Provincial finalists

Last year we had an unusual scenario, whereby the eight provincial finalists never won a game between them after the province stage of the All-Ireland series.

This year's unlucky teams are Cork, Kerry, Derry, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Dublin and Wexford.

One thing that is bound to be subject of controversy is that the losers of both Ulster and Connacht only have a six day turnaround between final and Round four Qualifier. That is surely both of those teams knocked out immediately.

Wexford are also likely to lose their next two games although worth bearing that in 2008, they lost to Dublin in the Leinster final and still qualified for an All-Ireland semi. Still, hard to see them having enough for a team with the momentum of the back-door this time around.

The losers of Munster will have time to regroup for the qualifiers, and given it will be one of Kerry or Cork, they will be the hard draw for the team coming through the back-door.

In the quarter-finals, one would expect that the winners of Derry / Donegal will have achieved their goal for the season and will get knocked out. Same for Mayo / Roscommon.

The Munster champions were caught cold in the semis last year and one suspects the same thing might happen again.

And Dublin, the team who has enjoyed so many Bank Holiday Monday collapses in the last few seasons are bound to lose.

Therefore the only provincial finalist who is going to make an All-Ireland semi is the losers of Kerry and Cork.

They will be joined by Meath, Kildare and Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Can't understand why they can't start the championship a week earlier so that all beaten provincial finalists have a 2 week break after playing their provincial final. Its the same story every year. There were some counties like Sligo that had lost 2 matches and were already out before Galway had even kicked a ball in this years championship.

clash-of-da-ash wrote:Can't understand why they can't start the championship a week earlier so that all beaten provincial finalists have a 2 week break after playing their provincial final. Its the same story every year. There were some counties like Sligo that had lost 2 matches and were already out before Galway had even kicked a ball in this years championship.

That would require common sense and the ulster county would NOT be able to play games at the same time as the Champions League final......

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Last year we had an unusual scenario, whereby the eight provincial finalists never won a game between them after the province stage of the All-Ireland series.

This year's unlucky teams are Cork, Kerry, Derry, Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Dublin and Wexford.

One thing that is bound to be subject of controversy is that the losers of both Ulster and Connacht only have a six day turnaround between final and Round four Qualifier. That is surely both of those teams knocked out immediately.

Wexford are also likely to lose their next two games although worth bearing that in 2008, they lost to Dublin in the Leinster final and still qualified for an All-Ireland semi. Still, hard to see them having enough for a team with the momentum of the back-door this time around.

The losers of Munster will have time to regroup for the qualifiers, and given it will be one of Kerry or Cork, they will be the hard draw for the team coming through the back-door.

In the quarter-finals, one would expect that the winners of Derry / Donegal will have achieved their goal for the season and will get knocked out. Same for Mayo / Roscommon.

The Munster champions were caught cold in the semis last year and one suspects the same thing might happen again.

And Dublin, the team who has enjoyed so many Bank Holiday Monday collapses in the last few seasons are bound to lose.

Therefore the only provincial finalist who is going to make an All-Ireland semi is the losers of Kerry and Cork.

They will be joined by Meath, Kildare and Tyrone in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Is that the same 5 as you predicted last year

you really are good

If we get to an All Ireland semi final I shall eat my hat.

Any thoughts on whether or not the eight provincial finalists can perform better than their respective counterparts did at that stage last year?

Another point worth making - you have to go back to 2007 to find an All-Ireland champion that was not in Round Two of the Qualifiers.

I know a lot of posters rarely take me seriously, some even ignore my posts, but read this with diligence and care:

The All-Ireland champion will come from Meath, Kildare, Tyrone or Down.

I'd say Dublin will get to the Semis at least

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:I'd say Dublin will get to the Semis at least

They won't Royal_Girl. I have them tipped in the Tipster but on more reflection, I think:

1. They will annihilate Wexford in the Leinster Final.
2. FM104, 98FM and the Evening Herald will go into overdrive.
3. On a summery Sunday evening the draw for the Quarter-Finals will be made.
4. Tie of the round - Meath vs Dublin.
5. Game fixed for the August Bank Holiday Monday.
6. It's a very sunny day - hottest on record for 2011.
7. With Dublin two points up and only seconds remaining, Graham Geraghty spots Cluxton a few yards off his line.
8. He hooks a delicate little chip shot into the air.
9. Cluxton scrambles ala Paddy Cullen grazing the ball with his finger tips.
10. Ball nestles in the back of the net.

Meath march on, the Dubs march home.

I have had a "premonition".

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Any thoughts on whether or not the eight provincial finalists can perform better than their respective counterparts did at that stage last year?

Another point worth making - you have to go back to 2007 to find an All-Ireland champion that was not in Round Two of the Qualifiers.

I know a lot of posters rarely take me seriously, some even ignore my posts, but read this with diligence and care:

The All-Ireland champion will come from Meath, Kildare, Tyrone or Down.

