2019 All Ireland Senior Football Championship Mod note: Post #1

eagle eye · 23-06-2019 11:39pm

Donegal are the only team standing in the way of a five in a row I think.

yop · 23-06-2019 11:40pm

Stoner wrote: »

Did you see Donegal?
That keeper is a joy to Watch.

No handy All Stars for Clarke now Yop!!!

How do you like them apples??

Seriously though, he's destroyed Tyrone and now Cavan, and they can score from distance too.

Lots of handy things for them to improve on too and that was no where near a 4 point game.

Its becoming the saying of the championship, but genuinely they are building very nicely there, the management them seem to be doing well too. Was saying it last year too, they've the footballers in the right places, they just need the stars to align to avoid injuries and Murphy to avoid a red card in a big game.

Ya I watched that game and the Armagh game and as I said the performance of Armagh away was better than Donegal.
If Harte wasn't black carded then could have been a different story.
Clarke made more saves not shown on the highlights.
Apples?

Murphy leads that team but they have nice mix all over. That said until they come up against the bigger teams it's hard to gauge how it's all settling.

Mahony0509 · 23-06-2019 11:41pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Donegal are the only team standing in the way of a five in a row I think.

After that Kerry performance I’d say you're right.

RMAOK · 23-06-2019 11:46pm

eagle eye wrote: »

Donegal are the only team standing in the way of a five in a row I think.

Probably, but on all known form atm, they would still seem to be a fair bit behind Dublin. They gave plenty of attackers well able to score, but some of the goals they let in today speak of a slackness that will be punished by the dubs.

The_Honeybadger · 23-06-2019 11:46pm

Mahony0509 wrote: »

After that Kerry performance I’d say you're right.

It’s early days and there is plenty of time for things to change. I would not be surprised if at the end of the Super 8’s there is a new form team that are the only thing standing in Dublin’s way be it Tyrone, Mayo or Kerry. Donegal are going well right now but there is a lot of football to be played yet.

TheRiverman · 23-06-2019 11:48pm

Kerry by far the least impressive of the four Provincial Champions.

ArnoldJRimmer · 23-06-2019 11:58pm

While this is an exciting time to be a Donegal fan, and I’m thoroughly enjoying the performances to date, the business end of the season is yet to start.

Last year we blitzed Ulster, although against poorer opposition. And fell short of a semi final. Still could be a very tricky group to negotiate, injuries etc. And I fancy at least one of Mayo, Tyrone or Kerry to hit some form in the Super 8’s and be the next big white hope to take down Dublin

So cautiously optimistic....ah fcuk it, a last minute Michael Murphy goal to beat them in the final. Tir Conaill Abu

Bonniedog · 23-06-2019 11:59pm

Donegal only team looking like they might beat Dublin and are nailed on to make the semis, and probably head the group so avoid Dublin who will do likewise in other group until the final.

Dubs/Donegal final.

Arnold, you have McBrearty back. Huge factor. None of the contenders have a forward of his class. Not even Clifford/

TrueGael · 24-06-2019 12:00am

Meath led the latest team the D4 Media are desperately trying to hype us as contenders LOL for most of the League Final and scored 1-15

Utopia Parkway · 24-06-2019 12:01am

lawred2 wrote: »

Why haven't the hurlers taken over if it's all about population and money?

The Dublin hurlers have improved massively over the last decade. You could argue it's the best Dublin hurling team ever considering their old AI winning sides from the 20's/30's were full of lads from out the country who just lived in Dublin.

SirGerryAdams · 24-06-2019 12:03am

Only team to beat the Dubs will be themselves.

Utopia Parkway · 24-06-2019 12:06am

Bonniedog wrote: »

Donegal only team looking like they might beat Dublin and are nailed on to make the semis, and probably head the group so avoid Dublin who will do likewise in other group until the final.

I wouldn't say Donegal are nailed on just yet. I mean they could potentially end up in a group with some variation of Kerry along with Mayo, Galway, Tyrone, etc. Depending on how the draws go of course. I mean they'll be favoured but they'd have a bit of work to do.

km79 · 24-06-2019 12:09am

Donegal are heading in the right direction but are far from the finished product
They are a Michael Murphy injury or suspension away from huge trouble too
HUGE player for them

Stoner · 24-06-2019 12:23am

Utopia Parkway wrote:

I wouldn't say Donegal are nailed on just yet. I mean they could potentially end up in a group with some variation of Kerry along with Mayo, Galway, Tyrone, etc. Depending on how the draws go of course. I mean they'll be favoured but they'd have a bit of work to do.

Since 2013 Mayo have done well against Donegal, who knows, but I think Donegal's additions to the panel and with a former Mayo manager onboard I think Donegals have a jump on them.

I couldn't see the kerry halfback line holding Donegal either, not with their injuries this year.

I think they'd take care of Tyrone again too, that monkey is well off their back.

The harder the games the better for them anyway.

Bonniedog · 24-06-2019 12:27am

Utopia Parkway wrote: »

I wouldn't say Donegal are nailed on just yet. I mean they could potentially end up in a group with some variation of Kerry along with Mayo, Galway, Tyrone, etc. Depending on how the draws go of course. I mean they'll be favoured but they'd have a bit of work to do.

Kerry. Only the mystique is persuading people that they are contenders.

jimmytwotimes 2013 · 24-06-2019 12:41am

Bonniedog wrote: »

Kerry. Only the mystique is persuading people that they are contenders.

Who thinks they're contenders?

Dublin will win it out, we just have go through the formalities of the championship structure before we get there.

