McKenna Cup 2022

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
Took a last minute run up to Armagh this evening when the wife decided to visit her sister. Not really much more i can add that hasn't already been said.

Referee decisions were a little baffling at times alright and not just against us. He was poor but I don't think he affected the result. To be fair he allowed an advantage right at the death that resulted in the ball coming back off the bar and could have won it for us. but then would he have blown is the question?

The atmosphere was fantastic and almost championship like at times. What a way to spend a nice, chilly winter Tuesday evening. Class again to hear the proper noise we forget about - it's the little things.

Strangely and hopefully just me, but I never felt as if we were really exerting ourselves and there was zero panic at any stage in the second half when the tide was obviously turning. Didn't even feel gutted at the result. Just an enjoyment of a night out. Mad Ted!

Two things though that should be noted. I sincerely hope the Monaghan lad taken off at the start is ok. Was told after half time he was rushed to hospital, but maybe that was a precaution.
Classy of Beggan to put his arm around Jamar after his miss and Jamar acknowledge it. It's just sport after all. @ragingbull you're out of order this time. I won't even quote your post as it's downright stupid. Hang your head down. Doubt you'd have the cahoonahs to stand up and take the fifth penalty in a shootout and I'm disappointed as that was low for you.

Finally, quote of the past 12 months:
Rian O'Neill is not human - @Diarmi !! You my friend are a legend :D
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
The standard of penalty taking was exceptional tonight - I thought Armaghs first 4 were top, top drawer.
Shea was very close to most of Monaghans

It's the way it is and unfortunately we missed one.
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
The standard of penalty taking was exceptional tonight - I thought Armaghs first 4 were top, top drawer.
Shea was very close to most of Monaghans

It's the way it is and unfortunately we missed one.
Absolutely Joe. Few soccer players would do much better and remember our goals are slightly smaller in size - but please don't let @PatMustard know I know that. He thinks I know nothing about groundball!!
 

thecritic

Well-Known Member
Disappointing not to get the win last night after controlling the game for the most part. We can't be surprised with this group failing to get over the line once again against decent opponents - it's been happening for years now. I know it's early days but surely we're not heading into another year of poor tackling in the final third and failure to hold on to tight leads when in matters. I hope we're proved wrong - good luck to the lads in the league - a great test for them!
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
Kick outs are a problem, not sure why we insisted on going long when the short option was there.
What game were you watching?
There was a lot of short kicks.
It's easy to pick on the things we remember not easy on the things we ignore.
 

gael_force_orchard

Well-Known Member
Im likely in a minority here, but the fact that the game went to penalties on the ask of both management teams suggests that gametime was being managed ahead of Sat 29th, so im not overly concerned we got put out on penalties. Weve played 3 games in just under a fortnight and now have 10 day's to get ready for Dublin. Im not sure a high intensity game is needed this saturday. 10 days to perfect a game plan and manage training load is likely of more benefit. Had we won i would have expected that most lads would have had no more than 35 mins in the final. Dont forget a few players have been playing Sigerson as well. 3 games played, 2 wins and a draw. On to the league and thats where the year really starts. That Dublin defence and midfield will be got at this year, the problem is so will our defence and I think it will be high scoring. Crazily, I actually think we have a chance, and im not surprised to see Magill used in nets, i can see us going long with kickouts and targeting their wing half backs. I give Armagh a chance in the opening game against the Dubs.
 

KilleavyGael

Active Member
Im likely in a minority here, but the fact that the game went to penalties on the ask of both management teams suggests that gametime was being managed ahead of Sat 29th, so im not overly concerned we got put out on penalties. Weve played 3 games in just under a fortnight and now have 10 day's to get ready for Dublin. Im not sure a high intensity game is needed this saturday. 10 days to perfect a game plan and manage training load is likely of more benefit. Had we won i would have expected that most lads would have had no more than 35 mins in the final. Dont forget a few players have been playing Sigerson as well. 3 games played, 2 wins and a draw. On to the league and thats where the year really starts. That Dublin defence and midfield will be got at this year, the problem is so will our defence and I think it will be high scoring. Crazily, I actually think we have a chance, and im not surprised to see Magill used in nets, i can see us going long with kickouts and targeting their wing half backs. I give Armagh a chance in the opening game against the Dubs.

Agree with all of this apart from the last sentence :D
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
I understand that Penalties after the game was a rule of the competition not something requested by both teams. I guess that'll be the same for the final
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
I'm going to go with my usual form and completely mess up my game predictions for the Dublin game - I know it's another thread!

Dublin will beat us by a single point because of a goal we conceded in the first 30 seconds. Paddy Power lads is where it's at!
 

pablo

Well-Known Member
Not sure what to take from all that.