I will guarantee you two semi finalists from Munster. Down and Meath will be nowhere near. Kildare went way down in my estimation yesterday. I can't see Tyrone doing a lot either. I am amazed you are not drooling over Londonderry who I think will be not far away from the semis. Donegal are too negative IMO and will not figure unless the draw is kind. I think Roscommon could surprise some this year - Mayo won't - and I think we will be in a semi at least. If we win Leinster we will get Donegal in the Qfs - can just feel it.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:I'd say Dublin will get to the Semis at least

They won't Royal_Girl. I have them tipped in the Tipster but on more reflection, I think:

1. They will annihilate Wexford in the Leinster Final.
2. FM104, 98FM and the Evening Herald will go into overdrive.
3. On a summery Sunday evening the draw for the Quarter-Finals will be made.
4. Tie of the round - Meath vs Dublin.
5. Game fixed for the August Bank Holiday Monday.
6. It's a very sunny day - hottest on record for 2011.
7. With Dublin two points up and only seconds remaining, Graham Geraghty spots Cluxton a few yards off his line.
8. He hooks a delicate little chip shot into the air.
9. Cluxton scrambles ala Paddy Cullen grazing the ball with his finger tips.
10. Ball nestles in the back of the net.

Meath march on, the Dubs march home.

I have had a "premonition".

The stuff dreams are made of Loyal but would it really happen... It really would make my year (or ten years) to see Graham coming on against the dubs and scoring a winning goal in the last seconds of the match but I'm not sure if it'll happen... But my god if it did there'd be a statue erected to him in Navan.

Had Derry lost to Armagh, I'd probably have them in the "final four" - instead of Down. But they signed their own death warrant in that game. I still hope they win in Ulster but that's as good as it gets for them.

After Tyrone in 2008 and Kerry in 2009, I've learned to look left of the field. In those particular years, the idea of those teams winning All-Irelands sounded ludricious.

But the All-Ireland champion is in Round Two of the Qualifiers and not in a provincial final. That is what history says.

And from the list of 16, I make Meath, Kildare, Tyrone and Down favourites in that order.

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Had Derry lost to Armagh, I'd probably have them in the "final four" - instead of Down. But they signed their own death warrant in that game. I still hope they win in Ulster but that's as good as it gets for them.

After Tyrone in 2008 and Kerry in 2009, I've learned to look left of the field. In those particular years, the idea of those teams winning All-Irelands sounded ludricious.

But the All-Ireland champion is in Round Two of the Qualifiers and not in a provincial final. That is what history says.

And from the list of 16, I make Meath, Kildare, Tyrone and Down favourites in that order.

So what you're saying is that I should book my All Ireland final tickets now and get the kleenex and bunting ready?

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Had Derry lost to Armagh, I'd probably have them in the "final four" - instead of Down. But they signed their own death warrant in that game. I still hope they win in Ulster but that's as good as it gets for them.

After Tyrone in 2008 and Kerry in 2009, I've learned to look left of the field. In those particular years, the idea of those teams winning All-Irelands sounded ludricious.

But the All-Ireland champion is in Round Two of the Qualifiers and not in a provincial final. That is what history says.

And from the list of 16, I make Meath, Kildare, Tyrone and Down favourites in that order.

So what you're saying is that I should book my All Ireland final tickets now and get the kleenex and bunting ready?

I would not book them yet. All I am saying is that the All-Ireland champions will come from one of the Round Two qualifiers. If I was pushed, I'd make Meath the best of those in the Qualifiers. But we could lose to Galway.

One thing's for sure - Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Wexford, Derry, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon can be ruled out.

Loyal - I am seriously pi55ed off here. As loyal Heineken drinkers I am obviously getting stuff thats a lot weaker than yours! Meath are worse than last year. Louth were foul - even Carlow beat them. They scored 8 points - only 8 points. Meath in for another good tanking first decent team they meet. Heineken don't do dreams - that's Carlsberg ....

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:

Royal_Girl2k9 wrote:

Loyal2TheRoyal wrote:Had Derry lost to Armagh, I'd probably have them in the "final four" - instead of Down. But they signed their own death warrant in that game. I still hope they win in Ulster but that's as good as it gets for them.

After Tyrone in 2008 and Kerry in 2009, I've learned to look left of the field. In those particular years, the idea of those teams winning All-Irelands sounded ludricious.

But the All-Ireland champion is in Round Two of the Qualifiers and not in a provincial final. That is what history says.

And from the list of 16, I make Meath, Kildare, Tyrone and Down favourites in that order.

So what you're saying is that I should book my All Ireland final tickets now and get the kleenex and bunting ready?

I would not book them yet. All I am saying is that the All-Ireland champions will come from one of the Round Two qualifiers. If I was pushed, I'd make Meath the best of those in the Qualifiers. But we could lose to Galway.

One thing's for sure - Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Wexford, Derry, Donegal, Mayo and Roscommon can be ruled out.

Right then I'll put a hold on the bunting...

Yes we could very easily lose to Galway. I do not want to be seen to be talking up the chances of Meath here.

All I'm saying is that we are more likely to go all the way than Cork, Kerry or Dublin.

