Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

Syferus

Believe what you want to believe. The Donegal minors were playing Jimmy's system down to a tee apart from not being able to kick deep to a target man.

Nidgeweasel

ArnoldJRimmer wrote: »

Delighted all is going ahead next weekend as planned. I know it will be tough, but I don't mind playing Armagh. We owe them one, and I reckon we'll have enough for them. It will be interesting to see if Monaghan end up feeling the effects of such a tough game today. Either way, I think Dublin will look after them easy enough

That is such a big test asking to ask them to play next Saturday.

I mean to be fair to Monaghan, Dublin were always going to be likely victors but having to go through 90 minutes of slog in conditions like that tonight.... I just can't see how they'll recover to be in suitable condition to test the Dubs.

O'Rouke's a cute boy though. He'll have something up his sleeve. Hopefully not what Jimmy would bring mind you!

RMDrive

Syferus wrote: »

Believe what you want to believe. The Donegal minors were playing Jimmy's system down to a tee apart from not being able to kick deep to a target man.

Ah will you give over. No doubt Donegal were defensive when needed but your lads played as defensive a game as I've seen in a long time. And did it very effectively I may add. Only one team tried to play any football though. Roscommon conceded EVERY Donegal kick-out short and kept their 2 sweepers in place at all times.
Nothing wrong with that IMO and I wouldn't be complaining if Donegal felt they had to do that to contain a better team. But let's not pretend that there were 2 teams playing the same way. That's far from true.

Nidgeweasel

RMDrive wrote: »

Ah will you give over. No doubt Donegal were defensive when needed but your lads played as defensive a game as I've seen in a long time. And did it very effectively I may add. Only one team tried to play any football though. Roscommon conceded EVERY Donegal kick-out short and kept their 2 sweepers in place at all times.
Nothing wrong with that IMO and I wouldn't be complaining if Donegal felt they had to do that to contain a better team. But let's not pretend that there were 2 teams playing the same way. That's far from true.

McHugh likened it to Rugby League!

Sounded like essentially the Rossies were letting us come down/come out with the ball and they were lined up on their '45? I'd have loved to have seen it in operation tbh.


Thought it sounded daft when they needed to score they sounded like they had absolutely no desire to do so.

And you're right by the way. Nothing wrong with it at all. It's their prerogative to play how they see fit. As long as it's clean.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Absolutely.

It'd be a nightmare if they got Monaghan.

1) It'd be a good test for them going into a possible semi final with ourselves.
2) If Monaghan beat them I'd hate to have them in a semi final!

Ah now I think if you were offered the chance of getting to an all ireland final by beating Monaghan and Armagh youd take that!!

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

It's two different teams and the noughties are a long time gone. But I really, really fúcking hate Armagh. I'm trying to be indifferent and mature about this but It's not happening.

Those two thugs on the line too.

A cricket score next week please Jim. If we lose I think I may actually self combust.

I was about to reply after just reading the 1st line- just as well i continued reading- i would certainly take more pleasure from beating Armagh than most other teams. However if Armagh and Geezer were to finish the McGuinness era it would hurt. Alot

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

Ah now I think if you were offered the chance of getting to an all ireland final by beating Monaghan and Armagh youd take that!!

I would not want to have to play Monaghan again this year.

Flashbacks to Armagh in 2005 balooning about having beaten Tyrone in Ulster and then getting beat by the same in a semi final a month later!

Which, incidentally is one of the most beautiful moments in GAA history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8WF2gJ8so

I can't even begin to imagine how sickening that must have felt, and the Armagh boys have themselves admitted that they probably took 'too much' from the Ulster win. In a similar way to how Jimmy and them (understandably) went nuts in Clones.

Just my own little take on it. (And I want a rattle at the Dubs!)

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

I was about to reply after just reading the 1st line- just as well i continued reading- i would certainly take more pleasure from beating Armagh than most other teams. However if Armagh and Geezer were to finish the McGuinness era it would hurt. Alot

It's so weird. I actually haven't given them a moments thought really. Really wanted to meet them under Jim especially in an Ulster final and everything but was never really that arsed about it.

Now the draws done my bloods up. Probably because it's knock out now and we HAVE to win or it's another solemn trip down the road at the hands of them.

It's hard to even qualify as the team that caused the heartache are long since gone. It's just it was too too painful and too frequent at the time you can't but have almost have a complex about it.

