realman2

Iv read your posts lad and one thing i dont get is this.

Why are you so confident that dublin can do this. As already stated by another dublin posted dublin are very inconsistant, Their star forward is hugely inconsistant being substituted in a few games last year. There is certainly not guarantee that dublin can win no more than any other team. And one thing i know for sure is no one will be afraid of dublin and an inexperienced team going to croker from cork next sunday certainly wont be afraid of them. Cutbert is very smart in hoping that the game would be played in dublin he is looking for experience not silverwear next sunday.

as is said i just find it unusual that having watched the league games that your so confident that dublin are so far ahead when the evidence is that Dublins standards have gone back on last year their scoring their tackling their work rate are not the same this year as last.

ritchie (Cork) - Posts: 346 - 10/04/2014 13:39:04    1573394

link

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 932 - 10/04/2014 15:12:01    1573433

Dubjohn

You might want to have another go at that link. It doesn't open for me.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 10/04/2014 15:23:47    1573444

A fair question Richie-

Ok I think Dublin are far ahead of the pack for many reasons. I'll go through as many as I can think of:

1- Dublin fans nominate their full back line as their weakness. There FB line is philly mc, Rory o'carroll & cooper. If that's their weak line well I don't know but it looks plenty strong to me. If any of them get injured sure just move Cian o'sullivan back there.
2- they have lost 1 game in championship in the last 3 years.
3- cluxton is an absolute maestro playmaker who is in another league to any other keeper IMO
4- their level of cover especially in the forwards is insane. Their forwards list is B brogan, a brogan, rock, kev mc, flynn, Connolly, Costello, Hudson, whelan, mannion, o'gara, Andrews that's 12 have I forgotten anyone?
5- I think Connolly is poised to show his class this year consistently like he hadn't before. The signs are there.
6- they have not got to peak until August, they 'll walk leinster
7- play every game at home
8- have huge resources in comparison to other reasons
9- Kerry, the only team in the country that puts the sh*ts up Dublin were broken last year & are in poor order this year.
10- competition from other counties is solid but limited, I think other counties players are starting to feel inferior to dublin. Mayo couldn't beat them with a man advantage in the league.
11- it's not jack mccaffrey's debut season anymore. He was inconsistent last year. He should be more bedded down this year. His willingness to always make a support run will be hard for opposition to manage.

I'll stop there but there's plenty of other reasons.

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 10/04/2014 21:26:56    1573601

Good post Realman2... :o)

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3738 - 11/04/2014 10:04:39    1573656

I really hope we dont disgrace ourselves this Sunday
seems this new Cork team are all conquering marauding behemoths according to everything i am reading
to be honest, if we finish the game with a clean bill of health and our pride in tact, that will do me
A leinster would be a great achievment this year, no way we are going to stop this new Cork juggenaut

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 11/04/2014 10:23:58    1573667

Not sure where you are reading that stuff Liam? Dreaming it maybe??
anyway, good post realman re Dublin. I have to agree with you.
Dublin are the team out in front and that's plain to see by the bookies odds.
Cork, despite recent good results are still a team in transition.
This Sunday will tell us a bit more about Cork.
After Dublin I think anyone one of 3/4 counties could win this years AI.
I would not agree that it's a 3 horse race.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 277 - 11/04/2014 11:20:28    1573719

realman

I can't argue with any of your points, Dublin are favourites & rightly so but the post is about the idea that there are only 3 contenders & I don't think that is true.

I could make a list about reasons why Donegal are contenders & Cork, Mayo, Tyrone, Kerry & Derry lads could do the same.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 11/04/2014 11:36:06    1573727

It pains me to say it but I can't see us getting close to it this year. I just think it will take too much to expect our first choice 15 to stay injury free after a grinding 3 years under Jim McGuinness. I am in no way critisising Jim, he did what needed to be done and won us an All-Ireland. But that type of intensity is bound to take its toll. I might revise my opinion further down the line after I see how the Derry game unfolds, but for now I'd give us a quarter final, possible semi final shot at best.

I think Dublin will do the back-to-back quite simply because of the options at their disposal. Someone already listed 12 forwards of the highest calibre. No other county can compete with that. If teams can disrupt Cluxton's influence by pushing up on kick outs they might have a chance. But it's very hard for any defence to contain their attack for 70 minutes. Kerry made a great fist of it last year in the semi-final, but ultimately Kevin McMenamon came on and scored the decisive goal. I can see similar things happening this year. A team like Tyrone or Donegal might put it up to Dublin for 55-60 minutes, but Gavin always has that option to spring another attacking threat to sway the tie in Dublin's favour.

Cork have certainly impressed this year. But I think it might be a year too early for them just yet. A Munster title and a semi / final appearance would be a great year for them I think and it they could use it to build towards a very serious tilt at it next year.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 11/04/2014 12:07:29    1573739

Muckross I reckon I could do a list on the shortcomings of the other counties apart from Dublin...but outside of the corks, mayos and Dublins I would pick Donegal as the next team with the best chance.

