Not really. I think it would be very fair to say Donegal are fancied on Sunday based on all the aforementioned points (new manager buzz, fitness, stronger team). The same way you could argue armagh are fancied on sunday (working on system longer, beating dgal last year, new players to the fore, home crowd). It boils down to perspective and there is nothing wrong with looking at a game differently to someone else (as long as your are within reason)
National Football League 2024
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
Armaghabroad22
Active Member
There's a high chance both Armagh and Donegal will end up in the division 2 final irrespective of the outcome of Sundays game, so as controversial as this may be, there maybe an argument for not showing our full hand this weekend.
Personally I'd be frustrated if we empty the tank on Sunday and win, only to then reach the division 2 final and come up short again in another final.
Its all well and good winning games and adopting that winner mentality, but it's also about giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over the line on the big occasions where over the last two seasons we have fallen short of the finish line despite plenty of good performances against top 6 sides.
Personally I'd be frustrated if we empty the tank on Sunday and win, only to then reach the division 2 final and come up short again in another final.
Its all well and good winning games and adopting that winner mentality, but it's also about giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over the line on the big occasions where over the last two seasons we have fallen short of the finish line despite plenty of good performances against top 6 sides.
Winning a Division 2 final doesn't matter - it is getting promoted that counts. I would bet that if we got to such a final, we would not play our strongest team (main objective of getting promotion already achieved).
The more I think of it, I don't think Geezer would be too worried if we lose on Sunday. If we played a really strong team and got beaten, that would be a bit demoralising- but if we play a much weaker team and lose, then that can be explained away (and if that 'weaker' teams wins, then all and good).
Promotion could still be achieved with 2 wins against Fermanagh, Cavan and Cork.
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Disagree- theres only 3 trophies available at the start of the year. Very few members of the squad have won anything at county level- think the older lads have a division 3 medal but thats the height of it.
Winning the league not as big obviously as Ulster or Sam but would still be great to win it.
Peter grimes
Well-Known Member
The Donegal match is not a “must win”. Arguably the Cavan game is or will become one. If we beat Cavan we really should finish in the top 2, get promoted and get a another shot at Donegal in Croke Park.
That said the Donegal match is likely to be a proper test of where we are at. I don’t know what to expect as I feel Donegal will be a significant step up from what we have faced to date. Donegal probably feel similarly. The only difference is that they have shown more of their hand to date.
That said the Donegal match is likely to be a proper test of where we are at. I don’t know what to expect as I feel Donegal will be a significant step up from what we have faced to date. Donegal probably feel similarly. The only difference is that they have shown more of their hand to date.
ShiftYa
Well-Known Member
Well if the advantage to be being in division 1 is having competitive games each round this has the potential to be the most beneficial of the league campaign.
Hopefully Donegal highlight some of our shortcomings where the weaker teams cannot, so we have time to rectify them before a clash with one of the heavyweights in an Ulster Final.
Agree with this, this game is potentially the toughest game until an Ulster final. So it's will be good to have the game, division 2 playing lower levels teams can breed confidence by winning but without a doubt division 1 every game is tough and is a good prep for championship,
Sunday wouldn't be a must win game if we had shown any ability to get over the line in big games in the past few years, but we haven't done that so we have to start getting those meaningful wins somewhere and build from there. It's a test of mentality in the group on whether they can get over the line when they face a stern test, where each team is in their preparation for later stages is almost irrelevant.
The Donegal Fermanagh game was a really low quality game by both sides. The result looks like Donegal hammered them, but it was far from the unequivocal tanking we dished out to Kildare. Fermanagh basically gave up after they conceded that first long distance goal, which was of their own making rather than any creative play from Donegal, but were well in the game up to that point. Similar for Donegal's second which secured a big win, that was more about Fermanagh's mistakes than good Donegal play. You'd have to expect a more serious Donegal will show up on Sunday, but there wasn't much to be worried about from Donegal in that game. Even tactically they weren't particularly well organised, struggled to get through Fermanagh's defence and really relied on Fermanagh making more mistakes than they did plus some better quality players to get the win. Gallen at 14 is a great player, whoever picks him up has a job on their hands.
