Thomas Clarke if you think for one minute that Tyrone teams aren't pushed to win in Ulster then you're deluded. We have play EC, Dromore, Killyclogher and Omagh over the last 20 years. I know for a fact they went flat out to beat us and the scenes after the Omagh game are testament to that. Apart from The EC team with Canavans, Hartes etc, none of them have been good enough to make the next step and given the success at the other grades it just goes to show that clubs do push themselves. Since this current bunch made the breakthrough in 2006 we have lost only twice in the Ulster championship to Kilcoo and Omagh. 7 titles in 10 years. That puts Armagh club football and Ulster club football on a bit of a par I would say

RangerDanger (Armagh) - Posts: 101 - 23/03/2016 18:27:21    1837152

I think the Clubs in Dublin are really starting to benefit from playing in a really competitive environment, with players from different counties plying their footballing club trade there. Maybe the clubs in Ulster would benefit from consistently playing the other top sides in the Province, and it might bring them to the next level.


It's an interesting idea. Unfortunately it is impossible at present given the trouble already experienced in trying to play club fixtures.

It got me thinking about what if inter-county football was put to one side. Instead the GAA had a club based system where there was free movement of players between teams.

You'd have 4 leagues, one for each province. The top 4 say from each of those would qualify for a champions league style All-Ireland competition. The provincial league would be fed by county leagues. It'd make for an intriguing change. Having said that the whole free movement of players idea isn't especially likeable. It's great that in club football you can get some of the biggest stars in the game lining out with their local team.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4244 - 23/03/2016 19:50:23    1837169

Armagh football certainly isn't the best in Ulster but this idea that it's a cake walk for Crossmaglen is way off. Using this logic Ulster club football in general is also a cakewalk, given their exemplary record in the Ulster Club SFC.

Maghery, Cullyhanna, Pearse Óg, Dromintee, Clan na Gael etc have all had epic battles with Crossmaglen over the years. Battles which Cross have dragged themselves through by the skins of their teeth through et and replays. It is this dogged determination that sets them apart from other clubs.

The club scene in Armagh has taken a bit of a dip in the the decade or so but some clubs are making massive efforts at underage to develop and they are starting to reap the rewards - Cullyhanna, Harps, Killeavy and especially Clann Éireann - remember that one. I expect these sides to challenge for honours at senior level in the next 5 years

northarmaghgael (Armagh) - Posts: 40 - 24/03/2016 09:06:12    1837211

Thomas Clarke you really haven't a Clue about Armagh football and your talking, Cross would go into Tyrone and win county titles so don't start slagging off Armagh clubs and I would say that other Armagh clubs would go in and win Tyrone!! Also would like to add Trillick won a county title and they got hammered by 15points by Dungannnon (and I would think ur a Clarkes man by the name) in the Intermediate final 2 bad teams and they went on and win a Senior title the 1 later, Shows were Tyrone football is plus wen it comes to ulster they **** themselves!!!!!!!

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 24/03/2016 09:40:11    1837225

Jesus lads I'm sure they've had some tight games over the years but it still makes A mockery of the Armagh championship. 19 out of 20 is an embarrassment to Armagh football.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 24/03/2016 10:31:58    1837242

Same as the Leinster Championship then with Dublin winning it all the time

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 24/03/2016 11:03:15    1837254

Id say the whole of ireland must be embarrased goin by your logic. Ulster clubs everywhere must be dying with embarassment with cross winning, leinster must be embarrassed by dublin hammering everyone every year, dont forgot all yous munster men with kerry. God I doubt yous leave the house down there incase you bumped into a kerryman.

The bottom line is cross would win all irelands no matter where they played. There is a case that in dublin maybe it would be harder but that is to expected with the sheer size of the clubs and not to mention the raft of players from around ireland being brought in.

Like I said before there was clubs in armagh that would have won a county title in most counties over the last 15 years.

intothemixer (UK) - Posts: 9 - 24/03/2016 12:44:08    1837297

Yes Leinster is embarrassing no doubt about it.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 24/03/2016 12:45:45    1837300

I'm Glad we agree on that ;-)

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 24/03/2016 13:00:55    1837312

The raft of players coming in is an exaggeration there's not that many playing for the top clubs, 99% of Dublin club players are born in Dublin.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 24/03/2016 13:13:14    1837319

This nonsense about we'd win less in different counties is nonsense and irrelevant. We can't as we don't play in any other county and never will. The simple facts are this. In the last 20 years we've won 19 out if 20 counties, 11 out of 19 Ulsters we have competed in and 6 out of 11 AIs we've played in. We've lost 14 championship games out of probably around 180-185. We've broken all kinds of records and will continue to do so. Our run will end, when that is we don't know but the simple fact is we're doing all in our power to make sure it doesn't and we continue breaking records.

