Every year a team comes from nowhere, to make the latter stages of the All Ireland Championships. In hurling it was probably Cork in 2017 and Carlow
/ Roscommon had decent years in football. Which teams will surprise us this year?

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 17/04/2018 14:02:04    2093554

Not that they are underdogs but i think Tyrone have been hugely underrated and going in well under the radar, i can see them making the final. Galway as well if you are going on last years form.

I think Donegal could do well, if they build up a head of steam.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 17/04/2018 14:16:17    2093560

Hopefully I'm not jinxing things but I think we can have a good summer if we can get our personnel and tactics right. There is undoubted talent there. The big question is if Bonner can get us performing to our maximum.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9131 - 17/04/2018 14:37:06    2093567

Millthehill (Mayo) - Posts: 5 - 17/04/2018 14:42:27    2093568

Crazy to underestimate Kerry

Some absolute class coming through and I was very impressed at times with their league performances.

They are absolutely capable of beating anyone and they will be right up there when all is said and done

Despite how unpopular EF is with his own fan base. They'll take some beating and I've a feeling that they will really surprise a lot this year. I've no idea what their odds are but I'm guessing you'd still get good value at the moment

If Dublin didn't have so many injuries I think it would be theirs and say so without reservation.

I really think it's as close as ever this year as has already been proven across the league and previous championships across the 10's.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 17/04/2018 15:12:22    2093580

Tipperary,roscommon and Donegal.
If Donegal get the mcbrearty and Murphy partnership going in the forwards they will take stopping.tipp have the forwards to hurt anyone and roscommon will have learnt a big lesson from last year and have strengthened their squad.

Cornetto2 (Galway) - Posts: 165 - 17/04/2018 15:16:18    2093581

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 17/04/2018 15:28:46    2093585

Whats the definitions of the word Darkhorse? It appears most posters so far feel it means something entirely different than what I think! In the context of this thread I think the posters means the surprise package to go a lot farther in the championship than most expect

For me - I'll go with theClare footballers to reach the super 8's and Limerick hurlers to reach an All Ireland semi.
I'll also throw in Roscommon to spring a surprise and reach a semi! They've been surprsingly gliding under the radar this year in Connacht with all the focus being on Galway and Mayo.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 17/04/2018 15:36:49    2093590

I don't think people here quite understand what a darkhorse is...

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 17/04/2018 15:37:04    2093592

Longford could be a team to shake up a few in the qualifiers. They play Meath in the first round of the championship which will be no gimme for the royals. Given the Dublin dominance the qualifiers is where Longford can make a mark if they regroup sufficiently. I don't know how they are fixed with players available but they had a good league and can certainly put it up to alot of sides on their day. They had relative success at underage level over the last few years so definitely have good players if available.

Other than that and not exactly dark horses but I am hoping Donegal can have a decent season. There is no doubt in my mind that Donegal have one of the most talented squads in the country. It is just a case of getting the best out of those players and getting the right balance of attack and defense. Getting relegated was not ideal but Donegal tried out alot of players especially younger lads still U-21 which will really stand to them if they stay committed in the next few years. I don't think you will see the best of this squad for a couple of years yet but no doubt the Super 8 is a realistic target. Last year was a dark year in the championship with our former manager declaring that Donegal would struggle to stay in the top 10 sides in the country. In my mind that was absolute bulls**t and had a whiff of sour grapes. Also be interesting to see how the Rossies get on. They have some fine players and a good manager who play an appealing brand of football.

The hurling championship is building up to be a cracker with alot of sides in with legitimate chances of winning the AI. No dark horses as such but I think Limerick are a team who could go along way with the young players they have. Also very interested to see if Cody has worked his magic again by building Kilkenny into a formidable force far sooner than many envisaged. Like him or loathe him he is one of the greatest managers in any sport in my eyes.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 17/04/2018 15:39:12    2093593

Dublin, Kerry.
Mayo/Tyrone.
Galway/Monaghan.

The field.

no big shocks this year after the provincial round ones or the odd back door battle.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 17/04/2018 16:17:09    2093608

Mayo...

Belclare1 (Galway) - Posts: 1626 - 17/04/2018 16:32:59    2093616

I'm not sure Galway can keep the levels up for the whole year that they have been playing at. If they can they will be thinking semi finals but I'm not convinced. For me Tipperary are a dangerous team to be going up against, especially in Thurles. The other team I'll be watching is Donegal, lots of potential in that team if they get everyone on the pitch. Like a few said, Limerick in the hurling. Young, talented and hungry.

kildare73 (Kildare) - Posts: 854 - 17/04/2018 16:39:28    2093622

For a 'Dark-Horse' to make it through to the later stages of the c'ship, some fancied team has to fall by the way-side. I suspect that this year's League form could prove to be misleading, with some teams flattering to deceive.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 17/04/2018 19:02:39    2093644

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11229 - 17/04/2018 20:25:08    2093661

I think Dublin could surprise us ......

greysoil (Monaghan) - Posts: 965 - 17/04/2018 22:05:23    2093677

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 17/04/2018 22:54:01    2093686

You could hardly describe them as dark horses but Galway could go a long way if they can play their best football in Croker, my tip to upset the Dubs bandwagon is Tyrone, hoping Donegal can make the Ulster final at least and the super 8's, not very confident though at the minute.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2746 - 18/04/2018 00:32:02    2093695

I'll go with one of Clare or Tipp to make the Super 8's as well, they are better than they are given credit for.

Tipp would be less of a surprise admittedly.

If we are talking about a dark horse for Sam I don't see any, I would be very surprised if anybody except Dublin wins it.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 18/04/2018 01:12:06    2093699

definition of dark horse:
"A dark horse is a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence, especially in a competition of some sort, or a contestant that seems unlikely to succeed......."

so,basically anybody other than dublin could be a dark horse.....

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 18/04/2018 08:58:29    2093711