Football Championship 2014

iDave

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Indeed it is. It's already up on the GAA website that in 'A' it's Cork v Sligo and Galway v Tipperary -no draw needed as this was the only combination possible.

If, and it's a big if, Monaghan and Meath lose next weekend and Armagh and Kildare come through Round 3B, then it would be Meath v Armagh and Monaghan v Kildare with no draw.

Looking further ahead...assuming Cork and Galway win, it would be Kerry v Galway and Mayo v Cork, again, no draw as this is the only allowed combination.

And, if Meath beat Armagh and Monaghan beat Kildare, then it would be Donegal v Meath and Dublin v Monaghan.

But this is extreme whataboutery!

All I can do is pray your correct. According to the Kildare thread Meath won't stand a chance against this mighty resurgent Kildare team.

Fr Tod Umptious

Slattsy wrote: »

Dublin v Kerry final.


The final every one wants. The creme de la creme.
Was really hoping the split would work like that.

Your dead right

Anything other than a Kerry v Dublin final would be a pure let down.

K-9

iDave wrote: »

All I can do is pray your correct. According to the Kildare thread Meath won't stand a chance against this mighty resurgent Kildare team.

Oh it's that time of year again! I haven't seen enough of Kildare this year but impressive win yesterday. As for Dublin Kerry final, I hope not, could be a very short final as I think the Dubs would maul them.

Boom__Boom

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Your dead right

Anything other than a Kerry v Dublin final would be a pure let down.

Quoted for posterity

Slattsy

Hee hee

iDave

Looking forward to round 4. Perversely one of my favourite rounds of the championship. Mainly for the mish-mash of teams you can get. A combination of wounded provincial losers, highly fancied teams recovering from an earlier defeat and underdogs looking to make a breakthrough.


On the A side:


Cork v Sligo

Galway v Tipp


On the B side

Anyone from Kildare, Clare, Roscommon, Armagh, Dublin, Meath, Monaghan and Donegal.

Lemlin

iDave wrote: »

Looking forward to round 4. Perversely one of my favourite rounds of the championship. Mainly for the mish-mash of teams you can get. A combination of wounded provincial losers, highly fancied teams recovering from an earlier defeat and underdogs looking to make a breakthrough.


On the A side:


Cork v Sligo

Galway v Tipp


On the B side

Anyone from Kildare, Clare, Roscommon, Armagh, Dublin, Meath, Monaghan and Donegal.

The A side still looks very weak tbh. It's nice to see Tipp get this far but I hope the qualifiers won't end up this lopsided every year.

Fr Tod Umptious

Lemlin wrote: »

The A side still looks very weak tbh. It's nice to see Tipp get this far but I hope the qualifiers won't end up this lopsided every year.

Even better would be that they don't keep the A and B system at all.

I would not be one bit surprised if Sligo and Tipp win the Rnd 4A games.

Tipp have a bit of a head of steam built up, beat a Laois team that would not be too far off Galway.

Cork had a horrendous Munster final and it's hard to know where exactly they are at.
Will the dual players will play ? I'm sure prep for a Al SF, even though a month away, is higher on the totem pole than a qualifier v Sligo.

Even though the losing provincial finalists no longer have a 6 day turn around it is still difficult to pull yourself up after losing a provincial final, and in both cases Cork and Galway were well beaten on the day.

K-9

There were encouraging signs from Galway though, if they'd taken half their chances they might have made a real game of it, depends which Galway shows up. Any complacency and Tipp will take them. I suppose the problem with the draw is putting the Munster and Connaught losers on the same side of the draw. They are the 2 smallest provinces and really shouldn't be paired together.

Was the draw made for the B side yet?

Fr Tod Umptious

K-9 wrote: »

There were encouraging signs from Galway though, if they'd taken half their chances they might have made a real game of it, depends which Galway shows up. Any complacency and Tipp will take them. I suppose the problem with the draw is putting the Munster and Connaught losers on the same side of the draw. They are the 2 smallest provinces and really shouldn't be paired together.

Was the draw made for the B side yet?

Draw for B Rnd 3 is Clare v Kildare and Armagh v Roscommon
Winners play Dublin\Meath\Donegal\Monaghan in Rnd 4
Don't think Meath can play Kildare or Monaghan can play Armagh

Next year Connaught and Leinster will be one side, Munster and Ulster the other

Prop Joe

If Kerry play Galway/Tipp i hope to god they fix it for Limerick instead of drawing supporters all the way to Dublin.
Kerry fans are notorious poor travelers on August Bank holiday weekend due to the high number of people employed in the hospitality/tourism sector. I would imagine Galway would be the same.

iDave

Prop Joe wrote: »

If Kerry play Galway/Tipp i hope to god they fix it for Limerick instead of drawing supporters all the way to Dublin.
Kerry fans are notorious poor travelers on August Bank holiday weekend due to the high number of people employed in the hospitality/tourism sector. I would imagine Galway would be the same.

