Sam is between the two best footballing teams in Ireland, Kerry and Dublin.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 21/01/2013 18:45:52    1321420

21/01/2013 18:45:52
kerryrowz
County: Kerry
Posts: 532

1321420
Sam is between the two best footballing teams in Ireland, Kerry and Dublin.

Blah Blah Blah

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 21/01/2013 18:48:04    1321421

County: Cavan
Posts: 402

1321059 the dubs were never in the real world, they wont win another AI for a decade, there flash in the pan year of dedication, determination and true grit was quickly replaced with flash photography and celeb 4 balls in the K club. They reached the summit, but there heads stayed in the clouds, while everyone else went back to the drawing board. Too much hype, not enough humility and self awareness to realise they have to put the effort in every year.

Whats the excuse after 52 was won then, And all that came after.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 21/01/2013 21:50:28    1321560

its donegal again for me. best "team" in the country.

cavanchamps (Cavan) - Posts: 38 - 22/01/2013 08:42:47    1321570

cavanchamps
County: Cavan
Posts: 10

1321570 its donegal again for me. best "team" in the country.

cavanchamps
County: Cavan
Posts: 10

I dont think Donegal will be up to much this year, I think they will suffer from the usual Post All Ireland Champion Syndrome. They have only recently came back from a holiday in Dubai, McGuniness hasnt even bothered playing any of them in the pre league McKenna cup. They will be assigned to the daldrums of History again

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 22/01/2013 10:54:17    1321611

Unfortunately these threads are filled with posts from people with a grudge rather than an opinion. Theres no shortage of delusion either. The unfortunate Cavan poster above being a prime example. In my view Sam 2013 is wide open. Donegal being reigning champions have the unenviable task of defending what has become the un-defendable. Will the commitment levels be there this year and will teams cop onto their tactics?

Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Mayo are next in line. Cork have a great panel of players and the question remains can they return? Dublin are in a great position, 3 underage All Irelands in 3 years coupled with a senior 2 years ago. Some new faces will be introduced but how quickly can they settle? Kerry are still there. Not the force they were but still a team capable of reaching a final. They have the forwards to do it but the defense is suspect. Mayo under Horan are an improved out-fit. Alongside Cork probably have the best midfield around but the county has an issue playing in finals that has continued to haunt them.

Of the rest Kildare and Tyrone remain those likely to challenge. Kildare have knocked but as of yet do not have the forwards to beat a top team in Croke Park. Maybe SJ can add another dimension. I think Tyrone and Kildare are capable of scalping a team not at the races in a QF, but aside for that i think they are some way back.

One team will come good this year. Cork should, Donegal shouldn't, Dublin could. My early hunch would be Cork.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 22/01/2013 11:21:16    1321631

Fairly good summary there Seany16. Cork are a law unto themselves. If Kerry meet Cork in Killarney in the Munster Final, and Cork win there for the first time in 18 years then they may well go on to win the All-Ireland. The confidence they would get from that would be massive. Easier said than done though.

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 22/01/2013 11:38:01    1321643

I'd say Cork will win it

footiemad (Westmeath) - Posts: 733 - 22/01/2013 12:07:53    1321659

I still think Cork are the best team in the country but don't think they'll win it. Whatever it is about them they just haven't pushed on from 2010. I just have a feeling about Kerry and am going to stick with it.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 22/01/2013 12:13:00    1321665

I think we have a great chance of retaining Sam but its only a chance and the same chance as 4 - 5 others. Last year we had a great hunger and desire, something that most teams struggle with in the year after success. I think that it will be the case that some of the players won't have that desire but if there is one man who can get the best out of this squad its Jim Mc Guinness.

Outside of ourselves I think Dublin are the main contender to the title. They have a very young squad in general, with All Ireland winners at every level involved. Add that to a new management system and the hunger that comes with it I can see them being very difficult to stop this year. This is however not the first year that Dublin have had a good squad and in the past they have been inclined to one real bad performance, if that comes from the quarters on then its goodnight!!

I think Kerry will improve from last year but like Donegal may need a year to settle under new management before coming good again. Although Cork are a good team I think the defensive systems in place by Dublin, Mayo, Donegal completely counteract the system Cork play and on that basis I can't see them winning the AI. Mayo will come again and make at least the quarters but would still rate this years Dublin, Donegal and possibly Kerry above them.

