I'm not sure why someone started a thread on a Dublin Region v Kerry AI final. So much so, I don't see a need for now to comment in that thread.

Mayo have contested the last two All-Ireland finals. Dublin Region are the defending champions. Getting past either of those two to make an All-Ireland final is going to be a difficult task. In typical northern style, by a minority it must be said, it's being claimed if Kerry somehow got through that side of the draw it is easy. That's ridiculous.

Donegal have overcome a Derry side knocked out by Longford, who in turn were knocked out by the rising Tipperary, and an Antrim side knocked out by our tricky neighbour Limerick, to make Sunday's Ulster final. There isn't much northern comment about that. There's then claims being on the same side of the draw as Mayo is an easy route to the final! Being drawn on the same side as Dublin Region or Mayo makes little difference. It's the way the traditional semi-final pairings swings around.

Anyways getting back to the topic's question, can people honestly see past a repeat of last year's final? Mayo and Dublin fans on here have got to be very content with the northerners divering attention from their probable All-Ireland final repeat.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 17/07/2014 17:33:16    1620764

You make a good point as usual Legend, they seem to be the 2 outstanding teams at the moment. The last 3 defending champions have all been dethroned by Mayo which would give the Dubs cause for concern, but the only time the Dubs and Mayo can meet is in the final this year which should give Mayo cause for concern. Something will have to give if what looks like the inevitable pairing in the final comes to pass.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 17/07/2014 17:43:27    1620773

Interesting point Soma. Mayo do dethrone All-Ireland champions. If they do it again for the third year on the trot, they'll be the All-Ireland champions! I know a few lads working in Castlebar who have suffered many a long year. Their year might finally have arrived.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 17/07/2014 17:57:05    1620782

Meh, Miles too early to say!

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 17/07/2014 18:08:34    1620787

The 2 best looking teams no doubt but Mayo have met 2 very inexperienced teams so far. The amount of spilled ball at crucial times by the Rossies in the last 10 minutes and the utterly deflating wides by Galway meant that Mayo got over the line in the end and maybe had that ability to push on if required... I would fancy them versus a potential Kerry team who were given acres and ages by Cork.
As for the Dubs well it will be a tough path if they do get there. I hope it will be Meath / Monaghan / Donegal in that order. In relation to DL and MN I can see both teams disrupting Dublins 2 - 9. Perhaps in excellent teams we tend to focus 0n any apparent weakness but both full forward lines can present danger to the Dublin full back line. Both teams have strong midfields that could disrupt MDMA and COS..so who knows. Do Cork at 20/1 each way represent better value and interest in the percieved weaker side of the draw (purely because the Dubs are on the other side of the draw) your thoughts please ........

fintownsuburbs (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 17/07/2014 18:13:43    1620790

I am not aware of anyone who said getting past either Dublin or Mayo was going to be "easy", but neither is it impossible as both favourites have big question marks against them.

Yes, the teams beaten by Donegal have performed poorly subsequently, but the teams Dublin built their reputation on beating, Cork, Derry, Laois, & Wexford, have also disappointed. Mayo have have repeatedly performed poorly on the big day.

The fact of the matter is that none of the top sides have shown their full hands yet, as to peak this early in the year would be foolish.

Every top team figures they have a chance & rightly so.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/07/2014 18:15:53    1620791

If Mayo meet the Dubs as expected in the final they will be attempting to dethrone the reigning champions for the fourth year in a row Legend. Just because of their many near misses it would be great to see them finally win the All-Ireland, beating the Dubs would be some way to do it.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 17/07/2014 18:16:52    1620792

Oh, I must have been trying to erase the '10 champions from the list!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 17/07/2014 18:37:38    1620800

Legendzxix - A friend of yours should tell you what is meant by the Dublin Region so that you would not be making an amadán of yourself.

fainleog (Limerick) - Posts: 598 - 17/07/2014 19:08:02    1620813

What is this Dublin region lark?

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/07/2014 19:22:53    1620820

Id rate Mayo higher than Kerry at present.If Kerry can replicate their dismantling of Cork in their next game,well then its time to get worried.Maybe it was just one of those days when everything just clicks in to place,helped by an insipid,flat Cork non - pereformance.Mayo are the real deal.Consistently powerful,looking to reach their third final in succession.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/07/2014 19:36:39    1620825

I haven't a clue cuede, but it is very tiresome.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/07/2014 19:39:22    1620828

lol fainleog, I don't know what you're smoking. There used to be a non-sports section here on the Hoganstand, shame it's gone. The point could have been discussed more.

Back on topic anyways:

@cuederocket - I doubt the Dublin Region will be worrying of Kerry. We've been in transition since we lost to Down in '10 and there's no sign that transition is over. We have not won a minor All-Ireland since '94, 20 years ago! The Dublin Region have raised their level to get in there challenging for All-Ireland's. There's hard work going on in Kerry. Jack O'Connor is doing a decent job with the minors this year. I know lads involved in the minor setup. We'll be hopeful, but it's never guaranteed, that we'll have more talent available to call upon.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 17/07/2014 20:32:38    1620859

Getting harder and harder to look beyond a repeat of last year's final. Donegal have beaten a division 1 opponent in an Ulster quarter-final and Kerry have beaten a division 1 opponent in a Munster final. Dublin Region and Mayo have beaten off all lower league opposition that have crossed their respective paths. Despite all these false stats really, a Dublin Region v Mayo final seems the most likely. Bring on the All-Ireland series anyways and we'll see how it pans out. If Mayo maintain their record of beating the defending All-Ireland champions, as they've done the last 3 years on the trot, they'll be champions.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 20/07/2014 18:15:40    1622077