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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "I would agree with you. Rochford was a huge disappointment and did nothing to improve the team."
Oh, blame the outsider. It is a lot easier. Declan Bonner, great player, poor manager.

Donegal can be great (and great to watch too) when they decide to play penetrative, attacking football, but when they decide to go lateral, side to side stuff, it's puke to watch (as it is with many other counties).

That keeping ball is fine if you want to defend a lead but when you're down and need a score and it still goes on, it's ludicrous.

Jim has Donegal in find fettle both physically and mentally but even in recent times Donegal has gone back to that sidewards game that doesn't seem to benefit them at all.

In a great position to reach a semi!

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2094 - 27/06/2024 03:45:44    2555077

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "Declan did great things for Donegal football and transformed us from a one dimensional defensive team into a serious attacking force. Things went against him but a lot of what's good with our current team is thanks to him.

On to our next game, what team would people pick if everyone is fit? I think Ban and Moore start in the corners, Curran drops to the bench, and Conor O'Donnel comes on in the second half maybe for O'Baoill. C.O.D will be pushing for starting spot though.

Will be interesting to see if Moore goes to midfield again if McGee isn't fit. I would have thought Thompson would have been the obvious choice but by all accounts Moore was comfortable there."
One of the best post up here in ages. Accurate and fair. We owe a lot to past managers, who guided these lads through from a very young age and persevered with certain players when things wernt going well. One lad in particular who I won't name was criticised heavily on this form as not being good enough and another was called out as not good enough to be playing because he was playing div 3 for his club at the time , these two lads are probably our two standout players this year. Of course Jim has done a fantastic job no disputing this. The foundation was good and Jim is taking it to another level. Roll on Sunday.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 27/06/2024 09:16:52    2555088

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Replying To rorysboys:  "One of the best post up here in ages. Accurate and fair. We owe a lot to past managers, who guided these lads through from a very young age and persevered with certain players when things wernt going well. One lad in particular who I won't name was criticised heavily on this form as not being good enough and another was called out as not good enough to be playing because he was playing div 3 for his club at the time , these two lads are probably our two standout players this year. Of course Jim has done a fantastic job no disputing this. The foundation was good and Jim is taking it to another level. Roll on Sunday."
Foundations weren't good when Jim came in. We were in an all time mess. As you said yourself we were almost a Tailteann cup team so it's a pure masterstroke by Jim to turn around the shambles he inherited, and so quickly too. Hopefully we keep going in the right direction now.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 258 - 27/06/2024 10:25:49    2555102

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "Foundations weren't good when Jim came in. We were in an all time mess. As you said yourself we were almost a Tailteann cup team so it's a pure masterstroke by Jim to turn around the shambles he inherited, and so quickly too. Hopefully we keep going in the right direction now."
Don't agree, Jim inherited a good squad. You don't build a team overnight . Last year was a mess because a lot of players didn't commit .

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 27/06/2024 10:34:19    2555104

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Don't agree, Jim inherited a good squad. You don't build a team overnight . Last year was a mess because a lot of players didn't commit ."
A lot of people, yourself included didn't think the squad was anywhere near good enough before Jim came in. But Jim is able to get the best out of every player thankfully. Without the great Michael Murphy involved as well. Pity he stepped away or I feel like we could be even stronger this year.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 258 - 27/06/2024 11:46:23    2555131

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "Hopefully Jim can bring us up against the likes of Kerry or Dublin in the All Ireland Semi final. It's been a long time since we played the likes in croke park in an all Ireland knockout game. Have we played them since 2014 when Jim was last in charge?

We can't take our eyes off the Louth game on Sunday anyway. We know from experience when Bonner looked past Cavan what happened. I'm sure Jim and the lads won't be taking anything for granted though."
We played Dublin twice in championship since 2014. Lost in a quarter in 16 by 5 and lost by 5 in the first super 8 match in 2018 in the neutral match in croke park after winning Ulster. We also lost Mcbrearty to a cruciate injury in the Ulster final. He was fair flying that year.

Played Kerry in the 2019 super 8s in an epic game at 1.20 apiece. That was one thrilling game. We were not really helped by ban being ruled for the season in a training session before it. Or Jason McGee and McFadden getting injured in the match. Or the BC to Niall O'Donnell that was not a BC. Michael Murphy and Ryan McHugh were so good that day by the way. It was a great game of football.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 780 - 27/06/2024 12:29:51    2555140

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "A lot of people, yourself included didn't think the squad was anywhere near good enough before Jim came in. But Jim is able to get the best out of every player thankfully. Without the great Michael Murphy involved as well. Pity he stepped away or I feel like we could be even stronger this year."
Forget about last year we got beat in extra time by Derry the year previous year. We have nearly the same team this year bar Curran and Moore. Do you get where I'm coming from.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 27/06/2024 12:49:31    2555144

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "I often wonder who these top level managers are?
Many tyrone fans are calling for the head of brian dooher. He's not top quality seemingly. Who's the top quality manager who is going to replace him. I'm not sure.
Vinny Corey is not up to it according to to many monaghan fans. Who is the top quality manager going to replace him?
The Derry minor manager damien McErlain would now be fancied strongly to guide derry to back to back minor all irelands. He was hardly deemed top quality when he managed the derry seniors.
Who's the top quality next kerry manager after jack O'connor I wonder.
The armagh minor manager is aidan o'rourke who has guided them to the all ireland. Was anyone calling him top quality eventhough he was without peadar mogan, ryan mchugh, michael langan, Shane o'donnell, niall o'donnell and pretty much patrick mcbrearty.
A lot of people here seem to like to stick the knife into declan bonner. He's the only manger to guide donegal to an all ireland minor final and the only manger to win minor, under 21 and senior ulster title for donegal.

