Firstly, there's no team out there who can play like Mayo in the qualifiers.

Second, Munster is the strongest province, with the others on a par. Derry and Armagh may prove that wrong this year, but I doubt it, not this year, next quite possibly. Meath and Wexford may prove it wrong, but I also doubt that.

Yet there is hope for a Leinster team, based on what happened in 2002. Armagh won after losing 2 (3?) All-I semis, and after no Ulster team had been in the final for............7 years

If, as is rumoured, Galvin gets off (or reduced to 2 months) this eve, then Kerry will be virtually (depending on Dec OS) back to the only outstanding team in the country. Yet with no Dec OS or Galvin, they could get caught in the qualifier or quarter final.

Derry could yet make a comeback, but I think it will be hard for them to pick up, after losing such good momentum.

At the moment I'd be loth to pick the winners of the 2nd round of qualifiers, as there will be too many questions about all, and we dont know if Armagh and Dublin will be in there. 1st round looks pretty clear. If Meath come through a very tough trip to Limerick, I would fancy them to come back strongly again this year.
Westmeath need all their players fit. Donegal have nothing to lose, and if they get focused, have the talent to go on a run. Tyrone - it's hard to believe they dont have one last kick in them, but they really need O'Neill back. McGuigan should be closer to regaining sharpness and form.

Alphonso (Dublin) - Posts: 7 - 15/07/2008 18:31:44    48973

Can any team live with Mayo in the qualifiers?



That remains to be seen, but it is hard enough to live with them on this forum!!

JohnMitchel (Dublin) - Posts: 178 - 15/07/2008 23:12:32    49073

so the consensus is that mayo are the best team in the qualifiers- imagine getting dublin in mchale park now that would be sweet and some kicking too- ive said it before leinster winners should go into the last round of the qualifiers while connacht and munster winners should go straight to the semi finals- hard games is whats needed if we are to land the big one next year :)

ball-boy (Mayo) - Posts: 4211 - 16/07/2008 10:52:07    49258

how is the concensis mayo, where are you reading this??? why am i even responding to you???

lino_de_legend (Dublin) - Posts: 816 - 16/07/2008 11:10:26    49299

Lads just ignore him all he wants to do is rise people. He's pretty much ignored on his own counties message board he comes onto the main board to annoy people.

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 836 - 16/07/2008 11:34:18    49342

Chops
County: Westmeath
Posts: 47

49342
Lads just ignore him all he wants to do is rise people. He's pretty much ignored on his own counties message board he comes onto the main board to annoy people.

-------------------------------------------------------

as opposed to you who is her just to slag people, i am talking gaa related matters as the rules suggest- you should try it sometime- very difficult coming from westmeath

ball-boy (Mayo) - Posts: 4211 - 16/07/2008 11:46:45    49366

Ball boy i reckon Cavan would give mayo a run for their money and Conor Mortimor is a bit of a gallery man very poor against Galway doesn't seem to rise to the big occassion.

D_Dude (Cavan) - Posts: 360 - 16/07/2008 12:01:13    49393

ye tried that last year dude and were sent packing, could have would have should have, dangerous words, us big boys stick to the reality of things leave the dreaming to those lesser counties

ball-boy (Mayo) - Posts: 4211 - 16/07/2008 12:08:58    49408

Well Ball Boy if u regard mayo as big boys when was the last time ye WON AN ALL IRELAND must b fifty years and counting wake up man, use r no where near winning one either and neither r Cavan for that matter,

D_Dude (Cavan) - Posts: 360 - 16/07/2008 12:23:37    49440

we are closer than cavan though- less of the jealousy and stick to what ye do best in cavan :)

ball-boy (Mayo) - Posts: 4211 - 16/07/2008 12:34:29    49461

Ball boy I am sure we'd even beat you lot if we met in next round of qualifiers, and I am sure there are plenty who would agree with me!!!

Down Exile (Down) - Posts: 214 - 16/07/2008 13:17:11    49539

dont rate mayo much to be honest id be more than happy with a draw against them if we get through and reading here think that the general concences
there an average team
all the talk of how bad leinster is but i cant see mayo beating any of meath dub wexford or westmeath

royaljoe (Meath) - Posts: 73 - 16/07/2008 14:05:42    49594

to answer your question, ball-boy, yes i think that there are a large number of teams who would feel well-equiped to beat mayo in the qualifiers... my own native westmeath, derry, monaghon, kerry, tyrone, meath just to name a few!!

monkey (Westmeath) - Posts: 223 - 16/07/2008 15:29:56    49711

To be honest Ball-boy no we can't, but that's why we usually put youse out early!

Niamh (Derry) - Posts: 2397 - 16/07/2008 20:59:03    49948

hey monkey

would love to get westmeath in qualifiers but a proper game would probably stand to us better.

voiceofreason (Mayo) - Posts: 588 - 16/07/2008 22:08:39    49984

More like can Mayo live with the qualifiers......a tough enough draw in the next round and Mayo are in trouble

TheTownEnd (Laois) - Posts: 34 - 17/07/2008 12:48:05    50338

i think if we get a home draw wel get to a quarter final but no further i mean lets be realistic were not great,were young,.il be very very suprised and also happy if mayo make a semi this year

mac11 (Mayo) - Posts: 463 - 17/07/2008 12:55:14    50344

donegal will be a good bet in the back door system,plus derry,tyrone, and meath, i expect one of those four to make the quarters at least!!

tonto13 (None) - Posts: 106 - 17/07/2008 13:14:45    50368

im sure any team would like to meet mayo in the qualifiers, always proved they cant hack it. year after year. proved it again in the connaught final.

seanieGG (Meath) - Posts: 182 - 17/07/2008 13:16:07    50369

In reply to the question can anyone live with Mayo in the qualifiers, no they cannot. That is why teams knock Mayo out of the qualifiers, so nobody will have to put up with them for the rest of the championship.

Chops (Westmeath) - Posts: 836 - 17/07/2008 14:20:04    50443