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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "I may have been a tad OTT in my criticism of Donegal but you don't seem to be disagreeing with me?

They left the parade early in semi and final and the presidents handshake. What were they trying to achieve? some kind of mental advantage? it was ridiculous and embarrassing.

But a lot of Donegal fans seem to treat Jim McGuiness as some kind of Donald Trump figure. Thou shalt not criticize our fearless leader.

Call it as it is lads."
Your critism was certainly over the top for a person from a neighbouring County. There is rivalry between Donegal and Tyrone but within reason.
The Presidential handshake took far too long, nearly 10 minutes. Kerry supporters beside me said the same.
We will never forget what Jim has done for Donegal football. In 2011 when we were at a very low point he took over and gave us 4 fantastic years.
When he came back last year he gave us a huge lift again, 2 Ulster Titles, an All Ireland semi final and an All Ireland Final.
I make no apologises for our love for Jim. The enjoyment Jim, his Team and Backroom Team have given us this past 2 years has been fantastic.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 724 - 29/07/2025 15:24:29    2629042

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "No they didn't abandon the president's handshake.

They did leave the parade a bit early, hardly the first team to ever do it so I don't understand why people are getting in such a flap about it.

I've seen plenty of criticism of the starting lineup chosen and tactics from Donegal fans, so you're just being flippant.

- Hugh McFadden should have started
- Paudie should have been tagged
- No alternative game plan when plan A evidently wasn't working as normal

Easiest thing in the world is to be wise after the event."
I am literally baffled at the hullaballoo over leaving the parade early. I'd say the Kerry lads hardly noticed and not sure what sort of edge it would have given Donegal at all. Not the first team to do it and won't be the last. I don't know why people are making such a talking point of it.

As for McGuinness and the questions being raised about him since Sunday. All pretty justified and not due to the starting team picked but more so his in game management was near to non-existent. A true barometer of a manager's ability is to see the reaction on the sideline when faced with a curve ball or a crisis on the field of play. Of course players need to take accountability for a portion of it but such is the figure Donegal have Jim built up to be it was almost like at half time "well Jim will have a plan for this now wait and see". And when he didn't mix things up at HT when 7pts down then you could almost feel as the minutes ticked by the Donegal fans starting to think oh Jesus maybe he doesn't have the answers here. Most pundits post game were left scratching their heads too so it's not like it wasn't pretty obvious to most what was unfolding.

A brilliant manager no doubt but he came into the final on the back of facing 3 Division 2 teams and at the first sign of choppy waters he seemed to freeze. One massive factor Donegal had going for them is that under him there was always an air of security and knowing all angles were covered. That is now gone and similarly to the aura around the Dubs for so long, once its gone it's very hard to get back.

TrueBlue35 (Dublin) - Posts: 308 - 29/07/2025 15:29:12    2629044

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "To Donegal posters

I know you are hurting at the mo but I just want to post and say how gracious the Donegal people and posters have been towards Kerry.
Losing an All Ireland is tough but the Donegal people have shown to be real classy."
Kerry were the better team, they won it fairly and no arguments on that. The Kerry fans were very friendly and genuine, all good people. I stayed on to applaud them as they lifted Sam Maguire, as did many Donegal fans. It hurts to lose after the 10 year struggle to get back to that stage, but as I said, we lost fairly and congratulations and respect to Kerry on their win.

It was nice to the see the County go buck mad for a few weeks in the run up to the All Ireland final, it doesn't happen very often for us and it was nice to see people of ages who might not be big fans or GAA fans at all, get swept up in the buzz and row in behind the team. Hopefully it will motivate and inspire more young players for the future.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1438 - 29/07/2025 15:41:02    2629046

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Replying To Commodore:  "Kerry were the better team, they won it fairly and no arguments on that. The Kerry fans were very friendly and genuine, all good people. I stayed on to applaud them as they lifted Sam Maguire, as did many Donegal fans. It hurts to lose after the 10 year struggle to get back to that stage, but as I said, we lost fairly and congratulations and respect to Kerry on their win.

