Gaa 2013

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I know you were. And the simple fact is ye raised yer games, as per, for us.

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It's as usual for the Dubs, 'everybody hates us so much, that they raise their game'.

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Originally Posted by geysir

It's as usual for the Dubs, 'everybody hates us so much, that they raise their game'.

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Not at all. Stop defending your Western brethern.

As night follows day Mayo will raise their game for Dublin. Always have. Always will... ad infinitum. To say otherwise is rather idiotic when the world and its mother know it to be true.

The capitulation in games after beating Dublin seems to indicate it to be so. :)

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Always have. Always will... ad infinitum. To say otherwise is rather idiotic when the world and its mother know it to be true.

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No they don't - Mayo played no better or no worse in the SF last year than they did in the QF or SF the year before - I certainly don't think they bottled the AI final last year either - just beaten by a team that had beaten Tyrone, Cork and Kerry before that. A better team. Beaten by a better team - same thing that happened to Dublin the semi final.

As for the league this year - Dublin, Tyrone and Kildare look to have semi final spots wrapped up already. Mayo or Donegal to join them I reckon, loser of Cork / Kerry game to join Down in Div2 next year - although Cork have winnable home games against Donegal and Mayo still to come so they could lose in Tralee and still end up on 6 points. Big improvement still required by all accounts , the win at the weekend against Down was highly fortunate.

I completely disagree. They were in the AI final and couldn't seem to raise their game when it seemed to be ebbing away.

They had that spurt in the second half but by that stage it was over. Do you think that they would have stemmed the early Donegal tide if they raised their game as if playing Dublin? I think so.

Mayo conceded 2 goals early on and still managed to give Donegal their toughest game, they were worthy finalists and performed with distinction in the final.
Dubs are always mouthing off, worst losers in GAA land :)

On the other side of the world, we look forward to the South Asian Games in Singapore in May and the Asian Gaelic Games in Malaysia in October.

We may only play 7 minutes a half, and 9 a side, but it counts :D

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Originally Posted by geysir

Mayo conceded 2 goals early on and still managed to give Donegal their toughest game, they were worthy finalists and performed with distinction in the final.
Dubs are always mouthing off, worst losers in GAA land :)

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Too little too late... I don't even think we're near the worst losers. That's easily the Kingdom or the Royals.

Dublin v Kildare on Sunday, the ugly animal derby:)

http://img.rasset.ie/000574fc-642.jpg

Eh... get it right... It's Kildare v Dublin...

;-)

I can't wait. Both are playing great ball this spring.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Eh... get it right... It's Kildare v Dublin...

;-)

I can't wait. Both are playing great ball this spring.

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Wow. Wrong was I! :)

Dublin will be needing new sponsors this summer.
Vodafone are ending their sponsorship with the team.

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Originally Posted by hill16.ie/Dublin County Board

Vodafone Ireland today announced that its current sponsorship deal with Dublin GAA is to conclude at the end of the championship year.

The decision was taken following a recent review by Vodafone Ireland of the company’s wider sponsorship strategy and in accordance with the terms of the partnership. Vodafone will continue its relationship with Dublin GAA as an associate sponsor beyond this year’s championship, into 2014.

Announcing the decision, Vodafone Head of Brand Anne Mulcahy said: “Our sponsorship of Dublin GAA covered one of the most successful periods ever for the county across all codes and age groups. It’s a time that will live long in the memory of fans.

“Vodafone is delighted to have played a role in that success by way of providing much valued financial and other support for teams across all age groups, from the senior teams right down to the rising stars of the games.

“We look forward this year to delivering another busy programme of activities that, together with our financial backing, will help maintain the hugely successful ongoing promotion of the games in the capital. We also look forward to continuing our relationship with Dublin as an associate partner and wish them well in securing a new lead sponsor for 2014.”

Dublin GAA Chairman Andy Kettle said that the county has never been in a stronger position as it sets about securing a sponsor for the 2014 season. “Vodafone have been excellent partners. They raised the sponsorship of Dublin GAA to a new level by way of the range of activity and support, financial and otherwise, they brought to the table. We thank them for that support over the course of the past three years and in the year ahead. The partnership between Vodafone and Dublin has been one of the most successful and mutually beneficial sports sponsorship of recent times,” he said.

“We will go to market in the summer to secure a new sponsor in the confidence that this is by far the strongest county brand and sponsorship property in the GAA and also one of the most coveted and high profile sports sponsorships in Ireland. As part of our new commercial strategy, a new sponsor will continue to enjoy the exposure and affinity that Dublin GAA provides with our massive fan base and large participation numbers. Evidence of this is the successful Spring Series, which has attracted attendances in the region of 30,000 for league matches played in Croke Park.

“We have enjoyed an incredibly successful three years across both codes and all age groups. The success of our underage teams in particular and the emergence of the hurlers ensures that the momentum and success built up over recent years in football and hurling is going to continue long into the future.”

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http://www.hill16.ie/index.php?/home...-championship/

How much do the Dub county board spend each year trying to buy win the AI title?

Not as much as Kerry did evidently.

Seeing as Kerry usually last longer than Dublin in the AI, you could speculate that their costs will be higher.
The Kerry board hand over about €1m? p/a to the senior team coffers. The Dubs probably spend twice that on their senior team.

I was being glib.

But whatever stuff we're buying hasn't been that successful though in comparison to the great green southern menace. Maybe this year...

I guess all those ice baths haven't cooled down the eternal optimism.

Of course not. You can't dampen my spirit. Unless you're Graham Canty and it's 2010.

