The All-Ireland Thread 2004

[bazalini]

Westmeath will win Leinster this year mark my word. We have a great record against laois down through the years and the lads are playing excellent stuff with a bit of confidence, which is what was needed.

If I was a betting man, which I am, back a draw in the first game and Westmeath to win in the replay.

 

[Keane16]

Westmeath will win Leinster this year mark my word. We have a great record against laois down through the years and the lads are playing excellent stuff with a bit of confidence, which is what was needed.

If I was a betting man, which I am, back a draw in the first game and Westmeath to win in the replay.

Laois have the best set of forwards outside of The Kingdom in my opinion, but if Paudie has learned his lessons with Kerry, he'll know that steel can win. Expect Westmeath to be steely.

Fascinating match, two underachieving counties, Micko v. Paidi, the Leinster Championship at stake.........I'm going for Laois not to be as wasteful in front of goal as they were against Meath, but they have to be up for it physically and mentally because Westmeath will have to be held back with a leash in the first 15 minutes.

 

[Keane16]

Here is what the bookies say:
Kerry 9 - 4
Armagh 9 - 2
Laois 13 - 2
Donegal 7 - 1
Galway 8 - 1
Tyrone 8 - 1
Mayo 10 - 1
Cork 16 - 1
Dublin 20 - 1
Limerick 20 - 1
Westmeath 25 - 1
Roscommon 28 - 1

and for the Provincial Finals

Laois 2 - 5
Westmeath 7 - 4

Kerry 1 - 6
Limerick 7 - 2

Mayo 1 - 2
Roscommon 6 - 4

Armagh 4 - 7
Donegal 5 - 4

 

[Keane16]

Tyrone put one over on Down last night. The second half was classic Tyrone - a six-man full back line, a five or six man half-back line, whats a midfield? and break forward or long ball it to the front men. And they were mighty accurate in the second half with their licking. The way they surrounded the man on the ball in Down attack was impressive.

Dublin continued with their 'steady progress' by beating a crap team in Carrick-on-Shannon. Things are looking up for the Azzuri, this week the team they beat was even Irish, albeit a small county in Connaught, but you gotta start somewhere.

Meath lost and are out. Did anyone cry - no.

I'm going for Wexford in the hurling and then Tyrone to face Dublin when the draw is made later on for the next round of the qualifiers.

 

[bazalini]

Looks like Dublin are going to have an easy run. Longford was an easy draw for them

Of the remaining 8/9 teams left in the qualifiers this is the draw.

Galway V Tyrone
Fermagh V Cork
Offaly/Wexford V Derry
Dublin V Louth.

The biffs could still be in it Bastards.

The four winners of these matches will play the losers of the provincial finals, which could include my own Westmeath. Then again I fancy Westmeath to beat laois, like the good old days where we draw the first match and beat them in the replay.

Keano - Kerry match on this weekend. Limerick should prove hard oppenents. However Kerry should win by 4-5 points. My problem with kerry is that they will reach the Quarter finals and not have a real hard game.

 

[Stick]

Tyrone put one over on Down last night. The second half was classic Tyrone - a six-man full back line, a five or six man half-back line, whats a midfield? and break forward or long ball it to the front men. And they were mighty accurate in the second half with their licking. The way they surrounded the man on the ball in Down attack was impressive.

Terrible spectacle the way tyrone and armagh play ball! Ultradefensive horse shit where they just push and clatter players until they either give them the ball or try a hopeless shot! Theres an art to gaelic football and the nordies just seem to spoil it with heavy handed tactics. I think the answer is either introduce a tackle in gaelic football and have it like aussie rules or have all the teams play 12 half backs!

Dublin continued with their 'steady progress' by beating a crap team in Carrick-on-Shannon. Things are looking up for the Azzuri, this week the team they beat was even Irish, albeit a small county in Connaught, but you gotta start somewhere.

I want someone to put us out of our misery at this stage. Robertson and Dessie made come backs in this one and I heard in the grape vine the reason dessie was dropped was due to his attempts to get Tommy Lyons sacked by turning the dressing room against him and trying to get the current Na Fianna boss put in place! Controversial but looked a reasonable guess after the westmeath debacle!!

Meath lost and are out. Did anyone cry - no.

I still fancy them to make a comeback
Never write meath off

I'm going for Wexford in the hurling and then Tyrone to face Dublin when the draw is made later on for the next round of the qualifiers.

Has to be waterford!!! And dubs got longford!! I think this could be another easy win only to get beaten by a half decent team when the provincial finals are over!!

