There's always one. The team everyone was tipping to do well at the start of the year but they fail to do anything of note.
Last year it was Down. After an All Ireland final they fell away something dreadful and now no-one knows exactly where Down are. Cork werent far behind either
This year with the Dubs as reigning champs they are the obvious answer. But I firmly believe this Dubs team isnt going anywhere but up for a few years to come. I think we will win at least one more Sam in the next 3 years
So, with that said, It leaves me with 2 teams I think could have a rotten fall in 2012. Donegal and Kildare.
The talk and hype around Kildare is unbelievable. Not all of their own doing, and no one understands how annoying that is more than us Dubs.
Now for the record, I do rate this Kildare team and I do think they have the potential to make a semi final, but with all the talk, all the hype and the fact that, once again, this year is "make or break"....I wouldnt be atall surprised to see them beaten by Dublin in a LF and then a tame loss in a qualifier. Not because they are a poor team, but simply because sometimes, that kinda thing just happens!

Likewise Donegal, much is expected of them after last year and moreso even than Kildare they would be my pick for flop of the year. (No offence Lockjaw, its nothing personal my friend!)
I have a sneaky feeling Derry are gonna beat them and they wont see August!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8170 - 22/05/2012 14:58:36    1178121

getting hammered by cork isn't choking its simply being found out and not being good enough..you need to learn what choking means

ffgg (Longford) - Posts: 2571 - 22/05/2012 15:24:49    1178147

None taken Liam and I can see where you're coming from. The thing is though that in previous years under different management I would have agreed. For example in 2006 we got to an AI QF and narrowly lost to Cork. Then in 2007 we blitzed everyone in the league and won it. Come championship time Tyrone demolished us in Ulster before we tamely bowed out to Monaghan in the qualifiers.

This year again much is expected of us. I agree that it will be difficult, particularly to retain the Ulster title. Teams will be planning on how to overcome our tactics and judging from comments here on HS a lot of "neutrals" would be delighted to see us fall flat on our faces. But there is a steely determination in this group of players that I've never seen in a Donegal team in my lifetime. They are extremely fit and powerful, each man knows his role to a tee and it is a very hard team to break down.

My prediction for us this year is hopefully another Ulster title and I'll be happy to see what the QF brings us.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10280 - 22/05/2012 15:27:23    1178149

I'll go for the experts on choking - Mayo. They have good form.

theboydonegood (Donegal) - Posts: 522 - 22/05/2012 15:39:10    1178158

Meath will beat Kildare.

It'll be another year without a Leinster title fr Kildare. Dublin will beat Meath in the final

Kildare to blow it in Leinster.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 22/05/2012 15:47:59    1178166

kerry, serious problems ahead, choked like 2011

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 22/05/2012 15:54:15    1178168

Kerry or Cork in a Munster football final against ourselves Liam

Southsham (Limerick) - Posts: 753 - 22/05/2012 15:57:03    1178174

Choke is a word used only by those who know nothing about sport.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 22/05/2012 15:58:32    1178176

Probably Cork when they come up against Kerry, and the Galway hurlers when they are been predicted to win a game against someone like Waterford or Dublin.

gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 22/05/2012 16:02:49    1178180

imo id say mayo and kildare alot of pressure for mayo too go further this year and probably kildare also alot of pressure on them to win leinster and then go well in the championship..

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 22/05/2012 16:04:03    1178181

AfricanGael

What about a sports loving doctor?

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 22/05/2012 16:04:16    1178182

Worst Limerick team in years Sham :(
not a prayer

such a shame, such a shame.

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8170 - 22/05/2012 16:05:39    1178183

I d'ont think Donegal will choke,mentally too strong.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2988 - 22/05/2012 16:11:18    1178185

The irony of this post....you could be describing the Dubs summer to a tee

Kildare30 (Kildare) - Posts: 603 - 22/05/2012 16:15:27    1178188

22/05/2012 15:47:59
jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 8873

1178166 Meath will beat Kildare.

____

I think Wicklow will beat Meath.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 22/05/2012 16:22:54    1178197

AfricanGael
Or a racing boat pilot?

There seems to be an air of expectation surrounding Kildare, with lots of "this is their last chance" talk been bandied about. So I would think that right now, they're the ones feeling the pressure. One can't help but think that unless they get to a SF there's going to be some talk about them blowing their best chance for an AI.

And Mayo. There's always Mayo ;)

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3153 - 22/05/2012 16:30:54    1178204

jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 8873

1178182
AfricanGael

What about a sports loving doctor?

Loving sport and understanding sport are two completely different things, doctor.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 22/05/2012 16:45:17    1178216

Derry_ledd
County: Derry
Posts: 1930

1178197 22/05/2012 15:47:59
jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 8873

1178166 Meath will beat Kildare.

____

I think Wicklow will beat Meath.
____________

No chance.

But sure we'll wait and see.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 22/05/2012 16:47:18    1178221

Tyrone, everybody is getting carried away with how they played in Division 2. I appreciate that they're a good team and are likely to do well, but not as well as people expect them to be. There's not a hope they would have gone unbeaten until the final in Divison 1.

OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 22/05/2012 16:48:02    1178222

AfricanGael
County: UK
Posts: 173

1178216 jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 8873

1178182
AfricanGael

What about a sports loving doctor?

Loving sport and understanding sport are two completely different things, doctor.
______

Not for me. In my mind you cant have one without the other...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 22/05/2012 16:58:05    1178234