Armagh v Derry Ulster SFC preliminary round

[Eireogatron]

not a kick in the arse off my team corn, maybe Forker will get the nod ahead of Hendy/Clarke

[ThrowBall]

Going on what we have seen this year so far I would go along with that team. There are one or two I am still not sure about but hope they prove me wrong. Hope to cheer them on to victory. anyway.

[Imposerous]

Lads, what about our minors? Will they be favourites? Does anyone know if they've had any challenge matches since the return of the schools' cups players?

[AFS]

Maurice Deegan is the ref.

[billybob]

quote from eireogatron
with Clarke unfit I would definitely start him mate. I think he gets alot of unfair flak to be honest. For example, in the Irish News he got a mark of 5 or 6 against Down. Despite not scoring he had a pivotal role in setting up at least 5 of our points. Every single time the ball went into him he was out in front and laying it off to the oncoming teammate to tap over. We need players like that. Hes normally good for a couple of points on top of this too. Also, I think sometimes he is a victim of Stevie! He makes the good runs and gets in good positions but 8/9 times out of 10 the passer looks for McDonnell, or the pass is delayed giving the defender an opportunity to get back. CV is a big culprit of this type of thing IMO, on at least 3 occasions this season I can remember Ryan being free and ready to goal and Charlie ran headfirst into a pack of opposition players and got overturned.

By the way, i dont know the man personally, so my point is based on football rather than personality in case someone puts 2 and 2 together to make 5.


I couldnt agree with you more here mate, every single point you made is spot on, the rating he got from the irish news from the final was an absolute joke i thought he gave his man a good going over especially first half and unbelievably his man (McCartan i think) got 6 and henderson got 5, mind you they gave moriarty 6 too and it should have been more like a 7.5/8. Your point about mcdonnell getting the ball 90% of the time is completely valid too because its blindingly obvious, in fairness though given the talent and reputation stevie has its not a massive surprise the other players try to look for him as much as possible, i just think if henderson could get a bit more ball played his way he would do a lot more damage on the score board, he's clearly a confidence and touch player but he has an unbelievable turn and is comfortable shooting off either foot, think he will get the nod on sunday and good luck to him and the rest of the boys, armagh by 2 im going for

[x-armagh-x]

I do agree with Billybob that henderson is overlooked because of the fact that most of the ball is being played into stevie, especially with the form that he is in at the moment, but henderson has put in solid performances over the league campaign this year, and with his ability to turn and score with both feet, he should be in the starting 15 for the derry game this forthcoming Sunday!!

I think that this Armagh team is hitting form at jus the right time, and by winning the Division 2 title against their old rivals, Down at Croke Park, its ideal preparation going into this championship encounter with Derry, with the game against Down being played at championship pace which was exactly what both the management and the players wanted going into the Ulster Championship!!

I reckon that Armagh should win this game by 5 or more points despite the game being played at Celtic Park! i just think with Armagh gaining promotion to Division1 and already having won silverware in Croke Park this year, it will give the Armagh lads the belief and hunger that they need to go on and win this game and hopefully get another Ulster crown under their belts!!

[bcb1]

I reckon that Armagh should win this game by 5 or more points despite the game being played at Celtic Park! i just think with Armagh gaining promotion to Division1 and already having won silverware in Croke Park this year, it will give the Armagh lads the belief and hunger that they need to go on and win this game and hopefully get another Ulster crown under their belts!!

Some of the over confidence of the Armagh fans is unreal. Derry are rarely beaten easily in Celtic Park and if Armagh take a 1-2 point win that will be as good as it gets. They are a young side, albeit a very good young side, but don't get carried away. They have the momentum and they have the confidence but the white heat of championship in a hot Derry cauldron could make a few legs wobble. I would love to see a +5 point win but this is championship football and I can't see it.

[Imposerous]

Wise words BCB. While I think we are capable of winning I think we'll be lucky to get away with the win.

There is not a lot between these sides and if Derry click on the day they could put manners on us. While I understand us looking forward with confidence we should be very wary of over confidence. Derry have some fine individuals and either of the Bradley's, Kielt or Moore among others could cause us massive problems.

Other than Ronan, how are we looking on the injury front?

[x-armagh-x]

I Hear what ur saying BCB, probably being over-confident about Armagh, but would you not agree that Armaghs performance, particularly in the last 10 minutes against Down in the Division 2 final at Croke Park shows that Armagh can stand the pressure against a good ulster team? and if Armagh take that confidence into Celtic Park this Sunday, i c no reason why that Armagh can't win by a similar margin!

I was just wondering would Paddy O Rourke start with the same team on Sunday against Derry as he did against Down at Croke Park? Or, will he make changes?

[bennydorano]

I dont fancy us to get the win at all if I'm brutally honest and the thought of it doesn't bother me either. I honestly think the back door may be more valuable in developing the team.

I know a few boys who've backed Armagh to win the AI and that's just laughable IMO.