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Senior Football Championship 2024

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Congrats to Armagh, Donegal, Galway, and Kerry on making the semi-finals. These four teams in the main kick the ball quite a lot (although Kerry seemed less inclined to do that against Derry), so we should have two good games. Kerry are probably rubbing their hands at Dublin being knocked out and must be considered favorites for Sam now.

However, if Armagh bring their A game, then it is possible that they will be the ones to end up in the final. How Galway are fixed for injuries could well decide the other semi-final. Donegal are flying it, but with a full side, especially Shane Walsh and Comer, I'd expect Galway's greater experience to just get them over the line.

A final word to say what campions and ambassadors of the game Dublin have been over the past decade and more. A few of those players are among the true greats of the game.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2095 - 01/07/2024 15:45:09    2556301

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I think Armagh could give Kerry their fill of it, whether that's enough to beat them is another story.
The other semi final is also hard to call. If Galway had everyone 100% guaranteed fit I'd say they'd be warm favourites. But if Kelly, Walsh and Comer aren't at full tilt then it gives Donegal a slight advantage. Wouldn't rule out extra time in that game.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9519 - 01/07/2024 16:01:29    2556309

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Would it make too much sense for the GAA to put the All Ireland minor final before the Armagh semi final in Croke Park?"
The AI Minor Finals should be back on before the Senior Finals imo.

The AI Minor Hurling Final deserved to be in Croke Park.
That victory will go down in folklore in Tipp.
What a game.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3983 - 01/07/2024 16:09:12    2556314

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Replying To Orchardgael22:  "If a friend was constantly moaning about their job, would you not tell them to maybe go look about another?"
You do realise your fellow county man Jarlath Burns had identified the problems in the games and change is coming and not before it's time. You say you coach young children the skills of the game, the mind boggles.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 338 - 01/07/2024 16:38:25    2556319

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I think it's probably going to be Kerry v Galway and I'd fancy Galway in that final, but any of the teams can win at this point, for me Kerry are weaker than last year, their midfield can be targeted by all remaining teams and could be what stops them,

Liftball (Armagh) - Posts: 22 - 01/07/2024 16:45:29    2556325

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Replying To Liftball:  "I think it's probably going to be Kerry v Galway and I'd fancy Galway in that final, but any of the teams can win at this point, for me Kerry are weaker than last year, their midfield can be targeted by all remaining teams and could be what stops them,"
That's the spirit.

sean og (Armagh) - Posts: 1071 - 01/07/2024 17:39:03    2556336

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Clifford is obviously a very good player but does he ever use his right foot? He's always looking to go left compared to Shane Walsh who can kick smooth off either foot.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2824 - 01/07/2024 17:40:13    2556339

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I can't see anyone beating Donegal to be honest. I think they attack with far greater intent that any of the other teams. The numbers they commit forward when they break is fantastic. Ryan McHugh is incredible

Rebel2020 (Cork) - Posts: 90 - 01/07/2024 17:52:54    2556342

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I think this is the most even last 4 for an All Ireland football championship in years .Last year both Dublin and Kerry were hot favourites to contest final altho Monaghan gave Dublin a great game and Derry were very unlucky not to beat Kerry.Yes Kerry are favourites followed by Galway but everyone of those 4 teams are well capable of beating eachother.Im expecting two intriguing battles.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 01/07/2024 17:58:36    2556344

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Replying To Liftball:  "I think it's probably going to be Kerry v Galway and I'd fancy Galway in that final, but any of the teams can win at this point, for me Kerry are weaker than last year, their midfield can be targeted by all remaining teams and could be what stops them,"
Any comments on a county's next opponents being can be taken with a pinch of salt. Armagh, Donegal and Galway will be all quietly confident. Kerry will be hoping for the best.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8289 - 01/07/2024 18:10:31    2556351

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I think Armagh could give Kerry their fill of it, whether that's enough to beat them is another story.
The other semi final is also hard to call. If Galway had everyone 100% guaranteed fit I'd say they'd be warm favourites. But if Kelly, Walsh and Comer aren't at full tilt then it gives Donegal a slight advantage. Wouldn't rule out extra time in that game."
Donegal strike me as similar to Derry in 2022 in that this semi-final feels a bit too soon. Ulster champions on penalties. A fairly smooth passage through to the semis and facing Galway. Granted Galway may be missing a couple of key men but they are still a formidable outfit and this game may be a year early in the Donegal Jim 2.0 project.

Jazzyjeff (Derry) - Posts: 210 - 01/07/2024 18:34:54    2556358

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Clifford is obviously a very good player but does he ever use his right foot? He's always looking to go left compared to Shane Walsh who can kick smooth off either foot."
Shane Walsh is some player.
Watched him up close for Crokes a few times.
A master at work.

