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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Jamie is the best and most consistent of them.
Not sure how old he is, maybe 29 but he can still do a job.

I'm not sure why you bring those two up for 2 points. They've barely played over the last 2 years.

2 points were the difference today but Daire and Langan are very good at them. Add in Murphy, Gallen and Thomo when he's back.

Should be a good year."
They barely played but both made a difference when they came on in ulster finals over the last year.

Yeah we had a good day with the two pointers today, long may it continue.

Maybe Mulreany could be an option as a starter come summertime, his two point frees are a huge bonus. although I listened today on the radio so I couldn't tell if all the lost kickouts in the second half were down to bad kickouts or lads being beat in the air? I was surprised that we were beat for long periods in the air, we had our 3 strongest midfielders on the pitch.

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 94 - 24/01/2026 20:31:26    2652963

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Replying To HEREBENJI:  "McBride at wing back is a bit of a surprise, never saw him play there before. Maybe he'll see swap with Moore."
He's played a good part of his senior club career there

donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 44 - 25/01/2026 08:06:55    2653009

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Great result last night. Any sort of victory against the Dubs in Croke Park isn't to be sniffed at.
When the team changes were announced, it was obvious that Jim was really targeting the two points.

Once we settled, I thought we completely dominated the first half, and should have been further ahead. We left some scores after us, albeit the wind was a factor.

I thought that with the wind at our backs second half that we'd go on to win fairly comfortably. But credit to the Dubs. They had an unfamiliar lineup, but they really dug in and made a good game of it. They owned midfield for a spell.

But our experience and quality ultimately showed. Langan & O'Baoíll settled us with some good scores and we saw it out.

One small gripe is this persistence with naming dummy teams. I realise there is probably a deadline to have a squad announced. But I'm sure the likes of Paul O'Hare & Domhnall MacGiollaBhríde's family and clubs were looking forward to the game. But neither got even a minute in the end. Maybe they picked up knocks I don't know.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10212 - 25/01/2026 09:07:43    2653016

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We kicked a shocking amount of wides in the first half, and Dublin could very well have taken us in the second half, such was their dominance on kickouts and forcing turnovers from primary possession. I think it was a very good game for both teams, I wouldn't say either team was overly fussed about the result, it was more about the learning's and trying things.

I thought Shea Malone was very quiet until the got the goal, but this game will bring him on leaps and bounds. Conor O'Donnell is quietly becoming an outstanding corner forward, power and pace and two feet, he is now a key player in this team, he took his marker to the cleaners last night. Finbar Roarty just has it, fearless approach, pace and that directness, hard to believe he is still U20.

Dublin's Sean MacMahon was very impressive in the 2nd half, I thought he marshalled Dublin's comeback through high intensity and physicality, he could be a big player for them in 2026. They are a solid side, and Ger Brennan is a outstanding young manager, I think he will make hay with this Dublin side come summer.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1573 - 25/01/2026 11:51:46    2653037

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "They barely played but both made a difference when they came on in ulster finals over the last year.

Yeah we had a good day with the two pointers today, long may it continue.

Maybe Mulreany could be an option as a starter come summertime, his two point frees are a huge bonus. although I listened today on the radio so I couldn't tell if all the lost kickouts in the second half were down to bad kickouts or lads being beat in the air? I was surprised that we were beat for long periods in the air, we had our 3 strongest midfielders on the pitch."
Similar story here. I'm overseas and was all set to watch the game but tg4 shut down the use of a VPN through an Irish server so I had to rely on the radio commentary. Listening to Shea Malone's post match interview he said the wind died down in the second half. Listening to the commentary I fully thought Donegal would push on again with the wind at their backs. Looks like Jim is targeting as many points possible early and we might see more of the younger lads later in the league if we're in a position of comfort. Plus it'll be good preparation for the under 20 championship for those involved.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2906 - 25/01/2026 15:04:37    2653072

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "They barely played but both made a difference when they came on in ulster finals over the last year.

Yeah we had a good day with the two pointers today, long may it continue.

Maybe Mulreany could be an option as a starter come summertime, his two point frees are a huge bonus. although I listened today on the radio so I couldn't tell if all the lost kickouts in the second half were down to bad kickouts or lads being beat in the air? I was surprised that we were beat for long periods in the air, we had our 3 strongest midfielders on the pitch."
I think there must have been a wind because almost all his kickouts went straight to the Dublin team.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 267 - 25/01/2026 15:56:13    2653088

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Good win last night and most of the posts here have been spot on.

