That was a real struggle but we got there in the end. Cavan were more than a matches for us, in fact if they had scored that goal in the first half we were in serious bother. It was nice to win a tough arm wrestle of a match like this. I think this should put to bed any notion that we are a far superior team than Cavan and should be hammering them. Cavan were excellent in the first half, nice mix of running and direct ball into their full forward line. However they only went in level at half time when they should have been ahead. The game turned on its head after the first goal. Both goals came from pointed efforts that fell short, nothing that was planned but we will take them. Who would have believed that a long kick into the full forward line could result in a goal lol. If we actually used this as a tactic we would get a lot more goals.
It was great to see Jamie Brennan back to form, he was terrific yesterday, especially in the first half when we were struggling. If we could get Oisin Gallen back then we are well covered in that department. Eoghan Ban had another super outing, he is our main threat when we take short kick outs as he can break the line. We asked a lot of him yesterday but he delivered. Stephen McMenamin also did well on Gearoid McKiernon. Caolan McGonagle did really well from the bench and Conor O'Donnell got a goal, so good impact from the bench.
We seemed to lack intensity in our game, the heat was a factor but our running game is just a killer. Teams are giving us short kick outs and we are labouring up the field hand passing, the opposition have as long as the like to set up their defence. Our only hope of creating something is when Ban goes on one of his terrific runs. That is our plan A, B and C. We did try a few direct balls in the second half and they actually worked but then went back to running the ball. Its a real shame we don't add a bit of variety to our game and be less predictable, we would be real All-Ireland contenders if we did. As it is, I think we have a great chance of winning Ulster, the final will be a 50/50 game and I am confident we can put on a good display. However not sure we can challenge for an All-Ireland with the type of game we play. Maybe if we won Ulster and got to Croke Park we might open up a bit and play a bit more direct.
Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1870 - 09/05/2022 10:38:13
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I think Cavan are better than everyone gives them credit for, they are excellent in the tackle and bring a great intensity in championship, they're a sticky team for anyone really. We got two goals from skewed shots, one of which would've been brought back for a free I'm pretty sure, but we also messed up many opportunities ourselves especially in that first half. I thought our half forward line were very poor in the first half with ball in hand and we were turned over so easily where support runners were not there. But we had, I think, 2 or 3 goal opportunities in the first half that we didn't get anything from through pure sloppiness, running down cul de sacs or hand passing directly to a Cavan defender at times.. Cavan should've been ahead at half time and without Patton's unbelievable save they would have been, and I wonder whether we would've pulled them back in.
I think we were much much better in the 2nd half and for papa pump, all I'd ask is what do you think happened at half time if not Bonner making adjustments and getting them right? We were so much better than Cavan in that 3rd quarter especially and really it was a bit of complacency that allowed them back into the game. But tactically we were better and we looked sharper overall. I know we can talk about the style of play, it's been done to death, but I think Bonner has to be given credit for how that 2nd half played out yesterday? He's not going anywhere this year, so personally I think it's best to just judge each game on its merits and see how we're building for the next game.
I do have a few criticisms. I couldn't understand Caolan Ward being taken off at all, he was really excellent driving forward with the ball in hand all game and unless he was gassed or injured, I found it a really strange substitution. The switch of taking McCole off Paddy Lynch should have happened sooner than it did, McCole's performance improved when it happened as well as Lynch not having the same impact (what a find he is for Cavan as well). I also felt with how McGonagle showed in that 2nd half, maybe he should have started. He's a funny player in that I sort of forgot how good he has been for us until I saw him there yesterday. He can sometimes look sort of awkward with ball in hand but he makes a big impact every time he plays and he chipped in with a score there yesterday as well. Is there an argument now for Hugh McFadden not to start?
I thought our key men really stood up in the 2nd half which was great. Paddy McBrearty especially battled hard yesterday I thought and got one brilliant score in particular in that 2nd half. I thought McMenamin did a decent job on Gearóid McKiernan, he was never going to keep him completely shackled and quiet but he did enough that his influence wasn't massive on the game. Also want to mention Jason McGee again, I felt he quietly had an excellent game in the middle of the park. It was great to see as well a bit of faith in our big men around the middle and forcing Cavan to go long, we didn't always win it but the battles around the middle were great and a bit of a throwback.
