2020 McKenna cup

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Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Not a bad old performance last night. Would agree with others that we need Rian closer to goal at times but definitely can play out the field as well. Would definitely have Oisin closer to goal kicking scores as well rather than tracking back all night.

Grugan was superb when he came on, kicked some lovely points, played super passes and his goal was excellent. Turbitt tried hard and showed well, made few mistakes but had a few moments of class as well, definitely potential for the future.

Thought the young lad in nets did well, some of his kickouts were superb, others not great but he hadn’t many options at times. He wasn’t at fault for the goal, McElroy dropped the ball and he was off his line, its obviously an instruction for him to come out and support the defender in possession. Mistakes happen.

As others have said, our defence is still suspect, although I’d say only Forker will be keeping his place in the back 6 that lined out last night. Donaghy, Burns, Hughes, Morgan, Shields and McKay will all be ahead of the other 5 come the summer.

Foundations are there to push on and make a strong challenge for promotion and reach an Ulster final. Likes of Donaghy, Clarke, Murnin, Rafferty, Morgan and Grugan all to come into the team as well, serious options if we can keep everyone fit and tighten up at the back.
 
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Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
Big Jim said:
A fun evening out and I tend to agree with the posts above about the performance. Strange January evening in that it wasn't particularly cold so added to the occasion. Best laugh of the night though was the attendance figure 5125? I always thought the main stand held between 5k and 6k. It was crammed and must have been at least another 1.5k around the ground. Must be near tax time.

I agree too that the ref wasn't the worst. Barry Cassidy is a strange one alright. You feel he's completely against you and then suddenly you get a penalty and wonder what it's for - taking it all the same. What a super strike and well taken set piece. There were absolutely some strange decisions, but let's be fair, both ways.

Them'uns have some really shitty and vile supporters (I won't mention the ones we have....ooooops). Best was possibly the one behind us describing us as (and I clean this up for the kids) "trashy bastards following a forth tier team with headless management and thugs from cleaners to county board. Can't even respect Ulster's finest and Ulster champions!" Oh how we laughed. Totally devastated to see him get "clipped" after the game. We really are thugs :p

On the fields our thuggery continues. Imagine having the gall to actually try and score against the Ulster Champions. They really don't like it when a weak team put it up to them. Imagine the best in Ulster and one of the top two in the country only being able to beat a fourth tier team by 3 points!

We really do have some superb talent on show in spurts. It's certainly not the time to get anxious nor ahead of ourselves. Look at who wasn't playing last night or only had a cameo and the league looks achievable. That game is now over and it's only two short weeks until the serious build up to championship begins. For the first time in quite a few years our selectors will be thinking who to leave on the bench. We're not the force we were in 1999 - 2008 ish and I doubt (if I'm honest) we ever will be again, but my flat belief continues. It's 15 v fifteen on any given [sun]day so at least we have nothing to fear. I'd genuinely be in the camp of preferring to win against "the best" in the championship than right now. If I remember correctly, they gave us a hammering in McKenna a few years years back which we avenged a little later in the qualifiers.

Anyway, great lads in the squad and a few trips with family and friends is what this is about. Real life is where we worry. This is only fantasy. Roll on 25th January and Cavan in Armagh. Looking forward to the parade...............if only!
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Hold on one wee minute, what total & utter sh..., sorry, rubbish was this tos... sorry, idiot spouting, sure "them uns" were as close to being Ulster champions last year as we were :rolleyes: "Ulster Champions my a**"
 
Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
Big Jim said:
Yeah I think that's correct (18.5k). There was a brilliant crowd and even if some (we won't mention @Ard Mhacha 13 ) can't have a night out without falling out with someone :p, it was like championship atmosphere with icicles on your nose!
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Who knew that asking someone politely could he possibly sit back in his seat as he was blocking the view of the far goals could cause such an uproar :eek:, oh no wait I was asking one of that lots supporters :rolleyes:
 
