No satisfying some people.

If any pundit did big up Westmeath's chances he would be criticised for being patronising/insane.

Pundit calls it as he sees it gets criticised for being disrespective.

Dammed if you do, dammend if you don't.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 10/07/2015 14:48:19    1751061

Anyone who doesn't fear for Westmeath would want to take a good look at themselves. Dublin will comfortably win by double figures

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 10/07/2015 15:15:28    1751075

They're dead right. I've heard from a source close to some westmeath players that they're expecting an absolute hammering.

And they're dead right. They need to forget about the final and keep their focus for the inevitable qualifier match 2 weeks later.

Making an all Ireland quarter final against the likes of donegal, monaghan, mayo or roscommon would be huge for them and a chance to make history.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 10/07/2015 15:30:25    1751088

There is absolutely nothing wrong with what the pundits are saying, Dublin will win handy- FACT.

Now it would be refreshing if some of the players were to break rank from the mundane, cliched almost script-like orations and say what they really think instead of the usual soundbites about how they expect a tough contest- yawn, playing a very good team- yawn, nothing's going to be easy on the day- yawn...... Now I don't just mean the Dublin players against Westmeath or Longford here but in general. It would be great to hear brogan or o donoghue or Murphy or whoever come out and predict that they'd win well or else they'd be disappointed because they know they have a way better team!!
Same with post match interviews, how about coming out and saying what they knew all along, they expected to win well, the opposition today was a formality until we meet the big boys... Not the usual, well we knew we'd get nothing easy here today-yawn, expected them to come here today set up well-yawn, knew they'd come at us for the first 20 minutes-yawn, very good players-yawn, got the lucky breaks-yawn etc etc..... and they after winning by 30 odd points!!!

Please excuse my yawning, quite tired as I've had a busy day

pim (Meath) - Posts: 119 - 10/07/2015 15:50:44    1751107

dont see it as being disrespectful at all in this case to be fair....dublin are expected to win handy and should do so

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 10/07/2015 15:57:48    1751112

Jack_Goff

And they're dead right. They need to forget about the final and keep their focus for the inevitable qualifier match 2 weeks later.

Not a chance, finals are there to be won.

I do expect Dublin to win this but they won't have it all there own way if Connelly is not on form or Brogan for that matter then they could struggle a little. I do not rate Dublins midfield infact I thought it was their worst sector against Kildare. If they push up on Cluxtons kickouts and make him kick longer then Westmeath might win the midfield sector. If they can get early ball into Heslin he has the ability to hurt an untested fullback line. Westmeath need to believe they have a chance and with a good bit of luck they can push them all the way.

As for Whelan and Ryans comments they were part of a Dublin team that alot of lads thought all they have to do is show up and we've it won and that is why they have no all irelands to their names.

Jackos_Wacko (Kerry) - Posts: 417 - 10/07/2015 16:15:22    1751128

DoireCityFC
County: Derry
Posts: 525

1751022
I dont think they were patronising anyone. If they were then my bookie is doing the same and patronising Dublin by only giving me 1/100

Take those odds! PP only give 1/500! Seriously though, what is to be said? Whelan and Ryan are being realistic/honest. The fact that bookies are giving those odds speaks volumes. Its a sad state of affairs. Hopefully, Westmeath can keep it below 10 as I think that would be a good result. Beating the dubs would be a miracle. Everyone (dubs included) would love a tough competitive nail biter but its not gonna happen.

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 10/07/2015 16:22:59    1751134

Disrespectful? Ahh will you give over, what you want the auld gaa (ok mostly hurling these days) bs , ahh itll be a tight game and if this happens and that happens and no one is taking anything for granted, it'll be tough, if me aunt had balls , blah blah blah.
If Westmeath get within 20 of dubs they will be delighted, not one of those players is expecting anything other than a hammering, in their own words "beating Meath was the pinnacle" its all about who they draw in Monday morning.
Disrespectful no , totally realistic yes.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 10/07/2015 20:01:43    1751216

Yes Meath conceded 3-20 in last years final against Dublin but im hopeful we wont be that bad as our players are fitter than Meath.

Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1018 - 10/07/2015 20:37:50    1751231

Don't see it as any way disrespectful, their just saying what they and most others are thinking. Dublin will win with a fair bit to spare.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2151 - 10/07/2015 21:16:58    1751244

one change on dublin team
james mccarthy replaces john small
cian o sullivan goes chb

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 10/07/2015 21:34:39    1751251

Jesus the meath boys are still awful bitter by the sounds of it. Dont know where your man heard that the players are expecting a bad beating! If westmeath played meath again in the morning we'd beat them . Meath were dead on their feet,whereas Westmeath could of played 20mins longer and dished out a hiding!
And not too many Westmeath people will worry about what Shane Ryan thinks. We wouldnt rate him! Iarmhi Abu! lets bring the delaney back across the bridge into Kinnegad!

wmeathgael04 (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 10/07/2015 21:55:06    1751260

SR and CW have voiced what a lot of ex-players , fans and media think .
They will get respect were it matters on the pitch and on the sideline from Dublin management , for example look at the team that will take to the field no experimenting , blooding players for the sake of it .
On a note regarding the two players involved not having AI for me it was nothing to do with their character , more there were just better teams around at the time , dosent mean they cant have an opinion .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 11/07/2015 10:09:15    1751288

i never understand this kerry atttitude of it matters how many all irelnds you have for to have an opinion
pat splillane is always banging on about if you only have one medal nobody will listen to you
there two different things playing and being a pundit
you could be a superb pundit or analyst of the game and never won anything or even played at a the top level
the same as you could be a brilliant player and no good as a manager
some of the best managers were only avaerage players sure

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 11/07/2015 10:33:29    1751297

roundball
County: Tipperary
Posts: 2252

1750943
Shane Ryan and Ciaran Whelan coming out in sombre tones telling us all they fear for Westmeath. If I was a Westmeath fan or player I think I'd find it patronising. They're almost talking as if the Westmeath lads don't belong in a Leinster Final with The Greatest Gaelic Football Team Ever.

Genuine question roundball seeing as you set up the thread. What do you think the lads should of said. They said what they think could happen. Their is a fear if Dublin score early it could end up being a huge win and sour what West Meath have achieved in getting this far and we end up with an embarressing score line, WestMeath have some lovely footballers and could easily perform to a much higher level than is expected and cause Dublin problems ,although on the balance is a huge ask.
Its a credit to WestMeath that they have made the final and for me the incentive for them is to outperform how Meath and Kildare faired against us recently and dream the impossible.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 11/07/2015 12:04:32    1751319

The only disrespect being shown here is by the opening poster,who obviously has an issue with people - be they ex players,fans or pundits- expressing their honest opinion.Nonsense post.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 11/07/2015 12:21:43    1751324