I think had we won the Ulster final we'd be in an All-Ireland semi final right now. The team puts everything in to the Ulster championship with the view that not only will you have a medal in your pocket but you'll also have a bit of time to prepare for your quarter final. I don't think Donegal fans or the panel would ever take the view that "it might be better" to get knocked out and start again in the qualifiers. Some teams suit the qualifiers, no doubt, but I don't think we're one of them necessarily, not any more.

In terms of Ulster I think it's going to remain a minefield for the forseeable. Hopefully we can blood in some of our successful youth players, Derry are definitely a coming team and if Conor Glass isn't going to Oz they have a player that will be a thorn in our side for years to come. Tyrone obviously will be challenging as will Cavan if they can finally transition some of that U21 success. I don't know enough about Monaghan but I'd expect them to be there or thereabouts most years, even if purely relying on McManus.

Armagh and Down, who knows. This year was a bit of a false dawn for Armagh so it'll be interesting to see how they go. Down are in Div 1 but I don't expect them to challenge. I'd like to see Fermanagh build on their run this year and Antrim will continue sleeping.

Strong province but I'm not sure if there's an All-Ireland in any of the teams next year

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 11/08/2015 15:24:15    1768144

This was posted as a new thread but has been incorporated here as it is the same subject matter.

bumpernut
Posts: 888
Antrim 11/08/2015 15:27

Boring Football Championship without Ulster teams

It seems as though every time an ulster football team takes to the field the media/social media/internet forums get whipped up into a frenzy in anticipation of the latest performance of the 'dark arts'. Discuss

Administrator (None) - Posts: 2274 - 11/08/2015 15:34:42    1768157

Correct about the attrition rate for Ulster Champions. Which is exactly why any Ulster representatives opposing changes to the championship would be nuts.

Donegal entered the Mayo game with 1 weeks rest and 5 matches. Mayo entered the same game with 3 weeks rest and 2 matches.

The comments about dogged Ulster Football are also more likely levelled at Ulster Teams because they are in more tough matches.

Let's see Kerry and Mayo play Donegal and Tyrone and Monaghan every year and then you can compare like with like.

tyroneed (Tyrone) - Posts: 753 - 11/08/2015 18:39:23    1768314

Monaghan didn't exactly have a tough route to the Ulster final. They've been unlucky twice to be drawn against a Tyrone team who had their measure. Sure Munster champions have lost to Ulster qualifier counties in the quarter-finals before. Just the way it goes.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7868 - 11/08/2015 19:06:44    1768324

This thing about Ulster teams being burned out by the time they get to QFs.... and Kerry etc getting a handy run through.

If that argument holds any water surely Antrim would be winning a lot of hurling All Irelands.

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 11/08/2015 20:02:47    1768354

BIG SACKS
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1600

1768354 This thing about Ulster teams being burned out by the time they get to QFs.... and Kerry etc getting a handy run through.

If that argument holds any water surely Antrim would be winning a lot of hurling All Irelands.

Well that isn't quite comparable, as there is no Football province as poor as Ulster is in hurling.

Ulster Football championship and Munster Hurling Championship are similar, as in both are hotly contested and there is often surprise winners.

Munster Football Championship and the Leinster Hurling Championship are also very similar, in that they have one or two very strong sides, and a gap then to a series of lesser sides then. And generally both of these Championships provide us with more All Ireland winners.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 13/08/2015 14:00:40    1769442