Had a great day out in Clones, it was great to be back there as well and really looking forward to another Ulster final. It will be magic if we get another title, but Derry or Monaghan will be a huge huge challenge.
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 10:50:14
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Replying To papa_pump: "Agree fully, Brennan took some outstanding scores yesterday. It's pleasing to see, as he is quite a confidence player. Hopefully yesterday's performance lifts his spirits and he can ride that wave of form into the Ulster final and fingers crossed even further than that" Yeah I agree it was brilliant to see Jamie back taking those scores, I felt he's been out of sorts the last wee while so I was absolutely delighted to see him back close to his best form. Next for him will be the goals we know he can get!
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 10:54:38
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Replying To papa_pump: "Have a day off will you. Only posts you ever make are to pontificate about how unless you swear blind allegiance you're not a true fan. Any thoughts on the performance yourself? Are you happy with it?
For once would you talk about the game rather than scolding those who do?" No I'm not happy with the performance , not many are. We're in a final so I'm happy. To come on this forum and slate management immediately after the game and calling for there heads says enough about you. Go and get a life , I've no problem people criticising but I've no time for people like you. I said before I don't listen to spoofers who don't go to games.
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2364 - 09/05/2022 10:57:30
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Replying To Green_Gold: "That was a real struggle but we got there in the end. Cavan were more than a matches for us, in fact if they had scored that goal in the first half we were in serious bother. It was nice to win a tough arm wrestle of a match like this. I think this should put to bed any notion that we are a far superior team than Cavan and should be hammering them. Cavan were excellent in the first half, nice mix of running and direct ball into their full forward line. However they only went in level at half time when they should have been ahead. The game turned on its head after the first goal. Both goals came from pointed efforts that fell short, nothing that was planned but we will take them. Who would have believed that a long kick into the full forward line could result in a goal lol. If we actually used this as a tactic we would get a lot more goals.
It was great to see Jamie Brennan back to form, he was terrific yesterday, especially in the first half when we were struggling. If we could get Oisin Gallen back then we are well covered in that department. Eoghan Ban had another super outing, he is our main threat when we take short kick outs as he can break the line. We asked a lot of him yesterday but he delivered. Stephen McMenamin also did well on Gearoid McKiernon. Caolan McGonagle did really well from the bench and Conor O'Donnell got a goal, so good impact from the bench.
We seemed to lack intensity in our game, the heat was a factor but our running game is just a killer. Teams are giving us short kick outs and we are labouring up the field hand passing, the opposition have as long as the like to set up their defence. Our only hope of creating something is when Ban goes on one of his terrific runs. That is our plan A, B and C. We did try a few direct balls in the second half and they actually worked but then went back to running the ball. Its a real shame we don't add a bit of variety to our game and be less predictable, we would be real All-Ireland contenders if we did. As it is, I think we have a great chance of winning Ulster, the final will be a 50/50 game and I am confident we can put on a good display. However not sure we can challenge for an All-Ireland with the type of game we play. Maybe if we won Ulster and got to Croke Park we might open up a bit and play a bit more direct." I think my big frustration with the style we play is that a kickpass is on a lot of the time, not even in to the full forward line, even just whoever collects the ball off Patton on the short kickout, there is nearly always another spare man up the line around the 45s, a kick pass there just gets the ball up there that bit quicker and suddenly the other team aren't as set in their defence. I think Shane O'Donnell has been a breath of fresh air in that regard since his introduction to the panel but he struggled there yesterday especially with Cavan's physicality. But he'll learn from that I think.
Like you say we get a lot of joy with that kickpassing game when we try it, even the league match against Dublin which was a nothing "contest", but jeez we scored an unbelievable goal with a couple of kickpasses that day. We're all a broken record about it, I don't even expect to see kickpassing all the time, but mix and match like Cavan did in that 1st half and suddenly we're a much tougher proposition.
