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Replying To rorysboys: "Mc grath has you boys sussed out. About time." Not really bothered about your opinion or mc graths, and i will continue to call a spade a spade. I have been involved and followed Donegal gaa since i was 8 years of age, and will continue. I have followed donegal in bad and good times, and will continue. My frustration is that i throught we turned a corner in the mcguinness years, where we realised we were as good as anyone else when it came to football. And i dont want us to be going backwards like we did after 92, and it was 20 years before we got success again. Its drives me mad when our ambition is if we get a ulster title, well it was a good year. If your ambition is small, then only small results will follow. I hope bonner proves me wrong, and i really hope we turned a corner over the wkend. And repeat the second half display in every game for the rest of the year. Fast attacking football with no fear. A winning mentality. No excuses, its time to deliver. The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 04/03/2022 12:30:35 2403773 Link
Replying To Donegal_abroad: "I know from posting after the game at the weekend that there have been a lot of positive posts since. I agree if someone is having a dig without anything positive to say when things are good, then it's not right. Anyway, hopefully things continue in the right trajectory going forward now!" Yea hopefully it's time to get behind the team and management. Injury allowing we're building a good young team and they need us all totally behind them, starting on Sunday week against Monaghan. It's nice to get back watching a game on a Sunday in Mc cools park. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2646 - 04/03/2022 12:34:59 2403775 Link
Replying To Commodore: "I generally try not to be overly critical of Donegal players or management, I understand its an amateur sport and I appreciate the hours and effort these players put into it, and I have huge respect for any player that wears that Donegal jersey, as I know the effort they put in behind the scenes. At times I do get frustrated and I do voice my opinion here, as there aren't many forums to do so. But I do try to keep it constructive criticism or suggestions, and will always stand over them and would be willing to enter a Donegal GAA County board forum using my name and repeat my comments here. I never troll, I just get frustrated when we seem to make the same mistakes year after year (Losing to Mayo and Cavan in similar fashion in 2019 & 2020). I think Donegal GAA is moving in the right direction, It clear that great work in happening at underage." Hi commodore, That's a good post and summarises the way I'd try to look at things as well. In relation to underage I posted something a good while back on the players coming though at each underage class. It's pretty much about two players (the odd 3) from each group. In fairness to Bonner he's continuing doing this. He wouldn't have managed Mogan or mcceallbhui underage. They are the same underage year (that weren't very successful.) Mogan is pretty much first team now and mcceallbhui is doing well. He added good balance to the team on Saturday last. Oisin Farrah and cod are the next year. Both have had bad runs with injuries. The last two curtailed seasons were not good for development either. The league has been great for cod and hopefully Farrah will get an injury free run now as well. Sod is doing very well from last year's 20s and Rory O'Donnell (rod) got a start in Kerry. He's to grow into himself yet and put on the power to play around midfield but it's a start. Mccolgan and Jamie grant have been given some McKenna cup time from the next group. A big chunk of last year's 20s team are underage this year again. I'd love Donegal to be a bit more successful underage though. We were the leading minor team for 14,15 and 16 winning 3 Ulster leagues and two ulster championships but didn't quite get to the all Ireland winning level. They won an ulster under 21 in 17 and would have been strong favs in 18. And although competitive enough since Monaghan, Derry and Tyrone are ahead of us over the last few years. The under 20s have started well though it's early season. Hopefully also the academy work can keep the development going as well. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 904 - 04/03/2022 13:19:20 2403793 Link
I think our average age at the weekend i worked out was roughly 24.6, and with Langan, McGonagle to return also in that age bracket, they do not add to that tally. Caolán Ward wz our oldest, 29 I think. Our only seasoned campaigners are Neil, Michael and Paul Brennan. Certainly the raw materials are there for a couple of years to come. SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 841 - 04/03/2022 13:27:56 2403796 Link
Replying To gunman: "The only people in the Donegal set up that I see criticised on the forum are Bonner and Ryan McHugh and lately the Chairman seems to be joining those two.I don't know anything about the football politics in the county but I wonder is it significant that those three are in the firing line." Well spotted. TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1208 - 04/03/2022 19:09:58 2403828 Link
