I seriously hope the Donegal players do not have the same air of resignation that you have muck.Because if they do,what is the point in togging out?This is a proud,successful group of players.The Dublin league defeat is still fresh in their memories and i'm sure they would love to put one over on us.A massive beating would do serious damage to Donegal imo.It just cannot happen.I believe Donegal will put in a massive shift and run us close but ultimately fail by a few points.Donegal are not coming down the country again to make up the numbers.I guess we will find out on Sunday.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 06/04/2016 14:07:50    1842610

Out of the 4 teams I would expect Roscommon to field their strongest available team and give it a right good lash v Kerry. Kerry are ticking over nicely and should have too much for them especially in the wide open spaces of Croker but its a great opportunity for the McStay/O'Donnel project to test themselves against one of the big contenders at HQ.

I expect Dublin to retain some of the fringe players and have enough to beat a Donegal team who will be looking towards the Ulster championship.

The final will be a bout of shadow boxing.

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1222 - 06/04/2016 14:28:20    1842624

I seriously hope the Donegal players do not have the same air of resignation that you have muck.Because if they do,what is the point in togging out?This is a proud,successful group of players.The Dublin league defeat is still fresh in their memories and i'm sure they would love to put one over on us.A massive beating would do serious damage to Donegal imo.It just cannot happen.I believe Donegal will put in a massive shift and run us close but ultimately fail by a few points.Donegal are not coming down the country again to make up the numbers.I guess we will find out on Sunday.
cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts:3727 - 06/04/2016 14:07:50 1842610

Don't get me wrong cede, Donegal will give it their best on Sunday but for reasons that have been aired many times here, they are far from battle ready.
Their best chance is to keep things very tight &, sneak a win in a low scoring game.
This was the plan a couple of weeks ago &, it was going quite well till Murphy got sent off.
I just think that those posters who say that Donegal should throw caution to the winds &, go after Dublin don't understand that there is no chance that will happen as it would be suicide.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 06/04/2016 14:38:06    1842630

totally agree muckross Donegal going gung ho against Dublin is only going to end one way, if they can frustrate the dubs long enough they might be in with a shout! oh yeah and a couple of goals wouldn't hurt!

coopersleftfoot (Kerry) - Posts: 91 - 06/04/2016 15:02:19    1842643

McStay and his management team are doing a good job with them. I honestly thought they would go down but they surprised me. There seems to be a real committed group of players and since the first game of the year the Rossies have been very focused. They will be really up for this game with Kerry. They have a fairly decent record against us. I would love to see Kerry win but it wouldn't surprise me if Roscommon beat us too. I think it will be a close game. Im sure the players would prefer matches like this over training so it will help both teams.

The main thing is how far have they progressed since the game against us in the league and im sure we will find out on Sunday.
They have fallen back a bit in their last two home games..losing to a relegation threatened Mayo and the dubs who had nothing to play for.

We have been on a good run of form and hopefully we can continue that on Sunday but I wouldnt be surprised to see Roscommon fighting us all the way to the finish. We have a few injuries with O Donoghue, Maher, Sheehan and the likes of the geaneys getting back to match fitness but Rossies also have a fair few players out.

Kealy Marc Griffin Enright Crowley O'Mahony or Young Fionn Donaghy Moran Buckley Murphy Donnacha Darran/Fitzgerald Cooper O'Brien.

KY4SAM2015 (Kerry) - Posts: 898 - 07/04/2016 13:26:25    1843018

Roscommon wont come within 8 points of Kerry on Sunday and will get torn apart in Croke Park. They have no midfield and are very porous at the back. As I stated before they are easily bullied on the ball and let the opposition to cut straight through their defence. Both Mayo and Dublin who were understrength cut through their defence at will in the last two games and showed them to be average at best. Rossies got a couple of good wins early in the league due to their superior fitness but will be shown up on Sunday as a lot of teams have caught up and are in pre championship mode. Expect Mayo to win Connacht easily again this year with Sligo to give Roscommon plenty to think about as usual.