The best of the rest will be Meath & Tyrone. Meath will have learned loads of lessons from last year and will have gained confidence. A good run in the league will be important for them and if they have that I can see them being Dublins main contender in Leinster. Tyrone have a new pool of talent and with Cavanagh's return to form will be a major threat to Donegal in Ulster but ultimately I think their lack of physical presence will leave them short of an AI.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1683 - 22/01/2013 14:06:36    1321742

Tir Conaill Abu
County: Donegal
Posts: 485

The best of the rest will be Meath & Tyrone. Meath will have learned loads of lessons from last year and will have gained confidence. A good run in the league will be important for them and if they have that I can see them being Dublins main contender in Leinster. Tyrone have a new pool of talent and with Cavanagh's return to form will be a major threat to Donegal in Ulster but ultimately I think their lack of physical presence will leave them short of an AI.

Looking forward to meeting you's in the league, lets just wait till then before we judge anyones physicality shall we?

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 23/01/2013 08:46:08    1322083

Cacs - The league won't be an indicator with both teams still not at full pelt, I'll wait til the Championship in BALLYBOFEY!!

BTW Tyrone are no softies and to elaborate a bit on my point, I think they have enough physicality in the defence and midfield but I believe their forwards are too easily bullied out of games when championship comes around.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1683 - 23/01/2013 14:32:29    1322368

I do think meath will win leinster, but Dublin will progress further

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/01/2013 14:41:51    1322382

Seems Kerry and Dublin are joint 7/2 favs as of this morning with the bookies
I honestly would have Cork ahead of Kerry

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8170 - 24/01/2013 09:48:01    1322786

There you have it. Meath a Division 3 side are going to win Leinster. Deluded.

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 24/01/2013 10:46:10    1322826

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 3985

1322786
Seems Kerry and Dublin are joint 7/2 favs as of this morning with the bookies
I honestly would have Cork ahead of Kerry

It's very early in the year for all this betting mullarkey. The bookies have Dublin, Cork, Kerry & Donegal in a group at roughly the same odds of 7/2 - 5/1 with the rest farther back.
However I remember well that this time last year Donegal were in the pack at 20/1 so it doesn't mean a lot.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 24/01/2013 12:20:50    1322889

cacsmckilly

Boy are you sore that your north-west neighbours Donegal are All-Ireland Champions. So evident inall of your sentiments on here! Hard to take you remotely serious.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 24/01/2013 14:24:24    1323031

Muckross, please.....at no stage atall last year were Donegal 20/1 !!!!!!
Or anything like it!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8170 - 24/01/2013 14:30:06    1323040

Liamwalkinstown
County: Dublin
Posts: 3989

1323040
Muckross, please.....at no stage atall last year were Donegal 20/1 !!!!!!
Or anything like it!

Liam
They were. During an idle hour wandering around Donegal Town in Jan last year I checked out the odds in Sean Grahams window & Donegal were 20/1.
The reason I remember it so well is that I kick myself in the **** every time I think about it because I am not a betting man & didn't do anything about it.
What you have to remember is that after the 2011 semi Donegal were not being touted as champions by anyone and their league campaign didn't set the house on fire either. Mind you even at that I thought 20/1 was a touch on the generous side.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 24/01/2013 15:01:08    1323069

Donegal will be rightly favourites,well,they will be my favourites anyway even though they are not much better than cork or kerry.You need the rub of the green to win an all ireland and Donegal got it v kerry and v Mayo.Having said that they deserved their all ireland success.The saying "its all on the day" is very much true.Nobody knows for sure who will win it but we can all guess.

1.Donegal-if they can maintain the hunger and stay fresh they will be a huge threat but they are not unbeatable by any means
2.Cork-Very good side,a step above Kerry.Counihan must feel there is something there if hes waiting on
3.Kerry-Always always dangerous,right them off at your pearl
4.Mayo-Matched the all ireland champions in every department and a moment of genius and a handling error stopped them from winning it in 2012.Will be boosted by Andy Morans return
5.Dublin-Good team.Not as good as the above four.They revel against poor leinster teams.I dont think they will win sam but still a threat.

Kildare Tyrone laois-Not gonna happen,not good enough.

My view

Winner-Cork

Take_em_off (Mayo) - Posts: 212 - 24/01/2013 20:13:11    1323256