Your Sporting Hopes/Expectations for 2008 [Archive] - Peoples Republic Of Cork Discussion Forums

Rebel Yell

02-01-2008, 10:26 AM

My Expectations are considerably outweighed by my hopes this Year...

Expectations :

Man Utd retain the premiership title
C Ronaldo gets player of the Year in England
Irish rugby recovers somewhat from the WC fiasco and puts in a decent 6 Nations...
John Duddy and Andy Lee get shots at European and/or World titles...

Hopes :

Utd win the Champions League
Munster, with Howlett in flying form, win the HC for second time in 3 years in Cardiff...
Cork City can somehow overcome the growing pessimism at the club regarding the new season's hopes and provide some challenge for the League this year, and that their backers put the money up towards this end...
Cork hurlers and footballers can come out of the current controversies in one piece and steel themselves for a good season...
More generally, that the All-Ireland series can provide some stiffer opposition for Kerry and the Cats, and that neither of these retain their titles this year...
A Duddy V Lee world title clash at Croker - now that would be something else...(maybe this year may be too soon though)...
That the sports of Athletics and Cycling can restore some semblance of credibility to their drug tarnished reputations, especially in light of the Beijing olympics...

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 10:40 AM

I thought Utd were nailed on but the wheels haven't rolled off the Arsenal bandwagon just yet.

I think Ireland might win the six nations this year.

MonTheHoops

02-01-2008, 10:46 AM

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 10:53 AM

Cork to win both Munster titles - see where it goes from there after that.
Celtic to win the league & put a decent performance in against Barca home & away.
Strachan to be replaced by Moyes or Hughes.

Ehm, step downwards for the former, step sideways for the latter.

Might happen though, money talks after all.

MonTheHoops

02-01-2008, 10:56 AM

Ehm, step downwards for the former, step sideways for the latter.

Might happen though, money talks after all.

It does say sporting "hopes"

Moyes is also on record as saying he wants to return to manage in Glasgow. His family are mixed but he played for Celtic so it's not unfathomable that he'd leave Everton.

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 11:03 AM

It does say sporting "hopes"

Moyes is also on record as saying he wants to return to manage in Glasgow. His family are mixed but he played for Celtic so it's not unfathomable that he'd leave Everton.

Fair enough.

I dunno will I tempt fate with sporting hopes for the year. Save to say that despite my bumslapping credentials, I tend to be privately fairly pessimistic. I always presumed last year that Chelsea would catch Utd because there were too many flaws in Utd's team and I wrote off any chance of the European Cup when Vidic got injured.

This year, with the required bit of luck everyone needs, Utd should have a very good shout of winning a European Cup. We look a lot more solid defensively.

I'd always have my hopes about Cork but there are too many variables there at the moment. Failing that, I'd say that I hope Waterford can lift the All-Ireland in our stead.

MonTheHoops

02-01-2008, 11:15 AM

Fair enough.

1. This year, with the required bit of luck everyone needs, Utd should have a very good shout of winning a European Cup. We look a lot more solid defensively.

2. I'd always have my hopes about Cork but there are too many variables there at the moment. Failing that, I'd say that I hope Waterford can lift the All-Ireland in our stead.

I think ye've to look towards getting past Lyon first who've made serious headway since the start of the season. European Cup is anyone's this season, can't pick out a stand out contender.

Can't allow Waterford anywhere near an All-Ireland. Look at the bleating that goes on when they beat us in a Munster. Galway, Limerick or Tipp can have it in our absence - yes, even Tipp because regardless if they win it they wouldn't build on it. Waterford would build on it.

ho chi feen

02-01-2008, 11:44 AM

Hope: United win the league and CL, the African Nations proves to be a cracker, and that we see some great football at the Euros.

Expect: Arsenal (maybe) to pip us in the league, but we make up for it by winning the CL. Or vice versa (not us losing to Arsenal- to someone else). African Nations Cup good; Euros bad. Zzzzzzzfest with Greece reaching the semis, and Italy losing the final to France on penalties.

marco 2005

02-01-2008, 12:25 PM

Hope: United win the league and CL, the African Nations proves to be a cracker, and that we see some great football at the Euros.

Expect: Arsenal (maybe) to pip us in the league, but we make up for it by winning the CL. Or vice versa. African Nations Cup good; Euros bad. Zzzzzzzfest with Greece reaching the semis, and Italy losing the final to France on penalties.

where can i sign?

Ivory Coast or Morocco would be my favorites to win the African Cup by the way.

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 12:45 PM

I think ye've to look towards getting past Lyon first who've made serious headway since the start of the season. European Cup is anyone's this season, can't pick out a stand out contender.

