The All Ireland senior football Championship

[Edmund Blackwater]

Starts this weekend.
Will be more open this year with, I feel, Tyrone and Armagh having regressed a little bit and teams like Cork, Dublin, Donegal having a genuine chance to win it. I'd like to say Mayo, too, but their allergc reaction to Croker prevents me from doing so.


In the provinces, I think we'll get

Donegal
Mayo
Kerry
Dublin.

[LawrenceSummers]

i can only see one outcome in the football, we might get the better of kerry in a munster final but there is no beating them in croker,

and for the hurling same shit, kilkenny, unless someone gets them in the semis kerry and kilkenny are to good on the main stage to let it slip.

[Sound]

Fuck wrestleball.

[RonnyB]

Fuck wrestleball.

Because its become that its harder to predict possible Champions anymore. If forced to do so I'd take the easy option and say one of the northern sides, most likely Tyrone.

[dotty]

hate to say it but think the dubs will go very close.:(

be interesting to see can donegal maintain their good league form and mount a serious challenge.

[northmallexile]

hate to say it but think the dubs will go very close.:(

be interesting to see can donegal maintain their good league form and mount a serious challenge.

The Donegal-Armagh game will be very interesting.

Besides the teams already mentioned, I think Derry could be dark horses. They're on the easier side of the draw in Ulster and I can see them getting a bit of momentum going.

Don't think it'll be Kerry's year, if only because All-Irelands don't tend to get retained any more. Good.

[RonnyB]

hate to say it but think the dubs will go very close.:(

be interesting to see can donegal maintain their good league form and mount a serious challenge.

The Dubs were my tip last year but I think they are overhyped by their own media. The made Ray Cosgrove into some sort of god in 2002 when Colin Corkery was the form player in the Provincial championships. Now Cosgrove gets subbed most games.

Cluxton is another who is overhyped. Allstar last year ahead of Quirke. Joke of a decision. I dont buy this idea that he had to get one because Cullen lost out to Ger Spillane. I didnt see Cullen kicking many winning points last summer of winning MOTM awards.

Also Leinster football is at its poorest standard in years thus the Dubs look good. Look how they folded when the played Mayo.

When push comes to shove in an AI final I dont see Dublin beating either Kerry, Armagh or Tyrone.

[dotty]

The Donegal-Armagh game will be very interesting.

Besides the teams already mentioned, I think Derry could be dark horses. They're on the easier side of the draw in Ulster and I can see them getting a bit of momentum going.

Don't think it'll be Kerry's year, if only because All-Irelands don't tend to get retained any more. Good.

interested to read pat o sheas comments last week regarding his teams hunger for this years championship or his questioning of it,either he was hoping his comments would motivate his players to prove him wrong or he had seen things over the winter to warrant his comments.

[dotty]

The Dubs were my tip last year but I think they are overhyped by their own media. The made Ray Cosgrove into some sort of god in 2002 when Colin Corkery was the form player in the Provincial championships. Now Cosgrove gets subbed most games.

Cluxton is another who is overhyped. Allstar last year ahead of Quirke. Joke of a decision. I dont buy this idea that he had to get one because Cullen lost out to Ger Spillane. I didnt see Cullen kicking many winning points last summer of winning MOTM awards.

Also Leinster football is at its poorest standard in years thus the Dubs look good. Look how they folded when the played Mayo.

When push comes to shove in an AI final I dont see Dublin beating either Kerry, Armagh or Tyrone.

hope im proved wrong,agree with everything you said above but not sure of the northern challenge this year,recent times suggest kerry will struggle to retain sam and i still think we are a year or two away from a final.

[northmallexile]

The Dubs were my tip last year but I think they are overhyped by their own media. The made Ray Cosgrove into some sort of god in 2002 when Colin Corkery was the form player in the Provincial championships. Now Cosgrove gets subbed most games.

Cluxton is another who is overhyped. Allstar last year ahead of Quirke. Joke of a decision. I dont buy this idea that he had to get one because Cullen lost out to Ger Spillane. I didnt see Cullen kicking many winning points last summer of winning MOTM awards.

Also Leinster football is at its poorest standard in years thus the Dubs look good. Look how they folded when the played Mayo.

When push comes to shove in an AI final I dont see Dublin beating either Kerry, Armagh or Tyrone.

Dublin could yet get caught napping by whoever wins the Kildare-Meath match (Kildare, I'd say, at a pinch). They often start rather slowly. That said, they'd probably end up putting a run together in the qualifiers.

[dotty]

Dublin could yet get caught napping by whoever wins the Kildare-Meath match (Kildare, I'd say, at a pinch). They often start rather slowly. That said, they'd probably end up putting a run together in the qualifiers.

as ronny said leinster football is at its poorest i can remember in a good while,only dub complacency will deny them the delaney cup.

[HeeAirO]

Meath to cause an upset.
By winning the All Ireland.

Abusive tirade begin now....

[Rebelred]

Meath to cause an upset.
By winning the All Ireland.

Abusive tirade begin now....
Our feelings on those pricks are well known down here.

AS for this years championship, I feel Cork are in with a serious shout again this year. Recent history shows us that it's very hard for a side to retain the Sam maguire. Kerry have lost Jack O'Connor this year but he has been well replaced. They do have an almighty strength in depth in their squad but realistically they peaked twice last year to win an All Ireland, to beat Armagh and Cork. Mayo's sham of a showing in the final would have gifted a junior b side the title it was so bad.

Cork have done well in recent years, 2 semi finals is proof of that. Yes they had an indifferent league but league form has never really lead to championship form for us so that doesn't bother me, once we uncovered a few new players from it. The seniors should also be bouyed by the showing of the u21's in the All Ireland semi final and finals. Goulding, Gould, Shields and Cadogan should all make an impact with the senior side this year.
If we can get at least 2 scoring half forwards we'll be there or thereabouts. Also, only having to beat Kerry once would be a help aswell.

