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All Ireland Football Final 2024 - Galway V Armagh

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Looking forward to a good final , Galway are favourites with the majority of pundits but Armagh will pose a serious challenge. A novel pairing, Connacht and Ulster teams have met in only six finals to date.
Leaving my provincial and neighbourly allegiance aside I see this final as a bit of a neutral's dilemma. Two respectful and likeable managers , both terrific All Ireland winning players.
Joyce has won three successive Connacht titles but wants to deliver on his stated aim of winning an All Ireland. He was very magnanimous in their semi final win acknowledging the progress made this year by the defeated Donegal team. Galway have a tight well organised defence and stylish, clinical forwards. They have beaten Mayo and the Leinster and Ulster champions so far. A win tomorrow would have them defeating five of the other seven quarter finalist in this year's championship. Few would quibble with Paul Conroy (35) crowning an inspirational comeback from a double leg break with an All Ireland winning medal.
The relief on McGeeney's face during Armagh's semi final celebrations was matched only by the hug /snog he received from the team's physio (turned out she is his Kerry born wife). He has been through the anguish mill losing 4 penalty shoot outs , faced severe criticism within and outside the county but has maintained an admirable dignity throughout it all. Armagh are a good watch when they throw caution to the wind and go for it (reminiscent of Mayo at their best) cheered on by their loud and colourful support. They are a physically strong, athletic and spirited group .. excellent at high fielding and long kick passing.
Safe travel to all fans and may the best team on the day win.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 577 - 28/07/2024 01:44:45    2562056

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My final word on this game. I have tipped Galway for quite a while. However I would say this to the Armagh players and fans. In 2021 Mayo were raging hot favourites to beat Tyrone. Indeed most of the pundits, media and Mayo folk said that it was a mere formality, forgone conclusion and Mayo only had to turn up. I get the same feeling from the Southern media, pundits and Galway fans here. They think it's a done deal. Armagh should remember their neighbours 3 years ago and act on it.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9785 - 28/07/2024 05:01:41    2562062

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Replying To YellowShadeOfPurple:  "Obviously hoping for a great game, I'd like to see Galway win, due to nothing more than their good performance a couple of years ago against Kerry in the final!"
I wish more people from the South, especially the sports media, commentators and GAA folk, would be more honest and say they just don't want a Nordie team to win full stop against "one of theirs".

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9785 - 28/07/2024 05:06:37    2562063

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Replying To LilywhiteGael:  "While the coach of the Galway team is a Kildare man, Kieran McGeeney will always have a special place in the hearts of all true Kildare Gaels. So for for 70+ minutes tomorrow I'll be an Armagh man.

I would dearly love to see Geezer join that elite band who have both captained and managed their counties to a senior All-Ireland title.
Ard Mhacha Abú!!!"
I think a sizeable group in Kildare would be delighted to see Geezer have his day. I'm very much cheering for Armagh, but I don't see that Galway team being stopped.

Also, isn't it great to not have Dublin in it?

Daith (Kildare) - Posts: 1172 - 28/07/2024 07:52:45    2562066

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It's a terrible shame that there's no minor final as a curtain raiser to the senior final today… It's a terrible own goal by the GAA to deprive young lads from experiencing a huge occasion like this…. Hopefully Jarlath Burns in his wisdom can reverse this ridiculous decision to take minor finals out of Croke Park and separate them from the senior occasion..

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 28/07/2024 09:07:43    2562069

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Replying To Daith:  "I think a sizeable group in Kildare would be delighted to see Geezer have his day. I'm very much cheering for Armagh, but I don't see that Galway team being stopped.

Also, isn't it great to not have Dublin in it?"
Or Kerry either

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1950 - 28/07/2024 09:09:06    2562070

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Traditionally this is the last inter county game of the current GAA year, so looking back somewhat on what has changed positively Up for the match was a very good effort on behalf of RTE to start a change for the better on its presentation of its all-Ireland series of hurling and football. Des Cahill & Jacquie Hurley are class acts and they turned over a good show, their guests were more than entertaining by ticking all the boxes, the high light of the show as their excellent tribute to the late John O' Mahony (RIP) by highlighting the many successes he had both on and off the field, no doubt more will be seen and heard of John in the weeks and months ahead.