There was so much wrong with the matches against them. Their displays of thuggery - the McEntee elbow in the semi final in 2003 was shameful and lo and behold who put in that unbelievable ball for McDonnell for the goal.... McEntee! Shouldn't have been on the pitch. You can nearly laugh about it now. Well, nearly! It was things like that so any times. O'Rourke boxing the physio. Grimley giving McEniff the fingers and screaming at him. Having a photo of McEniff up on their door to run over in croke park. That type of stuff.

We didn't help ourselves at times either now with some displays of cowardice, Hegarty was a serial culprit hiding from McGeeney year in year out.

Tactically too and preparation wise, I remember McEniff brining in a tackling coach (Rugby) pre the 2004 final so we could hit the better. Jesus wept, I mean if there's one team you didn't want to be even hinting at starting a physical battle with it was them. But no, we'll go and try and match them physically after a session with a rugby coach!

It was just so tiresome defeat after defeat after defeat. And demoralising defeats in big games. Seeing the players coming off dejected. Even now it's hard to almost comprehend. They were the better team absolutely no question about it but we had good footballers too and how we could come off the wrong side of a result over and over and over against them is unreal.

2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2010.

Next Saturday won't make up for a single one of them but if McGeeney and Grimley bring Jim's reign to an end in Croke park it will hurt more than every year on that list (with the possible exception of 2003).

In fact, that's probably what has the worry on me.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

It's so weird. I actually haven't given them a moments thought really. Really wanted to meet them under Jim especially in an Ulster final and everything but was never really that arsed about it.

Now the draws done my bloods up. Probably because it's knock out now and we HAVE to win or it's another solemn trip down the road at the hands of them.

It's hard to even qualify as the team that caused the heartache are long since gone. It's just it was too too painful and too frequent at the time you can't but have almost have a complex about it.

There was so much wrong with the matches against them. Their displays of thuggery - the McEntee elbow in the semi final in 2003 was shameful and lo and behold who put in that unbelievable ball for McDonnell for the goal.... McEntee! Shouldn't have been on the pitch. You can nearly laugh about it now. Well, nearly! It was things like that so any times. O'Rourke boxing the physio. Grimley giving McEniff the fingers and screaming at him. Having a photo of McEniff up on their door to run over in croke park. That type of stuff.

We didn't help ourselves at times either now with some displays of cowardice, Hegarty was a serial culprit hiding from McGeeney year in year out.

Tactically too and preparation wise, I remember McEniff brining in a tackling coach (Rugby) pre the 2004 final so we could hit the better. Jesus wept, I mean if there's one team you didn't want to be even hinting at starting a physical battle with it was them. But no, we'll go and try and match them physically after a session with a rugby coach!

It was just so tiresome defeat after defeat after defeat. And demoralising defeats in big games. Seeing the players coming off dejected. Even now it's hard to almost comprehend. They were the better team absolutely no question about it but we had good footballers too and how we could come off the wrong side of a result over and over and over against them is unreal.

2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2010.

Next Saturday won't make up for a single one of them but if McGeeney and Grimley bring Jim's reign to an end in Croke park it will hurt more than every year on that list (with the possible exception of 2003).

In fact, that's probably what has the worry on me.

Re The McEntee elbow I must be remembering wrong-I thought it was much later in the game. Tbh its not a game that gives me sleepless nights- Armagh would have won the game by 15 points if theyd taken half their chances. Id have mor regrets bout the 02 Ulster Final giving away that goal and missing 13 yd frees- i think its a game we left behind. Worst thuggery for me was 06 match when McDonnell deliberately stamped on Laceys hand.
I agree with last point that to lose this one would hurt more for me anyway.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I would not want to have to play Monaghan again this year.

Flashbacks to Armagh in 2005 balooning about having beaten Tyrone in Ulster and then getting beat by the same in a semi final a month later!

Which, incidentally is one of the most beautiful moments in GAA history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8WF2gJ8so

I can't even begin to imagine how sickening that must have felt, and the Armagh boys have themselves admitted that they probably took 'too much' from the Ulster win. In a similar way to how Jimmy and them (understandably) went nuts in Clones.

Just my own little take on it. (And I want a rattle at the Dubs!)

That doesnt really look properly at those Tyrone Armagh games. In those 05 matches Tyrone were by far the better side in the drawn match and also the replay until Collins wrongly sent off Canavan and Oneill and bottling sending off McGrane. Also in the semi Armagh were leading by 2 points with 5 minutes to go so really the semi was actually Armaghs best performance of the 3 games.
Whilst its always nice to get a "crack " at the Dubs i think our best chance by a mile of winnin the all ireland-the most important thing- is if Zmonaghan win next week.

