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Sounds like you didn't pick up on the humour about booking hotels in Dublin.. to be fair, we finally could think about that as an actual possibility again after the malaise in recent years. If we do very well in the next few years, you'll have some humble pie to be eating after years of talking the players down in an attempt to scapegoat former managers.
Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1378 - 10/02/2024 20:31:38 2525378 Link 2 |
I think Derry have a slightly better squad of players than Donegal and will have over the next couple of years. But one thing I'm sure off is that Jim will have his team setup as good it can possibly be which puts all the pressure on Mickey Harte to get everything right with Derry. If Donegal beat Derry in the championship it will not be because Donegal have the best players, it will be because McGuinnes prepared his team better than Mickey Harte. I'd expect Jim to bring something new to Gaelic football that nobody else has done before but he way wait until next year before he plays that hand and use this season to get the conditioning, defensive setup and transitions etc etc all nailed down first."]I don't think Derry have a better or stronger squad of players, the bulk of their team are probably marginally ahead of us in terms of S&C development in the last year or two, so physically speaking they probably have an edge on our fringe or squad players, but despite this there isn't much between us at full strength. The big problem is Donegal is that we couldn't settle on a back six in the last 6 or 7 years, unfortunately we have shortage of visionary managers who can adapt players for key roles, most coaches in Donegal seem to need ready made midfielders or centre half backs or corner backs etc. Whereas a great manager will adapt players to plug gaps, not just tell them "You're playing corner back on Sunday", but spend months developing them for that specific role."]We had the players but we didn't have the right manager, now we have Jim back we have reason to hope again, declansboy has been on here for years saying that our players weren't good enough, the truth is the management wasn't good enough to get the best out of what we had available. Fermanagh will be hard to beat this day week in our bogey ground in Letterkenny but I expect us to win it by 2 or 3 points anyway because we are stating to click into a dangerous team again. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2934 - 11/02/2024 14:32:41 2525452 Link 1 |
I think Derry have a slightly better squad of players than Donegal and will have over the next couple of years. But one thing I'm sure off is that Jim will have his team setup as good it can possibly be which puts all the pressure on Mickey Harte to get everything right with Derry. If Donegal beat Derry in the championship it will not be because Donegal have the best players, it will be because McGuinnes prepared his team better than Mickey Harte. I'd expect Jim to bring something new to Gaelic football that nobody else has done before but he way wait until next year before he plays that hand and use this season to get the conditioning, defensive setup and transitions etc etc all nailed down first."]I don't think Derry have a better or stronger squad of players, the bulk of their team are probably marginally ahead of us in terms of S&C development in the last year or two, so physically speaking they probably have an edge on our fringe or squad players, but despite this there isn't much between us at full strength. The big problem is Donegal is that we couldn't settle on a back six in the last 6 or 7 years, unfortunately we have shortage of visionary managers who can adapt players for key roles, most coaches in Donegal seem to need ready made midfielders or centre half backs or corner backs etc. Whereas a great manager will adapt players to plug gaps, not just tell them "You're playing corner back on Sunday", but spend months developing them for that specific role."]We had the players but we didn't have the right manager, now we have Jim back we have reason to hope again, declansboy has been on here for years saying that our players weren't good enough, the truth is the management wasn't good enough to get the best out of what we had available. Fermanagh will be hard to beat this day week in our bogey ground in Letterkenny but I expect us to win it by 2 or 3 points anyway because we are stating to click into a dangerous team again."]Taking these games to Letterkenny and Ballyshannon is nuts.Complete momentum killer heyday (Laois) - Posts: 35 - 11/02/2024 15:42:24 2525461 Link 1 |
I think Derry have a slightly better squad of players than Donegal and will have over the next couple of years. But one thing I'm sure off is that Jim will have his team setup as good it can possibly be which puts all the pressure on Mickey Harte to get everything right with Derry. If Donegal beat Derry in the championship it will not be because Donegal have the best players, it will be because McGuinnes prepared his team better than Mickey Harte. I'd expect Jim to bring something new to Gaelic football that nobody else has done before but he way wait until next year before he plays that hand and use this season to get the conditioning, defensive setup and transitions etc etc all nailed down first."]I don't think Derry have a better or stronger squad of players, the bulk of their team are probably marginally ahead of us in terms of S&C development in the last year or two, so physically speaking they probably have an edge on our fringe or squad players, but despite this there isn't much between us at full strength. The big problem is Donegal is that we couldn't settle on a back six in the last 6 or 7 years, unfortunately we have shortage of visionary managers who can adapt players for key roles, most coaches in Donegal seem to need ready made midfielders or centre half backs or corner backs etc. Whereas a great manager will adapt players to plug gaps, not just tell them "You're playing corner back on Sunday", but spend months developing them for that specific role."]We had the players but we didn't have the right manager, now we have Jim back we have reason to hope again, declansboy has been on here for years saying that our players weren't good enough, the truth is the management wasn't good enough to get the best out of what we had available. Fermanagh will be hard to beat this day week in our bogey ground in Letterkenny but I expect us to win it by 2 or 3 points anyway because we are stating to click into a dangerous team again."]It's always blame the manager. Not the players. Maybe that's why we're not in the top teams in Ireland. Once you cross the white line you go out and perform. I said it before I don't really care what people like you say . If mc Guinness wins all Ireland brilliant but winning ulsters mean nothing now, most of the squad have won two under bonner.. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 11/02/2024 15:43:25 2525462 Link 0 |
I don't think it's getting carried away..I think it just people realising that Jim is back and that we already had a nucleus of a good side during Bonner time but just got unlucky in super 8s matches. And now with the reputation that Jim carries and knowledge of that we do have talented footballers..mix them too together and we know what we get..2012, 3 ulsters in 4 years, only team to beat Jim Galvin unbeatable team..can we not dare to dream..?
