Ulster Club championship

Have Armagh a chance in Ulster at any grade this Year?

  • Senior

    Votes: 12 50.0%
  • Intermediate

    Votes: 10 41.7%
  • Junior

    Votes: 3 12.5%
  • None

    Votes: 7 29.2%

  • Total voters
    24
  • Poll closed .

POINTMAN

Well-Known Member
I do not see much point in talking about senior teams amalgamating - it is simply not going to happen. Local rivalries are too strong, there will rarely be agreement and the teams will soon split again. In any event, amalgamations do not increase the number of senior players, indeed it reduces that number. So how would that help the county team?
I do not buy this idea that clubs in Armagh are way behind clubs in other counties. Lack of success at Ulster level is more down to lack of focus (after winning the county championship) and some exceptional individual club teams, like Kilcoo and Slaughtneil.
 

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
I do not see much point in talking about senior teams amalgamating - it is simply not going to happen. Local rivalries are too strong, there will rarely be agreement and the teams will soon split again. In any event, amalgamations do not increase the number of senior players, indeed it reduces that number. So how would that help the county team?
I do not buy this idea that clubs in Armagh are way behind clubs in other counties. Lack of success at Ulster level is more down to lack of focus (after winning the county championship) and some exceptional individual club teams, like Kilcoo and Slaughtneil.
Why is this? does it effect us more than other counties?
 

Wide ball

Well-Known Member
I do not see much point in talking about senior teams amalgamating - it is simply not going to happen. Local rivalries are too strong, there will rarely be agreement and the teams will soon split again. In any event, amalgamations do not increase the number of senior players, indeed it reduces that number. So how would that help the county team?
I do not buy this idea that clubs in Armagh are way behind clubs in other counties. Lack of success at Ulster level is more down to lack of focus (after winning the county championship) and some exceptional individual club teams, like Kilcoo and Slaughtneil.
You say some exceptional club teams from other counties but we are talking intermediate and junior here where we are regularly beaten early,
 

Kem

Active Member
Slightly off on a tangent but would it not be possible to introduce an all Ireland series for league winners in each county. The GAA is unusual in having its major competitions as cup tournaments. It would help to raise the status of the leagues.
 

POINTMAN

Well-Known Member
Slightly off on a tangent but would it not be possible to introduce an all Ireland series for league winners in each county. The GAA is unusual in having its major competitions as cup tournaments. It would help to raise the status of the leagues.
Good point !!
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Slightly off on a tangent but would it not be possible to introduce an all Ireland series for league winners in each county. The GAA is unusual in having its major competitions as cup tournaments. It would help to raise the status of the leagues.
I was thinking about something similar recently. An Ulster championship for each county league winner.
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
Slightly off on a tangent but would it not be possible to introduce an all Ireland series for league winners in each county. The GAA is unusual in having its major competitions as cup tournaments. It would help to raise the status of the leagues.
And when would these games be played?
 

ShiftYa

Well-Known Member
The overall quality across all grades in Armagh isn’t what it was 3 to 5 years ago, Intermediate and Junior Ulster isn’t a great yardstick to use as you’re not comparing like for like, but senior is as you’re comparing the top club from each county. In relation to Cross after their short Ulster campaign you’d have to ask did they really make a great leap forward in quality from last year or did all opposition within the county just regress?
 

Throwball

Well-Known Member
All very correct, but I don’t see the point.

My contention is simple - the standard of club football in the county has been slipping in recent years. We’re miles behind where we used to be.

The deteriorating achievements of county representatives in provincial competition over the last decade, and especially the last 6 or 7 years, is clear indication of these falling standards.

Tie this to the county’s awful record at intercounty minor and u20/21 level since the beginning of the 2010s, and a concerning picture emerges.

For how long can we expect the senior intercounty side to remain competitive when no other county representative is?
Armagh academies were restructured a few years ago. The effect of this change will take a few years to come through. Hopefully the changes were the correct ones.

I am not a great believer in going all out to win minor titles. The focus should be in developing players for the senior set up with the chance that a stand out team will come about every now and then. I would, however, like to see progress at under 20.
 

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Slightly off on a tangent but would it not be possible to introduce an all Ireland series for league winners in each county. The GAA is unusual in having its major competitions as cup tournaments. It would help to raise the status of the leagues.
Wouldn’t be a fan of this, for me the league will always be second fiddle and a championship warm up, fair bit of which is played without county men
 

armaghlad

Active Member
The overall quality across all grades in Armagh isn’t what it was 3 to 5 years ago, Intermediate and Junior Ulster isn’t a great yardstick to use as you’re not comparing like for like, but senior is as you’re comparing the top club from each county. In relation to Cross after their short Ulster campaign you’d have to ask did they really make a great leap forward in quality from last year or did all opposition within the county just regress?

I’d say a few senior clubs will be thinking they’ve a chance at silverware next year after this year’s championship. It’s the beauty of knockout football.
 

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Dromintee and Silverbridge gave them their fill though
Dromintee played 14 men for most of the game and were beat by what, 10 in injury time? Silverbridge did run them close but don’t know if they’ll get a chance like that again.
 

M18

Active Member
Yes, to a Cross team that hadn't got going though. If either team met cross at a level they played against Maghery - would've been an annihilation.
Agree with that but as long as there is chance cross turn up like first 2 games then don’t think can say no one comes close.

But think cross on the up and rest of senior Armagh football with exception of CNG, CE on the way down or not improving enough
 
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