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All Ireland Football Championship 2025

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Anyway comhghairdeas Ciarraí and to all the posters here and people of Kerry, the most knowledgeable and soundest bunch of supporters I've come across. Gavin White was tremendous and David Clifford in the flesh is something to behold

CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 269 - 28/07/2025 09:58:12    2628511

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Well done Kerry, thoroughly deserving winners.
A tough one for us to take, but sometimes you just have to tip the hat to the opposition. Outstanding from start to finish.

A huge thanks to our own lads for all their efforts. It has been a really memorable year, albeit not with the finish that we'd wished for.

To all those taking great pleasure in our defeat, seriously get a life. It must be a miserable enough existence when posting snide, juvenile comments on an anonymous Internet forum gives you your kicks.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9954 - 28/07/2025 10:23:19    2628520

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Congrats to Kerry. No dispute they are the best team in the land. Final was very flat and a disappointment for us neutrals not that it will bother Kerry one bit."
Thanks!
7 counties emerged with strong prospects after the league. Happy to get over the line on this occasion with a well executed game plan from our perspective.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9060 - 28/07/2025 10:23:27    2628521

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Replying To galwayford:  "You could be right. I remember though Kerry asking for Dubs to be split in 2 a few years ago. Also Pat Spillane callling Tyrone- "puke ball" after they beat Kerry."
Kerry never ever asked to split the Dubs. Spillane did say "puke football" but he talks for hinself and not Kerry.Both Dublin and Tyrone had brilliant teams tbose times.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4059 - 28/07/2025 10:43:55    2628533

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Replying To Green_Gold:  "Congrats to Kerry, absolutely terrific performance from start to finish. Not much I can add about David Clifford that hasn't already been said but also stunning performances from Paudie, Joe O'Connor and Gavin White. Kerry dominated midfield in the first half and Donegal just couldn't get their hands on the ball. We did get it back to 4 points at one stage but then kicked a couple of wides. But not sure Donegal ever looked like winning.

Donegal have had a great year, shame to put in a below par performances in the final but Kerry deserve the credit today. Reading the posts I can see there is already a lot of negative comments on Jim. Easy to forget we were in Div 2 when he took over, has won us two Ulster titles and made an All Ireland final."
Thank you Greengold.Jim McGuinness is still a top manager.He has nothing to prove to anyone.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4059 - 28/07/2025 10:45:46    2628534

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Replying To CCFabu:  "Jim after the Ulster final made a point to BBC that the Jimmys Winnin' Matches thing isn't true, the interview was over and he said no, it's the players winning the matches.

The media can focus on Jim and Michael all they want, are they then supposed to just ignore interview requests or not answer questions put to them? Then they'd be called arrogant and playing mind games.

Any time there was a focus on Murphy other players have been bigged up in the squad like Roarty, Langan, Thompson, Patton, Shane O'Donnell Mogan & McHugh.

Jim is a divisive character over the years but he's never been anything except humble in defeat, rightly gave full credit to Kerry yesterday and he looks after the players and goes to bat for Donegal. He does nothing but praise Kerry football and tradition and spent many years in Tralee yet people then accuse him of bigging them up as mind games. He is a genuine man. It seems to rub some people up the wrong way that he has high standards and will advocate for Donegal but I'm fed up of some of the rubbish spouted about him to be honest.

Kerry were fantastic yesterday and deserving AI winners we can have no complaints, totally outclassed and that is hard to take"
Thank you CC fabu.Nice post.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4059 - 28/07/2025 10:47:49    2628535

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Well done Kerry, thoroughly deserving winners.
A tough one for us to take, but sometimes you just have to tip the hat to the opposition. Outstanding from start to finish.

A huge thanks to our own lads for all their efforts. It has been a really memorable year, albeit not with the finish that we'd wished for.

