Just wondering what everyone's opinion of this years Ulster championship was, and what they think will happen next year? (taking into account the draws haven't been made yet)


- Derry ~ I think we were extremely unlucky this year with all our injuries, and well come back stronger next year, knowing were only a stones throw away from the title
- Donegal ~ No disrespect to Donegal fans, but the football's awful to watch! Fair play to Jim McGuinness for getting them what they got this year - don't think it'll be enough next year though
- Cavan ~ Making good strides at U21 level. Lost to Donegal and Longford in the Championship but may become a threat in a few years with their young boys
- Fermanagh ~ Lost to us and lost to London. Wasn't a good year for them at all
- Armagh ~ Beat Down in dramatic fashion then were taught a lesson by us. Lucky to win after a replay against Wicklow and lost to Tyrone. Things could have been better
- Tyrone ~ Beat Monaghan and were unlucky to loose to Donegal. Beat Longford, Armagh and Roscommon before losing out to the champs (Dublin). Team in transition. Lost Dooher to retirement and i wouldn't be surprised if more boys hung their boots up. Harte's been a loyal servant, but I think it's his time to go.
- Down ~ Lost to Armagh in Ulster. Were lucky to beat Clare. Won handily enough against Leitrim and Antrim. Couldn't handle Cork at all. Should be back in-form next year.
- Monaghan ~ Lost to Tyrone in Ulster and Offaly in the Qualifiers. Don't really know where to put them at the minute.
- Antrim ~ Were beat by Donegal in a very scrappy game in Ulster. Beat Westmeath and Carlow before loosing out to Down. Could have been a better year.

doirealltheway (Derry) - Posts: 142 - 26/09/2011 18:53:03    1042510

I would rate Ulster as follows.

1 Donegal
2 Tyrone
3 Derry
4 Armagh
5 Down
6 Monaghan
7 Antrim
8 Cavan
9 Fermanagh

The Ulster Champions are there to be shot at but Tyrone should still be competitive at Ulster level if not All-Ireland. Derry looked as if they are moving in the right direction but they have to win Ulster to really show achievement.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1792 - 26/09/2011 19:55:44    1042543

Fermanagh for Sam 2012. Mark my words. Nah in all honesty though i can't see us improving much this year, pure shambles up here.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 26/09/2011 20:11:29    1042558

Donegal for sam 2012 :D we're going to get mor offensive this year and will be even more unstoppable :)

up_donegal (Donegal) - Posts: 659 - 26/09/2011 20:43:59    1042592

Armagh will be ranked number 9 in Ulster with P.O'R still in charge,
Is it true that kevin o' rourke wasn't recalled to the armagh squad because he is too small, but scored 1-4 for Mayobridge in the championship against burren and now a possible call up to down

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1688 - 26/09/2011 21:17:20    1042625

Ya hear the words 'Ulster Championship' ya immediately think 'boredom'!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 26/09/2011 21:21:34    1042630

Snufalufagus
County: Dublin
Posts: 3253

1042630 Ya hear the words 'Ulster Championship' ya immediately think 'boredom'!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael
___________________
All my fears of a Dublin victory have slowly and surely come true, mostly through your musings, snufa (hyphen) lufagus.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 26/09/2011 21:43:02    1042649

26/09/2011 19:55:44
Byanthon
County: Tyrone
Posts: 181

1042543 I would rate Ulster as follows.

1 Donegal
2 Tyrone
3 Derry
4 Armagh
5 Down
6 Monaghan
7 Antrim
8 Cavan
9 Fermanagh

The Ulster Champions are there to be shot at but Tyrone should still be competitive at Ulster level if not All-Ireland. Derry looked as if they are moving in the right direction but they have to win Ulster to really show achievement.

I'd agree with the above. Tyrone will be no pushovers in Ulster next year and Donegal are now there to be shot at.If we got our best players back fit and playing we could go on a run and make another final at best although our management team is about 15 years behind in terms of how the game is played nowadays so I wouldnt be hugely confident of doing much next year.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1897 - 27/09/2011 09:44:51    1042688

If derry can keep the Bradleys fit I would fancy them for ulster next year. Please god don't let donegal win no one wants to see that style of football progressing.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 27/09/2011 10:14:56    1042702

Interesting to see people having us top of the pile and rightfully so as reigning Ulster Champions.

