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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To rorysboys:  "You asked me how na rossa got on in c ship last year. The question irrelevant to discussing Donegal football. Your making me out to be a na rossa man because I stand up for management and Bonner. Don't be childish Bonner and Stephen have a lot of support from outside na rossa. Believe me cause I know. If you think I'm from na rossa that's your Perogative.As for not answering questions I asked you were you at the game on Sunday. Simple question my aodh Ruadh friend.."
Rorysboys - Do you spend all day refreshing this forum on your computer?

MurphBalls (Donegal) - Posts: 178 - 23/03/2022 10:01:36    2406615

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Replying To MurphBalls:  "Uptight? You're the one lambasting everyone for having a difference of opinion. I'm just calling out what the majority of people are thinking about you.

Yes, it's true. The way Donegal are currently playing I wouldn't pay to watch them. I'm well aware of what the forum is and what the people on it represents so thanks for pointing out something to me that I already know. Your tone and ignorance towards other peoples opinions is something that should be called out. You're the epitome of what people call a keyboard warrior.

When this present mgmt team go I'll only be too delighted to go back and watch Donegal live.

I'm not your pal either :) . You wouldn't fit the criteria to be a pal. However, I'm sure you have lots of "Pals" who agree with whatever you say."
Listen Murph I have you boys well sussed out. There's a lot of very knowledgeable posters on here who I respect and like listening to there opinions. But as for you and the other few wafflers who are one track with every post, my advice would be get a life you don't go to games so why do yous go the bother of posting . If yous met Bonner and rochford yous would probably be looking for there autographs and selfies. Goin through a few of fr seans books last night I've come to the conclusion that Bonner has win the most trophies as a Donegal manager. Some legend who stuck with the gaa. Not in it for the money I would say. Another how come it's all the anti Bonner brigade that have a problem with me. I must not be the flavour of people on here as nobody likes my posts. I feel hurt.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2388 - 23/03/2022 10:34:25    2406624

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Everyone can be guilty of a bit of nostalgia. They were great times to be a Donegal supporter. But I don't think it's being in any way sentimental to suggest that some of the basics that McGuiness instilled aren't as evident with the current group.
I'm talking about that furious intensity and getting contact and making the opposition's life a misery. Now I know playing that way requires insane fitness levels and a bit of luck with injuries. It's easy for me to sit here on my laptop and say we should just increase the intensity. But that manic controlled aggression broke a lot of the best teams in the country, and allowed our creative players to punish teams on the counter.

We do have a lot of pace and power in the current squad when injury free. I'm hoping that come Championship time, when there's a harder sod and no hurricanes blowing we'll see a major increase in bite and intensity. Then we'll see if McGeeney's bucks are all they're cracked up to be."
Yeah I know lockjaw, but your missing my point two different sets of teams and a totally different era and I'm just can't get over most on here saying if we do this or that we'll be like a team mcguiness had. That team had a hunger and desire because they were shamed out the gate in Crossmaglen they also had the guts of a young side who were a crossbar away from an all Ireland and more importantly they got a run of good luck for 2 yrs,
I'd say this current team could do with a bit of that luck. So not point comparing what has been before and focus on the here and now.

Tyrion (Donegal) - Posts: 159 - 23/03/2022 10:39:58    2406625

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Replying To MurphBalls:  "Rorysboys - Do you spend all day refreshing this forum on your computer?"
He must do, actually feel a bit sorry the the lad. Hope he cops on a bit, but looking at his posts on here, I doubt he will.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 223 - 23/03/2022 11:05:42    2406632

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Listen Murph I have you boys well sussed out. There's a lot of very knowledgeable posters on here who I respect and like listening to there opinions. But as for you and the other few wafflers who are one track with every post, my advice would be get a life you don't go to games so why do yous go the bother of posting . If yous met Bonner and rochford yous would probably be looking for there autographs and selfies. Goin through a few of fr seans books last night I've come to the conclusion that Bonner has win the most trophies as a Donegal manager. Some legend who stuck with the gaa. Not in it for the money I would say. Another how come it's all the anti Bonner brigade that have a problem with me. I must not be the flavour of people on here as nobody likes my posts. I feel hurt."
Haha you are some clown - very narcissistic! I know Bonner well, trust me. I played under him on the minor team back in 2014. Bonner has won the most trophies, that's great but are we a county that is just happy to win Ulster titles now?