One point I will make - young McCahill came on for about 4 mins last night. Was it worthwhile taking him up to Dublin the night before he was due to captain his school in a McCrory Cup semi final today? Hardly the best preparation for the young lad. There are 6 league games left he could have got a run in.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 25/01/2026 16:22:30    2653105

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Kickouts were an issue in the second half I think mostly due to hesitation. I don't want to be too critical early in the year but there needs to be a decisiveness. Players were making runs only to be ignored and a big long one hit under the Cusack. That's fine but I felt we were missing opportunities to get the ball away. Now the weather was a factor too and perhaps some of the short options I thought were available were ignored for fear of a slippy ball too. It is first game of the league but something I think has to be ironed out. There's nothing worse than the kickout taking an age, I felt we were lucky not to be penalised for taking too long over them to be honest.

Having said all that though, I thought we had another gear all through the game to be honest. The Dubs came back well in the second half but it was really great to see Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Hughie all with some great fielding at important moments. I think some of our play last night would be rewarded big time on a dry day come summer. Our handling was very good even with the weather but I think we left quite a few scores behind us with a bad bounce of the ball going away from us.

First half we had some really terrible wides, should have had at least 4 or 5 more on the board - but the Dubs also hit some bad wides in to the Hill so even though the wind died down, there must have been something going on that end of the pitch.

Overall a great evening in Croker, good to see so many seeming to be moving well. I thought Ryan McHugh played really fantastic and of course Michael Langan. O'Baoill as well was excellent. And Conor O'Donnell as well, he looked brilliant.

Final word on Shea Malone. He made a lot of runs and tried getting on the ball but was quiet overall in the first half, right up until he wasn't! What a finish, I thought the hands were excellent to get it down to his foot and a brilliant finish. How often have we messed up a goal chance like that. He didn't look out of place anyway and it will give him great confidence to get a goal in Croke Park under the lights.

Looking forward to Sunday

CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 283 - 25/01/2026 17:21:12    2653123

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Looking at various headlines today following Jim's post match press conference last night, it seems like a lot of Journalists were butt hurt by his comments that he wouldn't take advice from observers, unless they have proven themselves as managers or coaches. This is all in relation to a podcast where pundits were talking about how the zonal defense approach was rendered obsolete following how Kerry beat Donegal in the All Ireland final.

Jim has a point, because the podcast analysis was lazy at best. Despite the winning margin of 1-7, Kerry actually only had 3 scores more than Donegal in that game, and it wasn't the zonal defense that was detrimental to Donegal, it was the opening 15 minutes were Kerry outfoxed Donegal and did serious damage with 2 pointers, which was more about Donegal's starting 15 and Kerry's dominance of kick-outs. Kerry were the better team, but if you break it down as to why, it wasn't because a zonal defense.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1573 - 25/01/2026 20:43:38    2653172

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Replying To Commodore:  "Looking at various headlines today following Jim's post match press conference last night, it seems like a lot of Journalists were butt hurt by his comments that he wouldn't take advice from observers, unless they have proven themselves as managers or coaches. This is all in relation to a podcast where pundits were talking about how the zonal defense approach was rendered obsolete following how Kerry beat Donegal in the All Ireland final.

Jim has a point, because the podcast analysis was lazy at best. Despite the winning margin of 1-7, Kerry actually only had 3 scores more than Donegal in that game, and it wasn't the zonal defense that was detrimental to Donegal, it was the opening 15 minutes were Kerry outfoxed Donegal and did serious damage with 2 pointers, which was more about Donegal's starting 15 and Kerry's dominance of kick-outs. Kerry were the better team, but if you break it down as to why, it wasn't because a zonal defense."
Yes Kerry were the better team in the final and they got a run on Donegal early on and still Donegal were still in the game on the scoreboard in the final quarter. I suppose what most of us neutral amateur experts would like to know from Jim is why Paudie Clifford seemed to be put under so little pressure from start to finish, don't think Jim is gonna tell us if he messed on that one or not?

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1061 - 25/01/2026 22:37:52    2653217

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With Donegal's football season tickets full allocated this year and Kerry's season tickets likewise, I'm guessing general sale of tickets for the game in Ballyshannon this Sunday will be very few.

The_viewer (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 26/01/2026 00:08:35    2653229

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Yes Kerry were the better team in the final and they got a run on Donegal early on and still Donegal were still in the game on the scoreboard in the final quarter. I suppose what most of us neutral amateur experts would like to know from Jim is why Paudie Clifford seemed to be put under so little pressure from start to finish, don't think Jim is gonna tell us if he messed on that one or not?"
I'm sure Jim McGuinness would answer such a question if it was posed directly to him, although its been a while since the final.

