National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To High_and_wide:  "Lots of talk of Jim having something up his sleeve. What sort of thing?

I think the things that could be got after is a clever use of the attacking mark, creating mismatches on the edge of the square with the likes of Langan and McGee drifting inside, and a kickout strategy that goes long and catches Odhran Lynch off his line. What else?"
You working for Mickey Harte now?

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1117 - 17/04/2024 09:59:40    2538513

Link

Replying To High_and_wide:  "Lots of talk of Jim having something up his sleeve. What sort of thing?

I think the things that could be got after is a clever use of the attacking mark, creating mismatches on the edge of the square with the likes of Langan and McGee drifting inside, and a kickout strategy that goes long and catches Odhran Lynch off his line. What else?"
Any chat about Jim McGuinness having something up his sleeve is merely based on his previous term in the role, his ability to analyze teams and figure out a way to unbalance them tactically by exploiting weaknesses.

Its a big ask for him in year 1 of 2nd term to unbalance a established team like Derry who are going for an All Ireland this year, not impossible, but Derry have demonstrated they are among the Top 2 or 3 teams in the Country and are a cut above everyone else in Ulster.

I'm expecting a super defensive game, low scoring.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1117 - 17/04/2024 10:14:11    2538517

Link

Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/cahair-okane-jim-mcguinnesss-outside-the-box-thinking-is-a-real-threat-to-derry-27M6GPSOMNGNFEDCP4KHTREYBQ/?fbclid=IwAR0cxFb4C

Like many of us, i have been hugely impressed with Caolán McGonagle this year, and also believe that having Jason McGee fit would be important for us. However, Cahair O'Kane believes otherwise, and sees them as being an achilles heel for us. Interesting reading, he makes some good points. Not sure I agree with him, but Saturday evening will tell the tale."
McGonagle is certainly not a weakness but O'Kane is right in that we need our fastest players available to track the runs from deep of the most dangerous Derry defenders. If you have the likes of McGee trying to track Conor McCloskey running through the middle then you do have a mismatch in terms of speed.

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 76 - 17/04/2024 10:27:21    2538521

Link

Replying To High_and_wide:  "Lots of talk of Jim having something up his sleeve. What sort of thing?

I think the things that could be got after is a clever use of the attacking mark, creating mismatches on the edge of the square with the likes of Langan and McGee drifting inside, and a kickout strategy that goes long and catches Odhran Lynch off his line. What else?"
Put two spoilers on McCluskey and McEvoy. So instead of someone like Jamie Brennan going into corner forward and spending the evening chasing after MCloskey, put a dedicated man on him like MacCeallbhuí. Trouble is Derry have other options who love bombing forward. I don't know. It'll be a fascinating match on Saturday evening.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 17/04/2024 10:31:43    2538523

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Put two spoilers on McCluskey and McEvoy. So instead of someone like Jamie Brennan going into corner forward and spending the evening chasing after MCloskey, put a dedicated man on him like MacCeallbhuí. Trouble is Derry have other options who love bombing forward. I don't know. It'll be a fascinating match on Saturday evening."
We need to put the heat on McKindless, he has been the heartbeat of the Derry team for a good few years now. He was the difference in the McKenna Cup Final, apart from his attacking prowess, along with his tactical fouling throughout, and getting Paddy Mc sent off. A real Mickey Harte type of player.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 585 - 17/04/2024 11:16:50    2538543

Link

Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "We need to put the heat on McKindless, he has been the heartbeat of the Derry team for a good few years now. He was the difference in the McKenna Cup Final, apart from his attacking prowess, along with his tactical fouling throughout, and getting Paddy Mc sent off. A real Mickey Harte type of player."
Sure is mc kinless not out. Stop mc guigan is the big priority . He has improved a lot this last two years. Will mc Cole be match fit to mark him

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2408 - 17/04/2024 11:43:42    2538553

Link

Replying To Commodore:  "You working for Mickey Harte now?"
Ha I think Harte can come up with his own ideas rather than going looking on fan forums

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 76 - 17/04/2024 12:02:05    2538561

Link

Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "We need to put the heat on McKindless, he has been the heartbeat of the Derry team for a good few years now. He was the difference in the McKenna Cup Final, apart from his attacking prowess, along with his tactical fouling throughout, and getting Paddy Mc sent off. A real Mickey Harte type of player."
Yeah he's another big threat alright with his running from deep. But he can be a bit rash too. If ya can get him running towards his own goals it'll be a different story. Easier said than done though.

Discipline in the tackle will be vital as well. McGuigan is an expert free-taker. I'd be confident enough McCole will do a decent job on him in general play if he's fit. But we can't waste that advantage if other players are tackling sloppily and giving him handy frees to pop over.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 17/04/2024 12:23:43    2538568

Link

Replying To rorysboys:  "Sure is mc kinless not out. Stop mc guigan is the big priority . He has improved a lot this last two years. Will mc Cole be match fit to mark him"
I don't have the inside track on the health of the Donegal squad, never mind the Derry squad. But there's no doubt, if he's fit, he starts. I don't think anyone will know until when the teams are announced in the hour before throw in.

In 2014 in Celtic Park our named midfielders, Big Neil and Marty McElhinney were replaced when the teams were announced by the twin towers of Paddy McGrath and Jigger O'Connor. Jigger made his debut that day along with the aforementioned McKindless.

That was some day, a similar result this Saturday would be nice.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 585 - 17/04/2024 12:47:21    2538571

Link

Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I don't have the inside track on the health of the Donegal squad, never mind the Derry squad. But there's no doubt, if he's fit, he starts. I don't think anyone will know until when the teams are announced in the hour before throw in.

