winsamsoon
Well-Known Member
There are few types of people that go to watch games, those that will never ever be happy, those that want people to shoot from 60 yards out, those that want the game to go at 100mph from the start to the finish, those that don't even go but are happy to watch from home, those that cannot see an opposition on the pitch, those that cannot get tactics, those that have never played the game and possibly lack understanding, those that have played the game and feel they know everything and I would be certain I will have missed out another 20.
Heres where I stand on the game. It certainly wasn't a enthralling watch but it was essentially job done and looking back on Armaghs results of the last two years I think they actually play their best football against better teams. When a team comes out to play against them I think it alllows Armagh more freedom and I certainly believe them can beat Donegal. They could well have beaten them in the league final only a matter of weeks ago and depsite all the media punditry lauding Jimmy as the second coming he is but a man, who like all the rest of us will come down to Earth with a bang. I am hoping it's on the 12th of May.
Now the atmosphere was flat, after the game it didn't really feel like we were in an Ulster final and I am not sure as to the reasoning for that. However as the times passes, I am looking forward to our second appearance in an Ulster final in 2 years. Yes the draw this year was handy but the games still had to be won.
Down brought the packed defence and introduced the pace in the second half which did actually improve them, I wonder did they regret not starting the speed merchants but I guess thats a conundrum for them and possibly lads were injured. We knew this was going to be Downs plan because on paper they were the inferior team and Armagh had a wealth of threats. For the first time on Sat I actually felt Armagh were in control even when they went behind, they didn't panic and were able to hold the ball for almost 3 mins to execute the winning score. I heard Grugan speaking afterwards and he more or less said they had prepared exactly for this scenario and therefore this was the expected path the game would take.
The game now is all tactical, all zonal with positions meaning diddly squat. Its not just Armagh that are doing it every team in the country are at it to some extent. Some have more luxuries than others and can expand it that little bit more. The game is a running game to get shooters in positions to executive reherased plays from the training ground.
The ref I felt was hopeless, didn't allow Armagh to tackle at all in the first half and gave free after free for silly things. Looking at Murnin for the winner, I personally believe that is a foul and a potential black (also no real need to do it). But it well evened itself out and this is difficult to call in real time. I also agree that McKay was fouled/obstructed and the second Down goal shouldn't have stood. I believe Burns could also have simply caught the ball on the line for the first goal rather than drill it into the roof of the net, again though this is split second and theres no criticism intended, merely an observation.
I thought Armagh worked hard all over in a very tense game, our more flare players like Soup, Connatty etc couldn't get into the game were the space was choked out of it and ultimately it boiled down to feeding on scraps and for once Armagh got over the line.
I would love to see these lads get some silverware at the end of this and that includeds McGeeney. He lives every ball and every play. After last years Monaghan game I was frustrated as a lot of you were with McGeeney as I felt they really should have been more expansive. But I will be behind the whole camp 100% and I wish every one of them all the best for the Ulster final (There more I say it the more it grows on me)
Heres where I stand on the game. It certainly wasn't a enthralling watch but it was essentially job done and looking back on Armaghs results of the last two years I think they actually play their best football against better teams. When a team comes out to play against them I think it alllows Armagh more freedom and I certainly believe them can beat Donegal. They could well have beaten them in the league final only a matter of weeks ago and depsite all the media punditry lauding Jimmy as the second coming he is but a man, who like all the rest of us will come down to Earth with a bang. I am hoping it's on the 12th of May.
Now the atmosphere was flat, after the game it didn't really feel like we were in an Ulster final and I am not sure as to the reasoning for that. However as the times passes, I am looking forward to our second appearance in an Ulster final in 2 years. Yes the draw this year was handy but the games still had to be won.
Down brought the packed defence and introduced the pace in the second half which did actually improve them, I wonder did they regret not starting the speed merchants but I guess thats a conundrum for them and possibly lads were injured. We knew this was going to be Downs plan because on paper they were the inferior team and Armagh had a wealth of threats. For the first time on Sat I actually felt Armagh were in control even when they went behind, they didn't panic and were able to hold the ball for almost 3 mins to execute the winning score. I heard Grugan speaking afterwards and he more or less said they had prepared exactly for this scenario and therefore this was the expected path the game would take.
The game now is all tactical, all zonal with positions meaning diddly squat. Its not just Armagh that are doing it every team in the country are at it to some extent. Some have more luxuries than others and can expand it that little bit more. The game is a running game to get shooters in positions to executive reherased plays from the training ground.
The ref I felt was hopeless, didn't allow Armagh to tackle at all in the first half and gave free after free for silly things. Looking at Murnin for the winner, I personally believe that is a foul and a potential black (also no real need to do it). But it well evened itself out and this is difficult to call in real time. I also agree that McKay was fouled/obstructed and the second Down goal shouldn't have stood. I believe Burns could also have simply caught the ball on the line for the first goal rather than drill it into the roof of the net, again though this is split second and theres no criticism intended, merely an observation.
I thought Armagh worked hard all over in a very tense game, our more flare players like Soup, Connatty etc couldn't get into the game were the space was choked out of it and ultimately it boiled down to feeding on scraps and for once Armagh got over the line.
I would love to see these lads get some silverware at the end of this and that includeds McGeeney. He lives every ball and every play. After last years Monaghan game I was frustrated as a lot of you were with McGeeney as I felt they really should have been more expansive. But I will be behind the whole camp 100% and I wish every one of them all the best for the Ulster final (There more I say it the more it grows on me)