They are knowledgeable because they list out a starting 15 that is obviously Donegal's best 15? Sure I could do that and you'd call me knowledgeable. If I said Bonner should be given a chance you'd call me knowledgeable. If I said Donegal have been decimated with injuries you'd call me knowledgeable.

As I said before, a narcissist will lambast the people that have a difference of opinion to them. Opinions should be respected but you just must not be a respectful narcissist. Keep on refreshing the page.... saddo

MurphBalls (Donegal) - Posts: 178 - 23/03/2022 11:40:50    2406644

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Replying To MurphBalls:  "Haha you are some clown - very narcissistic! I know Bonner well, trust me. I played under him on the minor team back in 2014. Bonner has won the most trophies, that's great but are we a county that is just happy to win Ulster titles now?

They are knowledgeable because they list out a starting 15 that is obviously Donegal's best 15? Sure I could do that and you'd call me knowledgeable. If I said Bonner should be given a chance you'd call me knowledgeable. If I said Donegal have been decimated with injuries you'd call me knowledgeable.

As I said before, a narcissist will lambast the people that have a difference of opinion to them. Opinions should be respected but you just must not be a respectful narcissist. Keep on refreshing the page.... saddo"
I've been called a narcissist what ever that means a clown and a saddo in the one post. Not nice lad maybe you should grow up a bit.. can't wait for all all the likes you'll get. I must be hitting a nerve among the anti Bonner brigade

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2388 - 23/03/2022 12:16:02    2406652

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It is well known that Jim McGuinness wasn't overly concerned about the league.All his players have said that.The first year he took over we were in division 2 and he probably did road test a few ideas that year.The next year in division 1 it took,ironically a win over Armagh on the last day to keep us up.The next year we were relegated again .The following year was 2014 and we were beaten in the div 2 final by Monaghan and Derry were in the Div 1 final that day.We beat them both on the way to the 2014 Final.
Declan Bonner's term followed a similar trajectory.In that year we only won 1 game in Div 1 and got relegated but we went on to lift the Ulster title.In 2019 we won Div 2 but on the way we lost to Tipperary and Fermanagh but again we lifted the Ulster title
I guess what I am doing by throwing in a few reminders is that league form is not always a great guide to what might follow in the championship.I don't remember what posters were saying about our league displays in the McGuinness era or a couple of years ago under Bonner but there seems to be a lot of kneejerk reaction this year.The bottom line is that both men don't put a great emphasis on the league.We can judge the players and management after the championship.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1055 - 23/03/2022 12:21:58    2406654

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Replying To Tyrion:  "Yeah I know lockjaw, but your missing my point two different sets of teams and a totally different era and I'm just can't get over most on here saying if we do this or that we'll be like a team mcguiness had. That team had a hunger and desire because they were shamed out the gate in Crossmaglen they also had the guts of a young side who were a crossbar away from an all Ireland and more importantly they got a run of good luck for 2 yrs,
I'd say this current team could do with a bit of that luck. So not point comparing what has been before and focus on the here and now."
I understand what you're saying, there's no point in trying to replicate what went before, particularly with regard to tactics. All I'm saying is that underpinning any tactical plan or style of play should be a level of work rate and intensity. That goes for any successful team regardless of whether it's being managed by Jim McGuinness, Declan Bonner or you or me.

