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Leinster Football Championship

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Looking at the odds for the Final:
Meath 4/9
Louth 6/4

I think there is more pressure on Louth to be honest.
3rd final in a row, and of course that monkey on their back from 2010
As a neutral, I am really looking forward to it.

Kerry still fav's for Sam @ 5/2
Donegal 2nd favourite with Galway next.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4229 - 01/05/2025 17:37:41    2606100

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "This was the first year in my lifetime the Leinster semis were played outside of Croke Park. Never in my lifetime have Dublin played a championship match in Newbridge. Once in my lifetime have Dublin played a league game in Newbridge. They lost. I'm 28."
In addition to every other Leinster team. Does playing the Leinster Semis and Final in Croke Park advantage the likes of Meath and Kildare against non Leinster teams in Croke Park.

You should have been around in the 90, Kildare never played in Newbridge either and where happy not to - how many Championship games did Kildare play in Newbridge in 98 for example, exactly, spare us the hard done by act and hypocrisy.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4516 - 01/05/2025 22:40:33    2606154

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Replying To LongfordgaaAbú:  "Leinster Council delegates from all counties who voted to prevent this from happening again and again and again over the years should be held to account now. Especially those from smaller/weaker counties who time and again stood in the way of games being played outside Croker and time and again voted against the interests of their own county in order to enrich the Council and endear themselves to those running it.

Well done Louth and Meath, the Dubs will be back, but here's to a great final."
I agree more games should be played outside Croker but Dublin did nt make the decisions. I also agree Croke park is of course an advantage but where else can you play finals. I have no problem with Dublin playing games away.In a perverse way Dublin are a disadvantage nowadays playing games outside of Croker as we not used to it like other counties.Croke park makes the decisions not Dublin and I know for true that alot of the players would like to play more games outside of Croker.Counties like Mayo and Kerry love playing there and other counties want the experience of playing there so its hard to keep everyone happy. Yes a home ground is an advantage and Dublin nominated Croke park instead of the Neller but for years both Meath and Kildare used Croke park as their home ground for all championship matches.

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 54 - 01/05/2025 22:45:01    2606156

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Replying To TheUsername:  "In addition to every other Leinster team. Does playing the Leinster Semis and Final in Croke Park advantage the likes of Meath and Kildare against non Leinster teams in Croke Park.

You should have been around in the 90, Kildare never played in Newbridge either and where happy not to - how many Championship games did Kildare play in Newbridge in 98 for example, exactly, spare us the hard done by act and hypocrisy."
Yes! Studies have shown that is nearly every sport "home venue" is an advantage.The main reasons for these advantages are
1.Home support
2.Possible ref bias from crowd affect etc.
3.Familiararity.

Now I am one that agrees that Croke Park is an advantage to Dublin.Many Dublin players have admitted same including the late great Paddy Cullen who in an interview with the Irish Indo said "The dogs in the syreet know that Dubs have an advantage in Croke park" and said it was same in his time.

However as for the reasons of
1.Home support.
Well the Hill is intimidatibg for opposing players especially free kickers but tbf Dubs fans bring big numbers to away stadiums too so that point could be argued.Also counties like Mayo and Kildare can bring huge support.

2.Possible ref bias.

Well same as pont one,,Dubs Kildare Mayo have huge crowds anyway.

3.Familiarity.

Now tbf there is no denying that the Dubs have advanges here as even club players know that the more often you play on a pitch the easier it is and you know the grass the bounce the environment.

With that said the likes of Kildare played in croke park so often as did Meath then yes they too would have advantages over some other counties.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3901 - 02/05/2025 11:43:54    2606242

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Yes! Studies have shown that is nearly every sport "home venue" is an advantage.The main reasons for these advantages are
1.Home support
2.Possible ref bias from crowd affect etc.
3.Familiararity.

Now I am one that agrees that Croke Park is an advantage to Dublin.Many Dublin players have admitted same including the late great Paddy Cullen who in an interview with the Irish Indo said "The dogs in the syreet know that Dubs have an advantage in Croke park" and said it was same in his time.

However as for the reasons of
1.Home support.
Well the Hill is intimidatibg for opposing players especially free kickers but tbf Dubs fans bring big numbers to away stadiums too so that point could be argued.Also counties like Mayo and Kildare can bring huge support.

2.Possible ref bias.

Well same as pont one,,Dubs Kildare Mayo have huge crowds anyway.

3.Familiarity.

Now tbf there is no denying that the Dubs have advanges here as even club players know that the more often you play on a pitch the easier it is and you know the grass the bounce the environment.

