After watching the league games this year I'm of the opinion that it's now a 3 horse race between Cork Mayo and Dublin for Sam. Kerry haven't a hope Tyrone's defence is to weak to win Sam Donegal I don't really know tbh and the rest have no chance IMO. Thoughts?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/04/2014 10:18:51    1571530

Jesus Clondlakin Dub,
That's the sort of post that gets us Dubs a bad name :-O. . By the way, the I think Tyrone are strong contenders and you can never ever write Kerry off.
I seem to remember the great teams of the past having miserable league campaigns and then coming back and winning the AI.

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1974 - 07/04/2014 10:26:16    1571539

Dubs, Cork or Donegal
Outside bets Kerry Tyrone Mayo

Hardly insightful I know1!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 07/04/2014 10:26:52    1571541

Would agree with you there on the top three. Tyrone, Donegal, Kerry and maybe Monaghan probably capable of knocking one of the other three but not going the whole way.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 07/04/2014 10:27:37    1571542

I'd agree with our Towers man alright. Cork, Mayo and the Dubs possibly the most likely, however Donegal are still knocking about though. 2012 All-Ireland Champions are always going to be in with a shout for the 2014 crown!

Tyrone have looked very good at times over the past year or so and not so good at other times. I don't think an All-Ireland is beyond them. Kerry aren't strong enough, sans Gooch, in my opinion to win Sam.

So maybe not a 3 horse race, I think there's 5 potential Champs - Cork, Mayo, Dublin, Donegal and Tyrone.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 07/04/2014 10:34:42    1571550

Well I'm writing Kerry off I don't think they've a hope in hell of winning Sam this year, that hammering they took yesterday they won't come back from, there backs midfield and forwards (beside's O Donoghue) not good enough.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/04/2014 10:36:26    1571553

In his own inimitable way Clondalkin is right of course.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 07/04/2014 10:47:46    1571560

Never ever ever write of kerry

In 2009 cork destroyed kerry in munster final kerry beat cork in final

i think cork are going great at the moment and delighted with the job the manager but there un tested in the heat of championship battle.
Dublin gone backwards. Mayo still afraid of croke park. Tyrone i fancy to be strong in all ireland series

so all in all there are 5/6 teams that can win sam at this stage.

im going to get all sorts of grief over this but im putting me head on the block and going for the cork double

ritchie (Cork) - Posts: 346 - 07/04/2014 10:52:45    1571565

Would never write of Kerry being honest. I think at midfield going forward they are good enough. Declan O Sullivan and Donaghy will come back. I think guys like Daithi Casey, Stephen O Brien (very impressed by this guy), Paul Geaney, James O Donoghue, Kieran O Leary, Barry John Keane means they still have plenty of potential.

If Kerry do have a worry, I think it might be their backs. Hard to replace guys like Tomas O Se and Eoin Brosnan. Peter Crowley, Fionn Fitzgerald are good players. I think the jury is out on Marc Griffin, Shane Enright, Paul Murphy and dare I say it - Marc O Se (he has nothing to prove obviously but are there signs that may be he doesn't have the hunger for it anymore? all the lads that he soldiered with are gone pretty much and it is new team that he seems not to be part of perhaps?).

Would never write them off and I'll probably be eating my words when Marc Griffin gets the all-star full back slot.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 07/04/2014 10:56:02    1571569

Kerry team of '09 completely different to the Kerry team of '14. Dubs gone backwards? Maybe your right but until we have everyone back and fit I'd never write us off, yeah Cork look the real deal this year alright.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/04/2014 11:02:45    1571579

With the way the Semi's are drawn for this year, Dublin would not have to meet either Mayo or Cork until an All Ireland Final, provided all 3 win their respective Provincial Titles and Dubs make it that far.

Yesterday's defeat will have knocked the Kingdom for 6 alright, but you can never write them off.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3727 - 07/04/2014 11:02:50    1571580

ritchie
County: Cork
Posts: 95

im going to get all sorts of grief over this but im putting me head on the block and going for the cork double [/I]

what have you done????!!!!!

