Senior championship 2018

bcb1

Well-Known Member
Well I didn’t see that coming. I have to say that it was as good a game as I’ve seen in a very long time and a credit to both teams. Some of the scores taken by both teams were unreal. Jack Grugan has some left foot on him and was the pick of the players in the first half. We tightened up the space in front of him in the second half and he was less effective.

Once we got ahead there was only one winner. I think Ballymacnab ran out of steam and we were able to send in subs that made a difference. This was a huge breakthrough as a lot of young lads won their first one and there’s an awful lot to be said for that happening.

Hard luck to Ballymacnab. I spoke about it after the game with a few people and we were very impressed with their bravery in really going for it and how it nearly paid off for them. They could have tried to set up a defensive system but didn’t and must get great credit
 

Berfaboy77

Active Member
Well done to both teams today in what was a fantastic county final. Both teams were a credit to the association, played in the right spirit and good direct football with both teams going for it. First half was all the nab, absolutely excellent, jack grugan was fantastic, cross had no answer for him. Cross had better subs and their big players, mainly the 2 oneills really came into the game in the last 20 mins.

I’ve criticised him in the past, but Johnny hanratty kept crossmin it ands was my motm. Should be a gr8 game against coal island next weekend
 

ragingbull

Well-Known Member
Well done to both teams today in what was a fantastic county final. Both teams were a credit to the association, played in the right spirit and good direct football with both teams going for it. First half was all the nab, absolutely excellent, jack grugan was fantastic, cross had no answer for him. Cross had better subs and their big players, mainly the 2 oneills really came into the game in the last 20 mins.

I’ve criticised him in the past, but Johnny hanratty kept crossmin it ands was my motm. Should be a gr8 game against coal island next weekend
games on 3rd November
 

Throwball

Well-Known Member
Great game of football today in front if a good crowd. We were spoilt and some of the scores by Jack Grugan in first half were stunning. For me the winning of the game was Cross ability to win kickouts. I felt sorry for the Nab keeper as he tried everything with no luck. Well done Cross. Coalisland next. My understanding is a bit of a revolt by the players got previous management sacked earlier in the summer. They have tried to play a bit more football- but will they revert to type when they play Cross.
 
That was the best county final in years. Huge credit to Ballymacnab for having a go, just didn't have the bench in the end and a lack of experience maybe was a factor too. Some top quality scores from both sides, thon Jack Grugan lad has some left leg on him. Kyle Carragher is a quality forwrd, would love to see him and Jack Grugan in the county colours. Those O'Neill lads are pure class and young McCobville who came on looked like a serious talent. Nab wiped out at midfield was the difference really. Oh, and Johnny Waa, take a bow. Thoroughly enjoyed that today, well done both teams.
 

Androim

Active Member
Two fun games today, with plenty of good football and nary a dirty action. In senior game two things stood out for me, the brilliant shooting by both teams and a lot of eye catching fielding...particularly by Oisin O'Neill. And then there was the introduction of the young pretender, Cian McConville. Delightful all around.
 

bcb1

Well-Known Member
The morning after the day before. As I had an early start I had an early night but as I sit on the train here it is nice to reflect on a fine game. I spoke to a good few neutrals after the game and they eulogised about the quality of the game and how both sides really went for it. Bar one or two tackles there was barely a dirty stroke in a hard hitting game and in fairness Ollie Hearty was helped in his job by two teams just going for it with an honest desire to win. I watched the clips from the BBC and some of the points kicked were sumptuous. Grugan hit a few peaches as did McParland but from my biased viewpoint the point by Johnny Whaa from outside the 45 was the pick of them, not just because of the quality of it but the importance of it. A stand up and be counted point....and let’s face it it was Johnny Whaa....his shooting is like mine back in the day :D

We are a young team and I’d say this was maybe a year ahead of schedule which makes it all sweeter. It is a monkey off young lads backs as even though some have won medals before this is their ‘first’ in their own names if you know what I mean. Huge psychological boost.

