(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post
I really don't agree with that at all personally. I would guess that the five are Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Hugh McFadden, Ciaran Thompson and Murphy when he comes out the field? Langan had one of his worst displays for us in a couple of years but he definitely isn't slow. McGee is the same, they both have similar running styles actually, but they fairly move fast. Just look at Langan's goal against Tyrone in 2020 for example, the pace of him bursting through. Or even Jason McGee's small goal chance there on Sunday where he got pulled back and won a free in the 2nd half. The only slow/languid types I would say are McFadden and Thompson. Thompson is a real classy footballer and I think we all know Hugh McFadden's positive traits, and pace isn't one of them. He is coming back to full fitness as well. I would say that McGonagle will start the next day out as he brought a lot of drive to the middle in the 2nd half on Sunday. He would be considered a big fella too but he is well able to move with the ball at pace. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 10/05/2022 11:47:04 2416191 Link 1 |
For the right balance you should have only Langan plus whatever 2 midfielders are playing,The midfielders should be 2 from McFadden,McGee,McGonigle and Thompson with Conor O'Donnnell at half forward and Niall replacing his brother if he is fully fit.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1049 - 10/05/2022 11:57:18 2416201 Link 0 |
There was a good reason why teams moved away from the smaller sweeper, if you remember the 2015 All Ireland Quarter final between Donegal and Mayo, Mark McHugh was playing as sweeper and backing up Neil McGee against Aidan O'Shea, which was a total mismatch. Other teams decided to go with bigger sweepers and more powerful half backs (Dublin - Cian O'Sullivan, Tyrone - Colm Cavanagh etc), because the game had moved on. We seen against Cavan what happens when a high ball is delivered and Ryan McHugh is the last man back, I had a flashback to that 2014 All Ireland final moment with Paddy McGrath was caught in a similar position. Hugh McFadden struggled on Sunday, he just didn't really get into the game, when Caolan McGonigle came on at start of the 2nd half I thought we looked stronger around the middle. Ciaran Thompson hasn't been at his best in the last 2 years or so, he is a great player and is definitely needed in this team, but I feel we haven't seen the best of him yet and I do think we will. Michael Langan didn't seem at his best either, he got on a lot of ball, but his shot selection and passing was a wee bit off. Overall it was great to see our inside forwards all have a good day, it was great to see Caolan McGonigle back and performing well and pairing up with Jason McGee who is really stepping up too. I see a team that is really coming together right now, a lot of improvement needed, but definitely a lot of places finally being nailed down. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1089 - 10/05/2022 13:14:02 2416232 Link 0 |
Donegal want to target the opposition kick out with their bigger men. It also gives more options for the Patton kick out. If you win enough and win your own you've going to be at say 60/65% possession and that should won you a game. On that basis there won't be much changes around the middle. Overall they don't lack pace. Mcgonagle came on the last day I'd say he's one of the quickest players in the Donegal team. Big men often look a bit slower than they are. The legs don't have to move as much. Mcgonagles speed makes him a more likely starter the next day. Jason McGee is also really starting to come of age and had a real good second half in particular. His confidence must be growing Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 677 - 10/05/2022 14:30:16 2416267 Link 0 |
This Donegal team is finally coming together, its starting to finally take shape and I think we are building slowly building traction and could be set to peak at the right time. I said a few weeks back that I suspect we could be serious contenders for the All Ireland despite 20-1 odd with Paddy P. We only had players returning for the last 2 rounds of the National League, Caolan McGonigle only returned on Sunday, for the bulk of the National League we had roughly 7 or 8 key players out with Injuries. We now have most players back and building match fitness, with the exception of Oisin Gallen who should be available for the Ulster final, everybody is now all back and training. Obviously there are no givens, but if we can win Ulster, I think this might be the year when we finally kick on. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1089 - 10/05/2022 15:17:48 2416289 Link 1 |
Thought we kicked pass the ball a lot the last day, probably more than Kerry did against Cork ironically. Dont listen to lazy media, watch and rewatch the games yourselves. TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1125 - 10/05/2022 20:14:41 2416385 Link 2 |
There's a load of talent and it needs to come together at the right time and we can't afford any injuries to key men and need them at their optimal level. If that happens Donegal have loads of potential. They then need to prove it I suppose. I remember being quite excited in 2018. They played some great stuff in Ulster though as soon as mcbrearty hurt the knee you kind of knew they wouldn't push on that year. Hopefully it all will come together for them this year. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 677 - 10/05/2022 20:54:41 2416390 Link 0 |
