U-21 All Ireland football championship 2014

This competition got underway a few weeks ago, Kildare the defending Leinster championship already out. Some top games this Wednesday night.

Kerry v Cork
Mayo v Roscommon
Meath v Louth (replay)
Waterford v Tipperary
Derry v Cavan

Who do you folks think will win Ulster,Munster,Connacht,Leinster and the All Ireland. The bookies think it will be Dublin v Galway All Ireland final with the Dubs to win it.

Kerry beaten by 4 against Cork
Mayo hammered at home by Roscommon
Meath finally got over Louth
Tipperary as expected hammered Waterford
Easier than expected win for Cavan

after last year the dubs are hard to back,rossies 2nd favs now,cavan need this more than any of the others.

champers wrote:after last year the dubs are hard to back,rossies 2nd favs now,Cavan need this more than any of the others.

I think a mainly hurling county like Tipp need it more than the rest and it would be good to see them follow up on their 2011 minor AI success.

The odds are a bit farcical, the Dubs always favourites at underage nowadays. Roscommon beat a poor Mayo team and the Galway hurdle in Connacht is a major one. No disrespect to the rest in Ulster but for me the Cavan v Tyrone tie is the Ulster final in all but name. Tipp should win Munster the same players bet Cork a few times at minor level.

Anyone of Tipp,Galway,Roscommon,Cavan,Tyrone and Dublin could win this All Ireland, will be a while before you could say the same about senior level as only possibly only three sides could win that..

Busy night of U-21 football on Wednesday.

Clare v Tipperary
Cork v Limerick
Dublin v Longford
Offaly v Meath
Armagh v Antrim
Cavan v Tyrone
Donegal v Fermanagh
Monaghan v Down

Any thoughts on who might do well out of Ulster this year? Obviously Cavan are the big dogs these days, but I fancy Down to sneak past Monaghan tomorrow night and maybe go on a run. A few good players like Ryan Johnston and Darragh O'Hanlon plus a great 'keeper in Shane Harrison could all play key roles for them this season.

Tipperary hammer Clare

Cork do likewise against Limerick

Dublin makes sure lighting doesn't strike twice against Longford

Meath reach another underage Leinster final

Armagh v Antrim ended in a high scoring draw after extra time.

Cavan surprising stroll past a very defensive Tyrone

All to easy for Donegal against Fermanagh

Monaghan battle past Down

Cavan march on. Expected a tougher test from Tyrone but apparently this was as good a performance as we've seen from our U21s which is high praise indeed. Tyrone played extremely defensively in the first half and only managed 3 points with a big wind, it was always going to be tough in the second half for them after that.

The Farney Army up next for us. Our defence is very solid and we have a very talented half back line and one outstanding midfielder but we lack real quality on the 40 and inside. If we end up chasing a game we may not have the firepower.

The real story of the night is Antrim! Two outstanding comebacks in the same game. Would love to have seen them down Armagh but it sounds like their chance is gone.

It will take a top side to beat Cavan if they continue to hold teams to low scores.

Connacht semi finals on this Sat 4:30pm the two favourites playing away.

Leitrim v Galway
Sligo v Roscommon

Open to correction but i think Leitrim's last win at this grade was in 1998 while Sligo reached the 2012 final though their last big/upset win was against Galway in 2010.

Jonsmith wrote:Cavan march on. Expected a tougher test from Tyrone but apparently this was as good a performance as we've seen from our U21s which is high praise indeed. Tyrone played extremely defensively in the first half and only managed 3 points with a big wind, it was always going to be tough in the second half for them after that.

The Farney Army up next for us. Our defence is very solid and we have a very talented half back line and one outstanding midfielder but we lack real quality on the 40 and inside. If we end up chasing a game we may not have the firepower.

The real story of the night is Antrim! Two outstanding comebacks in the same game. Would love to have seen them down Armagh but it sounds like their chance is gone.

Poor show by Tyrone at this level again, take nothing away from the Breffni men but it's time we reversed this trend or the long term forecast doesn't look good for our seniors.

bocerty wrote:
Poor show by Tyrone at this level again, take nothing away from the Breffni men but it's time we reversed this trend or the long term forecast doesn't look good for our seniors.

Tyrone have mastered the art of preparing minor sides. We have a county full of quick, skilful lads, who invariably peak as 18 year olds on fast summer ground.

I've said many times on here, and I'll say it again: Athletes win all-irelands. Being skilful is important, but not as important as being very big, very fast and very powerful. The Tyrone think-tank hasn't seemed to realise that.

Gaa_lover wrote:Connacht semi finals on this Sat 4:30pm the two favourites playing away.

Leitrim v Galway
Sligo v Roscommon

Open to correction but i think Leitrim's last win at this grade was in 1998 while Sligo reached the 2012 final though their last big/upset win was against Galway in 2010.

Leitrim (+13) are 10/11 and Sligo (+14) are also 10/11. Now if you fancy the handicap double......  