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

Re The McEntee elbow I must be remembering wrong-I thought it was much later in the game. Tbh its not a game that gives me sleepless nights- Armagh would have won the game by 15 points if theyd taken half their chances. Id have mor regrets bout the 02 Ulster Final giving away that goal and missing 13 yd frees- i think its a game we left behind. Worst thuggery for me was 06 match when McDonnell deliberately stamped on Laceys hand.
I agree with last point that to lose this one would hurt more for me anyway.

I thought the elbow was before the goal myself. It was right infront of Michael Monaghan the referee too. And McGeeney had god knows how many personal fouls that day and nothing given to him. And to be fair to Hegarty, I know I mentioned him above but he was very good that day.

I agree about the wides, they should have been out of sight but we should have seen it out and the manner of it hurt alot. None of them give me sleepless nights to be fair. Just unpleasant memories.

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

That doesnt really look properly at those Tyrone Armagh games. In those 05 matches Tyrone were by far the better side in the drawn match and also the replay until Collins wrongly sent off Canavan and Oneill and bottling sending off McGrane. Also in the semi Armagh were leading by 2 points with 5 minutes to go so really the semi was actually Armaghs best performance of the 3 games.
Whilst its always nice to get a "crack " at the Dubs i think our best chance by a mile of winnin the all ireland-the most important thing- is if Zmonaghan win next week.

They took McGeeney off which seemed crackers at the time, he's such an important figure to them and Tyrone powered through it. I've always had a grá for Tyrone and really enjoyed Canavan's winner.

I think we'll beat the dubs anyway so I'm non plussed!

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

They took McGeeney off which seemed crackers at the time, he's such an important figure to them and Tyrone powered through it. I've always had a grá for Tyrone and really enjoyed Canavan's winner.

I think we'll beat the dubs anyway so I'm non plussed!

Was at all Tyrones Croke Park games bar Monaghan thst year and would have been shouting for them myself-would always consider them our neighbours i suppose, particularly at my end of the county. Plus they were involved in some of the best games ive seen that Summer. Remember was sittin beside some Dutch people at the Armagh semi/- they were raving about it. Agree that taking off McGeeney with 5 mins to go was a bizarre decision-Cavanagh ran straight through the middle for a point straight after

TouchingVirus

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I think we'll beat the dubs anyway so I'm non plussed!

Such confidence, I'd be concentrating on Armagh first; you won't walk them a second time I reckon.

2moreMinutes

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I think we'll beat the dubs anyway so I'm non plussed!

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Such confidence, I'd be concentrating on Armagh first; you won't walk them a second time I reckon.

While my confidence in relation to beating the Dubs borders between none and bring 'em on, I would be absolutely disgusted if we cant get past Armagh easily enough.
They are a poor team who have only beat other poor teams but yet find themselves in an AI QF. It should be a gimme for any team even thinking of giving Dublin a game.

Nidgeweasel

TouchingVirus wrote: »

Such confidence, I'd be concentrating on Armagh first; you won't walk them a second time I reckon.

I think we'll beat them too. What's your point?

I'm not playing the poor mouth. I expect to be playing Dublin in a semi final and think we can win it.

It's McGuinness and them who won't be getting ahead of themselves and will be treating Armagh just the same as Dublin or Kerry. It's a hallmark of McGuinness' reign so far and I can't see it changing now.

Alvin Holler

Was at the minor game yesterday, didn't play well at all but really should have won more comfortably than they did and I'd be pretty confident that they'll play a lot better the next day.

Very strange game from a tactical point of view. We played the usual two man full forward line, Brennan and Connors were both usually double marked so that removed the cutting edge we had in previous games. Campbell was probably our most dangerous forward but his shooting was a bit wayward.

Roscommon barely tackled us until we got inside their 45. They let us take short kick outs to our corner backs and by the time the corner back got it their midfielders would have retreated right back in defence so we could pass it up to our midfielders and start attacking. I've seen our senior team do something similar occasionally but never on such a consistent basis. I don't really think it worked as we should have been at least 3-4 points up at half time and further up in the second half when they got the goal although I guess you could say it worked as they nearly sneaked it at the end. If we hadn't conceded the goal I think we'd have won comfortably (view from the stand is rubbish in Sligo so couldn't really see what happened for the goal so in future use the terrace)

I've also never seen a team not bother to put pressure on the ball when 3 points down with 5 minutes to go. A bit more composure from our guys and we could have killed some time and drawn them out a bit before trying to play the ball in.

