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Football Championship 2026 - 7 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "'24 was Armagh's year. Kerry responded last year. Donegal are responding this year. Kerry accepted the clear red card on Saturday. Donegal did not after the league final. A bit of heckling is par for the course after the dirty stroke in the league final. Some of the Donegal reaction to that is laughable. I thought Donegal were a sporting county like Kerry. It might be just a minority or outliers in Donegal being bad winners. Sin é." How could Donegal accept a red card after the league final, when they didn't get one? What's to accept?
Any Donegal poster I've seen on here accepts that Murphy should have gotten red card though. There's no debating that.
Did you expect the Donegal management team to ask for a red card retrospectively? That'd be a first for any intercounty manager.
I don't recall Jack O'Connor coming out after the 2009 final and saying Tadhg Kennelly should have been red carded.
WanPintWin (National) - 25/05/2026 15:52:51
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Donegal GAA thread - 6 Like(s)
Replying To Seniorleague: "Oh stop being so precious about a few boos.
You should be thankful Murphy was even allowed play on Saturday." Never booed an opposition player on my life, was at 2008 final when paul galvin came on and was greeted with boos for having being banned earlier in the season for slapping a notebook!
It was disgusting to hear it then and it's disgusting now.
totalrecall (National) - 25/05/2026 16:43:23
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Donegal GAA thread - 5 Like(s)
Thank god. GAA did the sums and came to right conclusion that banning Clifford and Jim would have caused absolute carnage. The whole comparing it to Ger Brennan was such whatabouterry.
We should spare a thought for the real victims in all this. Armagh fans.
shaggykev (National) - 26/05/2026 12:37:58
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Donegal GAA thread - 5 Like(s)
Replying To Cabbagepatch1667: " It's Jim's way or no way, and the way he reacted to Tommy Rooney from Off The Ball asking him a question just about sums him up.
A incident on the pitch between 2 players is one thing, and maybe you're right about Clifford - same way Murphy should have walked in the league final too. But that's a separate issue.
But management and coaching staff should not be in the middle of a brawl, or pushing opposition players etc.. The ban to Ger Brennan was a precedent set by the GAA to prevent this sort of stuff. So when Jim McGuinness end up is in the middle of brawl pushing players about any screaming obscenities, don't be surprised if you're asked a question about whether you're worried you'll face a ban given what happened to Brennan.
Fair play to Tommy Rooney for asking it, if he had any bottle he'd have laid into Jim more. Why were you in the middle of a skirmish sort of thing?" Did the brave Tommy have any tough questions for Jack about the behaviour of his players and coaching staff?
WeGoAgain (National) - 25/05/2026 15:20:07
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Donegal GAA thread - 4 Like(s)
Replying To TheFlaker: "The problem is here there is no middle ground. 12 weeks is ridiculous and I do believe this will be looked at going forward. But also Donegal playing the victim card is also ridiculous. He pushed a player, and the wrong one. A one game ban or something would be suitable. Also I don't believe Clifford went out to catch Caolan Mc the way he did. And also the half time incident was sparked by Donegal reacting to a nothing shoulder from Clifford.
The victim complex is tiresome. I think McGuinness is an amazing coach and motivator but absolutely every word is calculated. I believe they knew he could be in trouble for this and that's why he was so petty with Tommy Rooney post match. Creating a narrative. That's all he is doing." I'd agree with you generally Flaker but two things here. I think that Jim's response has made things worse, I don't think he expected the question and what we saw was an unfiltered reaction. He gets a lot of OTT credit for masterminding things but I think creating a narrative was the furthest thing from his mind there. If he was thinking it through he'd have taken the question as it was, and set a narrative around being angry about what happened to Ryan but had no intention of getting physical or whatever else. His reaction has, in my opinion, forced there to be a resolution. And I think he will be banned, and it will be 12 weeks as that is the rule.
I also don't think we can pin the brawl on our lads reacting. Are they just to accept a shoulder after the hooter and carry on? There are two sides at it on Saturday and both to blame, no need to go looking for who instigated what. They were all at it.