Jim mcguinness was exceptional in guiding donegal to win in 2012, it's unprecedented though in the gaa to turn a team around like that. It makes him unique though.
And hopefully he continue his success on Sunday.

For continued donegal success thd focus would to the focus on all levels as you mention and underage development inparticular."
I don't mean any disrespect to Declan Bonner, Rory Gallagher or even Paddy Carr. I think Declan and Rory are certainly very good managers and were both on the brink of making the breakthrough, Bonner actually won a couple of Ulster titles with Donegal during his stint, but couldn't take us that step further. He had a great attacking team, but couldn't settle on a back six, and that is where a great manager will quickly figure out within a year of who might be able to plug a gap in the team and start adapting a player for that role. Paddy Carr probably didn't get a proper crack at it.

Former Termon and Donegal player Michael Boyle, who helped Gaobh Dobhair to a County and Ulster title in 2018 as a coach is highly reputed, although last I heard he was in London full time.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1201 - 27/06/2024 13:16:44    2555150

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How would Paddy Carr have done last year V Tyrone in the knockout game if the two O Donnell lads, Peader Mogan, Micheal Langan, Ryan Mc Hugh, Conor O Donnell and a fit Paddy Mc Brearty could have played? How would Jim have got on v Tyrone? A team we beat after ET this year with most of the above mentioned playing.

Jim has got us back to a brilliant level and is the best manager we have seen but it's important to take into consideration what exactly happened last year. We had lads on the county panel that wouldn't make club panels within the county. No disrespect intended.

I think this year's success is definitely down to Jim coming back but also having the best players available for selection.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 27/06/2024 15:56:34    2555200

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I think any man that puts his life on hold to assume responsibility of a county team is deserving of a bit of respect regardless of how things unfold. Paddy Carr comes across as a gentleman, who unfortunately wasn't perhaps as up to speed with the modern county game's requirements. It was clear that we weren't as fit as other teams last year and for one reason or another, some of our best players were either injured or made themselves unavailable.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9518 - 27/06/2024 16:20:13    2555208

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Replying To Commodore:  "I don't mean any disrespect to Declan Bonner, Rory Gallagher or even Paddy Carr. I think Declan and Rory are certainly very good managers and were both on the brink of making the breakthrough, Bonner actually won a couple of Ulster titles with Donegal during his stint, but couldn't take us that step further. He had a great attacking team, but couldn't settle on a back six, and that is where a great manager will quickly figure out within a year of who might be able to plug a gap in the team and start adapting a player for that role. Paddy Carr probably didn't get a proper crack at it.

Former Termon and Donegal player Michael Boyle, who helped Gaobh Dobhair to a County and Ulster title in 2018 as a coach is highly reputed, although last I heard he was in London full time."
Fair enough. Just some on here go way too far in criticism of managers. Jim McGuinness was one of one in what he did for donegal in 2012. All managers are not at that level and it does not mean they are bad managers.

Of course you want best people involved but if they are going to draw an unfair level of criticism because they are not Jim McGuinness then people just won't get involved.

For Donegal to be continually competitive it's from the grass roots up that needs to be as strong as possible.

Anyhow fingers crossed for Sunday and that the team are ready to rock.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 780 - 27/06/2024 17:49:16    2555233

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "Foundations weren't good when Jim came in. We were in an all time mess. As you said yourself we were almost a Tailteann cup team so it's a pure masterstroke by Jim to turn around the shambles he inherited, and so quickly too. Hopefully we keep going in the right direction now."
So what happens when Jim finishes up? Have we put any structures in place to help over the next 10 years or are we just reliant on a generational manager and see what magic he can work?

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 747 - 27/06/2024 17:50:01    2555234

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I think any man that puts his life on hold to assume responsibility of a county team is deserving of a bit of respect regardless of how things unfold. Paddy Carr comes across as a gentleman, who unfortunately wasn't perhaps as up to speed with the modern county game's requirements. It was clear that we weren't as fit as other teams last year and for one reason or another, some of our best players were either injured or made themselves unavailable."
Not an easy gig being a county manager especially since social media became popular. A lot of experts out there who probably don't even support there local club. It doesn't Matter how good a manager you are your still depending on keeping your big players fit. We're lucky at the moment hopefully it stays like that but one or two injuries derailed many a team at this time of year. I'll probably get a few coming back saying that's what a squad is for, rubbish in my eyes there's certain players in every county that you can't replace. Take con out of Dublin the Clifford's out of Kerry and I'll guarantee you , you don't replace these players..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 27/06/2024 17:56:16    2555238

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "How would Paddy Carr have done last year V Tyrone in the knockout game if the two O Donnell lads, Peader Mogan, Micheal Langan, Ryan Mc Hugh, Conor O Donnell and a fit Paddy Mc Brearty could have played? How would Jim have got on v Tyrone? A team we beat after ET this year with most of the above mentioned playing.

