Senior championship

Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
A very enjoyable game with many similarities to last year's final. Congratulations to Rangers on a thoroughly deserved victory and commiserations to the Nab. I thought the Nab gave it their best possible shot and can have few regrets. When Jack Grugan followed up his goal with a fisted point, I really thought the gauntlet was being thrown down to Cross. However they responded in magnificent fashion, reeling off nine points in a ten minute period to take a stranglehold of the match. The Nab might regret a shot for a point that came back off the post - the ball was quickly moved down the field for a Rangers' point. Although it was 'only' a two point swing at that stage, a Nab point then might have checked the avalanche of points Rangers were racking up. Who knows? The two late goals put a gloss on the victory that flattered Cross.

Why did Rangers win? Although I thought they were quite lethargic for a lot of the game, they moved up through the gears when they had to and put the game beyond the reach of the Nab. The reality is that Cross have better players across the pitch than the Nab and it counted yesterday.

Cross are unquestionably number one in Armagh, but on the evidence of what I have seen I am not so sure they can dominate Ulster. I sense they do not have the strength of old and the clubs in the chasing pack have also gone backwards in terms of ability - St Pates, Maghery and ourselves certainly.
I'll be intrigued to see their Ulster Club challenge and whether they can lift their game to meet stiffer challenges.

Given the early demise of Collegeland and Grange, it would suggest that the standard of club football in our county is indeed at a low ebb, so a run for Rangers would be a boost for the County's fortunes.
 
JoeH

JoeH

Well-Known Member
Rufus T Firefly said:
A very enjoyable game with many similarities to last year's final. Congratulations to Rangers on a thoroughly deserved victory and commiserations to the Nab. I thought the Nab gave it their best possible shot and can have few regrets. When Jack Grugan followed up his goal with a fisted point, I really thought the gauntlet was being thrown down to Cross. However they responded in magnificent fashion, reeling off nine points in a ten minute period to take a stranglehold of the match. The Nab might regret a shot for a point that came back off the post - the ball was quickly moved down the field for a Rangers' point. Although it was 'only' a two point swing at that stage, a Nab point then might have checked the avalanche of points Rangers were racking up. Who knows? The two late goals put a gloss on the victory that flattered Cross.

Why did Rangers win? Although I thought they were quite lethargic for a lot of the game, they moved up through the gears when they had to and put the game beyond the reach of the Nab. The reality is that Cross have better players across the pitch than the Nab and it counted yesterday.

Cross are unquestionably number one in Armagh, but on the evidence of what I have seen I am not so sure they can dominate Ulster. I sense they do not have the strength of old and the clubs in the chasing pack have also gone backwards in terms of ability - St Pates, Maghery and ourselves certainly.
I'll be intrigued to see their Ulster Club challenge and whether they can lift their game to meet stiffer challenges.

Given the early demise of Collegeland and Grange, it would suggest that the standard of club football in our county is indeed at a low ebb, so a run for Rangers would be a boost for the County's fortunes.
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I suppose its difficult to compare championships across different counties if the championship is not run the same in each county.

The standard of football, from what ive seen, is pretty good especially when teams play football.
The issue seems to be some teams play a defensive game which may not suit the players but does suit the teams management who may invariably not be totally affiliated with that club.
I thought the three finals this year were a good standard of play and technical skills were good
Perhaps teams in other counties dont yo-yo as much in their leagues

I suppose a review of league/championship would be good as I think the current format is good - but nothing wrong with a tweak or two if required. Sure if the GAA hierarchy can make tweaks we can too
 
A

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Would like to see Cross give Ulster a good run this year. They’ve definitely got it in them, any team that can afford to start without Hanratty, Kernan and Carragher and win so well are a serious outfit.

Might have missed something obvious but where is Morgan? Massive loss and would have been ideal to pick up McManus.
 
weeskitter

weeskitter

Member
As a neutral, I thought the Cross supporters were an absolute disgrace. No grace whatsoever and their chanting in the far stand was an example of hooliganism.
 
N

niall1980

Well-Known Member
Armaghball said:
Would like to see Cross give Ulster a good run this year. They’ve definitely got it in them, any team that can afford to start without Hanratty, Kernan and Carragher and win so well are a serious outfit.

Might have missed something obvious but where is Morgan? Massive loss and would have been ideal to pick up McManus.
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Morgan picked up an injury before we played Monaghan.
 
A

armaghlad

Active Member
weeskitter said:
As a neutral, I thought the Cross supporters were an absolute disgrace. No grace whatsoever and their chanting in the far stand was an example of hooliganism.
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Yeah some louts follow Cross. Had to endure two eejits the whole match, but it’s the same with every club
 
Big Jim

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
I actually thought that the crowd and atmosphere was really good yesterday and to be honest was maybe lucky enough not to have been subjected to shenanigans.

I did think 4.5k was a great attendance and then I heard that Derry had over 9k at their game. Maybe they knew there would be controversy at one of their big games again! :rolleyes:
 
S

Suil eile.

Active Member
Big Jim said:
It was something to do with a fund raiser for a club member suffering/suffered some sad illness - just sorry I don't remember the proper details
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See details below folks from the Just Giving page the Family have set up. All support welcome !!

In January 2019 the Smyth family from Ballymacnab, County Armagh, received the news that no family ever want to hear, that their son Niall, who was only 6 at the time, had Leukaemia. Since then, Niall and his entire family have received unbelievable support from three charities, and as a token of their appreciation, and to help other children and families in a similar position, they have organised a fundraising campaign to provide much needed support for these charities:· The Children’s Cancer Unit· CLIC Sargent· Angel WishesThe way that Niall has dealt with his illness has been an inspiration to his family, friends and to the wider community, he has been an absolute warrior, showing amazing strength and resilience throughout all of the challenges he has faced since January. The Committee are calling this fundraising campaign “Warrior Kids’ – Fight Against Leukaemia” because they think it sums up the fighting spirit of every child who suffers from CancerA Gala Night is being held in the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday 18th April 2020, which sold out within hours. This page gives an opportunity for everyone to give to a very worthy cause and help families going through the same situation.Thanks for your kindness.
 
Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
Big Jim said:
Bloody spoil sport! I hoped I would hold the solo record for doing that forever! :mad:
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I've a notion there was someone long before your time, Jim. My Dad, Lord Rest Him, used to talk about our minors playing Roscommon - I think it may have been an All Ireland semi-final or a final replay - and a Roscommon player at the start of the second half getting the ball at the restart and putting the head down and going on a solo run and slotting the ball over the bar at their own end and then immediately burying his head in his hands! :)

I must look this up to see if / when we did play Roscommon in a big minor match in that era.
 
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