you would have thought the "with a knowing smile" would have given that away. I do think we as a support over estimate how good we are though
National Football League 2024
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
Diarmi
Well-Known Member
Totally agree here. I have yet to hear anyone say they expect us to win an Ireland. In fact most people I speak to are realistic in their optimism. Whether this was a tongue in cheek comment or not it is not a good vibe to be slagging your own supporters who are the most loyal in the country. As for the team, I seriously hope that it does not start as it would be even more regressive than last year.Did anyone see this interview in the Irish News with McGeeney from the other day?
I must say, it irritated me slightly with him saying:
“Armagh is expected to win the All-Ireland every year,” he said with a knowing grin.
“Funny enough, nobody has ever told them (supporters) that we’ve only won it once."
I don't think any supporter expects us to win the All Ireland at all. I think that we expect the team to be competitive and with the talent we've got, to play attacking football. I don't think we expect to see some of the clueless football we've seen on more than one occasion under McGeeney. That Monaghan performance last season was a total joke and I'd certainly be keeping my thoughts to myself about the supporters, had I been a manager of a team that served up that pish.
Best of luck to the team on Saturday and well done to Aidan Forker on being named captain. He really has developed into a fine player over the last number of years. He used to be a total liability and a bit of a thug. He still plays with an edge, but he's a far more disciplined intelligent player now. Looking at the team, I pray to God that's not a sign of things to come this season. Having two defenders at wing forward is not a good look. I'm excited to see how Oisin Conaty goes, as I think he's got potential. Good to see McGrane getting a start after some good performances in the McKenna Cup. I'm hoping that Barry McCambridge and Ciaran Higgins make a good impact. They've been on the squad for a few seasons now and we are in need of some quality defenders, so hopefully they'll get a run in the team and we can see if they could be the answer to some of defensive questions come Championship.
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Would be the system I’d be more worried about than the personnel, O’Neill and McElroy both well able to get forward and kick a score, as is McCabe at CHB and we saw McGrane do it well in the McKenna cup. Let’s not panic too much until the game starts.
Diarmi
Well-Known Member
Agree to an extent however although these players can score they are not proven county standard forwards of which we have an abundance. Let's see what happens but I am not optimistic.
All it takes is mcgeeney to make one change before ko and most would be happy, say if he changed McElroy for oisin O'Neill or Cian mcconville, that would make it alot more attacking
First of all. The best of luck to team and management for the league starting tomorrow
Obviously we haven’t even started yet and I don’t want to be a downer but if that team plays this weekend then god we are in for a very long year ahead.
If he is playing that defensive against Louth what will it be like if we play soemone like Derry Monaghan or Tyrone. I would hate to see us have to play kerry or dublin we would probably just play 14 defenders with rian up front.
Disappointed with the team but we should still get enough to win the game. However I think we may struggle to go up playing this way as I’m not sure where all are scores are going to come from.
Obviously we haven’t even started yet and I don’t want to be a downer but if that team plays this weekend then god we are in for a very long year ahead.
If he is playing that defensive against Louth what will it be like if we play soemone like Derry Monaghan or Tyrone. I would hate to see us have to play kerry or dublin we would probably just play 14 defenders with rian up front.
Disappointed with the team but we should still get enough to win the game. However I think we may struggle to go up playing this way as I’m not sure where all are scores are going to come from.
Firstly, glad to see the team named early.
Looking forward to seeing what mcgrane and conaty can add. I hope Higgins can get a run of games as I believe he can be our full back or centre back for the next few years.
I think crealey is fortunate to get his place considering the midfield options on the bench, however, I hope he proves me wrong.
The bookmakers have us winning by 7 points but no doubt we will make it difficult for ourselves.
We always seem to be missing so many players for whatever reasons, much more than other teams.
Plenty to come off the bench - mcpartlan, oisin o'neill, Grimley, Kelly, mcconville, burns.
Players not available - rafferty, mckay, rian o'neill, murnin, mcquillan, o'hanlon, nugent, kierans, Woods, duffy, Morgan
Good luck to players and management
Looking forward to seeing what mcgrane and conaty can add. I hope Higgins can get a run of games as I believe he can be our full back or centre back for the next few years.
I think crealey is fortunate to get his place considering the midfield options on the bench, however, I hope he proves me wrong.
The bookmakers have us winning by 7 points but no doubt we will make it difficult for ourselves.
We always seem to be missing so many players for whatever reasons, much more than other teams.
Plenty to come off the bench - mcpartlan, oisin o'neill, Grimley, Kelly, mcconville, burns.
Players not available - rafferty, mckay, rian o'neill, murnin, mcquillan, o'hanlon, nugent, kierans, Woods, duffy, Morgan
Good luck to players and management
duffy is on the bench
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Take it Rafferty still isnt fit after his big injury. Are Murnin/McKay/O’Hanlon/Kierans/Woods/Morgan all injured or just not selected? Presume Nugent and McQuillan being eased back after Cullyhannas run. God knows what the story is with Rian, hopefully he can get back to playing ball.
In the interview posted earlier Geezer does say Morgan and Rafferty are only ones injured.
Would suggest everybody is unavailable or not selected for other reasons
All others are being eased back, and Rian was only back training a couple weeks ago he probably being eased back too
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Good stuff then hopefully we can get a clean bill of health for once.
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Not really no. Forker has shown to be a super leader for years now so hard to argue against it. One player from Cross is out with a long term injury, one is just getting back from one, another is only back training a few weeks.
Surprised McConville hasn’t got his place to be honest and not sure what the story with Cumiskey is.
Good to see forker moved out from the full back line. Never thought it was really a good fit, it highlighted our weakness there more than anything. He could be worth a reliable point or more as an attacking half back.
Turbitt and conaty as an inside duo could be exciting. Hoping conaty take the opportunity, I think he could steal that corner forward spot if he got a run at it.
Turbitt and conaty as an inside duo could be exciting. Hoping conaty take the opportunity, I think he could steal that corner forward spot if he got a run at it.
strange? no.
Dont pass any remarks to rumours any more but whatever is going on with Rian at the min, he is better off without the burden of the captains role.
and Nugent is going to find it hard to break back into that forward line given the form of Murnin last year.
to be honest Forker was overlooked previously - he is the obvious choice for me.
No doubt forker will be a fantastic leader and i think he will make a fantastic captain, what i find strange is rian and nugent getting stripped of their captaincy. We aren't usually a county that changes captains very often
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
No Crossmaglen players on the team if that's starting 15
ShiftYa
Well-Known Member
Hard to be captain if you’re not getting game time.