Jim has got us back to a brilliant level and is the best manager we have seen but it's important to take into consideration what exactly happened last year. We had lads on the county panel that wouldn't make club panels within the county. No disrespect intended.

I think this year's success is definitely down to Jim coming back but also having the best players available for selection."
Paddy C was long gone at that stage.

chancer (Donegal) - Posts: 20 - 27/06/2024 19:28:45    2555249

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "We played Dublin twice in championship since 2014. Lost in a quarter in 16 by 5 and lost by 5 in the first super 8 match in 2018 in the neutral match in croke park after winning Ulster. We also lost Mcbrearty to a cruciate injury in the Ulster final. He was fair flying that year.

Played Kerry in the 2019 super 8s in an epic game at 1.20 apiece. That was one thrilling game. We were not really helped by ban being ruled for the season in a training session before it. Or Jason McGee and McFadden getting injured in the match. Or the BC to Niall O'Donnell that was not a BC. Michael Murphy and Ryan McHugh were so good that day by the way. It was a great game of football."
Agree with all you say here...Kerry match was an unbelievable game of football..that didn't get the recognition or viewing figures it deserved because it was on the same time as Shane Lowry was playing his final round to win the Open.
Neil McGee although named to start didn't play that day either. SMcMenamin did really well on Clifford . It was tit for tat on the scoreboard but we had great chance to pull clear just after Murphy scored the pen. Jamie B passed to McGlynn when Eoin McHugh was in the better position., then Frank's lofted fist pass was behind McHugh who cd only carry ball over the goal line.....small margins .
Plenty of players who played that day will be involved on Sunday too so we don't lack experience that's for sure. I hope to see a confident performance from our lads on Sunday,....show Louth the respect they deserve by showing them no mercy from the first whistle.
Roll on Sunday , safe travels to everyone!

chancer (Donegal) - Posts: 20 - 27/06/2024 20:46:43    2555261

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Don't agree, Jim inherited a good squad. You don't build a team overnight . Last year was a mess because a lot of players didn't commit ."
Sorry, but you're not getting away with calling the squad good now when you said last year it wasn't good enough. More or less said who would want to manage them. If I have to go and dig out a few such posts I will. Make your point fine but don't be contradicting yourself wildly.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1385 - 27/06/2024 21:07:51    2555269

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "How would Paddy Carr have done last year V Tyrone in the knockout game if the two O Donnell lads, Peader Mogan, Micheal Langan, Ryan Mc Hugh, Conor O Donnell and a fit Paddy Mc Brearty could have played? How would Jim have got on v Tyrone? A team we beat after ET this year with most of the above mentioned playing.

Jim has got us back to a brilliant level and is the best manager we have seen but it's important to take into consideration what exactly happened last year. We had lads on the county panel that wouldn't make club panels within the county. No disrespect intended.

I think this year's success is definitely down to Jim coming back but also having the best players available for selection."
Totally agreed but having the best players available is undoubtedly due to having Jim back. It's all connected.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1385 - 27/06/2024 21:09:38    2555271

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Forget about last year we got beat in extra time by Derry the year previous year. We have nearly the same team this year bar Curran and Moore. Do you get where I'm coming from."
We hadn't Caolan Mc Gonagle at centre half back and we were wide open on the counter attack when we lost the ball. Jason Mc Gee wasn't fit either which left us short of options in midfield.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 407 - 27/06/2024 22:27:16    2555282

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "Sorry, but you're not getting away with calling the squad good now when you said last year it wasn't good enough. More or less said who would want to manage them. If I have to go and dig out a few such posts I will. Make your point fine but don't be contradicting yourself wildly."
Of course last year's squad wasn't good enough. Don't waste your time digging out posts sure everyone knows it wasn't good enough.. maybe you have too much time on your hands ha

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2563 - 27/06/2024 22:34:14    2555283

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "Fair enough. Just some on here go way too far in criticism of managers. Jim McGuinness was one of one in what he did for donegal in 2012. All managers are not at that level and it does not mean they are bad managers.

Of course you want best people involved but if they are going to draw an unfair level of criticism because they are not Jim McGuinness then people just won't get involved.

For Donegal to be continually competitive it's from the grass roots up that needs to be as strong as possible.

Anyhow fingers crossed for Sunday and that the team are ready to rock."
Perhaps Jim could be hired to oversee a Managerial mentoring course for managers and coaches within the County, to highlight the level of work needed to succeed at the highest level.

I think we have a lot of quality coaches and managers within the County, but many probably lack awareness of what the very top level of coaching teams are doing to succeed, so in addition to developing players, perhaps we need to focus strongly on developing managers and coaches.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1201 - 28/06/2024 08:43:45    2555314

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