As for the pundits with lazy analysis, we maybe need to start calling that out more, because this week we have a flurry of headlines from Jim's interview on Saturday night, which conveniently leaves out or skips over key information. Jim didn't say that he wouldn't listen to advice from others, he said he would listen to people if those others are people who coached at the highest level, people with proven experience.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1573 - 26/01/2026 10:34:27    2653268

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Replying To The_viewer:  "With Donegal's football season tickets full allocated this year and Kerry's season tickets likewise, I'm guessing general sale of tickets for the game in Ballyshannon this Sunday will be very few."
I don't think either county sold out. And Kerry bring very small numbers at this stage of the year so you'll hopefully be ok for getting tickets.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 129 - 26/01/2026 12:22:42    2653297

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Replying To WeGoAgain:  "I don't think either county sold out. And Kerry bring very small numbers at this stage of the year so you'll hopefully be ok for getting tickets."
Much to my frustration donegal did sell out. What the sell out number is I don't know and maybe because of mccumhaill park being out of commission they reduced the season ticket numbers a bit. There will be plenty Kerry folks who will have a season ticket and forgo league matches.
There are tickets online for the match on Sunday. I wouldn't be waiting too long to buy them as there should big enough interest in going to the match.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 959 - 26/01/2026 12:42:29    2653310

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Yes Kerry were the better team in the final and they got a run on Donegal early on and still Donegal were still in the game on the scoreboard in the final quarter. I suppose what most of us neutral amateur experts would like to know from Jim is why Paudie Clifford seemed to be put under so little pressure from start to finish, don't think Jim is gonna tell us if he messed on that one or not?"
If you head to Ballyshannon on Sunday he might answer your question if you put it to it.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 26/01/2026 12:48:40    2653312

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "If you head to Ballyshannon on Sunday he might answer your question if you put it to it."
Well Ballyshannon is just an hour up the road from me, but no I'll be in Castlebar with the Dubs. I would genuinely like to hear his thoughts on P Clifford's role in the game, Paudie had 76 possessions in the game and wasn't turned over once, now in fairness the vast majority of these possessions were passive lateral passes but he also had time to thread through a handful of insightful passes to the inside line which hurt Donegal.
Maybe with D Clifford, O'Shea, Geaney etc there were just too many fires to put out and as Paudie was staying outside the 45, Jim was happy to leave him alone?

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1061 - 26/01/2026 14:05:17    2653343

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Well Ballyshannon is just an hour up the road from me, but no I'll be in Castlebar with the Dubs. I would genuinely like to hear his thoughts on P Clifford's role in the game, Paudie had 76 possessions in the game and wasn't turned over once, now in fairness the vast majority of these possessions were passive lateral passes but he also had time to thread through a handful of insightful passes to the inside line which hurt Donegal.
Maybe with D Clifford, O'Shea, Geaney etc there were just too many fires to put out and as Paudie was staying outside the 45, Jim was happy to leave him alone?"
I appreciate your curiosity but you're unlikely to get an answer from him discussing it here. Maybe if you're lucky enough to cross his path some day he might divulge his rationale to you and if he does be sure to inform the rest of us!

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 26/01/2026 15:15:22    2653365

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Well Ballyshannon is just an hour up the road from me, but no I'll be in Castlebar with the Dubs. I would genuinely like to hear his thoughts on P Clifford's role in the game, Paudie had 76 possessions in the game and wasn't turned over once, now in fairness the vast majority of these possessions were passive lateral passes but he also had time to thread through a handful of insightful passes to the inside line which hurt Donegal.
Maybe with D Clifford, O'Shea, Geaney etc there were just too many fires to put out and as Paudie was staying outside the 45, Jim was happy to leave him alone?"
Strange enough interview to be honest. I'm a big fan of Jim's but it got me thinking. Do you really need to win an all Ireland or be a successful coach or manager for jim to trust you. Maybe with Neil and colm Anthony still there and luke Barrett gone proves this...

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2676 - 26/01/2026 15:38:30    2653374

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We all know Jim has history when it comes to certain journalists. But I don't think he needs to be as defensive in his responses to fairly bland questioning. Maybe there's a bit of siege mentality building going on?

I thought a additional coach from outside the county might have been a beneficial addition to the backroom team.
Someone who would challenge the status quo a wee bit. But when you hear Jim speaking at times, you'd wonder if that's what he'd want to be hearing!

Look I'm just speculating here. Jim has forgotten more about football than the likes of us will ever know. He has resurrected us beyond all recogniton on two occasions now, and in two different footballing generations.
In Jim we Trust!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10212 - 26/01/2026 16:04:19    2653386

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