This Seasons' Champion? (Football)

All right since I've not contributed as much as I've liked to this season I'll try and spark a bit of debate here and hopefully people will contribute and we'll all be happy throttling each other. Out of the counties left who will be crowned this years all-ireland champion and undisputed football deities of the universe, will it be one of the provincial winners or will one of the teams in the qualifiers (Meath!) comeback with a challenge? Will it be Cari's favourite Bernie lifting Sam, do we dare hype up Mayo of the west or will those jammy bar stewards...er..I mean Kerry be too good for the opposition.

Despite more limited knowledge on it I might try and start one for the Hurling folks on here if this takes off.

The only team who ,in my biased opinon, can beat Cork is ourselves but we did it last year so don't rule it out.

I don't know how the draw is going to work out from here on in but Cork and Donegal are looking good for the final. Thought Donegal looked super yesterday. Dublin not quite up to form yet. Kerry don't think so.

Thomond wrote:The only team who ,in my biased opinon, can beat Cork is ourselves but we did it last year so don't rule it out.

Based on what???.......one All Ireland in the last 20 years?

Cork are not Kerry at their peak, so take it easy!!!!

Dublin, Kerry Donegal & Kildare(on a good day) are all capable of beating Cork................maybe even Mayo!

John Cregan wrote:

Thomond wrote:The only team who ,in my biased opinon, can beat Cork is ourselves but we did it last year so don't rule it out.

Based on what???.......one All Ireland in the last 20 years?

Cork are not Kerry at their peak, so take it easy!!!!

Dublin, Kerry Donegal & Kildare(on a good day) are all capable of beating Cork................maybe even Mayo!

Jeeze, John, you really know how to hurt.

Come to think of it, Dublin's record is no better, so who are you pointing the finger at. Until 2011 what was it, 1 in 28 years.

BM,

Im trying to make the point that it's wide open................trying to get the Cork Superiority complex calmed down!!

Would've went for my own county but will go with my head rather than my heart- still wide open atm as John says but voted for Kerry. Can't see the Dubs retain the title after letting us back into it yesterday, Kerry may have been beaten by Cork in Munster but still have the experience at this level and have the necessary physical presence. Donaghy, Gooch and O'Sullivain were also superb against tyrone. Probably them and Cork/Donegal in the final.

Think Meath will beat Laois next but not confident about afterwards- mind you not much was expected after the league and we got to the Leinster final so you never know....

John Cregan wrote:BM,

Im trying to make the point that it's wide open................trying to get the Cork Superiority complex calmed down!!

I think it's Cork's to lose. Much better team than 2010 or last year IMHO.

Blue do you have two accounts?



John, I have enough confidence in my team to beat anyone, will they? Who knows? Are we good enough to beat every team? I think we are, we have a very good team and an outstanding bench. Not many counties would have a guy like Daniel Goulding on the bench. Am I a bit arrogant, probably.


Cork are a very good side, I think we have the potential to beat anyone.

why do you ask?

Well I do live in Cork, so I have a soft spot for Cork football and a vengeful spot for Cork hurling.

There is Bluemoda and Bluemoda1 so I just thought that was a bit strange.

Yes, I finally broadband working properly at home. Prior to that I was at work. So rather than change my name, just added 1.

Remember the hype over Donegal last year?

I think it's between Cork, Kerry and the Dubs. Depending on the draw we might not even have to play either of them, could be plain sailing to claim a 2 in a row.

Micko, you might end beating yourselfs like us last year. It's pretty hard to retain Sam. I think the Dubs have the talent but they rely one or two lads too much. I wonder do they have the panel too.

donegal will be hard to beat

Mickado wrote:Remember the hype over Donegal last year?

I think it's between Cork, Kerry and the Dubs. Depending on the draw we might not even have to play either of them, could be plain sailing to claim a 2 in a row.

But Donegal are a different kettle of fish this year. Don't see the Dubs retaining Sam.

Dubs Donegal Cork & Kerry all capable of winning AI..............

Dubs, with the help of some kind refereeing decisions, and a bit of help from Kerry fell over the line this year..............they are better this year but not way ahead of anyone................

Cork fell over the line in 2010, and beaten convincingly by Mayo (not themselves Thomond!!) last year still have a lot to prove before they can be considered a great team

Kerry, on top form, can beat anyone.................

Donegal are unrecognisable from the shambles they were in the AI Semi last year......................i'd tip them...............