No chance of that happening. The QF between Kerry and Limerick a few years ago was in Dublin. All the QFs are played in CP, possibly to make it more attractive for corporate sponsors to buy a box.
Personally I think provincial champions should have home advantage or home province advantage at QF stage.

km79

the players want to play in croke park from august on as well. its not all about us supporters they probably like to get a feel for it before a possible semi and final. Especially if they are going to be playing dublin in a final!!!!
Anyway its a double header in Croker on the Sunday and is also RTES double header. Id imagine 2 and 4 pm throw ins. Looking forward to it
The Leinster/Ulster double header is live on Sky so is a saturday double header prob meaning 5 and 7 pm throw ins. Now that is annoying for Ulster teams supporters!!!!

Prop Joe

km79 wrote: »

the players want to play in croke park from august on as well. its not all about us supporters

What is most important to the GAA when setting fixtures?

Attendance
Convenience of both supporters
Players who like playing in Croker

iDave

Prop Joe wrote: »

What is most important to the GAA when setting fixtures?

Attendance
Convenience of both supporters
Players who like playing in Croker

Selling corporate boxes

Fr Tod Umptious

iDave wrote: »

No chance of that happening. The QF between Kerry and Limerick a few years ago was in Dublin. All the QFs are played in CP, possibly to make it more attractive for corporate sponsors to buy a box.
Personally I think provincial champions should have home advantage or home province advantage at QF stage.

Since the second year of the qualifiers, 2002, all QFs have been in Croke Park.
It's based on the idea that provincial champions get to play in Croke Park, as in the pre qualifier days

Back in 2001 QFs were played at neutral venues, Roscommon lost to Galway (whom they had already beaten in Connaught) in Castlebar. and thus they never got the chance to play in Croke Park

And as in 2011 with Limerick would you deny Tipp senior footballers the chance to play in Croke Park for the first time since 1935 ?

Prop Joe

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

And as in 2011 with Limerick would you deny Tipp senior footballers the chance to play in Croke Park for the first time since 1935 ?

Jaysus Tipp played there in a div 4 final only a few weeks ago

iDave

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Since the second year of the qualifiers, 2002, all QFs have been in Croke Park.
It's based on the idea that provincial champions get to play in Croke Park, as in the pre qualifier days

Back in 2001 QFs were played at neutral venues, Roscommon lost to Galway (whom they had already beaten in Connaught) in Castlebar. and thus they never got the chance to play in Croke Park

And as in 2011 with Limerick would you deny Tipp senior footballers the chance to play in Croke Park for the first time since 1935 ?

All good points. Personally I'd like to see an additional reward for winning your provincial championship then just a trophy. Everyone talks of them losing their meaning, well that would give a huge incentive to win.
Would also help fill a lot of those so called white elephants around the country as well as the New Casement and PUCs on the way.

Prop Joe

iDave wrote: »

All good points. Personally I'd like to see an additional reward for winning your provincial championship then just a trophy. Everyone talks of them losing their meaning, well that would give a huge incentive to win.
Would also help fill a lot of those so called white elephants around the country as well as the New Casement and PUCs on the way.

Yes the home advantage would be a huge incentive,But say for instance Kildare/Louth won Leinster how could they host a home game? They would have to nominate an alternative ground.

K-9

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Since the second year of the qualifiers, 2002, all QFs have been in Croke Park.
It's based on the idea that provincial champions get to play in Croke Park, as in the pre qualifier days

Back in 2001 QFs were played at neutral venues, Roscommon lost to Galway (whom they had already beaten in Connaught) in Castlebar. and thus they never got the chance to play in Croke Park

And as in 2011 with Limerick would you deny Tipp senior footballers the chance to play in Croke Park for the first time since 1935 ?

Tipp also played Donegal in 03 IIRC, what you call him! from Tipp had a great game.

03 replay between Donegal and Galway was also in Castlebar, funny it has had 2 Q/F's, Thurles had one between Dublin and Kerry, 01 or so, if I'm correct.

Still, I agree with your point, especially for "weaker" counties. It's a bit like junior and intermediate club AI's in Croker, small attendances but that isn't what it's about. Croker is still a very impressive stadium and with the Railway Cup getting shunted around so much, these are great opportunities for lesser profile players.

