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2025 National Football League

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "Donegal are doing well. Only one loss to Galway, and that was in a game with gale force wind! Mcguinness definitely invented the blanket along with Harte, but he's adapted well, with many of the players kicking 2 pointers!"
Fermanagh and Antrim are going better than Sligo and Leitrim

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14978 - 27/02/2025 19:34:46    2593572

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Replying To katser:  "He definitely adopted that blanket style but only after suffering it from the Northern Counties years before.
In fairness Donegal were always good long range footballers as they would say in Kerry " a proper football team" Foot and Ball style , hands catch foot kicks."
True, Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Joe McKernan (Armagh) probably deserve full credit/blame for developing the blanket defence tactic back in 2001-2003.

I would agree that Donegal did suffer to an extent during that Tyrone/Armagh period of dominance, Donegal were actually running them both very close between 2002 and 2008 despite playing a more tradtional brand of football those years, albeit quick hand passing style and beat them both between 2003 and 2008.

Jim McGuinness began to dabble with their template with his club in the late 2000's, and finally unleashed his own version of it in 2011-2012.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1290 - 28/02/2025 00:26:45    2593613

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Replying To katser:  "At the moment it looks like the Northern Counties are struggling with this new format.
Would it be fair to say it was them who invented the blanket defence style thus far the new format was introduced!
Armagh, Tyrone and Derry are in relegation battle Div 1
Down look like relegation from Div 2
Fermanagh and Antrim aren't upto much in Div 3.
I note Armagh, Tyrone, Derry,Down, Fermanagh and Antrim all to lose this weekend is a tasty 28/1."
Nah, thats not because of the new rules.

- Donegal are flying, I think there was 7 or 8 key players missing from the start against Galway, guys who will start come Championship. Time to roadtest a lot of squad players before Championship.

- Armagh were late back to training following winning the All Ireland, Rian O'Neill back training this week, they will get stronger and stronger.

- Tyrone were late installing Malachy O'Rourke as manager, plus they are only getting Errigal Ciaran players back to training, definitely relegation fighting this year, but expecting them to rish by Championship.

- Derry have probably the strongest squad in Ulster and huge amount of underage talent coming through, Paddy Tally was late taking over and it takes time for a new manager to settle. They are in a relegation fight, but really shouldn't be, should have beat Kerry in Celtic Park.

- Monaghan are looking serious in Division 2, they will be a handful come summer.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1290 - 28/02/2025 00:39:50    2593614

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Replying To Commodore:  "Nah, thats not because of the new rules.

- Donegal are flying, I think there was 7 or 8 key players missing from the start against Galway, guys who will start come Championship. Time to roadtest a lot of squad players before Championship.

- Armagh were late back to training following winning the All Ireland, Rian O'Neill back training this week, they will get stronger and stronger.

- Tyrone were late installing Malachy O'Rourke as manager, plus they are only getting Errigal Ciaran players back to training, definitely relegation fighting this year, but expecting them to rish by Championship.

- Derry have probably the strongest squad in Ulster and huge amount of underage talent coming through, Paddy Tally was late taking over and it takes time for a new manager to settle. They are in a relegation fight, but really shouldn't be, should have beat Kerry in Celtic Park.

- Monaghan are looking serious in Division 2, they will be a handful come summer."
Well I will say one thing for certain.....there is no chance Tyrone, Armagh or Derry will win the All Ireland this year.
In my opinion it's Galway, Kerry or Donegal. 3 horse race!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2511 - 28/02/2025 14:50:43    2593710

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Replying To Commodore:  "True, Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Joe McKernan (Armagh) probably deserve full credit/blame for developing the blanket defence tactic back in 2001-2003.

I would agree that Donegal did suffer to an extent during that Tyrone/Armagh period of dominance, Donegal were actually running them both very close between 2002 and 2008 despite playing a more tradtional brand of football those years, albeit quick hand passing style and beat them both between 2003 and 2008.

Jim McGuinness began to dabble with their template with his club in the late 2000's, and finally unleashed his own version of it in 2011-2012."
I remember when Donegal won the All Ireland.....
They beat the Dubs in the Semi Final......it was great the way they sickened Dublin with the smothered blanket defence but jez it was mentally draining watching Donegal with everyone behind the ball and just keeping it amongst them self.
Good tactics if you keep the ball the opposition can't score and win by 0-08 to 0-06!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2511 - 28/02/2025 14:59:39    2593712

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Who's in charge of the clock in the Armagh v Dublin game? Clock ran on for minutes during substitutions.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2247 - 01/03/2025 20:53:20    2594003

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Replying To katser:  "I remember when Donegal won the All Ireland.....
They beat the Dubs in the Semi Final......it was great the way they sickened Dublin with the smothered blanket defence but jez it was mentally draining watching Donegal with everyone behind the ball and just keeping it amongst them self.
Good tactics if you keep the ball the opposition can't score and win by 0-08 to 0-06!"
Donegal won all Ireland in 2012 and beat Cork not Dublin in semifinal. Maybe you're confusing with 2014, when they beat Dublin in semifinal but then lost to Kerry in final!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 450 - 01/03/2025 21:25:15    2594016

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Cork football baffles me. I know the hurling is bigger down there, but Cork should surely be competing more consistently at the top levels of the game. They do very well underage and have a great pedigree producing great footballers.

