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Donegal GAA thread

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Massive well done to Naomh Conaill, Gaoth Dobhair just weren't near the fitness levels of NC, I'd love to see NC go on now and win Ulster at least,
That team deserves a big title like that for what they have consistently achieved,
Martin Regan would be a good help to Jim no doubt if they could find a role for him in the county team set up. It would give him great experience of intercounty level as has been said.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3066 - 24/10/2023 15:27:46    2510083

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Rumours of a big comeback are doing the rounds…..

SignTheContract (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 24/10/2023 15:34:40    2510087

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "Rumours of a big comeback are doing the rounds….."
Fingers crossed so!!

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3066 - 24/10/2023 15:42:58    2510089

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Replying To StockholmGael:  "As a Gaoth Dobhair man with a parent from Glenties, I can't be too disappointed today. We were beaten by one of the best squads to play club football in Donegal's history. We just aren't currently near their level. Hopefully we have enough talent coming through to replace the lads with too many miles on the clock. It's looking positive in that regard, if they can keep the boys off the drink and that we don't get too many emigrating. I wish Naomh Conaill a long journey in the all ireland series. They've produced countless amounts of stars down the years to the intercounty scene, as well as our own Messiah. Hopefully he can convince Ethan to stick around, as he was immense yesterday. A superb talent. It would be wise to get Martin Regan in as assistant to Jim for a year or two to help him get the best grasp of intercounty management as he is the most obvious successor we have in the county when Jim rotates out."
Credit to Gweedore, they were magnanimous in defeat on Sunday. I have huge respect for them, they have great former County players like the 2 Mc Gee's etc. They have a lot of great young players and no doubt will have better days.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 411 - 24/10/2023 17:03:30    2510108

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "Rumours of a big comeback are doing the rounds….."
Short term gain, long term loss

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 398 - 24/10/2023 17:09:09    2510110

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah Ethan O'Donnell has always stood out any time I've seen him play for Naomh Conaill. I know he's been in county squads in the past, but for whatever reason he never really established himself as a starter. He's at a great age now to really push on and fully maximise his potential."
It is strange that even at underage for Donegal he never really cemented a place on the teams.It is often the case that players that are outstanding at club level don't make it at county level and players that are not that noticeable in the club scene can be great with the county. What do you think his position would be,he would probably be competing against the likes of Mogan and McHugh.If he had been with the county last year given that they were so short he would have had a great chance to make his mark but his young teammate Doherty made a very good impression

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1126 - 24/10/2023 17:25:29    2510116

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Ahh Monday after a championship win. The Sunday homecoming is great and all, but those first few beers after the fry-up where it's just yourself, the team and management are hard to beat. I'd say there's good craic about Glenties today."
You summed that up perfectly in those few sentences.

tidytownman (Donegal) - Posts: 298 - 24/10/2023 17:25:31    2510117

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Well done on your win AhhSure. The ****thousery and yapping on here didn't do them much good in the end. You'd think a Convoy black card and losing one of your best forwards would have helped but alas no the senior team still couldn't beat the reserve team.

No wonder their best young prospect transfered to St. Mary's."
Sad response.

Maybe you might take a look at the longer post I put up yesterday about where I think the state of football in the county is at especially for the weaker clubs.

Make no mistake Convoy are no powerhouse they will be back in the lower group of clubs at some stage. They didn't get promoted and didn't win the Junior A championship so they aren't exactly setting the world on fire.

My own club and the clubs I mentioned in my long post N Pádraig Lifford, Robert Emmets, Pettigo etc need encouragement and competitions they can be competitive in. If your club has a decent team who are capable of hammering these weaker clubs at the moment and you don't see the need for change then you aren't looking at the big picture as history tells us the big clubs stay the big clubs and the medium clubs change positions to some degree BUT unfortunately the smaller/weaker clubs stay weak and at the bottom of the pile with a glimmer of hope every now and again but ultimately stay at the bottom of the leagues.