I don't remember any kick passes to the full forward line in the first half but definitely in the second half we did and it worked really well for us. Got to credit management for putting that right at half time. Playing more direct suits the players we have, especially the big lads around the middle. The two goals we got were from attempted shots that fell short, imagine what we could do if actually played decent direct ball into Murphy, McBrearty and Brennan. I am probably over simplifying things but we do run the ball a lot and got got turned over so many times in the first half. Cavan were excellent though. I feel that teams ae giving us short kickouts as they want us to build slowly from the back enabling them to set up their defence. With the players we have around the middle we should be going long most of the time with our kickouts. If we can get a good mix of running and direct ball I feel we are a serious team. Great to be heading back to Clones for an Ulster final again, still a magnificent occasion. Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1870 - 11/05/2022 09:47:31 2416408 Link 1 |
Yeah I agree, we've tried Hugh McFadden back there as that sweeper but I don't think he has the pace to cover to be honest, I think he is a very good reader of the game but I think his body doesn't keep up with his brain defensively, there were always gaps even when we had Hugh back there. I think Ryan has the intelligence and pace to cover in that sweeper type role, but like you say physically is lacking. To be quite honest though that goal chance was just brilliant play by Cavan in how they moved our defenders around to create that mismatch. I think Cavan's inside forwards being less effective in the 2nd half is a testament to the changes made tactically, whether that was Eoghan Bán moving back on to Lynch or Ryan being in and around as the spare body, it worked 2nd half in my view. I agree with you on the team coming together. Hopefully now with getting the 3 weeks before the final, the likes of Hugh McFadden and Niall O'Donnell will get more fitness in their legs. I was impressed with how well McGonagle got up to the pitch of the game considering he has been missing. I think he should start the final personally. I told you earlier this year during the league that I wanted to believe you about us challenging for Sam and I'll admit I am starting to. Unfortunately we're down to 9/1 for the All-Ireland and 3rd favourites behind Kerry & Dublin with PP. I wish we were a bit further down that pecking order because I have enjoyed the past couple days where some quarters aren't giving us much credit to be honest! JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 11/05/2022 13:37:20 2416499 Link 0 |
The reason people are highlighting Hughie lately is that he's playing in midfield now INSTEAD of sweeper. Mogan seems to be the man back now. Mc Goinigle offers us more around the middle than Hughie but there's defo a debate to have Mc Goinigle coming on for impact. He'd make a huge difference vs tired teams. TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1125 - 11/05/2022 21:56:39 2416610 Link 0 |
Nah Caolan McGonigle is our best midfielder, followed by Jason McGee who still needs to improve, but is getting close. We need these two starting games now. Maybe Hugh would be a better impact sub, but right now I don't see where he fits in. Hugh hasn't nailed down a specific position, like I don't think management really know where to play him. When our defensive issues were being highlighted there was a panic to plug gaps in our half back line and Hugh seemed like a logical candidate, but I don't think it really worked out. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1089 - 12/05/2022 09:51:50 2416622 Link 0 |
I thought Hughie was brilliant against Armagh until he tired a bit towards the end.McGonigle and McFadden are very different type of players,McGonigle has the ability to break lines with his direct running whereas McFadden has the ability to control possession .I don't what the stats are but I would say Hughie gets on the ball more than anybody else.I think they both need to start troubling the scoreboard a bit more.How about McGee and Thompson for midfield.Thompson is not suited to wing forward.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1049 - 12/05/2022 11:09:53 2416643 Link 0 |
You're point about McFadden controlling possession is right, but that could be a bad thing in this team. We have many players who are good on the ball, which leads to slow play. McGonigle rebalances things a bit as he is more direct, and in fairness to the guy he covers a serious amount of ground. McFadden still has a role to play, but as the pitches harden and if we get to Croker, his pace will be an issue. Wonder could he do a job at full forward in certain games. Keep some size up there when Murphy drops out the pitch himachechy (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 12/05/2022 11:49:12 2416652 Link 0 |
Hugh had a bad injury last year and it seems to have taken him along time to get back to full fitness. I thought he was immense in the first half against Armagh but tired in the second. If fit I think bonner will start him in final. Bonner has played him in all the big games since he became manager and has named him vice captain. I think if everyone is available we might see Mc gonagle being used as a impact sub to come on for last 20 and drive at whoever in the final.. I would like to see Niall start the final. He has huge potential and I feel he might be regaining the form we all know he has.. looking forward to Derry Monaghan game. Could be a cracker who I want to win, I'm not really sure. From talking to Donegal supporters they seem to want Derry but most of them say, they wudnt like Rory to beat us in a final, if we were to lose. I don't think the defeat word would be mentioned in the Donegal camp. They seem focussed. For the job in hand..
