Antrim give Tyrone a good run for their money. Are teams starting to close the gap? Or are the top teams starting to decline.
Antrim a team beaten by Sligo in the Division 3 final, they also lost to Wexford in that group and run Tyrone close.
Could the gap be closing between teams. I know people will point out a couple of lopsided games to highlight this might not be the case but to be fair between Division 1 to 3 there doesn't seem to be a lot between most of the teams on any given day. Throw in Limerick and highlight the improvement of the likes of Waterford.

ColinWex (Wexford) - Posts: 901 - 24/05/2010 10:19:52    656213

In a word NO !! Tyrone were in 2nd gear throughout the game yesterday imo and Antrim would have needed snookers if Tyrone had pushed on. There is a very wide gap between the top 3 or 4 teams and the rest but Meath seem to be getting closer to the likes of Dublin who incidentally are not in the top four. We will know for sure in the next few weeks if Kerry, Cork, Tyrone and maybe Armagh will be challenged by the pretenders !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 24/05/2010 10:53:38    656244

no....this kind of thing happens every year. The Antrim's and co usually come out with a credibly morale victory.

nok02 (USA) - Posts: 534 - 24/05/2010 11:30:48    656298

I think some of the traditionally weaker counties (Clare, Waterford, Tipp, Antrim etc) are certainly improving, so the gap has shrunk from that point of view. There is still a sizeable gap between Kerry, Cork, Tyrone and the rest though. Don't think the top teams have weakened, just an improvement at the bottom end of the scale.

Tongo (UK) - Posts: 1795 - 24/05/2010 12:05:44    656350

you would put armagh in the top four.eh dont think so.top four are kerry cork tyrone and mayo.armagh maybe 8th or ninth if even.

samforall (Dublin) - Posts: 36 - 24/05/2010 20:18:30    657214

Mind the Gap!

kerrykerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1779 - 24/05/2010 20:50:35    657260

Cavan_Slasher
County: Cavan
Posts: 4695

656244
In a word NO !! Tyrone were in 2nd gear throughout the game yesterday


Correct.

And the really disappointing thing from an Antrim view is I came away wondering if Tyrone have a 3rd gear anymore.

I don't think so.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/05/2010 21:59:22    657374

samforall from Dublin...you cant put Mayo there...come on what are you on.

IrishRover (Fermanagh) - Posts: 488 - 25/05/2010 09:58:07    657444

patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 8369

the really disappointing thing from an Antrim view is I came away wondering if Tyrone have a 3rd gear anymore.

I imagine you were distraught.

Horse (Laois) - Posts: 1146 - 25/05/2010 10:09:46    657452

Patrique...............have Antrim even a 2nd gear?? Tyrone looked very comfortable at all times last Sunday.. Result was never in doubt after the first 10 mins..From what ive seen there no improvement in Antrim on last year.. but maybe its early to say...Cunninghan would bneed to learn to pass the ball.. Its not all about him and his scores.. even though he is a decent point scorer from play and frees...Just got a feeling the forwards are individual glory hunters all wanting to be the next hero...Bradley took too long to ring the changes.....

richiej (UK) - Posts: 1430 - 25/05/2010 10:20:29    657466

Actually think the gap is just as large. Antrim for instance dont appear to have improved on last year , but will hopefully get a couple of handy draws in the back door. For the record I would put both Tyrone and Kerry a fair distance ahead of Cork. I dont subscribe to the view that Cork are anywhere near the skill standard of the other two. I think they are big and strong and fast but when it comes to quality and class of individual player Cork are still some way behind. As ive said for a long time , if Cork win the AI this year it will be largely due to a decline in the standard of the top two.

gaelantrim (Antrim) - Posts: 1616 - 25/05/2010 10:41:15    657494

Horse
County: Laois
Posts: 413

657452 patrique
County: Antrim
Posts: 8369

the really disappointing thing from an Antrim view is I came away wondering if Tyrone have a 3rd gear anymore.

I imagine you were distraught.

I guess now it's time,
for me to give up,
I feel it's time,
got a picture of you beside me,
got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup,
oh yeah,
got a fist of pure emotion,
got a head of shattered dreams,
gotta leave it,
gotta leave it all behind now,

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it,
I just want you back for good,
whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it,
you'll be right and understood,
I want you back for good,

Unaware but underlined,
I figured out the story,
(no no)
it wasn't good,
(no no)
but in the corner of my mind,
(corner of my mind)
I celebrated glory,
but that was not to be,
in the twist of separation,
you excelled at being free,
can't you find,
a little room inside for me,

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it
I just want you back for good,
you see I want you back for good,
Whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it,
You'll be right and understood,
I want you back for good,

And we'll be together,
this time is forever,
We'll be fighting and forever we will be,
So complete in our love
We will never be uncovered again,

Whatever I said, whatever I did I didn't mean it,
I just want you back for good,
whenever I'm wrong just tell me the song and I'll sing it,
you'll be right and understood,
you see I want you back for good,
whenever I'm wrong I'll tell you,
want you back, I want you back for good,
whenever I'm wrong I'll tell you,
want you back, want you back,
you see I want you back for good,

Oh yeah,
I guess {that} now it's time,
that you came back for good...

