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Donegal GAA thread

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Daire O'Baoill isn't usually a player I would mention or discuss very often on here, but like Hugh McFadden, Finbar Roarty & Conor O'Donnell, his performances so far this season have been consistently superb, he leaves it all on the field and just seems to be playing with a hunger and passion. He seems to be getting better year on year, its like he is working really hard on his own time to develop all aspects of his game.

Huge respect to all of the County players, the amount of effort and time they put into it is unreal.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1597 - 02/02/2026 14:16:47    2654591

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When we the free for the breach in the first half. Did Cod elect for the easier shot over the 2 pointer or do you think the ref never gave the option of the 2 pointer. It seemed in the second half when Kerry got the free for a breach that Hugh McFadden wasn't happy that they were getting a chance at the 2 pointer.

naomh_conaill_4 (Donegal) - Posts: 514 - 02/02/2026 15:58:23    2654621

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Are Eoin Mc Hugh, Jamie Brennan & Stephen Mc Menamin with the panel this year ?

donegalexile44 (Meath) - Posts: 11 - 02/02/2026 19:14:56    2654647

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Replying To Commodore:  "Daire O'Baoill isn't usually a player I would mention or discuss very often on here, but like Hugh McFadden, Finbar Roarty & Conor O'Donnell, his performances so far this season have been consistently superb, he leaves it all on the field and just seems to be playing with a hunger and passion. He seems to be getting better year on year, its like he is working really hard on his own time to develop all aspects of his game.

Huge respect to all of the County players, the amount of effort and time they put into it is unreal."
Funny thing with daire o baoill he starts the year brilliantly this last couple of years. But as the year goes on he seems to take a dip in form. Very hard to explain but if he could sustain his early season form throughout the year,it would be a huge boost for the team.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2682 - 02/02/2026 19:23:26    2654648

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Replying To donegalexile44:  "Are Eoin Mc Hugh, Jamie Brennan & Stephen Mc Menamin with the panel this year ?"
No

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 831 - 02/02/2026 22:53:29    2654675

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Replying To naomh_conaill_4:  "When we the free for the breach in the first half. Did Cod elect for the easier shot over the 2 pointer or do you think the ref never gave the option of the 2 pointer. It seemed in the second half when Kerry got the free for a breach that Hugh McFadden wasn't happy that they were getting a chance at the 2 pointer."
You have the option of going for a 2 pointer but against the breeze Donegal opted for an easier 1 pointer.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 831 - 02/02/2026 22:55:49    2654676

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Funny thing with daire o baoill he starts the year brilliantly this last couple of years. But as the year goes on he seems to take a dip in form. Very hard to explain but if he could sustain his early season form throughout the year,it would be a huge boost for the team."
Maybe he needs to be rested a bit in the latter stages of the league, he is a very important player for us.
2 men I'd love to see back in top form are Thompson and Patton.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3684 - 02/02/2026 23:09:09    2654680

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "No"
Stephen McMenamin was with the squad on Sunday. HE wasn't in the 26 but was there for the worm up and I seen him coming out of the changing room after.

dats_rite (Australia) - Posts: 18 - 03/02/2026 09:28:02    2654701

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Funny thing with daire o baoill he starts the year brilliantly this last couple of years. But as the year goes on he seems to take a dip in form. Very hard to explain but if he could sustain his early season form throughout the year,it would be a huge boost for the team."
It could be tiredness or fatigue kicking in, seen similar dip with Ciaran Thompson in the past two seasons, plays superbly well in the league and early in Ulster, but then starts to fade. They are now required to sustain that higher level of fitness for much longer these days, its bound to be exhausting.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1597 - 03/02/2026 09:55:54    2654711

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Good result at the weekend against an under-strength Kerry. They're tight bucks. At one stage it looked like a hammering was on the cards when we went 8 or 9 points up I think it was. It would have been easy for an inexperienced team to just fold at that point. But Seanie O'Shea is some bit of stuff. His free-taking and leadership was superb, and they were dangerously close to ekeing out a draw.

The lads look in good shape. If we can get a win against Mayo in 2 weeks time that'd be us more or less safe I reckon. Could be a chance to rotate then, and re-integrate some of the injured lads. I'm just wondering thoygh with the four week gap to the Down game, might Jim be tempted to go for the league? Get a game in Croke park and possibly a bit of national silverware.