 

[Keane16]

Keano - Kerry match on this weekend. Limerick should prove hard oppenents. However Kerry should win by 4-5 points. My problem with kerry is that they will reach the Quarter finals and not have a real hard game.

Its a valid concern Baz - there is a lot to be said for playing a competitve game every week as opposed to every month. If you look at us this year, the only game of any significance that was lost was in the league against Tyrone - the only real test we've had in fairness. Limerick is a harder game than people realise though, Liam Kearns knows how we operate.

The thing on our minds is the mentality of the Nordies, we've got to get that in the team, and combine it with the ability of our forwards to outscore anyone.

Having said that, and Munster Final or not, I would be disppointed by a 4-5 point win though. Given our forwards ability a scoreline like would mean that Limerick put up a bit of a score - and thats what we want to cut out.

 

[Keane16]

Terrible spectacle the way tyrone and armagh play ball! Ultradefensive horse shit where they just push and clatter players until they either give them the ball or try a hopeless shot! Theres an art to gaelic football and the nordies just seem to spoil it with heavy handed tactics. I think the answer is either introduce a tackle in gaelic football and have it like aussie rules or have all the teams play 12 half backs!

Its an awkward argument - they are doing nothing wrong really. A bit like Greece in the Euro, its up to the better sides to prove they are better than that kind of shite. The best team in the country is the one that can defend like Tyrone and score like Laois/Kerry/Galway. The one that will win the All-Ireland is the one that manages the best compromise.

And dubs got longford!! I think this could be another easy win only to get beaten by a half decent team when the provincial finals are over!!

If Dublin draw the losers of the Ulster Final, I'm going to the game with a few cans. It'll be a slaughter.

 

[bazalini]

Its abit of a joke that we have Limerick and Kerry going to play their second Match in the campign this Sunday.

Yet the likes of Westmeath have already played three and if we lose in our nextmatch we are in the same round as Kerry/Limerick. Its a fecking joke that you can play 2 matches and win a provincial crown. I would love it Westmeath was in Munster or Connaught. By christ we would have had a few All-Ireland final appearances.

 

[Dick Chambers]

Anyone going to the Dubs match on Saturday??

 

[Keane16]

Its abit of a joke that we have Limerick and Kerry going to play their second Match in the campign this Sunday.

Yet the likes of Westmeath have already played three and if we lose in our nextmatch we are in the same round as Kerry/Limerick. Its a fecking joke that you can play 2 matches and win a provincial crown. I would love it Westmeath was in Munster or Connaught. By christ we would have had a few All-Ireland final appearances.

What can you do as long as there are provincial championships? Some provinces have more counties than others, which is nobody's fault - not even the GAA.

Its a tad lopsided for counties like Westmeath I agree, but it can work both ways. Kerry for example last year, and most years, get to the All-Ireland semi without a test. Most years we've won the thing we've only played 4 games!

 

[Keane16]

Anyone going to the Dubs match on Saturday??

Les blues have decent travelling support alright. As a kid I remember them coming down to Austin Stacks Park for a league game, getting walloped by The Kingdom, but still packing out the pubs for the night singing and drinking.

Apparantly there is an 'element' within the support though.....I've never seen that side of to be honest.

 

[Keane16]

This weekend then:

Saturday:

Tipperary v. Cork - hurling

Wexford v. Offaly
Dublin v. Longford

Sunday:

Armagh v. Donegal
Limerick v. Kerry

Galway v. Kilkenny - hurling


I'll go with Tipp, Wexford, Dublin(just), Donegal, Kerry and Kilkenny

 

[Keane16]

I'll go with Tipp, Wexford, Dublin(just), Donegal, Kerry and Kilkenny

just as well I don't gamble.

Cork, Kilkenny and Armagh were impressive, hard to judge Dublin, Wexford won't have scared anyone, and the Munster Final was a joke.

Kerry are bloody lucky to get a draw. They weren't at the races in the first half. Limerick were striding through the midfield, wing backs coming up and knocking over points and even a goal, while Kerry were content to go around looking at them and throwing the occasional punch. Thats not on from Kerry or anyone one else. Aidan O'Mahoney and Paul Galvin need to be taken aside and given a bit of a bollocking for that. Thank God for Gooch and Mike Frank.

Its ironic that while Kerry were fooling around and trying to play the rules in the first half, Limerick surged ahead, yet in the second half, while Limerick were falling all over the show. getting injured repeatedly and playing to the ref, Kerry got back into it. Is there a lesson there?

The referee was an embarassment to himself and to other referees. Garda escort off the pitch says it all. Muppet. The amount of things he missed, and made the wrong call on was staggering.