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 11/04/2014 12:58:05    1573769

Lockjaw, I don't agree with you on the best 15 thing. That was certainly the case last year but Ryan Mc Hugh and Odhran Mc Nialis are dead certs to start this year, Christy Toye didn't play at all last year and has played every league game so instead of a bare 15 I think we have a fairly strong panel this year, obviously not as strong as some others but enough to compete.
Our league campaign was similar to that in 2011 and I wouldn't read too much into it and even if we get beat against Monaghan I think as long as the performance is good Jim mightn't be too worried.
All that said, Dublin are the favourites but after that I think that Cork look best placed to unhinge them. Their athleticism and their running game is going to be very difficult to stop with the introduction of the black card and they certainly have the forward line to cause damage!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 11/04/2014 13:21:11    1573788

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 5450

1573667
I really hope we dont disgrace ourselves this Sunday
seems this new Cork team are all conquering marauding behemoths according to everything i am reading
to be honest, if we finish the game with a clean bill of health and our pride in tact, that will do me
A leinster would be a great achievment this year, no way we are going to stop this new Cork juggenaut

Really don't know what that post was trying to achieve.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 11/04/2014 14:29:31    1573814

right the last few posts were interesting but ill stand by my statement about dublin. There seems to be a few over reaching statements regarding dublins quality of player and rather than sit here and list ten to fifteen reasons why i dont think this will be dublins year ill reserve that right for later in the year. But this i will say. One post( 10- competition from other counties is solid but limited, I think other counties players are starting to feel inferior to dublin. Mayo couldn't beat them with a man advantage in the league.)
Im not on any intercounty team. But i can guarantee you if you asked any player from cork tyrone donegal are they scared of dublin it would be a resounding no. People feared Kilkenny as they were an awesome powerful all conquering team and left a legacy that will live years into minds. Dublin aint that , They are a very good team with some very good players. I agree i think Diarmuid connolly should have a good season based on form but in many years he has flattered to decieve. I am looking forward to this season as i think alot of the teams are very close. But realman and liam following your comments be assured if dublin dont live up to the hype you have began i will by typing with a smug i told you so smile on me face

Best of luck to all supporters on the year ahead

ritchie (Cork) - Posts: 346 - 11/04/2014 16:24:26    1573881

Lockjaw
County: Donegal
Posts: 3315

1573739
It pains me to say it but I can't see us getting close to it this year. I just think it will take too much to expect our first choice 15 to stay injury free after a grinding 3 years under Jim McGuinness. I am in no way critisising Jim, he did what needed to be done and won us an All-Ireland. But that type of intensity is bound to take its toll. I might revise my opinion further down the line after I see how the Derry game unfolds, but for now I'd give us a quarter final, possible semi final shot at best.

Exiting the championship early last season gave Donegal a nice early break, which seems to have been a badly needed refreshment. They were well beaten in 2013, no doubt due to late return to training and Injuries etc. But defeat's teach more valuable lessons than wins sometimes, and I reckon Donegal will have studied very hard over the winter months.

I feel they are a dangerous outfit, who are still coming in under the radar slightly this year.

Division 2 has benefited Donegal in some ways, It allowed them to gain momentum again while trying new things, while also allowing them to stay out of the spotlight that shines on Division 1 teams.

If they were to win Ulster, I would not underestimate them. They have a better squad this year, that last year.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 11/04/2014 18:02:33    1573953

Dublin or cork for me. Mayo just can't do it , outside shout for Donegal or Derry.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/04/2014 19:15:09    1573970

realman2
County: Kildare
Posts: 90

1573601

Fair enough points Realman but you make it sound as though we have 20 players on the pitch and each player is 7' in height.

1- Dublin fans nominate their full back line as their weakness. There FB line is philly mc, Rory o'carroll & cooper. If that's their weak line well I don't know but it looks plenty strong to me. If any of them get injured sure just move Cian o'sullivan back there

Not too much experience there if you notice. Johnny and ROC are both very young while Philly has not featured a lot. Cause for concern is justified.

2- they have lost 1 game in championship in the last 3 years.

Yes but that's as much down to poor opposition as it is down to Dublin's brilliance. Where did Westmeath and Kildare end up in the league and where are Meath?



3- cluxton is an absolute maestro playmaker who is in another league to any other keeper IMO

Yes agreed. But since when did a goalkeeper win games though. He is at the other end of the pitch afterall.


4- their level of cover especially in the forwards is insane. Their forwards list is B brogan, a brogan, rock, kev mc, flynn, Connolly, Costello, Hudson, whelan, mannion, o'gara, Andrews that's 12 have I forgotten anyone?

