Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

gambeta_fc

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Anyone who was at the game last night think that Ryan McHugh or Hugh McFadden looked any way tired?

Can't say I noticed them looking more tired than normal but Hugh always looks knackered to me with his loping style!

Think Ryan struggled to shake off a very tight man marking job, rightly identified his runs as a major threat and put a big effort to stop them. McLaughlin was on him first before he got a black card but the replacement went straight in and did the exact same role, touch tight and constantly on his toes. Must have been very frustrating but thought he showed great temperament to keep plugging away and not react. No complaints with Tyrone there, just felt overall they were a bit more street smart, had their homework done and were well drilled on how to stop us.

Murt15

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Anyone who was at the game last night think that Ryan McHugh or Hugh McFadden looked any way tired?

Mc Hugh didn't hold back at the end of the match on radio criticising the senior management for playing the 2 boys. He's damn right aswell.

eddie73

I didnt think McHugh looked tired. I thought McFadden hadnt the same pace as his Mid field counterparts, but he covered a lot of ground anyway. I would agree that they should have been rested. But life goes on now. I hope they get what they deserve in the seniors this year.

bob skunkhouse

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Anyone who was at the game last night think that Ryan McHugh or Hugh McFadden looked any way tired?

Nah, I agree with the others. McFadden I thought covered a huge amount of ground. McHugh not as much. Looked industrious and shipped a couple of heavy challenges. I thought the pitch looked dead as a door nail. They must have dumped half a beach on it, it looked that sandy.

So...question. Does that mean O'Connor is now more available for the senior team? Other than the Derry game - from what I recall he didn't touch the ball - I don't think he's made an appearance yet. His pace might be the key to unlocking the inevitable blanket that they'll come across as the year progresses.

Redsoxfan

Does anyone think that Hugh McFadden looks a better player for the Under 21s than he does for the Seniors? I feel that he is asked to do a job for the Seniors he's not really suited to. Fair play to him, he is trying, but the results aren't terribly pretty.

As for Jigger, well, I don't think his role with the Under 21s had anything to do with the fact he hasn't seen much game time for the Seniors. He probably hasn't been fully fit for some time now. I'd hope that he can play a part this summer, but I don't know. It's hard to know how good he really is. Other than than Antrim game last year, his impact was minimal. He did well against Derry, but wasn't given long in the Ulster Final. I didn't think he did too much wrong against Kerry in fairness but was still hooked early enough.

At the end of the day, it seems Eoin McHugh is a better prospect than Jigger at this level. It's a pity we didn't see more of him. It would be good if he got a decent run out on Sunday IMHO.

Redsoxfan

Team named for Sunday

1. Boyle
2. McGrath
3. Neil McGee
4. Eamonn McGee
5. McGlynn
6. Lacey
7. Thompson
8. McElhinney
9. Toye
10. O'Reilly
11. MacNiallais
12. Ryan McHugh
13. McBrearty
14. Murphy
15. Colm McFadden

Subs: 16. Durcan; 17. Doherty; 18. McGinley; 19. Gallagher; 20. McLaughlin; 21. Hugh McFadden; 22. O'Connor; 23. Gary McFadden; 24. David Walsh; 25. Stephen Griffen; 26. Eoin McHugh

Will be interested to see if the team starts as named. Especially interested to see how Thompson and Colm Anthony perform, even though I think this is a nothing game for us.....

Ceist_Beag

No Mark McHugh in the panel either. We look very light around the middle third against a big Cork team so I'd expect big Neil to start tbh.

bob skunkhouse

Ummmm...I just don't understand the loyalty towards Colm McFadden. He hasn't done anything of note in the league to date (nor last year also), so why persist with him? If he does start, I'd give him 20/25 mins and if he doesn't score two from play - with a bit of decent 'showing' to boot, then I'd be making changes.

Redsoxfan

bob skunkhouse wrote: »

Ummmm...I just don't understand the loyalty towards Colm McFadden. He hasn't done anything of note in the league to date (nor last year also), so why persist with him? If he does start, I'd give him 20/25 mins and if he doesn't score two from play - with a bit of decent 'showing' to boot, then I'd be making changes.

To be fair, he has played little enough. I thought he did ok last Sunday, and that was without Michael beside him.

I thought that he should have been replaced last year, but the reality is, who plays instead of him? Nobody else has really put their hand up, although by the same token, nobody has really had much of a chance.

Unless we keep Michael inside with Paddy, I still think there is a role for Colm as a pure scorer - assuming he can manage two or three points a game. But I grant you, that seems unlikely.