Can't allow Waterford anywhere near an All-Ireland. Look at the bleating that goes on when they beat us in a Munster. Galway, Limerick or Tipp can have it in our absence - yes, even Tipp because regardless if they win it they wouldn't build on it. Waterford would build on it.

Hard to take any side that lost to Rangers seriously but I guess, yes, they are improving.

Totally disagree with you on Waterford and our loss to Tipp in the meaningless qualifier last year was probably the most devastated I was after any sports result during the year. We hates them. ;)

Actin The Sham

02-01-2008, 12:52 PM

Hard to take any side that lost to Rangers seriously but I guess, yes, they are improving.

Totally disagree with you on Waterford and our loss to Tipp in the meaningless qualifier last year was probably the most devastated I was after any sports result during the year. We hates them. ;)

Sure what are Watergrasshill people, only Tipperary people with shoes?

No wonder you hate them!

marco 2005

02-01-2008, 12:52 PM

Hard to take any side that lost to Rangers seriously but I guess, yes, they are improving.

that was a 1 off...they beat them afterwards at ibrox.

Lyon's getting a lot of its injured players back...wouldnt be too confident if i were ya...

ho chi feen

02-01-2008, 01:00 PM

that was a 1 off...they beat them afterwards at ibrox.

Lyon's getting a lot of its injured players back...wouldnt be too confident if i were ya...

Lyon (to us an Edmund Blackwaterism) always end up going out the first time they meet a halfway decent side over two legs, except for those instances where they don't even last to the point where they do.

In summary, Lyon was the toughest draw we could have gotten, but I'd still be confident. If we can't beat them over two legs, I'll be very disappointed.

Forsberg

02-01-2008, 01:00 PM

afeencalleddan

02-01-2008, 01:06 PM

Ehm, step downwards for the former, step sideways for the latter.Are you for fucking real? Neither Moyes nor Hughes are better than Strachan? Feck off outta that.

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 01:08 PM

Are you for fucking real? Neither Moyes nor Hughes are better than Strachan? Feck off outta that.

I was talking about the move to manage Celtic in the SPL.

And relax.....

Sound

02-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Hopes

Boxing to continue its resurgence with Bernard Hopkins giving Calzaghe a hammering at the Millenium Stadium

Everton to get to a major final- Uefa would be nice, Carling Cup would do.

That the Euros will see the emergence of some truly world class talent
Nasri, Benzema and Modric all to take it to the next level

Expectations

Everton to finsih 6th while losing Arteta to Valencia. Pienaar to sign permanantly (probably after a ridiculously drawn out affair) and become the new "Arteta". Manuel Fernandes to finally resign.

Everybody to label the Euros a resounding success (but we'll all know that it wasn't very good and that International football is dying), oh and France to beat Spain in the final - 1-0

Re Hopkins- Really? He's the most boring fighter I can remember, he's come out with some stuff about Calzaghe, were it said by a white guy, there'd be riots over, he's well and truly past his best and has been avoiding this for the best part of a decade. I do admire that he's been able to stay in the game so long but besides that he's the most odious cunt in boxing.

IMO.

afeencalleddan

02-01-2008, 01:10 PM

I was talking about the move to manage Celtic in the SPL.

And relax.....Ahhhhh right. I get ya. Sorry bout that.

marco 2005

02-01-2008, 01:12 PM

Lyon (to us an Edmund Blackwaterism) always end up going out the first time they meet a halfway decent side over two legs, except for those instances where they don't even last to the point where they do.

In summary, Lyon was the toughest draw we could have gotten, but I'd still be confident. If we can't beat them over two legs, I'll be very disappointed.

i agree, they've consistently underperformed in CL (once out of the groups) but have the quality to cause a serious upset.

Time will tell.

Seeing you seem big into "World Football" as opposed to just Skysports premiership and liga, like most of the users on the sport forum, what team can you see doing well at the African Cup?

ho chi feen

02-01-2008, 01:14 PM

My hopes/expectations could be better described as an overly optimistic set of outcomes set against a less good (but feasible) set of outcomes.

I'm very confident that we can bag either the league of the CL. We won't do both, but one will inform the other. If we go out in QF's, the focus will all be on the league. If we start losing our way domestically, we'll stick our eggs in the European basket. Of course, there's the horrible possibility of (for example) losing in the semis (or the final), and coming second. But I'm sure we'll manage to win one.

The CL is wide open. Inter would appear to be the possible stand-out from a pack of 7 or 8 possibles, but I reckon Liverpool will do them. Arse or Milan will be absent come the QFs. Both good sides, but I don't think either are up to winning it. I wouldn't be surprised if, and it's an if, Milan beat the arse that they make the semis or even the final. But they won't win it. Chelsea and Real both look capable of going far, but I don't see either of them winning it. I've no confidence in Barca. But yeah, it's all very open.

