No disrespect to Cork followers, I see the bookies have them as hot favourites to win it out now (11/10 in case you're interested) but I wouldn't be so sure. They've been impressive defensively, but they've also had a relatively easy run in the qualifiers (Cavan, Wexford, Roscommon etc) compared to Dublin beating Armagh & Tyrone, Kildare have beaten Meath & Monaghan amongst others, and Down hammered an up and coming Sligo and have beaten Kerry.

I think the Dubs have a very good chance against Cork and wouldn't be at all surprised if they beat them. Cork will have to step up from anything they've done so far to win.

gigoer (Wexford) - Posts: 1998 - 04/08/2010 10:32:54    735113

I wonder what the cocky Dubs have to say to the fact that Cork are now hot favourites???

Cavan_gael (Cavan) - Posts: 100 - 04/08/2010 11:34:14    735243

What 'cocky Dubs' would these chaps be now Cavan Gael? Have to confess I haven't met any of them - quite the reverse in fact, and they certainly do not exist within the team or management.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 04/08/2010 11:42:53    735259

sammaguire09
County: Kildare
Posts: 82

734706 Ja,
I hate when people use stats from other games to make a point. Ok Cork kept Kerry to 15 points or whatever but if Cork play Kildare the game wont be played the same way. And I would rate the Kildare forward line as highly as Kerry's. What does Bryan Sheehan give you from play? Darran O'Sullivan blows hot and cold. Donaghy hasn't done a whole lot this year. Doncha Walsh, the same. Just compare each forward from the quarter final.

Ah seriously, are we honestly going to compare one of the greatest forward lines of all time with a set of forwards that have yet to put up a decent score against a top team? Gooch, Donaghy, O'Sullivan and Galvin are 4 of the top 10 forwards in the country. You have 1 in that bracket (Doyle), and a few good improving players. Maybe after 5 All Irelands you can talk.

I like Kildare, and wish them all the best. But I think you are getting a little ahead of yerselves. Take stock of who you have beaten. A shambles of a Derry team, A Monaghan team sent out to play 6 days after being hammered and a Meath side who should have been beaten 7 points by Louth in the Lienster final, and in the end needed a ref to win.

If you do make it to the final it will be seen as one of the softest routes to a final of all time. So don't overhype things. That happened a couple of times about a decade or so ago and you we're brought down with a bang both times. Good Luck

jafallon (Galway) - Posts: 489 - 04/08/2010 11:59:17    735319

The bookies are correct this time. Dublin were lucky by Cork have the experience. Good luck to Cork.

Up4it. (Tyrone) - Posts: 199 - 04/08/2010 11:59:30    735320

gigoer
County: Wexford
Posts: 11

735113 No disrespect to Cork followers, I see the bookies have them as hot favourites to win it out now (11/10 in case you're interested) but I wouldn't be so sure.

Cork are currently 8/5 on Betfair to win the All Ireland. I have lumped on and may wade in again. Seriously, 8/5, what are people thinking?

jafallon (Galway) - Posts: 489 - 04/08/2010 12:01:30    735326

West rules - any chance you might re-write your response to my post? Because it makes absolutely no sense.

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 04/08/2010 12:04:13    735334

Kildare would need to put the wee lucky run in perspective!

Cavan_gael (Cavan) - Posts: 100 - 04/08/2010 12:10:35    735360

As I stated that Cork or Dublin are the only two worthy counties capable of reachig the final. If you read back through my posts you will see I always favoured Cork. I hope that clarifies the situation for you, if not I suggest you consider an evening class in English!

WestRules (Galway) - Posts: 271 - 04/08/2010 12:19:21    735386

Why is Kildare so under-rated?

Coa_gael (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1189 - 04/08/2010 12:36:45    735412

It's simple, Kildare don't have what Cork and the other semi finalists have and that's consistent ability at the highest level.

WestRules (Galway) - Posts: 271 - 04/08/2010 12:43:31    735428

WestRules
County: Galway
Posts: 99

735428 It's simple, Kildare don't have what Cork and the other semi finalists have and that's consistent ability at the highest level.

