The qualifiers give all counties an opportunity sure we availed of it from Q2 in 09.
Aye but they still favour the stronger side legend in that you can have a bad day and still come back for a second bite. I mean, saying you mention 09, we got to the Ulster Final that year, got beaten by Tyrone and then came in to the last round of the qualifiers only to meet yourselves (Kerry). Getting the 2 previous years All Ireland Finalists one game after the other was just mighty bad luck from our part as that was the end of our quest for a quarter final spot. Whereas look at yourselves that same year and after getting put out by Cork went through the qualifiers and then took Cork in the final - in fairness the path you got through the Qualifiers was probably as easy as you could have asked when you look at some of the teams which were avoided.
@GaryMc82 - ah now. The opposite to a positive approach is negative. A few were critical for whatever reason of the Ulster final on Sunday. I found it an absorbing battle. Not a whole lot more to add.
A lot of counties regroup in the qualifiers. It's a fair point made by many that it helps stronger counties. It's unfortunate for Derry they did not regroup. Limerick were going strong around the same time Laois and Westmeath won Leinster. In another province they could well have claimed a title. Tipperary have been building the last few years and seem nearing a breakthrough. A high bar is set. A lot of hard work went into winning 97 and then 00. Brings the achievements of 04 to 09 into perspective.
What we are witnessing isn't a tug-o-war between attacking and negative football. It is a natural progression in sport. Teams are like a business, why would a business continue with a plan or strategy which isn't making a profit? They wouldn't they improvise, find alternative methods and ultimately systems which provide a better turn over. Counties are really just doing the same thing.
If we look back to Rugby once upon a time there was no ruck. New Zealand were the first to introduce the action as a way of holding onto the ball. Sure it probably looked negative and was blasted for slowing the game down but it proved the winning formula and today the breakdown is the foundation of being a competitive side. Even now rugby is still developing with sides opting more and more for the bigger man to simply find contact and draw defenders as oppose to trying to avoid contact.
The changes in Football have brought some rules into question but again that happens with every sport. Again with Rugby the introduction of the ruck has brought with it a handbook of rules. We can't always plan for future developments in tactics and game play but we just have to react when they arise with new rules if they are needed.
Finally as many posters have already stated I too enjoy the tactical battles that occur. I find it intriguing how teams suss each other out and I think it adds to the enjoyment of football. As a recently retired player of both codes I admire the fitness and organisation of sides today and how they gp about their business and at the end of the day its about the All Ireland, the Ulster Title, the whatever your after and if you can build a sytem that is effective in putting you in a position to win it then best of luck !
1625894 @GaryMc82 - ah now. The opposite to a positive approach is negative.
I agree that the opposite to a positive approach is a negative approach. However the opposite to attacking football is defensive football, and not negative football.
To suggest Defensive football is Negative, depends greatly on your own point of view. Clearly people and teams who benefit from Defensive football, would tend to see the defensive game plan in a very positive light from their point view.
A few were critical for whatever reason of the Ulster final on Sunday. I found it an absorbing battle. Not a whole lot more to add.
This was the 4th meeting in 12 month's between the two sides ( 2 wins each ), who by now know each other extremely well. And with so much at stake, everybody including the bookies expected a tight smothering encounter. By no means a classic, It was dull in parts, especially in the first half. By no means a free flowing game
As I said above, Donegal are defensive but not dirty and indeed the black card ensures that dragging forwards down is not an option. Dubs v Donegal would be an intriguing encounter. I can neither see Donegal restricting Dublin to 14/15 points nor Donegal scoring more than that but it be some game if it comes to pass.
1625905 What we are witnessing isn't a tug-o-war between attacking and negative football. It is a natural progression in sport. Teams are like a business, why would a business continue with a plan or strategy which isn't making a profit? They wouldn't they improvise, find alternative methods and ultimately systems which provide a better turn over. Counties are really just doing the same thing.
If we look back to Rugby once upon a time there was no ruck. New Zealand were the first to introduce the action as a way of holding onto the ball. Sure it probably looked negative and was blasted for slowing the game down but it proved the winning formula and today the breakdown is the foundation of being a competitive side. Even now rugby is still developing with sides opting more and more for the bigger man to simply find contact and draw defenders as oppose to trying to avoid contact.
The changes in Football have brought some rules into question but again that happens with every sport. Again with Rugby the introduction of the ruck has brought with it a handbook of rules. We can't always plan for future developments in tactics and game play but we just have to react when they arise with new rules if they are needed.
Finally as many posters have already stated I too enjoy the tactical battles that occur. I find it intriguing how teams suss each other out and I think it adds to the enjoyment of football. As a recently retired player of both codes I admire the fitness and organisation of sides today and how they gp about their business and at the end of the day its about the All Ireland, the Ulster Title, the whatever your after and if you can build a sytem that is effective in putting you in a position to win it then best of luck !
Enjoyed reading your post, especially on how the Rugby rule changes evolved the game.
Look I try to be honest, and I can call a game dull as shit when I see it that way. I enjoy Rugby, and I suppose that part of me also enjoys the tactical battles in tight Gaelic games like the Ulster final. By no means a classic, nor will it be in the running for the most entertaining this year. But It was a battle, and I enjoy this type of game.
I also enjoy shoot out games like Dublin v Kerry last year, and games in between. I think there should be room for all styles and variations, and it keeps things fresh.