Ideally, we manage without Michael playing so deep and him and Paddy play as a two man full forward line. Somebody else (McElhinney) takes Colm's place and takes over the deeper role filled by Michael.

Redsoxfan

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

No Mark McHugh in the panel either. We look very light around the middle third against a big Cork team so I'd expect big Neil to start tbh.

Meh, we looked pretty light going into Celtic Park last year too and managed that game well enough. Where do you expect Michael to play most of his football on Sunday....

Not to say that Big Neil won't start!

Smegball

Is the match on tv tomorrow?

Redsoxfan

Smegball wrote:

Is the match on tv tomorrow?

Yes

dgl1992

Game is on live on tg4. Donegal game at 2 and Dublin Monaghan at 4.

harpsman

Here at match. Bout half the crowd that were at tyrone match. Grand wee exhibition match. Nice points from both sides. Total non contact stuff, obviously.

When was the last time we d 10 points after 22 mins?

harpsman

Was gettin worried we were tryin to win it there for a while!! Lacey poor again before that goal. More running himself into corners

charlie14

harpsman wrote: »

Was gettin worried we were tryin to win it there for a while!! Lacey poor again before that goal. More running himself into corners

Same here. They were scaring the bejasus out of me there for a while. Regardless of Lacey, I thought Paddy Mc Grath was poor enough. Looking to easy to push aside lately. After today, I`d be lax to write off Colm Anthony just yet.

Redsoxfan

charlie14 wrote:

Same here. They were scaring the bejasus out of me there for a while. Regardless of Lacey, I thought Paddy Mc Grath was poor enough. Looking to easy to push aside lately. After today, I`d be lax to write off Colm Anthony just yet.

Agreed on both McGrath and Colm Anthony.

Playing Colm Anthony deeper might have a benefit if it gives him a bit more room to operate. I thought his work rate was good, but his accuracy wasn't great.

And, today's opposition are no preparation at all for the type of treatment Colm Anthony will get in the Ulster Championship.

2moreMinutes

Overall it was an enjoyable match with some good fielding & some excellent points kicked by both teams. Today won't really give any clues as to how our summer will go as we both gave and received a lot more space than will be the norm.

Id agree on Paddy McGrath being very poor today but he was far from alone in earning that accolade today. We were defensively very poor at times but I don't think we'll see a performance like that again.
Still not convinced Colm McFadden has an awful lot to offer in a match where he doesn't have the freedom of the park in which to operate but I'm less convinced about whoever may replace him so by default, he's got my vote to start.

Marty Duffy was A1 as usual.

Redsoxfan

Well that was pointless.

There has been more intensity shown during games played at the opening of a new pitch!

Some nice scores, zero defensive effort. When Neil McGee is getting shown up, something is not right.

I gave my thoughts on Colm Anthony earlier. Looked good, but we'll see what the summer brings. The other player I was interested in seeing was Thompson, he looked out of sorts, and that is not good. Eoin McHugh did ok for the time he was on.

The reality is, we won't get the time or space or freedom from someone hanging off you to kick 14 points from play during the Ulster Championship.

I felt sorry for those around shouting 'come on Donegal' in the second half. Players clearly weren't that pushed, supporters shouldn't be either.

Thankfully Marty Duffy annoyed enough people to generate some noise from the Donegal support. If it had been Rory Hickey reffing, would anyone have anything to shout about?

Tl;dr? Meh.

Ceist_Beag

Agree with the above and also with wee Martin last night. The league semi finals are a pointless exercise and should be dropped if our match is anything to go by. I saw more intensity in the schoolboys during half time that at any point in our game!
The full back line and Boyle in goals were very poor. Neil had the worst game I saw from him but I doubt it will be repeated, and as said already Paddy was very poor. Thompson was also very rusty and cost two points when losing possession. Boyle cost two as well with very poor kickouts.
I thought McElhinney had a good match, as did McBrearty and it was nice to see young Eoin McHugh get a start - I thought he did pretty well for a first start.
McFadden (Colm) scored two lovely points but also missed quite a few and didn't really offer much else.

Overall, as RSF said, it was pretty pointless and a waste of a trip for the fans, not that there was much of a turnout anyway.

Oh and isn't it saying something that even in a tame affair like yesterday, Duffy still managed to piss off most fans around - honestly, it says something for the state of referees in the game that this lad gets to Croke Park.

bob skunkhouse

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

Boyle cost two as well with very poor kickouts.

