Donegalman I've said it a million times well done Kerry great achievement. I can't keep saying it can I?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 09/01/2015 12:09:46    1681723

Sorry Clondalkin, I wasnt aiming that remark at you at all. I only used Dublin as an example as they really were imo the team to beat in 2014. The criticism of kerry being lucky winners hasnt come from Dublin alone, but an array of other counties. They were extremely lucky in the semis but in the final they were not.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 09/01/2015 12:26:23    1681735

Donegalman what about the point of view that this kerry team overcame the odds...
Lost many important players throughout the year from the beginning to the end (this is including Declan O Sullivan who played at about 50% in the final when he came on).
New inexperienced players grew into the campaign and overcame the odds by beating battle hardened Mayo and Donegal teams.

Obviously some luck involved in both the semi and final but all winning teams have their share of luck in winning such as Donegal in 2011 when keane deflected the ball straight to mcfadden, dublin too had their share in winning both finals.

Should Dublin have won the championship in 2014 very much so but then again.

It was an unlikely kerry win but no need to be disrespectful

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 09/01/2015 12:45:10    1681743

I think they are fair and valid points Woops.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 09/01/2015 20:48:31    1681947

Aye woops, sorry if there is offence, not going to nit pick 2012 v 2014. I was very satisfied with the way we played and won then, lucky or not. I have got to say that I wouldnt give a damn who said what if we won in 2014 either, we would most certainly have been lucky if that were the case but it wasnt to b.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 09/01/2015 21:42:25    1681963

I said it last year and i'll say it again: Dubs for Sam

Miler (Mayo) - Posts: 1015 - 10/01/2015 11:52:19    1681985

Surprised they didn't name Tommy Walsh in the panel for our McGrath Cup game against the I.T. Still I think he could have a big part to play in the Kerry set up this year.

Lads its going to take a serious team to stop us. The young lads have the taste for All Ireland's now and in Kerry you're nothing until you have at least 3-4 to your name!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/01/2015 12:17:10    1681989

This drives me mad about forums like this.

Since the 00s, Kerry have been accused of winning soft or lucky All Ireland's.

Funny you never hear the same about other counties.

Every sport requires the break of a ball to go you're way.

Kerry will be in the last 4 next year and from there we will see.

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 10/01/2015 20:17:31    1682096

This year Kerry are in the same position as the Dubs were last year... the team to beat. All the player reinforcements will strengthen the forward options, but getting the balance right there will be key. The Kerry defensive system and players back there will need to improve to retain Sam, but knowhow and confidence are there in spades. Kerry are favs for me. Can't see Cork improving unless they can find a solid midfield.
The Dubs need to inject something more this year, but the talent is there. The question of needing to adjust tactically is a live one... is gung-ho just a little bit too gung-ho? Is there any chance that Meath could get a break from injuries etc this year or Kildare develop their young side enough to be competitive? We won't know till the summer.
Up north will hinge on how much Gallagher can get out of the senior squad members... Donegal are still the best potential AI contenders, with Armagh no longer a surprise, Tyrone needing a different direction and Derry and Monaghan both decent sides, but still not convincing.
Mayo should benefit from the change in management. James Horan did a lot right including knowing when he'd run out of road. Mayo don't have the issue of scoring from play that some think - the stats over the last 3 years bear that out, but getting a better return out of possession is an area that can be improved

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 11/01/2015 13:32:34    1682184

Galway will come on under Kevin Walsh and should be aiming for Div 1 to make real progress. Roscommon could have beaten Mayo last year and will ensure that Connacht is genuinely competitive this year.

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 11/01/2015 13:36:26    1682186

I am not sure that Armagh are no longer a surprise. They are a division 3 team, and if they do well this year, it will be therefore against the odds. I cant see it though, they have lost a couple of great players, arguably their best player in Aaron Kiernan. As for Cork, does any of us know a thing about this team? Since 2010, they have flopped as well as looking absolutely brilliant for the odd game. I dont know what to make of them, I dont even know if they take the munster championship seriously any more either. You get the feeling they have brilliant footballers, but no massive belief or is it interest? If they get their act together, they are serious operators. If there is a new pretender to come from anywhere, it would be either Galway or Meath for me. to win the all ireland, well thats a different story.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 11/01/2015 14:10:00    1682193