What a loada crap, honestly!! Cork did fall at the final hurdle last year remember, so being consistent at the highest level till the final doesnt exactly count for much when you then fall apart like other teams have done in the past e.g Mayo. Whats struck me in the last few days is the congratulations from countys who have "abilitites at the highest level" (just not this year) such as Galway have all come with warnings, maybe its sour grapes, and I dont just mean on this forum, from people I've spoken to aswell e.g "Good luck BUT dont get too cocky etc" Our lads have worked too hard since the louth match to let this opportunity go, we arent the same team we were in 98 or 00. Geezer has changed the style of football in this county for the better and all us kildare fans are so proud of mc geeney and our lads. So thanks for the warnings but maybe the teams who arent in the semi finals now should have taken their own advise before their last matches. We wont be getting cocky, there is a diff between cockiness and confidence and we are confident and have the belief we can win, if we werent Johnny and the lads may aswell not turn up for the semi final. Now my rant is over. Kildare for sam!!!!!! oh and P.S thanks to everyone for there congratulations esp the meath fans, most gracious in defeat i've ever come across, fair play lads!

loyallily (Kildare) - Posts: 44 - 04/08/2010 13:43:27    735577

Cork will win sam now ..

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13659 - 04/08/2010 13:58:45    735623

Exactly what consistency have Dublin, Cork and Down shown. We have been the most consistent team this year, results prove that.

Based on the last 3 years, Cork have been consitently good and we wound rank second behind them.

SallinsMan (Kildare) - Posts: 77 - 04/08/2010 14:02:30    735637

Cork have it won. None of the other teams will be able to cope with the pressure.

PROC_Hurler (Cork) - Posts: 203 - 04/08/2010 14:04:03    735641

In Truth any one of the four can do it if they play to their true potential. However only one will.
Cork would seem to be most neutrals favorite. Yes they are doing very much what Kerry done last year that is to just stumble across the winning line without breaking much sweat. However they are now up against quality teams so that just won't do.
Dublin after a poor game against Wexford and a disaster against Meath have picked up the pieces and last week-end's result was just the tonic they will need. I think they will win against Cork. Discipline in not conceding too many frees and not picking up too many cards, particularly two yellows or a red, could well be the thing which matters most in this game.
Kildare have had a fabulous run since their surprise knockout of Leinster by Louth. They were most impressive in beating Meath last Sunday.
Down always impress when they get to Croke Park. All Jack O'Connors and Pat Spillane excuses apart they beat a very good Kerry team and did it in style. Despite the roll that Kildare are on I think Down will beat them.

That leaves a Dublin Down final same as 1994. Dublin will want revenge for that defeat but that is the worst possible motive going into a game. Having watched the four games at the weekend I am, at this stage, going to plump for Down. I have been watching them from the sixties and every so often they come to Croke Park full of spirit and enthusiasm then the fade away for a few years. This is one of those years when they seem to have a fuel tank of enthusiasm again and when that happens there is simply no stopping them. They have never been beaten by Kerry in the championship and it didn't happen this year. I think they will beat Kildare and that puts them in Croke Park on final day. Some day they will loose a final but I don't think it will be this year.

That was my head talking but if you ask my heart it would say Kildare, then the Dubs, then Down. I would sooner Kerry were let back into it than see Cork win it.

The real Árd Rí (Meath) - Posts: 990 - 04/08/2010 14:04:42    735645

cork didn't cope very well with the pressure last year, maybe the dubs should wear green and gold jerseys as cork would then be sure to bottle it

mikeoc (Kerry) - Posts: 567 - 04/08/2010 14:14:53    735672

"Cork would seem to be most neutrals favorite. "

Disagree. Would have thought most netrals would go for Kildare or possibly Down imo.

Personally I'd love to see the Dubs do it and if not them, then Kildare.

Puddersthecat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1692 - 04/08/2010 14:18:29    735683

I really really hope its Kildare.... but if they do beat us, I do hope Down would.

Rattler2010 (Kildare) - Posts: 117 - 04/08/2010 14:20:05    735688

Ja,
You're still using stats from other games that at the end of the day will have no bearing on our next game (or two). And i'll tell ya another thing, if Kildare had went out and beaten Derry and Monaghan by a single point everyone would be saying how good this Kildare team is to beat such tough northern opponents. Just because we dismantled them, it meant they were up to nothing. Obviously we're going to have a little bit of confidence when our "poor" forwards have racked up an average of 19 points a game. This All Ireland is completely up for grabs. I would say on any given day every team left is capable of beating each other, it will depend on which teams perform on the day.

sammaguire09 (Kildare) - Posts: 101 - 04/08/2010 14:54:59    735756