Ulster Championship 2023

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stevie_06

Well-Known Member
Armaghball said:
Did Derry not beat Tyrone and Monaghan last year? Then a Donegal side that beat us out the gate in Ulster as well?
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Think if you dig it into Tyrone were a complete shambles last year and Monaghan have been on decline, similar to Donegal. And yes I accept they beat us last year in Ulster.

But we beat Donegal and Tyrone both more convincely than Derry did in my opinion. And we performed as well if not better against Galway then Derry it.

So all this talk that Armagh need to improve drastically to beat Derry is a bit of reach. Still feel there is a lot of hype around this Derry team and I am not convinced about them yet.

Come 2 weeks they might beat us handsomely and will hold my hands up
But until then I feel we can be quietly confident going into the final
 
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Bringyourboots

Well-Known Member
I think from McKeevers comments at the launch, to our performances in the last 3 games there's very little point in analysing anything in great depth. We have successfully negotiated the first phase.

Obviously its going to take a more complete performance to beat Derry. They like to get quite close in for shooting and defensively, albeit against weaker teams, our setup has forced lower percentage shooting from distance or out wide. We have demonstrated a variety of styles, players and tactics so they have plenty to think about. Kickouts remain the biggest area of concern both ours and oppositions.

Huge incentive to win, lift a trophy and avoid pot 2 - tomorrow's draw might increase that incentive especially as the round robin games follow so quickly.

So so good to be looking forward to an Ulster final! Definitely a Happy Monday !
 
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Armaghball

Well-Known Member
stevie_06 said:
Think if you dig it into Tyrone were a complete shambles last year and Monaghan have been on decline, similar to Donegal. And yes I accept they beat us last year in Ulster.

But we beat Donegal and Tyrone both more convincely than Derry did in my opinion. And we performed as well if not better against Galway then Derry it.

So all this talk that Armagh need to improve drastically to beat Derry is a bit of reach. Still feel there is a lot of hype around this Derry team and I am not convinced about them yet.

Come 2 weeks they might beat us handsomely and will hold my hands up
But until then I feel we can be quietly confident going into the final
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Galway hammered Derry so I’d say we did a whole lot better, although think they have went up another level to last year looking at them so far, although there definitely goals in that full back line

Think we’re more than good enough to beat Derry but all about who turns up on the day. We’ve beaten 3 division 3 teams comfortably and made them look like division 3 teams which is something we obviously have struggled to do in recent years. Derry beat a limited Fermanagh team and a dogged but over the hill Monaghan team who really should have lost to Tyrone.

2 best teams in Ulster are deservedly in the final. Think we have the players to deal with their forward threat where as I think Rian, Murnin, Turbitt etc will cause harm, especially the first 2 under the high ball, where Derry definitely have weakness.

Should be a great game. Would have a lot of time for any Derry people I know and they have some super footballers, Rodgers, Glass McGuigan to name a few who all seem likeable lads too, but Jesus I can’t stand that Gallagher man so I hope we absolutely hammer them just to sicken him! Great to be back to a final, been far far too long.
 
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Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Anyone want to hazard a guess or pick a team for final?

Don’t think you can drop anyone after that. Turbitt was quiet but think he’s banked enough credit to afford a quiet day. Hope Crealey and Murnin are ok for the final. Assuming so then I’d start same team. Would like McCambridge in though to mark McGuigan but honestly don’t know who you drop. O’Neill or Forker could pick him up either and make him track them when they go forward.

Any injury update on
TK
Grimley
Morgan
Paddy Burns and the 2 lads who came off yesterday?
Any others I’ve missed?

A massive advantage for us is our bench. Nugent, Soupy and Cumiskey all came off the bench and kicked good scores which you need.

Special mention to a few lads
Jemar Hall gets a lot of stick, a lot not justified but think he has really stepped up the last few weeks, getting through a mountain of work and has kicked a few nice scores too.

Jason Duffy is a lad who gets through serious work as well and always pops up with a point or 2, feel as though he doesnt get as many plaudits as the bigger names in that forward line but he is really a vital player for us.

McPartland for a lad in his first year on the panel is really stepping up, what a goal yesterday. Great to see another option for midfield.

Another stormer for Murnin yesterday, player of the year so far imo an unbelievable footballer who defences simply cannot handle when he is fit and on form, massive player for us who can kick scores and win kickouts. Class act and really hope he is fit for the final.
 
Ard Mhacha 13

Ard Mhacha 13

Well-Known Member
Armaghball said:
Galway hammered Derry so I’d say we did a whole lot better, although think they have went up another level to last year looking at them so far, although there definitely goals in that full back line

Think we’re more than good enough to beat Derry but all about who turns up on the day. We’ve beaten 3 division 3 teams comfortably and made them look like division 3 teams which is something we obviously have struggled to do in recent years. Derry beat a limited Fermanagh team and a dogged but over the hill Monaghan team who really should have lost to Tyrone.

2 best teams in Ulster are deservedly in the final. Think we have the players to deal with their forward threat where as I think Rian, Murnin, Turbitt etc will cause harm, especially the first 2 under the high ball, where Derry definitely have weakness.

Should be a great game. Would have a lot of time for any Derry people I know and they have some super footballers, Rodgers, Glass McGuigan to name a few who all seem likeable lads too, but Jesus I can’t stand that Gallagher man so I hope we absolutely hammer them just to sicken him! Great to be back to a final, been far far too long.
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This, this, most definitely this.
 