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12409 - 25/05/2010 11:01:47    657522

good one breff!
yeah hopefully ill get a bit more time on the old hoganstand over the next few months, work has been eating into my time!

obviously i need to be here to comment on the inexorable renaissance of the sleeping giant that is Laois football. Starting with the massacre of meath. The ispca wont like this one, thats for sure.

Horse (Laois) - Posts: 1146 - 25/05/2010 11:34:50    657565

gaelantrim
County: Antrim
Posts: 708

657494 Actually think the gap is just as large. Antrim for instance dont appear to have improved on last year , but will hopefully get a couple of handy draws in the back door. For the record I would put both Tyrone and Kerry a fair distance ahead of Cork. I dont subscribe to the view that Cork are anywhere near the skill standard of the other two. I think they are big and strong and fast but when it comes to quality and class of individual player Cork are still some way behind. As ive said for a long time , if Cork win the AI this year it will be largely due to a decline in the standard of the top two.

I think you hit the nail on the head there gaelantrim. Look at the likes of the Gooch, D O' Sullivan, Donaghy for Kerry. Then you have the likes of S O' Neill, Dooher, S Cavanagh for Tyrone. Individual stars of the game. Cork although collectively a brilliant team have not got the individual class that Tyrone/Kerry do.

Having said all that ill be still putting me money on Cork for Sam :)

ConnollyDub (Dublin) - Posts: 2007 - 25/05/2010 12:48:53    657681

Can we play Antrim every week?

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 25/05/2010 13:12:42    657717

unless antrim get a very favourable draw against the likes of dery tipperary or fermanagh they wont win another game. they were lucky to get to an ulster final last year and they will find div 2 a different kettle of fish in the league. not good enought to be in the top 16 in the country. the gap maybe appearing to close based on what/ 27 degree heat an eight point lead at ht 3 allrelands in the back pocket and a few missed goal chances. antrim maybe 4 points behind tyrone on the scoreboard but they are light years away in terms of actually beating tyrone. michael mccann who was played out of position by foghorn leghorn on the sideline is the only antrim player who would start on the tyrone team. the gap is that big between these two teams.

reddoctor (Tyrone) - Posts: 1241 - 25/05/2010 13:23:07    657733

Don't want to create a whole new thread for this as it's just a question. I know it's not related to football either but since there are a good few Ulstermen on this thread "What's happened to Ulster provincial final in the 60's & 70's etc..?"
Notice that there is no winner as far as I can see.

ColinWex (Wexford) - Posts: 901 - 25/05/2010 13:27:01    657741

No the gap is not closing and if anything it is wider than ever.
This early part of the Championship is the phoney War and is more hype than substance, with lesser sides sometimes gaining moral victories even in defeat. It really is the new silly season.
The real and I mean real Championship starts in August. When it does, I expect Cork and Kerry to lead the way. Furthermore, I think Cork really should be too good for everyone this year - but if Kerry win the All Ireland again - we all may as well give the game up as it will be a complete joke!!

JamesH (Mayo) - Posts: 465 - 25/05/2010 15:49:19    657991

I think the weaker teams have upped their game and are more professional and fitter but the gap is still there. I was at Casement on Sunday and can assure everyone Tyrone will NOT win Sam this year so don't waste your money backing them. They are a great side but their legs have definately gone, they are a 40 or 50 minute side whereas before they played for the full 70. Tyrone used to be able to close and ground games out and they always beat Kerry in the last 15 minutes of games with Dooher, Cavanagh, Hughes etc all motoring well. They have huffed and puffed this past while and were relegated in the League because they have fallen behind teams as their best players age and tire; it's natural. If I was from Tyrone I would be concerned at the lack of real quality players coming through. Furthermore if Kerry are still at the latter stages of the All Ireland they will be unbeatable in Croke Park whether they play Cork, Dublin or Mayo. The only team that can give them a game there is Tyrone but it won't get to that stage. Tyrone will go out to Meath, Galway or Kildare in the quarters or away to Down or Sligo etc in the qualifiers.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9819 - 25/05/2010 16:26:12    658048

gaelantrim

Actually think the gap is just as large. Antrim for instance dont appear to have improved on last year , but will hopefully get a couple of handy draws in the back door. For the record I would put both Tyrone and Kerry a fair distance ahead of Cork. I dont subscribe to the view that Cork are anywhere near the skill standard of the other two. I think they are big and strong and fast but when it comes to quality and class of individual player Cork are still some way behind. As ive said for a long time , if Cork win the AI this year it will be largely due to a decline in the standard of the top two.

Surprisingly, I don't agree with you. Let me give you a few names: Daniel Goulding, Pearse O'Neill, Grahame Canty, Noel O'Leary, and Anthony Lynch, who has held Cooper scoreless on a few occasions. The only Kerry man who seems at the moment unplayable (like Joe Canning in the hurling) is Kieran Donaghy
The rest of the counties may have altars to the great god, Kerry, but you won't find any such altars in Cork .

Dorcha (Cork) - Posts: 38 - 25/05/2010 16:30:25    658060