With that said the likes of Kildare played in croke park so often as did Meath then yes they too would have advantages over some other counties."
Its a definite advantage for Dublin, but the GAA and the Country want to play all their big games in the biggest stadium in County Dublin. Ultimately all ground in the Republic anyway are almost all owned by the GAA - whether they are administered by the County Board or not. Most Counties tend to want to play their home game sin their counties biggest ground - for Dublin that's Croke Park. Personally id like to see some of the bigger games whether they be quarter or Semis moved out of Croker. But then its a huge ground very seldom used for its intended purpose - so doing that could turn it into a white elephant.

Dublin playing almost anyone there is an advantage based on that, you can call it a home ground, a national stadium whatever - it doesn't matter its Dublins home ground, we grew up kicking ab ll in it and against it on winter nights, we pass it every day, its in Dublin City, part of the sky line, its part of Dublin and Dublin a part of it - none the least the home of the six in the row. id accept the home advantage on that basis.

Where i have an issue is that while Dublin have used at home, so to have Kildare - i refer to my point when Micko was there they played close to 0 times in Newbridge and played almost exclusivity in Croke park, same with Meath there is a famous stat about Darren Fay that he played for Meath for almost over a decade before he played a game for Meath in Navan. Equally when Loais were doing well again under Micko - they used Corker as a home turf.

So while id openly acknowledge Croke Park has the advantage of being a home ground for Dublin, i think its hypocrisy for other Leinster Counties to call it an unfair advantage - when they them selves did exactly the same thing when it suited them.

Also make no mistake if Meath and Kildare started going well and the fair weather fans returned seeing crowds of 50-60k + in Leinseter you can bet anything you like those counties would want to play in Croke Park as a home ground again.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4516 - 02/05/2025 13:17:41    2606274

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Replying To TheUsername:  "In addition to every other Leinster team. Does playing the Leinster Semis and Final in Croke Park advantage the likes of Meath and Kildare against non Leinster teams in Croke Park.

You should have been around in the 90, Kildare never played in Newbridge either and where happy not to - how many Championship games did Kildare play in Newbridge in 98 for example, exactly, spare us the hard done by act and hypocrisy."
So because Kildare had two successful years (no all Ireland now, but 2 Leinsters) in the last 75, I can't make an argument and I'm a hypocrite? Give over. I was 1 and 3 when they happened. My one and only positive memory of a match in Croker was the 2010 all Ireland quarter. Other than that, misery. There's no Kildare player in the last 15 years that wouldn't eat your hand off for a Leinster championship game against the Dubs outside of Croker, let alone in Newbridge. Coding yourself if you don't think you've had a ridiculous advantage.

Of course, you still would have won most of those Leinster titles.

Most.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 349 - 02/05/2025 13:34:55    2606286

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Replying To Sweetspot:  "So because Kildare had two successful years (no all Ireland now, but 2 Leinsters) in the last 75, I can't make an argument and I'm a hypocrite? Give over. I was 1 and 3 when they happened. My one and only positive memory of a match in Croker was the 2010 all Ireland quarter. Other than that, misery. There's no Kildare player in the last 15 years that wouldn't eat your hand off for a Leinster championship game against the Dubs outside of Croker, let alone in Newbridge. Coding yourself if you don't think you've had a ridiculous advantage.

Of course, you still would have won most of those Leinster titles.

Most."
Yes your age and what you experienced has nothing to do with it - its not relevant.

If Kildare did the exact same thing you are affronted that Dublin did and then you make out Kildare a victim that is hypocrisy a Chara.

Incidentally Kildare played Dublin in Nolan a couple of years ago and were annihilated out the gate with Dublin pulling up - largely because Glen Ryan started the same hypocrisy as you trying to advocate here.

Kildare could populate MARS - have there own planet - and play Dublin there - the venue still wouldn't make a difference to the result. With respect this year you are a Div 3 team, playing n the Zig and Zag cup - so get the boat with your - "eat your hand off stuff" - get into the championship first. ;)

Is Croke Park an advantage to Dublin, sure - its our home Ground. But Kildare, Meath and Loais have also used it for that adavantage also - so hypocrisy.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4516 - 02/05/2025 13:58:51    2606295

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Dublin v Louth
Offaly v Kildare

Leinster semi final draw.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4229 - 02/05/2025 15:36:58    2606313

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Replying To Fionn:  "Dublin v Louth
Offaly v Kildare

Leinster semi final draw."
Minor Football

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4229 - 02/05/2025 15:57:46    2606317

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Replying To TheUsername:  "Its a definite advantage for Dublin, but the GAA and the Country want to play all their big games in the biggest stadium in County Dublin. Ultimately all ground in the Republic anyway are almost all owned by the GAA - whether they are administered by the County Board or not. Most Counties tend to want to play their home game sin their counties biggest ground - for Dublin that's Croke Park. Personally id like to see some of the bigger games whether they be quarter or Semis moved out of Croker. But then its a huge ground very seldom used for its intended purpose - so doing that could turn it into a white elephant.