I also think some Donegal posters need to simmer down about the likes of Tommy Rooney. He's a journalist. If he didn't ask that question, someone else would have. I think the thrust of the question was also fair enough - given what happened with Ger Brennan, it's fair to ask if Jim was worried. I think if the GAA actually follow their rules fully for once, a lot of people will be done for the inter county season.
I also agree with an Armagh poster about things being let go and the macho stuff. I find it all a bit pathetic, of course there is physicality in football but go beat your man at the game and leave all that nonsense to the macho idiots.
CCFabu (National) - 25/05/2026 22:53:57
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Donegal GAA thread - 4 Like(s)
No more suspensions from the game, great to see a bit of common sense prevail. No doubt many of the non Donegal posters will be quite upset with that outcome.
dgcrusader (National) - 26/05/2026 12:02:39
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R.I.P. Frank Mcguigan - 4 Like(s)
One of the greats gone too young. My first memory of Frank was as a young lad with my father on a dampish day on the Hill in Clones in 1972. He gave a man of the match display in the Minor Final and then lined out in the Senior Final on the day that Donegal won their first Ulster Championship. It was only in the very later stages of the game that Donegal who were hot favorites pulled away. The next year was my first time to attend an Ulster Final on my own. Got a lift with a Northern Radio reporter (by the name of Mc Dowell, I think), who introduced me to the great Mick Higgins from Cavan, who was on duty as a Garda. On that day Frank captained Tyrone to their third Ulster Title. Had the privilege of also being in Clones in 1984,when Fran gave a display for the ages against Armagh with his 11 points. Was also lucky to be brought by my father to 2 of his County Final victories with his beloved Ardboe. Alas the Hill in Clones is no more a now boyhood hero is gone. To his family and football friends. I send my sincere condolences. May the great Frank McGuigan R.I.P.
ORIELMAN85 (National) - 25/05/2026 15:22:51
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Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Commodore: "Michael Murphy did deserve a red card in the League final, I haven't heard anyone in Donegal say otherwise.
David Clifford likewise did deserve a red card for intentionally elbowing Caolan McGonigle, if it hadn't been for Caolans granite jaw, the Buncrana man could have been seriously hurt. Now I won't be soccer fan booing David Clifford or shouting abuse at him at future matches, because I understand he gets a lot of abuse from opposition players and I can understand why he gets frustrated and lashes out.
Jim McGuinness doesn't deserve a ban, far too little in it, hell I didn't think Ger Brennan deserved a ban, especially not a 12 week ban, which was ridiculous." My post was in reply to Ulsterrules who said he never heard any player being booed like Murphy was on Saturday. I just gave an example of John Small, booed for the rest of his career by Mayo fans.
sligo joe (National) - 25/05/2026 16:24:31
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Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To tirawleybaron: "Clifford should have been sent off - it was the same as Corks O Callaghan - striking with the arm to the head.
McGuinness should be banned to.
Also, both team should have their sideline teams (and subs) made to sit in the stand for the rest of the season.
It was an absolute joke that 45 men should be on the pitch.
If you follow the rule book
Third Man Rule (Gaelic Football): Any third or subsequent player who joins a melee not for the purpose of removing a teammate is deemed to have incited the incident. They are issued a Black Card, meaning they are sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes or sent off entirely if it is a subsequent card.
