Minor Championship 2022

Bringyourboots

Active Member
Our structure for the underage setup is sadly significantly flawed. We aren't selecting the best players at underage level to represent the county for political (small p) or parochial reasons.

I have no doubt those selected and who are managing are doing their best and giveing their all - its a dream for to represent Armagh or it should be. There seems to be no real opportunity for players who aren't identified at u14/15/16 to then progress to the minor and u20 setup. This years u20s is a case in point where we had a lot of very young lads just out of u17 on the panel when we should have some older lads being given the chance . The abscence of a proper u20 competition also doesn't help.

The solution is much more difficult to identify but probably requires more investment in quality coaching in primary and secondary schools and in training underage club coaches rather than in an academy.

The key thing is to keep at it and inspiring the youth to come through.
 

Rigby77

New Member
Is this now our default position as a county? The referee was against us? Think we need we need to start looking inwards!
Derry were vastly superior to Armagh tonight in all the basics of the game. Very disappointing for those young lads, definitely deserve better.
Thats not a default, the facts are he gave silly cards to defenders that completely changed their approach to how they cud play or close down their opponent. Whereas the same wasn't applied to Derry. Surely you aren't saying the ref was balanced in that 1st half!
Derry were the far better team, nobody has denied that, it will be some game with them and them uns.
But lads needed a fair chance and they didn't get that! I think anyone at the match wud agree, that's not a default position...
 
Our structure for the underage setup is sadly significantly flawed. We aren't selecting the best players at underage level to represent the county for political (small p) or parochial reasons.

I have no doubt those selected and who are managing are doing their best and giveing their all - its a dream for to represent Armagh or it should be. There seems to be no real opportunity for players who aren't identified at u14/15/16 to then progress to the minor and u20 setup. This years u20s is a case in point where we had a lot of very young lads just out of u17 on the panel when we should have some older lads being given the chance . The abscence of a proper u20 competition also doesn't help.

The solution is much more difficult to identify but probably requires more investment in quality coaching in primary and secondary schools and in training underage club coaches rather than in an academy.

The key thing is to keep at it and inspiring the youth to come through.
U20s certainly didn’t select the best players, let alone select players in their best positions. Can’t speak on the u17 set up as have not seen them. Are the best coaches in the county coaching in the county academy squads? The short answer is no. How that changes or how coaches are selected needs examined.

Get the best coaches coaching the best players regularly. Other counties, to my knowledge, have a lot more contact time with players. However that brings issues to the club availability for training etc given the very best U15s are likely also playing club u17. There is a trade off longer term and that’s a whole other can of worms but in terms of conditioning of players to an elite level, you can’t do it in 6 months.
 

Armagh52

Member
Thats not a default, the facts are he gave silly cards to defenders that completely changed their approach to how they cud play or close down their opponent. Whereas the same wasn't applied to Derry. Surely you aren't saying the ref was balanced in that 1st half!
Derry were the far better team, nobody has denied that, it will be some game with them and them uns.
But lads needed a fair chance and they didn't get that! I think anyone at the match wud agree, that's not a default position...
My point is that here we are, giving out about referees in the minor match and now also in the senior match. Both Derry yesterday and Donegal today managed the things that were in their control (ie not the referee), simple things you know like holding on to the ball tightly once won, winning break ball and executing some basic defending skills. We are so far off the majority of other ulster counties as regarding these basics it is depressing. I know this might not suit the orange tinted glasses brigade!!! Maybe as long as we are slightly better than Down is good enough for some.
 

Rigby77

New Member
My point is that here we are, giving out about referees in the minor match and now also in the senior match. Both Derry yesterday and Donegal today managed the things that were in their control (ie not the referee), simple things you know like holding on to the ball tightly once won, winning break ball and executing some basic defending skills. We are so far off the majority of other ulster counties as regarding these basics it is depressing. I know this might not suit the orange tinted glasses brigade!!! Maybe as long as we are slightly better than Down is good enough for some.
I dont call a few people saying the referee was harsh on Armagh but lenient on Derry, but also saying it didn't affect the result, as giving out, more stating a fact! As for Down, I couldnt care less how good or bad they are, like any other county - I only care about Armagh!
 

Rigby77

New Member
PS: I see they play Monaghan in the back door in Armagh on Friday night! Maybe a few of those that like to point out the frailties of the coaching system would care to go and give the lads a bit of support. Then again it is easier to sit in the house on a keyboard!
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
PS: I see they play Monaghan in the back door in Armagh on Friday night! Maybe a few of those that like to point out the frailties of the coaching system would care to go and give the lads a bit of support. Then again it is easier to sit in the house on a keyboard!
Packed house then
 

thecritic

Well-Known Member
Anyone at the match last night? Great to see us being competitive at least - seems to have been a much better performance in fairness to the lads.
 

Armagh52

Member
Anyone at the match last night? Great to see us being competitive at least - seems to have been a much better performance in fairness to the lads.
Played much better in second half when there was a bit more aggression towards opposition kickouts. Some poor decision making let them down at key stages. Monaghan, whilst well drilled, are a level or two down from Derry but it was definitely a better performance last night.
 

Rigby77

New Member
Went in last night (rather than sit at keyboard). They were competitive definitely but Monaghan were better all round team. Armagh went after them in 2nd half but just didn't have the quality up front to take the chances. Missed too many chances in that 2nd half.
And I was more impressed with lads that you don't hear their name mentioned, there are definitely some decent players in that group!
But dont know what Monaghan are feeding some of theirs!
Anyway I hear there's a fair few still eligible next year so here's hoping
 

ragingbull

Well-Known Member
Went in last night (rather than sit at keyboard). They were competitive definitely but Monaghan were better all round team. Armagh went after them in 2nd half but just didn't have the quality up front to take the chances. Missed too many chances in that 2nd half.
And I was more impressed with lads that you don't hear their name mentioned, there are definitely some decent players in that group!
But dont know what Monaghan are feeding some of theirs!
Anyway I hear there's a fair few still eligible next year so here's hoping
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Armaghmad00

Active Member
Now that Brendan Hughes is gone from the Armagh setup. Who would we like to be taken the minor job? Aidan O'Rourke might be a good shout or maybe someone from outside the county.
 

Throwball

Well-Known Member
Now that Brendan Hughes is gone from the Armagh setup. Who would we like to be taken the minor job? Aidan O'Rourke might be a good shout or maybe someone from outside the county.
I wonder would O'Rourke want job at minute. I think he has a son who will probably be in the squad next year. He has been involved in a very strong - what is now - under 16 Dromintee team. However, for those complaining about the County Senior team tactics that Dromintee team can play very similar tactics.
 

OneofTwo

Member
Now that Brendan Hughes is gone from the Armagh setup. Who would we like to be taken the minor job? Aidan O'Rourke might be a good shout or maybe someone from outside the county.

Why would he be a good shout? Experienced in intercounty set ups, yes. Any evidence of any success anywhere? None.

That is exactly what we need, yet another job for the boys for the 02 team.
 

Throwball

Well-Known Member
Why would he be a good shout? Experienced in intercounty set ups, yes. Any evidence of any success anywhere? None.

That is exactly what we need, yet another job for the boys for the 02 team.
While he wouldn't he my choice as far as I know he is with Dromintee under 16s and they have won nearly everything over the last few years at their age group. He has also worked with young players at Queens. He has pedigree.

Besides from that some of the best managers haven't won things but have improved teams. More than most GAA teams rely on the players
 
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