The all-Ireland hurling final of two weeks ago was a spectacle of the highest level not seen before, hurling has reached a new level where more contest the all-Ireland championship with at least a sporting chance than their footballing counterparts at inter county level, the game of hurling is surely the greatest field sport in the world, talking points about ranking for hurling counties is a waste of space, i.e. not necessary at all.

Over the last 10 years with the exception on one or two where all Leinster finals, all- Ireland semis and finals the final result was a foregone conclusion, this year is very different, no one can say beyond the fear of contradiction who is going to lift the Sam Maguire Cup, the game promises to be another classic, if it is then the game of Gaelic football is saved for now, if not then it is anyone's guess what lies in store.

If Dublin make a return visit to the all- Ireland final next year (which I think they will) then we are back for more of the same.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3050 - 28/07/2024 10:29:37    2562084

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Best of luck to both teams and their supporters today, hope its a great game and the best team wins, safe travels to everyone to and from Dublin, enjoy the day.

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 937 - 28/07/2024 10:45:11    2562088

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "It's a terrible shame that there's no minor final as a curtain raiser to the senior final today… It's a terrible own goal by the GAA to deprive young lads from experiencing a huge occasion like this…. Hopefully Jarlath Burns in his wisdom can reverse this ridiculous decision to take minor finals out of Croke Park and separate them from the senior occasion.."
It pains me to say this but I actually agree with you for once !

DUBJOHN (Dublin) - Posts: 937 - 28/07/2024 10:47:47    2562089

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Replying To supersub15:  "Traditionally this is the last inter county game of the current GAA year, so looking back somewhat on what has changed positively Up for the match was a very good effort on behalf of RTE to start a change for the better on its presentation of its all-Ireland series of hurling and football. Des Cahill & Jacquie Hurley are class acts and they turned over a good show, their guests were more than entertaining by ticking all the boxes, the high light of the show as their excellent tribute to the late John O' Mahony (RIP) by highlighting the many successes he had both on and off the field, no doubt more will be seen and heard of John in the weeks and months ahead.

The all-Ireland hurling final of two weeks ago was a spectacle of the highest level not seen before, hurling has reached a new level where more contest the all-Ireland championship with at least a sporting chance than their footballing counterparts at inter county level, the game of hurling is surely the greatest field sport in the world, talking points about ranking for hurling counties is a waste of space, i.e. not necessary at all.

Over the last 10 years with the exception on one or two where all Leinster finals, all- Ireland semis and finals the final result was a foregone conclusion, this year is very different, no one can say beyond the fear of contradiction who is going to lift the Sam Maguire Cup, the game promises to be another classic, if it is then the game of Gaelic football is saved for now, if not then it is anyone's guess what lies in store.

If Dublin make a return visit to the all- Ireland final next year (which I think they will) then we are back for more of the same."
The guests on the show last night were very good but saying Des Cahill and Hurley are class acts is a bit over the top.. Des is way past his sell by date and Evainn Ni Chuillan is miles ahead of Jauqi Hurley for a gig like this… We definitely need a top class entertaining game today but I wouldn't hold my hopes… both teams will probably be very cagey which could lead to a slow dour game especially the first half … hopefully I'm wrong… I don't see how Dublins involvement next year would lead to more of the same dour football as over the years they are one of the few teams who actually go out and attack the game… It's usually whoever they play against goes all defensive… Football needs a classic final today to end what had been a pretty forgettable rushed through season…. Hopefully Jarlath Burns can implement a few changes to go along with his so called great speeches….. time will tell

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 28/07/2024 11:01:02    2562092

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Replying To Ulsterman:  "My final word on this game. I have tipped Galway for quite a while. However I would say this to the Armagh players and fans. In 2021 Mayo were raging hot favourites to beat Tyrone. Indeed most of the pundits, media and Mayo folk said that it was a mere formality, forgone conclusion and Mayo only had to turn up. I get the same feeling from the Southern media, pundits and Galway fans here. They think it's a done deal. Armagh should remember their neighbours 3 years ago and act on it."
" Mayo were raging hot favourites to beat Tyrone. Indeed most of the pundits, media and Mayo folk said that it was a mere formality, forgone conclusion and Mayo only had to turn up."

