Ulster Senior Football Championship 2021

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
Thought’s on championship team?

Serious competition for places now especially with likes of Murnin and Donaghy back.

Hughes, Forker, Grimley, Soupy, Jemar and the O’Neills probably all nailed on starters if fit.

1. Hughes
2. Morgan
3. Forker
4. Finn
5. McKay
6. Donaghy
7. O’Hanlon
8. Grimley
9. O’Neill
10. McQuillan
11. Soupy
12. Jemar
13. Grugan
14. Rian
15. Murnin

Murnin and Donaghy for me have to play if fit. 2 of our best players imo. Kelly good attacking option off the bench as well as Jarly Og. Paddy Burns will hopefully be back as well.
 

Naka

Active Member
Thought’s on championship team?

Serious competition for places now especially with likes of Murnin and Donaghy back.

Hughes, Forker, Grimley, Soupy, Jemar and the O’Neills probably all nailed on starters if fit.

1. Hughes
2. Morgan
3. Forker
4. Finn
5. McKay
6. Donaghy
7. O’Hanlon
8. Grimley
9. O’Neill
10. McQuillan
11. Soupy
12. Jemar
13. Grugan
14. Rian
15. Murnin

Murnin and Donaghy for me have to play if fit. 2 of our best players imo. Kelly good attacking option off the bench as well as Jarly Og. Paddy Burns will hopefully be back as well.

I actually thought both Greg Mc cabe and young Mackin were excellent this year to date, so deserve to start
For me I would actually start the team that played Roscommon, save that a toss up for Finn / Morgan/ Kennedy for the last spot
switches will make the difference
 

Armaghball

Well-Known Member
I actually thought both Greg Mc cabe and young Mackin were excellent this year to date, so deserve to start
For me I would actually start the team that played Roscommon, save that a toss up for Finn / Morgan/ Kennedy for the last spot
switches will make the difference
Kennedy totally slipped my mind.:eek:
serious competition for places all over the field which is what we want, definitely 7 or 8 places up for grabs.
 

Armagh_paul

Well-Known Member
I think the worse case scenario for playing Antrim is if they are able to keep up with us until 60 minutes.

I would expect the O'Neills, Grugan, Campbell, Hall Hughes/Duffy or whoever takes the 6th place to wear out the Antrim defence and then they will be tasked with having to defend against Murnin, Turbitt and McQuillan - these 3 would cause havoc to a tired defence. I wouldn't start Murnin as he didn't look match fit - but still played well against Roscommon and needs more game time.

Our defence needs to have a balance of experience and youth, with this in mind I wouldn't play Morgan, Donaghy and Forker at the same time. Kennedy and Finn are still relatively new, in fact most of our defence is still inexperienced on the whole. I would start with Morgan and Forker in defence and give Donaghy a 20 minute run out, like Murnin he is needed in tougher tests should we get past Antrim. He has the experience and will get a bit of match experience meaning we have multiple combinations to play with.
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
I think the worse case scenario for playing Antrim is if they are able to keep up with us until 60 minutes.
I'm starting to think you're in my WhatsApp group AP. We had that exact conversation yesterday with that exact number (or maybe you're a hacker me thinks).

I think we need to blitz them for at least the first 15-20 minutes and hold them at arms length until half time (if it's typical championship weather). Keep the scoreboard ticking at the start of 2nd half and with fresh legs introduced, go again and finish strong again the way we did against Roscommon without risking injury. That's a marker of intent set down.
 

Armagh_paul

Well-Known Member
I'm starting to think you're in my WhatsApp group AP. We had that exact conversation yesterday with that exact number (or maybe you're a hacker me thinks).

I think we need to blitz them for at least the first 15-20 minutes and hold them at arms length until half time (if it's typical championship weather). Keep the scoreboard ticking at the start of 2nd half and with fresh legs introduced, go again and finish strong again the way we did against Roscommon without risking injury. That's a marker of intent set down.

Ha! Sure you are not hacking me? Sounds like something a hacker would say o_O

To be honest, I think they will struggle trying to get through our defence if we go for the blanket option (I honestly did think I would be saying that about our defence anytime soon!). Roscommon struggled big time and no disrespect to Antrim, they just do not have the same quality players.
 

Influx

Well-Known Member
Guys, I believe that Brendan Donaghy is a superb player and an excellent server of his county over the years, but and I stress that I hope I am incorrect, did his late run out against Roscommon not look like his swansong?
 

Big Jim

Well-Known Member
Guys, I believe that Brendan Donaghy is a superb player and an excellent server of his county over the years, but and I stress that I hope I am incorrect, did his late run out against Roscommon not look like his swansong?
EH me thinks it's time you were banned from this forum. Can't have sensible (possibly true) statements being made. We'll be inundated with an influx of these now!!
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Guys, I believe that Brendan Donaghy is a superb player and an excellent server of his county over the years, but and I stress that I hope I am incorrect, did his late run out against Roscommon not look like his swansong?

It’s a bit early for swansongs isn’t it? Sure we’ve at least five more matches to go this season (I bet you’re counting those five).
 

Influx

Well-Known Member
It’s a bit early for swansongs isn’t it? Sure we’ve at least five more matches to go this season (I bet you’re counting those five).
In the knockout format, as long as we avoid the preliminary round, with my orange-tinted glasses, I always assume that we will have five games!
 

Armagh_paul

Well-Known Member
I did not realise Donaghy is 35! He might have the experience and the skill but I would have concerns about putting him in against forwards in their 20's to early 30's. Although peak stamina occurs between 25-35 he isn't an elite athlete and he is at the later stage of his development. I would hate for his career to come to a close with a last minute decisive point/penalty if a player gets the better of him.

Although you have to show the guy respect for all the years he has played for Armagh you have to be ruthless in your decision making if you want to win games. There are too many decisions to make when it comes to the closing out of a game (at the age of 35 it is the only time I would expect Donaghy to be used). This is where management need to be able to read the game and make the decision based on do we need to close out/win the game.
 
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martin

Member
Can't recall exactly, but did Brendan Donaghy not play pretty well last year? At the very least I don't recall thinking he was off the pace. He's always been one of our best players.

My (uninformed) guess is he was injured or carrying a niggling injury and was rested and he will start in the Championship.
 

niall1980

Well-Known Member
Can't recall exactly, but did Brendan Donaghy not play pretty well last year? At the very least I don't recall thinking he was off the pace. He's always been one of our best players.

My (uninformed) guess is he was injured or carrying a niggling injury and was rested and he will start in the Championship.
Did he play last year? Maybe you’re thinking 2019?
 

JoeH

Well-Known Member
Any sign of crowds being increased from the 500?

Been very quiet after their test event at the Irish cup final
Stormont crapped itself and left everyone in limbo
No change to the 500 until 5th July at the earliest
 

PatMustard

Well-Known Member
Stormont crapped itself and left everyone in limbo
No change to the 500 until 5th July at the earliest

I always thought each ground should be assessed for numbers. I mean, the Athletic Grounds could easily hold 500 fans well spaced out. But Clady’s back pitch might only hold 15 safely.

(Sorry Clady, not picking on you and your back pitch. ‘Twas the first Junior club came into me head).
 
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