It was nice to the see the County go buck mad for a few weeks in the run up to the All Ireland final, it doesn't happen very often for us and it was nice to see people of ages who might not be big fans or GAA fans at all, get swept up in the buzz and row in behind the team. Hopefully it will motivate and inspire more young players for the future."
Cheers Commodore..It did nt go un noticed the amount of Donegal fans that stayed for the presentation of the cup.
I myself might not have been able to do same.Pure class from Donegal fans.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4053 - 29/07/2025 16:01:44    2629051

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There was really nothing wrong with Jim's analysis. Didn't play well and turnovers cost us.

ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 80 - 29/07/2025 16:03:33    2629053

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Replying To Commodore:  "Jim is likely staying on for his 3rd and final year of his 3 year term, I don't honestly see many players stepping down, including Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh and Ciaran Thompson, I think next season may be the last dance for some of them, but who knows.

Michael Murphy is one possible retirement risk this year, I hope he stays on, but he has a lot on his plate outside of football and the commitment for this is huge. The man owes us nothing, i was honoured to be able to watch him play for our County again this season. I would prefer him to stay for one final season, but I have nothing but respect for the man no matter what he decides.

I don't think they are grooming a replacement for Jim just yet."
Do you think Jim stays on for another term? I know in 2014 he had all the offers from abroad but he doesn't have that anymore. I would love him to stay longterm. The county board should be offering him whatever he wants at this stage. We made a mistake with Rory and Declan after he left the last time. Hope we don't do the same.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 222 - 29/07/2025 16:27:41    2629062

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Replying To streaker:  "Just dropping in to say commiserations on Sundays defeat. We in Galway know very well how ye must be feeling, after losing 2 of the last 4 All-Irelands.

Truth being told, ye could/should have been going for 2 in a row, but for a very fortuitous goal we got against ye last year in the semi. Also, I'd say on 364 other days of the year there's no way Kerry are 10 points better than Donegal. So onwards and upwards lads, don't be too disheartened...."
Ah come on now. Our victory last year in the semi final was merited. Agreed it could have gone either way but this notion that we were lucky is exaggerated. We certainly lost any luck we had in the final as with our 3 best players carrying knocks and missing routine frees we still only lost by a point. Am still burnt from last year. From a Donegal perspective 2014 was worse in that they could have won that final. Sunday was one way traffic for large parts. To Donegal folk what will define Sunday is how ye do in 2026. That is my feeling anyhow because of how we ended up this year. I pray Kerry don't dominate from here as different champions make the overall spectacle more attractive.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1993 - 29/07/2025 16:30:46    2629063

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "After Donegal's antics before the game, I'm delighted they were beat. Delighted. And, as an ulsterman, I wanted them to win all week. Play silly games lads.

On the game, I thought Jim McG had a nightmare. His tactics were awful. Allowing Paudi Clifford 94 uncontested possessions?? What could possibly go wrong? Tyrone always put a man marker on him. Gavin White, doing untold damage, no switch or sun to come on and mark him.

Not starting McFadden or McGee? Two big men would can compete at midfield…….what was Jim thinking! Subbing Gallen for McBrerety. Really

As I said, delighted Donegal were hammered after their actions and disrespect to our games"
Gallen barely touched the ball in the second half. Paddy was the right sub to make since we were chasing the game and he's pretty much the only sub who is a 2point threat.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 222 - 29/07/2025 16:30:48    2629064

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Replying To ThroughTheGap:  "Unlike 2014, at least there's hope going forward as Jim will be back."
For how long though?

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 222 - 29/07/2025 16:31:28    2629066

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "I may have been a tad OTT in my criticism of Donegal but you don't seem to be disagreeing with me?

They left the parade early in semi and final and the presidents handshake. What were they trying to achieve? some kind of mental advantage? it was ridiculous and embarrassing.

But a lot of Donegal fans seem to treat Jim McGuiness as some kind of Donald Trump figure. Thou shalt not criticize our fearless leader.