Kerry got out of jail, maybe its what they needed, who knows. Limerick may have shot their bolt at this stage,

 

[bazalini]

Kerry can count themselves lucky that Limerick did not get their noses in front by much more on Sunday. They might have just taken Kerry.

Just the game needed for Kerry. The Cork game was a stroll and will not have done them any favours. Now Kerry can plainly see they are light years away from the standard needed.

BTW sad to see Galway Hurlers go out the way they did. They were unfortunate to get Down in the previous round and would have stood a better chance if they had a harder draw.



This weekend the only match that matter is IARMHI.


Come on the Maroon.

Keano16 - Do you log onto this site - I find it good to get the Gaa blood going.

 

[Keane16]

Now Kerry can plainly see they are light years away from the standard needed.

lets not get carried away baz - they got a fright though right enough, another day like that and its all over.

This weekend the only match that matter is IARMHI.

I'm looking forward to this one I have to say. For once I'm completely neutral. A lot of interest in The Kingdom in this one too, mainly because they have both promised to play an open game. Could this be the game to set the Championship alight?, its been low key enough so far. Laois have the players, Mullingar have the feelgood factor, could be a draw.

Keano16 - Do you log onto this site - I find it good to get the Gaa blood going.

Ta, I'll check it out.

 

[bazalini]

If I was a betting man, which I am, back a draw in the first game and Westmeath to win in the replay.

I hope you got on Keano16.

A draw was probably the right result.

Jaysus I could not take the last 10 mins. My heart was going a dinger.

 

[Dick Chambers]

Les blues have decent travelling support alright. As a kid I remember them coming down to Austin Stacks Park for a league game, getting walloped by The Kingdom, but still packing out the pubs for the night singing and drinking.

Apparantly there is an 'element' within the support though.....I've never seen that side of to be honest.

Me neither, never seen an ounce of trouble. Then again, this pub that we go to after the Croker games on Temple St is well dodge, don't think they'd ever start something but god help anyone who gave them lip, I'd say they'd kick off big time.

 

[Keane16]

I hope you got on Keano16.

A draw was probably the right result.

Jaysus I could not take the last 10 mins. My heart was going a dinger.

nothing for half a century then 2 in a week, can't beat that.

I don't gamble myself to be honest, but you are right about the last ten minutes. I'm headin' out to the reply myself for a few pints and the match, so hopefully we'll get another game and maybe a few goals. Great stuff all round.

Almost unnoticed was our 5,632rd Munster Title. Dara back in form, about time too.

 

[Keane16]

Me neither, never seen an ounce of trouble. Then again, this pub that we go to after the Croker games on Temple St is well dodge, don't think they'd ever start something but god help anyone who gave them lip, I'd say they'd kick off big time.

What pub is that?

The pubs around Croker are great craic on a big match day, Quinns, the Big Tree, for the women, Ballybough and Fairview for football talk, or Barry's Hotel if you are a Kerryman. Also, some pub off O'Connell Street that I can't remember - great for the last minute ticket, or pint rentals.

 

[Dick Chambers]

What pub is that?

The pubs around Croker are great craic on a big match day, Quinns, the Big Tree, for the women, Ballybough and Fairview for football talk, or Barry's Hotel if you are a Kerryman. Also, some pub off O'Connell Street that I can't remember - great for the last minute ticket, or pint rentals.

Can't remember the name of the kip. Quality craic after the matches if you're a dub. It's across the road from the Temple Theatre.

 

[Keane16]

Well Baz?

Paidi will be given the Freedom of Westmeath will he?

 

[Keane16]

Now the Quarters are drawn:

Westmeath v. Derry
Mayo v. Tyrone
Fermanagh v. Armagh
Kerry v. Dublin

Tyrone were scary on Sunday - they'll piss all over Mayo. Westmeath have got kind of lucky in the draw with Derry, won't be a walk in park though, they are Nordies after all. Fermanagh, for me, are in with a great shout against Armagh. Nobody gives them a donkey's bollox, but that'll suit them fine, very close I reckon. Piss poor though. Kerry v. Dublin is the glamour clash and most reckon Kerry will come through it, including me. But Dublin have the wind in their sails at the moment, although they just about saw off Roscommon on Sunday. Not easy for the Kingdom, but Gooch and MFR, nor Crowley or Cinneide will not miss the wide open chances that Roscommon had on Sunday.

 

[bazalini]

Alright Keano.

Unbelievable stuff. I wasn't able to make the game as my wife had another child over that weekend.