I just think we're a bit passive when it comes to really matching up against the better teams. Talent wise I think we're definitely top 3 or 4. If this current crop can get injury free and play with conviction and more aggression it'll take a good team to beat them.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9103 - 23/03/2022 12:28:43    2406658

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I've been called a narcissist what ever that means a clown and a saddo in the one post. Not nice lad maybe you should grow up a bit.. can't wait for all all the likes you'll get. I must be hitting a nerve among the anti Bonner brigade"
You don't know what a narcissist means? Sounds like you're knowledgeable in all the wrong areas then ;p. You're not hitting a nerve at all. I don't think anyone has any hatred for Bonner I think it's just time he hands the reigns over and freshen up the team a bit more. The problem I'm trying to make you aware of is if someone has a difference of opinion to you, you should be able to have a respectful debate with them about why your opinion is different instead of just lambasting them. This forum is a place where people can come and voice your thoughts of the current state of Donegal football, and not to be hounded out of it by clowns like yourself trying to make themselves feel better by battering someone else's opinion. It's ok if you think Bonner should be given a chance but to lambast other people who think differently is just childish and cowardly hiding in behind a keyboard. If you are this vocal in public I'd say you've been on the receiving end of a few slaps in your time.

I'm leaving this sub now because I'm absolutely sick of you and you have taken the fun out of having a good old respectful debate.

Get a life champ!

MurphBalls (Donegal) - Posts: 178 - 23/03/2022 12:55:27    2406667

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Replying To MurphBalls:  "You don't know what a narcissist means? Sounds like you're knowledgeable in all the wrong areas then ;p. You're not hitting a nerve at all. I don't think anyone has any hatred for Bonner I think it's just time he hands the reigns over and freshen up the team a bit more. The problem I'm trying to make you aware of is if someone has a difference of opinion to you, you should be able to have a respectful debate with them about why your opinion is different instead of just lambasting them. This forum is a place where people can come and voice your thoughts of the current state of Donegal football, and not to be hounded out of it by clowns like yourself trying to make themselves feel better by battering someone else's opinion. It's ok if you think Bonner should be given a chance but to lambast other people who think differently is just childish and cowardly hiding in behind a keyboard. If you are this vocal in public I'd say you've been on the receiving end of a few slaps in your time.

I'm leaving this sub now because I'm absolutely sick of you and you have taken the fun out of having a good old respectful debate.

Get a life champ!"
Before you go what annoys me on this forum is people who say they are so called supporters but every post they have up is anti management. We all want Donegal to do well. What I'm saying there are a lot of fair posters on here who criticiise and praise but there's at least a half dozen who continue to run management down at ever opportunity. Hand on heart do you honestly think this is fair players and management are doing there best. I say judge Donegal when they have a stronger team out. I've supported every manager that Donegal had all decent men, who were brave enough to put there name forward.. finally am I sad to see you go, not really . But I've no doubt you'll be back.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2388 - 23/03/2022 13:27:30    2406674

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Replying To gunman:  "It is well known that Jim McGuinness wasn't overly concerned about the league.All his players have said that.The first year he took over we were in division 2 and he probably did road test a few ideas that year.The next year in division 1 it took,ironically a win over Armagh on the last day to keep us up.The next year we were relegated again .The following year was 2014 and we were beaten in the div 2 final by Monaghan and Derry were in the Div 1 final that day.We beat them both on the way to the 2014 Final.
Declan Bonner's term followed a similar trajectory.In that year we only won 1 game in Div 1 and got relegated but we went on to lift the Ulster title.In 2019 we won Div 2 but on the way we lost to Tipperary and Fermanagh but again we lifted the Ulster title
I guess what I am doing by throwing in a few reminders is that league form is not always a great guide to what might follow in the championship.I don't remember what posters were saying about our league displays in the McGuinness era or a couple of years ago under Bonner but there seems to be a lot of kneejerk reaction this year.The bottom line is that both men don't put a great emphasis on the league.We can judge the players and management after the championship."
Your right they were similiar in their approach to the league. But difference is mcguinness got is to 2 all Ireland finals and 3 semis in chship when it counted. The current set up can even get us to a semi.

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 23/03/2022 13:51:34    2406677

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I thought I'd change the direction of the thread for a bit. We have the Minor's out this weekend against Derry. There would need to be a lot of improvement from their last performance against Cava. Beaten by a goal but the score flattered us. The U20's are out Friday week as well. Their win in the league should have them set up for the game against Armagh.

