National Football League 2024

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Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
The game last night was pretty much a challenge game with neither team having anything to play for. While next week's game is more important, I was still sulking when I left the stadium (and what a stadium) that we somehow managed tho throw the game away and only get a point. We were absolutely cruising and their two goals came from being in situations of no danger, only to faff about on the ball, get caught and then we were punished. There was an obvious and understandable lack of intensity in our play and Cork were able to weave some passing patterns, get runners in behind us and pop over scores. We've seen that before with Armagh but this league campaign it's been less of an issue (a mix of it being worked on in training and quality of opposition). That needs to be looked at when we play the better sides in the Championship. However it was pleasing to see that bit of fight in the team to come back to nick a draw.

Our best players were Conaty again, Crealey and Grugan. Barry McCambridge also quietly goes about shutting down dangerous forwards. Last week it was Paddy Lynch and this week it was Conor Corbett. Some players looked well off the pace while there were others that you want to see more from. We've really missed the energy and nastiness that Ciaran Mackin brings to the team in recent games. Big day at Croke Park to look forward to next weekend. The game at the Athletic Grounds showed how evenly matched the teams are, though Donegal shaded it. This game and next week's are good preparation for the start of Championship.
 
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Wide ball

Well-Known Member
I know oisin and Rian O'Neill have been off the pace and a few others as well, but they still have a higher ceiling than most of our players and with a run in Ulster they will get form back, this league has been good for getting minutes into some players legs while being able to rest others, we have discovered McGrane and Conaty, and you could say mcconville also, think we have used our squad decently, the team that started last night didn't have Morgan, Rafferty, Conor O'Neill, Aidan forker, Ciaran mackin, mcpartlan, Nugent, mcquillan, oisin O'Neill and murnin all of them could be seen as starters, and that with wee run of games will be in the team imo
 
William Of Orange

William Of Orange

Well-Known Member
Anyone here concerned about the form of Rian 3 weeks out of the championship, probably not a definite starter now going on form , While a lot of player’s performances have been excellent I think an in form Rian could be the difference between winning or losing Ulster , I wasn’t at the match last night but reports that he was well off the pace are a worry and what has been a very positive campaign . Also while I would like to beat Donegal next week , I think the Fermanagh game is 100 times more important, job done getting promotion, winning Divison 2 is not that important.
 
Armaghniac

Armaghniac

Well-Known Member
William Of Orange said:
Anyone here concerned about the form of Rian 3 weeks out of the championship, probably not a definite starter now going on form , While a lot of player’s performances have been excellent I think an in form Rian could be the difference between winning or losing Ulster , I wasn’t at the match last night but reports that he was well off the pace are a worry and what has been a very positive campaign . Also while I would like to beat Donegal next week , I think the Fermanagh game is 100 times more important, job done getting promotion, winning Divison 2 is not that important.
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We need an in form Rian to win Ulster, I'm not sure we need this to beat Fermanagh. Fortunately, this gives us a couple more weeks to get him back on the horse.
 
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stevie_06

Well-Known Member
William Of Orange said:
Anyone here concerned about the form of Rian 3 weeks out of the championship, probably not a definite starter now going on form , While a lot of player’s performances have been excellent I think an in form Rian could be the difference between winning or losing Ulster , I wasn’t at the match last night but reports that he was well off the pace are a worry and what has been a very positive campaign . Also while I would like to beat Donegal next week , I think the Fermanagh game is 100 times more important, job done getting promotion, winning Divison 2 is not that important.
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Wouldn't be overly worried yet and don't think management will be worried. Would say the plan was not to give him too much game time during the league. Next few weeks would have been targeted to get his sharpness back. And as you say don't think we would need him to beat Fermanagh or Down for that matter.

Only thing would disagree with is winning Divison 2 not being that important. Personally think beating Donegal and getting over the line in a final is a big step for the team. Could give the group the confidence they need going forward. Thought I do accept it is only a Divison 2 final and bigger matches to come.
 
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SneakyPint

Member
The less he plays the less likely he is to get his form back for when we need it.
Does he deserve to start against Fermanagh based on this seasons league? No. But - theres the bigger picture to look at in the context of our season.
 
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Hoops

Member
Wouldn’t worry about Rian, remember we needed him to get that late point against Donegal, which put us a point ahead when the rest of the forwards couldn’t hit a barn door.

It looks like we’ve a very strong squad, though I wonder how strong we would look had we been in division 1 this year. We would probably have been in a fairly similar position to Galway or Tyrone, who both had a few heavy enough defeats. I’m happier not knowing that for now anyway, hopefully we can carry some confidence with us through to the ulster final. Division 1 will be very tough next year.
 
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Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
Rian was very quiet last night and there's not a lot of games to get him up to speed before Championship. What's certain is that we'll need him to be at his best if we are to win Ulster. I'd also be worried about the form of Aidan Nugent. I know he scored last night, but for someone who never had a lot of pace, he looks quite slow and ponderous. When you think back to how he played a few seasons ago when we stuffed Tyrone at home, he was flying. He hasn't been able to get back to that level. I feel sorry for Niall Grimley who hasn't played a minute of league football.
 
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OneofTwo

Member
Patrick-Armagh said:
Rian was very quiet last night and there's not a lot of games to get him up to speed before Championship. What's certain is that we'll need him to be at his best if we are to win Ulster. I'd also be worried about the form of Aidan Nugent. I know he scored last night, but for someone who never had a lot of pace, he looks quite slow and ponderous. When you think back to how he played a few seasons ago when we stuffed Tyrone at home, he was flying. He hasn't been able to get back to that level. I feel sorry for Niall Grimley who hasn't played a minute of league football.
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Unless he is having a complete mare in training I can't see why he hasn't got minute. Mc Parland has dropped seriously down the order too having look like he was nailed on last year.
 
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