Replying To Commodore: "Oisin Gallen last year was struggling with injury, and was lucky to be on the bench at all, Conor O'Donnell has shown glimpses of his abilities in recent games, he is still a work in progress and we haven't seen how he will perform when opposition teams start identifying him as a serious threat now, he won't get such a free run. Jason McGee is finally going in the right direction, but isn't there yet and is behind Caolan McGonigle in my opinion for midfield starting position. He drifts in and out of games, and I felt he kinda lacks energetic drive of top quality midfielders. However his kick passing is outstanding and his point taking, he is one to watch. Declan Bonner is finally close to settling on his back six, as injuries are starting to finally clear up, and despite the short sighted analysis of the team so far, I think we could finally be about to see the full potential of this squad unleashed this summer." Oisin gallen scored 10 points in club game the week after as far as I can recall.i know you going to say a club game but didn't see many of other boys doing that. Conor o Donnell brought major excitement last year when brought into games he played. Could have brought an unknown factor rather than same old same old Mcgonagle played most of game at full forward. Mcgee would have been option in round the middle. Too many favourites and safe selections the opposition has worked us out as colm copper stated on Sunday game. McGrath having a go at ppl expressing an opinion. I think he had lot of chest after he got so.much abuse for reappointment process. In fairness I didn't see many.players getting abuse it was more directed at our style and way they were set up to play. To say likes of Parkinson, brolly and Whelan amongst others don't know what balls blew up with was very harsh. There was a lot more than keyboard warriors having a go. marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 04/03/2022 21:44:03 2403833 Link
Replying To marty234: "Oisin gallen scored 10 points in club game the week after as far as I can recall.i know you going to say a club game but didn't see many of other boys doing that. Conor o Donnell brought major excitement last year when brought into games he played. Could have brought an unknown factor rather than same old same old Mcgonagle played most of game at full forward. Mcgee would have been option in round the middle. Too many favourites and safe selections the opposition has worked us out as colm copper stated on Sunday game. McGrath having a go at ppl expressing an opinion. I think he had lot of chest after he got so.much abuse for reappointment process. In fairness I didn't see many.players getting abuse it was more directed at our style and way they were set up to play. To say likes of Parkinson, brolly and Whelan amongst others don't know what balls blew up with was very harsh. There was a lot more than keyboard warriors having a go." You don't know how gallen or Conor o donnell were fitness wise or form wise. If they were going well I'm damn sure they would have got game time, Bonner took those two lads into the squad so why wudnt he play them.. ryan Mc Hugh is being abused on social media this last year don't be coming on here saying otherwise people can read you know. It's people like you Mc grath was getting at not the whelans and brollys of this worlds. I have never heard you praise Bonner or management even since last Saturday night but not surprising that. How is a ball blown up anyway lol. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2646 - 05/03/2022 10:47:17 2403849 Link
Replying To rorysboys: "You don't know how gallen or Conor o donnell were fitness wise or form wise. If they were going well I'm damn sure they would have got game time, Bonner took those two lads into the squad so why wudnt he play them.. ryan Mc Hugh is being abused on social media this last year don't be coming on here saying otherwise people can read you know. It's people like you Mc grath was getting at not the whelans and brollys of this worlds. I have never heard you praise Bonner or management even since last Saturday night but not surprising that. How is a ball blown up anyway lol." We won a league match last weekend of February against a Tyrone team probably playing in 2nd gear. It was 2 points nothing less, nothing more. lf Tyrone had have been in 3rd gear we would have been heading home at half time. Ill praise mgt when they even get us to a semi . I think we are underachieving with this massively talented bunch of players, i know you reckon individually we arent good enough but i have a lot more faith in our players. I actually think we have most talented bunch of players in country. On last year I know one thing that whole country knows michael Murphy wasn't fit to start v Tyrone and he did. Like he wasn't fit v down but sign of poor management that he did. marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 05/03/2022 19:19:45 2403957 Link