Next year will be a bigger test for us though as we try to transition to a more attacking unit as opposed to the defensive approach taken this year and that transition could be a difficult one. I hope we retain our title but I think our biggest threat will be Tyrone or Derry. Derry had awful luck with injuries this year and with a fully fit panel could really do damage and Tyrone as always will bring through a few players and with their young crop from this year having a further year experience will also be a big threat.

Looking forward to it already!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 27/09/2011 10:37:42    1042720

Snufalufagus
County: Dublin
Posts: 3256

1042630
Ya hear the words 'Ulster Championship' ya immediately think 'boredom'!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Last 20 years All Ireland Football Final

ULSTER 5 teams reached the Final 11 times winning 8 Tyrone 3 Down 2 Armagh 1 Derry 1 Donegal 1

MUNSTER 2 teams reached the final 14 times winning 7 Kerry 6 Cork 1

LEINSTER 3 teams reached the final 9 times winning 4 Dublin 2 Meath 2

CONNACHT 2 teams reached the final 7 times winning 2 Galway 2

To say ULSTER Football is boring maybe, but results of the last 20 years prove its the most competitive championship of the 4 provinces so Snufalufagus old chap
take those blue tinted glasses off your hooter and you might see how Colourful ULSTER FOOTBALL REALLY IS! Regards Fortyfive.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 27/09/2011 11:26:57    1042746

Much too soon to be predicting the Ulster Championship for next year. Even in April I wouldn't be putting much money on any of them.
But to enter into the spirit of things:
Donegal will be hard to beat but terrible to watch.
Tyrone in decline?
Derry with fit Bradley's could go a long way.
Armagh & Down are similar in that they struggle to get the best from potential squads but a fully fit Ambrose Rogers will definitely benefit Down
Monaghan need exiles back and then who knows
Antrim, Cavan & Fermanagh also rans
The league will obviously be some indication but I feel if an Ulster county can get it together the AI is a possibility. Kerry and Dublin are beatable and Cork are always unpredictable

ballybannongael (Down) - Posts: 547 - 27/09/2011 13:37:27    1042840

I for one would not want to meet Tyrone next year!

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 27/09/2011 13:43:38    1042849

not completely correct fortyfive that's 21 years. you have chosen a specific period to prove your point. any other time period would not be nearly as impressive.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5522 - 27/09/2011 13:49:56    1042855

s goldrick
County: Cavan
Posts: 971

1042855
not completely correct fortyfive that's 21 years. you have chosen a specific period to prove your point. any other time period would not be nearly as impressive.

I know but we had a wee spot of TROUBLE just before this Golden period "Bombs, Bullets and Balaclavas" didn't make for a fun day out at a Football/Hurling match.

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 27/09/2011 14:07:21    1042874

Anyone can beat anyone in Ulster, its far from boring.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 27/09/2011 15:04:46    1042910

doirealltheway
County: Derry
Posts: 131

1042510 Just wondering what everyone's opinion of this years Ulster championship was, and what they think will happen next year? (taking into account the draws haven't been made yet)


- Derry ~ I think we were extremely unlucky this year with all our injuries, and well come back stronger next year, knowing were only a stones throw away from the title
- Donegal ~ No disrespect to Donegal fans, but the football's awful to watch! Fair play to Jim McGuinness for getting them what they got this year - don't think it'll be enough next year though
- Cavan ~ Making good strides at U21 level. Lost to Donegal and Longford in the Championship but may become a threat in a few years with their young boys
- Fermanagh ~ Lost to us and lost to London. Wasn't a good year for them at all
- Armagh ~ Beat Down in dramatic fashion then were taught a lesson by us. Lucky to win after a replay against Wicklow and lost to Tyrone. Things could have been better
- Tyrone ~ Beat Monaghan and were unlucky to loose to Donegal. Beat Longford, Armagh and Roscommon before losing out to the champs (Dublin). Team in transition. Lost Dooher to retirement and i wouldn't be surprised if more boys hung their boots up. Harte's been a loyal servant, but I think it's his time to go.
- Down ~ Lost to Armagh in Ulster. Were lucky to beat Clare. Won handily enough against Leitrim and Antrim. Couldn't handle Cork at all. Should be back in-form next year.
- Monaghan ~ Lost to Tyrone in Ulster and Offaly in the Qualifiers. Don't really know where to put them at the minute.
- Antrim ~ Were beat by Donegal in a very scrappy game in Ulster. Beat Westmeath and Carlow before loosing out to Down. Could have been a better year.