I always said we would beat them and we did. Over the weekend I hoped we would pull Derry and we did. The plum draw for us and I suppose Derry could say the same.

We should have the belief and players to beat them Saturday week.

I don't fancy Kerry's chances against the Dubs. I still think Kerry are in second gear and will need to lift their game seriously.

I had a punt at 80's that Iarmhii would win Leinster and I won. I now have being given 5-1 that Westmeath will reach the AI Final which I have taken. Stuck £100 on it. If we are to reach the final we will have to go through yourselves (That is if we beat Derry) I think the writing has being on the wall That Paidi will come back to haunt Kerry and its looking ever likely that will happen.

BTW I don't have much time at present. If I do get online I usually end up using that Gaa site. Did you register yourself on it. I think it needs a few Kingdom heads.

 

[Keane16]

feck sake, nothing for a week and then two posts in a minute.

Well done on the kid and the Leinster title - try and bring a few more women to the matches thats all I'll say. Tyrone are fantastic in that respect.

I tired to register on that site, but they told me I already had an account - which i don't, but I'll try again now.

I hear you on the Dublin/Kerry game, but I still think we have to much firepower. It has to be done right though, Dublin are on a roll now and given our recent record in Croker, they will be considerably more than quietly confident.

 

[Nialler]

Allright lads, I havent been around for a while they "blocked" access to this site from work but it seems to be ok now, hope yis havent "missed" me too much

I really cant see the Dubs getting past Kerry in the quarters, our defence was woeful against the Rossies and as Keane16 said earlier, the Hooch and MFR wouldnt miss those goal chances that the rossies squandered against us.

Baz, that was a great win for Westmeath. I watched it on the box at home and jumped at the final whistle, was truly delighted for them. Yis got a fairly good draw for the quarters too, I'd defo go for Westmeath (if they keep their heads) to beat Derry.

Roll on Croker on Saturday week.

 

[Keane16]

Jaysus, look what the cat dragged in.

 

[Keane16]

Incidentally, tickets will be very scarce for that day and if you come across a spare few, give me a shout.

 

[bazalini]

Will do Keano. Just put my order into the club for 2.


BTW any thoughts on Colm 'Rourke going up for the Meath job.

Don't know what is going on there. I thought himself and Boylan were very close. I would hate to be any person going up against Boylan, but I suppose he should call it a day this year and let someone new in. He has being a credit to Meath football. I know if Westmeath were looking a new manager, I would knock on Boylan's door.

I was grown up on the Meath border (Kinnegad), and I know we have our rivalries with the Royals but Boylan has being a gentleman to the Westmeath team after recent Meath victories over us.

 

[Keane16]

Will do Keano. Just put my order into the club for 2.

It's a bit shit that two such big games are on the same day. Westmeath are travelling in numbers, so are the Nordies, the Dubs are at home - against the old enemy, who will also bring large numbers (for a change). Its a big stadium, but not that big. They are costing themselves money at the end of the day. I'll have to get them brought up (unlikely, greedy bastards) or chance it on the website.

BTW any thoughts on Colm 'Rourke going up for the Meath job.

Don't know what is going on there. I thought himself and Boylan were very close. I would hate to be any person going up against Boylan, but I suppose he should call it a day this year and let someone new in. He has being a credit to Meath football. I know if Westmeath were looking a new manager, I would knock on Boylan's door.

I was grown up on the Meath border (Kinnegad), and I know we have our rivalries with the Royals but Boylan has being a gentleman to the Westmeath team after recent Meath victories over us.

I don't have a particular problem with Boylan. People say the Meath sides of the late 80's and early 90's were bruisers, but they are either Dubs or Leesiders. Its definately time for a change though, I have no doubt about that. Boylans last great day was that abomination against Kerry in 2001 and Meath have been pale since. Thats 3 years of underachievement, only his record has kept him in the job to be honest. O'Rourke is as good a candidate as any I suppose, why not? Sean Boylan can always go back to being the physio, can't he?

 

[bazalini]

Jaysus when you look back at Kerry that day in 2001. Same could be said for Cork last year. Just didn't perform on the day. I know from where I was standing on that day I was cursing Meath's look as Westmeath should have won that 1/4 final that day against Meath. In fact every game against Meath that year we should have won.

If uou are in Dublin keano tickets might go on sale outside Croker. I expect All 4 teams to bring a massive crowd. And your right Dublin V Kerry would attract a full house on its own. I'd say Westmeath Derry would attract 45,0000.

