National League 2019

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Nab14

Active Member
McGeeney in Irish news “Ethan raffefrty is on his way back but Oisin O’Neill and Andrew Murnin are more long term” looks like Murnin will miss the league
 
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Patrick-Armagh

Well-Known Member
Reading that article in the Irish News, I think it shows what a tough league campaign we are facing and how we need to get up and running very quickly. It's an obvious thing to say, but there are some quality teams in there, most of whom have serious designs on either getting back or breaking into the top tier of teams. Donegal would see themselves as a Division 1 team and would see themselves as favourites to go up. But they are weakened at the moment with key players missing so they could falter. Kildare have just come down from Division 1 where they found the going very tough and despite having potential and what looked like the tools to compete at that level, they got hammered. They have the size, athleticism and some quality players (though missing some key personnel) to make a real challenge on going back up. They had some big results in the Championship which will give them confidence going into this season. It will be interesting to see if they are at the level that you imagine they should be at.

Clare and Tipperary are remarkable in many ways, when you consider how good they are, how they've developed and consolidated in Division 2 and all while football is very much the poor relation to hurling in those counties. Some of the players they have would grace any team in Ireland and I see them being on our level - a team that has some quality players and on their day can mix it with most and want to get into Division 1 to really make that step forward in their ability to consistently challenge and be considered a major team. I see them both really pushing for promotion.

Cork seem to be in quite a state and I don't see being a big threat. But they are one of those sides who can spring a surprise, because they have some excellent players, but consistency seems to be a real issue. Our final game against them could be key and one that you wouldn't want to take lately. Meath seem to be a spent force but like Cork have big games in them that they can pull out of nowhere. They were on the verge of knocking Tyrone out of the Championship last season and that game in Navan will be tough. We all know what to expect from Fermanagh. They are limited but highly effective and make games competitive despite their lack of quality. They will relish coming to the Athletic Grounds and making it a dog fight.

Promotion will be tough, especially as we are playing two of the favourites for it, Donegal and Kildare away from home. The home games against Fermanagh, Clare and Cork and the away game in Meath are the ones that I feel we have the best chance of winning. We could possibly spring a surprise on Kildare, as we're really up and running and have plenty of football and momentum behind us. If we win that and then beat Clare, then promotion is a real possibility. But if I'm honest, finishing in 4th or 5th would be yet more progress. Any more would be a bonus that I'd be delighted to take!
 
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pablo

pablo

Well-Known Member
Patrick-Armagh said:
Reading that article in the Irish News, I think it shows what a tough league campaign we are facing and how we need to get up and running very quickly. It's an obvious thing to say, but there are some quality teams in there, most of whom have serious designs on either get back into or breaking into the top tier of teams. Donegal would see themselves as a Division 1 team and would see themselves as favourites to go up. But they are weakened at the moment with key players missing so they could falter. Kildare have just come down from Division 1 where they found the going very tough and despite having potential and what looked like the tools to compete at that level, they got hammered. They have the size, athleticism and some quality players (though missing some of their best players at the same time) to make a real challenge on going back up. They had some big results in the Championship which will give them confidence going into this season. It will be interesting to see if they are at the level that you imagine they should be at.

Clare and Tipperary are remarkable in many ways, when you consider how good they are, how they've developed and consolidated in Division 2 and all while football is very much the poor relation to hurling in those counties. Some of the players they have would grace any team in Ireland and I see them being on our level - a team that has some quality players and on their day can mix it with most and want to get into Division 1 to really make that step forward in their ability to consistently challenge and be considered a major team. I see them both really pushing for promotion.

Cork seem to be in quite a state and I don't see being a big threat. But they are one of those sides who can spring a surprise, because they have some excellent players, but consistency seems to be a real issue. Our final game against them could be key and one that you wouldn't want to take lately. Meath seem to be a spent force but like Cork have big games in them that they can pull out of nowhere. They were on the verge of knocking Tyrone out of the Championship last season and that game in Navan will be tough. We all know what to expect from Fermanagh. They are limited but highly effective and make games competitive despite their lack of quality. They will relish coming to the Athletic Grounds and making it a dog fight.

Promotion will be tough, especially as we are playing two of the favourites for it, Donegal and Kildare away from home. The home games against Fermanagh, Clare and Cork and the away game in Meath are the ones that I feel we have the best chance of winning. We could possibly spring a surprise on Kildare, as we're really up and running and have plenty of football and momentum behind us. If we win that and then beat Clare, then promotion is a real possibility. But if I'm honest, finishing in 4th or 5th would be yet more progress. Any more would be a bonus that I'd be delighted to take!
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Pretty much nail on head. Excellent synopsis
We are definitely improved, but I can't help thinking about how a fully fit Murnin, Oisin O'Neil and Rafferty would bring on the team even more. The present squad is looking healthy and raring to go-but that's three quality players who I think would certainly make me feel more confident about the upcoming campaign, if they were available.
 
ragingbull

ragingbull

Well-Known Member
this was in this weeks gaelic life
Armagh

Departures

Gavin McParland, Oisin Lappin, Jamie Cosgrove, Lorcan Oliver, Anto Duffy, Ronan Lappin, Colm Watters, Conor White, Eamonn McGeown,Kevin Dyas (Retired), Paddy Morrison (Retired)



Returnees

James Morgan, Stefan Campbell, Jamie Clarke, Pearse Casey, Oisin O’Neill, Ryan Kennedy, Rory McCaughley

New Additions

Rian O’Neill – full forward, Aaron Boyle – half back, Jarlath Og Burns – midfield, Conor O’Neill – half-forward, Ross Finn – half-back, Shea Loye – full-forward, James Freeman – half-forward, Aidan Nugent – full-forward, Cathair McGeary – half-back

Positional changes

Jemar Hall – full-forward to half-forward, Paul Hughes – full-back to half-back, Charlie Vernon – full back to midfield, Jason Duffy – full-forward to half-forward, Ethan Rafferty – midfield to full-forward
 
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spiritof98

New Member
Going to fairyhouse Saturday and staying over in kildare Town. I can't wait for the game tbh, really hope we can start with two points. Anyone know what the parking situation is in Newbridge?
 
Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
spiritof98 said:
Going to fairyhouse Saturday and staying over in kildare Town. I can't wait for the game tbh, really hope we can start with two points. Anyone know what the parking situation is in Newbridge?
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My recollection is that it isn't great, I think we parked on the main street. However it's a while since we've been there, so maybe it has improved.
 
E

Eireogatron

Well-Known Member
Ard Mhacha 13 said:
Nerves starting to kick in, especially after reading the report about our injury situation.
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afaik, Kildare are down to bare bones at the minute between withdrawals and injuries. Even with ourselves losing a few I fully expect the 2 points.

Looking at the league, would you fear anyone bar Donegal? And bearing in mind they will be hampered by the club championship. I genuinely think we have a serious shout for promotion, especially considering we have what I would deem our closest challengers being geographically so far away and having to travel up. I'm confident we have the firepower to win games at this level rather than scrape through.
 
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Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
Eireogatron said:
afaik, Kildare are down to bare bones at the minute between withdrawals and injuries. Even with ourselves losing a few I fully expect the 2 points.

Looking at the league, would you fear anyone bar Donegal? And bearing in mind they will be hampered by the club championship. I genuinely think we have a serious shout for promotion, especially considering we have what I would deem our closest challengers being geographically so far away and having to travel up. I'm confident we have the firepower to win games at this level rather than scrape through.
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I hope you're right :)
 
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