All Ireland series

[thecritic]

I am nervous also.
Wanted Cork.
We really should be beating Monaghan-but they are so freaking dogged.
Don't want them to be still hanging in there during final stretch of game. Sort of crowd that could paly above themselves just once this year and that would be against us.
But this is a good chance for us. If we are on our game, we will win

Absolutely Pablo. I hope the team and management are equally nervous. 1985 national league final anyone? Beware Monaghan - could beat us then get smashed next round.

 

[Bringyourboots]

I didn't want Monaghan not because I don't think we can beat them but because

a. We know we can and might start looking beyond and get caught out
b. I can't ever recall them bringing or contributing to a sense of occasion/atmosphere

Anyway stay focused all week and we should get the result we want.

 

[ragingbull]

So Armagh can't play Derry in the semi final if they beat Monaghan cause of the ulster final which was 4 rounds ago pathetic

 

[thecritic]

So Armagh can't play Derry in the semi final if they beat Monaghan cause of the ulster final which was 4 rounds ago pathetic

Beating Monaghan is going to be a siege. Don't be worrying about semis!

 

[thecritic]

I've been speaking to so many today happy with Monaghan. Has to be getting through to the squad! As Pablo said - they will play out of their skins against us (they always do).
I think their biggest weakness is in the back line - we can get at them there.

 

[PatMustard]

There's going to be some crack on the trains to Dublin & back between Armagh & Tyrone fans

You might want to run a spell check on that one, Bull

 

[cast no shadow]

We haven’t won a 1/4 final since 2005 and have lost 5 in a row!! Indeed our record is not overly impressive. Typically these games are warlike and dramatic. So be prepared for the most insane 70+ of football. Hopefully the lads can get over the line .

Losses
Fermanagh 2004
Kerry 2006
Wexford 2008
Donegal 2014
Tyrone 2017
Galway 2022

Wins
Sligo 2002
Laois 2003
Laois 2005

 

[Armaghniac]

We haven’t won a 1/4 final since 2005 and have lost 5 in a row!! Indeed our record is not overly impressive. Typically these games are warlike and dramatic. So be prepared for the most insane 70+ of football. Hopefully the lads can get over the line .

Losses
Fermanagh 2004
Kerry 2006
Wexford 2008
Donegal 2014
Tyrone 2017
Galway 2022

Wins
Sligo 2002
Laois 2003
Laois 2005

Which is pretty poor when you look at it, we have all seen how Laois are over the weekend and Sligo are not known for football prowess, despite the best efforts of a good Cross man.
Against Fermanagh and Wexford we lost the game, rather than they winning it, Monaghan could be a similar threat.

 

[northarmaghgael]

It’s the first time all day that I’ve actually sat down and thought about what way we need to go about Saturday.

Let’s call a spade a spade, Monaghan/Cork was our favourable draw. That’s not to say that it’ll be a walk over. Monaghan have a few lively forwards we need to be wary of. Mccarron, on his day would start for any forward line in the country. O hanlon at half forward is a live wire. Be interesting if they go with mohill at FF as a target man, don’t think to date we’ve faced an outright target man at 14. Unlikely McManus will be in from the start as he hasn’t featured from the start all year, but he has big game experience.

McCarthy can also cause damage. His late Runs have been ripping teams apart all year. Something to be mindful of. Do we man up on him? And if so who?

To be honest, if we play the same intensity and press we had against Galway, I see us walking out with a win. If we start reverting back to defensive set ups like tyrone and Westmeath, we’ll make it difficult for ourselves.

Anyway, big day out in croker. Roll on Saturday!

 

[Ard Mhacha 13]

Which is pretty poor when you look at it, we have all seen how Laois are over the weekend and Sligo are not known for football prowess, despite the best efforts of a good Cross man.
Against Fermanagh and Wexford we lost the game, rather than they winning it, Monaghan could be a similar threat.

Are you genuinely comparing the Laois & Sligo teams of 2023 to those of 2002 to 2005?!?!! We all know they have fallen away over the last 20 years & they're not the only teams to have done so, but back then they were consistently competing at the top just like ourselves. Silly comparison to make to try & prove a point.

 

[Armaghniac]

Are you genuinely comparing the Laois &Sligo teams of 2023 to those of 2002 to 2005?!?!! We all know they have fallen away over the last 20 years & they're not the only teams to have done so, but back then they were consistently competing at the top just like ourselves. Silly comparison to make to try & prove a point.