Don't know if I'd agree fully with that TC, with regard to U21 football at any rate. Look at Galway U21s in 2011 and 2013. They looked like schoolboys when they were sent out against Kildare last year but it didn't stop them from winning the game and the All Ireland facing a very big Cork side.

I don't think Cavan have had a massive physical over Tyrone in our last 3 meetings at this level. This year especially there are a lot of very light lads, Smith, Fortune, McVitty, Bouchier, Watson, Flanagan, Hayes.. All lads of average height and build.

It sounds like Tyrone's tactics on Wednesday night didn't help their case at all..

Thomas Clarke wrote:

bocerty wrote:
Poor show by Tyrone at this level again, take nothing away from the Breffni men but it's time we reversed this trend or the long term forecast doesn't look good for our seniors.

Tyrone have mastered the art of preparing minor sides.  We have a county full of quick, skilful lads, who invariably peak as 18 year olds on fast summer ground.

I've said many times on here, and I'll say it again:  Athletes win all-irelands.  Being skilful is important, but not as important as being very big, very fast and very powerful.  The Tyrone think-tank hasn't seemed to realise that.

I agree you need athletes with the skill to turn in to top class footballers over time IN THE MODERN GAME ,paul flynn would be a good example michael daragh also,when gilroy took over dublin he was looking for athletes with ability to turn in to top class footballers,many have falling to the side because they did not have the skills

Dublin would not be classed as a big team very fast and very powerful yes

Jonsmith wrote:Don't know if I'd agree fully with that TC, with regard to U21 football at any rate. Look at Galway U21s in 2011 and 2013. They looked like schoolboys when they were sent out against Kildare last year but it didn't stop them from winning the game and the All Ireland facing a very big Cork side.  

I don't think Cavan have had a massive physical over Tyrone in our last 3 meetings at this level. This year especially there are a lot of very light lads, Smith, Fortune, McVitty, Bouchier, Watson, Flanagan, Hayes.. All lads of average height and build.

It sounds like Tyrone's tactics on Wednesday night didn't help their case at all..

If Cavan win ulster this year and don't win an all-ireland 4 years of dominance mean nothing

champers wrote:
If Cavan win ulster this year and don't win an all-ireland 4 years of dominance mean nothing

With a pick from 1.4m if Dublin don't win the ...... Ye'll have a claim on the Connacht final yet.

champers wrote:

Jonsmith wrote:Don't know if I'd agree fully with that TC, with regard to U21 football at any rate. Look at Galway U21s in 2011 and 2013. They looked like schoolboys when they were sent out against Kildare last year but it didn't stop them from winning the game and the All Ireland facing a very big Cork side.  

I don't think Cavan have had a massive physical over Tyrone in our last 3 meetings at this level. This year especially there are a lot of very light lads, Smith, Fortune, McVitty, Bouchier, Watson, Flanagan, Hayes.. All lads of average height and build.

It sounds like Tyrone's tactics on Wednesday night didn't help their case at all..

If Cavan win ulster this year and don't win an all-ireland 4 years of dominance mean nothing

  

Boxtyeater wrote:

Leitrim (+13) are 10/11 and Sligo (+14) are also 10/11. Now if you fancy the handicap double......  

And it almost happened! well done to Leitrim a result like that against Galway the defending All Ireland champions is what makes the GAA great. You must fancy your chances to win Connacht now especially with the rossies struggling past Sligo?

Great result from Leitrim and not a word from the wise man  

5 Finals in a row for Cavan after beating Monaghan in a war of attrition tonight in the Athletic Grounds. Brilliant stuff. Tom Hayes just out of Minor leading the line for Cavan tonight. Argue pulled and dragged all night but got the decisive goal with a stroke of luck. Donegal inspired by McBrearty await in the final.

champers wrote:Great result from Leitrim and not a word from the wise man  

We got a bit ahead of ourselves champers with the senior squad. Beating the Rossies is an almighty task, not entirely beyond us, but a huge mountain all the same. Roscommon are 1/7, we're 5/1 - says it all.
Though the Rossies have a few "alleged" injuries.

Congrats to the Breffni Blues again tonight. Cavan football = an un-stoppable juggernaut....

Dublin without being impressive done enough to get over the line,none of the marquee players stood out,they will have to move it up a notch in the semi final.Don't see how the bookies can make them favs plenty questions to be asked yet of this team.

No need for Dublin to peak before the All Ireland semi final. Cavan v Donegal a repeat of Ulster U21 final from last year and it should be a repeat result. Boxty weren't those the same odds for the Leitrim v Galway game?

In a word Yes.... But repeatedly upsetting odds of 5/1 are about, let's say, hmmm, about 5/1.

Fairy tale over for Leitrim and the rossies lived up to their odds unlike Galway. Ulster,Munster finals on tomorrow night Cavan,Cork favourites to win.