Please could you name all the pundits, with quotes. Where they say it was 'a mere formality', a 'foregone conclusion' and 'Mayo only had to turn up'?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2654 - 28/07/2024 11:01:42    2562093

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Replying To DUBJOHN:  "It pains me to say this but I actually agree with you for once !"
Just where would you put the 20,000 that showed up for last years Minor Final, or the 15,000 that were at this year"s Minor Hurling Final. The Minors their families and supporters have a right to their own day out. Some lads on here engage tongue before brains.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 386 - 28/07/2024 11:21:07    2562098

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "It's a terrible shame that there's no minor final as a curtain raiser to the senior final today… It's a terrible own goal by the GAA to deprive young lads from experiencing a huge occasion like this…. Hopefully Jarlath Burns in his wisdom can reverse this ridiculous decision to take minor finals out of Croke Park and separate them from the senior occasion.."
My nephew was part of a winning team and I can tell you that the majority disagree with you. They get their own day, massive crowd and all their friends and families get to experience it.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 28/07/2024 11:43:09    2562099

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Just where would you put the 20,000 that showed up for last years Minor Final, or the 15,000 that were at this year"s Minor Hurling Final. The Minors their families and supporters have a right to their own day out. Some lads on here engage tongue before brains."
Well you definitely have little or none of the latter….

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3025 - 28/07/2024 12:19:04    2562102

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Best of luck to both teams today. Weather seems perfect so I hope we get a great game. Safe travelling to both sets of fans. It's a special out for all involved and though here will be elation for some and heartbreak for others both fans have a lot to be proud of.

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1990 - 28/07/2024 12:37:41    2562109

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Replying To Dessie_Cross:  "Lots of Galway boys slabbering about brawls. I think what really worries them is how Armagh played all football against Kerry. They're not really relying on getting into Galway heads. We can play our own game. You'd nearly swear they'd love a mass brawl so if they won they could say they won by playing football and bate a crowd of MMA fighters. May the best team win. I won't begrudge Galway an All-Ireland if it doesn't go our way."
Nah, it's more a case of we are not really into eye gouging and gutter tactics which Armagh and Derry love to sink to. Come and play football and leave your thuggery for when you go home

Boomerz (Galway) - Posts: 15 - 28/07/2024 13:01:27    2562113

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Best of luck to both teams today.Great weather thank God.I m lucky to get a ticket and its nice to attend a final as a neutral with no nerves and I can sit back and enjoy the game.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 28/07/2024 13:21:38    2562115

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Should be a good game, Armagh sat back in the group game and Galway picked them off. Pressure will be on Armagh to go for it and maybe try something different as Galway system is working well for them.
Kickouts will be massive to the outcome, Armagh defence give up alot of goal opportunity's so Galway will need to take them cause they will create goal chances.
On paper Galway should win but finals take a life of there own and Armagh will keep going till the last second.

tommy132 (Mayo) - Posts: 619 - 28/07/2024 13:43:23    2562129

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Replying To Boomerz:  "Nah, it's more a case of we are not really into eye gouging and gutter tactics which Armagh and Derry love to sink to. Come and play football and leave your thuggery for when you go home"
Always great banter between rival fans in Croker and Croke park has been honoured to host teams from all over the country including fine teams from Armagh and Derry and indeed Galway. Fans with stupid polarised views like you Boomerz would do all a favour if you stayed a home. Hoping for a good game and may the best team win.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 793 - 28/07/2024 14:10:40    2562136

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Like when was the last big game that kick-outs were not key?"
Ture, but it feels like the spotlight on two goalkeepers coming into an Ireland final has never been as intense

You would imagine with the noise and colour, Croke park will be electric, so sparks might fly early and we might get something unexpected.

On a side note, it's hard to understand how Paul Conroy is such long odds for player of the year. A good performance today and a Galway win and I think he'll have a great chance

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 377 - 28/07/2024 14:41:52    2562144

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