The Sam Maguire

**Jinxy** · 14/05/2008, 3:06 PM

Originally Posted by Hibernian

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

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

**geysir** · 14/05/2008, 6:03 PM

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

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

**Superhoops** · 14/05/2008, 9:02 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

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

Dubs are only realistic chance of bringing Sam to Leinster,

**Sam_Heggy** · 14/05/2008, 9:32 PM

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.

**superfrank** · 14/05/2008, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

Dubs are only realistic chance of bringing Sam to Leinster,

Then I'd rather it stays out of Leinster.

**Ash** · 15/05/2008, 8:25 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Luke dempsey is a decent manager

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.

**Sam_Heggy** · 15/05/2008, 9:06 AM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Then I'd rather it stays out of Leinster.

Me too

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 9:09 AM

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.

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.

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 9:17 AM

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.

**Rocky77** · 15/05/2008, 9:47 AM

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...

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.

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 10:22 AM

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.

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.

**Maz** · 15/05/2008, 10:34 AM

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.

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

**Rocky77** · 15/05/2008, 11:18 AM

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

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

**Maz** · 15/05/2008, 11:20 AM

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.

**Rocky77** · 15/05/2008, 11:31 AM

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.

**Kingdom** · 15/05/2008, 12:11 PM

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.

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.

**passinginterest** · 15/05/2008, 1:20 PM

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.

**Maz** · 15/05/2008, 2:07 PM

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!

**Maz** · 15/05/2008, 2:08 PM

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.

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

**geysir** · 15/05/2008, 4:58 PM

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.

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.