 

[Nialler]

I'm under no illusions whatsoever, Kerry will beat Dublin, probably.
I just cant see us doing it and can only hope for a one off win but really doubt that will happen. We used to have a sound defence with poor forwards and now we seem to have sound forwards with poor defenders (apart from Christie). If Kerry keep Sherlock/Brogan/Robertson quiet they'll win easily. Still I'll be there with fingers crossed praying for a miracle. Beating Kerry in the championship would mean a lot to the Dubs cos our record against them over the last 20 years is quite bad.
I really fancy Westmeath to make the semis and would love it if the Dubs got through to play them but Carlsberg dont do GAA Football matches unfortunately.

 

[Keane16]

If uou are in Dublin keano tickets might go on sale outside Croker. I expect All 4 teams to bring a massive crowd. And your right Dublin V Kerry would attract a full house on its own. I'd say Westmeath Derry would attract 45,0000.

Normally I spend the whole week in a fruitless search for one single measly solitary ticket, using all forms and sources and friends, tenuous links with strangers, past girlfriends brothers etc.....and end up with about 8 on the day of the match. Hope it happens again.

Some lads on the other board reckon they are not going on general sale, but the girl with the sexy voice at Croke Park says they will be online this weekend.

 

[Keane16]

I'm under no illusions whatsoever, Kerry will beat Dublin, probably.
I just cant see us doing it and can only hope for a one off win but really doubt that will happen. We used to have a sound defence with poor forwards and now we seem to have sound forwards with poor defenders (apart from Christie). If Kerry keep Sherlock/Brogan/Robertson quiet they'll win easily. Still I'll be there with fingers crossed praying for a miracle. Beating Kerry in the championship would mean a lot to the Dubs cos our record against them over the last 20 years is quite bad.
I really fancy Westmeath to make the semis and would love it if the Dubs got through to play them but Carlsberg dont do GAA Football matches unfortunately.

1977, Nialler. The last time Dublin put Kerry out of the Championship.

I was 1.

worst day of my life.

 

[Nialler]

1977, Nialler. The last time Dublin put Kerry out of the Championship.

I was 1.

worst day of my life.

I was 8 that day

next Kerry/Dublin clash I was at was the 84 final and then the 85 final, then Maurice's last second equaliser in '02, nuff said.


A la Keegan, "I'd love it if we beat them, love it"

The banter is already in overdrive with my Kerry friends, they are cocky as fcuk and who can blame them really

 

[Keane16]

then Maurice's last second equaliser in '02, nuff said.

The greatest point you'll ever see, Thurles, 2001. Even now it looks to be going well wide.
Maurice was unlucky with his career. He arrived just as Kerry were entering a period of transition after shocking success, carried the team for the best part of a decade, to no success, and began to tail off himself in a difficult relationship with Paidi. 10 years earlier or later would have had a huge effect on both him and the county.

The banter is already in overdrive with my Kerry friends, they are cocky as fcuk and who can blame them really

Did they have any All-Ireland medals on them? Did they let you see one?

 

[seanoc]

Haven't seen much of Kerry this season, but given the lack of quality in the Dublin backs I think Kerry will do it pretty easily.
I think the bet on WestMeath reaching the final was a good punt, they have a great chance it looks like the real All-Ireland will be fought between Tyrone and Armagh in the semis.

Any of ye lads interested in the hurling? it's a balls the clash between the Charity Shield and the Waterford Kilkenny game....

 

[Nialler]

Did they have any All-Ireland medals on them? Did they let you see one?

Interesting question though, obviously the All-Ireland medal is more of a must have but whats more valuable, a Kerry All-Ireland medal or a Westmeath Leinster medal ? Would a collector pay more for the rarity of the latter ?

 

[Keane16]

Haven't seen much of Kerry this season, but given the lack of quality in the Dublin backs I think Kerry will do it pretty easily.
I think the bet on WestMeath reaching the final was a good punt, they have a great chance it looks like the real All-Ireland will be fought between Tyrone and Armagh in the semis.

Any of ye lads interested in the hurling? it's a balls the clash between the Charity Shield and the Waterford Kilkenny game....

Funnily enough, the Cork backs didn't see too much of Kerry either, boom boom.


On stick matters, I try to take an interest, but it always gets overshadowed by football. I do fancy Waterford to turn over the Cats though. They must be knackered.

 

[Keane16]

Interesting question though, obviously the All-Ireland medal is more of a must have but whats more valuable, a Kerry All-Ireland medal or a Westmeath Leinster medal ? Would a collector pay more for the rarity of the latter ?

From a collector's point of view, the Westmeath Leinster.