The other thing is €25/30 for 2 AI Q/F matches is tremendous value.

Prop Joe

K-9 wrote: »

Tipp also played Donegal in 03 IIRC, what you call him! from Tipp had a great game.

03 replay between Donegal and Galway was also in Castlebar, funny it has had 2 Q/F's, Thurles had one between Dublin and Kerry, 01 or so, if I'm correct.

Still, I agree with your point, especially for "weaker" counties. It's a bit like junior and intermediate club AI's in Croker, small attendances but that isn't what it's about. Croker is still a very impressive stadium and with the Railway Cup getting shunted around so much, these are great opportunities for lesser profile players.

The other thing is €25/30 for 2 AI Q/F matches is tremendous value.

I guess there can be an argument when some of the "weaker" counties are involved but look the likely hood is that the QF will be

Galway v Kerry
Mayo v Cork

None of these sides are strangers to Croker so the novelty of playing there would be gone. A double header in Limerick would be full to the rafters as it would only be a hours drive from most parts of Galway,Cork and Kerry

iDave

Prop Joe wrote: »

Yes the home advantage would be a huge incentive,But say for instance Kildare/Louth won Leinster how could they host a home game? They would have to nominate an alternative ground.

In those scenarios they would have to nominate a different ground be it CP or Portlaoise depending on how well the opposition is supported.
A stand alone football QF in Killarney, Gaelic Grounds, new PUC, Thurles, Portlaoise, Castlebar, Salthill, Clones or new Casement would have a rocking atmosphere.
Some of these non-Dublin QFs can get lost in CP.

Fr Tod Umptious

Prop Joe wrote: »

Jaysus Tipp played there in a div 4 final only a few weeks ago

I'm referring to senior championship only, and it's something that an advocate of Tipp going to Croke Park would certainly use.

The case for Limerick was stronger in 2011, some suggested that it be held in Munster but no one was going to deny Limerick a first every chance to play senior championship in Croke Park

K-9 wrote: »

Tipp also played Donegal in 03 IIRC, what you call him! from Tipp had a great game.

03 replay between Donegal and Galway was also in Castlebar, funny it has had 2 Q/F's, Thurles had one between Dublin and Kerry, 01 or so, if I'm correct.

Still, I agree with your point, especially for "weaker" counties. It's a bit like junior and intermediate club AI's in Croker, small attendances but that isn't what it's about. Croker is still a very impressive stadium and with the Railway Cup getting shunted around so much, these are great opportunities for lesser profile players.

The other thing is €25/30 for 2 AI Q/F matches is tremendous value.

I don't think Tipp played senior championship in Croke Park in '03.

And I don't necessarily agree with the idea that all QFs have to be in Croke Park.
If for example a weaker county win a provincial championship by all means put it in Croke Park, (as was the argument back in '01/'02) but their should be more leeway when your Champions are the likes of Mayo, Kerry and Dublin.

But it's unlikely to change anytime soon, remember they are playing league semi-finals in Croke Park, even when Dublin are not involved.

aidan24326

Prop Joe wrote: »

Jaysus Tipp played there in a div 4 final only a few weeks ago

And played a qualifier there against Donegal a few years ago too, when Declan Browne played in Croke Park for the first time and turned in a superb performance. Shame we didn't get to see more of him on the big stage.

Prop Joe

aidan24326 wrote: »

And played a qualifier there against Donegal a few years ago too,

Tommy Murphy Final was played there also.

K-9

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

I'm referring to senior championship only, and it's something that an advocate of Tipp going to Croke Park would certainly use.

The case for Limerick was stronger in 2011, some suggested that it be held in Munster but no one was going to deny Limerick a first every chance to play senior championship in Croke Park



I don't think Tipp played senior championship in Croke Park in '03.

And I don't necessarily agree with the idea that all QFs have to be in Croke Park.
If for example a weaker county win a provincial championship by all means put it in Croke Park, (as was the argument back in '01/'02) but their should be more leeway when your Champions are the likes of Mayo, Kerry and Dublin.

But it's unlikely to change anytime soon, remember they are playing league semi-finals in Croke Park, even when Dublin are not involved.

aidan24326 wrote: »

And played a qualifier there against Donegal a few years ago too, when Declan Browne played in Croke Park for the first time and turned in a superb performance. Shame we didn't get to see more of him on the big stage.

This.

Devenney in 03 got a goal half way through the second half for us to pull away, he might have got another near the end, not sure. Brian McEniff was very complimentary on Browne afterwards.

Fr Tod Umptious

K-9 wrote: »

This.