I think they'd need some kind of messianic type manager like we have up here with Jim. Someone who would instantly command public attention and player respect. Get the best footballers in Cork fit and focussed. Someone like Graham Canty maybe? There's plenty of raw material there to work with. Or maybe there are other factors that outsiders like me aren't privy to?"
They're just isn't interest from the Cork public in Gaelic football at moment. It's poorly attended, and noticeable today that after hurling league game against Kilkenny, many didn't stay to watch the football Cork / Roscommon. Dual players invariably choose hurling, and whilst managers such as Billy Morgan succeeded in getting public interest, it's primarily a hurling county. Rugby and soccer have made inroads also! I don't know how serious the county board is in advancing Gaelic football, and indeed there were several defections this year!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 450 - 01/03/2025 21:33:00    2594020

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Who's in charge of the clock in the Armagh v Dublin game? Clock ran on for minutes during substitutions."
The 4th official in charge I think Saynothing. But up to ref to signal click off clock on.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7802 - 01/03/2025 21:38:26    2594023

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Replying To katser:  "Well I will say one thing for certain.....there is no chance Tyrone, Armagh or Derry will win the All Ireland this year.
In my opinion it's Galway, Kerry or Donegal. 3 horse race!"
I wouldn't bet against any of your 3 picks Katser but it's only March 1st. Some teams not aiming to peak until late in the Provincials. What odds on a repeat of 2001: Mayo League, Roscommon Connacht, Galway All Ireland? A waste of a bet surely but what are the odds?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7802 - 01/03/2025 21:41:29    2594025

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Well beat tonight, well played Armagh. Still don't like these rules though.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8701 - 01/03/2025 21:48:35    2594027

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Replying To katser:  "Wow it was just my opinion and I get kneecapped!!"
It's not safe being a Galway fan around here…… ha ha.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2339 - 01/03/2025 22:06:09    2594031

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "The 4th official in charge I think Saynothing. But up to ref to signal click off clock on."
Didn't matter tonight after all but in closer games there' needs to be proper control. The West are flying.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2247 - 01/03/2025 22:24:15    2594034

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Armagh better team tonight but tbf Dublin came back well but forgot our shooting boots.Finding it hard to follow all the new rules and what was one of Armaghs frees for near the end? Why was Costello s point disallowed?

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 12 - 01/03/2025 22:40:29    2594038

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If Down are relegated from Division 2, the top 14 from Division 1 & 2, Down ('24 Tailteann winner) and Clare/Tipperary/Waterford will be the most likely All Ireland participants.
Kildare, Offaly, Laois and Fermanagh can finish above Clare/Tipperary/Waterford in the league standings but lose out on the All Ireland due to a lopsided draw. Madness!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8560 - 02/03/2025 08:45:02    2594058

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Replying To brayballer:  "Armagh better team tonight but tbf Dublin came back well but forgot our shooting boots.Finding it hard to follow all the new rules and what was one of Armaghs frees for near the end? Why was Costello s point disallowed?"
3/3 rule as far as I know. Costello's shot was wide. Linesman called it, I was was right behind, it was the correct call.
Dubs brilliant supporters, great night but noone getting excited up here. Lots of players to come back to both teams, shadow boxing really with us needing the points more than Dublin. Good luck for rest of season!

sam2024 (Armagh) - Posts: 42 - 02/03/2025 10:42:45    2594070

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Replying To sam2024:  "3/3 rule as far as I know. Costello's shot was wide. Linesman called it, I was was right behind, it was the correct call.
Dubs brilliant supporters, great night but noone getting excited up here. Lots of players to come back to both teams, shadow boxing really with us needing the points more than Dublin. Good luck for rest of season!"
Looked wide all right. Armagh flying, get rid of the 3/3 rule and the games in a good place.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2247 - 02/03/2025 12:32:46    2594093

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Looked wide all right. Armagh flying, get rid of the 3/3 rule and the games in a good place."
Hard times avoid mistakes but keep 2pt and goalkeeper and get rid of 3 out 3 nonsense 3 up has helped the game scrap we are back to basically last year don't think u thought this one up clearly like 15 behind the ball . Nonsense qs well you kill inside forward again cause coaches won't attack because most too systematic

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 613 - 02/03/2025 12:53:38    2594100

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Looked wide all right. Armagh flying, get rid of the 3/3 rule and the games in a good place."
No surprise it's usual suspect that want 15 back cause can't trust forwards enovuh to beat a team

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 613 - 02/03/2025 12:54:08    2594101

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Hard times avoid mistakes but keep 2pt and goalkeeper and get rid of 3 out 3 nonsense 3 up has helped the game scrap we are back to basically last year don't think u thought this one up clearly like 15 behind the ball . Nonsense qs well you kill inside forward again cause coaches won't attack because most too systematic"
This 3up/3 back nonsense is penalising teams who can keep their full 15 players on the field. The GAA are great at coming up with 1 new rule that causes 2 problems.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2247 - 02/03/2025 17:06:17    2594164

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