Yeah, he restrained the hell out of anyone in a white jersey yesterday!
All Ireland Qualifiers
- Thread starter William Of Orange
- Start date
Rufus T Firefly
Well-Known Member
Days like Sunday would do you the world of good. I was absolutely elated after that game. I’ll be honest and say I did not see us winning and was half afraid we would get a bit of a going over. I was really worried with the early Tyrone goal, but Armagh settled and I felt went on to dominate the exchanges. We spurned a couple of goal chances in the first half and went in leading by a point when it probably should have been closer to six. I thought that would come back to bite us, but we maintained the belief.
I was sure Tyrone’s stronger bench would have been key, but it was actually our subs who made the difference. Connair Mackin had a magnificent spell, making a couple of key interceptions whilst Andrew Murnin had a brilliant 15 minutes or so, scoring two excellent points. In what was a great team performance, I thought Ethan Rafferty, James Morgan and Soup Campbell stood out for me. Ethan saved a point, was excellent with his kickouts and scored two brilliant points, the first of which was of the jaw dropping variety, as he seemed to drive the ball on a low flat trajectory over the centre of the bar from 55 yards out.
How did it all of this happen? When you look at Tyrone - All Ireland Senior Champions, All Ireland Under 20 Champions and current Ulster Minor Champions, there is a wealth of raw material there. For ourselves, we appear to live on scraps by comparison.
For our players, they disappointed big time in Ballybofey and there seemed to be a realisation that this was the last stand, and possibly of equal, if not more importance, the future of management was likely to be called into question in the event of defeat. What we got was an inspired performance, full of guts, heart and determination which saw individual battles won all over the pitch. Special mention to Connair Mackin who literally put his body on the line.
He has come in for criticism quite often on the pages of this forum, but one thing you can say about Geezer is that he does inspire in his teams absolute loyalty and commitment, and I felt that was the winning of the game yesterday.
The headline on the back of this morning’s Irish News had a quote from Kieran Donaghy in which he stated that it was ‘A big win - but just one win’ and that will have to remain key in the thoughts and approach of the players and management to the Donegal game. It’s fair to say that the draw has landed like a lead balloon, but hopefully the belief instilled from yesterday’s sensational performance can inspire the team to put two big performances back to back and keep our season alive.
I was sure Tyrone’s stronger bench would have been key, but it was actually our subs who made the difference. Connair Mackin had a magnificent spell, making a couple of key interceptions whilst Andrew Murnin had a brilliant 15 minutes or so, scoring two excellent points. In what was a great team performance, I thought Ethan Rafferty, James Morgan and Soup Campbell stood out for me. Ethan saved a point, was excellent with his kickouts and scored two brilliant points, the first of which was of the jaw dropping variety, as he seemed to drive the ball on a low flat trajectory over the centre of the bar from 55 yards out.
How did it all of this happen? When you look at Tyrone - All Ireland Senior Champions, All Ireland Under 20 Champions and current Ulster Minor Champions, there is a wealth of raw material there. For ourselves, we appear to live on scraps by comparison.
For our players, they disappointed big time in Ballybofey and there seemed to be a realisation that this was the last stand, and possibly of equal, if not more importance, the future of management was likely to be called into question in the event of defeat. What we got was an inspired performance, full of guts, heart and determination which saw individual battles won all over the pitch. Special mention to Connair Mackin who literally put his body on the line.
He has come in for criticism quite often on the pages of this forum, but one thing you can say about Geezer is that he does inspire in his teams absolute loyalty and commitment, and I felt that was the winning of the game yesterday.
The headline on the back of this morning’s Irish News had a quote from Kieran Donaghy in which he stated that it was ‘A big win - but just one win’ and that will have to remain key in the thoughts and approach of the players and management to the Donegal game. It’s fair to say that the draw has landed like a lead balloon, but hopefully the belief instilled from yesterday’s sensational performance can inspire the team to put two big performances back to back and keep our season alive.
As Big Jim mentioned in an earlier post, the reality that ‘tie roan’ people are just as fine as ourselves was bolstered before the start of Sunday’s game. I was in the Terrace behind the city end goalposts and felt like I was in a battle zone when the Tyronies were shooting on goal prior to the game. A young boy of about nine or so was hit by a ball and was frightened and upset. Within a minute or so a Tyrone player entered the stand and spoke to the boy and his father, so I assume it was he who kicked the ball. A minute later the Tyrone trainer also came and checked the boy out and spoke to him and gave him comfort. And then when Tyrone came down to their end of the ground after having team photo taken, Niall Morgan entered the terrace and gave the boy a brand new set of Goalie’s gloves. Another fine thing to happen on a very fine day!
northarmaghgael
Active Member
See tickets on sale on ticketmaster @ 12 today
Diarmi
Well-Known Member
Really nervous again about the game on Sunday. In reality we are in the same position we were in last week where we will have achieved little or nothing substantial this year again. A lot of talk about Tyrone having a short summer/long winter after but ours will only be one week less if we don't beat Donegal. I'm still worried that we beat a poor Tyrone team and that all was clearly not well in their camp so the legacy of 2022 will be less about Armagh's success and more about the inability of Tyrone to put back to back all Irelands together.