Replying To marty234: "We won a league match last weekend of February against a Tyrone team probably playing in 2nd gear. It was 2 points nothing less, nothing more. lf Tyrone had have been in 3rd gear we would have been heading home at half time. Ill praise mgt when they even get us to a semi . I think we are underachieving with this massively talented bunch of players, i know you reckon individually we arent good enough but i have a lot more faith in our players. I actually think we have most talented bunch of players in country. On last year I know one thing that whole country knows michael Murphy wasn't fit to start v Tyrone and he did. Like he wasn't fit v down but sign of poor management that he did." Your quick enough to criticise when we lose a league game in Killarney in February.. what's the difference.you've been found out lad you've lost all credibility. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2646 - 05/03/2022 19:40:16 2403967 Link
Replying To rorysboys: "Your quick enough to criticise when we lose a league game in Killarney in February.. what's the difference.you've been found out lad you've lost all credibility." You think we won all Ireland because we beat a Tyrone team that only back training a few weeks. As I said it's 2 points and very valuable 2 points I'm not denying. It was more down to our individual quality of likes of o Donnell and gallen in 2nd who he didn't give a chance to last year than it was too management decisions. Think a lot of players just played their own game to in 2nd half instead of that negative rugby league style football they were set out to play like when 7/8 points down v Kerry. Great praise to the players for that. marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 05/03/2022 21:52:39 2404013 Link
Anyone have a view on the under 20s and minors‽ The under 20s seem to have done a lot of work as have comfortably won their leo murphy group matches. Derry and mayo do though have players away with their senior teams. Donegal play tyrone in a final now after they walloped Down yesterday. Luke Mcglynn and oisin caulfield from last years minors look to be going well. I suppose that would indicate them as potential senior players down the line. A lot of this team played last year, particularly in defence so hopefully a defender or two for the seniors down the line. The championship itself is one and done so at least these Cup competitions give the teams some games as well. The minors got I suppose had an expected easy enough win against fermanagh. I've no idea about this team with no buncrana cup last year. Does anyone else‽ I see tyrone hammered monaghan away. They are potentially the team to beat again this year at minor. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 904 - 06/03/2022 12:42:24 2404051 Link
Replying To marty234: "You think we won all Ireland because we beat a Tyrone team that only back training a few weeks. As I said it's 2 points and very valuable 2 points I'm not denying. It was more down to our individual quality of likes of o Donnell and gallen in 2nd who he didn't give a chance to last year than it was too management decisions. Think a lot of players just played their own game to in 2nd half instead of that negative rugby league style football they were set out to play like when 7/8 points down v Kerry. Great praise to the players for that." Clearly never watched a game of rugby league in your life. Can't be much of it down in Kilcar. Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 746 - 06/03/2022 14:55:29 2404061 Link
Replying To Rolo2010: "Clearly never watched a game of rugby league in your life. Can't be much of it down in Kilcar." Couldn't have watched too much gaa football either. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2646 - 06/03/2022 17:55:28 2404104 Link
Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "Anyone have a view on the under 20s and minors‽ The under 20s seem to have done a lot of work as have comfortably won their leo murphy group matches. Derry and mayo do though have players away with their senior teams. Donegal play tyrone in a final now after they walloped Down yesterday. Luke Mcglynn and oisin caulfield from last years minors look to be going well. I suppose that would indicate them as potential senior players down the line. A lot of this team played last year, particularly in defence so hopefully a defender or two for the seniors down the line. The championship itself is one and done so at least these Cup competitions give the teams some games as well. The minors got I suppose had an expected easy enough win against fermanagh. I've no idea about this team with no buncrana cup last year. Does anyone else‽ I see tyrone hammered monaghan away. They are potentially the team to beat again this year at minor." Hi Ulster. Like you I wouldn't have much insight into this year's minors especially with no Buncrana Cup to guide. However I was at the under 20's game against Roscommon. It was very difficult conditions on the day with a stiff swirling breeze making it difficult for both sides. Donegal controlled alot of the possession but Roscommon were more efficient with the ball. Bobby McGettigan's height caused Roscommon plenty of problems, Johnny McGroody took his scores well plus Tobin and McGolgan stood out especially when in possession. Donegal look to be well forward in terms of preparation compared to Roscommon so hard to gauge. My feeling is this is a good team but might be lacking an x factor to be real challengers. I imagine Tyrone will be to the fore at both grades. Their minors from last year should be the defending All Ireland champions in my opinion but not sure how many remain. Derry of course