Watching the footage
1st Row -
Clifford started - yellow card
Brendan McCole tries to grab Clifford - black Card
Max Campbell grabs Clifford - black Card
McCole Donegal mouthing at ref - 50m free and black card
Mogan & Moore - pushing clifford - black cards
Roarty running in and mouthing - black card
Murphy Running the length of the pitch to get involved - black Card
Foley, O Shea and P Clifford - black cards
Evan Looney pushing Murphy - black card
Breen throwing a shoulder - back card
Mulreavey - pushing - black card
Langan - grabs Kerry no 2 - black card
Maor Uisce from Donegal pushes No 21 Kerry - red Card and 12 week suspension
2nd Row
Ryan Mc Hugh gets manhandled - no offence
O Breien - Kerry - grabing McHugh - yellow Card
Burns - kerry jumps in and throws a punch - red Card
Paudie Clifford and O Sullivan Kerry - black cards for joining in
Gallen - black Card for joining in
McGuiness pushes no 9 kerry - red card and 12 match suspension
Somehow Evan Looney got a yellow instead of a black
Match should have restarted with
McGuiness and Maor Uisce in a pub in Killarney
Kerry should have been left with
Shane Murphy;
Dylan Casey
Eddie Healy on for Morley
Keith Evans
David Clifford
Dylan Geaney
Donegal
no GK
Shane O Donnell on for McHugh
Gallagher
Hugh McFadden
Oisin Gallen
Conor O Donnell
So half should have started with 6 Kerry v 6 Donegal - and therefore called off - if they ref did his job.
There are a whole load of players who could face a sanction as the ref didn't deal with their incidents.
If the GAA deal with it properly, both teams will struggle to field a team the next day out." To be fair I think this was, in a roundabout way, McGuiness' point. Although he handled the question poorly and didnt get his point across well.
The GAA aren't going to do what you have outlined and retrospectively hand out bans left right and centre so why is McGuiness getting singled out. Agree or diagree that was his annoyance at Tommy Rooneys question.
JimB1991 (National) - 25/05/2026 16:32:42
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Westmeath Hurling thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Loughlenegale: "There's a fair bit to unpack in that take, but the biggest issue is the framing - it leans heavily into a kind of football-first bias that quietly assumes hurling should take a back seat when dual-talented players are involved. Exactly what I have come to expect" Exactly, a warning to hurling people. I have been saying we have to be united. When the hurlers were winning Ring and Mcdonagh cups the CB had decent hurling club participation now it is totally football dominant.
jobber (National) - 25/05/2026 16:36:19
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Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To sligo joe: "John Small got booed for years for one mistimed tackle and some would say it was dangerous in fairness, in Murphy's case calling it a tackle is a bit of a whitewash, firstly you can't tackle with a closed fisted, and you can't target the opponents neck/head." Michael Murphy did deserve a red card in the League final, I haven't heard anyone in Donegal say otherwise.
David Clifford likewise did deserve a red card for intentionally elbowing Caolan McGonigle, if it hadn't been for Caolans granite jaw, the Buncrana man could have been seriously hurt. Now I won't be soccer fan booing David Clifford or shouting abuse at him at future matches, because I understand he gets a lot of abuse from opposition players and I can understand why he gets frustrated and lashes out.
Jim McGuinness doesn't deserve a ban, far too little in it, hell I didn't think Ger Brennan deserved a ban, especially not a 12 week ban, which was ridiculous.
Commodore (National) - 25/05/2026 15:52:58
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Football Championship 2026 - 3 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "Results went against 2 provincial winners at the weekend while 2 provincial runners-up responded. At least 2 provincial winners could be paired in Round 2B. Whether provincial winners should be at least kept apart before the quarter finals might be worth some consideration. It would mean 4 provincial winners potentially getting through to Croke Park unless knocked out by a league qualifier.
Provincial winners knocking each other out before Croke Park is a bit OTT in the current format. Not against separating provincials from the All Ireland but that's a different kettle of fish of that leap is taken." How are the Munster teams doing in the tailteann cup? Remember these are your opponents every year, you gain your nice home draw. Now you want some more little advantages, for your gerrymandered provincial 2 horse race??
