JoeH
Well-Known Member
Armagh were missing quite a few as well and could be considered under strength given those who don't start at present.
National Football League 2024
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
ArmaghMartin
Active Member
Time and time again when these players go down the stretch they have shown they can't do it. The management have taken a long hard look at themselves. We have one best players in Ireland in Rian and he didn't start our biggest game off the season. The jury is very much still out on Turbo for me. Goes missing a lot in the big games. Forker form going into championship is a massive concern for me. Hughes was excellent in nets again. Been out best player throughout the league.
The quality off the Derry and Dublin was out off this world. It shows how far we are behind both off them.
Roll on Ulster!
The quality off the Derry and Dublin was out off this world. It shows how far we are behind both off them.
Roll on Ulster!
Downplaying this loss does no one any favours.
This isn’t merely a division 2 final loss. This is the second failed test of the year against a very mediocre Donegal team who will likely be soundly beaten by Derry when it comes to it. It’s added to the list of recent poor defeats to Donegal in ulster in 22, to Galway, Derry and Monaghan after that, it’s added to the inability to win an ulster championship game for 5 years. It’s a repeat of an inability to win an important game when we have everything needed to win it.
This isn’t merely a division 2 final loss. This is the second failed test of the year against a very mediocre Donegal team who will likely be soundly beaten by Derry when it comes to it. It’s added to the list of recent poor defeats to Donegal in ulster in 22, to Galway, Derry and Monaghan after that, it’s added to the inability to win an ulster championship game for 5 years. It’s a repeat of an inability to win an important game when we have everything needed to win it.
William Of Orange
Well-Known Member
I’ve posted so many times about our inability to close out games and this was another case of Deja vu , out last play sums up the issues we have getting over the line , watching the 2nd game with no vested interest I see a massive difference in the organisation in Derry and Armagh , from the kick out to getting shooters on the ball , Derry are are well organised unit improving from the Ulster final last year , I thought we had come on as well , however a real worry who we regressed again today , cautious, ponderous , lethargic is how I would describe that performance, Donegal we’re picking us off long range constantly, with no pressure on their kickers whatsoever, we were hand passing into trouble consistently, surely Oisin O Neill was the man for that game long before 10 mins before the end , shooters like soupy , Rian should have been brought into play more Grimley on the bench is fully fit can shoot , Nugent , Duffy as well , we have one of the best ball winners in the country in Murnin who was never near the square nor was any ball ever kicked in to him or Turbitt , I think when we did kick the ball in (twice I remember) we scored a point and won a free, the tactics today suited Donegal not us .
Anyway it’s nothing the most important game we will play but giving the Donegal team and our team , with another narrow defeat in a tight match you would have to wonder about the confidence of the team .
Anyway it’s nothing the most important game we will play but giving the Donegal team and our team , with another narrow defeat in a tight match you would have to wonder about the confidence of the team .
Berfaboy77
Active Member
Say what you like about Micky Harte, but he goes out to win every trophy on offer. No bullshit, his team is attacking and throwing the sink at it…. No regrets. Derry look to have unearthed some real young talent, brimming with confidence. IMP they are the only team who will go toe to toe with the dubs this year.
On today’s game, same old story, slow lethargic build up play. Not taking our scores. Needless fouling. I don’t get starting young McMullan, I thought he did ok, but there was too much talent & experience sitting on the bench. I would get if if he had featured at any stage in the run up.
I also don’t get the ploy of pulling Andy out to the wings for kick outs, as soon as he wins it, there’s no one to hit inside. Jarly Og butchered 2 glorious goal
Chances. I also don’t understand why Oisin o Neill doesn’t start, he shows his class every time he steps on the field.
We are still too cautious, we must have went 20+!mins without scoring in the second half. I though Blaine, Grugan and conaty showed up today, rest didn’t
Frustrating, this team doesn’t know how to
Win which is of concern. Hopefully we can sort in out going forward
On today’s game, same old story, slow lethargic build up play. Not taking our scores. Needless fouling. I don’t get starting young McMullan, I thought he did ok, but there was too much talent & experience sitting on the bench. I would get if if he had featured at any stage in the run up.
I also don’t get the ploy of pulling Andy out to the wings for kick outs, as soon as he wins it, there’s no one to hit inside. Jarly Og butchered 2 glorious goal
Chances. I also don’t understand why Oisin o Neill doesn’t start, he shows his class every time he steps on the field.
We are still too cautious, we must have went 20+!mins without scoring in the second half. I though Blaine, Grugan and conaty showed up today, rest didn’t
Frustrating, this team doesn’t know how to
Win which is of concern. Hopefully we can sort in out going forward
Who wasn't available for us today?