One thing about yesterday is Michael Langan was well shackled and even when he broke free he had a couple of bad misses and bad hand-passes, to be honest I will be surprised if Langan has as poor a showing again for the rest of the year and he is absolutely key to our attack.
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 11:02:48
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I think the general consensus among Donegal supporters is that of "Job done but let's not get carried away with ourselves". If we were offered an Ulster final against Derry/Monaghan straight after the league defeat against Kerry we'd gladly have taken it. We have a nice wee 3 week cushion now to get the bodies right and work on varying our style.
I suppose lookit, there's no point in throwing the baby out with bath water. We're a very good running team when we get it right. How often have we cut teams open in the last number of years and scored goals with palmed finishes to the net? It doesn't happen by accident. In saying that, a bit of variety to keep teams guessing would be another string to our bow. I have no doubt that we have players who can deliver that long, diagonal ball that Cavan deployed so often yesterday. The difference with us is that we have one of the best full forwards to ever play the game. Murphy causes panic stations when he's in there and any half decent sort of ball is delivered.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9073 - 09/05/2022 11:19:36
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Replying To rorysboys: "No I'm not happy with the performance , not many are. We're in a final so I'm happy. To come on this forum and slate management immediately after the game and calling for there heads says enough about you. Go and get a life , I've no problem people criticising but I've no time for people like you. I said before I don't listen to spoofers who don't go to games." Imagine coming on telling someone to get a life because they don't agree with you. I've never seen you actually discuss a game with a user on here. It's only ever you berating them for having a different opinion to you, and when they ask you for your thoughts it's something along the lines of "i dont listen to people like you" or "i won't respond to people like you".
Come on now. You're getting on to me now implying i haven't a clue. I've given another post there outlining my exact problem with management. But you won't talk about the performance. You're just happy to pontificate about how people aren't blindly optimistic enough.
What part of the performance didn't please you yesterday? Who is at fault for it? Who could improve? Is it all on the players? All on the management? Mix of both? How can we improve ahead of the next day?
I'm asking you now to talk about the match, and not deal in platitudes about being a "real supporter".
You've no time for people like me you say. Thats great to know. While we're getting to know each other, I've no time for those who will tell others how they should behave without ever offering any insight on a match.
papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 71 - 09/05/2022 11:22:54
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Replying To JoeSoap: "I think Cavan are better than everyone gives them credit for, they are excellent in the tackle and bring a great intensity in championship, they're a sticky team for anyone really. We got two goals from skewed shots, one of which would've been brought back for a free I'm pretty sure, but we also messed up many opportunities ourselves especially in that first half. I thought our half forward line were very poor in the first half with ball in hand and we were turned over so easily where support runners were not there. But we had, I think, 2 or 3 goal opportunities in the first half that we didn't get anything from through pure sloppiness, running down cul de sacs or hand passing directly to a Cavan defender at times.. Cavan should've been ahead at half time and without Patton's unbelievable save they would have been, and I wonder whether we would've pulled them back in.
I think we were much much better in the 2nd half and for papa pump, all I'd ask is what do you think happened at half time if not Bonner making adjustments and getting them right? We were so much better than Cavan in that 3rd quarter especially and really it was a bit of complacency that allowed them back into the game. But tactically we were better and we looked sharper overall. I know we can talk about the style of play, it's been done to death, but I think Bonner has to be given credit for how that 2nd half played out yesterday? He's not going anywhere this year, so personally I think it's best to just judge each game on its merits and see how we're building for the next game.
I do have a few criticisms. I couldn't understand Caolan Ward being taken off at all, he was really excellent driving forward with the ball in hand all game and unless he was gassed or injured, I found it a really strange substitution. The switch of taking McCole off Paddy Lynch should have happened sooner than it did, McCole's performance improved when it happened as well as Lynch not having the same impact (what a find he is for Cavan as well). I also felt with how McGonagle showed in that 2nd half, maybe he should have started. He's a funny player in that I sort of forgot how good he has been for us until I saw him there yesterday. He can sometimes look sort of awkward with ball in hand but he makes a big impact every time he plays and he chipped in with a score there yesterday as well. Is there an argument now for Hugh McFadden not to start?
