I would never classify Derry as welcoming.
Wexford lost to Derry in Parnell Park in 2004 under Pat Roe and we lost to them in Wexford Park under Dom Twomey possibly the year before. But I think both squads have changed a bit since then. They gave us a hiding in Wexford Park in Division 2 in 2014. I think it’ll be a tall order for Wexford.
I have found Derry wonderfully accommodating the one time I was there for a game. In their new 4G place. An unbelievable setting amongst the Sherrins. Really great place to play, very similar to some of the spectacular pitch locations in Kerry, just that it was a centre of excellence. Definitely one of the most hospitable county set ups I came across.
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The 4A side of the draw is unbelievably soft. It’s now set in stone that at least one of Roscommon, Cavan, Fermanagh, Antrim, Kildare, Offaly, Clare, Longford or Westmeath is assured of a QF spot.
Kildare are almost perennial quarter finalists - 2008, 09, 10, 11 & 12. Only missed out on the quarter finals after losing in extra time to Monaghan last year. Can’t be too many complaints if as you would expect, Kildare are back in the quarter finals again.
We appear to have had about 8 weeks of championship football, all to eliminate Carlow, Waterford, Limerick, Laois, Down, London, Leitrim, Wicklow and New York.
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Its worse in the hurling. Same time span, championship starting on the 3rd of May and all that’s been eliminated so far are Antrim and Carlow.
You’d have to question the merits of a system which gives the likes of Wexford (24 point defeat), Laois (20 point defeat), Limerick (16 point defeat), Dublin (13 point defeat) another day out.
McGuinness article in Irish Times today about Dublin is very good.
I reckon that zonal defence they played where they try to keep players on the outside will be exploited by Kerry but no other team will have the firepower. Also interesting if an opponent can get kick outs away and then go long to their full forward line
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Contrary to What Jim says, Dublin frequently start with a different team to what’s in the match programme. In fact they normally have at least 2 changes most days and the days where they play as selected are fairly rare.
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Westmeath, having reached the Leinster final, are in the B (Leinster/Connacht) half of the draw.
The two teams that emerge from the A section of the qualifiers will take on the Munster and Ulster finalists respectively.
You’ll likely have Round 4A ties looking something like Cork v Kildare and Monaghan v Roscommon.
So the likely quarter-final ties will be Donegal v Cork and Kerry v Monaghan with the winners of those ties to meet each other in the All-Ireland semi-final.
While the B side of the qualifiers currently looks tougher, Sligo and Westmeath will likely enter that section at the Round 4 stage, so whoever comes through the Round 2B ties will have a very good chance of a quarter-final spot.
What is certain now is that Dublin cannot meet any of Kerry, Donegal, Cork or Monaghan until the All-Ireland final.
Only Mayo look to provide any threat to Dublin reaching the final.
Informative
Not sure that’s right Sid.
Leinster and Munster runners up play the teams that emerge from the “A” side in round 4 of the qualifiers, with Connacht and Ulster runners up playing the “B” teams.
Leinster and Munster winners then play the teams who successfully negotiate Round 4A of the qualifiers with Connacht and Ulster champions playing the winners of 4B.
Semis are Leinster vs Connacht and Ulster vs Munster.
They are still all over the place with long high ball as well. Which as you mention is something Kerry have.
Kerry still have major issues at the back which I think dublin would expose.
I think Donegal would beat Kerry. They should have beaten them last year, too.
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It’s Ulster-Connacht, Leinster-Munster, guys.
Ffs…never trust a commentator again who said he was playing IC since he was 16 and is still just 21
Thanks for the little clamp
That’s McBrearty.
Mayo Dublin final so!