That being said there was a job of work to do and our boys can only beat what is put in front of them. I would imagine there is a mix of increased confidence within the panel mixed with a realisation that they have to do it all again if it is to mean anything.
The game will have a very different dynamic than the last one. There was so much focus on the red cards and whether or not they should have been appealed that it undoubtedly had an effect on preparations. There will be none of that this time but there should be a strong resolve to right the wrongs of the league and Ulster championship and to kill off one of the puke football connoisseurs. Plenty of ammunition for the boys......
That being said there was a job of work to do and our boys can only beat what is put in front of them. I would imagine there is a mix of increased confidence within the panel mixed with a realisation that they have to do it all again if it is to mean anything.
The game will have a very different dynamic than the last one. There was so much focus on the red cards and whether or not they should have been appealed that it undoubtedly had an effect on preparations. There will be none of that this time but there should be a strong resolve to right the wrongs of the league and Ulster championship and to kill off one of the puke football connoisseurs. Plenty of ammunition for the boys......
William Of Orange
Well-Known Member
Armagh and Tyrone GAA fans and indeed the other counties from the 6 have more in common between them than divides them . Although it’s probably easier to say after beating them on Sunday they also have some great GAA ambassadors in the current team , a thing that struck me in last years All Ireland final was while some of the team were going around celebrating a few of the older players (including Peter Harte) were on the centre of the pitch with the kids talking to the Mayo players which I thought was a nice touch .Coming from South Armagh the rivilary between us for me is a recent thing , probably hyped up by the media as well , I’m old enough to remember 86 when they were the first Ulster Team to reach the final since 77 and cheering them like they were Armagh .I suppose one of the negatives of the Ulster success in the past few decades (and it hasn’t eroded since the 00’s) is the unconditional support for the other Ulster team that used to be so common and you would always see when another teams minor or whatever where out .
William Of Orange
Well-Known Member
Positives
We have momentum after Tyrone Donegal will find it hard to pick themselves up after the Derry match .
We can’t play as bad again again can we.
No pre match distractions about appeals etc.
We know what team to start Nugent and Soupy should add power to the forward line .
Neutral ground v an exceptionally tight pitch in Donegal (the line was brought in) hopefully will suit us more .
We have to beat them sometime
Negatives
We haven’t beat Donegal in ages .
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PatMustard
Well-Known Member
@William Of Orange i think the fact that sometimes there’s a few Ulster teams left in the latter stages of the championship, it’s harder to shout for other Ulster teams, especially if we could end up meeting them later on.
When only one team went forward into the AI semi, it was easier as they were Ulster’s sole representative, and I would have always cheered that team on (there was one notable exception).
That doesn’t really happen in other provinces though. I can’t help thinking it’s connected to the often shoddy treatment directled at Northern gaels and Ulster football in general
When only one team went forward into the AI semi, it was easier as they were Ulster’s sole representative, and I would have always cheered that team on (there was one notable exception).
That doesn’t really happen in other provinces though. I can’t help thinking it’s connected to the often shoddy treatment directled at Northern gaels and Ulster football in general
William Of Orange
Well-Known Member
Yes fair point the Ulster representative was always cheered even if you were beaten in the final and they were the last man standing . Each county has its quirks too I suppose I remember we played Dublin in the qualifiers in 03 and it was part of a double header in CP and the Donegal ones cheering us on like mad , then when we played Kerry in 06 they were roaring on Kerry .
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
If Armagh beat Donegal on Sunday we are getting Galway in the quarters aren't we
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
How did McCurry get on team of the week
northarmaghgael
Active Member
Surprised with McCurry. Thought Forker had him in his pocket for the whole game
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Thought McCurry was one of their better players Sunday actually. Morgan unlucky to miss out not that it matters at all.
SaintSeamy
Active Member
I thought McCurry was brilliant on Sunday. His movement off the ball was incredible, but Tyrone didn't release it early enough.
Not sure about team of the week though.
Ard Mhacha 13
Well-Known Member
Has anyone with a Season ticket received an e-mail about the tickets going on sale?
SaintSeamy
Active Member
Pat McGrane for Sunday...Will be a privilege to actually be seated at a game for once!
Not one ticket appeared for the Gerry Arthur's, must be reserved for the GAA dignitaries.
Come on Armagh.
Not one ticket appeared for the Gerry Arthur's, must be reserved for the GAA dignitaries.
Come on Armagh.
Ard Mhacha 13
Well-Known Member
I was able to buy 2 tickets for the Gerry Arthurs stand but I have a Season ticket maybe that's why.
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Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Derry I reckon.