Not a bad game Dublin v Tyrone. I suppose the result won't worry the Dubs so much seeing as they rested a few players.
The canny observers will have seen the quality of the Tyrone squad on display out there, from the newcomers to the old hands like O'Neill and Cavanagh

That's Game 1 out of the way .......

So the big one has begun. Donegal making all the early play.

And the big shock of the day; London beat Sligo!!! 1-12 to 0-14

Well how about that?

Donegal out of the blocks today showing their intent. Just Dublin left of the top table to get their summer started.

They won at their ease - I don't rate Tyrone much though really- they are turning into a Northern version of Kildare - consistent, but a lack of cutting edge against the top sides- maybe they will improve in the Qualifiers, find a few goals.

Bravo London - fair play. London or Leitrim in the Connacht Final - thats going to be great.

Donegal look the class act again this year and they have a few extra subs now as well this year.

Didn't London nearly beat Mayo last year? The breakthrough was on the cards. Posh must be delighted with that result.
Ironic that London is in Connacht :)

Donegal blew Tyrone away, I didn't expect it but I really enjoyed it.

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Originally Posted by geysir

Didn't London nearly beat Mayo last year? The breakthrough was on the cards. Posh must be delighted with that result.
Ironic that London is in Connacht :)

Donegal blew Tyrone away, I didn't expect it but I really enjoyed it.

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London should have beaten Mayo two years ago and only lost to Leitrim by a point last year so its been on the cards for a while for sure.....

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Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

They won at their ease - I don't rate Tyrone much though really- they are turning into a Northern version of Kildare - consistent, but a lack of cutting edge against the top sides- maybe they will improve in the Qualifiers, find a few goals.

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It was quite something to watch Donegal kill that game off so quickly.

I think Tyrone are better than that but there's no one going to stop Donegal in Ulster this year.

Only us up tomorrow of the genuine contenders and I think it should be a canter. I don't like to be full of hubris before a Dublin match but the way we played in the League shows that there's a definite improvement on last year. It's going to be a great weekend of football and the summer is warming up nicely.

One of Donegal, Dublin or Mayo for Sam.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

It was quite something to watch Donegal kill that game off so quickly.

I think Tyrone are better than that but there's no one going to stop Donegal in Ulster this year.

Only us up tomorrow of the genuine contenders and I think it should be a canter. I don't like to be full of hubris before a Dublin match but the way we played in the League shows that there's a definite improvement on last year. It's going to be a great weekend of football and the summer is warming up nicely.

One of Donegal, Dublin or Mayo for Sam.

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If O'Connor is out for the season with his shoulder, then Mayo will not win Sam without him.......

Dublin look impressive, but can those kids stand up to Donegals brand of defending. Wouldn't rule out Cork or Kerry either.

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Originally Posted by swinfordfc

If O'Connor is out for the season with his shoulder, then Mayo will not win Sam without him.......

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We'll see how it goes this week.

I still think it's between those three with Dublin and Donegal slightly ahead. I'm looking forward to seeing Derry today as well.

Dublin match yesterday was unreal. A training match really but it was nice to see us not let up for too long bar that period towards the end of the first half.

Munster is really pi$$ing me off this year. The gulf in class between Cork and Kerry and the other counties is beyond a joke. Incredibly unfair on Leinster and Ulster teams.

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

Dublin look impressive, but can those kids stand up to Donegals brand of defending. Wouldn't rule out Cork or Kerry either.

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I think we can. But there's a long way to go until then.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

We'll see how it goes this week.

I still think it's between those three with Dublin and Donegal slightly ahead. I'm looking forward to seeing Derry today as well.

Dublin match yesterday was unreal. A training match really but it was nice to see us not let up for too long bar that period towards the end of the first half.

Munster is really pi$$ing me off this year. The gulf in class between Cork and Kerry and the other counties is beyond a joke. Incredibly unfair on Leinster and Ulster teams.

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Derry - dont make me laugh!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by swinfordfc

Derry - dont make me laugh!!!!!!

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I know right?

Great game though.

Huge performance from the Limerick hurlers in the Gaelic Grounds against Tipperary yesterday. Breakthrough win maybe ?

Either way, superb day. Well done.

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Huge performance from the Limerick hurlers in the Gaelic Grounds against Tipperary yesterday. Breakthrough win maybe ?

Either way, superb day. Well done.

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Great game to watch - delighted for Limerick - hopefully they win Munster now

Not a bad weekend for Wexford, underdogs in both codes and came out with a good win in Louth and a draw in Wexford Park. The hurlers will probably rue the missed chance, it was a dreadful game really for long spells but the Dubs looked like they completely lost confidence and were there for the taking. I can't see Dublin being as bad again and I'd be surprised if they don't win the replay by 4 or 5 points.

Game 2 done and dusted .......

It was a disappointing game altogether. I expected a bit more from the Rossies though it wasn't really in doubt as a result.

Fermanagh were gash in the first half but thankfully improved. Chances are I won't be able to get to their qualifier which is annoying. It's gonna clash with the Dublin match and a trip to Cork.

So how about that Ulster semi?

Intriguing from start to finish. Down played a great game. Unfortunately they came up slightly short in the end. Donegal are a juggernaut though. Still easily the favourites for Sam. Only 2 wides in that match. Scary stuff.

I think Down could be on a good run this year though as well through the qualifiers, draw dependent there's definite progress since the league whcich you could see slowly come to fruition against Derry.

Now it's time for Cork and Clare. HON THE BANNER!

Epic match happening down in Portlaoise.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Epic match happening down in Portlaoise.

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Kilkenny 1-14 Dublin 0-17

TJ Reid drew it with the last poc of the game for KK.

I think it's a chance blown for us. I think a trip to Portlaoise on the way home next Sunday from Cork is on the cards pour moi.