Gaa 2009

[shakermaker1982]

nobody watching this year?

Cork stun Kerry.
Tyrone look like the real thing again.
Mayo absolutely murder a young Roscommon. I have to admit I felt sorry for em.

[Aberdonian Stu]

Cork didn't really stun Kerry, I've pretty much settled in to expecting a slow start from Kerry these days. Tyrone looked pedestrian at times yesterday but they had a fierce slow start last year and we know how that ended.

I could see Kildare making a deep run, not winning the All Ireland or even making the final mind, even if they (expectedly) lose in Leinster. A decent draw through the back door (by which I mean avoiding Kerry) and they could make the semis.

Overall it's hard to look away from Cork, Kerry or Tyrone, though it's odd how these teams would play each other in the win-or-go-out phase as it's quite the pack of contrasting styles. Also Cork will want to avoid Dublin as despite the lacklustre performances by the Dubs this season to date (I'd love to call them contenders but I really can't yet) I feel their game would catch this Cork team cold most days.

[shakermaker1982]

I expected more from Kerry in the replay. To get outplayed the following week is not something Kerry would be used to. Such a shame they introduced the back door system. I'm not sure what to make of Cork. They look the real deal down in Munster but as soon as you get them to Croke they morph into Mayo!

Saying that I'm quite optimistic about Mayo's chances this year - not to win it but put a solid run together. If we can get past Sligo/Galway then a place in the Semi's is not beyond reach. Galway's forward line is always a danger and if they win Connacht then I'd expect them to be there or thereabouts.

[paul_oshea]

Mayo looked very good, even for as bad as roscommon looked mayo were very good. Unbeleivably fast.

Im not worried about roscommons forward line, i think they are actually quite good, as was proved in the NFL will all forwards scoring a huge average. Senan kilbride was a big loss on sunday in the forward line but in the end it didnt matter much given how they played, had either of those early goal chances gone in or both even then it would have been a different game. Mayo still would have won though. Ros FB line is terrible conceded nearly 2 goals every game in D3 football and were completely blown apart by Mayos FF line. They are too small in frame and height. Nolan and cant remember who went up with him for the high ball at the same time was pure inexperience, one should have shouted for it and the other should have stepped back covering the FB line. Anyway unless the FB line is completely replaced they are going to do nothing for years. Its a bad state of affairs when the county champions have only one representative on teh team, and most of the team is made up of intermediate players.....hopefully next year with oneill, cregg, kilbride and a.n.other (full)back then we can start going places.

[Maz]

Leitrim and Longford in a couple of weeks, game of the qualifiers no doubt

Our Juniors could possibly win some silverware on Sunday in Croker

[Maz]

My goodness, Dublin vs Westmeath, worst game for a neutral and a Westmeath person. Pity the Longford and Louth people who bothered to stay and watch it.

[Shilts]

Do the players of Wetmeath and Roscommon deserve any grants???
I think not.
These grants are supposed to be for elite sportsmen.
This would easily exclude MOST of the inter-county players in both codes (some would say all).

If I was a Westmeath player I would be too embarrassed to complain at not getting a grant.

[DeLorean]

Do the players of Wetmeath and Roscommon deserve any grants???
I think not.
These grants are supposed to be for elite sportsmen.
This would easily exclude MOST of the inter-county players in both codes (some would say all).

If I was a Westmeath player I would be too embarrassed to complain at not getting a grant.

So what are you suggesting? Performance related grants or no grants whatsoever? The grants are minimal anyway and basically represent a reward for the effort put in over the year. Every team is going to have a day where things go horribly wrong and the likes of Dublin, Kerry and Cork are not exempt from this. Because Westmeath and Roscommon might not have the talent of these counties doesn't mean they haven't given similar commitment over the year. Where did it say the grants were supposed to be for elite sportsmen anyway?

Back to the action, the Dubs were ruthless but we've seen it all before. Kildare will be a bigger test but they should still win I'd imagine. A Dublin Kerry Q/Final would be tasty or Tyrone Kerry. I see TV3 have gone all Sky Sports-like advertising their coverage next wkd as 'Silverware Sunday'. They'd have to do more than that to make on-paper mismatches like Cork-Limerick and Kilkenny-Dublin more appealing to neutrals.