Mickey Harte was brilliant for Tyrone but they needed a change of management about 3 or 4 years ago. Defensively they have been awful and have too many players not up to the standard required to challenge Dublin, Kerry or Donegal. It will take McGeeney 2 or 3 years to get Armagh into Division One and back to the top Championship level. Donegal still look a bit shell-shocked at McGuinness's departure and they will suffer from this for a few years. Mayo won't win SAM; they have good footballers but they are not cute and streetwise enough and are mentally very weak when it's put up to them. Dublin or Kerry again.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 11/01/2015 16:07:16    1682222

Lets call a spade a spade here, it's kerrys all ireland to lose! They have gooch and tommy walsh to add to the team this year, as marc o se put it, they will be both be there or there abouts for player of the year! Adding them in with donaghy and JOD just makes the kerry forward linw unstoppable, which one of them donu double mark because any on the four will run riot if they are left one on one! Add to that players of bryan sheehan and darran o'sullivan he were injured last year as well and u have a formiddable forward line and they wont all start because I will have paul geaney, johnny buckley and donncadh walsh who all played in last years all ireland final chomping at the bit! Moran had a great year in midfield and maher is well accomplished to play along side him! We have rejuvanated our backs and got plenty of young talented lads in there now and kelly seems to have answered our goalkeeping worries! The only team kerrt have to worry about this year ia themselves!

as_ky (Kerry) - Posts: 535 - 11/01/2015 18:36:38    1682275

Are you drunk as ky?

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 11/01/2015 18:46:45    1682279

That's the talk As Ky, Up D Mighty Kingdom! A little luck and Sam will be staying home for another winter!!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 11/01/2015 20:09:22    1682339

http://gaeliclife.com/2015/01/joe-brolly-whats-the-point/

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 12/01/2015 08:59:11    1682405

I do believe that this year will be the best for a long time, there is a lot of teams could push Kerry and Dublin. I think Kerry will win the national league aswell, but I think that Kildare Meath will push Dublin this year in Leinster, Mayo will walk Con, Munster will be a walk about for Kerry cork cant beat them. Ulster will be tough but Cant see the Tyrone team counting if Cavanagh get injured then they wont be near it, Donegal will be light without Kavanagh and Thompson 2 key figures in the team. Derry is gone and down aren't good. IF Armagh get a good League by coming unbeaten and build well for the Championship I think they can be the First team from D3 to Contest at the top table, Not winning it but getting close, they are hard to break down and play fast football wen they have the ball. going to be an interesting season

Munster - Kerry
Con - Mayo
Ulster - Armagh
Leinster - Dublin
All Ireland Final Armagh v Dublin (Winners Dublin)

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 12/01/2015 10:36:35    1682442

Munster could surprise. Cork might travel to Killarney and win this year. I think that they are at a stage where they have to if they are going to take the rest of the championship seriously.
Leinster I hope that MEath and Kildare improve sufficiently to give the Dubs a game. There used to be some great matches in the past, and we need an early round of excitement in the champoinship to give it a breath of life.
I am not sure that there is anything in connaught capable of getting to where Mayo are at at the moment. Unless Galway can come up along the rail and do something, I think a lot will depend on how Corofin get on in the club semis.
Ulster is anyones guess. I would say for almost certain that monaghan will be in the final. The other side of the draw is a mess. Tyrone and Donegal are up against the hardest draw ever. Armagh are looking at a run from division 3 as preperation, it might not come against them, but I am not sure it is ideal. The winners of Derry and Down could prove to be the surprise package of the ulster championship, especially Down. The only 3 counties that you can really rule out are antrim, fermanagh and cavan.

As for the back door, it will serve well but you would have to go into it early days.

Thanks for that link Clondalkin. I both agree and disagree with aspects of it. Having said that, we wouldnt have won 2 years ago, or competed at the very top level last year without the input of McGuinness and sports science etc. I think that it is a wee bit unfair of Brolly to suggest that the winning is everything mentality is exclusive to the modern game. 20 years ago, the feeling of disappointment and the euphoria of winning felt the very same as it does today. AS regards the depreciation of the game as a spectacle, and the retrograde personal development of players due to over-training etc, we will have to reserve our judgement on that one and revisit it in about 10 years time or so. The only people how seem to be taking swipes at the price of success are the bitter ones, former players who lost out or pundits who have a gripe. Not saying that I totally disagree with them, but there are 2 sides to every story.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 12/01/2015 11:47:20    1682478

league 1 dublin
div 2 galway
div 3 tipp
connaught mayo
leinster dublin
munster kerry
unster tyrone
all ireland mayo

antoman (Mayo) - Posts: 140 - 12/01/2015 13:14:55    1682519

Anto Man - Tipp for D3??????????????? I have to Question why?

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 12/01/2015 14:01:56    1682550