1543409 This debate is ridiculously early. Tyrone, Cork and Kildare are all attempting to rebuild or reposition themselves, and Kerry have done a lot of work but are still in flux too. One of these four could be spectacularly successful and do what the Dubs did last year. The Dubs managed to go through the league and championship last year very successfully playing the same way and this won't do the trick in 2014. Like Sam, I believe that a defensive team like Donegal or Tyrone would have posed real problems for the Dubs last year, but Mayo cleared the path demonstrating the catch 22 these teams face: the same game plan won't cut the mustard every time unless the fixtures fall very kindly. This is why Tyrone particularly have had a major rethink. While Mayo are the only side to have beaten the Dubs in championship after 2010, the threats this year will come from inside Leinster (Meath and Kildare), and more particularly in the knockout games against a refreshed Donegal or a more sophisticated Tyrone. A final not featuring the Dubs at all is not that hard to imagine and could be novel: Cork or Kerry against Donegal, or Mayo versus Tyrone. But it's all just way too early and I'm pretty sure Jim Gavin will have something new for the Dubs to try tactically to boost their chances of doing the double.
Good post. On the subject asked by one of the Kerry lads would an Ulster Team beat us in a semi if we hopefully get there, off course they could. last year showed that there was nothing between ourselves and Tyrone in the league . This year I think Tyrone are stronger and Donegal is they produce anything like 2012 will be very hard to get past, you've also got Monaghan and Derry who might cause a few suprises. Though this Championship could spring a few suprises for Dublin in Leinster. So from our point of view Leinster is the main focus.
The first round tie ,Derry v Donegal will have a massive bearing on the Ulster championship. Derry win it and I can't see Fermanagh or Antrim stopping them so I would really fancy them to won Ulster. The same apples to Donegal, beat Derry and we must have a big chance to win Ulster. I can see Derry doing well as the struggled a bit in the championship over the last few years and if they get to the latter stages they would be a match for Cork,Kerry ,Meath or Kildare. Dublin or Mayo might be a step too far. The other side of Ulster is a lot tougher and I won't predict nothing::::Tyrone will take a bit of beating and if it was a Derry v Tyrone Ulster final I'd pick Derry. So when it reaches the end of July I would like to think of the last 12 counties remaining ( 4provincial winners,4 beaten finalists and remaining 4 back door teams )there should at least be four from Ulster if not five Derry ,Tyrone Donegal,Monaghan and Down left From that on in things will get tougher and only the survival of the fittest.