Hard luck to the Nab. They gave it all but it was inevitable i felt that their high intensity game would not last the full hour. They played some lovely football and interweaved really well. It may not be any consequence to them but that’s the best football performance I have seen by any team against us in a long time.

Anyway, roll on Ulster. Coalisland next up and a Saturday night throw in. Although it’s a ‘home’ game Coalisland is actually closer to Armagh than Cross. I wonder can we actually have it at home for once like we used to seeing as we are the designated 2nd county ground. I know we won’t but it would be nice!!
 

Minty44

New Member
The football yesterday in both games was great to watch. The first half in the senior game was as good as you will see anywhere. If all teams played like that (Including county teams) you might get a few more punters through the gates! Congratulations to St Peters and Cross...both worthy winners on the day. Also congratulations to the officials on the day...both refs did a great job and deserve credit. Even the county board come out of it smelling of roses as the day was very well run!
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
@bcb1 sure it'll almost be a home game for coalisland as them Tyronies have been playing at the AG so often!

Should be a good game though. Must dig out the aul night vision goggles.
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
What a cracking day out yesterday. I'll shoot the elephant now and get it out of the way - to those who complained yesterday about the price of admission, wise up. If it's too dear turn around and go home. There was no-one forcing you in. Yes it'd be great if it was half price or better still if it was free, but everyone knows there's a cost for these things and it's only going up. Oh and you could have bought a season ticket and saved a few rupees. To the muppets on Facebook complaining about the price to watch on Armagh tv, get off your ass and get to the games. Armagh tv (Linwoods to keep @ragingbull happy :cool:) provide a super service which I noticed [again on Facebook last night] that even they acknowledge isn't perfect - one of their guys local to me posted and it was unusual to see that from him, but they are unpaid and dedicated to giving the diaspora, ex pats (relax mr mustard, you're still a pat) a way to look back home. It's not for numpties that just can't be arsed going to games so they can watch for free. I'm willing to bet the same ones will pay Sky 50 quid a month to watch overpaid gigolos play ground ball. It provides a service which we as a county should be proud of, to those here at home also, that for one reason or another, can't, but want to be there. If it's too dear, ignore it and follow twitter - which is excellent whoever is doing most of it this year by the way.

Ok ass kissing out of the way, Jack Grugan, what a footballer until he is tightly marked. How did Cross miscalculate that in the build up? An absolute joy to watch on the ball (and those scores????!!!!) and a few more games where he is under pressure like the second half and he'll develop, more than we can imagine. Johnny Hanratty (sorry don't know the lad personally so can't use his pet name) like I said after the Cullyhanna game, a true all round player. Johnny I hope you really have matured the way we see you. Stopping the idiocy makes you the perfect all round footballer and a truly deserved ovation when you got a break. The point was tremendous and again I add the score Aaron Kernan got from in front of the stand. Wrong side for a left footer, but he made no mistake off the outside of the boot. Maybe controversially, but my man of the match, just because he was captain and stood up like one, but........... would I deny Rian O'Neill the honour? No absolutely not and therein lies the problem. They all played so well.

That all said, ballynacnab you did not let yourselves down. As they say, you left it all on the field with nothing more to give. It was simply that Cross had a bench to call on which was slightly stronger.

Joy of joys, we got to watch possibly the best game played in club football within our county for many years (and please don't think I'm denigrating anyone or team). I mean as a complete package with sensational football, passes, tackles, scores and (oh boy here he goes! Get ready) and good refereeing made easy as bcb says by both teams just getting on with it.
 

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
Congratulations to all the Rangers' contingent on here and hard luck to the Nab. We had a christening yesterday, so I was only able to get the second half of the Intermediate Final and the first half of the Senior Final. That first half was extremely enjoyable with great scores taken. The Nab - and Jack Grugan in particular - played to the absolute pinnacle of what they could offer. Leaving at half-time though, despite being three points down, I felt it was Rangers' title, on the basis that it was so close and that Rangers would have many more potent options off the bench when subs started coming into play.

