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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To marty234:  "I'm not going to start slating players, that's not my style , but I know we need Gavin mulreaney in as sub keeper, likes of Aaron deeney Liam Paul ferry in for man marking and bit of steel, Michael Carroll best midfielder in county, kane Barrett , Stephen mcbrearty is playing best ball ever and odhran macniallias but can't blame him as manager refused to start him in big games last year even thou he most skilful player in county. Mot bad picking from abd old fool lol . I don't proclaim to be an expert and know club fball inside out there is more than likely more from intermediate/junior but above names bring a bit of steel that our current set don't seem to think we need .we appoint a mgt team to find these players and attract them in. We have a softness and naivity, the whole country sees it apart from you and we know where it's coming from. And if you don't you know less about fball than I thought you did."
Most of those players have been in and didn't cut it. Big difference in club football and county my friend. Mc niallas was injured most of last year so wasn't fit to start. To blame management for him walk-in away sums you up , Mc niallas has walked away more than once from county football . Bonner has given Carroll every chance at county football no disputing the talent but commitment not there I've been told by a few sources.Kane Barrett is on the development squad I read somewhere so if he was doing it he would be getting his chance as I said before it's a big step and I don't think he's at that standard same for Liam pol ferry. I'll finish off by saying that if you think the above would keep us in the first division that your perogative but definitely not mine. It's plain to see the best players are on the squad forget about your steel it take more than a bit of steel to win football matches.. by the way what level of football did you manage at you sound as if you come from a north Donegal club. See you on Sunday mate no doubt you'll be there. Ha

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2643 - 05/02/2022 08:02:55    2398365

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I wish there was a bit more life in our supporters. Mayo make any ground they're in shake. The Dubs on the hill always get the crowd going. Kildare always seem to get a lively crowd going down in Newbridge. We have a core of passionate supporters but most of the people you'll see in Ballybofey nowadays are family's that only go to the match to get a photo of the weeins for Facebook. Not saying they shouldn't be there, the more the merrier. But it's not unusual to see these types looking at ya with disdain if you do anything more than a polite applause after a score.

We're often well supported in terms of numbers, but this doesn't always carry over into noise. Maybe the people south of the gap are just too civil lol

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 79 - 05/02/2022 11:47:33    2398392

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Did anybody else think the punditry on League Sunday last week was terrible? Oisin McConville makes some sense, but I thought generally it was poor quality, they are trying to mimic the statistical style of SKY, but lack the unbiased approach, which negates the positives.

"Donegal are relying on the same old faces, Murphy, McBrearty, McHugh, Langan, Thompson etc for scores"

Of course we are, they are our collective group of forwards, and 5/6 are 28 or younger!!! Most teams rely on six forwards to do the bulk of the scoring, new forward Conor O'Donnell also scored a few points, but that was overlooked as it didn't fit the agreed narrative.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1406 - 05/02/2022 13:12:51    2398399

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Replying To papa_pump:  "I wish there was a bit more life in our supporters. Mayo make any ground they're in shake. The Dubs on the hill always get the crowd going. Kildare always seem to get a lively crowd going down in Newbridge. We have a core of passionate supporters but most of the people you'll see in Ballybofey nowadays are family's that only go to the match to get a photo of the weeins for Facebook. Not saying they shouldn't be there, the more the merrier. But it's not unusual to see these types looking at ya with disdain if you do anything more than a polite applause after a score.

We're often well supported in terms of numbers, but this doesn't always carry over into noise. Maybe the people south of the gap are just too civil lol"
Agreed on all that. Seems like we are only meant to come alive when in Dublin! Allowed to have craic at home with it too. More noise, I'm all for it.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 05/02/2022 13:22:36    2398401

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "Agreed on all that. Seems like we are only meant to come alive when in Dublin! Allowed to have craic at home with it too. More noise, I'm all for it."
There is no doubt the support in Sligo was poor but that is unusual as we are usually very well supported.There is no place in Ireland where there is more noise than in Ballybofey on a championship Sunday.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1179 - 05/02/2022 14:08:12    2398408

