National Forum

Ulster Senior Club Championship

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Hurling is boring, they can score from anywhere and you can't see if it was a score or not anyway, I have no idea what half of the pundits are saying, it's like a pavey point agm listening to them.
The same handful of counties keep playing each other over and over every year in some made up rubbish of a competition, Galway play in Leinster?? it's rubbish imo."
Gaelic football is atrocious.

About 3 counties like Kerry, Dublin & Tyrone battle is out every year for Sam Maguire.

A 3 team competition since 2013.

Hurling is by far and away a more exciting, skilful & faster sport.

You could put 26 counties into the Mickey Mouse Tailteann Cup and let the other 6 make up the Sam Maguire because that's all about the the level.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 925 - 07/11/2022 19:42:08    2446802

Link

Replying To Past hurler:  "Gaelic football is atrocious.

About 3 counties like Kerry, Dublin & Tyrone battle is out every year for Sam Maguire.

A 3 team competition since 2013.

Hurling is by far and away a more exciting, skilful & faster sport.

You could put 26 counties into the Mickey Mouse Tailteann Cup and let the other 6 make up the Sam Maguire because that's all about the the level."
Unlike hurling where 32 teams have a chance of winning, not.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2291 - 07/11/2022 21:18:42    2446814

Link

The hurling versus football is not a constructive one. In certain facets one is superior , in other facets the other.
People will have varying viewpoints and thats fair. I have a strong preference for football, but that's my opinion. I can appreciate how others would feel the opposite.
Whats not constructive is dogmatic statements by lovers of one of the sports that seem to suggest that there is no debate , or that their non favoured code is deplorable in some way

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 982 - 08/11/2022 09:00:10    2446827

Link

Replying To anotheralias:  "The hurling versus football is not a constructive one. In certain facets one is superior , in other facets the other.
People will have varying viewpoints and thats fair. I have a strong preference for football, but that's my opinion. I can appreciate how others would feel the opposite.
Whats not constructive is dogmatic statements by lovers of one of the sports that seem to suggest that there is no debate , or that their non favoured code is deplorable in some way"
Exactly. There's no conclusive answer. People have their preferences.
As sports, I enjoy both, have played both and travel to Galway games in both. Both football and hurling have their strong points as well as their negatives.
There are some sports followed by millions across the world, which I find awful to watch. That's fine, it doesn't mean they're terrible, just not my cup of tea.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2319 - 08/11/2022 10:46:02    2446842

Link

Quarter-finals: November 12/13

1. Cargin (Antrim) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal)

2. Glen (Derry) v Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone)

3. Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) v Gowna (Cavan)

4. Kilcoo (Down) v Ballybay (Monaghan)

Some cracking ties down for decision this weekend. I'll go for a Naomh Conaill, Glen, Gowna and Kilcoo combination. But I would be in no way surprised to be proven wrong on all four games.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 08/11/2022 11:10:25    2446847

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Quarter-finals: November 12/13

1. Cargin (Antrim) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal)

2. Glen (Derry) v Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone)

3. Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) v Gowna (Cavan)

4. Kilcoo (Down) v Ballybay (Monaghan)

Some cracking ties down for decision this weekend. I'll go for a Naomh Conaill, Glen, Gowna and Kilcoo combination. But I would be in no way surprised to be proven wrong on all four games."
Football is certainly alive and kicking, as I've said earlier, no such thing as an upset as they're all good teams. Something to look forward to.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2291 - 08/11/2022 11:34:55    2446849

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Football is certainly alive and kicking, as I've said earlier, no such thing as an upset as they're all good teams. Something to look forward to."
Yeah it'll definitely shorten the winter with these good games to look forward to.
It's hard to look beyond Kilmacud Crokes in Leinster although that Portarlington team are very decent and could put it up to them.
A very interesting tie in Connacht at the weekend too between Moycullen and Westport.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 08/11/2022 12:18:25    2446859