Mulligan was superb, after seeing him last year I thought he'd be brilliant this year but it's the first good game he's played. Hard to judge other performances as it was such a strange game. Lots of mistakes and slippy conditions meant loads of handling errors. Still a great battling win.

Redsoxfan

16 points from play for Armagh yesterday is a pretty impressive stat given the conditions. And Meath might not be great, but they are a much better team than, say, Antrim. I like the way Armagh or playing. They set up well defensively and break at speed, relying more on kick passing to men in space rather than hand passing and support runners (like Donegal tend to favour). Also like big switches from side to side.

They have easily handled two very simple minded defensive teams in Cavan and Roscommon but the challenge they will face from us will be much greater. Ragged and all as Tyrone are, to go to Omagh and win a Championship game is impressive. Yesterday was the first time they had won a Championship game in Croke Park in a long time. They are a confident looking team.

They will miss Ciaran McKeever again next week. They don't rely on Jamie Clarke for scores, but he's a very good playmaker. I don't know if the positioning will suit, but I'd like to see Karl Lacey detailed to mark him. I wonder if Andy Mallon will end up marking Colm McFadden. Colm had a tough enough day at the Athletic Grounds as far as I recall. Paddy McBrearty came on as sub that day and kicked two points. It was the beginning of the end for Mark McHugh.

Armagh will likely let us have the ball short from our kickout (Meath 'won' the kickout battle 30-17 yesterday). We will need to be patient. Don't get sucked into committing too many men and coughing up possession allowing them to hit us on the break. I expect us to win but it won't be as comfortable as some people would like to see.

rightyabe

Gonna be a great game..wonder who'll be sent of 1st?

Nidgeweasel

rightyabe wrote: »

Gonna be a great game..wonder who'll be sent of 1st?

Raymond Sweeney.

Nidgeweasel

I'm assuming there's a minor game on before us on Saturday? We need to be out of Dublin by 7 so I'm conscious of the fact there could be two possible delays.

Minor game going to ET. Donegal going to ET.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I'm assuming there's a minor game on before us on Saturday? We need to be out of Dublin by 7 so I'm conscious of the fact there could be two possible delays.

Minor game going to ET. Donegal going to ET.

Why do you have to leave-if you dont mind me being nosy? Just in the unlikely event of Monaghan putting it up to Dublin would be a shame to have to leave it-mind you if they re half as bad as they were against kildare then it ll be over after 20 mins and you ll be out of Dublin by half six!!

K-9

€30 for 2 matches is fantastic value, but I suppose if you have to be somewhere. €55 gets tickets for the Davin Stand for Sunday and the S/F. Obviously we mightn't be there but it's a good way of ensuring tickets for it.

Alvin Holler

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I'm assuming there's a minor game on before us on Saturday? We need to be out of Dublin by 7 so I'm conscious of the fact there could be two possible delays.

Minor game going to ET. Donegal going to ET.

No minor games before the quarters.

Donegal vs Dublin on the 31st.

corny

2moreMinutes wrote: »

While my confidence in relation to beating the Dubs borders between none and bring 'em on, I would be absolutely disgusted if we cant get past Armagh easily enough.
They are a poor team who have only beat other poor teams but yet find themselves in an AI QF. It should be a gimme for any team even thinking of giving Dublin a game.

I really wouldn't dismiss Armagh so readily. They've beaten whats in front of them and no doubt they've improved as the summers dragged on. The quality with which they move the ball can't be denied or underestimated. Donegal are favs but i expect they'll get nothing easy.

I'm always up for the underdog but satisfying the poster calling out Dublin does appeal as a likely semi. #becarefulwhatyouwishfor.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I'm assuming there's a minor game on before us on Saturday? We need to be out of Dublin by 7 so I'm conscious of the fact there could be two possible delays.

Minor game going to ET. Donegal going to ET.

I dont think theres ET in the quarter finals unless its been brought in recently. Certainly in years gone by there wasnt.

Nidgeweasel

harpsman wrote: »

I dont think theres ET in the quarter finals unless its been brought in recently. Certainly in years gone by there wasnt.

Kildare, the Cass point.

Alvin Holler

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Kildare, the Cass point.

No extra time now.

harpsman

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Kildare, the Cass point.

Cant believe I forgot that one!!

SM746

harpsman wrote: »

Cant believe I forgot that one!!

Hopefully we have absolutely no repeat of that heart attack type match this weekend.
Armagh were very poor in our league match earlier but I am sure they have came on leaps and bounds since.
However, I am 100% sure we are a team that has improved in equal measure.
We had to get a job done that day and I am sure we have the means to get it done just as easily if we play as we are capable.
I'll be the man leaving with tears streaming down my face if I see McGeeney get one over on us again.

