The Official GAA thread

Can't argue with that. Although I do think you will beat Westmeath and get to at least the last 12.

 

Just home from Breffni Park. In what has been an awful summer so far, a word of thanks to our minors today. Exceptional performance, totally deserved. Scoreline in no way reflected the game. Made the Dubs look quite ordinary at times. One more win and that will be four AI finals in seven years. Hopefully some of those lads will progress on to the senior team in the years to come although they are no guarantees. Doire Abú.

 

Forgot to add well done Armagh also. A northern minor double today.

 

Preliminary quarter final draw tomorrow morning. I just want the season to end at this stage. I just don't recognise our team.

 

It's...
Mayo v Derry
Louth v Cork
Tyrone v Roscommon
Galway v Monaghan

 

Come on mayo

 

. Actually don't mind Mayo. Nice county. Would rather be beaten by Mayo than Tyrone or Louth which were the other two possibilities. All hypothetical of course as we'll batter yous. Doire abú.

 

It's hard to see past Mayo but then again it's Mayo....

 

Whose side are you on? You've managed to insult us both.

 

I'd always go the Ulster team even if it's Tyrone

 

You had me worried there, Gabriel. I thought you were one of those people who thinks we are all children of *. Mrs An Madadh Rua keeps telling me that there must be decent people in Tyrone too but she can never name any.

 

Could be a really good game. Certainly the pick of the opening knock out round. I know your pessimistic about your chances at the moment but I think you will win. I really do. I also think it will be a really good game.

 

I am picking Derry, Cork, Tyrone and Galway to come out of those 4 games.

 

At last, a man who knows his football.
In all seriousness though, I can't see us winning. Our defence is not tight enough and we have totally lost our counter-attacking fluency. We look really disjointed. I think a lot of that stems from the loss of our entire half back line (Doherty, McKinless and McGrogan) who were not only the strongest line of our set up but also our biggest goal threat and launchpad of our counter-attacks.

 

I will go Mayo, Cork, Tyrone and Galway.

 

Derry definitely the team we wanted to avoid. Think derry show up they’ve a great chance. The problem for Derry is it’s hard to know what team will come to Castlebar Saturday. The fact it’s a one off knock out game they could very well put recent form behind them and give a great performance. Hopefully a cracker.

 

Can't argue with any of that. I wanted to avoid Tyrone and Louth because of all the personal issues that would entail for Harte. Last thing we needed. If the real Derry team turns up, I think we will have an outstanding chance. However, half a dozen of our players still looked off colour against Westmeath and the younger lads playing because of injuries just aren't ready. I'll be pleasantly surprised if we win but no shame in losing to Mayo.

 

Have a lot of time for the people of Derry. Feelings mutual. Hopefully the winner gets a favourable draw and the 3 back to back weekends don’t take too much out of them

 

I heard rumours about a fall out in camp. Something like a few Derry lads went to Portugal on the beer. But bullshit rumours and GAA go hand in hand so who knows

 

There's definitely a problem in the camp, stemming from the Portugal trip. (It's a Derry thing after all). Also, I don't think the players particularly wanted Harte. It was like replacing Martin O'Neill with Walter Smith! The Donegal defeat was a huge blow, not the result but the manner of the defeat. We played well in parts but the tactics were horrendous. That dented players' personal confidence and confidence in the management team. It's in the players' hands now but if we don't win I genuinely hope Mayo go on a great run.