Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

Nothing to stop Armagh using their U 20 team. We have done the same in the past. 2013 but that was when the seniors were on holidays in Dubai afair, but the Armagh decision seems a bit strange as it is rumoured the did it because they had a challenge game arranged.

Jim facing an eight week suspension. Build the fence!!

I wondered about thay myself or even how the Ulster Council even became aware of it. I doubt if it was from Armagh who do not seem to have much interest in the McKenna Cup, but if it was then a bit crass as they sent an U20 team to Ballybofey. For me the most likely answer is Mc Guinness himself who seemed to go out of his way to highlighted the lad had not yet played senior club. A "them all against us" can be a very useful edge at times. It did us no harm in 2012 after all the abuse we took in 2011. That said, and while I`m no fan of appealing when you are in the wrong, the very same Ulster Council highlighted that we would be foolish not to when after the league dust up with Armagh we held up our hand and took our punishment while Armagh appealed and walked away scot free. Not that it did them much good in the subsequent championship game, but then a bit of "them all against us" helped our cause on that accassion.

The problem of physicality has been there for some time, and not to disparage two fine footballers, but our two wing backs McHugh and Mogan are not the most physically intimidating of players. In a final group stage game against Mayo in Castlebar Mayo targeted McHugh`s position at wing back and made hay. Two years ago in the Ulster Semi Cavan did the same and although we beat them (lucky enough to do so imo) they still got a lot of joy from the tactic. Ulster Final Derry did it and it again caused us serious problems. But then McGuinness is tactically astute so hopefully we will not see a recurrence. Delighted with the young lads. A good attitude and willingness as well as no lacking of talent which can only strengthen the squad.

Thought that odd myself, I presume it is something to do with knowingly fielding an under age player or something like that. Wasn't aware of the rule myself, knew there was something about U-20 players not allowed to play senior, but not that one. Then again, I'm not on the County Board or a management team!

there is no doubting the man's ability to manage a team or even convince a team to do battle , i think its just the type of management ye need at the moment given the county board stuff

when it comes to the next level stuff i would question big jim , but his motivation stuff has got him some big gigs around the world , i have no doubt ye will be back in division 1 next year and ultra competitive again in ulster

he's won nothing anywhere since the 2014 Ulster Final

I hope you're right !

not many positives to take from that unfortunatley

I'm sure Jimmy was holding a few things back all right.

Enough there to give hope for the year ahead. Twelve different scorers bodes well. Two goals that will give Jim plenty to discuss in the post match analysis.

Is that the first time three Nauls lads have started for the county?

Wandered in here to see the chat ahead of next weekend. It’s hard to know what you’ll get from us. We were disappointing last season & Galligan is a new manager. We had a good result yesterday but it was the first day of the League so hard to tell.

We’re still relying on the core of the team that won the 2020 Ulster final, along with having McVeety back & promising younger players like Lynch & Oisin Brady emerging.

good to see i am not the only one that regards sam mcguire teams as senior teams , and tailtenn cup teams as intermediate , 🤣

Tbh the focus in Donegal is really on ourselves. Last year was a disaster but we feel we have underperformed for a number of years. We are seeing green shoots but there is nobody getting carried away. The belief in the county is that we have the players to be competitive. If we’re not there will be no excuses because we have the best possible man in charge.

Cavan in Breffni is always a challenge. We will probably be missing our marquee forward and first choice midfield. Jim has always used the league to experiment and I would expect that to continue as he tries different combinations. We won’t be getting carried away if we win nor will it be a doomsday scenario if we lose.

First game can be deceptive but Kildare and Meath mightn't be promotion contenders. Meath badly tailed off after a good start last year, ended up 3rd from bottom and eventually in the Tailteann cup.

I would put a collar on both Patton and Mulreany that would give both an electric shock if they either set a foot outside the 20 metre line.

The Cork management mentioning the wind as being a factor was them trying to make the best of a bad performance. It micht have died down for the second half but even playing against it we outscored them 1-08 to 1-03.

Was the EBG injury a result of a collision?

It’s on GAAGO

Hard to know what to make of that game. Probably should have won. Armagh finished with a stronger team than when they started.

Our attack looked laboured enough at times, we didn't play with enough pace. Maybe that was deliberate.

Too many sloppy turnovers. Like we saw in Cavan. Defence played well.

Ciaran Moore looks like an excellent addition. Brilliant block and then worked hard to prevent a 45.

But happy enough with a draw. Both teams should be meeting again in a few weeks.

Drop me a message if anyone wants my ticket for the game tomorrow. Have an U16 also.

Donegal will definitely finish in the top four of Division 2 so will definitely be in the All Ireland series.

Only able to listen to the game today. Sounded like a poor enough performance but goal broke the game open and at the end of the day, we are now top of the table and one more win ensures promotion. I watched Kildare today and shame on us if we lose to them.

Hopefully McCole not too bad, seems be had a boot on. It's a bit concerning we haven't seen McColgan, McGee, Niall O'Donnell yet. We need a bit more experience on the bench.