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Maybe we need to get the vuvuzelas out, it annoys me too fans just standing their passively with a wee applause when we score a point maybe, you have to make some noise and let the team know you are there supporting them for Gods sake, times after games I can hardly speak my throat is that sore from roaring my head off but maybe I'm at the other extreme, nothing I hate more than to see someone spend most of the game looking at their phone, they pay on the same as the rest of us but they seem to be only there for the occasion or to post selfie photos on facebook showing they were there with big fake smiles on them.
The way Donegal play now is not enjoyable for me, the way we went at Monaghan in the second half of the McKenna Cup final is how I want to see us playing, the more we play like that the more the fans will come on board I think, this oul boring hand passing over and back and backways is not entertaining, I wish we had players like Mac Niallas there, that's the kind of player that lifts the crowd, not robotic drones like we have at times, look at how Armagh played the Dubs, that's how I want to see Donegal playing, we have the players, just not the leadership it seems to me anyway, I'm no expert, just an ordinary fan. I'd say a fairly high percentage of fans would have the same opinion as myself, I know some lads that won't even go to games anymore because they say it's just the same boring oul sh1te, it's hard to argue with them at times tbh.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3317 - 05/02/2022 14:23:10    2398410

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Maybe we need to get the vuvuzelas out, it annoys me too fans just standing their passively with a wee applause when we score a point maybe, you have to make some noise and let the team know you are there supporting them for Gods sake, times after games I can hardly speak my throat is that sore from roaring my head off but maybe I'm at the other extreme, nothing I hate more than to see someone spend most of the game looking at their phone, they pay on the same as the rest of us but they seem to be only there for the occasion or to post selfie photos on facebook showing they were there with big fake smiles on them.
The way Donegal play now is not enjoyable for me, the way we went at Monaghan in the second half of the McKenna Cup final is how I want to see us playing, the more we play like that the more the fans will come on board I think, this oul boring hand passing over and back and backways is not entertaining, I wish we had players like Mac Niallas there, that's the kind of player that lifts the crowd, not robotic drones like we have at times, look at how Armagh played the Dubs, that's how I want to see Donegal playing, we have the players, just not the leadership it seems to me anyway, I'm no expert, just an ordinary fan. I'd say a fairly high percentage of fans would have the same opinion as myself, I know some lads that won't even go to games anymore because they say it's just the same boring oul sh1te, it's hard to argue with them at times tbh."
We don't have the players to play all out attacking football we may have the forwards and midfielders but we do not have man marking defenders. If we had Tyrone's defence I would be confident of Winning the all Ireland. But we don't and from being at the games we seem to have more bodies back this year. No point in kidding ourselves that we have these players when we don't. I'm hearing this on the forum this last few years but nobody seems to have an answer to our defensive problems. The way I see it is if we commit. A lot of players attacking were leaving ourselves very exposed at the back..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2643 - 05/02/2022 17:35:09    2398443

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Replying To rorysboys:  "We don't have the players to play all out attacking football we may have the forwards and midfielders but we do not have man marking defenders. If we had Tyrone's defence I would be confident of Winning the all Ireland. But we don't and from being at the games we seem to have more bodies back this year. No point in kidding ourselves that we have these players when we don't. I'm hearing this on the forum this last few years but nobody seems to have an answer to our defensive problems. The way I see it is if we commit. A lot of players attacking were leaving ourselves very exposed at the back.."
Same old defeatist attitude about our players, ppl said that before 2011 as well. Problem now is our mgmt and coaching teams not up to improving them. As Keith Higgins said last week I wonder how much time is spent on them doing man to man marking in trainin. I remember the mcgees getting roasted by Bradley's in mcivors time in ballybofey in chship. Ppl said they wernt good enough. Look how wrong they were when they got proper bit of coaching.
We are now stale, same old tactics, naivity and predictability from the line. Nothing new or willing to try something different. The players even look bored.
You are on here saying we not good enough all the time running down our players and defending a mgt that can't even get us to a semi. Time to get the blinkers off lol. Can't be defending friends or buddies have to be thinking about bigger picture mate. Ha

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 05/02/2022 20:05:21    2398478