In Ulster, its a toss up between Donegal Tyrone and Armagh. Derry may upset these three but I'd fancy Armagh to come through again. Hard to know how Tyrone will do with the injuries they have again.

Connaught will contain 3 of the worst games of the season... as it does every year. Mayo will probably emerge...then capitulate in Croker.

Leinster will roll along with the usual hyping of the Dubs, who will wow everyone as they score with ease and we all read in the star and the indo how much better they are this year than last year. Laois should win it though as they are the best footballing side in Leinster at present, all they lack is a bit of strength ("physicality at the breakdown" if you like... ;) )

[Edmund Blackwater]

Our feelings on those pricks are well known down here.

AS for this years championship, I feel Cork are in with a serious shout again this year. Recent history shows us that it's very hard for a side to retain the Sam maguire. Kerry have lost Jack O'Connor this year but he has been well replaced. They do have an almighty strength in depth in their squad but realistically they peaked twice last year to win an All Ireland, to beat Armagh and Cork. Mayo's sham of a showing in the final would have gifted a junior b side the title it was so bad.

Cork have done well in recent years, 2 semi finals is proof of that. Yes they had an indifferent league but league form has never really lead to championship form for us so that doesn't bother me, once we uncovered a few new players from it. The seniors should also be bouyed by the showing of the u21's in the All Ireland semi final and finals. Goulding, Gould, Shields and Cadogan should all make an impact with the senior side this year.
If we can get at least 2 scoring half forwards we'll be there or thereabouts. Also, only having to beat Kerry once would be a help aswell.

In Ulster, its a toss up between Donegal Tyrone and Armagh. Derry may upset these three but I'd fancy Armagh to come through again. Hard to know how Tyrone will do with the injuries they have again.

Connaught will contain 3 of the worst games of the season... as it does every year. Mayo will probably emerge...then capitulate in Croker.

Leinster will roll along with the usual hyping of the Dubs, who will wow everyone as they score with ease and we all read in the star and the indo how much better they are this year than last year. Laois should win it though as they are the best footballing side in Leinster at present, all they lack is a bit of strength ("physicality at the breakdown" if you like... ;) )

I think the dubs are credible contenders this year. Caffrey has had enough time now to mould this team and tweak it. IMO, they have an excellent balance of ball winners, hard men, false fuckers, and talent. Their full back and half back line are as good as anyones and their half and full forward lines are irresistable on their day.
The big question is whether the midfield can do it for the full 70 or not. I think they went a long way to answering that last year.

I think that Kerry replacing Jack O'Connor is a good thing for them as this might negate the resting on the laurels syndrome that affects most championship winners. Cork will be strong again this year, but I don't see them doing it.

Maybe I'm wrong...

[Lamps]

On Dublin, without being an expert in their team,I would say that Cullen has trouble with a mobile running centre forward and is certainly not the player he is made out to be, their midfield certainly blows hot and cold, I like the look of Shane Ryan, he certainly has the intensity if he could channel it. Goggin and Whelan are big time charlie's who'll do it against Wicklow but at best will only give you 10 minutes against a real team.
Their forward line lacks natural ability, when Alan Brogan is considered your most dangerous forward you know your in trouble. They expects big things from Conal Keaney, but I'll hold judgement til i see more of him. Still Croker always gives them a big advantage, its worth 5 points to them.

An interesting summer ahead, it could be wide open.

Anyone from Cork, Kerry, Tyrone, Donegal or Dublin for me, with Kerry as favourites

[Rebelred]

First game of the season and after 3 minutes 30 seconds, Westmeath have 4 points on the board against Longford!

[Jim Comic]

Fuck wrestleball.

hurling is a great sport but gaelic football is an awful, awful game i.m.o.

[BlueSkies]

hurling is a great sport but gaelic football is an awful, awful game i.m.o.

Get the fuck out of it Comic, sure don't you watch League of Ireland soccer?

[Rebelred]

Credit to Longford, they've responded well and its level,4 each after 15minutes

[Rebelred]

Half time, Westmeath comfortably in front 1-10 to 5 points. Soft goal but Longford lack strength and their game plan is to run it through the middle, extremely easy for Westmeath to defend. Dessie Dolan kicking some beautiful points

[Rebelred]

2 goals in the first 5 minutes of the second half for Longford, gap down to a point!
1-10 to 2-6

[Rebelred]

10 minutes to go and Longford lead by 2, 2-11 to 1-12, and I have to add, this has been quiet an entertaining game of football so far, good open play, plenty skill and very little cynical stuff. a good game to kick of the championship

[Rebelred]

Final Score Longford 2-13, Westmeath 1-13

[Jim Comic]

Get the fuck out of it Comic, sure don't you watch League of Ireland soccer?

been saying for years (before summer soccer arrived) that no-one went to the cross for the quality of football but rather for the craic, however the quality improved a fair bit when the switch came.

[northmallexile]

Draw for second round of the qualifiers. I'd say the winners of the Kildare-Louth match would be the softest option in the next round for Cork.

FULL DRAW:
Westmeath v Donegal
Derry v Mayo
Kildare v Louth
Meath v Fermanagh

[HeeAirO]

Draw for second round of the qualifiers. I'd say the winners of the Kildare-Louth match would be the softest option in the next round for Cork.

FULL DRAW:
Westmeath v Donegal
Derry v Mayo
Kildare v Louth
Meath v Fermanagh

if Meath beat Fermanagh wouldnt it be nice to see that old pairing with Cork again.
For old times sake like.