One small thing I took from Sunday's game is that we might be lacking a natural left-footed free-taker? I know Conor O'Donnell is a good two-footed player, and is probably a decent option for closer-range left-footed frees. But for the longer distance we only really have Ciaran Thompson now that Paddy has stepped away?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10222 - 03/02/2026 11:01:13    2654730

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Maybe he needs to be rested a bit in the latter stages of the league, he is a very important player for us.
2 men I'd love to see back in top form are Thompson and Patton."
I always think O'Baoill gets a raw deal.He is always the first dropped or hooked if he is not shooting the lights out.Something similar with big Hughie.As regards Thompson he might be important for left footed frees with McBrearty gone,otherwise with a fully fit squad does he get in the first 15.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1219 - 03/02/2026 11:03:59    2654732

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Replying To dats_rite:  "Stephen McMenamin was with the squad on Sunday. HE wasn't in the 26 but was there for the worm up and I seen him coming out of the changing room after."
So was eoin mc hugh.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2682 - 03/02/2026 11:38:26    2654739

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Replying To dats_rite:  "Stephen McMenamin was with the squad on Sunday. HE wasn't in the 26 but was there for the worm up and I seen him coming out of the changing room after."
Thought i saw Jamie Brennan too unless I'm doting.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 138 - 03/02/2026 12:18:28    2654753

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Good result at the weekend against an under-strength Kerry. They're tight bucks. At one stage it looked like a hammering was on the cards when we went 8 or 9 points up I think it was. It would have been easy for an inexperienced team to just fold at that point. But Seanie O'Shea is some bit of stuff. His free-taking and leadership was superb, and they were dangerously close to ekeing out a draw.

The lads look in good shape. If we can get a win against Mayo in 2 weeks time that'd be us more or less safe I reckon. Could be a chance to rotate then, and re-integrate some of the injured lads. I'm just wondering thoygh with the four week gap to the Down game, might Jim be tempted to go for the league? Get a game in Croke park and possibly a bit of national silverware.

One small thing I took from Sunday's game is that we might be lacking a natural left-footed free-taker? I know Conor O'Donnell is a good two-footed player, and is probably a decent option for closer-range left-footed frees. But for the longer distance we only really have Ciaran Thompson now that Paddy has stepped away?"
Agree lacking a left footed 2 pointer threat, most teams will know Donegal dont have a left footer capable of hitting a 2 pointers when making right to left loop runs outside of the Arc and can focus on defending incisions into the arc.
Surprised Harkin from Gweedore and McGroddy from Downings didn't get a call up to provide this kind of left footed threat.
Maybe Roarty and Mogan need to take on responsibility for left footed 2 pointers?

Tirchonailabu56 (Donegal) - Posts: 44 - 03/02/2026 12:18:34    2654754

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Agreed with O'Baoill getting a raw deal but McGuinness has his own favourite players who he does not drop or withdraw regardless of form.

Donegalabroad (Donegal) - Posts: 16 - 03/02/2026 12:26:18    2654758

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Replying To Donegalabroad:  "Agreed with O'Baoill getting a raw deal but McGuinness has his own favourite players who he does not drop or withdraw regardless of form."
How is O Baoill getting a raw deal? He is quite rightly one of the first names on the teamsheet every match. Jim is actually protecting Dara by taking him off earlier in case of injury. The match was over when he came off and Jim was just giving Turlough and Oisin minutes. What players that are playing bad that Jim is leaving on because of favouritism?

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 831 - 03/02/2026 13:24:41    2654779

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Replying To gunman:  "I always think O'Baoill gets a raw deal.He is always the first dropped or hooked if he is not shooting the lights out.Something similar with big Hughie.As regards Thompson he might be important for left footed frees with McBrearty gone,otherwise with a fully fit squad does he get in the first 15."
Good point regarding Ciaran Thompson, it will be a big challenge for him to break into the starting 15 if he hopefully returns come Championship, although add freshness might do no harm at that point. Thompson is another high fielder, which adds strings to his bow in the selection dilemma, but O'Baoil has serious pace and also had 2 pointer ability from play.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1597 - 03/02/2026 15:24:59    2654804

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Replying To Donegalabroad:  "Agreed with O'Baoill getting a raw deal but McGuinness has his own favourite players who he does not drop or withdraw regardless of form."
You need to elaborate on that comment, because I haven't seen evidence of that.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1597 - 03/02/2026 15:28:45    2654806

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "No"
All 3 are in the squad working their way back from injury

stantheman (Donegal) - Posts: 4 - 03/02/2026 15:29:06    2654807

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Replying To dats_rite:  "Stephen McMenamin was with the squad on Sunday. HE wasn't in the 26 but was there for the worm up and I seen him coming out of the changing room after."
Yeah he is with the squad since start of pre-season, I was sure I seen Eoin McHugh at one of the McKenna Cup matches along with the squad. I haven't see Jamie Brennan so far.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1597 - 03/02/2026 15:31:50    2654808

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