Maybe Conor O'Neil, Grimley. Any others who would push for a place on the first 15?
I think we had nearly everyone we want togged out today and available to play.
Berfaboy77
Active Member
Say what you like about Micky Harte, but he goes out to win every trophy on offer. No bullshit, his team is attacking and throwing the sink at it…. No regrets. Derry look to have unearthed some real young talent, brimming with confidence. IMP they are the only team who will go toe to toe with the dubs this year.
On today’s game, same old story, slow lethargic build up play. Not taking our scores. Needless fouling. I don’t get starting young McMullan, I thought he did ok, but there was too much talent & experience sitting on the bench. I would get if if he had featured at any stage in the run up.
I also don’t get the ploy of pulling Andy out to the wings for kick outs, as soon as he wins it, there’s no one to hit inside. Jarly Og butchered 2 glorious goal
Chances. I also don’t understand why Oisin o Neill doesn’t start, he shows his class every time he steps on the field.
We are still too cautious, we must have went 20+!mins without scoring in the second half. I though Blaine, Grugan and conaty showed up today, rest didn’t
Frustrating, this team doesn’t know how to
Win which is of concern. Hopefully we can sort in out going foward
On today’s game, same old story, slow lethargic build up play. Not taking our scores. Needless fouling. I don’t get starting young McMullan, I thought he did ok, but there was too much talent & experience sitting on the bench. I would get if if he had featured at any stage in the run up.
I also don’t get the ploy of pulling Andy out to the wings for kick outs, as soon as he wins it, there’s no one to hit inside. Jarly Og butchered 2 glorious goal
Chances. I also don’t understand why Oisin o Neill doesn’t start, he shows his class every time he steps on the field.
We are still too cautious, we must have went 20+!mins without scoring in the second half. I though Blaine, Grugan and conaty showed up today, rest didn’t
Frustrating, this team doesn’t know how to
Win which is of concern. Hopefully we can sort in out going foward
Patrick-Armagh
Well-Known Member
Today was really disappointing. Louth was probably our worse performance of the year and this was second. We just didn't turn up again when it mattered. Losing a Division 2 title isn't the end of the world, but the performance was just symptomatic of how we've played in other big games over the last few years. In all honesty, we could have won it easily enough. We created more than enough chances, just too many players were off their game. Claiming the Division 2 title would have been a good boost for the team and helped build a winning mentality. When you see the level Derry were playing at today, we are really going to have our work cut out to try and over turn them in Ulster. Croke Park is a cruel place in that it can expose you if you don't have the legs to cover the ground. I think Aidan Forker found that today and will have to be a consideration if and when we make it back to Croke Park later in the summer.
Playing Darragh McMullan today really was one from left field and not one that any of us saw coming. I actually thought he did ok, but those were three bad wides he kicked and which makes people rightfully question his inclusion, especially when more established players didn't get a run out.
I'm not going to get too down about the result today, but the performance is reflective of problems we've faced in the recent past.
Playing Darragh McMullan today really was one from left field and not one that any of us saw coming. I actually thought he did ok, but those were three bad wides he kicked and which makes people rightfully question his inclusion, especially when more established players didn't get a run out.
And on that point, I agree with your point about Duffy, I think he's been really good for Armagh. But with Cullyhanna doing so well, he's lost his place to others who've been around. I don't think that Aidan Nugent has been anywhere near sharp enough to be playing since his injury which is a shame because two years ago he was flying. But on current form, he just doesn't add any attacking threat. As for McQuillan, I think many of us have been underwhelmed by his performances. There have been flashes of what he's capable of, but for someone who is meant to have searing pace, we just don't see enough of it for him to be play consistently. The fact that he didn't play over McMullan will raise questions. Joe McElroy could have moved to the half back line and McQuillan or TK started at 12, but they didn't. Only McGeeney and his management team will know why they gave someone their debut today over more established players.
I'm not going to get too down about the result today, but the performance is reflective of problems we've faced in the recent past.
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Ná habair é
Member
In three out of the four divisions (Down/Westmeath the exception), the team that finished top of table after seven rounds, lifted the trophy this weekend. So I suppose that's 'fair' in some way.
As for today, bar the final 10 mins it was a really disappointing match - 60mins training + 10 mins football. The same outcome though for Armagh fans - we've been here too many times, something has to change - what that is, I don't know
We go again, bring on Fermanagh
As for today, bar the final 10 mins it was a really disappointing match - 60mins training + 10 mins football. The same outcome though for Armagh fans - we've been here too many times, something has to change - what that is, I don't know
We go again, bring on Fermanagh
ArmaghMartin
Active Member
Midfield is a big concern for me personally don't think Mackin or Crealey are strong enough for us in midfield.
