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Leinster Football Semi Finals 2022

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Venue wise, i don't think its anything particularly about County, accepting of course we are in Croke Park most of the time - which i prefer we weren't.

Its more to do with the premium and corporate boxes to my mind, the GAA sell these seats and facilities for thousands and 10's of thousands a pop. They have to have games in Croke Park to tick that over rightly or wrongly and lets be honest, Dublin, Kildare Meath and WM would be pretty big markets for this given population and proximity.

What i like about days like this, is ill be heading up to this with mates from Dublin, Kildare and Meath - great we can all head up to an occasion like this, the craic will be great and Drumcondra buzzing.

We were long enough with nothing, so happy with something."
But when does it become about the county? Dublin have won what, 11 in a row?
Stats via Cill Dara Times;
Kildare have won 34/77 Leinster semi finals. 14/47 (30%) are the stats for games played in Dublin and 20/30 (66%) of games played outside of Dublin.
Kildare have won 4/7 semi finals vs Dublin played in neutral venues, drawing in 1 and losing twice.

Kildare played Dublin in Newbridge for the first time since 1995 this year, we won on both occasions.

At what point do we ask about the integrity of the competition? People outside of Leinster ridicule the lack of competitiveness within the province, but seldom bring up the insane advantages Dublin always have.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 05/05/2022 16:30:55    2415102

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "I've been to every Kildare game this year bar the Armagh one in the league, grma. This is the first one I've considered not going to though. Ridiculous price, soulless stadium, lifeless games. Am I right in saying that a "very poor and hyped up" Louth team beat ye in the league?"
As I said the league is over

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1802 - 05/05/2022 17:12:10    2415112

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Once the attitude and focus is right I expect Kildare to beat Westmeath by 6+ points. I would place Westmeath at third in the rankings in Leinster, I think they are ahead of Meath but have regressed from last year whereas Kildare have moved up a couple of levels from 2021. Regarding venue I agree as a supporter that it would be better to have the semi-finals in provincial venues. However I'm sure Glenn Ryan is relishing bringing his team to Croke Park and exposing his young players to the whole Croke Park experience

LilywhiteGael (Kildare) - Posts: 93 - 05/05/2022 18:57:33    2415133

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "But when does it become about the county? Dublin have won what, 11 in a row?
Stats via Cill Dara Times;
Kildare have won 34/77 Leinster semi finals. 14/47 (30%) are the stats for games played in Dublin and 20/30 (66%) of games played outside of Dublin.
Kildare have won 4/7 semi finals vs Dublin played in neutral venues, drawing in 1 and losing twice.

Kildare played Dublin in Newbridge for the first time since 1995 this year, we won on both occasions.

At what point do we ask about the integrity of the competition? People outside of Leinster ridicule the lack of competitiveness within the province, but seldom bring up the insane advantages Dublin always have."
Your own county rep voted to have these games in Croke Park right through all the years since the 1990s. Bring it up with your club and get them to take it to the county board. It's nothing to do with Dublin.

I also posted stats a while back showing that Dublin's record in Leinster since early 7os and it is actually better away from Croke Park than in it! Mostly due to how good Meath were and Meath gave up home advantage in the 80s and early 90s as they preferred to play in CP.

Makes no odds to Dublin where the games are. There's been way more Dublin supporters at any of the away games since they rightly stopped putting all Dublin games in CP. As had been the decision of the Leinster Council.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2558 - 05/05/2022 19:01:26    2415135

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "But when does it become about the county? Dublin have won what, 11 in a row?
Stats via Cill Dara Times;
Kildare have won 34/77 Leinster semi finals. 14/47 (30%) are the stats for games played in Dublin and 20/30 (66%) of games played outside of Dublin.
Kildare have won 4/7 semi finals vs Dublin played in neutral venues, drawing in 1 and losing twice.

Kildare played Dublin in Newbridge for the first time since 1995 this year, we won on both occasions.

At what point do we ask about the integrity of the competition? People outside of Leinster ridicule the lack of competitiveness within the province, but seldom bring up the insane advantages Dublin always have."
There are places in Kildare and Meath you would get to Croke Park quicker than Dublin.

To be honest I never bought into the Newbridge or nowhere thing, during the O Dwyer years Kildare we're happy to play all their games in Croker without a second thought for sporting integrity without Dublin in conversation.