I thought our key men really stood up in the 2nd half which was great. Paddy McBrearty especially battled hard yesterday I thought and got one brilliant score in particular in that 2nd half. I thought McMenamin did a decent job on Gearóid McKiernan, he was never going to keep him completely shackled and quiet but he did enough that his influence wasn't massive on the game. Also want to mention Jason McGee again, I felt he quietly had an excellent game in the middle of the park. It was great to see as well a bit of faith in our big men around the middle and forcing Cavan to go long, we didn't always win it but the battles around the middle were great and a bit of a throwback.
Had a great day out in Clones, it was great to be back there as well and really looking forward to another Ulster final. It will be magic if we get another title, but Derry or Monaghan will be a huge huge challenge." You make a fair point RE changes at half time. With that said, my post was submitted at half time. The introduction of more direct passing was a welcome sight. McGonagle grew into the game very well in particular and offered much more than Big Hugh.
What I would say is that why should we have to wait to have a mare of a first half to see it introduced? We have excellent forwards, physically capable men. Our two goals, while massively fortunate, came from two long rangers falling short, and our forwards being alert to react. Id like to see that introduced intentionally, as the dual threat of being able to run the ball as well as be a threat with the long ball is the level we should be at. It gave something for Cavan to think about. In the first half, they knew they didn't have to worry about kicks into their square, so they could press us out the field and negate our runners, force handling errors and generally be in our face.
Where it's due, second half plan was improved. Now let's hope we can move to making it proactive rather than reactive.
papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 71 - 09/05/2022 11:32:33
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Replying To papa_pump: "Imagine coming on telling someone to get a life because they don't agree with you. I've never seen you actually discuss a game with a user on here. It's only ever you berating them for having a different opinion to you, and when they ask you for your thoughts it's something along the lines of "i dont listen to people like you" or "i won't respond to people like you".
Come on now. You're getting on to me now implying i haven't a clue. I've given another post there outlining my exact problem with management. But you won't talk about the performance. You're just happy to pontificate about how people aren't blindly optimistic enough.
What part of the performance didn't please you yesterday? Who is at fault for it? Who could improve? Is it all on the players? All on the management? Mix of both? How can we improve ahead of the next day?
I'm asking you now to talk about the match, and not deal in platitudes about being a "real supporter".
You've no time for people like me you say. Thats great to know. While we're getting to know each other, I've no time for those who will tell others how they should behave without ever offering any insight on a match." What you want me to debate lad. I don't hide from anything. On yesterday s performance, yea we play too much from short kick outs. It drains the energy would rather if Patton goes long more times which he is well capable of doing. Murphy at full forward all the time doesn't work he had spells there yesterday which he done well. Eoin ban had to be sacrificed yesterday to go back and man mark in his own full back line. This takes away from his attacking game but management were right to do it. What big change would you do papa. Im asking a simple question. And which difference personnel would you have used. By the way who gaves you the right to call management names. Have you ever managed..
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2364 - 09/05/2022 12:12:35
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Replying To papa_pump: "You make a fair point RE changes at half time. With that said, my post was submitted at half time. The introduction of more direct passing was a welcome sight. McGonagle grew into the game very well in particular and offered much more than Big Hugh.
What I would say is that why should we have to wait to have a mare of a first half to see it introduced? We have excellent forwards, physically capable men. Our two goals, while massively fortunate, came from two long rangers falling short, and our forwards being alert to react. Id like to see that introduced intentionally, as the dual threat of being able to run the ball as well as be a threat with the long ball is the level we should be at. It gave something for Cavan to think about. In the first half, they knew they didn't have to worry about kicks into their square, so they could press us out the field and negate our runners, force handling errors and generally be in our face.