They haven't done the aggressive hard press since the Cork game, McGuinness said they couldn't because the Fermanagh goalkeeper is an outfielder so was comfortable on the ball. That sounds like bollocks because they never tried it. Would have to expect they'll bring that hard press to us as their biggest test ahead of Derry in Ulster, and it could find success as we can struggle on kickouts and Blaine won't be as comfortable on the ball as some other intercounty goalkeepers. We'll be stuck for midfield targets if Crealy is out. Murnin can come up for them, but one target can be defended easier so we need a couple more.
I hope they do bring that press to be honest, surely a competent, ball playing defence should be able to play around them and make them run like dogs, and I'd like to see how our lads handle it. Most of our defence has been on the scene for a while so should be comfortable under a bit of pressure, with Forker capable of playing decent kick passes to the forwards to beat the press. McGrane is the newest member and he's shown he's comfortable on the ball so no real signs of worry there. This will be a good test for Turbitt Conaty McConville in the forwards as it will likely be the best defence we face in the league. If they can find a way to get enough scores to secure the win then they'll start to turn themselves into important players for us ahead of the ulster championship, which adds a dynamic to our attack that we've lacked in recent times.
The Donegal Fermanagh game was a really low quality game by both sides. The result looks like Donegal hammered them, but it was far from the unequivocal tanking we dished out to Kildare. Fermanagh basically gave up after they conceded that first long distance goal, which was of their own making rather than any creative play from Donegal, but were well in the game up to that point. Similar for Donegal's second which secured a big win, that was more about Fermanagh's mistakes than good Donegal play. You'd have to expect a more serious Donegal will show up on Sunday, but there wasn't much to be worried about from Donegal in that game. Even tactically they weren't particularly well organised, struggled to get through Fermanagh's defence and really relied on Fermanagh making more mistakes than they did plus some better quality players to get the win. Gallen at 14 is a great player, whoever picks him up has a job on their hands.
They haven't done the aggressive hard press since the Cork game, McGuinness said they couldn't because the Fermanagh goalkeeper is an outfielder so was comfortable on the ball. That sounds like bollocks because they never tried it. Would have to expect they'll bring that hard press to us as their biggest test ahead of Derry in Ulster, and it could find success as we can struggle on kickouts and Blaine won't be as comfortable on the ball as some other intercounty goalkeepers. We'll be stuck for midfield targets if Crealy is out. Murnin can come up for them, but one target can be defended easier so we need a couple more.
I hope they do bring that press to be honest, surely a competent, ball playing defence should be able to play around them and make them run like dogs, and I'd like to see how our lads handle it. Most of our defence has been on the scene for a while so should be comfortable under a bit of pressure, with Forker capable of playing decent kick passes to the forwards to beat the press. McGrane is the newest member and he's shown he's comfortable on the ball so no real signs of worry there. This will be a good test for Turbitt Conaty McConville in the forwards as it will likely be the best defence we face in the league. If they can find a way to get enough scores to secure the win then they'll start to turn themselves into important players for us ahead of the ulster championship, which adds a dynamic to our attack that we've lacked in recent times.
You mentioned that Fermanagh gave up against Donegal - well did you ever see any team give up as easily as Kildare did against us?
armaghtimmy
Well-Known Member
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jpowell100
Active Member
That team won’t startArmaghball
Well-Known Member
Would be worried about physicality if that team does start, bar Crealy, Murnin and Mackin not enough high fielders imo. Thought Connaire Mackin deserved to keep his place after last week but could be changes yet.
Would say we’ll see Rian at some stage but probably not from the start, hopefully Oisin gets a longer run out too.
Would say we’ll see Rian at some stage but probably not from the start, hopefully Oisin gets a longer run out too.
jpowell100
Active Member
I would be surprised if Connaire doesn’t start after last week. Maybe time to start Jarly og too
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Just me or did Jarly not look fit last week? Was only on and a couple of times we got turned over and everyone else was sprinting back and he was going at half pace.
Murnin won’t start at wing forward to track their half backs, Cian maybe get that job of McHugh?