I don't remember Meath playing many games outside Croke Park during the Boykin glory years either.

Look anytime I've been to Newbridge we've been beaten, but I also don't think there's been a serious game in a while, my last two visits were an O Byrne Cup game a few years back and this year with the Dan O Brian's of this world in the Dublin forward line, therefore stats have to be taken within a specific frame.

From memory didn't Kildare at one stage surrender games in Newbridge to play Dublin in Croke Park for the money.

The way I see everyone wants to play wherever when it best suits them, let's be honest, so sporting integrity my eye.

Say Kildare win Leinster, win their quarter, play Kerry in the Semi in Croker, from the proposed sporting integrity premise you propose, Kildare are compromised because they will have played 3 championship games there and it's on their doorstep. It's happened before in fact and there where very few shouts for Newbridge then, nor will there be if the same happens this year.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 05/05/2022 21:21:34    2415151

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "But when does it become about the county? Dublin have won what, 11 in a row?
Stats via Cill Dara Times;
Kildare have won 34/77 Leinster semi finals. 14/47 (30%) are the stats for games played in Dublin and 20/30 (66%) of games played outside of Dublin.
Kildare have won 4/7 semi finals vs Dublin played in neutral venues, drawing in 1 and losing twice.

Kildare played Dublin in Newbridge for the first time since 1995 this year, we won on both occasions.

At what point do we ask about the integrity of the competition? People outside of Leinster ridicule the lack of competitiveness within the province, but seldom bring up the insane advantages Dublin always have."
That reminds me, where the hell is kingdomboy these days.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1708 - 05/05/2022 21:25:12    2415152

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Meath will want to go out on a high this year been mcentee last and maybe a couple of players too.
What I would do is do not waste mentons scoring potential on staying with Fenton, let jones pick him up and a couple of early hellos may set the tone for what I expect to be a physical but fair old style affair, in this regard James Mac needs to keep the cool can't afford to go down to 14, Meath people and players know they not only could but should have beaten Dublin last year. Forget about our indifferent league (we had same last year) win this and beat dubs no one will give a rats ass about Galway Roscommon or Derry. It will soon be forgotten.
I don't care where the frees are Harry hogan should take them, unless they near in on left then Morris can. I'd also start Costello , hickey, O'Connor and young Flynn . To hell with it , yes it's throwing them in at the deep end , but youth has no fear and many of them have been on teams that have beat a dub side.
Look if it's still not good enough then that's fair. We can't ask for anything other than leaving everything out on the field of play.
I'm not overly optimistic but I am quite hopeful.
Hon the royal"
What's been Dublin's biggest winning margin ever, over Meath in championship football? I'm sure I could find it on Wikipedia if I wanted to, but I think Meath fans are a more accessible source of information on this one.

Well, whatever it was, add 10 points to it on Sunday: lambs at a butcher shop stuff!

Kildare will bluff their way into looking good, by beating Westmeath by 5-7 points. But again, like Meath, Kildare has no substance when it comes to the heavy lifting.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1914 - 06/05/2022 08:09:08    2415160

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Replying To TheUsername:  "There are places in Kildare and Meath you would get to Croke Park quicker than Dublin.

To be honest I never bought into the Newbridge or nowhere thing, during the O Dwyer years Kildare we're happy to play all their games in Croker without a second thought for sporting integrity without Dublin in conversation.

I don't remember Meath playing many games outside Croke Park during the Boykin glory years either.

Look anytime I've been to Newbridge we've been beaten, but I also don't think there's been a serious game in a while, my last two visits were an O Byrne Cup game a few years back and this year with the Dan O Brian's of this world in the Dublin forward line, therefore stats have to be taken within a specific frame.

From memory didn't Kildare at one stage surrender games in Newbridge to play Dublin in Croke Park for the money.

The way I see everyone wants to play wherever when it best suits them, let's be honest, so sporting integrity my eye.

Say Kildare win Leinster, win their quarter, play Kerry in the Semi in Croker, from the proposed sporting integrity premise you propose, Kildare are compromised because they will have played 3 championship games there and it's on their doorstep. It's happened before in fact and there where very few shouts for Newbridge then, nor will there be if the same happens this year."
Are you really making the argument that Croke Park can be as much of an advantage to Kildare as it is to Dublin?