Where it's due, second half plan was improved. Now let's hope we can move to making it proactive rather than reactive." Yeah I agree over this year I've been frustrated with the reactive style of play, in saying that I think we weren't at the pitch of the game in general in the first half and there were opportunities there for us however we sloppily gave the ball up. I've watched it back on BBC and we had at least 3, maybe 4 really good opportunities for goals in the first half but handling errors or poor handpasses meant we lost the chance. Thompson got a nice point but Mogan was wide open by the square in one, McBrearty dropped the ball on another but got a free out of it, Langan was twice turned over when we had a spare man running direct at the full back line of Cavan. There were also poor handpasses from Shane O'Donnell and Peadar Mogan on a counter attack type play that killed us and we got nothing from both attacks.
So I do agree I'd like us to be more proactive and mix it up but by the same token when you watch it back, I think our lads just weren't "on it" in that first half and if they had been then the style of play would've had plenty rewards. I do think the one dimensional aspect of it allows the opposition to push up and we can struggle with that without a doubt. Eoghan Bán was key in that regard yesterday. But what I liked about yesterday was how quick Patton got us going again, even if it was a short kick out you barely had a second to breathe before the ball was in play again.
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 12:16:40
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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "Hard luck to the donegal minors. Derry were the better team though hope they don't get upset about it. They lost by 5 but gifted them the two goals. Donegal finished the game strongly as well scoring the last 4 points and with a bit more composure would have scored more. It would have been easy to drop the head and they didn't. The number 7 Martin was cramping and he still chased his man back and helped in the turnover. Yes they struggled to score and will be frustrated at times with careless turnovers and wrong options. They should though focus on the positives of not giving up and the last 15 mins in advance of the backdoor game next week." I was at the game and totally agree. i think we actually gifted them 2-04/05 from kickouts. its something that needs to be looked at. A number of lads had an off day, and that can't happen against Monaghan. I thought the two wing backs were very good, Roarty from Glenties and Martin from Mac Cumhaills. Both showed a lot of fight and determination. Hopefully they will regroup and get past Monahan on Saturday
donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 308 - 09/05/2022 12:39:47
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Must say from catching up on a lot of the analysis you would swear we lost. It was a great Ulster championship game and we came out the right side of it. There's plenty for us to ponder going into the Ulster final and plenty improvements to be made but I think some of the talk around us is a little unfair
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 12:48:30
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On the laborious way we play there isn't much point in Michael being inside if we don't kick the ball into him, why aren't the instructions coming from the line to kick the ball in? mix it up a bit, we do seem clueless tactically at times, that first goal the 2 Cavan backs and keeper got so spooked with a mishit high ball dropping in for Murphy they all went to him and the ball breaks to Conor O'Donnell in the middle of the mayhem and he finishes it brilliantly. we should be kicking balls like that into Michael when he's inside and try and send in diagonal balls like the one Lacey played into him for that brilliant goal he scored in the 2012 final. I think if we had smarter management we'd get a lot more out of this team, nothing personal against Declan Bonner of course, just think he is not getting the best out of the players he has, and he has had long enough to get it right. insanity to keep doing the same things and expect different results. We got the win yesterday which is brilliant, we won't get 2 goals like that in every game though, unless we try and play for them deliberately of course. seems a no brainer to me, maybe that's the problem.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2705 - 09/05/2022 14:35:27
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "On the laborious way we play there isn't much point in Michael being inside if we don't kick the ball into him, why aren't the instructions coming from the line to kick the ball in? mix it up a bit, we do seem clueless tactically at times, that first goal the 2 Cavan backs and keeper got so spooked with a mishit high ball dropping in for Murphy they all went to him and the ball breaks to Conor O'Donnell in the middle of the mayhem and he finishes it brilliantly. we should be kicking balls like that into Michael when he's inside and try and send in diagonal balls like the one Lacey played into him for that brilliant goal he scored in the 2012 final. I think if we had smarter management we'd get a lot more out of this team, nothing personal against Declan Bonner of course, just think he is not getting the best out of the players he has, and he has had long enough to get it right. insanity to keep doing the same things and expect different results. We got the win yesterday which is brilliant, we won't get 2 goals like that in every game though, unless we try and play for them deliberately of course. seems a no brainer to me, maybe that's the problem." I mean we got some joy out of Michael inside early in the 2nd half and kicked balls into him, he got one lovely point early in the half from it where he dummied Faulkner and left him on his back.