John Cregan wrote:Dubs Donegal Cork & Kerry all capable of winning AI..............

Dubs, with the help of some kind refereeing decisions, and a bit of help from Kerry fell over the line this year..............they are better this year but not way ahead of anyone................

Cork fell over the line in 2010, and beaten convincingly by Mayo (not themselves Thomond!!) last year still have a lot to prove before they can be considered a great team

Kerry, on top form, can beat anyone.................

Donegal are unrecognisable from the shambles they were in the AI Semi last year......................i'd tip them...............

We played with shoite tactics, no intensity or fire against Mayo. In fairness Mayo had thier tactics spot on. A combination of both. Cork have the team and squad to beat anyone. Donegal I think are other strong favourites.

Thomond,

That's beginning to sound like Akaredtop's refusal to accept Kerry's 3 defeats to Tyrone being down to Tyrone outfootballing them................

That word "tactics"................how the upstarts beat the superpowers!! It's never through skill, it's down to "tactics" and the fact that Cork didn't really try as hard as Mayo....................

They out played us, yes but some of that was down to us having the wrong tactics, we have talented footballers too often we try to negate the opposition rather than focus on our own game. Mayo played well that day no doubt about it but are they better than us? No, combination of a shoite day from us and Mayo playing incredibly well.

That's the beauty of the Championship though.................

Are you going to Thurles? Im heading there......looking forward to 2 great games. Hoping we can give a better performance than against Clare even if it's not enough.....................

Don't think I will make it but it will be 2 good games. Limerick v KK could be a corker but you would expect KK to shade it. Cork v De Blahs, really is 50/50 I like what we've done so far this year. Played shoite but are motoring along nicely. A QF isn't a bad year but a semi would be a great year. If we end up playing Galway I wouldn't back us but you wonder is Galway's performance a one off?

I'm not big on the gaelic scene but I watch the All Ireland every year and I feel this year Donegal have what it takes. I remember going to see them play Cork in 2009 and they were killed physically, but they looked to have improved physically and mentally becoming a tough team to beat with a dogged defence, Cork wont be easy and beyond that, I predict Dublin will make it to the final, Dublin won't be any easier but I think this is Donegal's year

I sincerely hope you're wrong and we show Donegal how to play football (we do yes handpassing more than kicking but still). Cork have the man to take McHugh out of the game in Paddy Kelly. We can do this, a great bench a decent starting team just need a few things to go right and Aidan Walsh to perform like he is capable of, and has been so far this year.

The Dubs could do it...but not if they carry on the way they've been playing so far. They've just been lucky I think so far. Also, there's a strong possibility that they'll be without Alan Brogan when they meet Mayo. He's really struggling to get fit for the match.

The Dubs have benefited from having probably the easiest road to retaining it ever, should play only one really good team in the whole tournament, luck of the draw I suppose. They are a threat and could be fresher than the winners of Sunday (you would think the Dubs won't have to exert themselves as much) which could really go either way,.

Can't call Cork V Donegal..............2 different teams but 2 super teams...................it wall be a classic i think.................

I think it will be a horrible game..

great victory for donegal and great match might shut up the negative (anti ulster) pundits now.

RebelBhoy wrote:I think it will be a horrible game..

It wasn't...............it was a great game

Well, fair play Donegal. I didn't think that would be the result to be honest. Seems like they've really turned themselves around. Look forward to seeing the highlights in the week.

Cork have to be the biggest Chokers ever. They have the players but yet keep losing. Either that or the manager is not up to it.

Jesus christ get rid of Counihan now. The most tactically inept manager to ever win an All-ireland. That was the most shocking display I have ever seen. Utterly pathetic, they had absolute no gameplan. He has had the best squad in the country for 3 years and has only got them to one All-Ireland final. That is absolute shoite. Players made some stypid decisions, hit some pathetic wides and how Counihan got to the top without knowing how to unlock a blanket defence is beyond me. Thanks for the AI, now feic off please.

Lot of players underperfromed but Donegal deserve massive credit, they play counterattacking football even if I hate the 12 man in defence puke style they employ. They have soem very good footballers in fairness I don't even think they have to play the style they do but it works, they can and probably will win it all in my opinion.

Credit to the Donegal fans as well, there was a shedload of them up there and I think it played apart. As usual there was none of us up there, which is a shame and I was disappointed not to hear a Cork voice around me. The Cork football fans simply aren't there.