I think the Euros will be good. They usually are- 2000 was the best tournament I've been around for. Greece bored us all to death last time out, but other than them if wasn't that bad a tournament.

Can't look beyond Inter, Real and Lyon for their domestic leagues.

Chelsea will win the Carling Cup, and Liverpool will probably win the FA Cup.

Celtic, if they don't win the rescheduled old firm tie, may well have to put up with coming second.

City, I hope, get their act together in the Eircom League and make some good signing. I hope, but I wouldn't put money of my own on it.

afeencalleddan

02-01-2008, 01:18 PM

Greece bored us all to death last time outNot me.

ho chi feen

02-01-2008, 01:27 PM

Not me.

Really? I admired what they did... especially in the Czech game. Waiting til the Czechs wore themselves out and then stepping-up a gear in extra-time. Brillitant tactical play against a better side. But christ, they were awful to watch at times. Awful.

Actin The Sham

02-01-2008, 01:30 PM

afeencalleddan

02-01-2008, 01:34 PM

Really? I admired what they did... especially in the Czech game. Waiting til the Czechs wore themselves out and then stepping-up a gear in extra-time. Brillitant tactical play against a better side. But christ, they were awful to watch at times. Awful.Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to see them dominating world soccer but I like the fact that there's a team out there keeping the "big boys" on their toes. I honestly enjoyed watching their matches in 2004. I thought it was a fascinating situation.

ho chi feen

02-01-2008, 01:49 PM

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to see them dominating world soccer but I like the fact that there's a team out there keeping the "big boys" on their toes. I honestly enjoyed watching their matches in 2004. I thought it was a fascinating situation.

I agree, except that (in particular) the France match made we want to gouge my eyes out. But it takes two to tango, and it was France's fault for being shockingly bad too.

KolaKubes

02-01-2008, 01:49 PM

Really? I admired what they did... especially in the Czech game. Waiting til the Czechs wore themselves out and then stepping-up a gear in extra-time. Brillitant tactical play against a better side. But christ, they were awful to watch at times. Awful.

They were utterly horrible but I suspect you have an ulterior motive in your Hellenophilia [sic].

Carmona

02-01-2008, 03:02 PM

Fuck you boring Soccer mugs.

Kicking King to win the GC. Harchibald to win the CH.

Stephen Roche to admit to taking prohibited substances, A Luxieburger to win the TdeF (clean!!!!).

A great Olympics.

afeencalleddan

02-01-2008, 03:16 PM

Fuck you boring Soccer mugs.How are Val-en-thee-ah doing these days???:mrgreen:

Sound

02-01-2008, 03:16 PM

Horse racing shouldn't be in the sports forum. It's just above the WWE in the credibility stakes.

Forsberg

02-01-2008, 04:40 PM

Re Hopkins- Really? He's the most boring fighter I can remember, he's come out with some stuff about Calzaghe, were it said by a white guy, there'd be riots over, he's well and truly past his best and has been avoiding this for the best part of a decade. I do admire that he's been able to stay in the game so long but besides that he's the most odious cunt in boxing.

IMO.

Nothing to do with liking Hopkins personally.. He seems like a bit of a cunt (albeit an entertaining one)... I just feel that Calzaghe has been put on a bit of a false pedestal on the back of two good wins in a ten years as champ

i disagree regarding Hopkins current ability. despite his age , he's still in unreal shape as his performance against Winky Wright proved.

Whether he avoided Calzaghe or the fight was never there to begin with is unknown... I certainly wouldn't be rushing to believe Frank Warren , that's for sure and it's a bit rich considering Calzaghe himself spent 8 years as champion avoiding any of the premier fighters and it was only in the last year or two that he took anything close to a risk ( Hopkins was guilty of this also)

Carmona

02-01-2008, 05:35 PM

How are Val-en-thee-ah doing these days???:mrgreen:

Turmoil is our middle name. Those fleeting years of success were, eh, fleeting. It's kinda back to normal now. The treatment of Canyi, Albelda and Angulo was shocking. Guys who've given a lot to the club over the last 8 seasons or so, shown the door like that. Shocking.

Rebelred

02-01-2008, 05:38 PM

Only 1 hope, that the Cork dispute gets resolved asap before any more damage is done

cit_gym_rat

02-01-2008, 10:31 PM

Predictions
Ireland to finish 3rd in the six nations
All blacks to win tri nations and be undefeated for the year
Kerry and Killkenny to win football and hurling all irelands respectfully
France to win euro championships
Ireland to get name a former player as manager
Doug Howlett to finish top try scorer in the celtic league, munster to finish second behind clermount and fail for the first time to reach the knock out phase of the HC.
Cork ladies to clean up (yet again) in the all ireland stakes
Major drugs problem to dominate the Olympics, ireland to return home with no medals
English press to hype up hatton again, only to be destroyed by a truely world class fighter
Dunne to retire from professional boxing

Hopes:

Munster to win the HC and celtic league
Ireland to win a grand slam
Ireland to appoint a decent manager
Cork to do the double
Lee or Duddy (or both) to win world championships
Liam to get a prediction right and be modest about it

Loftydog

02-01-2008, 10:37 PM

Liam to get a prediction right and be modest about it

Ah come on now thats just being silly

ebenezer

03-01-2008, 09:31 AM

Expectations : Play-off heartache.

