The Sam Maguire

Thing is starting today, ao might as well get the ball rolling:)

W meath V Longford
Westmeath should win this game easy enough, even if its in Longford. They have a newish team and are at last trying to play in a more attacking style than the usual hand passing rubbish they have been doing for years. Which is funny since they are playing the master of the hand pass back to the goalie tactic - Luke Dempsey. Good manager but his teams are so easy to read and obvious styler of (boring) football

Leitrim V New York
Wouldnt it be great if NY could win. they came close the last time they played Leitrim, but doubtful

Maybe Derry could do it this year?
Wexford for Leinster?

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

(boring) football

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I agree with this.

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Maybe Derry could do it this year?
Wexford for Leinster?

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no to both. Westmeath will win leinster,galway will winn connacht and kerry will probably lift sam in the end

I'm hoping to God we give Westmeath a good game of it in Pearse Park, great day for a game, massive crowd expected. Anything can happen!

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Originally Posted by sullanefc

I agree with this.

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Go to another thread then and dont waste yours or anyone else time here :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Maz

I'm hoping to God we give Westmeath a good game of it in Pearse Park, great day for a game, massive crowd expected. Anything can happen!

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Well we didnt do it, or deserve anything from the game. Terrible marking, and jesus the passing but Good atmosphere in Pearse Park though, great weather. Few bevvies now and the championship has begun! :D

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Leitrim V New York
Wouldnt it be great if NY could win. they came close the last time they played Leitrim, but doubtful

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Correct me if I'm wrong but last time they couldn't have afforded to keep playing

By the way, was Chicago in this tournament?

I'll be interested to see how Mayo do this season. MacDonald seems to be gone which has its positives and negatives. He slowed play down and drifted deep but he was an excellent player. Perhaps the other individuals will raise their game without him? Also there won't be the nonsense of the manager being in the middle of an election campaign this time.

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Originally Posted by Maz

I'm hoping to God we give Westmeath a good game of it in Pearse Park, great day for a game, massive crowd expected. Anything can happen!

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Poor enough game.
Still, it was a lot better than the EPL shype on Sky.
There looked to be a very good crowd (there is a parallel universe).
Unfortunately for Longford their goalkeeper had a dreadful performance and it's rare that I would ever ascribe that to an amateur. For the next 10 years he will be screaming out in his sleep, if not, he should be.
Also unfortunate for Longford, that the 2 goals were gifted to Westmeath.
The first due the goalkeeper doing his level best to get out of the way of the second worst penalty in GAA history.
The second goal happened when the ref fell into a temporary state of unconciousness while counting the steps made by the Westmeath forward , was it 10 or 12? before an audacious throw up in air, then neatly striking the ball under the goalkeeper who had helpfully jumped up to allow plenty of space. So after violating the 2 most basic rules in the GAA rule book with embarrassing ease, an impossible goal was scored from an impossible angle.
Longford came back with some good scores and got close enough at the end but
it's no use looking for some points in injury time against a cynical Westmeath, they will roll around the floor in mock agony at the merest touch.

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Originally Posted by beautifulrock

Go to another thread then and dont waste yours or anyone else time here :rolleyes:

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Meeow!! Saucer of milk for that man!! :D

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Originally Posted by geysir

Poor enough game.
Still, it was a lot better than the EPL shype on Sky.
There looked to be a very good crowd (there is a parallel universe).
Unfortunately for Longford their goalkeeper had a dreadful performance and it's rare that I would ever ascribe that to an amateur. For the next 10 years he will be screaming out in his sleep, if not, he should be.
Also unfortunate for Longford, that the 2 goals were gifted to Westmeath.
The first due the goalkeeper doing his level best to get out of the way of the second worst penalty in GAA history.
The second goal happened when the ref fell into a temporary state of unconciousness while counting the steps made by the Westmeath forward , was it 10 or 12? before an audacious throw up in air, then neatly striking the ball under the goalkeeper who had helpfully jumped up to allow plenty of space. So after violating the 2 most basic rules in the GAA rule book with embarrassing ease, an impossible goal was scored from an impossible angle.
Longford came back with some good scores and got close enough at the end but
it's no use looking for some points in injury time against a cynical Westmeath, they will roll around the floor in mock agony at the merest touch.

