Now that Mayo Galway Tyrone and Monaghan have all gone back the door with a good chance of Donegal and ourselves joining them next week round 4 could see 3 to 4 of those teams gone before the super 8s .

Is there any realistic challengers left?

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 16/06/2019 22:46:11    2196114

Some of those teams will make it to the Super 8's and who knows after that, Tyrone are probably the best bet to push Dublin this year imo but I would not be hopeful at the same time.

It's a fairly ragged chasing pack, Dublin have as clear a path to Sam as any team could ever wish for.

GeniusGerry (Kerry) - Posts: 2105 - 17/06/2019 09:27:25    2196232

All potential challengers are struggling and seem to have fallen back on last year. Only Donegal look like contenders at the moment. The Munster and Ulster finalists will want to avoid Dublin's group.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7826 - 17/06/2019 09:35:31    2196240

We, Tyrone, were very poor against Donegal. It will be a struggle to reach super 8s and we may need a kind draw in order to do so. The week-on-week games always help us though. Galway will be a different animal if they get Comer back. In all fairness, Mayo have only themselves to blame for not beating Roscommon in Castlebar and the only way they'll not be in super 8s is if they end up facing Galway or ourselves. In any case, I'd not rule them out of winning either game.

OGarmaile (Tyrone) - Posts: 248 - 17/06/2019 09:40:16    2196246

The only teams in with a shout for Sam is Dublin, Donegal and Kerry, the rest have a lesser chance like Tyrone and Mayo, week after week games could ruin their chances, Monaghan aren't firing on all cylinders yet, I firmly believe Galway haven't a chance under this management, too defensive, if the Corofin management were over the Galway team then they will win All Ireland's.
The drive for 5 is alive

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 17/06/2019 10:13:02    2196277

Kerry are off the pace as well. Everyone saw that in the league final and also in Ennis for those of us not watching the Champions League final.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7826 - 17/06/2019 10:23:59    2196286

Donegal are the only real contender to be honest.
They tick the most boxes
- have the best ff line in the country
- pace to burn
- good blend of youth and all experienced all-ireland winners
- they dont fear Dublin
- they dont do hype (ahem Mayo!)

Would be a very exciting championship if Dublin werent in it.
6 or 7 teams would fancy themselves

Pullhard1985 (USA) - Posts: 68 - 17/06/2019 10:30:13    2196292

Wouldnt be reading to much into Championship form so far to be honest, few counties have just used their free hit chip is all and went into the qualifiers. No big gun has been knocked out yet. Its part of the reason the provincials are a bit of farce these days.

I have Tyrone down as my biggest concern.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 17/06/2019 10:38:11    2196299

We were pretty good on Saturday night but I think this talk is a little premature. Tipp, Limerick, Cork, Wexford and Kilkenny will all give us a game ;)

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13705 - 17/06/2019 10:49:12    2196306

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 315 - 17/06/2019 11:01:38    2196311

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 17/06/2019 11:10:10    2196317

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5010 - 17/06/2019 11:10:20    2196318

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 17/06/2019 11:25:30    2196329

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 17/06/2019 11:25:48    2196330

Dubsfan28 (Dublin) - Posts: 2509 - 17/06/2019 11:43:28    2196346

Pullhard1985 (USA) - Posts: 68 - 17/06/2019 12:10:44    2196378

Pullhard1985 (USA) - Posts: 68 - 17/06/2019 12:12:10    2196380

Mayo for Sam, has to be Mayo's year, I've been hearing that mantra for years so maybe this could be it? other than that Tyrone must be the next big contenders with Kerry a distant 4th, hard to see past the Dubs getting 5 in a row though.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2739 - 17/06/2019 12:38:28    2196420

The way I'm looking at it is that Dublin will win the 5 in a row. But they have to play someone in the final. That someone could well be Donegal. Kerry haven't looked all that impressive of late. Tyrone were very poor against us and Mayo have gone back a bit I think. Ruane getting injured for them is a big blow.

So if we can stay injury free and keep building on the good form we showed against Tyrone then we might be there or thereabouts. First things first though, we'll need to avoid complacency and beat Cavan this weekend. It won't be easy and the closer we get to the game the more nervous I'm getting. But I think in the end we should beat them as the likes of Murphy, McGee and McGlynn have the experience of these big games and will hopefully stand us in good stead.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 17/06/2019 13:14:53    2196454

Donegal for me.

But of any of the big teams i think Donegal are the most dependent on one man, Michael Murphy. Clifford wouldbe a loss to Kerry etc but Murphy controls the whole tempo for Donegal.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 17/06/2019 13:29:12    2196470