It's been very quiet about this one after Kildare's display against Cork. Fermanagh have absolutely nothing to loose and is it possible they could do something spectacular on Sunday. Of course all neutrals will be hoping they can put in a performance and make Dublin work for it but do they have a chance of an upset ?

SLLY (Dublin) - Posts: 463 - 29/07/2015 13:39:40    1760792

Personally I don't see how Fermanagh can win this one. They have got as far as they can and have done well to get to this stage but all Bs aside I think Dublin will win by 8-10 points if not more.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 29/07/2015 13:59:29    1760805

In fairness, I dont think they have a chance at all.
From their perspective, it has been a very encouraging season.
Promotion from Division 3 achieved and now football in August, as was set out following their defeat by Monaghan.
That is some very positive progress from a season, no doubt about that. But I think some people and even some elements of the media are getting a little carried away with where they are now. Lets look at who they've actually beaten in the championship so far. Antrim (twice), Roscommon and Westmeath. Call me cynical if you like, but they are where they are mainly thanks to a favourable draw.
I, like a lot of others, expected Roscommon to beat them. And indeed, Roscommon probably should have beaten them that day. But they didnt, and Fermanagh capitalised. Prior to that, they went in to both of the Antrim games, and subsequently the Westmeath game, as favourites and were quite impressive at times during these victories.
Dublin, however, are on a completely different level to anything they've faced so far.
I'd like to see them do well, make no mistake about that. But i honestly cant see them coping with the intensity and pace that Dublin will bring to the table. They'll give it their all and can hopefully keep it competitive for as long as possible, and even frustrate the Dubs. But in the end, they wont be within 10 points come the final whistle.

OffalyBigBall (Offaly) - Posts: 625 - 29/07/2015 14:09:53    1760809

Westmeath played terrible against Fermanagh Saturday but if they had taken their scores could still have beaten them so it doesn't bode well for sunday, Fermanagh have done great to get to this stage but I personally can see a 15-20 point Dublin win..

dec (None) - Posts: 269 - 29/07/2015 14:11:48    1760812

Dublin are 1/200 on, which is ridiculous in a two-horse race. It's a no-win situation for them. If Fermanagh even run them close they'll be criticised. Honestly, I think theyd prefer to have played Cork.

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 29/07/2015 14:12:41    1760813

Dec you do realise Fermanagh kicked 10 wides in the first half alone. The ref to put it midly rode us too. Cluckers black card was never a black. If it was a black card for anyone it was the Wmeath player. He also didn't give a blatant penalty for Fermanagh. So it's a bit smug saying that if Westmeath had taken their chances they would have beaten Fermanagh.
Offaly Roscommon didn't beat Fermanagh and if truth be told Fermanagh kicked enough wides in that game too from scoreable positions to beat them by more.
We wont win on Sunday but Fermanagh are there on merit not by luck.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 29/07/2015 14:21:55    1760821

I have seen Fermanagh a few times this year on TV and have been impressed with them. They ran Monaghan very close, were in the game until the final 10 minutes. They have a solid defence, great midfield and if they can cut out the silly wides/shot choices, then they could give Dublin a scare. They will also need to keep their discipline as they can't afford to lose their best players to back cards. However I still don't expect them to beat Dublin but they could keep it to 4/5 points.

JimTheLegend (Donegal) - Posts: 247 - 29/07/2015 14:23:27    1760824

Fermanagh are there because they deserve to be and not by some lucky results or by other teams not performing as some people claim.

Dubsfan28 (Dublin) - Posts: 2509 - 29/07/2015 14:30:29    1760828

dec did you even watch the game on saturday? ridiculous statement. yes westmeath were woeful, but they didn't have the chances to win. fermanagh restricted them to pot shots from 45 yards. they almost never got inside the 21 yard line.

i think fermanagh will frustrate the likes of connolly and brogan sunday and it will take dublin's bench to win it. alot depends on fitness of eoin donnelly also.

NYCcavanman (USA) - Posts: 204 - 29/07/2015 14:33:08    1760829

There is little point in anybody believing that we really stand a chance on Sunday. We have done well this year and its a nice dream to think we could snatch something from the game, but the reality is that the gap in quality is massive and unlikely to be bridged by any amount of heart or endeavour.