I'm not advocating for Newbridge as with its current capacity, it can't handle a Leinster semi unfortunately. O'Connor Park would be great

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 06/05/2022 10:59:53    2415194

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Your own county rep voted to have these games in Croke Park right through all the years since the 1990s. Bring it up with your club and get them to take it to the county board. It's nothing to do with Dublin.

I also posted stats a while back showing that Dublin's record in Leinster since early 7os and it is actually better away from Croke Park than in it! Mostly due to how good Meath were and Meath gave up home advantage in the 80s and early 90s as they preferred to play in CP.

Makes no odds to Dublin where the games are. There's been way more Dublin supporters at any of the away games since they rightly stopped putting all Dublin games in CP. As had been the decision of the Leinster Council."
You say "makes no odds to Dublin where the games are" but I've just provided stats that prove substantially otherwise.
I'm not saying this is Dublins fault, it's just an advantage they're receiving. Croke Park is their home ground effectively and their winning returns vs the field are substantially better there than when playing elsewhere.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 06/05/2022 11:02:04    2415197

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Your own county rep voted to have these games in Croke Park right through all the years since the 1990s. Bring it up with your club and get them to take it to the county board. It's nothing to do with Dublin.

I also posted stats a while back showing that Dublin's record in Leinster since early 7os and it is actually better away from Croke Park than in it! Mostly due to how good Meath were and Meath gave up home advantage in the 80s and early 90s as they preferred to play in CP.

Makes no odds to Dublin where the games are. There's been way more Dublin supporters at any of the away games since they rightly stopped putting all Dublin games in CP. As had been the decision of the Leinster Council."
You say "makes no odds to Dublin where the games are" but I've just provided stats that prove substantially otherwise.
I'm not saying this is Dublins fault, it's just an advantage they're receiving. Croke Park is their home ground effectively and their winning returns vs the field are substantially better there than when playing elsewhere.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 06/05/2022 11:11:16    2415202

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Replying To Ashrules:  "The fixture is because looking after the Croke Park Stadium Company parasites is given priority over fairness to players and supporters. There are no fit for purpose parking arrangements except a car park for themselves. You are expected to rely on public transport which is run down in the case of bus eireann. Nobody between croke park and bus eireann troubles themselves with changing their schedule around match Days, You never see extra buses queueing up at full time. There is also the factor with a type of croke park official who is happy to let Dublin have an unfair home advantage (Not the Dublin Supporters who are generally fair people).
It will continue until people stop going along with it and leave croke park out of the matches they attend."
I think you're right - there's a lot more that could be done to make it easier to get to a match there. A train line runs right under the stand - it wouldn't have been a massive leap to have a match day station in there. For an occasion like this there should be special trains running to Mullingar (through North Kildare); to Athy (through South Kildare) to Athlone and to Navan (a train line that should exist). In other countries a match ticket would include free public transport to/from the match. In Ireland a weekend timetable exists and actively acts against getting people to events comfortably and quickly.

Instead to go to the Leinster Semi-Finals the only option is to drive; get stuck in Dublin traffic and have to pay €4/hr for the pleasure of parking - adding again and again to the cost of attending the game. Either that or risk the wrath of the clampers.

I expect Kildare V Westmeath will throw in with about 10,000 in attendance - 1/8 full; surely Tullamore would be a better neutral venue.

brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 284 - 06/05/2022 11:46:06    2415212

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "You say "makes no odds to Dublin where the games are" but I've just provided stats that prove substantially otherwise.
I'm not saying this is Dublins fault, it's just an advantage they're receiving. Croke Park is their home ground effectively and their winning returns vs the field are substantially better there than when playing elsewhere."
How far back do your stats go?

I do know that in last 50 years Dublin have lost more games in CP - to Meath, Kildare, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath than they've lost outside of CP. And they played at least half of games away until early 90s.

In saying "it makes no odds" I mean that it has never been Dublin arguing for games to be in Croke Park. That was decision of Leinster Council.


As hurling person mainly, playing away is the norm so I have no issue with it at all. Playing all Dublin football games in CP in 2000s was ludicrous and solely driven by attendances which were mad ironically when Dublin couldn't beat a barn door with a big stick!