Devenney in 03 got a goal half way through the second half for us to pull away, he might have got another near the end, not sure. Brian McEniff was very complimentary on Browne afterwards.

Ok I see it now, Rnd 3 2003, what an odd game to have in Croke Park.

Apologies to all Tipp football fans out there

Fr Tod Umptious

km79 wrote: »

the players want to play in croke park from august on as well. its not all about us supporters they probably like to get a feel for it before a possible semi and final. Especially if they are going to be playing dublin in a final!!!!
Anyway its a double header in Croker on the Sunday and is also RTES double header. Id imagine 2 and 4 pm throw ins. Looking forward to it
The Leinster/Ulster double header is live on Sky so is a saturday double header prob meaning 5 and 7 pm throw ins. Now that is annoying for Ulster teams supporters!!!!

I wonder would they be inclined to put two double headers on the Bank Holiday weekend
i.e mix the A side Quarter Final with the B side Rnd 4, one of each on the Saturday, and one of each on the Sunday.

They have played Rnd 4 games there in the past, they had a triple header there last year.

That would suit me down to the ground.

The following week as pointed out will be a Saturday evening job, with the 7pm likely being Dublin, they have played their QF at 7pm for the last few years.

Joekers

Tipp played Dublin in Croke Park in 2010 qualifiers also

Fr Tod Umptious

Joekers wrote: »

Tipp played Dublin in Croke Park in 2010 qualifiers also

wow I really got that one wrong.

Tipp don't deserve to play in Croke Park at that rate of going

awec

What's the chances of Armagh beating Roscommon in the qualifiers?

WesternZulu

awec wrote: »

What's the chances of Armagh beating Roscommon in the qualifiers?

Hopefully slim!
I want to see the Rossies in Croker, they have one of the best sets of supporters in the country.

iDave

awec wrote: »

What's the chances of Armagh beating Roscommon in the qualifiers?

Every chance. They come in to it having beaten Cavan and Tyrone and drawn with Monaghan. They went into all those games as underdogs and came out the better. I can certainly see them out muscling Roscommon in the physical stakes.
I think it will be their 4th weekend in a row though so the old argument of momentum/fatigue will be an issue.
The Rossies acquitted themselves very well against Mayo and did very well to put up the score they did away to Cavan.
Actually this is an intriguing tussle.

awec

So sounds like a 50/50 tie.

What's the deal then with going through then? Winner plays the winner of the Dublin v Meath game, so likely to be Dublin at Croke Park?

Always_Running

awec wrote: »

What's the chances of Armagh beating Roscommon in the qualifiers?

Every chance. Any side that can beat Tyrone in omagh and hold them to just two points from play will fancy their chances of reaching all Ireland quarter final.

Nidgeweasel

awec wrote: »

What's the chances of Armagh beating Roscommon in the qualifiers?

60:40 to Roscommon.

The Rossies are a better unit but Armagh are dogged and in Clarke they have got a seriously brilliant player on their hands.

Put it this way, they'll both strongly fancy themselves.

Coillte_Bhoy

Are the dates for the QF's definite? Mayo V Cork/Sligo on Aug 3rd?

Fr Tod Umptious

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Are the dates for the QF's definite? Mayo V Cork/Sligo on Aug 3rd?

Definitely the weekend on 2nd 3rd, but no guarantee of the day.

Possibly they will play a Rnd 4 B with each QF thus making it a two day event, but if not it will be Sunday 3rd.

Fireball07

Limerick getting to a quarter-final was great for us..... did the fact that it was actually played in Croke Park make a difference? There's the whole "getting to Croke Park" thing which we had tried so long to achieve, but failed. But then the crowd was so small on the day, and we failed to produce... so that was disappointing.


From a pure atmosphere pov, the quarter-finals being held elsewhere is probably better, unless you can be sure you're going to sell 50k+ tickets.


I think Tipp will beat Galway tbh.

ProudDUB

awec wrote: »

What's the deal then with going through then? Winner plays the winner of the Dublin v Meath game, so likely to be Dublin at Croke Park?

Really? I thought the Leinster champ plays the winner of the game featuring the losing Ulster finalist? Which would probably have been Monaghan/Donegal. Just shows what I know! :rolleyes:

Would some kind soul feel inclined to throw up the last round of the qualifiers and potential quarter finals por favor?

awec

ProudDUB wrote: »

Really? I thought the Leinster champ plays the winner of the game featuring the losing Ulster finalist? Which would probably have been Monaghan/Donegal. Just shows what I know! :rolleyes:

Would some kind soul feel inclined to throw up the last round of the qualifiers and potential quarter finals por favor?