To be honest watching the first half yesterday there's two aspects to it, one the player out the field needs to look up and see if the kickpass is on, but by the same token the men inside have to move. Sometimes they just aren't, they're very static. I'm sure that's coming from the overall style of play where they think it's hardly worth their while making a move, but I saw Jason McGee for example look up every time he had the ball around the middle but the kickpass was never on. I also think it's smart enough not to kick it in to that Cavan defence with the bodies they had back there and their tackling ability. There's not much point kicking it in to Paddy McBrearty, he wins the ball out in front but is swallowed up right away. However as I said earlier I think this is more to do with how slow we are to get to that part of the field, if we kicked it more to get out of defence then I think the kickpasses are on. For example we had a counter-attack yesterday in the first half where Ciaran Thompson kicked it up the sideline to Jamie Brennan and a goal chance was on, however Langan got turned over in a tackle I think it was. That's not a kick pass into the big man at the square but the chance was there and the execution let us down yesterday.
I want to see us mix it up a lot more than we do definitely but I think some credit where it's due it alright as well you know. It's hardly like we haven't seen a diagonal ball into Murphy since 2012 or something.
JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 09/05/2022 15:39:23
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Replying To JoeSoap: "I mean we got some joy out of Michael inside early in the 2nd half and kicked balls into him, he got one lovely point early in the half from it where he dummied Faulkner and left him on his back.
To be honest watching the first half yesterday there's two aspects to it, one the player out the field needs to look up and see if the kickpass is on, but by the same token the men inside have to move. Sometimes they just aren't, they're very static. I'm sure that's coming from the overall style of play where they think it's hardly worth their while making a move, but I saw Jason McGee for example look up every time he had the ball around the middle but the kickpass was never on. I also think it's smart enough not to kick it in to that Cavan defence with the bodies they had back there and their tackling ability. There's not much point kicking it in to Paddy McBrearty, he wins the ball out in front but is swallowed up right away. However as I said earlier I think this is more to do with how slow we are to get to that part of the field, if we kicked it more to get out of defence then I think the kickpasses are on. For example we had a counter-attack yesterday in the first half where Ciaran Thompson kicked it up the sideline to Jamie Brennan and a goal chance was on, however Langan got turned over in a tackle I think it was. That's not a kick pass into the big man at the square but the chance was there and the execution let us down yesterday.
I want to see us mix it up a lot more than we do definitely but I think some credit where it's due it alright as well you know. It's hardly like we haven't seen a diagonal ball into Murphy since 2012 or something." Yeah I take your point but fellas aren't going to bust themselves making runs when the they have a fair idea it's not going to be kicked in anyway, Murphy and Paddy mac only need a half a chance and they'll bury a goal, saying that Paddy has missed a few too!! better to pass it into the net or drive in a daisy cutter, them balls blasted at waist height are more saveable. Hopefully we'll play better the next day and it's fantastic to be in another final, we need to win this Ulster, I have a feeling this could be a great year for us if we can continue improving.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2705 - 09/05/2022 16:00:24
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Donegal played well yesterday and deserved to win, this year also they are getting the breaks, in the last game Armagh could have had two goals and a few points at the start of the second half but failed to score ,again yesterday Cavan could have had a penelty and Patten had a great save to prevent another goal, had Cavan or Armagh got these scores things could have been different. Also funny decision yesterday by the line, fullback was getting a roasting and a corner back was taken off who was having a good game getting plenty of the ball and never giving it away.
jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 399 - 09/05/2022 16:11:44
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Replying To Tirchonaill1: "Yeah I take your point but fellas aren't going to bust themselves making runs when the they have a fair idea it's not going to be kicked in anyway, Murphy and Paddy mac only need a half a chance and they'll bury a goal, saying that Paddy has missed a few too!! better to pass it into the net or drive in a daisy cutter, them balls blasted at waist height are more saveable. Hopefully we'll play better the next day and it's fantastic to be in another final, we need to win this Ulster, I have a feeling this could be a great year for us if we can continue improving." Yeah I know what you mean. Peter Canavan was a master at 'passing' the ball into the net. Perfect example was the 2005 AI final against Kerry. It would have been so easy to fluff that goal chance but he just passed it along the ground right into the corner. In tight games, cool heads like that make all the difference. Blasted finishes look great and all but keepers have more of a chance of saving those.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9073 - 09/05/2022 16:21:02
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A good win and another Ulster final. As they say a semi - final is just there to get to a final and so job done. Having watched Donegal quite a bit now over the past couple of years what really puzzles me about the selections is one glaring weakness and that is the lack of pace in the middle third of the field. We seem to pick just too many of the same type of player who are big and strong but slow. Going back to last Sunday we had to my reckoning five of these slow and languid types and this is just too many. Speed of thought and movement is just not there with them and reaction speeds are away off the pace. Now you certainly need a number of big and strong imposing players for kickouts but five in the engine room is just far too many and I just think we are going to get caught out against better opposition.
fionmaccumhaill (Donegal) - Posts: 42 - 10/05/2022 08:55:55
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Replying To fionmaccumhaill: "A good win and another Ulster final. As they say a semi - final is just there to get to a final and so job done. Having watched Donegal quite a bit now over the past couple of years what really puzzles me about the selections is one glaring weakness and that is the lack of pace in the middle third of the field. We seem to pick just too many of the same type of player who are big and strong but slow. Going back to last Sunday we had to my reckoning five of these slow and languid types and this is just too many. Speed of thought and movement is just not there with them and reaction speeds are away off the pace. Now you certainly need a number of big and strong imposing players for kickouts but five in the engine room is just far too many and I just think we are going to get caught out against better opposition." Interesting point and there is an element of truth to this I think. An example for me was Hugh McFadden's attempted point blocked down in the first half where he was too laboured in his movement for that level. Saying that, I do think Langan, McGee for example will have better games and they weren't overly effective. However, we have also been accused too of having too many small running half backs rather than tall, strong defenders. So it's hard to dispute having a combination of different physical types too! I think the languid style was on display a lot actually. More so first half. Possibly due to Cavan sitting back too when we had possession and looking to engage us from the 45 inside. So maybe it looks more amplified than anything. Ulster games can take on this feel to them. As we go forward from here though, there will be less time on the ball and more fronting up I feel from opponents which will allow less time to engage in this!
Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1317 - 10/05/2022 10:12:21
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Replying To fionmaccumhaill: "A good win and another Ulster final. As they say a semi - final is just there to get to a final and so job done. Having watched Donegal quite a bit now over the past couple of years what really puzzles me about the selections is one glaring weakness and that is the lack of pace in the middle third of the field. We seem to pick just too many of the same type of player who are big and strong but slow. Going back to last Sunday we had to my reckoning five of these slow and languid types and this is just too many. Speed of thought and movement is just not there with them and reaction speeds are away off the pace. Now you certainly need a number of big and strong imposing players for kickouts but five in the engine room is just far too many and I just think we are going to get caught out against better opposition." This post shows the difference of opinion people have. Understand where your coming from but last year people were saying we were playing too many small players. The five big players your on about would be thompson. Mc gee. Hughie. Langan. Probably Murphy. I wudnt say the five are slow, far from it. You say we can't play them all, maybe not but I would say the way county football has gone we need there ball winning ability around the middle. Even for pattons kick outs it's great having big men to hit. Conleth gilligan made a good point on the dv podcast last night, saying we were playing 5 midfielders across the middle.. wee question for you how would you play it and who would you drop. Before I'm accused of belittling your post I'm not. You do make a valid point. Only question I'm asking you play your best players and what other options have we.
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2364 - 10/05/2022 10:56:37
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