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Yeah Dennis Glennon it was, he took 10 steps before the 2nd goal. They scored some magnificent points yesterday, they made it look easy. Our boys tried to walk each ball into the square instead of taking their points. In the last 5 mins Peter Foy (25) was hanging inside on his own and no one looked up and gave it to him, one ballooned wide and the other went over the bar. I'd rather them to go wide than in to the keepers hands which happened quite alot yesterday. what is it 10 weeks now til the qualifiers....god only knows what will happen between then and now.

Next up for Westmeath is another toughish away game against Offaly.
You could have a Westmeath Dublin semi final. As it stands now Dublin would have to be firing on all their football cylinders to get past Westmeath.

Now that it has been scientifically proved that ice baths do not make better footballers,
the Dubs are back to the drawing board :)

As long as the Dubs don't win Leinster again, I'll be happy.

We still haven't come on far enough to challenge for Leinster yet. I just hope we can get through the first rund this year.

In the grand scheme, I'm going for Kerry again (good thing my dad's a Kerryman ;)). It's still very early but I haven't seen any other team that can rival them or even contain them.

Nice to see this thread back.
A relatively poor start to the championship, but good to see the games being played in the provincial grounds rather than being lost in Croker. This should be the case for all games in a province up to the final.
Kavanagh is supposedly lost to New York now, as the wait for Longford's next match is so long, which is a shame as he's a fine footballer, and would give Longford the edge over a lot of the counties of their standing. Also the Longford keeper was brutal. :D
Hoping for the 3 in-a-row this year, but I'd be worried about Munster, as O'Sé in his column 'its time for the cork players to shyte or get off the pot'.
Challengers? Tyrone, pure and simple. McGuigan is massive for them. A couple of tough Ulster championship games to ease them back in and then they can hit the ground running.
Can't say much about other counties, but I'm fairly happy with the Kerry squad. Solid backs and very good competition in the forwards, hopefully a winning combination.

I think Carlow will win the double this year!!!!!

Great time of year for the straw hat and dungarees manufacturers

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Originally Posted by geysir

it's no use looking for some points in injury time against a cynical Westmeath, they will roll around the floor in mock agony at the merest touch.

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well only one player really. Glennon. Most people in westmeath know he is a bit of a fool (i mean he is a cop FFs), but he will get a few nice scores
Flanagan is the main man of the team, and is a joy to watch

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Luke Dempsey. Good manager

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Ah now here...

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Originally Posted by Rocky77

Ah now here...

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While I think there are better than Luke, take time to have a look with what any manager that comes in here has to work with...

Luke dempsey is a decent manager as far as I'm concerned. I feel sorry for him as he's widely expected to lose his best player to the $$$$ in NY, as their next game isn't till mid June if I'm right. As Maz says he doesn't have that much to work with

Off topic - The expectations of some counties are poor enough, some counties have completely unjustified expectations. Gaelic is odd as success is measured in different ways, success to waterford would be to make the provincial semi and maybe win a qualifier game

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Originally Posted by Hibernian

I think Carlow will win the double this year!!!!!

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No way man. The reggae boys will be dumped out by the handsome devils from the Royal County this Sunday!

What's the story on that appeal for the Parnell 8?
appeal based on - that no one can/dare pass judgement on Meath :p

Still nothing much to whet the appetite this Sunday

Sunday
Leinster Championship
Páirc an Chrocaigh 2.00pm Cill Dara v Cill Mhantáin Live RTE 2
Referee: John Bannon
3.50pm An Mhí v The Reggae Boys NOT LIVE


4.00pm -- Connacht
Pearse Stadium 4.00pm Gaillimh v Ros Comáin Live RTE 2.
This might have been the one to watch in previous years but
Roscommon for various reason have been dreadful this year and Galway should stroll it.

