Re : Longford v Dublin O Byrne Cup Semi Final. Goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton made his first appearance of the season for Dublin while All-Ireland finalists Jonny Cooper, Philly McMahon, James McCarthy, Denis Bastick, Dean Rock and Paddy Andrews also started. My point is a lot of Div 2 teams are playing several fringe players. Galway had six U21 players on last weekend.

crikey (Australia) - Posts: 355 - 11/02/2016 14:15:48    1824704

Hard to know who can stop Derry and Tyrone now.

As a Cavan fan, would love to get a rattle at Mayo and Kerry next year! We have work to do to hold our status. We are in danger of becomming gallant losers on a regular basis and need to be more ruthless!

Reformation (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 11/02/2016 14:53:56    1824715

GaryMc
I would usually agree with a lot you have to say but I have to disagree with what you say above. While Kerry are normally slow starters in the league I couldn't see Fermanagh,Cavan etc beating them. Mayo missed a hell of a lot of players at the moment and under new management they are probably getting used to a new system. I feel there is quite a gap between div 1 & 2. I saw Galway on Sunday and I felt they were a poor enough side.....Tyrone conceded 1-3 when Colm Cav was black carded and Tyrone had 7 U21's from last year on at them stage.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts:23 - 10/02/2016 18:19:24

A team like Fermanagh who get up and running very early every year, are well capable of taking a scalp in the opening rounds of Division 1. I would also say there is very little between the likes of Roscommon, Down, Galway, Fermanagh and Cavan. While I don't see them giving Dublin a run for their money, I wouldn't dismiss them outright either, as the big guns are rarely running in top gear during the National league's early stages.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 11/02/2016 17:06:09    1824754

Belclare1
I took Thomas O'Se's word as gospel about the 7 u21's. I may have been mistaken but off the top of my head Rory Brennan,Lee Brennan,Cathal McShane,Conor Meyler,Mark Bradley with McGeary and Hampsey on the bench who didn't come on but have played in previous games this year.
Galway played well for 5 mins at the start of the game and 10mins at the end. You aren't going to win to many games playing well for 15 mins.
Goldrick
I can't remember how many points Meath were up by but it must have been 10 maybe 12 at one stage.....when u lose a lead like that it is shocking....not just in GAa but in any sport.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 11/02/2016 17:21:16    1824759

We are in danger of becomming gallant losers on a regular basis and need to be more ruthless!

Reformation (Cavan) - Posts:116 - 11/02/2016 14:53:56 1


100% true

Monaghan were in a similar place a few years back and I think beating Donegal so comfortably in 2013 completely altered their mindset. They now approach games more in expectation than in hope.
Same could maybe be said for Dublin against the very top teams and I think if Mayo were to win Sam in the next 2 years, they could win a bucketful.

We probably need to win Ulster in order to really kick on.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 11/02/2016 17:36:37    1824769

The fridge. Its actually a nickname he got in primary school for been the tallest lad in his class by some distance. It stuck with him since . Bit like the Gooch , even all his teammates call him biggie.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/02/2016 19:13:21    1824793

Monaghan were in a similar place a few years back and I think beating Donegal so comfortably in 2013 completely altered their mindset. They now approach games more in expectation than in hope.
Same could maybe be said for Dublin against the very top teams and I think if Mayo were to win Sam in the next 2 years, they could win a bucketful.

We probably need to win Ulster in order to really kick on.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts:1428 - 11/02/2016 17:36:37 1

Changing the mindset is the beginning, but you still need the key players in all positions to make it happen. Monaghan are a strong well organised team, but even they lack key players and that has seen them suffer in the All Ireland series despite two Ulster titles in 3 years.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 11/02/2016 21:26:47    1824834

Garymc82

True,but its fair to say that Monaghan have got the maximun of what they have had over the last few years.It also helps if you have one of the best forwards in the country.Cavan don't have that.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 12/02/2016 09:09:40    1824848

Garymc82

True,but its fair to say that Monaghan have got the maximun of what they have had over the last few years.It also helps if you have one of the best forwards in the country.Cavan don't have that.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts:4572 - 12/02/2016 09:09:40

Yeah I agree that Monaghan as the 4th lowest populated County in Ireland have worked absolute wonders, they have been efficient with what they got.

Having such a naturally gifted forward like Conor McManus and the likes of Dessie Mone, Drew Wylie, Kieran and Darren Hughes also adds to it. Rory Beggan is a superb free taker if needed, i think the cross generational blend has been part of their success, with Paul Finlay, Owen Lennon and Dick Clerkin helping from the bench.