SM746

Joe McQuillan reffing us.
Marty Duffy on duty for the Dublin vs Monaghan game.

DoctaDee

SM746 wrote: »

Joe McQuillan reffing us.
Marty Duffy on duty for the Dublin vs Monaghan game.

Swap ya :pac:

SM746

DoctaDee wrote: »

Swap ya :pac:

My god you have no idea how happy I am we do not have Duffy

DoctaDee

SM746 wrote: »

My god you have no idea how happy I am we do not have Duffy

One of the top 16 refs in the country by all accounts .... I'm guessing he's #16 ..

Nidgeweasel

DoctaDee wrote: »

Swap ya :pac:

I'm going to pass on that particular swap!

SM746

DoctaDee wrote: »

One of the top 16 refs in the country by all accounts .... I'm guessing he's #16 ..

Is it not top 12? Yeah I have had the 'joys' of being at a few games he has reffed over the years and I cannot help but think his aim is to be the absolute centre of attention.
Although a ref mate from Leitrim used to insist he is the best ref in the country if your implementing the GAA rules to the letter of the law. I coudn't help but disagree with his opinion, aint had the argument since 2011 with him so might throw him a text now to see his 2014 thoughts on Duffy.

Nidgeweasel

Remember the time he sent Murphy off in Cavan because someone ran into him. :D

Luckily it was overturned.

Nidgeweasel

Ciaran McKeever likely to miss out. Aaron Kernan's not a bad replacement.

Redsoxfan

A former Donegal player maintains that Marty is a fine ref. Says not sending off Kennelly in the opening stages of the 2009 All Ireland Final is his biggest sin but that's it.

I have stopped caring who the ref is before the game. And as long as they are equally inconsistent to both sides, then it doesn't tend to bother me much during the game either. I dunno, maybe it's easier when you're winning games.

Redsoxfan

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Ciaran McKeever likely to miss out. Aaron Kernan's not a bad replacement.

Very different players in fairness. Kernan much more comfortable going forward, McKeever much better defender.

Nidgeweasel

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Very different players in fairness. Kernan much more comfortable going forward, McKeever much better defender.

I agree. But different players though they may be it's not a bad replacement.

Going to be tough. I think we'll win but it's not going to be easy by any means. Be glad when it's over and hopefully through to a semi final. This is a massive chance for us.

RoscommonTom

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I agree. But different players though they may be it's not a bad replacement.

Going to be tough. I think we'll win but it's not going to be easy by any means. Be glad when it's over and hopefully through to a semi final. This is a massive chance for us.

Its all well and good hopping to win the quarter but its the jacks what youll meet in the semis and theyll give ye an awful thrashing Im afraid to tell you

SM746

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=221888

I was wondering how Grimley and McGeeney would attempt to implement their mind games before Saturday. I look forward to seeing what they have to say :-)

Tom Joad

SM746 wrote: »

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=221888

I was wondering how Grimley and McGeeney would attempt to implement their mind games before Saturday. I look forward to seeing what they have to say :-)

I would love if the media joined together and boycotted their press night :rolleyes:

downthemiddle

RoscommonTom wrote: »

Its all well and good hopping to win the quarter but its the jacks what youll meet in the semis and theyll give ye an awful thrashing Im afraid to tell you

Aren't you lucky that there won't be anyone thrashing Roscommon any time soon.

Nidgeweasel

RoscommonTom wrote: »

Its all well and good hopping to win the quarter but its the jacks what youll meet in the semis and theyll give ye an awful thrashing Im afraid to tell you

It's a risk we're more than happy to take.

K-9

RoscommonTom wrote: »

Its all well and good hopping to win the quarter but its the jacks what youll meet in the semis and theyll give ye an awful thrashing Im afraid to tell you

I'd take an All Ireland, 3 Ulsters, 2 AI S/F's and a Q/F in 4 years tbh.

agfasfos

With a bit of luck Armagh wont have anything to talk to the media about after Saturday.

RoscommonTom

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

It's a risk we're more than happy to take.

Youve been warned Thats all im saying, if you think the thrashing you got from the mayos last year was bad the jacks are able to do an awful lot worse to ye,

RoscommonTom

downthemiddle wrote: »

Aren't you lucky that there won't be anyone thrashing Roscommon any time soon.

We might be out this year but have some of the best young fellas in the country now so wont be long before were playing in quarters and the like