Ulster Casement Park 3.45pm Aontroim v An Cabhán

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Originally Posted by superfrank

As long as the Dubs don't win Leinster again, I'll be happy.....

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Dubs are only realistic chance of bringing Sam to Leinster,

One young player to watch as far as Donegal are concerned is Michael Murphy, he's only 18 but he's a sublime footballer and will be one of the top full forwards about.
Donal Shine is class for Roscommon but unless Seamie O'Neill can produce the goods in midfield and supply the lad then he will be wasted there.

Imo, the winner of Donegal - Derry will win Ulster. Donegal have meesed about a bit in the league and have blooded afew new players. Some players are only just coming into form and back from injury.
I, for once am confident going into the Ulster champoinship, if we win that then anyhting is possible.
Galway are dark horses imo along with Cork.
Looking forward to the championship, poor game at the weekend but in all honesty, it wasn't really going to be that good. Personally I think Galway - Roscommon will be a cracker, knowing a few folk in the Roscommon camp and they reckon the new manager has got the lads really buzzing.

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Originally Posted by Superhoops

Dubs are only realistic chance of bringing Sam to Leinster,

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Then I'd rather it stays out of Leinster.

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

Luke dempsey is a decent manager

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He was fairly good when he managed out Minors (1995) and U21's (1999)
to All Ireland victories but I dont thik he got the respect of the Seniors.

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Originally Posted by superfrank

Then I'd rather it stays out of Leinster.

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Me too :p

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Originally Posted by Ash

He was fairly good when he managed out Minors (1995) and U21's (1999)
to All Ireland victories but I dont thik he got the respect of the Seniors.

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Yep he seems too nice to be a manager ( well a successful one anyway).
On the surface it would appear Pat O'Shea is similar (i.e. a nice guy) but he's as tough as nails and was a successful player in a couple of codes who couldn't dedicate to the intercounty scene as a player. He has the respect.

Anyone care to predict the football?
Leinster: Laois/Meath v Dublin/Offaly - I can see Meath taking Dublin if the Dubs are looking at the bigger picture of Sam
Connaught: Mayo
Munster: Kerry
Ulster: Monaghan/Derry v Tyrone - tyrone can come through this I think. For all the talk of Monaghan last year, they still haven't beaten an established team in Championship. When they do that I'll consider them real contenders.

All-Ireland:
Honestly, Kerry. With the squad they have and its better its getting, they should be able to do the business. The Monaghan match was the pivotal game last year. It showed O'Shea that the work done in the 6 week layoff was wrong and mistimed. If the same situation arises this year, they'll be better prepared.

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Originally Posted by Maz

While I think there are better than Luke, take time to have a look with what any manager that comes in here has to work with...

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Fair point, but some of the stuff I've been hearing about the way things are being run is comical. He's lost the dressingroom and it would take a miracle run in the qualifiers to save him.

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Originally Posted by Rocky77

Fair point, but some of the stuff I've been hearing about the way things are being run is comical. He's lost the dressingroom and it would take a miracle run in the qualifiers to save him.

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Thats the problem upset people inside the camp leaking stuff. Man the shyte gossip we hear every year from bloody begrudgers in and around the Kerry squad is ridiculous.
Even my own clann were brutal for it! The reason Kerry were beaten in 01/02/03 was because there wasn't enough townies on the team! Bloody hell.

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Originally Posted by Rocky77

Fair point, but some of the stuff I've been hearing about the way things are being run is comical. He's lost the dressingroom and it would take a miracle run in the qualifiers to save him.

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Hearsay Rocky and to be honest, isnt our County Board the ones who should answer to the way things are run.
Luke Dempsey has never had an easy run of it, players are very close knit and if something is said to one you can be sure others are gonna back the player up. This is all well and good, but if a player isnt pulling his weight, management should be able to call the shots....not always the case here.
He did well enough while here but I do feel there is time for change, shake things up a bit and that includes the departure of some players.