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Androim

Active Member
Left Right Out said:
Don’t want to be negative at all, but I see the following nullifying any serious progress this year. We are like that foreign sports team Arsenal in that everyone knows that the main problem with them as with us is our defence and defensive strategy. Year after year, for too many now, we don’t seem to be able to address the defensive weaknesses that we have. Need to settle on a capable full back for starters. A crucial position, and one where we need to look at who the best club fb and given them a run, or take one of our established defenders (Shields perhaps?) and get them bedded in. Don’t put square pegs in round holes. But we need a capable defender that hopefully won’t get turned, and if they do, has a bit of pace or defensive know how to deal with those situations. Secondly, year after year we talk about our poor tackling ability. Will this be addressed ever? Some silly pushing fouls again last night. Corner backs are specialist positions, especially now with advanced marks. So we need defenders with pace to get in front, and spring to ether break the ball or take cleanly - but with less of a tendency to foul. It was evident that we missed Brendan last night, but we need to be planning for when he is not here. At 34 he is in the twilight of his career, even accepting that he playing very well. In the wing half back positions we sometimes have a tendency to choose athletes that can run all day, but perhaps either don’t have the defensive attributes or do not see the defensive duties as their main role. I would prefer to have 6 players that can defend first and foremost. And ideally players that defend for their club. As for goalkeeper, we are not spoilt for choice within the county, so the two to the fore at present are as good as we have available, by we don’t seem to be able to implement the kickout strategies that other teams seem to be able to work. Was disappointing to see Cathair McGeary warming up for so long last night but not get a proper runout. I see him and some of the new younger squad additions as players who could address some of our defensive frailties. We can’t keep reverting to a small number of defenders, who regrettably , and for whatever reason haven’t been able to solve the issue to date. I say this as a supporter who appreciates the honesty and efforts of our players. The effort required to be a county footballer seems phenomenal from an outsider looking in. So for the lads that have put that effort in I have the utmost respect. However, it is sometimes a “lesser” footballer that may make a system work. A bigger focus needs to be put on building a defensive unit. Rant over.
It is only when we sort a defensive system and a defensive unit that we can see our riches at midfield and attack win games for us. And we have some shining lights at present in this department! Previous posters on that forum since last night’s game have primarily waxed lyrically about our midfield and attack, and I agree wholeheartedly that this is something to be excited about. A total of 3-13 is fabulous, and to be welcomed, but we also need to win games. Whole heartedly support this team but would love to see the defence sorted and having a really solid unit.
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Jeepers!! Thank God for that second paragraph!
 
PatMustard

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Ard Mhacha 13 said:
Hold on one wee minute, what total & utter sh..., sorry, rubbish was this tos... sorry, idiot spouting, sure "them uns" were as close to being Ulster champions last year as we were :rolleyes: "Ulster Champions my a**"
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Ach you’re fooling nobody with your Tyrone bashing. We all know how you feel about our lovely neighbours :D :p
 
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Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
I didn't get to the game, but I listened to it and what the commentators continually referred to and which has been commentated on here by others, was how lazy and bad our tackling was. This is has been as issue for as long back as I remember and doesn't seem to be improving. It's one area that we have to be better in and when you see how well other teams do it, it's obvious that it has been worked on and so why are we so bad at it. It's been so bad, that it is really holding this team back, as we keep teams in games by giving away stupid frees or we aren't able to get into a game at all because we are fouling so much. We are open at the back and having Hughes, Morgan, Kennedy, Donaghy and McKay will help sure up our defence, but with the way we play, there are going to be gaps left.

Turbitt sounds like he has real potential and I'd agree with those saying that both O'Neills should be playing closer to goal. I'm really looking forward to the league starting now!
 
DOUGIE

DOUGIE

Member
Patrick-Armagh said:
I didn't get to the game, but I listened to it and what the commentators continually referred to and which has been commentated on here by others, was how lazy and bad our tackling was. This is has been as issue for as long back as I remember and doesn't seem to be improving. It's one area that we have to be better in and when you see how well other teams do it, it's obvious that it has been worked on and so why are we so bad at it. It's been so bad, that it is really holding this team back, as we keep teams in games by giving away stupid frees or we aren't able to get into a game at all because we are fouling so much. We are open at the back and having Hughes, Morgan, Kennedy, Donaghy and McKay will help sure up our defence, but with the way we play, there are going to be gaps left.

Turbitt sounds like he has real potential and I'd agree with those saying that both O'Neills should be playing closer to goal. I'm really looking forward to the league starting now!
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I counted at least 7/8 frees being given away by pushing in the back,thats something you'd expect at underage football
 
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Peter grimes

Well-Known Member
Patrick-Armagh said:
I didn't get to the game, but I listened to it and what the commentators continually referred to and which has been commentated on here by others, was how lazy and bad our tackling was. This is has been as issue for as long back as I remember and doesn't seem to be improving. It's one area that we have to be better in and when you see how well other teams do it, it's obvious that it has been worked on and so why are we so bad at it. It's been so bad, that it is really holding this team back, as we keep teams in games by giving away stupid frees or we aren't able to get into a game at all because we are fouling so much. We are open at the back and having Hughes, Morgan, Kennedy, Donaghy and McKay will help sure up our defence, but with the way we play, there are going to be gaps left.

Turbitt sounds like he has real potential and I'd agree with those saying that both O'Neills should be playing closer to goal. I'm really looking forward to the league starting now!
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you are absolutely correct in identifying the problem. The source of the problem (player talent, team selection, playing system, training methods, match preparation) and therefore the constructive solutions are more interesting and possibly more difficult
 
Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
St. Mickey on BBC Newsline interviewed after the final saying it was "the most competitive game they'd played to date" :eek: I can only presume he didn't attend their match against us :rolleyes:
 
Big Jim

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
Ard Mhacha 13 said:
St. Mickey on BBC Newsline interviewed after the final saying it was "the most competitive game they'd played to date" :eek: I can only presume he didn't attend their match against us :rolleyes:
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I was thinking similar and then the date hit me so we'll give him a bye as his mind may have been elsewhere.
 
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