I look at counties like Down, Armagh and even Derry, and I wonder why they aren't doing the same. These counties also have that kind of talent, I just think they aren't harnessing it properly. Part of this is down to the management, and part of it is down to underage development and bridging the gaps from Minor right through to Senior level.

Cavan have been slightly ahead of the game in terms of under-age development, which has seen them overtake Tyrone and dominate Ulster in recent times. However they have been lacking that outstanding full forward that top sides generally have. Whether its Eugene Keating, Dunne or Seanie Johnston, they are all decent forwards, but none have really stood out.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 12/02/2016 20:19:25    1825008

Also with Cavan,they were quite poor at senior level,before there underage success.They may be a force in the future when some of these underage players are experienced county players.A good side,but not a side that will win an Ulster senior title in the next few years.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/02/2016 11:18:11    1825052

Interesting take on Cavan there lads. Agree with what you are saying. Would love to see an outside manager come in and see what they could do! Unfirtunatlt, it wont be this year! At least we have a trip to Navan to look forward to Ziggy :)

Reformation (Cavan) - Posts: 356 - 13/02/2016 12:47:27    1825063

Reformation

Think it will be similar to last season,it could go either way.Strange that Meath play Cavan two years in a row in Navan and Galway two years in a row away.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 13/02/2016 14:54:02    1825086

Think we'll struggle to stay up. Must beat Laois.

Breffnilad (Cavan) - Posts: 2 - 14/02/2016 18:07:00    1825315

Agreed Breffnilad, it'll be a big game between Cavan and Laois - hope we can turn ye over!!

ExLaoistalk (Laois) - Posts: 25 - 15/02/2016 16:24:42    1825567

Laois haven't had much U21 success recently but U21 Evan O Carroll is very good. Puts in a mountain of work.

crikey (Australia) - Posts: 355 - 18/02/2016 12:49:58    1826315

Good results for the lads...... Sad to hear about rory grugans father.

credit_crunch (Armagh) - Posts: 57 - 29/02/2016 12:23:06    1829249

Laois could have gotton a draw from the Tyrone match I was at it..They matched them to half time tyrone pulled away in a 15 minute spell but Laois came storming back.

But for a great save at the end the match would have finished a draw ...Laois are one physical big side they looked even bigger than the red hands.


Tyrone played a nice brand of football and it was a great game to watch..

Well done to the Tyrone travelling support they were down in big numbers and it was great to see the inaction between both fans in the pubs before and after...

Portlaoise is a great place for a game.

BigJohn.6_8 (Galway) - Posts: 704 - 29/02/2016 17:10:47    1829470

Get the feeling that Tyrone are keeping their powder dry so far and not showing their hand. So far they have recorded fairly run of the mill victories without having to fire on all cylinders. Some good experience for the squad members too ahead of a tough championship, its early doors I know but the signs are good so far that we can be competitive this year.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 29/02/2016 19:24:16    1829536

After watching my county's performance Saturday night they showed more than enough that they're top 4 division 2 and shouldn't fall through the trap door of relegation. I worry for Meath, looked terrible from the highlights i saw of their game. Must of been Cavan's highest scoring tally of the 21st century.. Great win for galway up in Derry, due to teams of their past i still dont know about rooting them for promotion with that inconsistency they intend to show. Two horse race between them two to finish behind Tyrone. Interesting fixtures this weekend coming. I think galway should be too good for that meath side at home, not half sure about the other three.

halfback_5 (Armagh) - Posts: 13 - 29/02/2016 21:21:17    1829595

Get the feeling that Tyrone are keeping their powder dry so far and not showing their hand. So far they have recorded fairly run of the mill victories without having to fire on all cylinders. Some good experience for the squad members too ahead of a tough championship, its early doors I know but the signs are good so far that we can be competitive this year.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts:10729 - 29/02/2016 19:24:16 1829536

Brend I think you are right about not showing their hand. I was thinking about this today and it may apply to other counties.......would you rather want Tyrone in Div 1 and say winning 3 games and losing 4 and staying up against quality all Ireland contenders or beating weaker teams in Div 2 and maybe thinking they are better than they are. The last time they were in Div 2 they had it easy and come championship they were beat by Donegal and Armagh.I feel Monaghan would of learned a hell of a lot against Dublin even though they lost. Maybe it's better getting beat by quality teams than beating poorer teams. I know in Tyrone's case they have a lot of younger players and maybe getting beat would effect there confidence so a few wins of any kind will bring them on.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 29/02/2016 21:36:43    1829604