Like it or not East Donegal and the clubs along the border are the smaller/weakest teams in the county and historically included in that group is Convoy, maybe you will break the cycle but history would suggest otherwise.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 59 - 24/10/2023 17:28:46    2510118

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Well done Naomh Conall. Hopefully do well in Ulster now. Ethan O Donnel, Odhran Doherty and Jeaic Mc Kelvey shouldn't be far away from a county 15.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 24/10/2023 19:56:14    2510131

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Replying To gunman:  "It is strange that even at underage for Donegal he never really cemented a place on the teams.It is often the case that players that are outstanding at club level don't make it at county level and players that are not that noticeable in the club scene can be great with the county. What do you think his position would be,he would probably be competing against the likes of Mogan and McHugh.If he had been with the county last year given that they were so short he would have had a great chance to make his mark but his young teammate Doherty made a very good impression"
I think Ethan would be best deployed at half back. We have used Ryan there in the last few years but that was done after the Durcan day in Castlebar, I think to protect Ryan a little. Ryan isn't what we need in the half back line, Ethan is more suited. We need power and aggression there. We can't have a half back line of Mogan, McHugh and Eon Ban. No way.

SignTheContract (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 24/10/2023 20:40:12    2510136

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "Sad response.

Maybe you might take a look at the longer post I put up yesterday about where I think the state of football in the county is at especially for the weaker clubs.

Make no mistake Convoy are no powerhouse they will be back in the lower group of clubs at some stage. They didn't get promoted and didn't win the Junior A championship so they aren't exactly setting the world on fire.

My own club and the clubs I mentioned in my long post N Pádraig Lifford, Robert Emmets, Pettigo etc need encouragement and competitions they can be competitive in. If your club has a decent team who are capable of hammering these weaker clubs at the moment and you don't see the need for change then you aren't looking at the big picture as history tells us the big clubs stay the big clubs and the medium clubs change positions to some degree BUT unfortunately the smaller/weaker clubs stay weak and at the bottom of the pile with a glimmer of hope every now and again but ultimately stay at the bottom of the leagues.

Like it or not East Donegal and the clubs along the border are the smaller/weakest teams in the county and historically included in that group is Convoy, maybe you will break the cycle but history would suggest otherwise."
I didn't see where anyone claimed Convoy were a "Powerhouse". They have done okay in recent years though with a Junior A, Intermediate B and a couple of Junior B wins. It feels like you have some issues with them, you made some critical comments about a player in their drawn final and said I was "crowing" when I simply congratulated their reserves on their win over a senior team (which was accurate).
There's no question that the smaller clubs in the east of the county (of which Convoy is one) face huge challenges to try to compete at a higher level, there is a very strong soccer tradition with many soccer clubs recruiting from a small pool of players and of course emigration.
I would be of the opinion though that clubs that drop down voluntarily whether it be Emmet's, Pettigo or whoever may in the long run actually be hurting their prospects of developing. Seasons pass by quickly and clubs/players can become comfortable and content with where they are at. I noticed Lifford voluntarily moved back up to Junior A this season and looked to be more competitive than they had been in recent years. Anyway, good luck to all the smaller clubs and good luck to N.Conaill, Downings and N.Rossa in Ulster.

BeardedBorderGael (Donegal) - Posts: 49 - 25/10/2023 00:42:55    2510153

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Replying To gunman:  "It is strange that even at underage for Donegal he never really cemented a place on the teams.It is often the case that players that are outstanding at club level don't make it at county level and players that are not that noticeable in the club scene can be great with the county. What do you think his position would be,he would probably be competing against the likes of Mogan and McHugh.If he had been with the county last year given that they were so short he would have had a great chance to make his mark but his young teammate Doherty made a very good impression"
Yeah I know what you mean. I often think of Ciaran McGinley from Kilcar in the same way. An absolute powerhouse of a midfielder at club level, but never really got to the pitch of county football.

In Ethan O'Donnell's case, I think he's too good a footballer not to have involved. His major strength is his powerful running from deep positions so wing-back is probably his best spot. A lot of competition there but surely there will be chances for him in the league to see what he can offer? You're right about Odhran Doherty too - he showed plenty last year and will undoubtedly be in Jims's plans for 2024.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9535 - 25/10/2023 09:20:48    2510163

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "Well done Naomh Conall. Hopefully do well in Ulster now. Ethan O Donnel, Odhran Doherty and Jeaic Mc Kelvey shouldn't be far away from a county 15."
Hi TheRock2121: Do you still say a big 2?

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 676 - 25/10/2023 10:53:41    2510188

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How would we rank the senior clubs now? Inevitable arguement and debate but here's mine for what it's worth.

