Qualifiers 2018

[Kick-It-Long]

Two years ago I left Portlaoise gutted after one of the worst first half displays I had ever saw Armagh play. The only consolation was that the second half display meant that things had hopefully bottomed out. Today I left proud to be from Armagh. Yes we lost by 6 points. Yes we made stupid, careless mistakes which ultimately cost us.
We, however, as previous posters said died with our boots on. We also played football and are great to watch. In my opinion, we would have won if we had have had any luck today. We definitely would have won if we had have had a futher week to recover. Never mind the defections we suffered at the start of the year,look at who we were missing from our current squad today- Rafferty, McKay, Hughes, a half fit Sheridan.
Bring on next year, we will be playing at a higher level in the league and hopefully get a decent draw in the championship. The Super 8s are definitely a realistic target.The u20s who have been blooded in the last two games look to have serious potential and who knows what other players may become available. 2019 cannot come quick enough .

 

[Orangeade]

Bollix.
Only way we will get better is to.play better teams.
We were unlucky today. The missed penalty huge turning point.
Future is looking better
Thanks to the entertainment over the past number of months.
League winners, promoted and performances are great.
Looking forward to January

Aw cmon unlucky FFS, yes we missed a penalty but the Rossies on another day could have scored another 5-6 goals, we've had a good run which will definitely bring this reasonably young team on.
But could you imagine Dublin or Donegal running at our defence today, it doesn't bare thinking about.
So Joe get real, the only good thing about today is that we weren't beat by another 15pts

 

[JoeH]

Aw cmon unlucky FFS, yes we missed a penalty but the Rossies on another day could have scored another 5-6 goals, we've had a good run which will definitely bring this reasonably young team on.
But could you imagine Dublin or Donegal running at our defence today, it doesn't bare thinking about.
So Joe get real, the only good thing about today is that we weren't beat by another 15pts

Your glass must never be even half full - some craic you must be.
Every game is different - today was very open. The next day maybe not.
We created goal chances that didnt come off - so did Roscommon.
Probably should have had another penalty but didnt.
We are very strong - returning injured and new players will strengthen us
Staying in Div 2 next year has to be a priority
Lets support our county team not disect every little detail.
Should now look forward to an exciting and competitive club championship

 

[Bull leanard]

So very proud of the lads today,
Well played. Yous give it everything,
It was the heat that did the harm, two Saturday in a row. Totally unfair to expect amateurs to play in that heat, Roscommon definite had an unfair advantage there. Money again dictated thing for tv air time

 

[stapler]

What was the attendance? i I didnt hear it announced

 

[Sean Og]

Proud of the lads and proud of where we have come from, we can hold our heads up high!!!!!

 

[Orangeade]

Your glass must never be even half full - some craic you must be.
Every game is different -
today was very open. The next day maybe not.
We created goal chances that didnt come off - so did Roscommon.
Probably should have had another penalty but didnt.
We are very strong - returning injured and new players will strengthen us
Staying in Div 2 next year has to be a priority
Lets support our county team not disect every little detail.
Should now look forward to an exciting and competitive club championship

Ach cmon again! Believe me my glass is always more than half full, but if you really think that on chances created we wer unlucky to lose a 50/50 game then you are seriously deluded.
I'm just saying that thank god we didn't progress to the super 8s, we bowed out today with a gutsy performance hitting 1-19, but can you imagine what the other teams left would have done to our defence in the wide open spaces of croke Park, it doesn't bare thinking about.
So I'd rather go into a new league campaign carrying a gutsy, exciting, promising display under our belts, than go in after suffering more than likely 3 tankings to Dublin, Donegal and Tyrone.
Definitely huge potential in this squad with adding our u.20s to the likes of young lads like Mackin, Hall, Grimley, Burns, McCabe and McShane, so roll on 2019

 

[cailín beag88]

Spending the evening reflecting on the match in Kilkenny. A great game which were on the wrong end of the result but we can hold our heads high leaving the Championship. Today wasn't our day but proud Armagh fan and already buzzing for January.

 

[PutTheHighBallInLow]

Bollix.
Only way we will get better is to.play better teams.
We were unlucky today. The missed penalty huge turning point.
Future is looking better
Thanks to the entertainment over the past number of months.
League winners, promoted and performances are great.
Looking forward to January

We'll see how roscommon get on

 

[Berfaboy77]

Totally agree with a lot which has been said, really glad I went down to the match yesterday, it was a hugely entertaining game. Yes Armagh struggled in defence, with kick out, with runners through the middle etc but by god they gave everything they had for the jersey yesterday. I was hugely proud of them & take many months positives. We’re a young developing team who have all bought into what geezer is trying to do... the future is orange lads, build on this in div 2 next year. On a final note, must say Roscommon have a fantastic support, had great craic with a few of them, & they thought Armagh were excellent yesterday. As for the second game, I don’t think I have ever seen a worse inter county side than cork

 

[Tango]

Brilliant performance from the lads yesterday, has to be the best game they played all year but unfortunately we came out the wrong side of it but the players can be extremely proud of themselves. Unfortunately 3 games in 4 weeks took its toll on the lads especially considering the weather we have lately whereas Roscommon where coming into the game well rested and fresh.

Between last weeks game and yesterday’s game just shows we’re well fit to complete in div2 next year.