To all those taking great pleasure in our defeat, seriously get a life. It must be a miserable enough existence when posting snide, juvenile comments on an anonymous Internet forum gives you your kicks."
Thank you Lockjaw.Thats nice coming from a poster I admire like yourself.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4059 - 28/07/2025 10:50:30    2628539

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Thanks!
7 counties emerged with strong prospects after the league. Happy to get over the line on this occasion with a well executed game plan from our perspective."
A well deserved win for Kerry, and they stepped up when the championship got to the business end. The 2-pointers kicked to give them the breathing space early on will get plenty coverage and rightly so, but two elements I mentioned before the game were most impressive and laid the foundations for their All-Ireland win.

1. Their defensive shield, even when teams managed to win a clean kickout was very impressive. They managed to slow down the attack and not give up any overlaps which would lead to goal chances. They also defended the front of the arc brilliantly in the quarter, semi and final. Cian O'Neill's loss was keenly felt in Galway this year.
2. Their structure around kickouts. It wasn't primary possession they were winning very often, but the way they got numbers around the break was very impressive. Against Tyrone, Kilpatrick actually won more high ball than anyone, but Kerry won more kickouts by getting the majority of the breaks. The same was the case yesterday. O'Connor won a couple early on, but after that the clean catches were mainly from Donegal. However, Kerry mopped up a lot of the loose ball by sheer weight of numbers.

I felt Donegal had more in them yesterday. Their reluctantance to pressure the ball carrier hurt them and I'm surprised they didn't change tact when it was clear the game was getting away from them.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2474 - 28/07/2025 11:18:55    2628557

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Sorry to sound a bit bitter. Well done Kerry. I like Jack O Connor. A modest man who wins. I admire the ferocity of the likes of Seán O Shea. And David Clifford is not just a great player but a patriot too. That said as a Westener, I have to question why Kerry have such an easy ride in Munster. They play division 3 teams mainly. Whereas Galway play Mayo, Roscommon, division 1 teams. Not fair. GAA is biased against Connacht.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2651 - 28/07/2025 11:21:33    2628559

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It'll be very interesting to see what other teams come with to combat Kerrys forward play. Could it be argued that Tyrone had the right idea but just left too many scores behind them, especially in the first half? If Hampsey was able to do the job McCole did and keep Clifford to 7 points? That 1-2 makes a huge difference to the complexion of the Tyrone game.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 282 - 28/07/2025 11:23:35    2628560

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Replying To galwayford:  "There is a GAA bias in favour of Kerry. Example: The Munster championship a free ride for them. And a definite bias against Connacht teams. Galway or Mayo are very equal. But cannot push on and win Sam. Sorry to be negative but today was a horrible game. Not a patch on last year's thriller."
Last year's thriller?, are you having a laugh?

GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 98 - 28/07/2025 11:34:04    2628568

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Replying To galwayford:  "Sorry to sound a bit bitter. Well done Kerry. I like Jack O Connor. A modest man who wins. I admire the ferocity of the likes of Seán O Shea. And David Clifford is not just a great player but a patriot too. That said as a Westener, I have to question why Kerry have such an easy ride in Munster. They play division 3 teams mainly. Whereas Galway play Mayo, Roscommon, division 1 teams. Not fair. GAA is biased against Connacht."
What are you on about? Kerry had a softish group no doubt, but they played Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal in knockouts and beat them all fairly comfortably. Kerry have an easy ride in Munster because all of the other counties are overwhelmingly hurling first. Why would you have to question that, when it's patently obvious?
Whatever about the 70s and 80s, the easy ride in Munster is fairly irrelevant now with the new system. They're not getting parachuted into an All-Ireland semi-final anymore.
What's the bias against Connacht you keep referring to?
It's up to Galway and Mayo to sort themselves out. We have no excuses.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2474 - 28/07/2025 11:36:20    2628571

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Replying To galwayford:  "Sorry to sound a bit bitter. Well done Kerry. I like Jack O Connor. A modest man who wins. I admire the ferocity of the likes of Seán O Shea. And David Clifford is not just a great player but a patriot too. That said as a Westener, I have to question why Kerry have such an easy ride in Munster. They play division 3 teams mainly. Whereas Galway play Mayo, Roscommon, division 1 teams. Not fair. GAA is biased against Connacht."
You do sound bitter, Kerry were awesome, we've no excuses, beaten by a better team on the day. Galway hurlers had a pass to the All Ireland semi final every year and didn't use that advantage.