Call it as it is lads."
A lot of Donegal fans didn't like the delaying parade/leaving early.

But let me ask you this:

Do you seriously think that means we should all turn on Jim McGuinness? For making his team leaving a parade early?

What are you trying to achieve asking that question?

We can also call out equally silly and pointless criticism for what it is.

A mere nonsense tangent...

We can all see that Jim didn't get it right, but we were also nowhere near an All Ireland final two years ago. And played the best team in the country on their 9/10 day.

Maybe that's why we are behind Jim.

Other counties would love to have someone like Jim that can get every ounce of potential out of a player. Who can bring a squad from often fiery rival clubs and areas together. Who can give them the mindset and belief to be within 70 mins of Sam.

But no Donegal left the parade early. Haul Jim up by the ankles.

Maybe that's the way they treat managers in Tyrone?

Al_Maguire (Donegal) - Posts: 328 - 29/07/2025 16:35:53    2629067

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Cheers Commodore..It did nt go un noticed the amount of Donegal fans that stayed for the presentation of the cup.
I myself might not have been able to do same.Pure class from Donegal fans."
I left croke park at the final whistle and was taken aback by the number of kerry supporters ahead of me , couldn't be bothered to stay to see the kerry team collecting Sam....kerry have who 95 percent of the country agree to be possibly the greatest footballer of all time and yet he had to issue a rallying cry for support from his own county?? I don't understand it and probably never will

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1149 - 29/07/2025 16:38:08    2629070

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "After Donegal's antics before the game, I'm delighted they were beat. Delighted. And, as an ulsterman, I wanted them to win all week. Play silly games lads.

On the game, I thought Jim McG had a nightmare. His tactics were awful. Allowing Paudi Clifford 94 uncontested possessions?? What could possibly go wrong? Tyrone always put a man marker on him. Gavin White, doing untold damage, no switch or sun to come on and mark him.

Not starting McFadden or McGee? Two big men would can compete at midfield…….what was Jim thinking! Subbing Gallen for McBrerety. Really

As I said, delighted Donegal were hammered after their actions and disrespect to our games"
Good man....well done a credit to your county....what a classy keyboard warrior, jog on back to the Tyrone page like a good man

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1149 - 29/07/2025 16:40:53    2629071

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Replying To TrueBlue35:  "I am literally baffled at the hullaballoo over leaving the parade early. I'd say the Kerry lads hardly noticed and not sure what sort of edge it would have given Donegal at all. Not the first team to do it and won't be the last. I don't know why people are making such a talking point of it.

As for McGuinness and the questions being raised about him since Sunday. All pretty justified and not due to the starting team picked but more so his in game management was near to non-existent. A true barometer of a manager's ability is to see the reaction on the sideline when faced with a curve ball or a crisis on the field of play. Of course players need to take accountability for a portion of it but such is the figure Donegal have Jim built up to be it was almost like at half time "well Jim will have a plan for this now wait and see". And when he didn't mix things up at HT when 7pts down then you could almost feel as the minutes ticked by the Donegal fans starting to think oh Jesus maybe he doesn't have the answers here. Most pundits post game were left scratching their heads too so it's not like it wasn't pretty obvious to most what was unfolding.

A brilliant manager no doubt but he came into the final on the back of facing 3 Division 2 teams and at the first sign of choppy waters he seemed to freeze. One massive factor Donegal had going for them is that under him there was always an air of security and knowing all angles were covered. That is now gone and similarly to the aura around the Dubs for so long, once its gone it's very hard to get back."
It's the national media who set up Jim up for the fall, people say jack o Connor is now the media darling, he has great players, just like Jim gavin had. Jack o Connor wasn't too clever when he had kildare, why because he hadn't the players. Jim gets a tune out of Donegal and 5 ulster championships, 3 all ireland final appearances in 6 years managing Donegal attest to that. Donegal were going nowhere on both occasions he took over, a little over 2 short years ago I was in pairc esler and I watched us meekly exiting the championship to an average Down team who should have beaten us by more than they did.