kingdomfan (Kerry) - Posts: 393 - 07/04/2016 15:39:17    1843093

Kingdomfan like I asked you already what are you basing you assessment of Roscommon on? when have you seen us that you think what you think? and please don't coward away from answering question again.
I think we will beat Kerry if management put out our strongest available side. Kerry have too many lads close to drawing the pension to be able keep up with us in big open pitch like croker. Sunday will tell a lot. I would worry about Purcell at 6 for us though

Pingcity (Longford) - Posts: 568 - 07/04/2016 15:47:31    1843096

Cant agree with that kingdomfan...great to be optimistic about Kerry and all but Roscommon have shown throughout the league that they can mix with the top teams

Can see it being a tight game

KY4SAM2015 (Kerry) - Posts: 898 - 07/04/2016 16:00:12    1843104

Roscommon remind me of Derry a couple of years ago. Absolutely flying in the early stages due to superior fitness and other teams not in the same shape, I was at the game in Kerry earlier this year and they struggled to put away a vastly understrength Kerry team that were just back from their holidays a week. I watched the Mayo game on TG4 and Mayo who started training even later than Kerry were far superior especially in the key central areas. Mayo also bullied Roscommon that day and very far more physical than the Rossies who had no option but to foul Mayo all day giving them easy frees. Lastly, the Dubs with possible four championship starters made Roscommon look very ordinary in Carrick last weekend. I think they will be found out on Sunday in Croker and also in the Connacht Championship. Some nice enough forwards but think they will struggle to win primary possession against the top sides in championship football.

kingdomfan (Kerry) - Posts: 393 - 07/04/2016 16:34:32    1843125

Not too sure about your Carrick assessment Kingdomfan. It was the classic game of two halves, we were very good in the first but start wobbling in the second when Roscommon put the pressure on. They have some slick forwards capable of kicking decent points, physically strong in the inside forward line and their half backs didn't look too shabby either. I think they will put it up to the Kerrymen. Looking forward to a good looking double header.

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4700 - 07/04/2016 19:57:17    1843235

Kingdomfan I would like to hear your opinion on our hammering of Cork in Pairc ui rinn and our comprehensive beating of Donegal in Letterkenny, was there a reason for those wins ie Donegal on holidays or Cork at a stag party? If you comment on performances comment on them all for a little balance.
Your comments Sunday evening will be interesting.

giveballaghback (Roscommon) - Posts: 296 - 07/04/2016 20:31:47    1843247

What's the story with the cute Kerry hoors fans usually they have a bit of grace win lose or draw.
The shower on here are anything but graceful.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 07/04/2016 21:02:26    1843261

Hate getting drawn into debates with the likes of kingdomfan but Roscommon were as equally understrength as Kerry when we visited Killarney and i'm sure our injuries would have been highlighted more had we lost more games. I agree that we are not as physical as we need to be and midfield is a definite problem area but not to the extent that you claim. When a team has a dominant midfield like Mayo's it can become a very simple game. Donaghy and Moran will most certainly be a handful on Sunday. There is no shame in losing to the dubs by just a point as any team they field is one of quality but no-one can seriously expect us to match a full strength Dublin team in our first year back in Division One. As one poster already said, we are not as great as our earlier showings but are definitely not as bad as our last two matches suggest, somewhere in the middle. Really like our team named and can't wait to see them in Croker!

RoscoMan (Roscommon) - Posts: 80 - 07/04/2016 21:22:18    1843276

umoured that the GAA will show Top Gun during the donegal match in case fans nod off asleep. They decided to show this retro film to reminise when donegal last played real football.
The dublin county board are fighting this decision as they would prefer netflick where they can watch only fools and horses so that donegal players wont know when the fans are laughin at their style of play and not at trigger forgetting his sambos

heresam (Dublin) - Posts:79 - 05/04/2016 09:03:55

Funny, I heard they were going to play the 2014 All Ireland Semi Final as that example, as it doubles as a lesson to Dub fans in not getting too cocky.
Al_Maguire (Donegal) - Posts:38 - 05/04/2016 10:28:17 1

Very good Al.
I hope to God that fella heresam is a wum from another county, already his posts are cringe worthy.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 07/04/2016 21:36:11    1843283

Roscommon will give us a right cut, why wouldn't they they have nothing to lose its all bonus territory for them after staying up in the Division.