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Replying To marty234:  "Same old defeatist attitude about our players, ppl said that before 2011 as well. Problem now is our mgmt and coaching teams not up to improving them. As Keith Higgins said last week I wonder how much time is spent on them doing man to man marking in trainin. I remember the mcgees getting roasted by Bradley's in mcivors time in ballybofey in chship. Ppl said they wernt good enough. Look how wrong they were when they got proper bit of coaching.
We are now stale, same old tactics, naivity and predictability from the line. Nothing new or willing to try something different. The players even look bored.
You are on here saying we not good enough all the time running down our players and defending a mgt that can't even get us to a semi. Time to get the blinkers off lol. Can't be defending friends or buddies have to be thinking about bigger picture mate. Ha"
Im not running down any player unlike you when you mentioned Mc gonagle as being a div 4 club player. I don't forget stupid comments. Your just a fool who blames management for everything. Funny you praised Rochford for our comeback against Monaghan and last week when we drew with mayo it was all Bonner's fault. Your a sad individual you and all your thumbs up buddies. Lol. No doubt you'll not be in ballybfoey tomorrow. Highland radio tomorrow for you lad. Ha

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2643 - 05/02/2022 21:12:16    2398489

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Replying To gunman:  "There is no doubt the support in Sligo was poor but that is unusual as we are usually very well supported.There is no place in Ireland where there is more noise than in Ballybofey on a championship Sunday."
"There is no place in Ireland where there is more noise than in Ballybofey on a championship Sunday"

would you catch yourself on ffs

ModernMaharaja (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 06/02/2022 09:54:58    2398515

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We've brought our matchday-programme mindgames to a new level today. We've got down as full back "Niall Mac Aoidh / Brendan McCole". Poor Kildare won't know what hit them lol.

I'm hoping that our boys are like bears with sore heads. This Kildare team are up and coming, but we're capable of giving them a real bruising especially on our home turf. Id love to see a statement victory today to settle the jitters in the county.

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 79 - 06/02/2022 11:25:42    2398527

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Replying To ModernMaharaja:  ""There is no place in Ireland where there is more noise than in Ballybofey on a championship Sunday"

would you catch yourself on ffs"
I wonder were you ever there.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1179 - 06/02/2022 11:31:55    2398529

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Im not running down any player unlike you when you mentioned Mc gonagle as being a div 4 club player. I don't forget stupid comments. Your just a fool who blames management for everything. Funny you praised Rochford for our comeback against Monaghan and last week when we drew with mayo it was all Bonner's fault. Your a sad individual you and all your thumbs up buddies. Lol. No doubt you'll not be in ballybfoey tomorrow. Highland radio tomorrow for you lad. Ha"
I'm tired of ppl running down our players for years saying we wernt good enough. Maybe I'm.biased but I think we produce most natural footballers in country. Mcguinness believed that as well and tapped into it by adding bit of coaching and craft and look where it got us. Doing us no favours when supporter like yourself are running down players by telling them they can't man mark etc that's defeatist attitude we had before jim. I never said that as I don't recall mcgonagle being a div 4 player but I do recall you saying he was best midfielder we had in county. I rate him very highly but I just asked you question why was he moved to full forward v Tyrone last year in chship if he is our best midfielder. Was this another blunder by mgt then?
This chat about boys being there before not making it is just nonsense. Look at Ryan Bradley 2 time Ulster player of the year , Michael hegarty did a job when returned and eamonn mcgee. You go on current form . Stephen Mcbrearty was one of players of chship.
I never praised rochford I just said we improved and the comeback only went so far it wasn't complete unfortunately. In case you didn't.know the mgt make the big calls and that's the nature of it if you make wrong ones and you don't get won you will get the flack.
I see dessie Farrell under pressure in Dublin an all Ireland and semi final defeat after extra time I'm 2 years. Shows the difference of where the 2 counties attitudes are. But I guess they will another all Ireland in 2/3 years.

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 06/02/2022 11:51:44    2398532

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I'd just be happy today if we stop this lateral play I'm the backs and get the ball quick into our forwards, give us something to roar about.

Tyrion (Donegal) - Posts: 170 - 06/02/2022 12:01:40    2398536

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This big wind should suit us today. Hopefully we get a bit of a reaction after last weeks draw.

crnm (Donegal) - Posts: 101 - 06/02/2022 12:58:58    2398544

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Replying To gunman:  "I wonder were you ever there."
Do Championship Saturdays count?

