Is it time to consider new management?

gael_force_orchard

Well-Known Member
I agree with a lot of this and no doubt we are naive in the tackle, often lazy and damn right daft in our defends. But, I have watched a lot of games this year and I firmly believe we are reffed to a different standard than other teams. I posted at the time both Donegal and Tyrone in that game got away with stuff we wouldn’t. And that’s before we even mention the Kerry’s and Dublin’s of the world. Now, maybe we earned that reputation and have to unearn it. We start that by learning to tackle and cutting out the daft shit and giving refs no option but to do the thing fairly
I didn't want to say lazy in my original post, but I completely agree, a lazy outstretched arm will cost us once or twice per game. Tackling with both hands is another bug bear, the rules state tackle with one hand, so the timing of this needs worked on. Finally tackling from behind with an arm over the opponents should, admittedly this can be a grey area open to interpretation from a ref. The thing is, I think these are areas we can improve on quite quickly.
 

ragingbull

Well-Known Member
Has anyone read Kenny Archers article this morning? On my first read, it's an excellent effort in diversionary tactics- attack the manner in which some people countered the original article without seriously trying to address the issues involved.
That's why I sometimes go on about long posts, it leaves it open for people to employ such diversionary tactics. For example, I'll quote Kenny's last paragraph: Theres something badly wrong when people believe that anonymous comments are worse than direct threats.
So, I don't believe that anonymous comments are worse than direct threats but would ask one simple question:
Why was the former Armagh player not prepared to put his name to that letter?
Why was the former Armagh player not prepared to put his name to that letter? Maybe he's a young player that thinks he may get back in the Armagh squad in the future under other management if he were to put his name to the letter then he maybe not ever be picked to play for Armagh again.
 

niall1980

Well-Known Member
Why was the former Armagh player not prepared to put his name to that letter? Maybe he's a young player that thinks he may get back in the Armagh squad in the future under other management if he were to put his name to the letter then he maybe not ever be picked to play for Armagh again.
Former prominent Armagh player does not suggest that
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
I didn't want to say lazy in my original post, but I completely agree, a lazy outstretched arm will cost us once or twice per game. Tackling with both hands is another bug bear, the rules state tackle with one hand, so the timing of this needs worked on. Finally tackling from behind with an arm over the opponents should, admittedly this can be a grey area open to interpretation from a ref. The thing is, I think these are areas we can improve on quite quickly.
The hand over the shoulder was clarified last year gfo and is now considered a high and potentially dangerous tackle. If you were to tackle over say the right shoulder with your left hand (attempting to break the ball) and your hand goes in a downward motion along the right arm, it's a tick for high tackle. If it was say the right hand and the arm makes contact with the neck/head area it'll be a yellow card. If it causes movement of the head, then it can be a yellow, potentially a red if the ref reads it as dangerous play with the possibility of causing ahead injury, but I'd say that would be most likely only be for something like a "clothes line" tackle.

Again the one that I hate is the accidental tap on the ankle which causes extreme pain and head injury with the player going down clutching their head
 

DooReg

Active Member
I didn't want to say lazy in my original post, but I completely agree, a lazy outstretched arm will cost us once or twice per game. Tackling with both hands is another bug bear, the rules state tackle with one hand, so the timing of this needs worked on. Finally tackling from behind with an arm over the opponents should, admittedly this can be a grey area open to interpretation from a ref. The thing is, I think these are areas we can improve on quite quickly.

This goes right back to what Geezer's problem is about the tackle and that there is no clear definition of it. Everyone has a view as to what constitutes a fair tackle. "you aren't allowed to tackle with two hands"? Are you sure. "Rules state one hand" - again, are you sure or is this your interpretation of the rules as a player, spectator or having read the rules.

The GAA Official Guide provides the clear definition of the tackle - it might surprise some.

17. TACKLE

Hurling: Any attempt to dispossess or reduce the advantage of opponent within the Rules of Fair Play. With the exception of the charge (fair), the tackle is aimed at the ball not the player.

Football: The tackle is a skill by which one or more players may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. A tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. A tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge is forbidden. The only deliberate physical contact allowed is that in the course of a Fair Charge one player only with at least one foot on the ground , makes a shoulder to shoulder charge on the player in possession.


There it is - no mention of how many hands you can use. It's all about relative interpretation of their perception of what constitutes "within the Rules of Fair Play".

I love the one that says "which one or more players may dispossess an opponent". How many times playing have you heard a ref say "free - two man tackle".

