Well what are the predictions?

My own view is Cross have not been too convincing yet. They don't seem to be firing on all cylinders just yet. They looked to be in trouble the last day out but as usual they came out fighting in the second half and came through in the end. They will meet tough opposition this time and can't afford to get behind. I still think they will do it but I would say it will be a close encounter and they can't afford to get behind in the early stages.

Does anyone know where it will be and what time is throw in.

Dan.Diesel (Armagh) - Posts: 34 - 24/11/2008 15:48:29    148535

Think Cross will just edge it though Ballinderry are a very good side, it will be their toughest game to date.

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 24/11/2008 16:50:11    148615

tough to call winners to win outright

chalkie (Derry) - Posts: 312 - 25/11/2008 17:08:13    149676

I saw Ballinderry against the gaels. Only good when da gaels threw in the towel. Think you will destroy them, hope ypu do, they seem a cocky lot.

Dennforever (Cavan) - Posts: 11 - 26/11/2008 17:25:16    150674

In Reply to Dennforever - I came on this website to see what the thoughts were on the upcoming ulster final between Balinderry and Cross only to come across a disgruntled Cavan man referring to Ballinderry as "cocky" how do you come to that conclusion?

doirebhoy (Derry) - Posts: 344 - 26/11/2008 20:50:49    150834

Will be a tight one to call but would agree that the winner of this stands a very good chance of winning the All Ireland. I hope it's a good game and would like to see Cross win but they will need to step up a gear as this will be their toughest test.

Club_Orange (Armagh) - Posts: 34 - 26/11/2008 21:02:11    150838

Cross will hopefully win despite the Armagh county boards best effoorts at hindering their preparations.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 28/11/2008 10:53:58    152240

Cross will surely, they don't lose finals and them going for a 3-in-a-row. Can't see them beat

Dennforever (Cavan) - Posts: 11 - 28/11/2008 11:47:04    152302

ur rite ther boy,them derry clubs think ther unreal.. hopefully cross hammer them bt then ballinderry wil probly resort to the same ugly scenes that occured after ther derry cship match..only time wil tel says i

goalpost (Armagh) - Posts: 215 - 28/11/2008 20:20:18    152755

Can't see Cross doing it. Sooner or later they are going to lose one of these close games and also I think that their recent inability to score goals in big games will count against them.

The Face (Monaghan) - Posts: 890 - 29/11/2008 00:18:50    152842

Tom1916, what do you mean the county board are trying to hinder their preperations?

jimmyjoebob (Armagh) - Posts: 137 - 02/12/2008 15:39:54    154836

I mean that I think Crossmaglen Rangers Senior Football team will win the Ulster Club Final despite the Armagh County Board trying to hinder their preparations, unlike the Derry County Board who are bending over backwards to help their representatives Ballinderry achieve success by offering them every available assistance without quibble.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 02/12/2008 16:26:35    154883

Tom

Is this because the county board did not want them training on the new athletic grounds? I personally think they were just right.

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 02/12/2008 17:07:05    154944

Samin10 yes it is because of that. I haven't disagreed with you before but I'm afraid I am on this. I know they will argue that the new pitch should be kept for matches but I'm sure a few training sessions wouldn't hurt. I hear cross are now buying floodlights for their pitch so they won't have to go begging and face the humiliation of being rejected by their own county board and have to go asking neighbouring counties if they can use their county grounds. The Down county board had absolutely no qualms about cross using Pairc Eisler and their flloodlights or new playing surface. It is often said that you are better off with the stranger and so it has proved.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 03/12/2008 08:55:24    155526

I dont think they are trying to hinder cross' progress, they are only sticking to the rules - being fair to all the other clubs in the county. Do you think cross should be treated better than everyone else because of their success? The Athletic Grounds isnt the only pitch in the county with floodlights is it, why did they not try asking a club with floodlights to use their facilities?

jimmyjoebob (Armagh) - Posts: 137 - 03/12/2008 11:01:03    155646

I dont think they are trying to hinder cross' progress, they are only sticking to the rules - being fair to all the other clubs in the county. Do you think cross should be treated better than everyone else because of their success? The Athletic Grounds isnt the only pitch in the county with floodlights is it, why did they not try asking a club with floodlights to use their facilities?

How is not allowing your county champions to train on the county field not being fair to other county teams? surely it would have no effect on them one way or the other if Cross got to use the athletic grounds in mid november for 3 nights in total so that they could use the floodlights? No one is asking them to be treated differently, no other club in armagh county at present needs to train under lights for a competitive match, if they did then why would anyone have a problem with that!!?

Yes the Athletic Grounds IS the only ground in the county with the same floodlights as Brewster Park, if you know of an armagh club that has the same floodlights as Brewster park, Casement Park, Healy Park etc then please let me know as I would be intrigued to see how they afforded such a facility and maybe could get some fundraising ideas off them. I would also imagine if Cross knew this they would have approached the club with these remarkable floodlit facilities.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 03/12/2008 11:59:28    155718

Tom

I take your point about the type of lights but if you start letting teams train on it then you will have next years county finalists at senior intermediate and junior all looking to train on it to get a feel for the place before their game. One rule has to apply for everyone in my opinion.

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 03/12/2008 12:31:15    155754

Even the County team are not allowed to train on the Athletic Grounds pitch so if they are not, under no circumstances should cross or any other team for that matter be allowed to, end of!!
Maybe the floodlights at some of the club pitches in the County are not as expensive as the lights at county grounds but BEGGARS CANT BE CHOOSERS!! Its pathetic! Asking for something, not getting it, then people like you Tom1916 throwing a hissy fit, because 'everyone is against us!! dry your eyes son!!

jimmyjoebob (Armagh) - Posts: 137 - 03/12/2008 12:33:32    155757

Samin10
I understand what you are saying but the only reason they wanted to use it was because the floodlights are the same as Brewster Park, I don't think the county finals for senior, intermediate or junior will be played under floodlights so they will not need to request the use of the county field under lights for training as these will not replicate the conditions of the match.
As for the other respondent the only person throwing a hissy fit is yourself, you are the person who made unwanted comments about my opinion and you are the person who is getting a bit too excited. I notice that you still have not told me the name of the armagh club(s) that have the same floodlights as the Athletic grounds. Is there any chance in your next hissy fit that you may furnish me with this club(s) name. Thanks.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 03/12/2008 13:54:50    155826

Tom

I know what their reasons were and it was to get used to the lights, but what i am saying is you will have clubs looking to use it all the time to get used to something. Clubs will be looking to get used to the surface or some other reason before games. I dont think any clubs should be allowed to use it for training as not only should it be kept for county occasions only but the last thing any of the other clubs in Armagh need is Cross getting too familiar with the Athletic Grounds as well. The only people who should be allowed to train on it should be the Armagh squads before a championship match that is to be staged there.

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 03/12/2008 14:56:13    155882