They were more competitive then, to be sure, but not in the top half dozen all the same and we were strong favourites to beat them

 

[Not too serious]

They were more competitive then, to be sure, but not in the top half dozen all the same and we were strong favourites to beat them

Laois won Leinster (when it was competitive) and Sligo beat Tyrone and should have beaten Armagh in 2002. Silly post.

Monaghan a great draw, but if Monaghan has their choice of teams to draw they would have chosen Armagh.

 

[MrMaguire2002]

They were more competitive then, to be sure, but not in the top half dozen all the same and we were strong favourites to beat them

With all due respect Armaghniac that is absolute nonsense.

Laois were a serious team. Clancy and Munnelly (both superb), then Byron, Higgins and Tom Kelly all won All-Stars in 2003. They won the minor All-Ireland in 1997 (also in 2003).

The 1997 victory was over Tyrone. A Tyrone team that included McAnallen, Hughes, Stephen O'Neill and Brian McGuigan.

The Eamonn O'Hara Sligo team were a serious team. Should have stopped us in '02 truth having already beat Tyrone - as Not too serious has stated.

You cannot compare the two. It's like comparing the current Down team in a Tailteann Cup to the Greg Blaney, James McCartan and Micky Linden Down teams.

Nonsensical.

 

[Ná habair é]

what game did we last have him ?

I think Conor Lane did our Ulster semi final this year v Down.

 

[MrMaguire2002]

The team I'd like to see start:

E. Rafferty

A. Forker
C. Higgins
A. McKay

C. O'Neill
G. McCabe
J. Og Burns

B. Crealy
C. Mackin

S. Campbell
R. O'Neill
J. Duffy

R. Grugan
A. Murnin
C. Turbitt

Would be great to see Oisin O'Neill named in the 26. If anywhere near full fitness would be some asset to bring in.

I believe Kieran could start Paddy Burns- personally I'd like to see the 15 above start. If it's not that 15 - so be it. I'll be behind them just as much.

Everyone coming back at the right time. Serious competition for places. Excatly how we would want it.

Quite a few have said how much Monaghan will have wanted Armagh. Don't forget how much we want Monaghan. In certain parts of Armagh Monaghan are the neighbours/rivals we want to 'shut up' like Tyrone and Down.

I think it's the perfect draw. Armagh will be massively up for this. There will be no complacency. This Monaghan team have some exceptional footballers with an abundance of experience playing in Croke Park.

With the same intensity and press on the kickouts I can't see past Armagh. The shackles were off against Galway in the second half and every game has to be played in that manner. If we do so we have too much for Monaghan.

We want a result and a performance to keep this optimism and momentum that has flowed across the county in the last 10 days.

It's amazing the mental lift Armagh can give to us as supporters, families, and people.

For the team and management and for every last Armagh supporter on here and across the globe - I hope we are happy men, women and children on Saturday evening.

Armagh by 3-5 points.

 

[Peter grimes]

Wouldn’t be at all surprised to see a couple of lads from Forkhill get a run out in this one.

One to track Bannigan and one to match the pacy runners. Just a thought.

 

[Wee man]

I've been speaking to so many today happy with Monaghan. Has to be getting through to the squad! As Pablo said - they will play out of their skins against us (they always do).
I think their biggest weakness is in the back line - we can get at them there.

the squad is bound to be happy with the draw, they avoided Mayo and have a great chance of making the semi, but I dont think that necessarily means they will underestimate Monaghan or look past them
monaghan are a hardened, seasoned div 1 outfit and the players will be more than aware of that. they will be taking nothing for granted

 

[gazman317]

the squad is bound to be happy with the draw, they avoided Mayo and have a great chance of making the semi, but I dont think that necessarily means they will underestimate Monaghan or look past them
monaghan are a hardened, seasoned div 1 outfit and the players will be more than aware of that. they will be taking nothing for granted

Hopefully they will be have learnt from Westmeath game and not underestimate anyone

 

[thehighballinlow]

Both teams will be over the moon with the draw. Monaghan would have wanted Armagh as much as Armagh wanted Monaghan.
The extra week off will be a massive come 50-55 mins on saturday with the freshness

Id still be very wary of monaghan they will sit loads back and try and break at speed o connell, mc carthy, bannigan and O hanlon all very dangerous on the transation.

For us i think we will get some sucess on quick ball out of defence with the foot but that mean having to leave 2 or 3 up and i dont know if we will.

This game could come down to beggam v rafferty on kickouts and from open play. Both keepers like to add to the attack.

Good draw but be wary i think this could go to the last play or two. Armagh by 2

 

[Big Jim]

Here @Big Jim , as you’ve obviously set off for Dublin already, save us a car parking space when you get there.

Sorted!!!!