Can't disagree with the vast majority of what has already been posted, but just a few random thoughts
We should have won by a heck of a lot more and management have a lot to answer for by having the lads relax and let Cavan back into it (Stop it
@JoeH you know what I'm at
)
Joking aside, some give management a torrid time and some of it is even unjustified. We cannot credit the line to much for yesterday except to say they sent the team out to do a job and thankfully they stuck to it and made it look easy enough.
D2 was not as easy as it looked and before the league started, many, including myself saw a few places where we could stagger and slip up. Unfounded fears as it turned out, but only as it turned out. Could easily have happened in a couple of games except there was difference no one else is mentioning. Conleith Gilligan. Gilligan has been successful in several roles before joining the Armagh set up this year. He has seen something to make him commit. Maybe it's a case that his tiny tweaks have been the difference when things didn't look so great. The team appear to be more free flowing for the most part and definitely less negative. As I said, we are often critical of what the line does. Maybe we could/should/would give a teeny bit of credit where it just might be due.
Players have done well and stuck to the task. The best statistic is the lack of goals conceded. 90% of that, in my opinion is down to Blane Hughes, the other 10% is down to the defence and the other lads stopping the ball getting to opposition scoring threats.
And Cork!! Never mind it being dead rubber. It isn't!! 100% it isn't. It needs the same attention to detail as we've shown so far. Why would you go out and show any prospective opposition a weakness? One week later you have a league final against Donegal. Win it after another league game win and you go into championship with a winning mindset. When did we last go into an Ulster Championship unbeaten in league. Many may not like Mickey Harte, but he has maintained that nothing beats a winning habit. It's a large part of why he didn't believe in challenge games. Not that you learn nothing from them, but letting players get game time and don't win each time you're out, can change how a player thinks. Negativity is hard to shake. Positivity is infectious. So let's get back in the cars, van, trains, buses or whatever it takes to get down and be heard. There'll be enough on the bandwagon in a few weeks.
As for the final and the real possibility of 3 Ulster teams in HQ on the same day, fixtures committee have no concern for traffic management or chaos. Never bothered them before AND it will be chaotic getting back up the road, so be prepared now. It would be strange indeed if they decided not to put the two top billed finals together. Not saying it can't happen, just that it's unlikely. As long as the diving midgets aren't there and Laverty doesn't get to walk out on the field, all planets will be aligned!!!!!!!! EAOE