Jayo Cluxton wrote:Loyal - I am seriously pi55ed off here. As loyal Heineken drinkers I am obviously getting stuff thats a lot weaker than yours! Meath are worse than last year. Louth were foul - even Carlow beat them. They scored 8 points - only 8 points. Meath in for another good tanking first decent team they meet. Heineken don't do dreams - that's Carlsberg ....

You need to stay calm and remember

Ooh na na, what’s his name

Ooh na na, what’s his name

Ooh na na, what’s his name

whats his name, whats his name

Bernard is the best we've seen in a long long time

In a long long time

Oooooh oooooh oooh oh oh

Oooooh oooooh oooh oh oh

Bernard is the best we've seen in a long long time

In a long long time

It is almost impossible that either Cork / Kerry - if not both - will be in the semis. Though Cork will quake at the prospect of Meath there after their last meeting. Ah Banty - cheap at double half the price .....

Mullins being a keen supporter is one thing, but this is getting a bit more towards obsession..

So we now know three of the four All-Ireland semi-finalists: Down, Kildare and Limerick. With the fourth being either Tyrone or Armagh.

Have to rule out Limerick.

So Sam is heading for Tyrone, Armagh, Down or Kildare! Who'd have thought it?

Would be interesting to see how posters would rank the remaining teams in the championship

Kerry, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Armagh, Tyrone, Down, Derry, Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo, Limerick, Wexford are the teams left in this years championship.

Well obviously you would be putting Kerry and Cork in the top 2.

After that there's a middle band of teams who could either crumble in the next round or go on and win Sam:

Dublin/Kildare/Down (haven't been great but have stayed largely under the radar which they will like)/Donegal (the Tir Chonaill men remain largely untested though)

Derry...I just don't know...like Donegal they've been the object of a quare amount of hype but without the Bradleys they lack creativity. We'll see how they react to their loss today.

Armagh and Tyrone are also firmly in the mix...Tyrone have definitely lost their old touch but have experience and know-how on the pitch and on the sideline...Armagh proved against Down they can produce a top quality performance but since that game seem to have lost that abandon and flair.

Mayo ...good players, good team....but Connacht football is pretty bad at the minute so it's really hard to tell. They ain't gona win Sam but may just have a big performance in them.

Roscommon, Limerick, and Wexford will all be seen as the softer touches. The underdog effect could give them the drive to claim one bigger scalp though.

I'd love to see Derry beat Kildare, simply because of the unjust hand they've been dealt.

I Have trouble warming to Donegal even if they are a "novel" winner. I'll be hoping whoever gets them and Mayo beat them.

Of the teams left, another repeat charge from Down would be nice.

But I'll be cheering Tyrone all the way at this stage of the competition. Really would be a fairytale result if they were to go all the way.

I have ranked them not necessarily based on how good they are but how I reckon they will finish up, for example Down are ranked 12th but I would still rate them more highly than Wexford but Wexford have an easier path to the quarter finals.

1. Kerry - Based on their win against Cork and the fact that they are into an All Ireland quarter final.

2. Cork - They should have no trouble in beating Down and getting into an AI quarter final

3. Kildare - Should have beaten Dublin and would have probably ended up winning Leinster, No team in the quarter finals would want to meet them.

4. Dublin- Can trouble any team on their day, I don't think we have seen the best of them yet.

5. Tyrone - Not out of the running yet and seem to be rejuvenated after bringing in the younger players.

6. Donegal - Solely based on the fact that they are in a quarter final.

7. Mayo - Connacht champions and are in the last eight so deserve their place.

8. Wexford - Would expect them to overcome Wexford and make the quarter finals.

9. Roscommon - Just wasn't their day, have the talent to be able to trouble either Tyrone/Armagh.

10. Limerick - Could trouble Wexford, they have built up a good bit of momentum after being written off.

11. Derry - Would expect Kildare to beat them.

12. Down - Cork should be too strong for Down, they are ranked here purely based on that.

13. Armagh - Don't think they are good enough to beat Tyrone and Roscommon.
Down, Derry, - Limerick, Armagh,

Look forward to seeing Down shoot up that list after disposing of Cork

Seriously though it's a really tough draw and one we would have preferred to get in the last 8...seems like we've been thrown into the lion's den maybe a week too early. Nevertheless....I have no doubt we can beat Cork...we certainly have the ability. Hunger and drive have been lacking in the last few games but it really is difficult sometimes to hit your best standard against inferior teams.

There is no doubt that we have not witnessed Down at their best in 2011...they were outdone by a fantastic Armagh display before stumbling through the qualifiers. Now I say stumbled.....the Clare game was very nearly a travesty, but subsequent 8 point and 12 point victories weren't as difficult as has been made out in the media.

Now Cork may well best us next week...maybe convincingly. But that will only happen if Down play the way they've been playing this year against lesser teams. We've fallen slightly under the radar lately and I hopefully, just like last year against Kerry, we remind the rest of Ireland why you can never write us off

MCMLX