Dublin playing almost anyone there is an advantage based on that, you can call it a home ground, a national stadium whatever - it doesn't matter its Dublins home ground, we grew up kicking ab ll in it and against it on winter nights, we pass it every day, its in Dublin City, part of the sky line, its part of Dublin and Dublin a part of it - none the least the home of the six in the row. id accept the home advantage on that basis.

Where i have an issue is that while Dublin have used at home, so to have Kildare - i refer to my point when Micko was there they played close to 0 times in Newbridge and played almost exclusivity in Croke park, same with Meath there is a famous stat about Darren Fay that he played for Meath for almost over a decade before he played a game for Meath in Navan. Equally when Loais were doing well again under Micko - they used Corker as a home turf.

So while id openly acknowledge Croke Park has the advantage of being a home ground for Dublin, i think its hypocrisy for other Leinster Counties to call it an unfair advantage - when they them selves did exactly the same thing when it suited them.

Also make no mistake if Meath and Kildare started going well and the fair weather fans returned seeing crowds of 50-60k + in Leinseter you can bet anything you like those counties would want to play in Croke Park as a home ground again."
Indeed I agree with you User.During Micko s reign Kildare played in Croke park regularly and was like a home ground to them and also agree with you 100% on the Leinster council.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3901 - 02/05/2025 16:17:34    2606323

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Darren Fay was 7 years playing for meath before he played a championship match in navan, 2002 v Louth and 2006 v roscommon and laois next so 3 chamionship matches in 11 years at senior.

Trevor Giles went from 1995 to 2002 having never played chamionship in it.

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 826 - 02/05/2025 23:21:22    2606365

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Indeed I agree with you User.During Micko s reign Kildare played in Croke park regularly and was like a home ground to them and also agree with you 100% on the Leinster council."
There's a difference between being fixed to play in Croke Park regularly, and nominating it as a "home" ground. Kildare matches of that era regularly attracted 40,000 or 50,000 people or more. There's no way you'd fit that into Newbridge!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2856 - 05/05/2025 20:54:51    2606934

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "There's a difference between being fixed to play in Croke Park regularly, and nominating it as a "home" ground. Kildare matches of that era regularly attracted 40,000 or 50,000 people or more. There's no way you'd fit that into Newbridge!"
Newbridge or anywhere! ;D

Advancedmark (Mayo) - Posts: 25 - 05/05/2025 21:42:37    2606945

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "There's a difference between being fixed to play in Croke Park regularly, and nominating it as a "home" ground. Kildare matches of that era regularly attracted 40,000 or 50,000 people or more. There's no way you'd fit that into Newbridge!"
You're right Pikeman - most of the time Kildare were fixed to play at Croke Park and didn't nominate the ground as a home venue. There were some times Kildare did choose to play home games at Croke park - a couple of league games here and there. The Kildare County board were happy to go along with the GAA plans to try and get more interest into the league games - so some double headers with Dublin in Croke Park were tried. That didn't work - but then even having Jedward playing at half time didn't work. This was never a popular decision in Kildare - culminating in the Newbridge or Nowhere match where we said enough is enough.

When St Conleth's was being redeveloped Kildare choose to use Cullen Park as their home ground rather than Croke Park.

brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 437 - 09/05/2025 09:53:01    2607755

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From speaking to quite a few Louth and Meath people, including those involved in the GAA in those counties, over the past few days - there is a massive difference.
Meath seem very relaxed about Sunday and somewhat confident, especially after beating the Dubs.
I think the nerves are really kicking in with a lot of Louth people now though.
It will be very interesting to see if these feelings are reflected in both sets of players on Sunday.

I still think Ger has a lot of work to ensure nerves dont get the better of the Louth team, especially facing Meath and all the talk of 2010. Yes, this is their 3rd Leinster Final in a row but very few expected them to win either of the last 2 years and there was not the same type of pressure as there is this time around.

Really looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

May the best team win.....

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4229 - 09/05/2025 11:08:59    2607778

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Replying To dickie10:  "Darren Fay was 7 years playing for meath before he played a championship match in navan, 2002 v Louth and 2006 v roscommon and laois next so 3 chamionship matches in 11 years at senior.

Trevor Giles went from 1995 to 2002 having never played chamionship in it."
That was Meath's own choice. In 1983, Meath chose to play Dublin twice in Croke Park. In drawn first round and replay.

Im sure they could have insisted In 1991 too.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3512 - 09/05/2025 18:52:51    2607888

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