Armagh V Tyrone GAA thread

[Bainisteoir]

Armagh V Tyrone 31st May at Clones.

Not long now till the first round clash against tyrone. Any score predictions and who's your first 15 to start?

A friendly has been arranged as part of the build up. Armagh will play Dublin in Pearse Og Park on May 3rd for the official opening of the new club house.


I think a strong Armagh team would be:

McEvoy

A Mallon B Donaghy P. McKeown

A Kernan A O'Rourke C mckeever

C Toner C Vernon

B Mallon M O'Rourke T. Kernan

S McDonnell R Clarke R Henderson

[buckfast]

200 on the draw, 7/1 is a nice looking price.

I can't argue with that team Bainisteoir although I have a feeling Henderson won't make the first 15 which would be disappointing after a promising league campaign

[Armaghcountyfan]

no, i'm remaining loyal to my county lol 100 forum credits on Armagh!

[Bainisteoir]

STEVIE McDonnell has rejected the notion that Armagh are a declining force – and insisted the Orchardmen have all the ingredients to be a success in 2009.

Paul McGrane, Francie Bellew and Paddy McKeever announced their inter-county retirements recently, while several fringe players opted out of the Armagh squad last week.

However, the 2002 All-Ireland winner and former Allstar was emphatic in his belief that the raw materials still exist in Peter McDonnell’s squad for another successful summer, despite a disappointing NFL campaign.

“We have lost a few experienced players, but we’ve also a lot of guys at the age of 25 which is a good age for county football,” said the 29-year-old ace.

“I wouldn’t be disheartened at all. I honestly believe it will take a top team to beat us this year, but we have to peak for every match and not dip after a good performance.”

McDonnell (below) added: “Put it this way: if I didn’t feel that Armagh were capable of being successful this year I would not be there. If we got to an All-Ireland final and I thought we were going to lose, I wouldn’t be there.

“I’m not into wasting a year of my life just to make up the numbers in the Championship. Now, we’ve a lot of work to do over the next few weeks, but I’d be confident about the year ahead.”

Fringe players JP Donnelly, Michael O’Rourke, Neil O’Rourke, Conor Clarke and Eugene McDonnell recently opted out of the Armagh panel, but the team’s vice-captain explained: “People have this perception that there are fall-outs in Armagh because a few boys have opted out of the panel.

“With club football starting up in Armagh again, those boys want to get some competitive football under their belts and build their confidence. It’s that simple. The door is closed on none of those players – and I’m sure Peter [McDonnell] would back me up on that.

“Peter Donnelly, who would get on most teams in the country, can’t get in the Tyrone team at the minute and is considering leaving. These things happen in squads, but it doesn’t mean there have been fall-outs or that things are going badly.

“At the end of the day, people can think whatever they want. There are always going to be rumours. It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last, but I’d urge people not to believe everything they hear.”

In the last decade, Armagh have been written off almost on an annual basis, but it’s not something the Killeavy clubman is concerned about.

The Ulster champions are rated at 25/1 to win this year’s All-Ireland crown, while Derry, Cork, Dublin, Mayo and Galway are just some of the counties ranked above them in the betting stakes.

The Orchard county open the defence of their provincial crown against All-Ireland champions Tyrone at Clones on May 31.

“We’ve always been written off, even in 2002 when we won the All-Ireland,” smiled McDonnell.

“Even some of my mates are doubting Armagh’s credentials, but people are entitled to their opinion. The most important people are the 30 to 35 players and management team and what goes on inside the group.”

[buckfast]

A friendly has been arranged as part of the build up. Armagh will play Dublin in Pearse Og Park on May 3rd for the official opening of the new club house.

Armagh v Dublin 3rd May 3pm
£10 for adults
£5 for OAPS
Free for U16s accompanied by an adult

[Bainisteoir]

Good news: Armagh won 1-14 to Dublins 1-12

Bad News: Charlie was rushed to the Royal after a suspected broken jaw

Highly unlikely to make the tyrone game now!

[buckfast]

I hope Charlie recovers quickly. Its a huge blow to our chances against Tyrone and I really can't see how our Midfield will cope.

[stew]

We will cope by flooding the middle sector, that is our only chance, we will need to be very efficient with our kids outs which I feel will stop the manager from selecting Hearty as he is long but cannot seem to buy direction on his kickouts.
Lots of breaking ball will suit us and we will need to release the ball quickly to the forwards and Pray that they are on song, if they are we have every chance of beating the Tyronies. The defence will be fine, I know they ahve been great but they will be up for it and I expect them to more than hold their own.

[grannysmith]

"Lots of breking ball will suit us " !!! Are you sure? the reason that Fermanagh cleaned us out at midfield last year was through breaking ball and Tyrone are masters at it . we only have Marty O'Rourke. Our best hope would have been clean catches but with Charlie out that looks unlikely.However they have had a lot of time to work on this so I live in hope. We definetly have the two best forwards so hopefully they will get enough ball to do damage. i think we willneed to score 1 if not 2 goals to win.

[saranbhoy]

1.P-Hearty
2.A-Mallon
3.B-Donaghy
4.P-Kernan
5.B-Shannon
6.C-McKeever
7.P-Duffy
8.K-Toner
9.D-McKenna
10.A-Kernan
11.B-Mallon
12.M-O'Rourke
13.S-McDonnell
14.R-Clarke
15.T-Kernan