Donegal v Down

smashey

Well, we finally get to play on Sunday, and I for one am very happy that it is in Ballybofey. I know I will be accused of being biased here, but I think Donegal are more than capable of beating Down although Benny Coulter is a major threat. Brian McIver has introduced a few new players who are settling in nicely. Personally, I am glad Brendan Devenney won't be back. His last good season was 2002 and since then, well not very much given his reputation. Adrian Sweeney seems to be getting his old sharpness back and can turn a game on his own.

cournioni

Down are a terrible team. Cavan could have beat them the last day, but were equally as bad as Down kicking some woeful wides. If Donegal are a decent team they should beat Down. But I think whoever wins this tie will go out to Derry regardless. Donegal and Down just aren't up to their standard yet.

Waylander

I dunno Porn. While I think Derry are a better team then both Donegal and Down, I think that they might get a boost from the fact that it is Derry and not the All Ireland Champions they will be facing. I think both those teams are capable of beating Derry, but they would need to get the breaks on the day.

dcr22B

I still think Cassidy's absence will be a loss for Donegal and I think Ulster might actually be wide open this year as Tyrone are already gone and Armagh looked very shaky against Monaghan.

mchurl

Down rely heavily on Coulter and i think if Donegal can put the shackles on him they will have a very good chance.

I have to agree though and say that Derry will be too strong for both imo.

Culchie

Yeh, I feel it's wide open this year (I've gone for a Fermangh V Derry final in my predictions ...radical or wha' )

I don't think Down are a 'terrible' team by any means.... sure they are not the finished article, but there's a big difference between an improving team, and a poor team.
Cavan are a poor team, with very little sign of improvment yet, they need these minors blooded a.s.a.p, too many passengers at present.

Down are a little 'green' more than anything, but like a young racehorse will come on alot from the last game, and will improve.

Are they good enough (skillwise,pace) for Donegal... yes. Are they experienced enough and tough enough for championship gusto ..... that remains to be seen.
Donegal will see that the Ulster Crown is up for grabs this year, the same way as we seem to think it is here.

I'm going for a tight Down win. Why? ... I think they have better forwards, and more match winners than Donegal.

That Michael Walsh fellah is (imo) an an All Time great in the making, he's a brilliant footballer. Combine that with Coulter's scoring power, it just about swings it for me.

smashey

Whooooooohhhhhooooooooooooooo!

Brilliant game. It's just a pity Michael Doherty had a bad day with the frees.

Roll on Derry. I suspect the football won't be as good against that shower, as they will be more interested in the physical stuff.

finnpark

Donegal win by a point despite the best efforts of a referree to make more money for the GAA.

Coulter was marked out of it and Donegal were by far the best team.:)

smashey

finnpark wrote:

Coulter was marked out of it and Donegal were by far the best team.:)

He sure was and he was getting a bit ratty towards the end. I'm not too sure about starting Michael Hegarty in the half-back line. He is at his best playing just in front of the midfield, as he showed in the second half.

solskjaer20

Great game, best of the Ulster Championship so far anyway.

Donegal and Derrywill be a good game I think. We won't be using the same tactics aslast time, them tactics had to be adapted to beat Tyrone. Donegal are an attacking game, Derry will also play attacking. JUst ask any of the fanswho played Derry in their seven NFL matches, Derry's usual tactics are fast, free-flowing, attacking football.

I expect a good game, but Derry's defence is much, much better than Down and I think that could tip it our way.

michelle_ie

brilliant game- rory kavanagh the star of the show.