RoryGall35 (Donegal) - Posts: 184 - 11/02/2024 15:45:40 2525464 Link 2 |
No harm in dreaming and having hope. But the problem nowadays is that expectations get raised too quickly and then when teams don't match those expectations the abuse of players and managers starts.
greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 546 - 11/02/2024 17:22:45 2525483 Link 0 |
Dreaming is fine but people are forgetting where Jim is starting from. We had a few good matches in the Mc Kenna Cup. We now have had 2 victories against Division 2 opposition. We have to go to Celtic Park in our 1st Championship match against Derry, going for 3 in a row in Ulster. Promotion to Division 1 and maybe get to Super 8's would be a successful season.....
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 402 - 11/02/2024 17:57:22 2525489 Link 0 |
Jez lad wudnt mind being a manager under you. How could you call successful. Promotion great yea but the championship is what it's all about. You have posters on here who are backing us to win sam. .
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 11/02/2024 19:24:52 2525508 Link 0 |
We've not been competitive in the later stages of the championship since Jim was last in charge. It would be great if he could do what Declan and Rory failed to do. But we've been heading in the wrong direction ever since he did leave, hopefully he can turn the tide and move us in the right direction. Promotion this year is a success, considering where we've been left at in recent years.
FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 249 - 11/02/2024 22:27:31 2525539 Link 1 |
Massive well done to Abbey VS on their Ulster 'B' title, some going by the school and the clubs providing the players. Were comfortable in the QF, SF and final from what I seen so should be a great chance for a possible All-Ireland title NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 74 - 12/02/2024 01:36:26 2525552 Link 0 |
I disagree, I think lowering of expectations and standards is what has seen football performance levels deteriorate or stagnate in Donegal over the last 10 years. Think back to 2011-2014, Jim McGuinness came in and transformed the Senior team setup. While he rapidly transformed our Senior football team, in reality he just brought us up to speed with wealthy Counties like Dublin, Kerry, Mayo who were already operating at this level thanks to serious investment. Yes the tactical system helped get us there, but by 2014 that system had been sized up/figured out and we were still winning Ulster and reaching an All Ireland final. My point? Management quality was the difference, not player quality and I believe the same is still true. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 12/02/2024 09:15:27 2525563 Link 3 |
Were we not competitive in 2018 when we gave Dublin a game of it . And in 2019 when we drew with Kerry and lost out by 4 to mayo. But sure don't mention that that would defeat the purpose.. promotion might be a success in your eyes but it's not in mine. Ulster has to be the main aim. Why can't we win Ulster Derry will have bigger aims so this is the time to get them. Never settle for second best lad
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 12/02/2024 09:16:07 2525564 Link 0 |
I think we need to be brave and ambitious, whilst at the same time have the humility to admit that we haven't seriously concerned the big guns for the last number of years. We always have talented players in the county. If they are fit and well prepared we can give any county a good game. Derry are a well oiled machine surely, with some outstanding players. But should we really fear them? Respect them certainly, but with a fair wind it's well within our capabilities to go to Celtic Park ambush them in a few months time in my opinion. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9432 - 12/02/2024 09:31:19 2525571 Link 1 |
My point is people are getting carried away. It will take 2 to 3 years to build a team properly fit to compete at the top table. Fitness and conditioning doesn't happen overnight. In Jim we have the right man in place but patience is needed to get us where we want to be.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 402 - 12/02/2024 10:33:38 2525582 Link 0 |
To win an all Ireland would take a few years but Ulster is winnable this year. Managers came in before and win it after getting hammered the previous year.
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 12/02/2024 11:05:05 2525594 Link 0 |
Most players are used to doing S&C now from an early age, and I dont think we're far behind in that regard. Last year we struggled for fitness, especially in the national league and the Down game, but that's different from strength and conditioning. The legs were gone after 20-25 minutes in every game. But they were much fitter by the time the All Ireland group stages came around. SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 673 - 12/02/2024 11:44:54 2525601 Link 0 |
Missed the question you asked "once" as you post a lot of stuff nobody reads most of the time I'd imagine. The answer to the question is that people think it was Declan Bonner. The correct answer is that it was John Haran and Maxi Curran that brought Sean back into the GAA world from soccer. eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1657 - 12/02/2024 11:47:51 2525603 Link 0 |
+1 He does struggle a lot eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1657 - 12/02/2024 11:48:42 2525604 Link 0 |
Momentum and form is built on high expectations, applies at club level all the way through. Home advantage can account for a large swing in fortune if the crowd's energy is right. We start at a higher base in 2024 than in 2011 both in terms of ability and expectation from fans and team. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 420 - 12/02/2024 11:52:39 2525609 Link 0 |
No they didn't bonner brought him in, I think he was with Sligo rov at the time. His first game was a mc kenna cup game. Nice try your answer sums you up. Good managers are always thinking outside the box.
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 12/02/2024 12:09:35 2525618 Link 0 |