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2558 - 06/05/2022 12:15:04    2415222

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "You say "makes no odds to Dublin where the games are" but I've just provided stats that prove substantially otherwise.
I'm not saying this is Dublins fault, it's just an advantage they're receiving. Croke Park is their home ground effectively and their winning returns vs the field are substantially better there than when playing elsewhere."
Will the boys are back in town be played when kildare run out?lol

Utdroyal (Meath) - Posts: 61 - 06/05/2022 12:33:53    2415231

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "What's been Dublin's biggest winning margin ever, over Meath in championship football? I'm sure I could find it on Wikipedia if I wanted to, but I think Meath fans are a more accessible source of information on this one.

Well, whatever it was, add 10 points to it on Sunday: lambs at a butcher shop stuff!

Kildare will bluff their way into looking good, by beating Westmeath by 5-7 points. But again, like Meath, Kildare has no substance when it comes to the heavy lifting."
A lot of football to be played yet. This is a young Kildare team containingplayers with Leinster and All-Ireland medals. They are creating their own legacy and tradition. This is a team that is only starting out on what will be hopefully a very fruitful era for Kildare football. If I were you I'd hold off on the sweeping generalisations and dismissals

LilywhiteGael (Kildare) - Posts: 93 - 06/05/2022 12:36:01    2415233

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Could the semi finals have been played over a weekend at provincial grounds?. There seemed no desire by Leinster Council to consider other venues.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 06/05/2022 13:02:51    2415241

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "What's been Dublin's biggest winning margin ever, over Meath in championship football? I'm sure I could find it on Wikipedia if I wanted to, but I think Meath fans are a more accessible source of information on this one.

Well, whatever it was, add 10 points to it on Sunday: lambs at a butcher shop stuff!

Kildare will bluff their way into looking good, by beating Westmeath by 5-7 points. But again, like Meath, Kildare has no substance when it comes to the heavy lifting."
Ahh look at the lil rossie trying to act like he knows something. Wum ain't ur forte. Try another angle. :)

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 06/05/2022 13:07:52    2415242

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Replying To LilywhiteGael:  "Once the attitude and focus is right I expect Kildare to beat Westmeath by 6+ points. I would place Westmeath at third in the rankings in Leinster, I think they are ahead of Meath but have regressed from last year whereas Kildare have moved up a couple of levels from 2021. Regarding venue I agree as a supporter that it would be better to have the semi-finals in provincial venues. However I'm sure Glenn Ryan is relishing bringing his team to Croke Park and exposing his young players to the whole Croke Park experience"
Not having a go here. But how you could consider Westmeath higher than Meath. When they couldn't get out of division 3 and meath lost to Galway (beat mayo) Roscommon (which they should have won) and Derry (who beat all ire champions). Just my observation.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 06/05/2022 13:10:28    2415243

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "Are you really making the argument that Croke Park can be as much of an advantage to Kildare as it is to Dublin?

I'm not advocating for Newbridge as with its current capacity, it can't handle a Leinster semi unfortunately. O'Connor Park would be great"
Yes i am, during the O Dwyer years it was advantage because it was on your doorstep and played all your games there, during the Boylan years for Meath it was similar - there was some crazy stat about Darren fay that he was 10 odd years or something playing for Meath before he played a Championship game in Navan. Taking Dublin out of the question - like in 98 in an example of the point I'm am making.

Kildare and Meath when they've been successful have set up base camp in Croke Park, obviously using your own premise that calls into question sporting integrity in comparison to say Cork, Kerry, Donegal or Galway who may only play a semi there.

Croke Park isn't an advantage to Kildare and Meath, because they haven't been competitive for top prizes. It wasnt for Dublin in say Kildares pomp in the late 90's - because we werent competitive. But if it turns, for either Kildare and Meath - they will once again set up base camp in Croker. So like i say sporting integrity my eye, every county will want to play in the venue that best suits them and if Kildare could mobilise crowds like we saw in the late 90's (where are they gone) they will use Corker like home ground - nailed on - Meath to.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 06/05/2022 13:25:31    2415251

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Replying To thelongridge:  "Could the semi finals have been played over a weekend at provincial grounds?. There seemed no desire by Leinster Council to consider other venues."
There is no desire other than to finish the whole thing as quickly as possible in case someone else needs Croke Park and the other pitches.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2558 - 06/05/2022 13:49:41    2415265

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "There is no desire other than to finish the whole thing as quickly as possible in case someone else needs Croke Park and the other pitches."
That doesn't sound like a valid reason for playing games outside Croker.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 06/05/2022 13:57:54    2415267

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