As for qualifiers, from what I hear we will be lucky to have a team. Rumour mill is in full flow, but a few apparently going to America, plus lads are gonna go back to playing with their clubs and you have to allow for injuries and the likes, so I cant see that miracle run happening

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Originally Posted by Maz

Hearsay Rocky and to be honest, isnt our County Board the ones who should answer to the way things are run.
Luke Dempsey has never had an easy run of it, players are very close knit and if something is said to one you can be sure others are gonna back the player up. This is all well and good, but if a player isnt pulling his weight, management should be able to call the shots....not always the case here.
He did well enough while here but I do feel there is time for change, shake things up a bit and that includes the departure of some players.

As for qualifiers, from what I hear we will be lucky to have a team. Rumour mill is in full flow, but a few apparently going to America, plus lads are gonna go back to playing with their clubs and you have to allow for injuries and the likes, so I cant see that miracle run happening

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Who's gonna still be around at this stage have you heard?

who will be around I'm not so sure. I have heard RUMOURS of Brian Kavanagh Jamsie Martin being gone. Also heard that Paul Barden has announced he has retired...again not sure how true that is. By and large there could be a few key players gone by July!

Hoping these rumours arent true.

Here's a question for you: do you ever get the feeling the Paul Barden never fulfilled his potential? Don't get me wrong, he's been our best player often enough but I remember his debut year and he was arguably better when he was 19, in my opinion at least.

I'd be surprised if kavangh went off too. This is his first season with a new club so I'm sure he'll fancy a bit of that.

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Originally Posted by Rocky77

Here's a question for you: do you ever get the feeling the Paul Barden never fulfilled his potential? Don't get me wrong, he's been our best player often enough but I remember his debut year and he was arguably better when he was 19, in my opinion at least.

I'd be surprised if kavangh went off too. This is his first season with a new club so I'm sure he'll fancy a bit of that.

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I got the impression from him that he wouldn't be starting for crokes.
Still I find it funny that a poor team (from Sundays viewing at least) have so many offers to play ball in America. Kavanagh exluded.

Wexford have a great shot at Leinster this year. Knocking on the door for the last three or four years, but look like they have the belief to make a real breakthrough now. I can't believe people are writing them off to be honest, we've even got forwards other than Matty Forde that can score. Most of the other Leinster teams seem to have stagnated or gone backwards, Westmeath and Dublin are the obvious favorites, the Dubs have been our bogey team but Westmeath would hold no fear at all.

Dublin championship doesnt get underway for a while though? So what happens here for the next 10 weeks wouldnt be of much concern to Brian?! Maybe I'm wrong

As for Paul Barden, I agree with you but to be honest I hold so much respect for the man in what he has gone through. He is plagued with a back injury and more and yet has been one of our key players!

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

I got the impression from him that he wouldn't be starting for crokes.
Still I find it funny that a poor team (from Sundays viewing at least) have so many offers to play ball in America. Kavanagh exluded.

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Not all are going to play ball, some are off travelling as far as I know

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Originally Posted by passinginterest

Westmeath and Dublin are the obvious favorites, the Dubs have been our bogey team but Westmeath would hold no fear at all.

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Actually, Westmeath are the outsiders at 9/1.
I think they are a very good bet. Not reading too much into beating a Dublin with a good 5 players missing but I like their general play and midfield strength. And as you remark they hold no fear.
On Ulster:
McGuigan's return for Tyrone has been offset by the retirement of Stephen O'Neill. Mulligan has been out since March and probably will be a few kilos over the limit:). Nevertheless Tyrone should get to the Ulster final past Down and Armagh.
The other side of the draw has the look of a Tarentino shootout,
Fermanagh v Monaghan, Donegal V Derry.
Last year Monaghan beat Derry handy enough and destroyed Donegal.
This year I have my doubts about Monaghan, the squad's limitations in numbers and quality get more and more exposed as the games are notched up but pride and effort will not be lacking.
Derry are in a stronger place since losing to Dublin last year. Then Paddy Bradley only started to play a bit in the last game, this year he looks lethal.

The form final is Derry V Tyrone with Tyrone favourites.