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah it'll definitely shorten the winter with these good games to look forward to.
It's hard to look beyond Kilmacud Crokes in Leinster although that Portarlington team are very decent and could put it up to them.
A very interesting tie in Connacht at the weekend too between Moycullen and Westport."
Not a gambling man but I'll go Donegal,Tyrone, Cavan and Monaghan. Certainly will be in Derry to watch Errigal.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2291 - 08/11/2022 13:18:43    2446871

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Quarter-finals: November 12/13

1. Cargin (Antrim) v Naomh Conaill (Donegal)

2. Glen (Derry) v Errigal Ciaran (Tyrone)

3. Enniskillen Gaels (Fermanagh) v Gowna (Cavan)

4. Kilcoo (Down) v Ballybay (Monaghan)

Some cracking ties down for decision this weekend. I'll go for a Naomh Conaill, Glen, Gowna and Kilcoo combination. But I would be in no way surprised to be proven wrong on all four games."
Thank you for timely reboot and update … thread had strayed way off course.
Impossible to call at this stage. Tough on Ballybay having to beat two previous All Ireland winners to just reach a semi final . Wonder will Kilcoo be as hungry after reaching two AI finals and winning last one. Naomh Conaill will be comfortable with underdog tag just as in their county championship. I would love to see them win an Ulster title , great work being done there at all levels over the past two decades.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 604 - 08/11/2022 19:23:44    2446909

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Not a gambling man but I'll go Donegal,Tyrone, Cavan and Monaghan. Certainly will be in Derry to watch Errigal."
Like yourself not a gambler , but for me Down ,Donegal, Derry, Fermanagh,

germac (Down) - Posts: 561 - 08/11/2022 21:59:25    2446921

Link

Replying To Curlew66:  "Thank you for timely reboot and update … thread had strayed way off course.
Impossible to call at this stage. Tough on Ballybay having to beat two previous All Ireland winners to just reach a semi final . Wonder will Kilcoo be as hungry after reaching two AI finals and winning last one. Naomh Conaill will be comfortable with underdog tag just as in their county championship. I would love to see them win an Ulster title , great work being done there at all levels over the past two decades."
Yes Naomh Conaill are undoubtedly a huge success story. What they have achieved in the last 20 years or so can only be admired. Yes they have a large area to choose from, but other clubs with bigger resources sometimes struggle to knit things together and maxmize their advantage. Naomh Conaill have gone about their business in such a way that they eke every last bit out of themselves and success has followed.

They'll be very hard to beat but I just think they lack a real quality marquee forward or two who could get them over the line in an arm wrestle type game against the likes of Kilcoo for example.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 09/11/2022 08:55:55    2446923

Link

Just wondering what anybody here thinks of the Ballybay manager stepping down rather than managing against his own club, and his sons? Can see both sides of it myself.

For what it's worth, we had an instance here in Wexford this year of somebody managing a club against his own club (featuring two of his sons) in a first round hurling championship match. Was actually talking to him a short while after that and said it must have been a strange experience - his view was that "when a club gives you a job to do, you have to do it, no matter who you come up against".

So, two different views. No strong feelings myself on which one might be more "right" than the other, since there's merit in both. Just wondering what others might think?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2856 - 09/11/2022 10:24:44    2446932

Link

It's a tricky one for sure. In fairness to him he has done a great job up to now. I was very impressed with how they went about their business last Saturday night against Crossmaglen and they will give Kilcoo plenty to think about. It's a case of the heart ruling the head on this occasion and I think it's perfectly understandable.

Taking a more cyncial point of view I suppose there will always be those who consider the "expenses" angle. More often than not outside managers are compensated for their efforts. A delicate, if unique situation in this case.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 09/11/2022 10:51:53    2446939

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Just wondering what anybody here thinks of the Ballybay manager stepping down rather than managing against his own club, and his sons? Can see both sides of it myself.