It's all about context, Donegal are getting more competitive at underage but without the success of Tyrone or Derry but we manage to produce footballers but without the confidence that comes with consistency of winning at underage. Jim gives lads belief and it's very much about the sum of the parts rather than individual brilliance.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1149 - 29/07/2025 16:49:24    2629074

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Replying To Commodore:  "Kerry were the better team, they won it fairly and no arguments on that. The Kerry fans were very friendly and genuine, all good people. I stayed on to applaud them as they lifted Sam Maguire, as did many Donegal fans. It hurts to lose after the 10 year struggle to get back to that stage, but as I said, we lost fairly and congratulations and respect to Kerry on their win.

It was nice to the see the County go buck mad for a few weeks in the run up to the All Ireland final, it doesn't happen very often for us and it was nice to see people of ages who might not be big fans or GAA fans at all, get swept up in the buzz and row in behind the team. Hopefully it will motivate and inspire more young players for the future."
No qualms with the result, good luck to Kerry worthy All Ireland champions not even the most partisan Donegal fan would argue that they aren't.

Alot of criticism of Jim and the team since the game and alot of people from other counties including Kerry appear to be gleeful with this. Alot of nonsense regarding the parade etc being levelled at Donegal which us total noise.

As bad as we were at 21 17 we were on the attack and paddy pulled on a ball on the sideline that he could have easily picked up, it was our best and last chance, gad we got it back to 2 or 3 we might have unnerved Kerry who looked to have unassailable leads on a number of occasions, but that's clutching a bit too.

Looking forward to see if any of the current u20 crop will put their hands up in the forthcoming club championships. It is a really talented group who were themselves below par in the ulster final and still took Tyrone to extra time, and best them in the group stages considering Tyrone went through the all ireland series at their ease.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1149 - 29/07/2025 16:59:09    2629076

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Do you think Jim stays on for another term? I know in 2014 he had all the offers from abroad but he doesn't have that anymore. I would love him to stay longterm. The county board should be offering him whatever he wants at this stage. We made a mistake with Rory and Declan after he left the last time. Hope we don't do the same."
Jimmy has to take a lot of responsibility for poor display in final, his mind games before the game, had the players unsettled unlike Kerry who looked totally relaxed and as a result scored within 30 seconds of game starting. His team selection/changes didn't work, and worst of all allowing Paudie and White run riot all day and never putting a marker on them. A manager of a Junior club team would instruct a player or a sub to go and put a bit of manners on them two after 10 minutes or less.

jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 492 - 29/07/2025 17:07:16    2629078

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Cheers.

Yeah there isn't anything to be gained by leaving the parade, I know that. But the way some people are going on, you'd think it was some sort of decisive factor explaining why we didn't perform on the day.

Kerry are the smartest footballers in the country. Every player is confident on the ball and it's only when you see them up close that you truly appreciate their innate mastery of the game.

We needed some other avenues of attack yesterday when it became apparent that Kerry had our plan A sussed. But it's very hard to just flick a switch and adapt on the fly. Dáire tried a couple of longer passes inside but the execution was all wrong and looked a little bit desperate to be honest."
I don't get the hysteria about leaving the parade early. Dublin did it against Mayo a few times and they still went out and beat us. Have a look on YouTube 2013 final, Dublin break away and leave Mayo to keep marching around the stadium. That's not the reason Donegal lost. Donegal didn't bring their A game and were flat enough on the day, Kerry did and in truth have more better players across the field, no shame in that.