I don't think the lads will lie down at any stage, but Dublin will keep chipping away at scores and it won't be long before they are 10/15 points in front and the game will be over. Thats the reality of the league champions playing the division 3 runners up.

Steve (Fermanagh) - Posts: 293 - 29/07/2015 14:35:00    1760831

Just giving my opinion gotmilk, I disagree with your complaints regarding the black card decisions on Saturday I thought Fermanagh were very cynical and were constantly pulling and dragging real ulster style this will not work against the dubs in croke park, I don't agree I am being smug I am just making a legitimate point that if Westmeath had taken their chances esp at start of second half then they could have won the game even though they were brutal on the day.. I have seen both teams up close and I predict a 15-20 point dubs win..

dec (None) - Posts: 269 - 29/07/2015 14:36:04    1760832

Dec please tell me what part of Fermanagh was cynical? Clucker was stopping the fella taking him out after he gave the ball off. That is a black card, taking the runner out. A friend of mine from Down text me straight away after that saying it was never a black card. No one is saying Fermanagh are going to win but Fermanagh beat westmeath out the gate. Don't try and say they didn't. Once Westmeath went 5-2 up fermanagh out scored them by 1-11-0-02. Westmeath deffo should have won that game...

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 29/07/2015 14:42:30    1760835

I clearly remember armagh beating fermanagh in croker in the league final with 14men and running through them with ease. No upset here im afraid.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 29/07/2015 14:49:46    1760841

Anybody who thinks that the McCluskey incident was a black card incident doesn't know the rules. It should have been a yellow or red card, the fact it was black just shows that even the refs don't understand what it is really for.

Steve (Fermanagh) - Posts: 293 - 29/07/2015 14:52:38    1760844

You are talking about one incident gotmilk I am referring to the multiple pulling and dragging incidents by Fermanagh throughout the game I am just saying this will not work against Dublin...I did not say Westmeath should have won Fermanagh deserved to win on the day, I think you need to concentrate on your game on sunday you will be coming up against a super team who play a lovely style of football ...

dec (None) - Posts: 269 - 29/07/2015 14:53:14    1760845

Dec I actually think you didn't watch the game now with your comments of pulling and dragging real ulster style. Typical of what people down south would think of fermanagh without watching them. And to say that style won't beat Dublin on Sunday, well it did beat them last year in croke park didn't it?! Not that I'm saying fermanagh will beat them, just pointing out the flaws in your theory.

NYCcavanman (USA) - Posts: 204 - 29/07/2015 14:53:34    1760847

Fermanagh has barely ever featured on the TV this year yet there are all these posters ready to write them off ... Based on what ? They played div 3 yeah but we have serious ability and fitness and one key attribute that most teams don't have that play dublin ... No fear of them what so ever ... Ignorance is bliss for most commentators on Fermanagh outside ulster

AnBuachaillGlas (Fermanagh) - Posts: 287 - 29/07/2015 15:03:18    1760856

Look style of play is another topic altogether, there is an ulster style and a southern style. I would rather watch Dublin,mayo,kerry any day compared to watching ulster sides but lets discuss that at a later date, this topic is about who will win sunday and having seen both teams I just gave my opinion that Dublin will win with 15-20 points to spare..

dec (None) - Posts: 269 - 29/07/2015 15:07:08    1760860

Fermanagh's problem will be the usual one of stage fright - historically, Dublin down the decades try to run in a few quick scores at the start against rookie opposition before their stage-struck opponents settle and by then it's too late. There is no forgiveness or second chances playing this current Dublin side and, especially if Fermanagh get on the wrong side of a bent ref, it could end up as a total slaughter.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 29/07/2015 15:12:23    1760863

It would be a great story and the biggest upset ever this is not a carlsberg advert. They our there on merit and hopefully show everybody what there made of, pete has done a fantastic job with these lads and they deserve credit for the way they've played. Just really hope they don't crumble and give it a go.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 704 - 29/07/2015 15:19:55    1760871