[Aberdonian Stu]

The way Cork-Limerick is going to go down is hard to call. I expect Cork to win but how so is another question. If they start off sluggishly then Limerick have a puncher's chance but even if they do start poorly I still expect them to win ugly. If Cork get going early however it could be over by half time.

Kilkenny-Dublin I expect to start with Dublin holding their own for about 15-20 minutes, maybe even until the break, before Kilkenny take charge and win comfortably but not by an embarrassing scoreline (so about and 11 or 12 point win).

Incidentally in both cases I hope I'm horribly wrong and the underdogs win, especially the Dublin hurlers, but suffice to say from my predictions I'm not confident.

[bennocelt]

Do the players of Wetmeath and Roscommon deserve any grants???
I think not.
These grants are supposed to be for elite sportsmen.
This would easily exclude MOST of the inter-county players in both codes (some would say all).

If I was a Westmeath player I would be too embarrassed to complain at not getting a grant.

no Gah player deserves a grant to be honest

[paul_oshea]

Leitrim and Longford in a couple of weeks, game of the qualifiers no doubt

Our Juniors could possibly win some silverware on Sunday in Croker

How did they get on? Was phil reynolds playing in that game? I know he was struggling with injuries.

[DeLorean]

How did they get on? Was phil reynolds playing in that game? I know he was struggling with injuries.

Not on until Saturday evening- GAA-QUALIFIERS:Phase1

[Maz]

How did they get on? Was phil reynolds playing in that game? I know he was struggling with injuries.

The Juniors drew, replay is Wed week in Pearse Park in Longford as far as I know. Yeah Phillip came on for Mark during the game.

[DeLorean]

Oops, never seen reference to the Juniors, my bad

[paul_oshea]

The Juniors drew, replay is Wed week in Pearse Park in Longford as far as I know. Yeah Phillip came on for Mark during the game.

Ya was just nosing on his bookface photos last night. Funny wonder when the last time a brother replaced a brother in Croker

[Shilts]

So what are you suggesting? Performance related grants or no grants whatsoever? The grants are minimal anyway and basically represent a reward for the effort put in over the year. Every team is going to have a day where things go horribly wrong and the likes of Dublin, Kerry and Cork are not exempt from this. Because Westmeath and Roscommon might not have the talent of these counties doesn't mean they haven't given similar commitment over the year. Where did it say the grants were supposed to be for elite sportsmen anyway?

The sports council awards grants to elite sports people in different sports. The award and amount are totally down to performance. If you medal you get more next year. If you flop you will be punished in your pocket.

The grant scheme for the GAA 'stars' is just for showing up.
This for me is not good enough.
We should be using the money for our elite sports people ONLY.
How many GAA 'stars' could possibly describe themselves as elite sports people?
5max?

[strangeirish]

How many GAA 'stars' could possibly describe themselves as elite sports people?
5max?

Never heard of him. Is he a wrestler or a full forward?

[Shilts]

Never heard of him. Is he a wrestler or a full forward?

Both

[rebus2008]

The sports council awards grants to elite sports people in different sports. The award and amount are totally down to performance. If you medal you get more next year. If you flop you will be punished in your pocket.

The grant scheme for the GAA 'stars' is just for showing up.
This for me is not good enough.
We should be using the money for our elite sports people ONLY.
How many GAA 'stars' could possibly describe themselves as elite sports people?
5max?

its all relative really.
Some of the olympians we send are embarassed every 4 years but theyy are elite compared with other local athletes.
LOI players could be deemed elite when compared with LSL players but would be embarrassed if they competed weke in week out with players from top or 2nd teir leagues in europe.
Ditto for gaa players, the top25% would on a par with many professionalls in terms of fitness wise and mental apporach, but many wouldn't be.

My view - give the time to intercounty scene for free if you can but don't if you feel you need grant to do. LOI shows that we can't support full time professional scene while level of garnts is so mickey mouse that it wouldn't be worth gaa tearing itself apart over it.

[danonion]

Obviously delighted