ModernMaharaja (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 06/02/2022 14:29:13    2398549

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As a Donegal fan who has lived away from home for forty years , like a lot of Gaels we depend on Gaa Go or our local Irish pub to watch our county
I really enjoy hearing the views of the supporters on the " Donegal thread " here . I appreciate the effort that you all put in to following our team all year round . I can only see them when at home
I feel that recently on the posts there seems to be intolerance to different views from some . We all have our views on the management and players and I do defer to you supporters who go to every game and know what is happening in the club scene .
I do not believe that anyone should be called " a fool " for having a different opinion
Maybe I'm missing some sort of club rivalry
Anyway we won today . My first memories of supporting Donegal was going to watch Donegal best Derry in the Dr Lagan cup final at Irvenstown in the 60!s. I think we kept it as we won it 3 years in a row
I will continue to enjoy the postings on this forum ,no matter how differing they are

Emmetsboy (Donegal) - Posts: 2 - 06/02/2022 19:46:20    2398673

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Great to get the two points today and we fully deserved them. Big turning point was Jason McGee going off injured, hope it's nothing serious, he was having a fine game in the middle and gave us a good platform in the 10 mins before halftime. Hyland and Flynn caused problems early on when mogan was too far forward and not protecting the d. After that I thought mccole and ban were excellent. Langan and O'Donnell were very good again, mcbrearty and McHugh mixed the good with the bad. Shane o Donnell had a decent impact from the bench. Good to see mcmenamin getting some game time near the end. Really looking forward to going to Killarney in two weeks time.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1107 - 06/02/2022 21:03:20    2398733

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Replying To rorysboys:  "We don't have the players to play all out attacking football we may have the forwards and midfielders but we do not have man marking defenders. If we had Tyrone's defence I would be confident of Winning the all Ireland. But we don't and from being at the games we seem to have more bodies back this year. No point in kidding ourselves that we have these players when we don't. I'm hearing this on the forum this last few years but nobody seems to have an answer to our defensive problems. The way I see it is if we commit. A lot of players attacking were leaving ourselves very exposed at the back.."
Of course we have the answer to our defensive problems, stop playing Ryan McHugh and Peadar Mogan as wing backs, leaving our full back line exposed.

In fairness Declan Bonner has worked on this and despite the poor quality punditry on League Sunday, I think we aren't actually that bad defensively, last season I thought we looked fine and it was injury and sending off against Tyrone that really cost us.

This is round 2 of the National League, we have conceded an average of 11.5 points so far, scoring 1-11 on average. Yes significant improvement is needed, but I would expect us to improve as we move towards Championship.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1406 - 06/02/2022 21:11:53    2398741

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Replying To Emmetsboy:  "As a Donegal fan who has lived away from home for forty years , like a lot of Gaels we depend on Gaa Go or our local Irish pub to watch our county
I really enjoy hearing the views of the supporters on the " Donegal thread " here . I appreciate the effort that you all put in to following our team all year round . I can only see them when at home
I feel that recently on the posts there seems to be intolerance to different views from some . We all have our views on the management and players and I do defer to you supporters who go to every game and know what is happening in the club scene .
I do not believe that anyone should be called " a fool " for having a different opinion
Maybe I'm missing some sort of club rivalry
Anyway we won today . My first memories of supporting Donegal was going to watch Donegal best Derry in the Dr Lagan cup final at Irvenstown in the 60!s. I think we kept it as we won it 3 years in a row
I will continue to enjoy the postings on this forum ,no matter how differing they are"
Great to hear you are still supporting the county after so many years away, you never forget your roots if you are a true Irishman, great win today alright and well done to all involved for their efforts, main thing from the league is to avoid relegation and hopefully learn some lessons and be ready for the Ulster Championship, the inter county games are coming thick and fast with the new format so hope we can have the squad in good shape and rearing to go come the Armagh game. Think it's Kerry away next in 2 weeks time, that will be a tough test for sure and one to look forward to.
There is only one poster on here calling other posters fools, it's childish behaviour and it's better to ignore him than get involved, we are all entitled to an opinion, express it and if you can learn something from other posters well and good, no need for childish name calling, when you start that craic you have lost all credibility imo.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3317 - 06/02/2022 21:52:10    2398755

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