Ok good choice up there. It's our strongest area on the pitch.


5- I think Connolly is poised to show his class this year consistently like he hadn't before. The signs are there.

I've been watching him for years. He is inconsistent and I see no signs of that changing.


6- they have not got to peak until August, they 'll walk leinster

Mayo will Connaught, Cork will Munster. Only close province will be Ulster and I fancy Donegal to come out of there.


7- play every game at home

Dublin will bring 15000+ to any championship game. Any competitive county will have played in CP enough times to know the routine. Crowd noise may add 1-2 points but over the years difficult to back this up.



8- have huge resources in comparison to other reasons

Granted but always have had. Money is there for all large counties but no substitute for grassroots dedication in putting the underage structures in place.


9- Kerry, the only team in the country that puts the sh*ts up Dublin were broken last year & are in poor order this year

They never did to be honest. Talent shines through end of story. If Kerry beat Dublin it was because they were better not because of some mental block on Dublin's behalf.

10- competition from other counties is solid but limited, I think other counties players are starting to feel inferior to dublin. Mayo couldn't beat them with a man advantage in the league.

In fairness that's probably a Mayo thing. Derry beat us handily. Cork beat us in Croker and Mayo should have. Tyrone also came close.


11- it's not jack mccaffrey's debut season anymore. He was inconsistent last year. He should be more bedded down this year. His willingness to always make a support run will be hard for opposition to manage

No evidence to back this up. He's a pacey attacking wing back, questionable defensive skills and is playing below the level he played at last year.

Like I said some good points but a lot of questionable ones. Dublin come good for a couple of years and others start looking for unfair advantages like Croke Park or vast resources or no provincial competition. It's a cyclical thing. Always has been. This is Dublin's time but others are waiting to knock them off their perch and it will happen just a case of when. Could be Cork this year. Sunday will be an indicator.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 11/04/2014 21:31:29    1574026

Have to agree with clondalkin this is a 3 horse race Dublin will win
back to back AI reason being they are a very experienced team they have
a strong panel they know how to close out tight games they seem to play
better with 14 men if Dublin where to start with 14 men i still think they
will win the AI.Its a year too soon for Cork and the present Mayo team not
good enough to win Sam.As far as the rest are concerened all they will be doing
is fulfilling the fixtures.

wfkerry (USA) - Posts: 933 - 12/04/2014 11:40:20    1574109

I don't agree with the idea of 2014 being just a three horse race. I don't think any of the teams mentioned are so far ahead of the chasing pack. Over the last few years, tactical advantages have played a key role in deciding the destination of Sam. We don't know what Jim McGuinness will be bringing to the table this time around, or if Mickey Harte will perfect Tyrone's change in playing style. We do know that the Dubs won last year having adapted Cluxton's kick out from short to longer, but everyone's had a winter to digest that and come up with some tactical counter. Jim Gavin may have a new trick up his sleeve too... who knows? It's too early to know if Cork are the real deal or not. They seem to be playing a similar style to ourselves, which is maybe why we were the only ones to beat them in the league - for Mayo it was like an A v B game. What we don't know is how fast they'll develop. Kerry may not be the duds some people think either. Training may have played a role in their last league performance, and it sure has taken the pressure off them - this might all be as intended?

As for my own county, we expect a far tougher Connacht championship this year. The Rossies have come on a ton and Galway appear to have stabilised. The Conn title will be contested this year. We don't or won't fear anyone, in spite of some of the bunkum and wishful thinking being written here - we do have problems, particularly conceding a lot 3 pointers, which will kill us come the summer if we can't address it, but fear and a bit of stupidity shouldn't be confused. Winning the league would be good for us, but a very good Derry side stand in our way of the final. We'll just want to see what tomorrow brings and leave thoughts of September to one side for now.

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 12/04/2014 11:59:42    1574112

wfkerry
County: USA
Posts: 668

As far as the rest are concerened all they will be doing is fulfilling the fixtures.

When I read this first I thought to myself, "What a load of disrespectful cobblers".

Then I saw the posters name & thought "Ah those cute Kerry boys, you couldn't be up to them!!!"

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 12/04/2014 13:31:37    1574151

In response to realmans 11 reasons why Dublin will win the AI this year I will now outline the Donegal case.

So as not to bore the rear end off everyone I have kept this down to 6.

1.The team that swept all before it in 2012 is now almost back to full strength. Paddy McGrath is the last missing piece of the jigsaw.

2 No celebrating, no holidays & a good league campaign are in stark contrast to the preparations last year.

3 Christy Toye is back in the squad & Ryan McHugh & Odhran McNiallis are real additions to last year's squad giving more depth.

4 JMcG is a genius!!!!!

5 Last year hurt & there is a desire to set the record straight.

6 This team know each other, have done it before, love Croke Park & fear no one.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 12/04/2014 13:40:03    1574152