at under 20 are going to be very strong. Good to get a win against Tyrone the previous weekend. I was actually very impressed with Tyrone in how they probed and moved the ball, they were worth more than their ht total. The second half was a different story and some poor decisions and shooting ultimately cost them. As for Donegal after a bright start it was back to the slow sideways stuff. It took a moment of brilliant thinking from McBrearty to change the game. The second half was much better with young players really driving it on. Shane O'Donnell was very good linking play and making intelligent runs. Conor O'Donnell again showed great leadership and got some great scores. The two subs Gallen and McKelvey had a huge impact. Just hope the former stays injury free now, he's certainly filled out physically. I liked the move to play Ryan inside. While it wasn't effective in that game I do think it is something that has potential looking forward. Defensively the big positive is having McMenamin back who'll hopefully get an injury free run and the form of OMCFF who was excellent. I haven't seen the chairman's comments but reading here seems a bit over sensitive. The general consensus was our style of play was doing us no favours and will get sussed handily later in the year unless we bring more....hard to argue with that. I still don't understand why he has to be sitting on bench to do whatever admin he is seemingly at. The one hope I have about potentially not being so deliberate in our play was the second goal. Combining forward running with hand passing before utilizing a kick pass was good to see. The likes of Kerry and Mayo are much like Donegal in terms of relying on the hand pass. However they'll generally look to use a kick pass when around the middle third and attack that way. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2883 - 07/03/2022 17:00:41 2404330 Link
Replying To panamasam: "Hi Ulster. Like you I wouldn't have much insight into this year's minors especially with no Buncrana Cup to guide. However I was at the under 20's game against Roscommon. It was very difficult conditions on the day with a stiff swirling breeze making it difficult for both sides. Donegal controlled alot of the possession but Roscommon were more efficient with the ball. Bobby McGettigan's height caused Roscommon plenty of problems, Johnny McGroody took his scores well plus Tobin and McGolgan stood out especially when in possession. Donegal look to be well forward in terms of preparation compared to Roscommon so hard to gauge. My feeling is this is a good team but might be lacking an x factor to be real challengers. I imagine Tyrone will be to the fore at both grades. Their minors from last year should be the defending All Ireland champions in my opinion but not sure how many remain. Derry of course at under 20 are going to be very strong. Good to get a win against Tyrone the previous weekend. I was actually very impressed with Tyrone in how they probed and moved the ball, they were worth more than their ht total. The second half was a different story and some poor decisions and shooting ultimately cost them. As for Donegal after a bright start it was back to the slow sideways stuff. It took a moment of brilliant thinking from McBrearty to change the game. The second half was much better with young players really driving it on. Shane O'Donnell was very good linking play and making intelligent runs. Conor O'Donnell again showed great leadership and got some great scores. The two subs Gallen and McKelvey had a huge impact. Just hope the former stays injury free now, he's certainly filled out physically. I liked the move to play Ryan inside. While it wasn't effective in that game I do think it is something that has potential looking forward. Defensively the big positive is having McMenamin back who'll hopefully get an injury free run and the form of OMCFF who was excellent. I haven't seen the chairman's comments but reading here seems a bit over sensitive. The general consensus was our style of play was doing us no favours and will get sussed handily later in the year unless we bring more....hard to argue with that. I still don't understand why he has to be sitting on bench to do whatever admin he is seemingly at. The one hope I have about potentially not being so deliberate in our play was the second goal. Combining forward running with hand passing before utilizing a kick pass was good to see. The likes of Kerry and Mayo are much like Donegal in terms of relying on the hand pass. However they'll generally look to use a kick pass when around the middle third and attack that way." Thanks panamasam. It's always good to get insight from the likes of yourself. I suppose if you were to go from under 20 and minor over the last few years your view makes sense. They seem a dedicated bunch which is good and looking at the team sheets they seem to be carrying a few injuries as well. I don't think there was really a dominant team across the board last year so a fully committed team with a good attitude can do well. It might be a year early for many of the Tyrone minors from last year. Canavan the younger plays for them though, he'd be under 19. He looks to be scoring heavily. Possibly a heavier scorer than his older brother. Hard to disagree on the feedback on the Tyrone match. Shane O'Donnell has been very effective. He had a fine cameo against Kildare. He hit a lovely point soloing through them on his right and kicking the point off his left. He did well in the circumstances in Kerry and very effective against Tyrone. Himself and Conor O'Donnell have a good relationship already. I think he would work well with langan as well. It will be interesting to see what team starts against Monaghan. Even without murphy, j Brennan, nod, mcgonagle and langan there's competition there. To be honest I don't care if Daniel O'Donnell is sitting on the bench as long as they do their best and keep winning. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 904 - 07/03/2022 20:15:15 2404362 Link