RangerDanger (Armagh) - Posts: 101 - 24/03/2016 13:13:39    1837320

Thomas Clarke you really haven't a Clue about Armagh football and your talking, Cross would go into Tyrone and win county titles so don't start slagging off Armagh clubs and I would say that other Armagh clubs would go in and win Tyrone!! .... Shows were Tyrone football is plus wen it comes to ulster they **** themselves!!!!!!!

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts:106 - 24/03/2016 09:40:11 18
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Good man, now go back and show me where I said that Cross wouldn't win titles in Tyrone. As I said earlier, I'd guess they'd have won plenty in the last 2 decades, but they certainly wouldn't have won 19. I also agree that some other Armagh clubs would have nicked a few Tyrone titles also in that period. No argument there, though your inability to read/comprehend is frustrating.

Armagh clubs have given up. They don't believe that can beat Cross, and go out to take their hiding. In a sporting context, I see that as reason for embarrassment.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 24/03/2016 13:19:34    1837326

Anyone, particularly from Dublin or Leinster, giving off about Armagh football should take a big red face. Leinster is as skewed and one sided as you will get.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 24/03/2016 14:29:55    1837352

Yes Leinster football right now is a joke just like Armagh club football.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 24/03/2016 14:49:36    1837365

Clondalkin - It wasnt you that came out with the 'Ballyboden won the all ireland and they were the 5th best team in dublin'?

intothemixer (UK) - Posts: 9 - 24/03/2016 15:59:17    1837394

Well Thomas Clarke go to the matches and see, I haven't seen a club lie down to cross apart from the semi final with Dromintee but that was the county boards fault, I play senior football in the county and I think that we can beat them, we haven't but I do believe when we play against them we can beat them!! tho the back door system isn't good in Armagh cause no1 will beat them Twice.

I would like to add the comments That the other Armagh clubs are a disgrace, having cowered in front of the Rangers for the last 20 years, is very disrespectful to the lads that train 3 and 4 nights a week to try and beat Cross, I can only speak for my club and have to say we train very hard year in and year out to be in the First Division in Armagh and a comment to come from, No1 a Tyrone fella that just wants to through digs at the county clubs and players, No2 Doesn't go to matches in Armagh to comment on the Standard of football is a disgrace....

I wouldn't go and call any club, player or county player a disgrace for not beating a good team!!

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 24/03/2016 16:55:45    1837413

I wouldn't go and call any club, player or county player a disgrace for not beating a good team!!

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts:107 - 24/03/2016 16:55:45 18374

Neither would | youngfella but in a previous post on another thread you said you hope Cross "continue to fly the flag for Armagh" for many years to come. I remember your comments so well as I couldn't believe what I was reading from someone who is playing for an opposing team, supposedly competing in the same championship.
If that isn't surrender and defeatism I don't know what is.

benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 24/03/2016 17:32:52    1837435

I very much enjoyed this. It really shows how the GAA is not just about sport for clubs like Crossmaglen, but it also served as an outlet for young people living through frightening times. It's amazing the sense of empowerment that can come with being part of a successful team.

I've often heard anti-GAA people complaining about the GAA's influence on neighbourhoods, but if the GAA brings a sense of security and unity to young people growing up in difficult circumstances, and gives them something meaningful to strive towards, then it has more than done its job.

ZeitChrist (UK) - Posts: 154 - 24/03/2016 18:16:26    1837453

benched (Tyrone)- If Cross win the county Championship I will Support them until they are beaten, Cross are a great side and there is ppl on here that don't understand why an other club in Armagh would support them in Ulster and All Ireland, I don't see what's wrong with that. Clubs in Armagh are trying to get better to take cross down but they are that good, they don't go out to win the league they are all about championship, The Armagh county Board has a lot to answer for as well with having a back door, Cross might get beat once but not Twice in Armagh.

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 25/03/2016 12:39:10    1837585

Clubs in Armagh are trying to get better to take cross down but they are that good, they don't go out to win the league they are all about championship, The Armagh county Board has a lot to answer for as well with having a back door, Cross might get beat once but not Twice in Armagh.

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts:108 - 25/03/2016 12:39:10
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This sums up the loser mentality that I was getting at - full of excuses, before a ball has even been kicked in 2016. You say that the team you play for is trying hard to beat Cross, yet you openly admit that it won't happen. What are you even training for??? There's a difference in hoping to win and believing you can win, and Armagh clubs have no belief.

And another thing, you don't actually have to beat them twice, so that excuse doesn't carry any weight. There is no back door from Qtrs onwards, so beat them once in Qtr/Semi/Final and they are gone. Have some belief, and stop bowing down to them.

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 25/03/2016 13:40:12    1837601