Armagh last won it in 2002, runners up 2003 Galway last won it in 2001 runers up 2000. Meath last won it in 1999 runners up 2001.
Once very strong counties, is quarter finals now the best they can hope or could one get to a semi final . Or are the top teams just that bit too far ahead ?
Armagh look like they could give Ulster a good go this year and could realistically win it, they seem to be adapting a Donegal type tunnel vision and total focus on their trainig regime under McGeeney or was last year a once off.
Galway new manager will they suprise a few people this year.
Meath , do they need to get more intense training and conditioning to be able to compete with the top teams or get to a semifinal like 2009.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 15/01/2015 14:28:51    1683512

Actually ayhaclith cant argue with your assessment. Meath need a better training regimes. We tire too early, but this year a qf is probably most we cam hope for

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/01/2015 14:50:57    1683521

I think Armagh will surprise a few people this year and I can see them reaching an All Ireland semi final. Galway seem to be improving but have yet to really look like they can trouble the top teams. Meath meanwhile will likely get to another Leinster final only to be beaten by the Dubs before losing out narrowly to an average team in the final round of the qualifiers. All so predictable..

11jm11 (Kildare) - Posts: 365 - 15/01/2015 14:51:16    1683522

The three teams you mention here belong in a larger group of maybe 9-10 teams that on any given day in championship could beat each other.

A lot of teams have the potential to reach a QF but it doesn't mean they are any good or have improved. All of these teams should be aiming for at least this in the championship. It's the luck of the qualifier draw.

The teams that fall into that category I believe are:

Meath
Galway
Armagh
Kildare
Derry
Down
Wexford
Roscommon
Monaghan

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 15/01/2015 15:19:13    1683540

Of the three I would say galway have the best talent emerging, unfortunately! Hard to say who will do the best this year, maybe whichever one gets that bit of luck.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 15/01/2015 15:54:44    1683557

Armagh are a decent side but is coming close to beating Donegal last year the reason why people are talking them up. They were relegated to division 3 last year and will be playing sides not tipped to win much this year. The reason they came close to Donegal last year is because Donegal took them a bit for granted and had only a week to plan for them.
Their rough house tactics will soon start to work against them and ref's will realise that and start to come down harder on them. They will give Donegal or Tyrone a tight game in the Ulster championship but they can hope for a quarter final at best.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 15/01/2015 16:14:51    1683566

Galway are the most obvious to take the step up !! With 2 u21s

curnew (Wicklow) - Posts: 449 - 15/01/2015 16:17:42    1683568

I'd agree tir conaill about Donegal taking Armagh for granted and thats why there was nearly an upset.

It's for the same reason Donegal bet the Dubs. The Dubs took them for granted.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 15/01/2015 16:37:57    1683575

100% Daytona. The Dubs would have loved to play that one again. We probably did them a massive favour as I'd expect them to arrive with a serious hunger on this years championship and the lessons learned will make them more formidable in the years to come. I really enjoyed that day, both minors and seniors winning against the odds and knocking the All Ireland champions out in a sun drenched Croke Park!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 15/01/2015 16:45:40    1683579

Im hoping Dublin take Meath for granted if we meet in Leinster final.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 15/01/2015 17:12:28    1683589

I wudnt have Wexford or Down in that group.Wexford had a few good years but their gone well back.Down have done nothing for a few years now and with B Coulter gone they have lost their spiritual leader.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 15/01/2015 17:16:31    1683591

galway have loads talented players form those u 21 teams
and we have another bunch coming with next u 21s
the problem has allways been in defence with galway
teams just running through middle of our defence
the full back line been left exposed etc
not enough workrate tackling
however im hopefull kevin walsh can sort these issues out
he certailnly knew how to close down galway when he was with sligo

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 15/01/2015 17:59:38    1683613

From what iv seen of the 3 teams I'd have to say Galway could get to the quarters and possibly a semifinal .

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 15/01/2015 20:46:43    1683680

If the 3 teams were in the same province Armagh would go the furthest cos regardless of League standing I would say that Armagh are slightly the strongest of the 3 at present. But given that Galway are in the weakest of the 3 provinces they have the best chance of going the furthest.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 15/01/2015 21:02:49    1683685

dont see why meath are mentioned here?..havent shown a whole lot of potential..would have to say armagh based off the management and flashes shown..maybe galway will finally get things right but not convinced just yet

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 15/01/2015 21:11:55    1683693

fabio8
County: USA
Posts: 1192

1683693
dont see why meath are mentioned here?..havent shown a whole lot of potential..would have to say armagh based off the management and flashes shown..maybe galway will finally get things right but not convinced just yet

I'd agree there. Last year's Leinster Final was embarrassing from a Meath perspective I thought seeing as Dublin weren't up to much in the end as we found out.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 16/01/2015 09:59:29    1683756

It all depends doesn't it?

I will start with my native county Meath..

For me we are better side than we showed last year without doubt,but we always seem to struggle with injury,and normally key players,so it becomes and ifs and buts game.But the area that worries me most is that we do not seem to have any natural corner backs of good enough quality.Keoghan is a quality corner back,but it seems that Mick O'Dowd will play him in the half back line.If Kevin Reilly is missing from the full back area(and often is) then we are truly in trouble.

Galway - They always flatter to deceive and have lost Meehan,Joyce and now Armstrong. A pity as Meehan was always a joy to watch,Armstrong never hit his full potential in my opinion and Joyce has retired.So now they are relying on youth,the potential is their,but it is only potential at this stage.Midfield seems to have improved though.

Armagh - Armagh look the safest bet out of the three teams,they look physically strong and conditioned very well,they also beat Meath twice last season.They look the better organized of the sides,but I would suggest that Meath and Galway have better individuals.I would prefer to be in Armaghs situation though.They do have Jamie Clarke too,who is a top class forward.

In conclusion I would say Armagh are ahead of Meath/Galway,who I would rate about even..

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/01/2015 10:17:37    1683764

daytona

Agree,but I would not have Wexford in that category

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/01/2015 10:19:29    1683766

TRue eonugh Ziggy.

At this stage I think there is another group below the one I mentioned which is quite competative also

Wexford
Cavan
Fermanagh
Tipp
Clare
Louth?? or have they gone ever further back?
Limerick
Westmeath?? Possibly even further back at this stage
Laois

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 16/01/2015 10:26:05    1683772

Daytona

Always hard to gauge with some teams,Laois could beat Meath and Kildare on their day,but obviously I rate Meath and Kildare higher

ziggy320001 (Meath) - Posts: 2432 - 16/01/2015 10:49:20    1683786