1. Naomh Conaill

2. St Eunans
3. Gaoth Dobhair
4. MacCumhaills
5. Kilcar
6. Aodh Ruadh
7. Glenswilly
8. Ardara
9. Dungloe
10. St Michaels
11. CCF
12. Glenfin
13. Four Masters
14. Killybegs
15. St Nauls
16. Downings

Positions 8-16 are very inter-changable. I would say that on their day, any of those teams would fancy themselves of beating another in that category.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9535 - 25/10/2023 12:31:39    2510220

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Replying To gunman:  "It is strange that even at underage for Donegal he never really cemented a place on the teams.It is often the case that players that are outstanding at club level don't make it at county level and players that are not that noticeable in the club scene can be great with the county. What do you think his position would be,he would probably be competing against the likes of Mogan and McHugh.If he had been with the county last year given that they were so short he would have had a great chance to make his mark but his young teammate Doherty made a very good impression"
I don't think he's got a proper crack at it to be honest. He was involved with the Ulster U-21 side but was utilised as a wing forward. The majority of the time he was involved with county set ups underage and senior Bonner was in charge who for whatever reason didn't always start him. He got a brief run a couple of years ago but Bonner had a tendency to bring some players in who done well to disappear like Andrew McClean for example. If he stays involved I imagine Jim will give him a proper go at it. I'd agree he'd be in the half back line somewhere. Don't be surprised to see a few big changes next year with players roles changed from before. Enda McGinley speaking at the weekend added further smoke to the fire of a return for Michael Murphy. At this stage I'd be very surprised if he doesn't return, it was my feeling as soon as Jim got confirmed. I'd imagine he'll be used sparingly in the league and if he does return it'll be in a more forward defined role rather than Michael turning up on any part of the pitch under Declan.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2813 - 25/10/2023 14:32:55    2510251

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Ethan O'Donell and Jack McKelvey have both been involved with the Donegal senior squad for at least 3 years now and none of them could establish themselves in the team so although they are great club footballers they are not county standard and if they were they would have nailed down a position on the team.

Donegalabroad (Donegal) - Posts: 2 - 25/10/2023 14:40:28    2510256

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Any word of the moville appeal. Not much word on it

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2579 - 25/10/2023 14:43:11    2510257

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Replying To Donegalabroad:  "Ethan O'Donell and Jack McKelvey have both been involved with the Donegal senior squad for at least 3 years now and none of them could establish themselves in the team so although they are great club footballers they are not county standard and if they were they would have nailed down a position on the team."
Huge difference between club and county. A lot of great club players never made the step up. I've seen county players playing for their club and you wudnt notice them. It's funny how it pans out for some players.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2579 - 25/10/2023 15:37:38    2510274

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Replying To Donegalabroad:  "Ethan O'Donell and Jack McKelvey have both been involved with the Donegal senior squad for at least 3 years now and none of them could establish themselves in the team so although they are great club footballers they are not county standard and if they were they would have nailed down a position on the team."
I don't think we can afford to be dismissive of anyone, particularly of players who have proven themselves time and time again at the top end of club level. Sometimes players don't fully blossom the same as others. In Jim's first spell, I don't think players like Neil Gallagher, Anthony Thompson, Ryan Bradley even Frank MyGlynn were considered to be really top county footballers. All three had been involed in various panels before that.

As we know, they then went on to establish themselves as really serious county players, picking up medals and individual awards in the process. I'm not expecting Jim McGuinness to perform miracles with players, but I think it's fair to say he definitely can improve players by percentage or two. Whether that's good enough for the likes of McKelvey and O'Donnell to become established starters remains to be seen. But I think it would be foolish to disregard them based on what they have shown to date in county colours.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9535 - 25/10/2023 15:45:02    2510279

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Replying To panamasam:  "I don't think he's got a proper crack at it to be honest. He was involved with the Ulster U-21 side but was utilised as a wing forward. The majority of the time he was involved with county set ups underage and senior Bonner was in charge who for whatever reason didn't always start him. He got a brief run a couple of years ago but Bonner had a tendency to bring some players in who done well to disappear like Andrew McClean for example. If he stays involved I imagine Jim will give him a proper go at it. I'd agree he'd be in the half back line somewhere. Don't be surprised to see a few big changes next year with players roles changed from before. Enda McGinley speaking at the weekend added further smoke to the fire of a return for Michael Murphy. At this stage I'd be very surprised if he doesn't return, it was my feeling as soon as Jim got confirmed. I'd imagine he'll be used sparingly in the league and if he does return it'll be in a more forward defined role rather than Michael turning up on any part of the pitch under Declan."
Where was Enda McGinley speaking?

HowManyStepsRef (Donegal) - Posts: 292 - 25/10/2023 16:34:30    2510302

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