sure whats gonna happen. I don't think Fermanaghs league form is to be unduly worried about - lot of experimentation, and just the wrong side of a few close results. Nothing expected going into championship, perfect for fermanagh. Havent seen much of down - very bad at the back against tipp who always seemed to have a free man on the overlap, but they've a few to bring back, and if they're let play they certainly will. Think they still lack the quality through the team though, and hopefully fermanagh can contain the big threats.

I'm expecting a good game though, contrary to the opinions of those who swiftly jumped off the bandwagon after the defeat by kildare last yr.

[FermPundit]

Preliminary round is crap...people are stuck in the middle of exams in May and so won't be able to drive up and down...and our crappy TV service has BBC1 NI but not BBC2 NI...so all I can do is pray RTE will televise it 

Live on RTE for those with misplaced loyalty 

Not sure whats gonna happen. I don't think Fermanaghs league form is to be unduly worried about - lot of experimentation, and just the wrong side of a few close results. Nothing expected going into championship, perfect for fermanagh. Havent seen much of down - very bad at the back against tipp who always seemed to have a free man on the overlap, but they've a few to bring back, and if they're let play they certainly will. Think they still lack the quality through the team though, and hopefully fermanagh can contain the big threats.

I'm expecting a good game though, contrary to the opinions of those who swiftly jumped off the bandwagon after the defeat by kildare last yr.

Good point, haranguerer. The crowds at the NFL games fell off badly as Fermanagh struggled through the league. Hopefully everyone turns out to support the boys on the 17th May, even if the game in on TV.

massive difference in a Division 3 League Final in front of 300 in Longford and championship football in Brewster Park with an attendance in the region of 15-18000!

I honestly can't see an attendance as big as this. I would suggest a crowd of around 10-13,000 would be more realistic.

[mylestheslasher]

I think Fermanagh will win this. I don't think Down have the same work rate or intensity as Fermanagh. I also think that Down are liable to implode when the pressure is put on. The game is in enniskillen which is a hateful place to go to get a result. Saying that I'd like Fermanagh to win as I'd like Cavan to have a home game against the winners (if Down win the next game is in Newry).

[FermPundit]

I think Fermanagh will win this. I don't think Down have the same work rate or intensity as Fermanagh. I also think that Down are liable to implode when the pressure is put on. The game is in enniskillen which is a hateful place to go to get a result. Saying that I'd like Fermanagh to win as I'd like Cavan to have a home game against the winners (if Down win the next game is in Newry).

Have Fermanagh played Cavan since the All Ireland Qualifier in 2003? They probably have but I can't remember it

[mylestheslasher]

I think Fermanagh will win this. I don't think Down have the same work rate or intensity as Fermanagh. I also think that Down are liable to implode when the pressure is put on. The game is in enniskillen which is a hateful place to go to get a result. Saying that I'd like Fermanagh to win as I'd like Cavan to have a home game against the winners (if Down win the next game is in Newry).

Have Fermanagh played Cavan since the All Ireland Qualifier in 2003? They probably have but I can't remember it

They haven't met in league and championship since then but maybe they did in the McKenna cup or a challenge.

[FermPundit]

I think Fermanagh will win this. I don't think Down have the same work rate or intensity as Fermanagh. I also think that Down are liable to implode when the pressure is put on. The game is in enniskillen which is a hateful place to go to get a result. Saying that I'd like Fermanagh to win as I'd like Cavan to have a home game against the winners (if Down win the next game is in Newry).

Have Fermanagh played Cavan since the All Ireland Qualifier in 2003? They probably have but I can't remember it

They haven't met in league and championship since then but maybe they did in the McKenna cup or a challenge.

Yeah, I was thinking the same. We've had some great matches with Cavan over the years. Here's hoping we have another one this summer!

[downgirl]

Preliminary round is crap...people are stuck in the middle of exams in May and so won't be able to drive up and down...and our crappy TV service has BBC1 NI but not BBC2 NI...so all I can do is pray RTE will televise it 

Live on RTE for those with misplaced loyalty 

Not sure whats gonna happen. I don't think Fermanaghs league form is to be unduly worried about - lot of experimentation, and just the wrong side of a few close results. Nothing expected going into championship, perfect for fermanagh. Havent seen much of down - very bad at the back against tipp who always seemed to have a free man on the overlap, but they've a few to bring back, and if they're let play they certainly will. Think they still lack the quality through the team though, and hopefully fermanagh can contain the big threats.

I'm expecting a good game though, contrary to the opinions of those who swiftly jumped off the bandwagon after the defeat by kildare last yr.

I know...I shouldn't even be allowed to watch it!!