The_Honeybadger · 24-06-2019 1:02am

Bonniedog wrote: »

Kerry. Only the mystique is persuading people that they are contenders.

I’d agree Kerry are not contenders but who is clearly ahead of them? The standard is just so poor now outside the obviously excellent Dubs. I’m not boarding the Donegal hype train myself, Kerry will shore up some of the issues we saw yesterday and give them a right good game in Croker imo.

Media and fans seem to be building Donegal up but I don’t think the Ulster championship is the fire pit it once was you have a lot of average enough teams there including Cavan who racked up a nice score today. Dublin will beat Donegal, Kerry, Mayo or Tyrone without much fuss in Croke Park.

ArnoldJRimmer · 24-06-2019 1:18am

The_Honeybadger wrote: »

Bonniedog wrote: »

Kerry. Only the mystique is persuading people that they are contenders.

I’d agree Kerry are not contenders but who is clearly ahead of them? The standard is just so poor now outside the obviously excellent Dubs. I’m not boarding the Donegal hype train myself, Kerry will shore up some of the issues we saw yesterday and give them a right good game in Croker imo.

Media and fans seem to be building Donegal up but I don’t think the Ulster championship is the fire pit it once was you have a lot of average enough teams there including Cavan who racked up a nice score today. Dublin will beat Donegal, Kerry, Mayo or Tyrone without much fuss in Croke Park.

The thing is, there are not many Donegal fans who genuinely believe that we can take down Dublin, but we live in hope. That’s what sport is all about. We live in hope that somehow we can put in a perfect performance with a bit of luck thrown in. Someone has to do it eventually, but unlikely to be this year

blowitupref · 24-06-2019 1:32am

The_Honeybadger wrote: »

I’d agree Kerry are not contenders but who is clearly ahead of them? The standard is just so poor now outside the obviously excellent Dubs. I’m not boarding the Donegal hype train myself, Kerry will shore up some of the issues we saw yesterday and give them a right good game in Croker imo.

Media and fans seem to be building Donegal up but I don’t think the Ulster championship is the fire pit it once was you have a lot of average enough teams there including Cavan who racked up a nice score today. Dublin will beat Donegal, Kerry, Mayo or Tyrone without much fuss in Croke Park.

At least 4 teams as I'd expect for a 2nd year in a row that Kerry won't reach the last 4. Lets be honest its going to take a lot longer than 3 weeks to shore up all the issues Kerry currently have.

The_Honeybadger · 24-06-2019 1:38am

ArnoldJRimmer wrote: »

The thing is, there are not many Donegal fans who genuinely believe that we can take down Dublin, but we live in hope. That’s what sport is all about. We live in hope that somehow we can put in a perfect performance with a bit of luck thrown in. Someone has to do it eventually, but unlikely to be this year

Of course there is hope. Someone will eventually beat Dublin in the championship and it will be a huge shock when it happens. It may be this year or next, I don’t know.

I like what Donegal are doing but the business end is only starting now. Many teams have looked dire at this time of year in the past and gone on a run, and likewise teams have looked great this time of year and fallen flat later on.

It does look very much like Dublin’s to lose though.

The_Honeybadger · 24-06-2019 1:48am

blowitupref wrote: »

At least 4 teams as I'd expect for a 2nd year in a row that Kerry won't reach the last 4. Lets be honest its going to take a lot longer than 3 weeks to shore up all the issues Kerry currently have.

Drop a sweeper between midfield and the full back line and instruct the backs to stop bombing forward like they did all last night and they will be a much more solid unit. Their efficiency up front is good and Murphy, White, Moran and Barry are nowhere near fully fit, a few more weeks and another game will see them better if there are no more setbacks.

Kerry can improve and I am not convinced by any of the others quite frankly. There is probably a kick of a ball between themselves, Donegal, Tyrone and Mayo on any given day imo. Dublin are well ahead.

Duckworth_Luas · 24-06-2019 2:56am

SirGerryAdams wrote: »

Only team to beat the Dubs will be themselves.

The decision to split Dublin hasn't been made yet.

RoyalCelt · 24-06-2019 3:17am

The_Honeybadger wrote: »

Of course there is hope. Someone will eventually beat Dublin in the championship and it will be a huge shock when it happens. It may be this year or next, I don’t know.

I like what Donegal are doing but the business end is only starting now. Many teams have looked dire at this time of year in the past and gone on a run, and likewise teams have looked great this time of year and fallen flat later on.

It does look very much like Dublin’s to lose though.

It's not guaranteed that Dublin will be beaten but I do live in hope that a once off loss will eventually happen. Every year they seem to get stronger and the rest weaker. If that trend isn't reversed they could potentially never lose Sam.

castletownman · 24-06-2019 8:06am

I don't know if its as cut and dry that Dublin are a miles ahead after yesterday.

Yes the conditions contributed, and Meath were plucky enough, but that first half was arguably the worst Dublin have played in years. No cohesion at all, passes didn't stick, uncharacteristically sloppy. When the last time it took them 10 mins to open the scoring?

Meath actually won more ball around the middle third in terms of breaks despite having the shooting acumen of a junior B relegation-threatened team.

Again, Dublin turned on the afterburners like they tend to do, but were under no pressure whatsoever due to Meath's horrendous shooting.

And assuming McCarthy's injury is as serious as it looks, that could be a huge blow as when push comes to shove he has been their most consistent player during this run, and is the ultimate big-game player.

Although maybe I'm just been a optimist hoping for a competitive championship