MrMaguire2002
Well-Known Member
You at the Ulster final last year? He was far better that day than the Galway game the previous year.
Mackin is a work horse - probably deserves a half back spot.
How about Jarly og and Rian for midfield?
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
Midfield didn't lose us the game it was the decision making from forwards poor kicking on goals,given the ball away at times team selection from management,plus when players aren't involved in the game enough you take them of or switch positions & Donegal got scores easter than Armagh at times cause it was easy at times for them to get into Armagh half of the pitch half backs to slack
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
Must have been watching Dublin vs Derry game
Peter grimes
Well-Known Member
Skimmed through recent pages. Grumbling about selection, tactics and closing out games. “Counterbalanced” by stuff about it not mattering or possibly even a positive in terms of keeping powder dry.
IMHO a lot of that on either side is nonsense or near nonsense.
For me selections have been and were today spot on. You could argue in retrospect that McMullen did not work but I would also note that defensive and back tracking wing forwards tend to be the players getting knocks. McMullen starting and Shields on to bench just looked the next cabs off the rank to me. Big name players haven’t exactly staked their claim with their sub appearances throughout the league. Hard to argue with selections.
The argument that today didn’t matter is near nonsense. If given the option of finishing 3rd or losing the league final you would clearly choose today’s disappointment. But playing so poorly and losing to an under strength Donegal cannot be seen as a positive.
That we have more positives than negatives to extract from today is total nonsense.
The complaints about closing out games I have some but limited sympathy with. By and large we were digging things out in the final stages but I would have to watch back what we did when we hit the front late on.
I think the bigger issue was the lacklustre performance in the first half and the sheer awfulness of the first 25 of the second half. We looked “over coached”. Afraid to make positive decisions. Afraid to trust skills and teammates. I like little tactical nuances. Pushing 3 men up on a Donegal kick out but facing out looking at the runners rather than the kicker intrigued me. But a few kickouts later we did the same and never noticed that was a Donegal player behind the 3 facing out! Following instructions but not thinking on our feet. Massive amount to be worked on.
IMHO a lot of that on either side is nonsense or near nonsense.
For me selections have been and were today spot on. You could argue in retrospect that McMullen did not work but I would also note that defensive and back tracking wing forwards tend to be the players getting knocks. McMullen starting and Shields on to bench just looked the next cabs off the rank to me. Big name players haven’t exactly staked their claim with their sub appearances throughout the league. Hard to argue with selections.
The argument that today didn’t matter is near nonsense. If given the option of finishing 3rd or losing the league final you would clearly choose today’s disappointment. But playing so poorly and losing to an under strength Donegal cannot be seen as a positive.
That we have more positives than negatives to extract from today is total nonsense.
The complaints about closing out games I have some but limited sympathy with. By and large we were digging things out in the final stages but I would have to watch back what we did when we hit the front late on.
I think the bigger issue was the lacklustre performance in the first half and the sheer awfulness of the first 25 of the second half. We looked “over coached”. Afraid to make positive decisions. Afraid to trust skills and teammates. I like little tactical nuances. Pushing 3 men up on a Donegal kick out but facing out looking at the runners rather than the kicker intrigued me. But a few kickouts later we did the same and never noticed that was a Donegal player behind the 3 facing out! Following instructions but not thinking on our feet. Massive amount to be worked on.
Not singling out the player at all. I like him. And I said it in the ground before throw in that he shouldn't have started. It's a criticism of the management not the player.
By all means build up your young players with meaningful game time but a debut today (excluding McKenna Cup)?? It was not the day for it which showed in how nervous he was in his shooting with 4 bad shots.
If it was something to do with this bug that McGeeney is talking about then fair enough.
I know this team is better and overall I believe this team is in a better position starting the championship than last year. As to our performance today I will accept we were most likely off the pace due to the bugs impact. That couldn't be controlled and hopefully the players realise how it can affect so many plans. So they shouldn't suffer from a lack of confidence going forward. Stay positive.
gael_force_orchard
Well-Known Member
Folks, in a game that mattered more than most will admit, Armagh failed to get over the line. Point up, couple mins left, beat. Revert to type.
ArmaghMartin
Active Member
Donegal cleaned us out in midfield till last 10 mins. Our midfield isn't out good enough.
Disagree. Regardless he’s way off his ability and performances from 2 years ago. And without him on form, Armaghs lethal threat is non-existent.