For what it's worth, we had an instance here in Wexford this year of somebody managing a club against his own club (featuring two of his sons) in a first round hurling championship match. Was actually talking to him a short while after that and said it must have been a strange experience - his view was that "when a club gives you a job to do, you have to do it, no matter who you come up against".

So, two different views. No strong feelings myself on which one might be more "right" than the other, since there's merit in both. Just wondering what others might think?"
He has removed himself from the Ballybay team WhatsApp group as a result. If I was a Ballybay player I'd be fuming by Johnston stepping down. Poor decision from him. He should step down for good now.

summerof09 (Meath) - Posts: 327 - 09/11/2022 10:52:50    2446940

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Just wondering what anybody here thinks of the Ballybay manager stepping down rather than managing against his own club, and his sons? Can see both sides of it myself.

For what it's worth, we had an instance here in Wexford this year of somebody managing a club against his own club (featuring two of his sons) in a first round hurling championship match. Was actually talking to him a short while after that and said it must have been a strange experience - his view was that "when a club gives you a job to do, you have to do it, no matter who you come up against".

So, two different views. No strong feelings myself on which one might be more "right" than the other, since there's merit in both. Just wondering what others might think?"
What 2 clubs was it in Wexford? yeah like you said I can see both sides of the argument so I don't think there is a definitive right or wrong thing to do, according to Thomas Niblock on Twitter it was agreed earlier in the year that this would happen if this situation arose so at least it wasn't sprung on the Ballybay players this week.

TerribleFootwork (Wexford) - Posts: 1760 - 09/11/2022 11:16:06    2446943

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "He has removed himself from the Ballybay team WhatsApp group as a result. If I was a Ballybay player I'd be fuming by Johnston stepping down. Poor decision from him. He should step down for good now."
Yeah, what happens next is a whole other issue. If I was with Ballybay, am not sure I'd be welcoming him back for either the next round if they happen to beat Kilcoo, or for next year's club championship if they don't. One of the biggest matches ever in the club history, and one of the managers steps down in advance of it. It's hard to look past that, no matter how understanding you might be of his reasons for doing so.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2856 - 09/11/2022 11:26:17    2446947

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "He has removed himself from the Ballybay team WhatsApp group as a result. If I was a Ballybay player I'd be fuming by Johnston stepping down. Poor decision from him. He should step down for good now."
I'd have to agree with you. You're either the manager or you're not.

PolicemanFox (Monaghan) - Posts: 191 - 09/11/2022 11:51:41    2446951

Link

Replying To PolicemanFox:  "I'd have to agree with you. You're either the manager or you're not."
Yeah but at the end of the day it's the players that cross the white line. It's not as though he's a player manager and was going to be man-marking one of his sons. I'm sure there are enough good football men in Ballybay to recognise Kilcoo's strengths and weaknesses. Plus there's only this week to prepare anyway.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9755 - 09/11/2022 12:13:35    2446953

Link

I agree, you are the manager or you aren't, John McEntee managed Clontibret against Crossmaglen, he had a job to do and just did it. This just highlights the folly of clubs buying success as opposed to earning success, soccer imitations.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 09/11/2022 12:15:15    2446954

Link

Replying To TerribleFootwork:  "What 2 clubs was it in Wexford? yeah like you said I can see both sides of the argument so I don't think there is a definitive right or wrong thing to do, according to Thomas Niblock on Twitter it was agreed earlier in the year that this would happen if this situation arose so at least it wasn't sprung on the Ballybay players this week."
Paul Coleman of Duffry Rovers was Shamrocks manager when Shamrocks played the Duffry in the championship. Two of Coleman's sons were on the Duffry team. For what it's worth, Duffry won by a point.

On the Ballybay thing, if this was genuinely agreed earlier in the year, then that changes things somewhat. And it probably would have seemed only a remote prospect at the time anyway. But it still has to be at least something of a handicap for the Ballybay players as they're without one of their managers for such a big game.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2856 - 09/11/2022 12:34:20    2446959

Link