Think I'm right in saying that if we win this weekend we're mathematically safe. I think the optimal outcome is if we can beat Monaghan without risking any of the likes of Murphy, Langan, Brennan etc. Then hopefully use the remaining couple of games to ease them back in depending on where they're at in terms of their recovery. I am by no means underestimating Monaghan though. They desperately need the points and as we've seen over the years they like nothing better than taking Donegal down a peg or two. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9893 - 08/03/2022 09:54:16 2404388 Link
Replying To Rolo2010: "Clearly never watched a game of rugby league in your life. Can't be much of it down in Kilcar." More into gaa than rugby league to be honest. Maybe some should comment on the rugby league forums thou as nobody here can see sense in some of comments. Calling it acceptable for a div 1 team to be beat by a div 4 team in an Ulster final and then praising the management team that has proved they can't take us to a semi final. marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 08/03/2022 12:11:22 2404427 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Think I'm right in saying that if we win this weekend we're mathematically safe. I think the optimal outcome is if we can beat Monaghan without risking any of the likes of Murphy, Langan, Brennan etc. Then hopefully use the remaining couple of games to ease them back in depending on where they're at in terms of their recovery. I am by no means underestimating Monaghan though. They desperately need the points and as we've seen over the years they like nothing better than taking Donegal down a peg or two." Yea Monaghan will be dangerous. They'll be looking on Sunday as a must win. Hopefully we can get the win. One thing that Monaghan have is lively forwards which we seen last year. A win would be huge with two difficult games still to come. Hopefully the o donnell s will continue there good form and that Oisin gets another outing. I really rate this lad as I do Jamie Brennan two forwards we need on there' game. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2646 - 08/03/2022 12:23:33 2404432 Link
Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "Thanks panamasam. It's always good to get insight from the likes of yourself. I suppose if you were to go from under 20 and minor over the last few years your view makes sense. They seem a dedicated bunch which is good and looking at the team sheets they seem to be carrying a few injuries as well. I don't think there was really a dominant team across the board last year so a fully committed team with a good attitude can do well. It might be a year early for many of the Tyrone minors from last year. Canavan the younger plays for them though, he'd be under 19. He looks to be scoring heavily. Possibly a heavier scorer than his older brother. Hard to disagree on the feedback on the Tyrone match. Shane O'Donnell has been very effective. He had a fine cameo against Kildare. He hit a lovely point soloing through them on his right and kicking the point off his left. He did well in the circumstances in Kerry and very effective against Tyrone. Himself and Conor O'Donnell have a good relationship already. I think he would work well with langan as well. It will be interesting to see what team starts against Monaghan. Even without murphy, j Brennan, nod, mcgonagle and langan there's competition there. To be honest I don't care if Daniel O'Donnell is sitting on the bench as long as they do their best and keep winning." I could definitely see a few of that Tyrone under 17 be able to make the transition up. They had a couple of physically imposing lads for that age group and Tyrone being Tyrone will always have plenty of talent. Derry are the others who are bound to be strong and of course Monaghan. Keeping possession is fine when in front different story when chasing a game but we'll see how they get on. I know Grant was out but who else was/is injured? panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2883 - 08/03/2022 12:57:42 2404444 Link
Replying To marty234: "More into gaa than rugby league to be honest. Maybe some should comment on the rugby league forums thou as nobody here can see sense in some of comments. Calling it acceptable for a div 1 team to be beat by a div 4 team in an Ulster final and then praising the management team that has proved they can't take us to a semi final." Maybe don't comment on other sports then. Stick to football. Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 746 - 08/03/2022 13:21:13 2404451 Link