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 310 - 23/03/2022 13:57:26    2406681

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Away from the county scene I see that the club leagues are due to commence the first weekend in April.
I'm sure there will be a lot of club players itching to get going. I suppose the bigger clubs with the bigger squads will be well used to managing without their county men. The three divisons look to be very competitive and it's difficult to predict who'll be promoted and relegated. Looking forward to the action over the coming weeks.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9103 - 23/03/2022 14:12:20    2406685

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Replying To marty234:  "Your right they were similiar in their approach to the league. But difference is mcguinness got is to 2 all Ireland finals and 3 semis in chship when it counted. The current set up can even get us to a semi."
I wasn't discussing who is the better manager which is pointless,different era, different players, different styles different oppositions.I was merely making the point that what happens in the league is not a good guide as to what will follow.Explain what is this thing about getting to semi finals.Would it be ok to lose in them.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1055 - 23/03/2022 14:49:27    2406697

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Listen Murph I have you boys well sussed out. There's a lot of very knowledgeable posters on here who I respect and like listening to there opinions. But as for you and the other few wafflers who are one track with every post, my advice would be get a life you don't go to games so why do yous go the bother of posting . If yous met Bonner and rochford yous would probably be looking for there autographs and selfies. Goin through a few of fr seans books last night I've come to the conclusion that Bonner has win the most trophies as a Donegal manager. Some legend who stuck with the gaa. Not in it for the money I would say. Another how come it's all the anti Bonner brigade that have a problem with me. I must not be the flavour of people on here as nobody likes my posts. I feel hurt."
Is McEniff not our most successful manager, trophy wise?

As I have said here before, I think we have all the raw materials to win an All Ireland, but what we are missing is that hunger when it mattered most to get over the likes of Kildare in 2011, Kerry and Cork 2012, Dublin 2014. I just have the feeling that when the game is in the melting pot, it seems that we are leaving the pitch with more left in the tank. I just have the feeling that Bonner is not getting the last little bit out of what he has at his disposal.

By the sounds of things, we could well be outnumbered in Letterkenny on Sunday. Armagh are going to bring a huge crowd. I'd love if we got the result and hopefully lift the spirits in advance of Championship.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 576 - 23/03/2022 15:09:24    2406705

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Is McEniff not our most successful manager, trophy wise?

As I have said here before, I think we have all the raw materials to win an All Ireland, but what we are missing is that hunger when it mattered most to get over the likes of Kildare in 2011, Kerry and Cork 2012, Dublin 2014. I just have the feeling that when the game is in the melting pot, it seems that we are leaving the pitch with more left in the tank. I just have the feeling that Bonner is not getting the last little bit out of what he has at his disposal.

By the sounds of things, we could well be outnumbered in Letterkenny on Sunday. Armagh are going to bring a huge crowd. I'd love if we got the result and hopefully lift the spirits in advance of Championship."
I think Armagh will outnumber us too in the championship. Armagh fans will buy there tickets early for championship. It'll be all ticket and I think it'll be sold out well before the game. Hopefully county board will put a big push on to get people buying there tickets early after next sunday. My mention of Bonner being most successful manager might have been worded wrong he won ulsters at u15 . U 16. U 17, u18. U21 . Division 2!in league. Mc kenna cup. And two Ulster championships. Plus at club level intermediate and senior championships. . . Getting to a semi final seems to be key with a lot of posters. Mc Guinness had no super 8 to deal with in them days you played a back door team in the quarters where's in Bonner's time he hadn't that luxury

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2388 - 23/03/2022 15:42:39    2406714

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Away from the county scene I see that the club leagues are due to commence the first weekend in April.
I'm sure there will be a lot of club players itching to get going. I suppose the bigger clubs with the bigger squads will be well used to managing without their county men. The three divisons look to be very competitive and it's difficult to predict who'll be promoted and relegated. Looking forward to the action over the coming weeks."
It's kind of hard to keep track of the structures. Does each team in the league once and you end up with roughly 6 home and 6 away matches?