Kerry have named a strong side however: Brian Kelly; Marc O Se, Mark Griffin, Shane Enright; Peter Crowley, Aidan O'Mahony, Fionn Fitzgerald; Kieran Donaghy, David Moran; Johnny Buckley, Paul Murphy, Donnchadh Walsh; Darran O'Sullivan, Colm Cooper, Stephen O'Brien.

I think (hope) we will shade it, but whatever happens it should be a good match and I'm looking forward to having a few pints with the first cousins coming up from Strokestown.

I hear the weather is going to be miserable, bitterly cold and wet, so wrap up well people!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 08/04/2016 10:06:28    1843341

Can't seem to get a nice dry day for football this year.hope the two games are good competitive games of football.

dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1061 - 08/04/2016 10:30:54    1843349

I think the match sunday will be a great litmus test for this Roscommon team, what the mayo match showed was they are vulnerable when faced with a very good midfield the team fitzy has picked is going to test this ie we have three midfielders in donaghy, moran and buckley. I feel this will be the winning of the game for Kerry as I'm not sure the Roscommon goalie has the range of kickouts to counter this. having said this I wouldn't be that surprised if the rossies win as I think their forwards will love the extra space that croker affords. win or lose I think the job that the Roscommon team has done while only playing one game at home is incredible not sure what other team could have pulled it off!

coopersleftfoot (Kerry) - Posts: 91 - 08/04/2016 10:35:20    1843350

Looking forward to watching two interesting games of football on Sunday, I know who wins the league should just be crowned champions. But personally I like the way the semis gives last day drama and interest to all league fixtures and now we have a few more games to enjoy.
Both games are interesting from the point of view how managers will approach them compared to the recent game plans in the league.
Will Donegal adapt a bit more attack, will Dublin play the same personel as previous game or try a few different guys in vital positions. Will Roscommons element of suprise be gone now when they face Kerry for a second time, Kerry don't like losing twice to same opposition within close proximity of each other as Cork have found out in championship, I expect Kerry to put in a big performance.
For Donegal I think everything is about the Ulster championship and if anything is gained from Dublin game it will be see as a bonus. Having said that I think Donegal have some serious players and if Dublin play the team they did against Roscommon we will be beat. If we have a strong team named I'd be more confident of having too much for Donegal.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 08/04/2016 20:20:37    1843644

Kerry will beat Roscommon handy enough on Sunday as Roscommon have no midfield and are wide open at the back. Dean Rock waltzed through their defence anytime he wanted last Sunday and that will be exposed by the Kerry forwards the next day. They are also quite easy bullied off the ball as Mayo showed a couple of weeks ago and are not a physical side by any means. They also failed to beat a Dublin team without practically all of their championship team last Sunday in Carrick on Shannon. Kerry to win by a minimum of 8 or 9 points. Expect Dublin to beat Donegal by 4 or 5 points when they figure out how to get past the normal "parked bus" **** they play.

kingdomfan (Kerry) - Posts:371 - 05/04/2016 09:47:17   184

I was asked by Roscommon fans to come back after the game after I predicted a 8 or 9 point win. Backed Kerry to win by 10 so happy days. Rossies were an embarrassment today and game was over in 10 minutes. Game was no good to either team. Men against boys in every area of the field. Roscommon not a Division 1 team and will be out of championship in late July. Ciarraí Abú

kingdomfan (Kerry) - Posts: 393 - 10/04/2016 15:36:59    1843911

One thing worse than a bad loser is a bad winner.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 10/04/2016 15:43:10    1843914