Hopes : Automatic promotion.

afeencalleddan

03-01-2008, 11:07 PM

Turmoil is our middle name. Those fleeting years of success were, eh, fleeting. It's kinda back to normal now. The treatment of Canyi, Albelda and Angulo was shocking. Guys who've given a lot to the club over the last 8 seasons or so, shown the door like that. Shocking.I'm well aware. It was a counter dig at your soccer dig.

Carmona

04-01-2008, 10:57 AM

I'm well aware. It was a counter dig at your soccer dig.

How d'ya know so much about the club? My excuse is I lived there for 9 years.

afeencalleddan

05-01-2008, 01:19 AM

How d'ya know so much about the club? My excuse is I lived there for 9 years.Well I wouldn't know the exact ins and outs and intricacies but any soccer fan would be able to tell you that all's not well at the mestalla.

liam2me

05-01-2008, 01:35 AM

predictions; munster to top their group in the HEC, won't speculate after that until the other teams are sorted
Munster to be in top 3 of ML
west ham to finish mid table mediocrity
ireland to come second in the 6N behind france
gatland to do well in wales
england to flop at 6N after player infighting and blaming ashton's hands off approach
quinny recalled to ireland squad and to be one of the players of the 6N

hopes;
munster to do the HEC and ML double
ireland to win the GS and get eddie sacked (that would be a carlsberg moment)
england to flop at the 6N and have no excuses for it
wales to have no reasons to whinge but also no reasons to claim they are the best rugby nation in the world again, their fans are a pain TBH
dayglo to be embarrassed into full club retirement
BOD to stop being such a nonse
POC made ireland captain
skibbereen RFC to be promoted

3pointplay

05-01-2008, 03:15 AM

Neptune to wup Demons ass this Sunday would do me.

ho chi feen

05-01-2008, 03:17 AM

BOD to stop being such a nonse

He's fiddling kids?!?

Langer Dan

05-01-2008, 03:44 AM

Clearly. Another scoop from the twomey stable. Hopes: more than anything I want the footballers to deliver an all ireland. Expectations: never gonna happen with the shit thats going on.

cit_gym_rat

05-01-2008, 10:38 PM

england to flop at the 6N and have no excuses for it
wales to have no reasons to whinge but also no reasons to claim they are the best rugby nation in the world again, their fans are a pain TBH
dayglo to be embarrassed into full club retirement
BOD to stop being such a nonse

liam, you really do bring a soccer type hatred to rugby dont you?
i hate to tell you but its not like that in rugby

dayglo, as you call him, has won it all 7's, world cup, 3 premiership championships in a row, two HC, 5 & 6 nations, grand slams. And after all this the man is still modest - his book is a read you should really consider.

liam2me

05-01-2008, 10:50 PM

liam, you really do bring a soccer type hatred to rugby dont you?
i hate to tell you but its not like that in rugby

dayglo, as you call him, has won it all 7's, world cup, 3 premiership championships in a row, two HC, 5 & 6 nations, grand slams. And after all this the man is still modest - his book is a read you should really consider.

have you ever listened to the man in an interview? FFS even planet rugby take the piss out of him, and his own english fans are divided

cit_gym_rat

05-01-2008, 10:55 PM

have you ever listened to the man in an interview? FFS even planet rugby take the piss out of him, and his own english fans are divided
read his book and come back to me

Langer Dan

06-01-2008, 02:47 AM

Twomey doesn do books. Agree with ya twas summed up well today. A guy you hate playing against , he plays to the edge , he cheats but he picks you up afterwards. You can think hes the biggest wank going but you cant fault his dedication and his record is simply awesome. If twas upto Sawker heads like himself then rugger fans would have to be segregated. Armchair supporters like Twomey just dont get it.

afeencalleddan

06-01-2008, 05:17 PM

Turmoil is our middle name. Those fleeting years of success were, eh, fleeting. It's kinda back to normal now. The treatment of Canyi, Albelda and Angulo was shocking. Guys who've given a lot to the club over the last 8 seasons or so, shown the door like that. Shocking.Apparently Manuel Fernandes is in the height of shit now too after attacking a number of police officers after Miguel's birthday party.