National Forum

What next year brings

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Replying To keithlemon:  "I think 3 in a row will be too much of a stretch for this Dublin team. I do think they'll make the final unless Tyrone improve and catch them in the semi final or they get one of the tougher teams in the quarter finals. But with Kerry and Mayo looking set to make the semi finals on the other side of the draw I don't see much stopping Dublin getting to the final.
I do think the winners on the other side will have that bit between their teeth to go on and win it. A win over Kerry would prove a massive mental hurdle jumped for Mayo and give them that belief to go on and do it. While the reverse of that would give Kerry the perfect preparation to go on and dethrone Dublin.
It's not so much that Mayo and Kerry will become better than Dublin, more so that momentum will be going Kerry and Mayo's way next year on the back of a big semi final win. Mayo sorted out their defensive frailties this year, they just need to work on their attacking side and get the right balance. Kerry on the other hand can't be written off, they still have some of the best footballers in the country who, if allowed to play to their full potential, can rip back lines to shreds. Yeah they've got some old horses in there but they have talent coming through, even if one or two of these new kids click it could be all they need to get things running.

Of course, this is all based on the assumption that Dublin might not have the same hunger to do it.....quite a big assumption I know!!! But in a knockout competition, anything can happen so who knows what could happen on any given day"
It is sad that your assumption for Provincials winners are probably right, although I'd slightly favour Donegal against Tyrone. I didn't realise the draw was made already all the way to the final though...
Is it definitely the case (Q finals permitting) that the winners of Leinster would play Ulster, etc?

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 11/11/2016 12:25:18    1933552

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From a Limerick Point of view with two new managers the best we can hope for is some progression from the relative low points we are at:
Hurlers: Promotion to 1a is the big one, new manager John Kiely needs to get a new No 3, 6, 11, 14 and to integrate some of the u21s from 2015 into top class inter county hurlers - getting to a Munster final and a good showing and quarter final showing would be good - show they can be contenders in the succeeding 2 or 3 years. At least one Munster final appearance at minor/u21
Footballers: Swift return to Div 3, at least one win in the championship would be the limit of their ambition, more important to continue to improvements at underage - had fallen to worst in Munster at Minor.

73forever (Limerick) - Posts: 89 - 11/11/2016 12:58:44    1933567

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Yeah tiobraid, it's still the 3 year rule around the provincial finalists squaring off against each other in the semi's should they win their quarter finals

keithlemon (Australia) - Posts: 920 - 11/11/2016 13:12:52    1933575

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Any hope for limerick.in.either code lads? Need something to.look forward to

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 11/11/2016 13:15:03    1933577

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Replying To tiobraid:  "Should they though? I've seen nothing from Meath the last two years to suggest that. They have produced little to nothing in club or underage the last number of years to suggest that. Maybe on ok minor team but even from the team that ambushed Dublin with 5 goals a few years ago...have they one forward available now who would have gotten into that forward line?
It remains to be seen but I'd suggest Meath need a 10 year plan at a minimum and a complete restructuring of their grass roots. Having said that Meath people might be able to shine more light on the work that is currently going on because they must have taken their eye completely off the ball for a number of years. Personally and with a relatively poor club structure I think Tipp are in a better position purely down to their Development squads over the past 10 years or more."
Cillian O'Sullivan, is in the Meath senior team from that minor all ire final. He was delayed due to serious injury, he is a outstanding player, Harry Rooney is also in as is Harnan, very good mix of youth, the average age of the Meath team is 23, take out Burke and That drops considerably, and with Andy the one who guided them to all ire final beating Tyrone and mayo along the way, there will be huge improvement

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/11/2016 13:25:27    1933580

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always look on the bright side of life Royaldunne would hate to see your posts if Meath had a good team

redbomb (Tyrone) - Posts: 167 - 11/11/2016 14:02:57    1933589

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Replying To redbomb:  "always look on the bright side of life Royaldunne would hate to see your posts if Meath had a good team"
Like Tyrone we have been in transition, unlike Tyrone we have a manager who knows what he is doing in 2017,

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 11/11/2016 19:02:15    1933666

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Replying To royaldunne:  "We a bit like Tyrone then. I guess"
There's a world of difference between Tyrone and Meath - not sure how there's a comparison in your eyes - they won the hardest provincial title last year and your poor cousins in Westmeath are the only Leinster county who have the guts to play Dubs in final - don't even think you're top 4 in Leinster. Tyrone on other hand need a free taker and a big target man in square which judging by their fans who I've spoken to they already have those players in Lee Brennan and McNulty (not sure of his first name) - with that sorted they will challenge for AI.

IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 12/11/2016 08:55:57    1933728

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Trevor Giles wasn't as optimistic on Meath.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 12/11/2016 09:53:41    1933733

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Like Tyrone we have been in transition, unlike Tyrone we have a manager who knows what he is doing in 2017,"
RD I sometimes wonder whether a you get more satisfaction from a Meath win or a Tyrone defeat. Its a very unhealthy obsession you seem to have of a team that's not even a direct rival to your own county. Yes Mickey Harte has a lot to prove next year like a lot of managers. But he has got 3 AI's at this level as well as several Ulsters, this year included so to say he doesn't know what he's doing is just a cheap shot. As for Andy Mc, the jury is still out at this level for him. Just because he has a fantastic club record doesn't guarantee a smooth transition to intercounty management. Look at John Brennan's club record before he took over Derry a few years back. That was a very forgettable spell for them. If I were you I'd focus on your Leinster rivals who have leap frogged Meath as a more dangerous challenge to Dublin before you start worrying about a team you could only meet in the quaters, it your good enough to get there that is...

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 12/11/2016 10:54:15    1933739

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Like Tyrone we have been in transition, unlike Tyrone we have a manager who knows what he is doing in 2017,"
And the award for stupidest post in 2016 goes to....

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 12/11/2016 11:07:58    1933741

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Monaghan could be dark horses next year. We have a few new young forwards coming through and now that scotstown are out of the club championship they are getting an extra rest. A new backroom team in place and a whole new goal.

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 380 - 12/11/2016 12:24:52    1933750

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Hurling needs Waterford Galway Limerick to step up and make a real challenge. Clare less so but under new management they could be the ones to watch. Year to early for Wexford. Dublin look all over the place. For the sake of hurling it needs to be anyone but Tipp or Kilkenny

Football I think Dublin will need to reinvent themselves to do 3 in a row.

Outside of Dublin I'd love to see Monaghan go all the way. Would also love to see Tipp keep progressing and Galway back in the fold

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 12/11/2016 12:54:32    1933754

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