The big question many teams will now be asking themselves is how do we stop Kerry next year.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11712 - 29/07/2025 17:34:04    2629080

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Replying To ThroughTheGap:  "There was really nothing wrong with Jim's analysis. Didn't play well and turnovers cost us."
Nothing wrong with Jim's analysis but plenty wrong with his tactics or lack of them. Totally out thought by crafty Jack O'Connor just as Jim was outfoxed by Eamonn Fitzmaurice in 2014.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2566 - 29/07/2025 17:49:20    2629084

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Do you think Jim stays on for another term? I know in 2014 he had all the offers from abroad but he doesn't have that anymore. I would love him to stay longterm. The county board should be offering him whatever he wants at this stage. We made a mistake with Rory and Declan after he left the last time. Hope we don't do the same."
I can't see Jim going to any other county and I think the soccer thing is over but I suppose you never know, Jim is a brilliant manger and motivator there's no doubt about that, he has brought us from nowhere to be contenders yet again, no one else could have done it imo.
but and there is a but,
I think he got the starting selection wrong on Sunday as I said before, McGee and Hughie should have started centre field with McGonagle at centre back, Langan at half forward, we needed strength and height in there to match Kerry physically.
I couldn't understand the team that started unless Hughie and Jason weren't fit or something, that clearly wasn't the case, they both played really well when they came on,
we should have pushed out on Kerry, we gave Paudie the freedom of the pitch to set up attacks and I just don't know how our management team couldn't see that from the line, just my opinion
Kerry got everything spot on and played really well on top of that, it felt a lot like the Tyrone game to me, 10 mins in and I knew in my heart it wasn't going to be our day.
Jim is the man to lead us and I hope he stays on as manager for a very long time, maybe Michael and Karl Lacey will join him on the line at some stage.
I thought the parade thing was a bit childish tbh, it done us no good only got the crowd booing our young lads starting their first All Ireland final. again just my opinion, don't shoot me.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3399 - 29/07/2025 18:24:46    2629090

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Why are people asking will Jim stay on ?
Correct me if i am wrong , was it not a 3 year contract with an option of 4 yrs , this only been year 2...
Personally I cannot see too many retirements but you never know.
The media are having a right go at Donegal now but it'll die down soon, alot been made about breaking for the parade etc. So what imo , if we had win there would be nothing about it.

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 183 - 29/07/2025 18:58:06    2629097

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Replying To TrueBlue35:  "I am literally baffled at the hullaballoo over leaving the parade early. I'd say the Kerry lads hardly noticed and not sure what sort of edge it would have given Donegal at all. Not the first team to do it and won't be the last. I don't know why people are making such a talking point of it.

As for McGuinness and the questions being raised about him since Sunday. All pretty justified and not due to the starting team picked but more so his in game management was near to non-existent. A true barometer of a manager's ability is to see the reaction on the sideline when faced with a curve ball or a crisis on the field of play. Of course players need to take accountability for a portion of it but such is the figure Donegal have Jim built up to be it was almost like at half time "well Jim will have a plan for this now wait and see". And when he didn't mix things up at HT when 7pts down then you could almost feel as the minutes ticked by the Donegal fans starting to think oh Jesus maybe he doesn't have the answers here. Most pundits post game were left scratching their heads too so it's not like it wasn't pretty obvious to most what was unfolding.

A brilliant manager no doubt but he came into the final on the back of facing 3 Division 2 teams and at the first sign of choppy waters he seemed to freeze. One massive factor Donegal had going for them is that under him there was always an air of security and knowing all angles were covered. That is now gone and similarly to the aura around the Dubs for so long, once its gone it's very hard to get back."
Every manager gets things wrong. And sometimes teams just blow you away.

Mayo gave Jim his biggest hammering in 2013 and everyone wrote the Donegal's and Jim's eulogy after it.

I think his main problem yesterday was that there were too many things to fix. And possibly some blind faith that Kerry might drop their intensity... And Donegal's tortoise would reel the Kerry hare back. They were just too far ahead and we made silly decisions at crucial times to turn the momentum.

One thing about Jim is that he is a learner. He will take a lot from that game

But I don't think it in his nature to adapt to a completely new system, even if that might appear obvious.

So yes a weakness.

However, to think Jim has been completely found out will only be motivation for him and his team next year.

So believe that at your peril.

Al_Maguire (Donegal) - Posts: 328 - 29/07/2025 19:14:02    2629099

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