There may be worse news to come regarding some of the younger members of the Cork team. Watch this space....

Commiserations Thom. I hope this bad news about Cork's younger players isn't too bad....are they leaving the country?

It's bad news for the footballers, good for the hurlers........

So Eoin C's not going anywhere?

His face will be hidden by a helmet for all next season anyway, no clean shots of him for you. He would be a loss but there's adequate backups there.


Ciaran Sheehan may also be playinng for the hurlers this year a bigger blow but replaceable I think. The biggest and most crucial loss will be Aidan Walsh he will line out for the hurlers if what is going around is true and it seems likely.

Hmmm, so Cork are basically focusing on the hurling it seems? Not sure if that's a good idea putting all their eggs in one basket like that. I always thought Cork had a decent football team, but it'll suffer now, surely?

It would alright if Cads and Sheehan opted, while the 2 lads started yesterday, there are solid replacements in Jamie O'Sullivan and Mark Collins there for them. If Walsh goes I would be inclined to say the footballers are up shoite creek. Don't see any of them trying to play both. Massive commitment and it's unfair on them really.

akaredtop wrote:Cork have to be the biggest Chokers ever. They have the players but yet keep losing. Either that or the manager is not up to it.

Just beaten by a better team.............

Donegal were better yesterday no denying that, think we let ourselves down though.

I suppose there is always regrets when you lose a semi.......i just think Donegal are a bit of an unstoppable force this year............scoring threats from everywhere, brilliant defence and amazing stamina.

Donegal uncomparable from the shambles they were aggainst Dublin last year..........it's as if McGuinness used last year to perfect defence only and got to work on defence to attack this year.

A bit hard to evaluate, this Cork Team.....they have their All Ireland which no one can take away but they have never been hugely convincing in the tight games.........................

They were convincing once against Dublin in that semi but at 4 points down with 15 to go you knew they would win. They need a new manager and have since last year IMO

why cant cork and kerry lose without an excuse either they are chokers or too many miles in the legs why cant they just accept they are a good team just beaten by a greater team.

Patrick
I for one would not make any excuse about Kerry this year. Guys are either too old or are not good enough to take over or have to be given a bit more time. I have no problem with Kerry getting beaten over the next few years as long as they are making progress long-term.

but it seems that the negativity only starts after defeat before either played donegal everything was fine both potential champions in 2012 cork were described as the best in the country no one gave donegal a chance now it is if they were never gonna win it not good enough etc complete dis respect to donegal imo who are a great team.

Looks like Bradley is setting his sights on the Derry job. He has resigned his post with Antrim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/19389676

patrick91 wrote:why cant cork and kerry lose without an excuse either they are chokers or too many miles in the legs why cant they just accept they are a good team just beaten by a greater team.

What excuse? I said Cork weren't as good as they can be and that they played with shoite tactics. There's no denying that. Donegal were wrongly underrated by many RTE pundits in my view. Newstalk guys had it bang on and said Donegal would win. I feared them the most out of any team. Donegal were clearly the superior outfit and were fully deserving of the win, no one has said otherwise. You can say your team underperformed or were victims of shoite tactics and the other side can still be worthy winners.

You need rugby still tactics to beat the blanket defence in my view. You run and draw the man and give, Cork didn't do that and it is one of the reasons why they lost, Donegal's midfield dominance and prowess on the counter attack which Cork had no answer for is some other reasons why they won. I will repat, your team can under perform and get the tactics wrong but still lose to a better side as happened yesterday and v Mayo

Also stop turning everything into an Ulster v everyone else argument, getting tiring.

excuses not as good as thay can be so if on their game they would have won thats just disrespectful cork were ready they couldnt deal with donegal they lost.

cork are over rated they will never be a kerry or a tyrone.

and the last line sounds like sour grapes for once this not anything to do with anti ulster its simply how big teams cant lose without an excuse.

cork are over rated they will never be a kerry or a tyrone.

Patrick
Context is King!

Cork were and still maybe a good team, they were not a great team. That is difficult to admit from a supporter of a county that got more than one hammering from them. Donegal on the day were better than Cork but again failed to put away a team they were superior to and perhaps that is there weakness when it comes to the top table teams.

I assume your comparison of Cork to Kerry and Tyrone only goes as far as this present team success. I am sure the vast hordes of Cork followers could pick a successful Cork team from the past to rank with the Tyrone team of the past. From a Down supporter take some advice let the past go.