I'd be interested to hear comments on this. If we also count last year's goal in the AI final as a result from a poor kickout, is this not something that management should look at? I appreciate that kicking the ball long to a MF like Kerry's isn't going to do much better, but the goalie kickout is becoming more of a integral part of play than yesteryear and in the white heat of championship football I'd expect it to be more of an issue. It's an area I'd expect to see a plan b and possibly c, especially if teams don't play the 'blanket' and our FB line is marked tighter preventing short kick outs.

Ceist_Beag

I think to be fair Bob, I fully expect Durcan to be back for Tyrone and, one obvious brain fart excepted, his kickouts are of a much higher quality than we saw yesterday.

bob skunkhouse

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

I think to be fair Bob, I fully expect Durcan to be back for Tyrone and, one obvious brain fart excepted, his kickouts are of a much higher quality than we saw yesterday.

Yep, point taken but we'll have to hope he's a clean bill of health for the season and not just the Tyrone game :rolleyes:

Nidgeweasel

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

I think to be fair Bob, I fully expect Durcan to be back for Tyrone and, one obvious brain fart excepted, his kickouts are of a much higher quality than we saw yesterday.

It's not just been one though.

He had a shocker during the club championships too. I'd have serious concerns over him at this moment in time. Hopefully this wee break now will do him the power of good and he'll be flying come championship.

wackokid

charlie14 wrote: »

Same here. They were scaring the bejasus out of me there for a while. Regardless of Lacey, I thought Paddy Mc Grath was poor enough. Looking to easy to push aside lately. After today, I`d be lax to write off Colm Anthony just yet.

Are youz really THAT good?
Thought I was on the Kerry GAA forum there for a while.:)

Redsoxfan

bob skunkhouse wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear comments on this. If we also count last year's goal in the AI final as a result from a poor kickout, is this not something that management should look at? I appreciate that kicking the ball long to a MF like Kerry's isn't going to do much better, but the goalie kickout is becoming more of a integral part of play than yesteryear and in the white heat of championship football I'd expect it to be more of an issue. It's an area I'd expect to see a plan b and possibly c, especially if teams don't play the 'blanket' and our FB line is marked tighter preventing short kick outs.

If you recall the Dublin game, Michael Boyle was nearly caught out twice with short kickouts. He had at least one poor short effort on Sunday, and, he goal aside, his kicking in Castlebar wasn't great from where I was sitting. So it could be that our tactics need to the looked at no matter who starts in goal.

I agree we need a variety of approaches to our kick outs, especially if we are fortunate enough to meet Kerry later in the year. Durcan was excellent last year, an All Star, and I certainly am not ready to write him off. I didn't see the Four Masters County Championship games, but I can well imagine that he found it hard to focus so soon in the aftermath of feeling he cost his team an All Ireland.

The knock on Boyle has always been his size and kick outs. He may have improved the latter, but not to the extent he has Papa's range.

Aside from one poor kickout against Derry, Papa's been fine as far as I am concerned. Boyle has been ok, but for me, Papa starts against Tyrone.

fullstop

wackokid wrote: »

Are youz really THAT good?
Thought I was on the Kerry GAA forum there for a while.:)

You do know Donegal don't have the luxury of having their first championship game in mid-June against Limerick or Clare? The Tyrone game was priority over this one.

eddie73

Aye its pathetic to expect our seniors to go out and compete when they have most serious business to attend to in a mater of weeks. 17th May). Kerry play cork on the 12th of July........ 55 days later.

Nidgeweasel

Martín Beag's got people spitting feathers again.

Redsoxfan

Nidgeweasel wrote:

Martín Beag's got people spitting feathers again.

It's interesting to see, isn't it...

He's some troll, fair play to him.

Redsoxfan

Story on the Democrat today that I tried linking to via my phone but can't and I'm not arsed firing up the laptop so here we go.

It's an interview with Anthony Thompson. He hasn't trained with the squad all year apparently. I wonder if that will change in the next few weeks?

ghostfacekilla

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Story on the Democrat today that I tried linking to via my phone but can't and I'm not arsed firing up the laptop so here we go.

It's an interview with Anthony Thompson. He hasn't trained with the squad all year apparently. I wonder if that will change in the next few weeks?

I can't imagine how effective he'd be in regards to familiarity with tactics and their love of repetition of new moves on the training field. One area I wouldn't worry about would be his fitness as he seems to be consistently in great running shape. If it's the same article I'm thinking about, he said that he'll be flying to donegal every weekend now so he shouldn't be far off.

eddie73

Thompson is a big player. He might not be starting in all the games this year, but he is still one of the most experienced players on the team. If push comes to shove, we need lads like him to steady things down.