For Rangers, well I hate to say it, but there could be another period of dominance on the way, particularly if the younger players continue to grow in stature. However the importance of 'old hands' such as Aaron Kernan and Johnny Hanratty is still vital. I could see Rangers making a serious dent in Ulster this year.

For the Nab, like St Pats before them, I get a sense that there will be absolute devastation today, given that the impression I got was that there was a superhuman effort put into this year. Sitting now, back at base camp, the summit looks an awful long way back up. Talk of a wonderful effort - and it was - will be of little comfort today. The result is everything.
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Shoot the elephant, overpaid gigolos, numpties and muppets. Only you could fit all those in the same post @Calm1 :D

Agree with all that. Well most of it ;)

Sounds like it was a cracking game. Annoyed that I couldn't get to it.

Ps. Glad to hear I'm still a pat.
 

niall1980

Well-Known Member
Two fun games today, with plenty of good football and nary a dirty action. In senior game two things stood out for me, the brilliant shooting by both teams and a lot of eye catching fielding...particularly by Oisin O'Neill. And then there was the introduction of the young pretender, Cian McConville. Delightful all around.
I actually thought the cross no8 made a lot of better catches
 

niall1980

Well-Known Member
What a cracking day out yesterday. I'll shoot the elephant now and get it out of the way - to those who complained yesterday about the price of admission, wise up. If it's too dear turn around and go home. There was no-one forcing you in. Yes it'd be great if it was half price or better still if it was free, but everyone knows there's a cost for these things and it's only going up. Oh and you could have bought a season ticket and saved a few rupees. To the muppets on Facebook complaining about the price to watch on Armagh tv, get off your ass and get to the games. Armagh tv (Linwoods to keep @ragingbull happy :cool:) provide a super service which I noticed [again on Facebook last night] that even they acknowledge isn't perfect - one of their guys local to me posted and it was unusual to see that from him, but they are unpaid and dedicated to giving the diaspora, ex pats (relax mr mustard, you're still a pat) a way to look back home. It's not for numpties that just can't be arsed going to games so they can watch for free. I'm willing to bet the same ones will pay Sky 50 quid a month to watch overpaid gigolos play ground ball. It provides a service which we as a county should be proud of, to those here at home also, that for one reason or another, can't, but want to be there. If it's too dear, ignore it and follow twitter - which is excellent whoever is doing most of it this year by the way.

Ok ass kissing out of the way, Jack Grugan, what a footballer until he is tightly marked. How did Cross miscalculate that in the build up? An absolute joy to watch on the ball (and those scores????!!!!) and a few more games where he is under pressure like the second half and he'll develop, more than we can imagine. Johnny Hanratty (sorry don't know the lad personally so can't use his pet name) like I said after the Cullyhanna game, a true all round player. Johnny I hope you really have matured the way we see you. Stopping the idiocy makes you the perfect all round footballer and a truly deserved ovation when you got a break. The point was tremendous and again I add the score Aaron Kernan got from in front of the stand. Wrong side for a left footer, but he made no mistake off the outside of the boot. Maybe controversially, but my man of the match, just because he was captain and stood up like one, but........... would I deny Rian O'Neill the honour? No absolutely not and therein lies the problem. They all played so well.

That all said, ballynacnab you did not let yourselves down. As they say, you left it all on the field with nothing more to give. It was simply that Cross had a bench to call on which was slightly stronger.

Joy of joys, we got to watch possibly the best game played in club football within our county for many years (and please don't think I'm denigrating anyone or team). I mean as a complete package with sensational football, passes, tackles, scores and (oh boy here he goes! Get ready) and good refereeing made easy as bcb says by both teams just getting on with it.
Hanratty was my man of the match. Rian ONeill had an excellent second half but was poor in the first. Hanratty was superb in both IMO
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
Shoot the elephant, overpaid gigolos, numpties and muppets. Only you could fit all those in the same post @Calm1 :D

Agree with all that. Well most of it ;)

Sounds like it was a cracking game. Annoyed that I couldn't get to it.

Ps. Glad to hear I'm still a pat.
I try :p
 
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