In 2014 in Celtic Park our named midfielders, Big Neil and Marty McElhinney were replaced when the teams were announced by the twin towers of Paddy McGrath and Jigger O'Connor. Jigger made his debut that day along with the aforementioned McKindless.

That was some day, a similar result this Saturday would be nice."
Yeah that was enjoyable alright. That was the day Murphy scored a cracker from a sideline ball and Leo McLoone scored a really classy goal as well. If I remember rightly Derry reached the league final that year, losing to Dublin, and everyone was tipping them for great things until Donegal burst their bubble. Be class if it happens again!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 17/04/2024 13:11:48    2538586

Link

Replying To High_and_wide:  "McGonagle is certainly not a weakness but O'Kane is right in that we need our fastest players available to track the runs from deep of the most dangerous Derry defenders. If you have the likes of McGee trying to track Conor McCloskey running through the middle then you do have a mismatch in terms of speed."
Winning or dominating midfield will be key against Derry if we are to stand a chance, and we will need Caolan McGonigle, Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Ciaran Thompson all present to offer options for Shaun Patton's kick-outs. They also all contribute to the scoreboard and having them on the field will be key.

I suspect it will be a defensive possession based game, so not sure runners from deep will have as big of a role.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1117 - 17/04/2024 13:40:27    2538600

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah that was enjoyable alright. That was the day Murphy scored a cracker from a sideline ball and Leo McLoone scored a really classy goal as well. If I remember rightly Derry reached the league final that year, losing to Dublin, and everyone was tipping them for great things until Donegal burst their bubble. Be class if it happens again!"
Yes, they were big favourites with the bookies and were in the Division1 Final. And we had been terrible in the Division 2 Final against Monaghan that year.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 585 - 17/04/2024 13:40:54    2538601

Link

Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "We need to put the heat on McKindless, he has been the heartbeat of the Derry team for a good few years now. He was the difference in the McKenna Cup Final, apart from his attacking prowess, along with his tactical fouling throughout, and getting Paddy Mc sent off. A real Mickey Harte type of player."
McKinless is injured

PeterQ92 (Donegal) - Posts: 105 - 17/04/2024 13:57:02    2538611

Link

What about mc faul a key man who will mark him.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 648 - 17/04/2024 14:06:43    2538615

Link

Replying To Commodore:  "Winning or dominating midfield will be key against Derry if we are to stand a chance, and we will need Caolan McGonigle, Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Ciaran Thompson all present to offer options for Shaun Patton's kick-outs. They also all contribute to the scoreboard and having them on the field will be key.

I suspect it will be a defensive possession based game, so not sure runners from deep will have as big of a role."
If we go defensive against derry, trying to get scores out of slow and lateral build up play, we will lose. We need to ask questions of them, go at them and try to put up a big score.

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 76 - 17/04/2024 14:32:30    2538624

Link

Replying To High_and_wide:  "If we go defensive against derry, trying to get scores out of slow and lateral build up play, we will lose. We need to ask questions of them, go at them and try to put up a big score."
Yep. If we play a containment game not only will it be a rubbish spectacle but like you, I fear we'd come out the wrong side of the result in any case. We need to have a go and test Derry's mettle.

Lets not forget they have plenty of things to worry about when it comes to our boys too.
Gallen roasted their best man-marker McKaigue last year.
We didn't have Langan, Mogan, Ryan McHugh last year and Paddy didn't start
It's fair to say we're a lot fitter and better organised as well.

It's a tall order but I am cautiously optimistic we can upset them.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 17/04/2024 16:14:11    2538658

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah he's another big threat alright with his running from deep. But he can be a bit rash too. If ya can get him running towards his own goals it'll be a different story. Easier said than done though.

Discipline in the tackle will be vital as well. McGuigan is an expert free-taker. I'd be confident enough McCole will do a decent job on him in general play if he's fit. But we can't waste that advantage if other players are tackling sloppily and giving him handy frees to pop over."
We have plenty of defenders that Derry need to keep an eye out for. Id say we have more dangerous defenders than Derry do. Moore, Mc Colgan, Ryan, Mogan, Ban, Daire, Shane O Donnell if playing half back. I think we'll be doubling down and going toe to toe with them.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1142 - 17/04/2024 18:20:17    2538690

Link

Derry are a decent side and should be favourites
But in the long grass we await, Donegal shouldnt worry , we play better as underdogs
Donegal have an abundance of highly talented players and ample physicality around the middle
Kickouts will dictate this match
Harte may revert to type and concede the kickouts as he is generally a passive manager who prefers a mass defence

This could be a borefest and a dirty war with both teams scoring less than 12 points

The team thats shows ambition will rule the roost

Derry dont put teams away in general due to an average scoring unit, so on that basis I PREDICT A RIOT

Donegal by 2 and the back door for Micky with the help of God ( Gallen a genius)

Jimmys winning matches , we dare to dream

thereporter (Donegal) - Posts: 38 - 17/04/2024 19:06:52    2538695

Link

Replying To TheRock2121:  "We have plenty of defenders that Derry need to keep an eye out for. Id say we have more dangerous defenders than Derry do. Moore, Mc Colgan, Ryan, Mogan, Ban, Daire, Shane O Donnell if playing half back. I think we'll be doubling down and going toe to toe with them."
Not one defender between them.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 383 - 17/04/2024 22:22:59    2538738

Link

I see Declan Bogue was asked to leave the Ulster press conference by the Press Officer at the request of Jim McGuinness.
I have great time and respect for Jim obviously, but to me he is being extremely petty in this instance. The Cassidy book saga happened over 12 years ago now. Surely time to let bygones be bygones?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 18/04/2024 09:23:26    2538771

Link