Armagh are probably far likelier to go through the league undefeated compared to Meath and Galway. The question is whether the handicap of paying weaker Division 3 teams will be outweighed by the feel-good/positive vibes from the good results.

Personally I think for a team like Armagh a year spent in Division 3 is an awful waste of time, especially in terms of developing younger players for championship football. Any team serious about being a championship contender needs to be in Division 1.

For the three teams mentioned, the qualifier draw is likely to have a serious impact on how far they go. World of difference between getting drawn against Division 3 and 4 teams versus getting drawn against Division 1 and 2 teams.

besidetheditch (Dublin) - Posts: 81 - 16/01/2015 11:03:03    1683788

as an Armagh man and having seen them twice this season already I really don't no where to put them, they played some great football against Tyrone and the st marys they wouldn't have beaten the worst county, (the weather could have been a big problem and a very inexperienced team out as well) but I don't no how things will go for them this year.

Meath were very poor last year and I do think that they are better than last year, but have to lift the level this year.

galway have lost a few big names and do believe that they are better than last year as well, but they are in the weakest province of all.

with that in mind I do think that galway will have the better chance of going to a semi final, but Don't rule Armagh out of hitting a big time with a defeat.

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 16/01/2015 12:23:04    1683822

Armagh look the strongest at the moment and the McGeeney factor will get the max out of the team. Meath were poor against Armagh last year and I would suggest Galway maybe ahead of them. All three teams will probably be in the back door and I could see Armagh once again making the last eight.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 16/01/2015 13:15:34    1683843

Is Connacht really weaker than Leinster?

I mean I would put Galway and Roscommon on at least a par with Meath

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/01/2015 14:10:46    1683867

leinster lately been very poor but all round leinster would be stronger yes

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 16/01/2015 14:42:04    1683877

that they didnt even look remotely dangerous against dublins we have a go you have a go style mesamis says a lot about their capabilities..honestly dont see where they have the players good enough

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 16/01/2015 14:43:18    1683878

fabio 8

To be fair Leinster has more teams...

For example I think it would be as hard for Meath to win Connacht as it would to win Leinster

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/01/2015 15:12:28    1683893

Based on the provincial championship draws, you would have to say Meath at this stage. They should reach the Leinster final and even though Dublin will probably hammer them, they will still be in the 4th round of the qualifiers. Galway will face Mayo in the Connacht semi-final while Armagh have to beat Tyrone and Donegal just to reach the semi in Ulster, so barring some major shocks, the other two will enter the qualifiers earlier and then it all depends on the draw.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 996 - 16/01/2015 15:28:57    1683901

I agree with Gaillimh_Abu Meath will in all likelihood get back to a 4th Leinster final in a row, so even if they lose they will be in the 4th rd of the qualifiers. Based on last year Armagh look a better team. Galway have been poor enough for the last few years but like meath are playing Div 2 football which has to stand to them.

I fancy meath to go further through the back door as there first qualifier is likely to be in RD4 I don't fancy any of the teams to win provincial titles.

jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 16/01/2015 19:09:58    1683958

Add Tipp to that 3 ball. They are shaping up nicely.

But if I were to pick one of the 3 teams, I would say Galway, only just. I have a feeling Armagh might flop this year, as they will take a couple of years to fatten out a wee bit in form. Meath seem to be plagued with injury. If they can avoid this they have a chance, (depending on the draw in the qualifiers and how soon they go into same). Armagh could get to the ulster final, in which case I would expect them to win it., but they will have to get passed either tyrone or donegal at home to do this. This is why i think they will have a poor summer. They are likely to go in to the qualifiers early, and they dearly want a run in ulster to build around.

Galway should do well if they can stick together and look at the bigger picture. They seem to lose interest when they go into the qualifiers. They didnt show too well against kerry last august, and I think that the experience of that game will sharpen them up this year. They need experience, and I think they have it now.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 16/01/2015 19:40:19    1683961

Make no mistake mick O'Dowd is under no illusions about what must be achieved this year. Meath were 60 seconds and a very dodgy decision regarding time wasting in ballbofey from been in division one this year instead of Donegal. So its hardly a stretch of imagination to say they would be higher rated. Now the total collapse in Leinster final,followed by the most bizarre team selection and positional changes in Armagh game have left serious doubts about what this year holds
.
It is year 3 of mods management, he knows and we know unless a Leinster title and or a quarter / semi all ire is achieved he will not get a 4th year. So on that basis in going to say Meath will reach quarters... At least.
Hon the Royal

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/01/2015 19:58:22    1683965

You could add Roscommon to that list.Great young players coming through in the Murtaghs,Smiths and Ultan Harney.

HughHunt24 (Cork) - Posts: 841 - 25/01/2015 21:28:59    1686360

meath are going to go far this year lads wait and you see

antoman (Mayo) - Posts: 140 - 25/01/2015 21:46:34    1686366

Anto. Hope you right, but id settle for promotion and Leinster title.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 26/01/2015 08:13:58    1686377

besidetheditch
County: Dublin
Posts: 52

1683788

Armagh are probably far likelier to go through the league undefeated compared to Meath and Galway. The question is whether the handicap of paying weaker Division 3 teams will be outweighed by the feel-good/positive vibes from the good results.

Personally I think for a team like Armagh a year spent in Division 3 is an awful waste of time, especially in terms of developing younger players for championship football. Any team serious about being a championship contender needs to be in Division 1.

For the three teams mentioned, the qualifier draw is likely to have a serious impact on how far they go. World of difference between getting drawn against Division 3 and 4 teams versus getting drawn against Division 1 and 2 teams.


We won Division 3 and an Ulster Final in the same year, I didn't think it was a waste of time.

supermon (Monaghan) - Posts: 1073 - 26/01/2015 14:00:42    1686515

It relly does depend,for wxample if Kevin Reilly and Conor Gillespie were available for Armagh last year,Meath may have won.

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 26/01/2015 14:12:26    1686523

Ziggy if im honest i don't think having either kev or Connor would have made a bit of a difference.
The way mod approached that game i wouldn't have been surprised if Gillespie was goalie and kev full forward, i jest. But honestly that was the most bizarre starting 15, subs, and above all game plan i have ever seen.
Im not been disrespectful to armagh but the way we were set up and managed that day vast majority of teams would have beat us. It was a disaster plain and simple.
Those mistakes cant and wont happen again.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 26/01/2015 14:31:24    1686534

Well I agree with your points RD,but they would have added leadership and physical presence..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 26/01/2015 17:41:17    1686634

Yeah ziggy they certainly would have added that. Both physically and leadership was very much missing that day

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 26/01/2015 17:58:35    1686643