Expertinall (National) - 25/05/2026 23:22:22
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To TheFlaker: "Fair enough but I would still disagree on the press conference. I think he would have been expecting the question and decided tom answer in the tone he did. And while I am not saying anyone has to accept a shoulder they were clearly trying to get Clifford sent off and were harassing him and chasing the ref demanding action. That's what sparked it." I have to disagree with you here. Donegal were well within their right to chase Clifford after his cheap shot shoulder AFTER THE HOOTER WAS GONE! That's what sparked the row along with the incident where he should have gotten the line. Golden boy sparked the row imo 100%
letterkennyGuy (National) - 26/05/2026 10:20:02
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Football Championship 2026 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "'24 was Armagh's year. Kerry responded last year. Donegal are responding this year. Kerry accepted the clear red card on Saturday. Donegal did not after the league final. A bit of heckling is par for the course after the dirty stroke in the league final. Some of the Donegal reaction to that is laughable. I thought Donegal were a sporting county like Kerry. It might be just a minority or outliers in Donegal being bad winners. Sin é." Let me respond in language you understand
Booo, Booo, Booo ;-)
ulsterrules (National) - 26/05/2026 09:18:24
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Can't believe people are trying to paint the Donegal players in a bad light for reacting to Clifford's late hit at the whistle. Think it was flaker who said it.
The Donegal of old wouldn't have reacted but Clifford made it very clear in his two late hits that he was trying to set the agenda and Donegal put him and his team mates in their place. You can't stand back and allow kerry to dictate. Reminds me of Martin Johnson disrespecting the Irish president before a rugby match and Ireland players lying down to him and England went on to hammer Ireland. You stand your ground and it's one in all in.
McGuinness has instilled belief and a siege mentality in our lads and I'm proud that they don't take **** from anyone. The commentary from that game highlighted the ridiculous bias towards Kerry, fawning over Clifford who was absolutely terrible in the game.
ballboy101 (National) - 25/05/2026 23:39:11
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To MunsterFan: "Nonsense. Noone is defending Burns. Unlike the ridiculous defending of Michael Murphy. A bit of balance lads" No one defended Murphy after league final, he deserved a red, the commentary across rte and all the podcasts for weeks afterwards was OTT especially from those with a kerry bias. You'd think he was the first player in the history of the GAA to strike an opponent and get away with it. There have been worse incidents since then in the football championship with no coverage or hullabaloo.
A cork player saw red at the weekend for a lesser challenge than Clifford made with his elbow, had mcgonagle not made a bit of a meal of it, Clifford could have been in trouble. I am not suggesting Clifford is a dirty player, he isn't and gets more than his fair share of attention from opponents as players like Murphy do.
The booing of Murphy by(not all) but a large section of the Kerry crowd was really bad form too.
totalrecall (National) - 26/05/2026 10:23:27
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To dgcrusader: "No more suspensions from the game, great to see a bit of common sense prevail. No doubt many of the non Donegal posters will be quite upset with that outcome." I can only assume that if they handed Jim a suspension they would have had to do something to St David and they really don't want to do that. All they need to do now if to have that hot ball and make sure Kerry get a handy draw!
Dualstar22 (National) - 26/05/2026 12:14:33
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To monaghanmad: "3 month minimum, a manager cannot touch a player, under no circumstances. Regardless of taking a backward step or not.
It will set a precedent that will run down from mc Guinness to club games around the country. It is zero tolerance. Sometimes a manager has to walk away and bite his lip.
In our games we cannot have managers run on and push platers, imagine mc Guinness gets away with this and the standards it sets to grassroots and club games. Stamp it out at the top." No suspensions lad , dry your eyes
totalrecall (National) - 26/05/2026 12:14:48
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Common sense.
Dont think any neutral wants to see anyone banned. The one nasty incident got the red card, the rest was handbags.
Nobody wants to see suspensions for the rest, a bita pushing and stuff (happens in hurling all the time).
The Brennan suspension does look ridiculous now however. And any incident going forward can cite back to this one (which is a good thing).
ArmaghAndProud (National) - 26/05/2026 12:22:34
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To WeGoAgain: "Did the brave Tommy have any tough questions for Jack about the behaviour of his players and coaching staff?" You don't ask the" purveyors of all that is good about the game" questions, like that. First rule when you walk in the door. Why did Mc Hugh move his head towards his fist, is how you phrase things in Killarney.
Expertinall (National) - 25/05/2026 19:46:48
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