National Football League 2024
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Who would you start from Cross exactly? Bearing in mind Rian and Oisin certainly aren’t fully fit yet. Cian has done ok but not sure who you drop for him.
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
All that carry on at the end of the Dublin vs Derry game will result in a months suspension for 3 Armagh players.
Darragh McMullan should not have started today having not played a single second of league football. And I say that as someone who commented in the McKenna Cup thread on here that I think he's a good footballer but not ready. Today showed that.
It's not the end of the world but it's yet another disappointment. Success breeds success and a winning mentality. We need to get over the line somewhere but I fear now we're just gonna be walking out of Clones and Croker the same way again later this season.
It's not the end of the world but it's yet another disappointment. Success breeds success and a winning mentality. We need to get over the line somewhere but I fear now we're just gonna be walking out of Clones and Croker the same way again later this season.
JoeH
Well-Known Member
And if the result had been a point in our favour there wouldn't be a word.
Can't single out one player
It's raw for us supporters now, but look, when we have our best men on the pitch from the off, we know we can give the best teams a shot. We need to do things right and get ourselves to the Ulster final for another showdown with Derry.
What a test that would be and sure who knows what might happen if we're in it towards the end. Derry were very impressive today but every game is different.
Now that I've calmed down, the realisation of the bigger picture is giving me some positivity.
I still totally disagree with throwing an inexperienced player into that today - Geezer should be pulling whoever suggested that into the office Tuesday night!
McMullan was not a problem today, I thought he played fairly well and was unfortunate in his 3 wides, the shot was a fine decision in each. What were grugan murnin turbitt etc doing that we were relying on a debutant to hit those shots in the first place. Why did those senior players allow us to go 25 minutes without a score. That falls on the leadership of the senior players and management, not on any player in their first season.
Well for a start the 2 oneills should start then you could argue for cumskey and Hughes and there is a few others fit for the bench
But that’s part and parcel of winning? You generally don’t focus on the negatives because the desired outcome was achieved. Lose and you reflect on factors that contributed to it.
It’s not a direct criticism of Darragh - he’s a good young footballer with a bright future. It’s a criticism of the management to start a player who hasn’t kicked a ball in the league this year.
Lots of reactions- and over reactions above. In my view, "winning" the Division 2 title doesn't matter at all.
But as it was clear that the team really went for it in the last 10 minutes, but were not able to get the win, that is concerning.
is it a psychological barrier - or are we just not good enough? Bear in mind that Donegal were missing McBrearty, McHugh, O'Baoil, Ban Gallagher and a few others shows that they were below strength and will undoubtedly improve as the year goes on.
I am not sure that we will improve. I say that because i am not sure if this management can get us where we want to be. Do we know what our strongest team will be? We have a really strong squad and many players can step in without weakening the team. But - Rian appears away off from the player he was 2 years ago.
I am a big fan of Soupy but can he last 70 mins?
Geezer does not seem to trust Oisin.
Is Forker losing form / legs?
Questions questions.....
But as it was clear that the team really went for it in the last 10 minutes, but were not able to get the win, that is concerning.
is it a psychological barrier - or are we just not good enough? Bear in mind that Donegal were missing McBrearty, McHugh, O'Baoil, Ban Gallagher and a few others shows that they were below strength and will undoubtedly improve as the year goes on.
I am not sure that we will improve. I say that because i am not sure if this management can get us where we want to be. Do we know what our strongest team will be? We have a really strong squad and many players can step in without weakening the team. But - Rian appears away off from the player he was 2 years ago.
I am a big fan of Soupy but can he last 70 mins?
Geezer does not seem to trust Oisin.
Is Forker losing form / legs?
Questions questions.....
Hughes? As in Paul Hughes?
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.
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.
Last edited:
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