That's why we get inconsistent referee performances within GAA - its all open to the ref's view as what is "fair play"
 

Mickey Gormley

Active Member
Can’t wait until all papers are behind paywalls and people can’t scobe free stuff.
Listen doesnt bother me that much still would wait to my wifes father buys it and read that one article then ;) I dont really read the gaelic life as I only really care about armagh and not the rest of Ulster. Truth be told if anything major happens its reported on FB or on here ;)
 

Diarmi

Well-Known Member
Listen doesnt bother me that much still would wait to my wifes father buys it and read that one article then ;) I dont really read the gaelic life as I only really care about armagh and not the rest of Ulster. Truth be told if anything major happens its reported on FB or on here ;)
I agree, it always strikes me as a paper that is trying to justify its relevance with a lot of pointless articles. Sorry @McCoyDromintee. It's a bit like the articles in the Irish News in the run up to the championship where they do player interviews, its all just words.
 

Diarmi

Well-Known Member
As for McGeeney, if he is staying I think the back room team need a shake up. With all due respect to Paddy McKeever and Dennis Hollywood they have no experience of management at this level other than what they have learned with Armagh. Both these boys spend a lot of time shouting instructions. McCorry has the experience and has had success at club level and we know what he is about so I would be happy to see him stay on. My guess is Hollywood is a bit like Paddy the Bishop and will be there no matter who the manager is.
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
I agree, it always strikes me as a paper that is trying to justify its relevance with a lot of pointless articles. Sorry @McCoyDromintee. It's a bit like the articles in the Irish News in the run up to the championship where they do player interviews, its all just words.

Well, to be fair, the GL has great coverage of county and club action, and all codes.

They also have some cracking interviews with former players, which are a break from current players as you just get the usual bull, as they’re not allowed to say boo.

Plus, they have the FF competition that I’m so far down the list, I think they’ve stopped counting my score!
 

Diarmi

Well-Known Member
Well, to be fair, the GL has great coverage of county and club action, and all codes.

They also have some cracking interviews with former players, which are a break from current players as you just get the usual bull, as they’re not allowed to say boo.

Plus, they have the FF competition that I’m so far down the list, I think they’ve stopped counting my score!
I can understand that it is very difficult to find enough to fill a paper every week but the feeling I get, if I ever read it, is that they have done just that, filled the pages with words, lots of pointless words. In fairness it could be just me, there was a time when I would have read anything about Gaelic even if I had written it meself!!
 
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PatMustard

Well-Known Member
I can understand that it is very difficult to find enough to fill a paper every week but the feeling I get, if I ever read it, is that they have done just that, filled the pages with words, lots of pointless words. In fairness it could be just me, there was a time when I would have read anything about Gaelic even if I had written it meself!!

Player interviews tend to get monotonous. Quotes like “one game at a time”, “we’ll be respecting them even though they’re in Div 4” and “hopefully we’ll be in the next round” etc etc.

But I suppose we all want to hear our team news and even the monotonous player interviews, as it gives us a glimpse into what they do, how they prepare etc, and it gets us excited about the next game.

But as I say, ex players tend to divulge more and tell funny stories. Gregory McCartan was interviewed a while back and I laughed my ass off at that. Very funny man. GL do a lot of such interviews as do the IN.
 

McCoyDromintee

Active Member
I can understand that it is very difficult to find enough to fill a paper every week but the feeling I get, if I ever read it, is that they have done just that, filled the pages with words, lots of pointless words. In fairness it could be just me, there was a time when I would have read anything about Gaelic even if I had written it meself!!

I find that’s a very harsh summary.

First of all you’re right. Three staff filling 40 pages a week is extremely tough especially when one is on holiday.

However I feel we do an excellent job for variation.

In a standard 40 page edition you’ll generally find nine pages of club - given voices, interviews and team news from Crossmaglen to Corrinshego.

One of the best stable of columnists about in Joe Brolly, Kevin Cassidy, Gerard O’Kane, Cahal Carvill and Shane Elliott.

Also, a hugely-popular training zone offering advice on everything from strength and conditioning, mindsets and, recently following the arrival of Patrick Morrison, goalkeeping.

Then you’ll have an in focus interview getting a deep insight from that week’s guest. Next week for example I have a long interview with Alan Davidson. May seem a strange choice but it’s a cracking read - because of his honesty rather than any good writing I hasten to add.

Also, a club focus looking at a particular club in Ulster or afar.

On top of that you have regular county preview and news (nobody has broken more Armagh exclusives in the last five years than GL).

Then the paper is broken up with your take a break pages, your fantasy football.

I disagree strongly with the filling in with pointless words assessment and I find it hard to believe that any Ulster GAA fans wouldn’t find the product value for money given it’s very modest cost. (Papers are massively underpriced.). Hopefully you give it another go and enjoy it more!
 
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