Our second game in four days. In contrast, Monaghan well rested and might have had the legs on us a bit in second half. We did make good use of our bench. Over the three games we had plenty of players getting some game and most of the new lads did well

When we are in full flow, we move very well and with speed. Our kick passing game can be a joy and can work really well against those lateral hand-passing teams that play for the high percentage shot. The success of our counter attacking approach of course depends on a disciplined and organized defence that can tunrover the ball. In that respect, I thought our structure and organization at the back appeared to be better…but

two things do still worry me.

  • We might look at the McKenna cup as bit of a run around before the league, but last night was another game that we lost while in a winning position and should have closed out. This team really needs to get the taste of a winning habit and move away from ‘good learning experiences’. We should have won last night and I think in developing the squad psyche we would have been better served with a win
  • Despite the improved shape of defence, at this early stage of the year it looks again that the sloppy tackling still is a problem. I did think the ref in the Tyrone game was less whistle happy than the fussy ref last night: we are still not smart for ‘reading’ a ref and sensing what will be let go and what will not. At this point, the poor tackling technique looks like it will never be addressed. So let’s see.
But, we have a good panel that includes some of the best forwards currently in the country playing an exciting brand of football. There are exciting signs there.
 

Bradley

Member
Not sure what to take from all that.

Our second game in four days. In contrast, Monaghan well rested and might have had the legs on us a bit in second half. We did make good use of our bench. Over the three games we had plenty of players getting some game and most of the new lads did well

When we are in full flow, we move very well and with speed. Our kick passing game can be a joy and can work really well against those lateral hand-passing teams that play for the high percentage shot. The success of our counter attacking approach of course depends on a disciplined and organized defence that can tunrover the ball. In that respect, I thought our structure and organization at the back appeared to be better…but

two things do still worry me.

  • We might look at the McKenna cup as bit of a run around before the league, but last night was another game that we lost while in a winning position and should have closed out. This team really needs to get the taste of a winning habit and move away from ‘good learning experiences’. We should have won last night and I think in developing the squad psyche we would have been better served with a win
  • Despite the improved shape of defence, at this early stage of the year it looks again that the sloppy tackling still is a problem. I did think the ref in the Tyrone game was less whistle happy than the fussy ref last night: we are still not smart for ‘reading’ a ref and sensing what will be let go and what will not. At this point, the poor tackling technique looks like it will never be addressed. So let’s see.
But, we have a good panel that includes some of the best forwards currently in the country playing an exciting brand of football. There are exciting signs there.
Agree, what separates the good and great teams is the ability to manage leads when it comes to crunch time, youthful team but hopefully can adopt this mentality sooner rather than later
 

Diarmi

Well-Known Member
What game were you watching?
There was a lot of short kicks.
It's easy to pick on the things we remember not easy on the things we ignore.
Sorry Joe, you are wrong. The majority of kickouts went long. Indeed this was also the case in the second half of the Tyrone game. I am guessing it was a strategy from the bench as preparation for when we may need to deploy these tactics in more important games when a team push up on us.
But sure it's easy to pick on the things we remember not easy on the things we ignore.
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
Sorry Joe, you are wrong. The majority of kickouts went long. Indeed this was also the case in the second half of the Tyrone game. I am guessing it was a strategy from the bench as preparation for when we may need to deploy these tactics in more important games when a team push up on us.
But sure it's easy to pick on the things we remember not easy on the things we ignore.
So all those kickouts to men standing on the 21 near the sideline are considered long?
 

William Of Orange

Well-Known Member
We also need to remember we played on Saturday a tough physical game.
Monaghan played at least 8 days previous so although they were training they didn't play a competitive game recently.

Some great play, some poor shot selection, didn't score enough from the amount of possession.

However the major plus in the three games is the amount of players who got game time and we didn't do to badly in the three games.
We've come a long way and I have no doubt we will more than hold our own in division one.

Picking a starting 15 may be difficult, deciding on the 15 who finish a game is another thing.

Hopefully those who came off tonight are precautionary rather than serious injury.
One thing is it's an awful shame the amount of injuries Andrew Murnin had over the years. He has an ability to make a bad ball look good and his handling is superb. I seriously hope he has a great year, if he does we will do well
I thought Niall Rowland, Conor ONeill, Ciaran Higgins, Ciaran Mackin, Aidan Forker have done very well in defence.

When James Morgan is available it's a tight unit.

From number 8 to 15 there are so many permutations and options.
Let's hope it clicks more often than not.
Agree with the comment about Murnin , I know I said flippantly that he’s the most player named that never starts a team but their is no doubting his ability and the different option he gives us in the forward line , I was glad he did start last night and hope he has an injury free year .
Explain...
No
 

Androim

Active Member
Just a brief comment on ‘closing out’ games, etc. As far as I can make out we used 29 different players vs. Monaghan, and I believe it to be almost impossible to get stability and consistency from any tactical approach in such circumstances. From now on we should see more stability in the lineup and, hopefully, in carrying out any new tactical goals. Best wishes and hopes to every member of our team…players and coaches…and perhaps a surprise against Dublin just might be in the cards.
 
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