Clare
Cork
Donegal
Fermanagh
Kildare
Meath
Tipp

Out of the 7 teams above i’d be confident that if we can carry on from where we left this year and get a few lads back on board we won’t be far away from the top 3 in div 2. Roll on 2019

 

[Jamie's Coffee]

Lots of reasons to be optimistic. Given the departures from last years squad I was always unsure of how far we would go (although there can be little excuse for the Enniskillen performance) but falling just short of the super 8s isn’t too bad considering we could realistically be adding the following to our league & Champ squad next season....
Rian O’Neill
Oisin O’Neill
James Morgan
Ciaran O’Hanlon
Soupy Campbell....
...add to that a fit again Ethan Rafferty & Aaron McKay and the developing talents of Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy.

Playing against better opposition in Div 2 is important also.
One note of caution though, I would if possible look to add physical size to the panel we have players like Jamar Hall, Mini McShane, Mark Shields & Patrick Burns but who maybe lack size / physicality- definitely worth their place but perhaps something to look at. Roll on next season

 

[thecritic]

Well it's been a couple of years since I've posted here. Just to say well done to management and players for a very successful year. Promotion and very close to the super 8's, can't have asked for much more. Lads were a credit yesterday, gave their all, did us very proud. Exciting to see the u20's coming through - here's to a big year next season. Hopefully a few more of the non-committed lads come on board next year.

 

[POINTMAN]

First of all - well done to all concerned on regaining some pride and making progress after the Fermanagh debacle.
I was one of those calling for changes at management level (and I still am), but credit where credit is due - it was a decent run through the qualifiers with many new players being used.
On yesterday's match - enjoyable to watch and no lack of commitment or flair - but the defence as wide open. While we missed chances too, Roscommon could well have had 3 or 4 more goals. We need to get the balance right between good attacking play and getting tighter and safer at the back. Easier said than done I accept that.
Looking forward - taking the best of what is already there and add in maybe 4 or 5 of the 'not committed at this time's but quality players and we have a chance to really compete. Can the current set-up get us there????

 

[JoeH]

First of all - well done to all concerned on regaining some pride and making progress after the Fermanagh debacle.
I was one of those calling for changes at management level (and I still am), but credit where credit is due - it was a decent run through the qualifiers with many new players being used.
On yesterday's match - enjoyable to watch and no lack of commitment or flair - but the defence as wide open. While we missed chances too, Roscommon could well have had 3 or 4 more goals. We need to get the balance right between good attacking play and getting tighter and safer at the back. Easier said than done I accept that.
Looking forward - taking the best of what is already there and add in maybe 4 or 5 of the 'not committed at this time's but quality players and we have a chance to really compete. Can the current set-up get us there????

Dont understand the constant criticism of the management team

Who else could have taken this squad of players over the past few years and coped with the losses and then to not have players available (for all their own reasons) plus the loss of Ethan against westmeath and to lose Aaron McKay before throw-in yesterday.
The squad and system looks strong - when there are better players in the system (not necessarily the best players can do this) then we will be an even bigger threat to the teams above us.
I personally believe we have one of the strongest management, with Kieran and Jim.
I suspect we will have further personnel losses for periods of time simply because by the law of averages with such a young squad players may well have travel and work to deal with.
Thats why the system has to be good.

One observation from yesterday: when Roscommon scored or whatever almost to a man their supporters were exceptionally vocal.
I noted so,many Armagh supporters not even clapping when we were scoring for fun in the first half.
I cant work this out. As supporters we seem to have forgotten how to truly support our team especially since yesterday was such a huge opportunity.

 

[Big Jim]

Pfft! Call yourself a true fan?!

RTE News Now, channel 808 on my TV (even though I don't have a telly).

Thought you don't have a telly!!

 

[Big Jim]

How can you possibly have a team that cannot defend?

The players stood off their man and let them waltz through the defence unhindered. The defenders were turned out of the tackle a shed load of times. Roscommon players pretty much just got on the inside of the players time and time again. Management have completely ignored the tackling aspect of the game and the team paid a heavy price.

To make things worse Roscommon got the better of Armagh on fitness to

Hmmmm. Scored 1-19 mostly from play and Roscommon score 2-22 with over half from frees. The amount of turnovers and dispossessions by the defence was incredible considering the heat on the pitch which I believe was over 35℃ I think we need to cut these lads a little slack. Take what happened at another sporting event not all that far away and get things into perspective.

We can hold our heads high that a dreadful team with awful management allowed us to travel home with our heads held high. I can't remember the last time an opposition support were so magnanimous in victory congratulating us on such a fine performance and sporting game. Certainly not whet we're used to in Laois!

 

[Big Jim]

Bollix.
Only way we will get better is to.play better teams.
We were unlucky today. The missed penalty huge turning point.
Future is looking better
Thanks to the entertainment over the past number of months.
League winners, promoted and performances are great.
Looking forward to January

Completely!

 

[Big Jim]

I was seriously annoyed yesterday to see Andy being taken off exactly at the point where we needed a goal and the only lad we can trust with the best hands I've seen for some time is called ashore. Bumped into a guy afterwards and was told he [Andrew] took a heavy knock, off the ball towards the end of the first half, but insisted he was fine for the second half. He stuck it as long as he could before having to give in. Turns out you need to know the facts before criticising! Who'd have thunk'd that??

 

[Big Jim]

Just to add, I seriously hope that the likes of Charlie and Brendy don't decide it's time they take the break. I think they - Charlie V in particular, are playing the football of their lives. For those that point out a mistake they make, please refer to a player that doesn't make a mistake in a game ever!