Even without their top players you would expect the top teams like nc, eunans and kilcar to do well. I sense that gweedore are coming back a bit but will be interesting to see. The under 20s championship could make things tricky for some clubs as well.

There doesn't seem to be too much frustration about playing league without county players. By having no link between league and championship encourages teams to play away and for the average club player they must be a good thing as they've a guaranteed match every week.

The reality is though that if say donegal went on a championship run county players will end up playing very few if any league games for their clubs. I suppose though at least the donegal championship structure guarantees a certain number of games with their county players. If it was straight knock out say like tyrone a county player could end up playing just once for the club in the year. I think in the longer term more counties will end up having to adopt a system like donegal.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 23/03/2022 16:32:59    2406725

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Since 2015, Donegal have played Dublin six times in the league (not including the 2016 and 2021 semi-finals). Outside of 2017, all of these matches have been played in Croke Park. Anyone know why that is? Surely Donegal should be playing at home more than once every six matches.

greatpoint (USA) - Posts: 427 - 23/03/2022 17:20:01    2406740

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Replying To Tyrion:  "Yeah I know lockjaw, but your missing my point two different sets of teams and a totally different era and I'm just can't get over most on here saying if we do this or that we'll be like a team mcguiness had. That team had a hunger and desire because they were shamed out the gate in Crossmaglen they also had the guts of a young side who were a crossbar away from an all Ireland and more importantly they got a run of good luck for 2 yrs,
I'd say this current team could do with a bit of that luck. So not point comparing what has been before and focus on the here and now."
I disagree with you on that.

McGuinness era is referenced here so much as it was the benchmark, the most successful period in Donegal's history and its natural that we look at what was different back then in comparison to now. Yes systems change and players change, but it was not simply good luck, McGuinness created an environment for winning and we cross-reference things from that time in an effort to understand why we lack some of those qualities.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1103 - 23/03/2022 17:23:15    2406742

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Replying To Commodore:  "I disagree with you on that.

McGuinness era is referenced here so much as it was the benchmark, the most successful period in Donegal's history and its natural that we look at what was different back then in comparison to now. Yes systems change and players change, but it was not simply good luck, McGuinness created an environment for winning and we cross-reference things from that time in an effort to understand why we lack some of those qualities."
I'll disagree with you on this once commodore cause I'm not one for going back forever after, wish people would just read the responses and therefore wouldn't need to keep explaining it.
This is the last time I'm going to touch on mcguiness, yes I'd agree most successful manager and left a benchmark but if you read back on my posts my opinion is he let that team down after 14, or else he knew himself he couldn't do anymore with them.And I'd say we'd have more than 2 all Irelands if he'd have stayed,
I'm going to give one example of one man in that team compared to anyone on any team in the country atm. Ryan Bradley was unheard of before Jim therefore came in with no inhibitions and the whole of the country didn't know of him. Because of his stature and background for Jim's time in charge he would of ran through a block wall for donegal on the field but obviously doing that takes its toll hence he could only do it for a few yrs. Alot of Jim's success came off Bradley. But I'll ask you in this day an age is there anybody you could name would do that now. Every generation develops talent but maybe loses guts and that's across everything in life, ie Kevin Moran Paul mc grath the bull Hayes etc so tell me this generation of players do you honestly think there going to do what Jim had his crowd doing in 10 to 12, this generation don't have the be all and end all of playing for donegal, go on down to gweedore and look at some of the bucks down there that couldn't care less to be playing for donegal now. So what I keep saying is its the hand we have at this moment so get on with it and stop this whole carry on about what mcguiness could do. He's not here now and I honestly don't think this generation of players would jump through hoops the same way his team did. Do you ever see kerry posters going on about if paudi was here or micko the team would be different. Every generation changes attitudes to life and Jim can't do one thing about that.

Tyrion (Donegal) - Posts: 159 - 23/03/2022 18:00:26    2406745

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