Declan O Sullivan for me was the player of the 00's but he hasn't been the same player in 5 years now I don't know if it's injuries ,mileage or lack of hunger but he just isn't the same player.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/04/2014 11:08:31    1571590

I've been to all our league games and the team that have impressed me the most is cork, Hurley is a beast of a man and colm O'Neil is a savage player, hopefully they can mind him and keep him fit for the rest of the season ahead, I've said it before on other threads that I'm very impressed with Brian cutburt , cork used to be so negitive under cunihan but not now fair play to him. As for my own team we have a lot of work to do, I don't think Johnny Buckley and maher are championship standard midfielders but I would like to see maher at centre back at some stage, so unless donaghy or Brian Sheehan can do something we'll be in trouble. Moran is a fine player glad to have him back. So at the moment it's cork dublin mayo in that order.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 07/04/2014 12:41:15    1571662

Kerry id never write off as a team , but given the Facts , the players gone , the ones replacing well lets just say I think if they won an all Ireland with this team it would be a hell of an achievement , Cork have been impressive but they have been quick out of the blocks , its a long time to September opposiotion will narrow gap with Cork , Mayo semi final material just not sure theyve added anything new to get them the prize , Tyrone ? Hard to gauge , too often don't put in two half's and end up playing catch up .
Dublin Ive said it in other threads you cannot keep going to the great escape well , sooner or later we will be on the end of a one point beating unless we impose ourselves for full duration of game
Donegal are the fly in the ointment , if they stay clear of injuries they will take Ulster in my opinion .
In a nutshell don't think there is a realistic Hot favourite , its an open enough year and the challange is there for the Monaghans Meaths Cavans to burst into the big time , Sam is up for grabs .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 07/04/2014 13:57:36    1571717

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 4725

1571530
After watching the league games this year I'm of the opinion that it's now a 3 horse race between Cork Mayo and Dublin for Sam. Kerry haven't a hope Tyrone's defence is to weak to win Sam Donegal I don't really know tbh and the rest have no chance IMO. Thoughts?

I agree that Cork, Mayo and Dublin will be in the mix for Sam. The rest is still difficult to predict.

I think Mayo and Dublin will fall short though.

Dublin are always consistantly dangerous, but they seem to be lacking so far this season.
Mayo are a very strong team, but will they Improve on last year?? I don't think so.
Cork look very strong, and could well be poised to take Sam if all goes well.
Kerry will still a tough cookie to crack come championship, I don't think they are primed to win an All Ireland, but they should be SF or QF material.
Meath are only a player or two away from making a serious challenge for an All Ireland in my opinion. I think they will feature in AI series this year.


The outcome of the Ulster Championship may give a clue of which Ulster side will push on, with a Derry/Donegal v Monaghan/Tyrone/Cavan final likely.

Derry are arguably the best side in Ulster at present, but league is one thing, the championship will be a massive step up. Beating Donegal is No 1 priority, and beating a formidable Donegal who have their all seeing eye focused on you and time to plan is no easy feat.

Tyrone are hot and cold, displaying moments of brilliance, and moments of that have left fans disillusioned. If they can find a balance, they have the players to do damage.

Donegal have come out on top of a difficult looking Division 2, and have at times looked phenomenal. On other occassions they have been slack and careless, which is a common trait during the league I suppose. If they beat Monaghan in Div 2 final, and beat Derry then they could take some stopping. They look different from 2013, more pace and attacking flair about them.

Monaghan are reigning Ulster champions, and many people are expecting them to step up and push on this year. They have the team, the Intensity and the skill to do it, but we need to see them win in Croker and shake and bake then.

Cavan are an emerging team, with plenty of energy and dogged determination. I think they will make a run for the AI QF this year again, however I don't think they will win Ulster. They are defensively solid, but still a tad light up front.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/04/2014 14:04:52    1571723

Going to have a go at predicting the semis, mayo cork and dublin tyrone with a repeat of last years final. Dont know if we have it to beat them though unless we get the rub of the green.

Balla8 (Mayo) - Posts: 10 - 07/04/2014 14:05:04    1571724

all cute hoorisms aside, i genuinely think people need to calm down a little bit re Cork
Tis only April lads
Good team no doubt tho

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 07/04/2014 14:11:36    1571729

Easy one this Cork are good things.

Hoover78 (Limerick) - Posts: 865 - 07/04/2014 14:11:55    1571730

GaryMc82 yeah it's called not having your best team on the pitch so far this season.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 07/04/2014 15:04:01    1571765