Sorry yes I have it wrong, they would play the loser of the Leinster championship in round 4B, not the winner. They'd then play the winner in the quarter final if they get through that (I think!).

Qualifying round 3B:

Roscommon v Armagh
Clare v Kildare


Qualifying 4B:

Leinster Runner up v 3B winner
Ulster runner up v 3B winner

Quarter final:

Leinster winner v 4B winner
Ulster winner v 4B winner

Am I right in thinking that you can't play a team you've already played? So what happens if Donegal beat Monaghan and Dublin beat Meath, and Armagh and Kildare win? Monaghan and Armagh have already met, as have Kildare and Meath? Or am I wrong there?

klairondavis

awec wrote: »

Am I right in thinking that you can't play a team you've already played? So what happens if Donegal beat Monaghan and Dublin beat Meath, and Armagh and Kildare win?

Armagh would play Meath and Kildare would play Monaghan.

awec

klairondavis wrote: »

Armagh would play Meath and Kildare would play Monaghan.

Doh! Yea. Too confusing this.

harpsman

K-9 wrote: »

Oh it's that time of year again! I haven't seen enough of Kildare this year but impressive win yesterday. As for Dublin Kerry final, I hope not, could be a very short final as I think the Dubs would maul them.

Dont know about that-i think Kerry are probably the best equipped of any team to beat them. They are some football county, they just keep producing new brilliant players and their established ones never seem to dip in form. I know Cork were woeful but was still pretty impressive display.

harpsman

Always_Running wrote: »

Every chance. Any side that can beat Tyrone in omagh and hold them to just two points from play will fancy their chances of reaching all Ireland quarter final.

Dont think theyve been near one since 08. Id probably go with Roscommon in this one at home.

harpsman

K-9 wrote: »

Tipp also played Donegal in 03 IIRC, what you call him! from Tipp had a great game.

03 replay between Donegal and Galway was also in Castlebar, funny it has had 2 Q/F's, Thurles had one between Dublin and Kerry, 01 or so, if I'm correct.

Still, I agree with your point, especially for "weaker" counties. It's a bit like junior and intermediate club AI's in Croker, small attendances but that isn't what it's about. Croker is still a very impressive stadium and with the Railway Cup getting shunted around so much, these are great opportunities for lesser profile players.

The other thing is €25/30 for 2 AI Q/F matches is tremendous value.

The great Declan Browne-as good as any of the top forwards from the modern era,retired q young too. Feel very sorry for great players in weak teams-never get the opportunity they deserve. Shoulda won the 02 Munster final against Cork-blew a big lead late on.

harpsman

Prop Joe wrote: »

I guess there can be an argument when some of the "weaker" counties are involved but look the likely hood is that the QF will be

Galway v Kerry
Mayo v Cork

None of these sides are strangers to Croker so the novelty of playing there would be gone. A double header in Limerick would be full to the rafters as it would only be a hours drive from most parts of Galway,Cork and Kerry

Yeah I think this is one occasion when u could possibly do this-might actually get a few supporters from Cork,Galway and Kerry travellin for once. Whats the capacity of Limerick and how much seated?

Not sure if Mayo would fancy it though.

harpsman

This pre-ordained draw takes a bit of the fun out of it. Fair enough its to avoid the whole 6 day thing for beaten prov finalists, but I really miss tuning in to see the qf draw after the last qualifier. Also with teams having already met theres practically no draw at all from now on.

seligehgit

Hate the idea of moving the quarter final double headers out of Croker,used to head up both days over the August bank holiday weekend when domiciled in the capital and invariably got to enjoy some quality games.

Tremendous value for double headers,nothing beats Croker as a venue...even now love the trip up from Mayo,catch up with all the mates and have a blast.Definitely believe the players,most especially the provincial winners should get to enjoy their day out in Croker.
Wonderful that great exponents of the game from so called weaker counties ak Declan Browne may be afforded the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in Croke Park.

Tipping wins for Cork,Tipperary(on a roll) and Roscommon.

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

Dont know about that-i think Kerry are probably the best equipped of any team to beat them. They are some football county, they just keep producing new brilliant players and their established ones never seem to dip in form. I know Cork were woeful but was still pretty impressive display.

It's their arrogance too. Good arrogance by the way, this isn't a slight on them by any means.

Kerry go to croke park and it's their stadium. The tradition they have and what have you seems to get more out of them when you'd think they're in for a mauling. Although as is always said tradition only gets you so far.

JOC was sensational at the Munster final but Cork didn't exactly cover themselves with glory. With the right draw they could stroll into the last 4 but beyond that, I think Mayo, Donegal, Dublin would all be in a position to beat them.