Redsoxfan

eddie73 wrote:

Thompson is a big player. He might not be starting in all the games this year, but he is still one of the most experienced players on the team. If push comes to shove, we need lads like him to steady things down.

I fully agree. I just worry about his preparation, especially after last weekend.

dgl1992

Was down in Gweedore yesterday for their league game with Naomh Connail. Odhran Mac Neilis was superb once again.

His left foot is like a magic wand! His passing and score taking was fantastic once again. And his fielding is just top class. He has an ability to hang in the air and claim ball after ball.

I'm convinced he is the future for Donegals midfield.

Ceist_Beag

He's certainly developing into a fine player alright. I heard some of the young lads for Gaoth Dobhair were very impressive yesterday as well, they seem to have a great crop of young talent there at the minute.

dgl1992

Yeah young Mulligan scored a fine goal in the first half. His pace is frightening.

Game was very nip and tuck up until last 10 mins of the second half when gweedore scored 1.04 without reply.

Cassidy played for Gweedore and won quite a bit of breaking ball in the first half. As the game opened up in the second he kicked two from play. Don't think he's very fit at the moment but he's still a very effective club player fit or not.

bob skunkhouse

Anyone see the "CLICK ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT (TAKE THE SURVEY NOW)"
from this -> http://donegalgaa.ie/2015/04/donegal-gaa-strategic-plan-2015-2019-tell-us-what-you-think/

Nidgeweasel

dgl1992 wrote: »

Was down in Gweedore yesterday for their league game with Naomh Connail. Odhran Mac Neilis was superb once again.

His left foot is like a magic wand! His passing and score taking was fantastic once again. And his fielding is just top class. He has an ability to hang in the air and claim ball after ball.

I'm convinced he is the future for Donegals midfield.

Did McLoone play?

When do the Democrat usually put up their match reports onto the website?

Nidgeweasel

bob skunkhouse wrote: »

Anyone see the "CLICK ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT (TAKE THE SURVEY NOW)"
from this -> http://donegalgaa.ie/2015/04/donegal-gaa-strategic-plan-2015-2019-tell-us-what-you-think/

No, was looking yesterday. Can't find the old plan either.

dgl1992

McLoone played yesterday and played well. Usual competent ball carrying.

No idea what the issue is with him and the county set up but he is a loss for sure.

Brick was effective too, scored 1.3 in the second half.

dgl1992

Democrat will usually post report tomorrow on Twitter etc. game was at 6.30 yesterday and I don't know who they had down there. Report in today's paper was very brief.

Redsoxfan

Dunno if the Democrat had anyone there. Brief report means they probably got it second hand and I know they had one of their main men at Glenswilly v Malin.

No mention of Leo on NC Twitter (but full team not named, just score updates), but I see Cassidy got a red card.

Ceist_Beag

Black card RSF, not red.

Redsoxfan

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

Black card RSF, not red.

I wouldn't know, was just going off the NC Twitter!

ghostfacekilla

That eerie time between the end of the league and the start of the championship. You could hear a pin drop. If only I lived in Tír Chonaill, at least I could perhaps strike it lucky and guessed where they trained on a Tuesday evening. Something, something to feed the veins. They could be tripping over each other, forgotten how to solo. There might be a new revolutionary tactic.
It just never goes in quick enough.

Redsoxfan

Minor League Champions again - anyone in Omagh earlier?

dgl1992

Wins today in division one for Kilcar over Naomh Conaill in Glenties Glenswilly over St. Eunans in Letterkenny Four Masters over Gweedore in Donegal Town Ardara over Malin in Malin and Table toppers St. Michaels over Dungloe in Dungloe.

Malin yet to win and looking in trouble already. Big win for Ardara there today.

St. Michaels are flying. Be interesting to see if the McFaddens are back on board but they aren't missing em yet!

Redsoxfan

dgl1992 wrote:

Malin yet to win and looking in trouble already. Big win for Ardara there today.

Nothing at all against Malin. But happy to see Baker doing well.

dgl1992 wrote:

St. Michaels are flying. Be interesting to see if the McFaddens are back on board but they aren't missing em yet!

So, Colm Anthony has played no club football since when, last October?

Ceist_Beag

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I wouldn't know, was just going off the NC Twitter!

Turns out twitter is more accurate than my source was! Should have been black I'm now told!