Ulsterchamps72 (Donegal) - Posts: 171 - 28/07/2025 11:47:03    2628578

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Replying To Ulsterchamps72:  "You do sound bitter, Kerry were awesome, we've no excuses, beaten by a better team on the day. Galway hurlers had a pass to the All Ireland semi final every year and didn't use that advantage."
Give Mayo a pass to the semis like Kerry get.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2651 - 28/07/2025 12:07:56    2628588

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "What are you on about? Kerry had a softish group no doubt, but they played Armagh, Tyrone and Donegal in knockouts and beat them all fairly comfortably. Kerry have an easy ride in Munster because all of the other counties are overwhelmingly hurling first. Why would you have to question that, when it's patently obvious?
Whatever about the 70s and 80s, the easy ride in Munster is fairly irrelevant now with the new system. They're not getting parachuted into an All-Ireland semi-final anymore.
What's the bias against Connacht you keep referring to?
It's up to Galway and Mayo to sort themselves out. We have no excuses."
Yes there is issues in the West. But if we had all home games like Dubs in Croke park, or a free passage to semi finals like Kerry, we would be laughing.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2651 - 28/07/2025 12:10:19    2628590

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Replying To galwayford:  "Sorry to sound a bit bitter. Well done Kerry. I like Jack O Connor. A modest man who wins. I admire the ferocity of the likes of Seán O Shea. And David Clifford is not just a great player but a patriot too. That said as a Westener, I have to question why Kerry have such an easy ride in Munster. They play division 3 teams mainly. Whereas Galway play Mayo, Roscommon, division 1 teams. Not fair. GAA is biased against Connacht."
And when Kerry get beaten people will say oh Munster is too easy they came in undercooked! You cant win. But yes you do sound Bitter. The munster final was on 4th may! A lifetime ago at this stage

mr305 (Galway) - Posts: 87 - 28/07/2025 12:16:07    2628592

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Replying To ahsure.:  "Yes thought he came across very well, measured and points well made. A lot of waffle going on around him."
I thought he was far and away best pundit on show last night. I think the sunday game producers really need to look at the pundits they've recruited in recent years.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2120 - 28/07/2025 12:17:11    2628594

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As a Donegal man no complaints about yesterday's result gainst a marvellous Kerry team who were deserved winners yesterday. Thought Jim was very gracious in defeat too. Very proud of this Donegal team and hopefully there will be better days ahead for them.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1150 - 28/07/2025 12:21:03    2628595

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Replying To galwayford:  "Yes there is issues in the West. But if we had all home games like Dubs in Croke park, or a free passage to semi finals like Kerry, we would be laughing."
I can only think you're on a wind-up now. Kerry had to play the All-Ireland champions to make a semi-final. They beat them well. That's a free passage according to you.
We had to beat Meath, an inferior team to Armagh. We couldn't manage that. Meath were subsequently walloped in the semi-final.
Now you're bringing the Dubs into it.
Yes, Munster is primarily a hurling province. Did it make a difference for Kerry in the past? Almost certainly. Is it that relevant now? Much less so, and definitely less so this year. Kerry met the 3 best teams in Ulster in the quarter, semi and final. They dispatched all of them relatively comfortably.
Blaming Croke Park for Galway's failings is a complete cop-out. We're underachieving and the solution to it lies squarely within our own county.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2474 - 28/07/2025 12:58:47    2628623

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Well done Kerry.Yous made it look easy and Young Clifford is a joy watch.

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 258 - 28/07/2025 13:20:07    2628630

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