G

gael_force_orchard

Well-Known Member
I'm really looking forward to the final. We can only beat what is put in front of us and we have done it without fuss. Derry will be a real litmus test and we will know a lot more about this Armagh team after it.

Derry will most likely press our kick out, they will identify our struggles at midfield at various points this year as a weakness to be targeted. Likewise there are goals in that Derry full back line and we have the players to exploit it.

If you asked me to call it now I couldn't, I think it could end up in extra time.

I didn't comment on the game yesterday and haven't really in this post either. It just shows how little Down offered. So let's look forward to a real challenge in a fortnight and let's hope we come out the right side of that challenge. Would be a serious lift to the players after getting relegated and it would be a great way to bounce back.
 
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Smallball

Active Member
I do think derry are slight favourites going into this final but if we can put the shackles on conor glass i think thats what will swing it in armaghs favour. Kick outs will also be a worry against an organised derry side. I think we have shown this year we are tighter at the back than they are and also believe we have the better forwards. We need to win either the kickout battle or the midfield battle. Hopefully a packed out clones in 2 weeks, have to while the traffic is a nightmare i love the old fasion feel to the stadium and the town for big games.
 
ragingbull

ragingbull

Well-Known Member
Armaghball said:
Galway hammered Derry so I’d say we did a whole lot better, although think they have went up another level to last year looking at them so far, although there definitely goals in that full back line

Think we’re more than good enough to beat Derry but all about who turns up on the day. We’ve beaten 3 division 3 teams comfortably and made them look like division 3 teams which is something we obviously have struggled to do in recent years. Derry beat a limited Fermanagh team and a dogged but over the hill Monaghan team who really should have lost to Tyrone.

2 best teams in Ulster are deservedly in the final. Think we have the players to deal with their forward threat where as I think Rian, Murnin, Turbitt etc will cause harm, especially the first 2 under the high ball, where Derry definitely have weakness.

Should be a great game. Would have a lot of time for any Derry people I know and they have some super footballers, Rodgers, Glass McGuigan to name a few who all seem likeable lads too, but Jesus I can’t stand that Gallagher man so I hope we absolutely hammer them just to sicken him! Great to be back to a final, been far far too long.
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Just stop Gallagher from spitting on his hands & we'll win :p
 
W

Wide ball

Well-Known Member
From what I seen of us yesterday we should be able to give Derry a rattle, they will be favourites, but with are big forward line and there keeper I expect us to cause problems, but I'd fear their midfield
 
PatMustard

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
thecritic said:
Yes, it's rotten - the man's a headcase. Doing a great job with Derry at present but it will end in tears soon enough.
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Let’s hope it ends in tears for him on Sunday week.

Derry have a system. An efficient one, but by God, I can’t watch them at all. They’re hard to break down, but throw a few spanners into the square and hopefully they crumble. Hopefully Murnin will be back. He’s the very man to get on the end of those spanners.
 
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Armaghball

Well-Known Member
PatMustard said:
Let’s hope it ends in tears for him on Sunday week.

Derry have a system. An efficient one, but by God, I can’t watch them at all. They’re hard to break down, but throw a few spanners into the square and hopefully they crumble. Hopefully Murnin will be back. He’s the very man to get on the end of those spanners.
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They definitely will. The best full back line in Ireland would struggle with Rian and Murnin under a high ball, definitely a vulnerability there. Rodgers and Glass 2 serious ballers in midfield. Think Ciaran Mackin would be ideal to track Rodgers. Crealey for Glass, hopefully nullify him?
 
Berfaboy77

Berfaboy77

Active Member
Great win on Sunday, won in second gear. down were woeful. Derry will be a different proposition, I saw them early in year against Tyrone in Mc Kenna cup in AG and was very impressed, big physical and extreme fit team. Should make for a great final. I think we have the bit between our teeth now. I hope Creally is fit for the final, I feel he is a vital player for us. Murninan, Duffy & Grugan weee excellent on Sunday as was our whole defence.
On a side note, I was on the hill, I’ve never seen worse behaviour from young lads in my life, & I’m talking about a particular group of down fans, absolutely paralytic sing vile songs about Armagh players, goading Armagh fans and through flares and beer cans down into the crowd in front of them. Guards were going mental
 
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Peter grimes

Well-Known Member
Have heard some chat that Down are like Derry only that the latter are 4 or 5 years down the line. That simply isn’t true.

Derry have many more weapons and their weaknesses are not as glaringly obvious as Down’s. Most of Derry’s strengths are players who have been around for 5 years or more. They have just been pulled together by a manager who has a game plan and instills a belief.

This is not to talk up Derry or Gallagher. Derry are good but not great. There is no clear distinction between them and us in terms of player quality. In my opinion I think we edge that because of our depth. And as for Derry’s gameplan it isn’t the way I would want football to be played.

Both teams will be equally determined to win. In one sense the teams are balanced but that is not the same as saying they have equal strength across every area of the pitch. Therefore it’s teed up for a tactical battle.

Not expecting to get 4 goals against Derry but I would expect us to use the same tactic if only to pin the sweeper back
 
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Wide ball

Well-Known Member
Derry are on the brink of a top 4 team and have been more consistent than us but I do think we have more ways to hurt them, I wouldn't be a fan of their style but I always did like Derry and they are very effective, styles make fights and I think their style I would see working well against Kerry but struggle against mayo or Galway, I am interested to see how we cope against that style I sway from thinking we can nullify it to thinking we will struggle, only one way to find out
 
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