National League 2019

Armaghniac

Well-Known Member
Good enough work today against a packed defence. A couple of good moves that just didn't quite come off but might on a less windy day.
Ethan put us, we need him fit over the summer.

For those that were not there, I took a picture of the Fermanagh sweeper system
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Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
Delighted with the result. Unfortunately was unable to make it today. While we were missing some players, having Donaghy and Forker back would have been a boost. Hopefully we'll have more or less a full strength team out next weekend for the Cork game, where we can play with no pressure on us and depending on results and some freak of mathematics, make it into Division 1. I'd really love to see us open up against Cork and unleash a performance we all know we have in us. Staying in Division 2 was more than enough for me at the start of the league and to do it with a game to spare, and with some frustrating results as well, is a good achievement.
 
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Nab14

Active Member
Credit to management for coming up with s game plan to beat a 15 men behind the ball team who have taken some scalps this year, and also to the players for carrying it out and having the patience.

Beating a team like Fermanagh will stand us in good stead when we face down in the championship.

Promotion would’ve been nice but in hindsight another year of division 2 football with the aim being promotion won’t be a bad thing for long term development.
 

niall1980

Well-Known Member
Great to have donaghy back. Other big performances today from P Hughes and J Og Burns. Can’t fault any of them. Soupy played well when he cane one. And when did Rafferty get pace?
 

Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
Deserved winners. We can’t be promoted tho
Ah well. Not fussed in the slightest. Another year at this level would do us good. Playing Division 1 is the goal, but getting stuff each week, even if it is by the best, wouldn't be good for development. If we can finish with a win next week, I think we'd all be happy with our league campaign of 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, knowing that at least one of those draws should have been a win.

We were up against it today and winning an ugly game to secure safety, against a Fermanagh team which is hard to like, is pleasing.
 

Pat Cully

Well-Known Member
I think to be fair he’s been struggling with shin splints so I’d say when he’s fit he should be getting a good crack at getting into the team
 
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Bert

Active Member
Well done to all involved today.

The fact that Fermanagh have accumulated 8 points in this division highlights that there are plenty of bucket sides in division 2.
 

Muckser

Well-Known Member
Great win and badly needed. Donaghy was amazing and some of his reading of the game and interceptions top draw. He was leading the line at the end and Hughes has a great double save.

Wondering is McGeeney will make a complaint about linesman clearly pushing his towards end on 1st half. Was very animated over it and rightly so.
 

portadownarmaghfan

Well-Known Member
Not usually prone to this sort of post but ah well, here goes:
To paraphrase the late, great Bjorge Lillelein:
Peter Mc Ginnity, can you hear me Peter Mc Ginnity? Paul Brewster, Rory Gallagher, Adrian Dunbar, Samuel Beckett, Brian Darcy, Arlene Foster- Your boys took a hell of a beating, your boys took a hell of a beating!
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
Pay back for last year done even if it was laboured. Few have scored 10 times against that Fermanagh team. They are a poor side with a few good players and a plan they all buy into recently. Their antics were nothing short of trashy at times and thanks be to god the ref for the most part didn't fall for their nonsense. I noticed he called the two captains over at half time and had a word with them. I can only assume he told them to cut the shite out or red cards would be used. It definitely eased in the second have. One exception though. I gladly stand and watch that tramp McMiniminamiimum get the crap bate completely out of him. The crying whinging bas...........kit case. He runs onto the field when he wasn't supposed to, then when he leaves he roars at the tramp linesman (not Brannigan) that Paddy McKeever was two feet onto the field - just one example. I hope someone gives him 20 laxatives with his Stew tomorrow the bollox. Just sad that his wife has poor eyesight.

Brendan Donaghy was just class today. Again Jamar took a load of abuse but keeps getting back up for more. The lad is brilliant in my opinion. Lost a couple of balls and worked his off to get it back. Hopefully Aidan Forker hasn't aggravated his injury. He didn't look comfortable coming off. Niall Grimley is getting back to his best. Great to see Ethan getting a run out. Very strong in the tackle along the line even skipping over the Fermanagh #7 (I think) when he tried desperately to trip him. Soupy needs to settle and stop rushing. He's a class act and it'll click for him. Rian O'Neill is such a stylish strong footballer. Didn't happen for him today and he looked desperate to get a good score from play in a county jersey in his home field. I could watch him alone. Jamie! Thank you lord for blessing us with his talent. His maturity now shows through. He knows he doesn't have to score to be a hero. His work rate does that. Rory Grugan is another finding form again. Still not where he was, but definite improvement. Paul Hughes always looks confident on the ball and isn't afraid to go forward. Definitely a problem creator today. Charlie Vernon is playing like a lad ten years younger. Great heart and supporters love him. The rest played their part in a positive if not fantastic performance.

The negative. That's us. Why oh why do we get on the backs of our lads when we play laterally? Yes it's a bloody pain to watch (although to be fair it was really irritating when we had broke forward, got to the 14 and ended up passing all the way back to Blaine on our own 14, then played stupidly like U12's in front of goal sheeesh!!) but we hold possession and try breaking them down and for the most part it worked today. A few broke down, but hard work recovered it. Give them (opposition) hell but support our own no matter what on the day.

Strangely, six played, two won, two drawn, two lost and status in division two for next year secured. I'll take that:
In 2002 we won an All Ireland from division 2A (effectively div.3 in new money) being beaten that year only by Kerry and a single point if I remember right and then Laois by 3 or 4 in the semi-final. So yes the better the opposition the better the prep is going forward, but we need a big performance and Ulster Championship is where I'd like to see that. Not next week although let's win that one too for the craic.
 
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