Derry - Overall not strong enough, remove the Bradleys and the ship lists badly to one side, if others can learn to pick up the slack they could be in with a shout.
Donegal - Not pretty I agree but I still think they the best in Ulster at the moment, vary their play a bit and have a solid plan B and I would fancy them to retain.
Cavan - Strong underage moves afoot here, terrible to see the decline in this county but indications are that better days lie ahead, just not yet though.
Fermanagh - Awful, the progress of the mid 2000's has been wasted, internal strife will lead to a barren 2012.
Armagh - Over estimated by beating an equally over estimated Down team, however with Grimley back on board I fancy they will improve and be in the hunt.
Tyrone - Would never write them off however transistion is upon them, still they would be my second favourites after Donegal.
Down - Awful year and had nothing handy against Leitrim or Antrim for long stages, think we found more out about about Down this year than last, their true form probably lies somewhere in between.
Monaghan - Unlucky against Tyrone and then imploded against Offaly, very hard to figure out, they are better than shown in 2011 but couldnt see them winning Ulster in 2012.
Antrim - Poor, the green shoots of recent years got trampled on severely this year, hard to see them having much of an impact in 2012.

Having said all of the above it must be remembered that this is the Ulster Championship where predictability is not the byword of choice so dont be suprised if you see an Antrim - Fermanagh final in 2012!!!

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3749 - 27/09/2011 15:08:18    1042911

The Ulster Championship is wide open, though the standard has probably dropped compared to a few years ago. I would rank the teams as follows

1) Donegal - Promoted to Div 1 and could have been in AI final. Would be surprised if they retain title, back-to-back in Ulster is difficult
2) Tyrone - Dublin emphatically bursted the bubble this year, still capable of a push but hard to know. Interesting year ahead
3) Down - Jekyll and Hyde the past two years, with a fully fit squad they can cause anyone their problems, silverware a must you feel (not McKenna Cup...)
4) Derry - one Ulster Final in 10 years does not make up for past failings, need to push on this year. Bradleys being fit would be a big boost
5) Armagh - like Down, stayed in Div 1 which is a big plus. A lot of rebuilding and internal issues need sorted, can't see them beating any teams 1-4
6) Monaghan - definite slip this year but still capable of a one-off result in my opinion, back-to-back wins would be surprising
7) Antrim - will find it difficult to reach the heights of 2009, probably Bakers last throw of the dice. Need to draw Cava/Ferm in Round 1
8) Cavan - Minor and U21 success this year, future seems bright but needs careful management. Unlikely to cause teams 1-6 much hassle
9) Fermanagh - Internal problems must be sorted, much like Cavan, unlikely to cause any problems to bigger teams

EnolaGay (Tyrone) - Posts: 653 - 27/09/2011 16:56:54    1042983

Ulster Championship was very poor this year and has been for about 3/4 years. It's a dip but it will come good again as football is cyclical; the usual partitionist bigots will always be negative, nasty and bitter about the North and Ulster whether it be Gaelic, politics etc. The current biased agenda against Martin McGuinness shows that.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9819 - 27/09/2011 17:11:29    1042992

Snufalufagus
County: Dublin
Posts: 3263

1042630
Ya hear the words 'Ulster Championship' ya immediately think 'boredom'!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

________________________________
see snufalufagus pop up on one of these threads and you immediately think 'boredom' !!



Really fancy us to retain this (not just being biased here)... or else tyrone/derry

up_donegal (Donegal) - Posts: 659 - 27/09/2011 17:37:10    1043006