The 2014 GAA Thread

[Real ale Madrid]

2 great games - only thing that surprised me about the weekend was the fact that Donegal are still able to psychologically beat teams well before the final whistle. If you look at Dublin’s wide’s tally in the last 20 minutes they had lots of opportunity to tack over scores and get themselves back into the game.

It really pee’d me off 2 years ago when Donegal did something similar to Cork - the fact they were down 7 or 8 points around the 55 min mark Cork really threw in the towel and didn’t have any belief that they could still take the game to Donegal – fact was that day was that Donegal got tired in the last 5 mins, and I remember thinking that if Cork had tacked on a few points, then the late Colm O’Neill goal would have really been important – momentum is everything. Same thing last Sunday 50 odd mins gone 7 points up and instead of keeping the head Dublin start charging around the place and kicking really silly wide’s. Brogan missed a free or two which didn’t help either – but I think I counted 8 wides by Dublin in the last 15 mins – if half of those went over then it could have been a completely different story. Momentum is key and again that Blanket defence gets very tiring and even nervous in the last few minutes of the game – just my two cents anyway. Kerry may not throw in the towel so quickly.

[Mr A]

While Dublin shot a lot of wides, Donegal started taking points where there were goal opportunities towards the end. Had Dublin started to creep back I think Donegal had another gear in reserve.

[Real ale Madrid]

While Dublin shot a lot of wides.

Some of them were really bad wides.


Donegal started taking points where there were goal opportunities towards the end. Had Dublin started to creep back I think Donegal had another gear in reserve.

We will never know I suppose - a 3 point game with 5 mins to go would have been a different story. There was lots of space down the field for Donegal as Dublin started charging forward into the zone between the 65 and 45 - packing it a bit - a more level headed approach may have yielded a score or two more and left them less exposed late on. I just don't think Dublin tested Donegals fitness levels enough at the end.

[BonnieShels]

Last year's finals were amazing...

But that game today was out of this world.

We're blessed in this country. It was a privilege to witness that today.

[Real ale Madrid]

Last year's finals were amazing...

But that game today was out of this world.

We're blessed in this country. It was a privilege to witness that today.

Jesus I love hurling but the "we have the greatest game in the world" spoofery every time there is a half decent game of hurling is getting tedious. All you hear everytime there is good game is "what a game" "what a sport" "We are so lucky here in Ireland"

Donal Og was at it again on the radio yesterday - we have the greatest game in the world Marty!!!!!!!

Someone would want to ask him if hurling was that good then why is it a minority sport in 2/3rds of the only country that plays it?
Rant over.

As for the game itself - well it was gripping but I can't help feeling Cody is going to lay an egg with his defenders when he realises they conceeded 1-28!! 29 scores! - I can't remember them ever conceeding as much under him. They will surely tighten up the next day - how Tipp handle it will define who wins.

By the way - hurling is the most skillful and fastest, bestest ever field sport in the entire universe - FACT.

[DannyInvincible]

I think it's only appropriate that the football final inspired not a solitary comment; it was abysmal. Error-ridden and abysmal...

Anyway, here's something better; it's Balls.ie's 'Top 11 Funniest GAA Championship Moments Of The Year': http://balls.ie/gaa/funny-gaa-moments/

[BonnieShels]

Jesus I love hurling but the "we have the greatest game in the world" spoofery every time there is a half decent game of hurling is getting tedious. All you hear everytime there is good game is "what a game" "what a sport" "We are so lucky here in Ireland"

Donal Og was at it again on the radio yesterday - we have the greatest game in the world Marty!!!!!!!

Someone would want to ask him if hurling was that good then why is it a minority sport in 2/3rds of the only country that plays it?
Rant over.

As for the game itself - well it was gripping but I can't help feeling Cody is going to lay an egg with his defenders when he realises they conceeded 1-28!! 29 scores! - I can't remember them ever conceeding as much under him. They will surely tighten up the next day - how Tipp handle it will define who wins.

By the way - hurling is the most skillful and fastest, bestest ever field sport in the entire universe - FACT.

I know I am miles behind this post but anyway...

Who cares about its status or perceived popularity? The first final was a pure spectacle.
No doubting its quality.

The defending of some of the Tipp scores is moot what are you meant to do when the long distance point taking is so good.

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I have just gotten over the shock of the Football final. And I will never speak of it again.

[BonnieShels]

My friend posted this on FB today. I chuckled mightily.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10521759_10152755178337065_4991582902263987653_o.j pg

Taunts from across the pond!

[BonnieShels]

The draws for the 2015 Championships have taken place:

At this pre League stage I'm calling a Dublin v Kerry final.

And Dublin, Kerry, Armagh and Mayo to win their provinces.

http://m.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2014/1009/651212-football-draw/

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With Dublin hiring Ger Cunningham I see a reinvigoration of the side and at least a Leinster final spot.

I still think that Kilkenny will be in the All Ireland Final and will be beaten by Tipperary.

Munster is looking tasty with Clare and Limerick duking it out to play Tipp.

http://m.rte.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/2014/1009/651213-hurling-draw/

[DannyInvincible]

That angry Mayo semi-final pitch-invading lump reacts to his one-year GAA ban: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/football/disgruntled-mayo-mick-vows-to-fight-year-ban-for-pitch-incursion-291575.html


He said: “I got whispers that something was happening but the first I heard about a ban was in the paper on Wednesday morning.

“I was never called to any meeting or never received any letter or contact about a ban. My plan now is to appeal this ban, but I’m not sure how I go about doing that.

“I don’t think I have done anything wrong. But in saying that, there has been mixed reaction to what I did, here in Mayo — some people thought I did the right thing and others thought I didn’t.

“But the first thing I would say is that it wouldn’t have happened if the game had been played in Croke Park — where it should have been — and not in Limerick. There is no way I would have been allowed anywhere near the pitch in Croke Park.”

After first denying he did anything wrong and despite five puny stewards and his poor screaming daughter trying to hold him back, he goes on to blame others for his presence on the pitch?!... Smooth.

[NeverFeltBetter]

“But the first thing I would say is that it wouldn’t have happened if the game had been played in Croke Park — where it should have been — and not in Limerick.

As if I needed another reason to despise this dolt.

[BonnieShels]

I read this page first and assumed you were talking about Pat Spillane.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Rather than start a 2015 thread with this, I'll just put it here. Joe Brolly goes waaaaa: http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/joe-brolly-we-used-to-laugh-at-soccer-players-routinely-feigning-injury-were-not-laughing-now-31118765.html