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Looking at the first rd games with not really much at stake

Shamrocks vs Ferbane Ferbane will have way too much for shamrocks who are still short a host of regulars .Ferbane by 8

Ballycommon vs Tullamore
This match will be a lot tighter than people expect . A tight pitch with will defo suit Ballycommon who will go all out defensively. I know Ballycommon are missing a few thru injury . Tullamore by 5

Durrow vs Edenderry
Real chance of an upset here. Edenderry were scandalous bad in the league final vs Tullamore didn’t look fit attitude was terrible. Durrow by 2

Bracknagh vs Rhode
I’d imagine Rhode are just planning for the quarter finals and the word is thst they reckon just need to peak for 3 games in September to win another Dowling cup. Easier said than done but if any team can do it . It’s Rhode
Rhode by 5

Shamrocks(1-11)v(1-10)Ferbane
Guess nobody saw that coming. By all accounts Shamrocks full value for the win despite late Ferbane comeback.
Will make rest of Big4 wake up. Already looking like a shake up in potential QF pairings?

Really good win for Shamrocks. Very unexpected.

It’s relevance will probably be felt more come the knockouts as we now have a real possibility of 2 of the big 4 meeting in a Q-Final which opens up a path to a semi-final for one of the perceived weaker 4 teams.

Bad week all round for Ferbane/Belmont.

Excellent win for shamrocks watched it on clubber . Fully deserved too played the better football . Ferbane didn’t look mobile at all and shamrocks attacked at pace
I know Ferbane were short a few regulars but still shouldn’t take away from an excellent performance from shamrocks . Makes that group very interesting now

As predicted Tullamore vs Ballycommon was a very tight game . While Ballycommon got fortunate enough goals in the second half it put it up Tullamore but after the concession of both goals Tullamore showed enough composure to grind out a win
Tullamore short 5 certain starters looked vulnerable at times and credit to Ballycommon on their return to the senior ranks gave it a serious rattle and could have snook a draw

No real complaints. Tullamore owned the ball for large portions, but Ballycommon gave them enough to be worried about. Would have been nice to hang on for the draw. I don't think either team played any where near their best, Tullamore have a few more to come back, and Ballycommen experimented a bit with their lineout. A lot to be learned. No dirt, good hard football, decent crowd were well entertained.

The win for Ballinagar over Raheen must count as momentous, given Ballinagar voted themselves out of existence less than a decade ago, only to be denied that cessation by Raheen voting against.

SInce then, Ballinagar have gone from strength to strength, notably winning a Junior A and Junior C double in 2022, as well as Division 4 and 5 league doubles in the same year.

What was the plan for Ballinagar in that sutuation? For their players to join Clodiagh Gaels?

To merge with Raheen, is my recollection.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sat Jul 27, 2024 7:27 am What was the plan for Ballinagar in that sutuation? For their players to join Clodiagh Gaels?

Edenderry must not have gotten the memo that the championship proper doesn’t start for another 6 weeks!! They had a comprehensive victory over Durrow on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-09.

Peaking too early? Time will tell. No harm to build momentum either.

If I’m correct I think Cian Farrell and Sean Doyle scored 2-14 out of 2-15 for The Reds.

frankthetank wrote: ↑Sat Jul 27, 2024 6:25 pm Edenderry must not have gotten the memo that the championship proper doesn’t start for another 6 weeks!! They had a comprehensive victory over Durrow on a scoreline of 2-15 to 0-09.

Peaking too early? Time will tell. No harm to build momentum either.

If I’m correct I think Cian Farrell and Sean Doyle scored 2-14 out of 2-15 for The Reds.

I don’t get this thing that the group games don’t matter. Take Ferbane as an example, now possibly facing Tullamore or Rhode in quarter final. Lose that and it’s into relegation battle. Hardly the best option to be in.

They don’t matter in the sense that Ferbane started without Cathal Flynn Joe Maher and Jack Clancy would they have done that if it was a proper championship game? Niall mcnamee was togged tonight for Rhode but not used? Again if it was real championship he surely would have played. I get it you might want to avoid certain teams in Q/F’s but you have to beat them at some stage if you are going to win it anyway. I think home advantage is huge for the smaller teams and is something that should stay. Would shamrocks beat Ferbane in a knockout game in OCP? Similar would Ballycommon run Tullamore to 1 point ? I don’t think so

The only conclusion you can draw after the opening round of the Senior football is that the standard in the county is on the floor.

Yes teams aren't going full pelt and are resting any players with niggles but bar Edenderry the football was absolutely atrocious.

I wouldn't read too much into the results of the games and you'd still expect the same 4 to be in the semis.

I do agree though that there is something to play for in the groups. Take Ferbane for example, they could beat Durrow and draw with Edenderry and would likely finish in 3rd which means they'd have to face the losers of Rhode/Tullamore in the QF, Rhode/Tullamore in the SF and Edenderry in a final if they came through.

Essentially playing the three toughest teams you can back to back to back meanwhile they could have hurling commitments wedged in between those.

Piss about with the group games at your own peril.

When Ferbane/Rhode/Tullamore realise 2 of them could meet in the QF I reckon they won't be as laissez faire in the next round of games.

ferbane gotta beat rhode/tullamore anyway in semi and final if they finished top? and maybe the only advantage is a "soft" 1/4 final. and if you are going to lost to either of the big 2 does it matter if its a 1/4 or a semi? its a farce of a set up that has other countys puzzled. the ideal was the top team into semi and 2nd play 3rd and 3rd play 2nd in the groups?bottom 2 play off for relegation. simple and the groups stage games would have some meaning in the competitive sense.