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2364 - 12/05/2022 12:01:46 2416656 Link 0 |
I think I'd prefer Derry to be honest mainly because Monaghan have been such a bogey team of ours over the years. Regardless of the Rory Gallagher factor, I think the Ulster final would be a huge occasion for Derry. They haven't been in the final since 2001 and haven't won it since 1998 so there would be huge pressure on them to finally land the Anglo Celt. In a tight game those kind of things can seep into a player's head. Our lads in contrast are well used to Ulster final day. Hopefully there will be no injuries in the buildup and Oisín Gallen can rejoin the panel. He is a serious scoring option for us to spring whenever he's right. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9073 - 12/05/2022 12:37:31 2416664 Link 0 |
2011 I meant.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9073 - 12/05/2022 13:48:22 2416685 Link 0 |
I am not per se finding fault with the five players at all. Far from it. They give their all for Donegal and that is good enough for me. The point I am makng is that five of that type of player is too many in the engine room. While they certainly give an advantage in the aerial stakes for kickouts I believe that playing so many languid players causes a lot of problems also. You see it is not only straight line speed that is at issue. I would also be looking at reaction speeds, covering breaks, adapting to a change in direction by the opposition. That type of thing. Last Sunday there was quite a number of times where we didn't get to breaks in the middle quickly enough and Cavan players waltzing around supposed tackles. Maybe its just that we are not nimble and light footed enough. Like why his trainer got Sylvester Stallone to try catch the chicken in Rocky I !!! For me we didn't do great on high fielding on Sunday which got me to think about the balance of the team. We have quite a number of small players and also these these large players but maybe not enough of the Eoin Bán who has searing pace and can break the line. I think that Oisín Gallen has been a big loss to us this year with his running power and ability to carry. fionmaccumhaill (Donegal) - Posts: 42 - 12/05/2022 14:19:02 2416693 Link 0 |
Mickey graham targeted McFadden last Sunday as a weakness due to his lack of mobility and pace....it paid dividends, McFadden was only replaced because he got injured, mcgonagle was a big improvement when he came on. I think graham is a shrewd operator who will have no shortage of offers when his Cavan tenure comes to an end.
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 905 - 12/05/2022 19:29:15 2416779 Link 0 |
Interesting suggestion about putting Hugh McFadden in at full forward, it would cause chaos and his pace wouldn't be an issue, but ultimately its an unproven theory, we won't know for sure unless we see him play in there. Another big fella Charles McGuinness played inside in the McKenna Cup and early rounds of the National League, and he struggled to have any real impact in those games, albeit he could argue there wasn't much quality ball coming his way. Before his injury, I had considered Caolan McGonigle as the most impressive and most improved Donegal player last season. He is an absolute power house, and it usually takes midfielders longer to come of age at Intercounty level. Losing him for the National League and opening Championship match was a huge blow, but thankfully he is back and Jason McGee has also stepped up and is becoming more consistent and finally we have a potentially great midfield pairing. Our 3 main inside forwards all seem to be firing now, if we can get Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Niall/Shane O'Donnell all firing too, then I believe we will give Ulster and the All Ireland a serious rattle. Most pundits have ignored how many key players we were missing during the National League and also how many of our players in the opening round of Championship were only recently back from Injury. Donegal are purring along nicely. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1089 - 13/05/2022 07:58:05 2416788 Link 0 |
I attended the "SCAT Concussion in sport" conference at Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Letterkenny Campus last night, where key note speaker was Dr Kevin Moran - Donegal Team Doctor and Former Donegal Ladies Footballer Kate Keaney who is working in Chicago with the US International Ladies soccer and suffered significant concussion in the past. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1089 - 13/05/2022 09:28:05 2416795 Link 1 |