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The best in Ulster are pulling away from the worst in Ulster no different to around the country , the days when you hadn't a clue who would win when two counties met are becoming less of reality , certainly the last couple of games have gone to form . I have always had a soft spot for Down ever since I saw Mickey Linden and I hope they genuinely ram my words down my throat, God knows the championship needs a spark , cant see it, Monaghan are there for the taking just don't think Down have the players to grasp it. Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 31/05/2016 13:32:06 1860247 Link 0 |
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I heard macmanus for monaghan was stretchered off last weekend at training can anyone confirm this on here?? Teddyboy (Sligo) - Posts: 1 - 31/05/2016 13:51:20 1860258 Link 0 |
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Down in disarray. Handy win for Monagahan. Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 31/05/2016 14:06:12 1860268 Link 0 |
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Down's opener in the Championship in 2007 was a preliminary round game away to Cavan.
OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 31/05/2016 14:10:56 1860274 Link 0 |
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17 years since Down had a home draw in Ulster and Monaghan play nearly every game at home given Clones is used so often. they should do what munster hurling teams do and rotate venues. SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 31/05/2016 14:25:26 1860282 Link 0 |
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This was a semi final , not a first round match !!!!
topdownfan (Down) - Posts: 555 - 31/05/2016 14:47:55 1860286 Link 0 |
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Incredible that Down have been drawn away in 17 years of UFC first round matches. You would imagine on the law of averages that Down would have been drawn at home on a few occasions in that period What are the odds on an away draw in 17yearsof fixtures? thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 31/05/2016 14:57:22 1860293 Link 0 |
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No it was a quarter final, Down had played away in the preliminary round and then got Monaghan at home in the first round proper.
benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 31/05/2016 15:34:15 1860300 Link 0 |
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Much like the three previous games in Ulster this year this one looks very predictable. Monaghan should win handy enough. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 31/05/2016 15:40:49 1860301 Link 0 |
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Benny McArdle: Down can win Ulster title MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 02/06/2016 09:36:05 1860762 Link 0 |
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Well no-one is making up players, there are young forwards coming through with great potential. Barry McGinn
patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 02/06/2016 10:23:18 1860791 Link 0 |
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Well no-one is making up players, there are young forwards coming through with great potential. Barry McGinn and Conor McCarthy had great performances in our u21 run and have been blooded in the league, while Jack McCarron looks to have hopefully put his injury troubles behind him. The real question is if they are ready to make a big impact in terms of taking the burden off McManus immediately, which I'm not sure of. Hopefully they can chip in a bit though, I'd be hopeful of seeing one or two of them at some point on Sunday. Bit of a banana skin for us here. Nobody is giving Down a chance, and in the past we've often struggled with the favorites tag. It's about time we become comfortable with it though, I'd be very disappointed if we didn't win. Everyone is saying that Ulster is due a shock, but across the whole country the results so far have went the way they should going by odds and league position. I can't see that changing here. patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 02/06/2016 10:31:20 1860795 Link 0 |
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The reality is that Monaghan hold all of the aces to win this. A squad brimming with championship experience, coupled with quality and confidence. A potent mix. On the other hand Down lack experience and quality, and are understandably big underdogs. No one is giving us a chance, even our own supporters. Who can blame us? We watched our team being hammered each week in the league. However it's not all doom and gloom for us. Benny McArdle (If fit), Darren O'Hagan, Aidan Carr, Kevin McKernan, Mark Poland and Donal O'Hare are all players capable of swinging the game in Down's favour. We will need our experienced heads to perform to their potential if we're to upset the odds. But there are too many question marks hanging over the heads of the newcomers, especially in the physicality department. My biggest worry is that Monaghan might outmuscle Down. If this materialises then we might be looking at a battering. MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 02/06/2016 11:20:16 1860826 Link 0 |
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Very quiet from the Monaghan Camp no media articles by players so far this week. Which for me is a good sign and massive change from the media hogging attention of previous regimes. Talking to a few Monaghan players they know Down will prove a difficult task, Monaghan tried things in the league some worked or didn't they know where mistakes where made and hopefully all will be ironed out on Sunday. There is no talk of the match what so ever in the mourne county where expectations seem to be at an all time low. The county has brilliant footballers but for some reason or another they haven't made themselves available. Marty Clarke,Benny Coulter, Conor Laverty, Paul McComiskey, Caolan Mooney. Also players like the johnsons missing through injury. Probably 7 of 10 best forwards in Down. When the draw was made I feared for Monaghan but as the game has got closer I can't see Down winning. This Monaghan team under Malachy O'Rourke do carry the favourite tags very well and haven't lost to team as favourite except the Tyrone last year. Every team they are expected to beat they normally do. shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 02/06/2016 11:35:30 1860829 Link 1 |
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Agree with you there shaggy. A bit like Armagh, if Down had their full selection available it could have been a very tricky tie for yous. But as it stands, Monaghan hold all the aces and I'd expect them to win pulling up.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 02/06/2016 12:12:38 1860844 Link 0 |
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What do you think the Monaghan forward line will look like Patk, will any of these new lads be used on Sunday? My guess instead it will be more like 10 Carey 11 Malone 12 McAnespie 13 Eoin Duffy 14 Red Hughes 15 McManus. Can't see the Monaghan management handing out too many starting debuts MadgeKing (Cavan) - Posts: 493 - 02/06/2016 12:16:38 1860848 Link 0 |
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You could well be spot on with that line up. Malachy has been known to stick with the tried and tested come championship time, but this is an ideal time I feel to start someone new in the forward line. McGinn imo deserves a shot for his form through the spring for the u21s, and hasn't looked out of place when he featured for the seniors. He picked up a knock lately though which could set him back, but the word is he's good to go. I'd start him ahead of Carey who's had plenty of gametime but hasn't replicated his club or college form. Daniel McKenna is another with a good chance to start. Bit older and more experienced than the other lads, but he had good spells in the league and looks like he's ready to contribute more, probably just needs to improve his consistency. I'd also like to see McCarthy come on in the second half when he could do a bit of damage against tired legs. At the least I'd like to see these kind of lads introduced from the bench instead of the usual attacking subs we always make. patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 02/06/2016 14:19:11 1860893 Link 1 |
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Down certainly going in as underdogs, but expect them to raise their game and give Monaghan their fill of it. Don't think its the foregone conclusion some are suggesting seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2142 - 02/06/2016 14:54:49 1860903 Link 0 |
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Monaghan should win this handily. They just did enough in the league to stay up and I would imagine have their sights set on going well in the championship. They have wilted a couple of times in recent years in Croke Park in August. I think they'll be looking to remedy that this year. ZeitChrist (UK) - Posts: 154 - 02/06/2016 14:59:54 1860907 Link 0 |
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So the Monaghan forward line is just as predicted (take your pick of the Hughes boys). Very strong in defence as usual but they could struggle in midfield and there's not a lot of scores in the half forward line. It looks a conservative choice by Malachy O'Rourke and if anything will give Down some confidence. This may not be the walk in the park everyone expects
MadgeKing (Cavan) - Posts: 493 - 03/06/2016 12:35:15 1861183 Link 0 |