Both of these 2 guys are top notch.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3983 - 01/07/2024 20:54:15    2556378

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Replying To Jazzyjeff:  "Donegal strike me as similar to Derry in 2022 in that this semi-final feels a bit too soon. Ulster champions on penalties. A fairly smooth passage through to the semis and facing Galway. Granted Galway may be missing a couple of key men but they are still a formidable outfit and this game may be a year early in the Donegal Jim 2.0 project."
You could be right but I think there'll be none of that chat within the Donegal dressing room. At the Ulster Final homecoming Jim left noone under any illusions that Donegal wouldn't be going hammer & tongs for the All Ireland.

I think this chat about it being "a year too early" is dangerous talk. Taking yourselves as an example in Derry, I'd say a lot of people said the same thing about your lads this time last year.

You can't just assume that progress will continue uninterrupted in an upward trajectory. Injuries, suspensions, fall-outs etc could derail even the best laid plans.

So I think Donegal will be hellbent on winning the whole thing, and no better man than Jim in making the players believe that too. Whether it will happen or not, we'll soon see.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9519 - 01/07/2024 20:58:55    2556379

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Any comments on a county's next opponents being can be taken with a pinch of salt. Armagh, Donegal and Galway will be all quietly confident. Kerry will be hoping for the best."
kerry will beat them 3 teams easily. They love playing galway as always a handy game bar the one in 2018. A

LimerickForLiam24 (Limerick) - Posts: 144 - 01/07/2024 23:15:04    2556409

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Any comments on a county's next opponents being can be taken with a pinch of salt. Armagh, Donegal and Galway will be all quietly confident. Kerry will be hoping for the best."
Kerry will be experienced of winning 2022 they will also feel confident hoping for best as kerryman is yerra. Nothing guaranteed but say other counties more confident kerry just hoping for best is exaggerated and ridiculous

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 518 - 01/07/2024 23:51:04    2556411

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I think Armagh could give Kerry their fill of it, whether that's enough to beat them is another story.
The other semi final is also hard to call. If Galway had everyone 100% guaranteed fit I'd say they'd be warm favourites. But if Kelly, Walsh and Comer aren't at full tilt then it gives Donegal a slight advantage. Wouldn't rule out extra time in that game."
I can see Armagh Kerry being a real battle, them Kerry lads mix it up as good as anyone and leave the odd late hit in often enough, could be a feisty affair and with Armagh's record in recent years.
I think Kerry will just have too much for them with the Clifford factor and Armagh's long record of near misses in their minds coming down the home stretch.
I think our game with Galway could be a real shootout if it opens up, Galway you'd say are clearly fav given their recent experience at the business end of the Championship but if things go right for us we have the firepower to beat them I have no doubt about that.
2 great games to look forward to, pity in a way everything will be over in a month but I won't mind too much if Sam Maguire is wintering in the hills of Tir Chonaill !
A word on Dublin, a fantastic team probably the best we will ever see, some great players might retire now but Dublin will be back strong again next year,
I hope Louth and the rest of Leinster can keep improving, great to see new teams coming through and doing well.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3032 - 02/07/2024 00:04:04    2556413

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Steering clear of injuries is important now for the 4 teams left.Kerry had O Beaglaoich injured most of last year and Tony Brosnan got ill just before final and missed same.This year we have been lucky with only Graham O Sullivan injured but word is its clearing up..Galway have been terribly unlucky with injuries and Armagh have a few too.Donegal doing ok injury wise afaik.Hope no more new injuries happen to any team and hopefully Shane Walsh will be ok.You want to see counties with their best players on the pitch.Dublin were affected by injuries this year to Cian Murphy and Lee Gannon.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 02/07/2024 00:43:00    2556414

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Replying To Rebel2020:  "I can't see anyone beating Donegal to be honest. I think they attack with far greater intent that any of the other teams. The numbers they commit forward when they break is fantastic. Ryan McHugh is incredible"
Your own Cork already beat Donegal, looked good attacking at the weekend but Galway aren't going to allow them the freedom of Croke Park as Louth did. Ryan McHugh a top player but again Galway will have plan in place to curb his influence.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3492 - 02/07/2024 03:01:30    2556416

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "Clifford is obviously a very good player but does he ever use his right foot? He's always looking to go left compared to Shane Walsh who can kick smooth off either foot."
Walsh not in Clifford league. Clifford right foot as good as left.

LimerickForLiam24 (Limerick) - Posts: 144 - 02/07/2024 06:36:36    2556419

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Replying To LimerickForLiam24:  "kerry will beat them 3 teams easily. They love playing galway as always a handy game bar the one in 2018. A"
They'd bate Limerick too. Always do. Yawn.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3875 - 02/07/2024 09:12:56    2556431

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