Ulster 2006

smashey

Donegal brushed aside the Derry challenge today with some ease, and are into the final on July 9th, against either Armagh or Fermanagh.

Let's be honest here, we owe both of those teams one.

Armagh seem to be struggling, although I don't like the sight of Stevie McDonnell or Oisin McConville as they have caused us more grief than anybody else over the past five years or so. I think we have the perfect game for Fermanagh.

I really think this could be our year, even with a very young team. We seem to have the necessary experience on the bench to calm things down when required, with the likes of Adrian Sweeney and Damian Diver. Brian McIver has instilled great discipline in the team and the fitness levels have improved remarkably.

Bring them on.

cournioni

In my opinion, after seeing off Derry I'd have to say that Donegal should be favourites to take Ulster. Armagh are huffing and puffing and I think that Donegal, if they play well can beat Armagh.

CCOVICH

Derry were awful.

Rory Kavangh is growing with confidence and was excellent today (again) even though he got into card trouble early on.

Barry Dunnion was fantastic again, Neil Gallagher very steady at midfield. Full back line coped well with a barrage of high balls in the second half.

I've heard that Micheal Doherty has a broken jaw and leg. This would be a tragedy if true, as the game was over at that stage, and we need his free taking. I don't think it was malicious, but I do think that Dunnion was targetted at the end of the first half and didn't really recover.

Ulster Final-the only thing I admire about Armagh is that they don't know when they are beaten. Monaghan and Fermanagh should have eliminated them already, but they are very tough mentally. I think Donegal v. Fermanagh would be a good game, but I would love to see us beat Armagh, but they would still be starting favourites in my book. Even more so if we are without our free taker, as you'll get plenty of those against Armagh.

I was worried after Sligo beat Down so easily last night, as I felt that we may have flattered to decieve in the first round, but I think we were better today. Down and Tyrone have been awful this year, and I would have expected better of both at the start.

Anyway, it's the first time in a long time that I've been impressed with and proud of a Donegal team in quite a while.

See you in Clones (bog of a hole as JB would say).

smashey

CCOVICH wrote:

I've heard that Micheal Doherty has a broken jaw and leg.

According to Spillane earlier, he hasn't broken either, but is with the orthodontist having his teeth fixed.

He will have a bit of a headache for a few days.

Carrickman

Ulster Final is on July 9th, AFAIK if it is against Armagh it will be in Croke Park, just to add to the above this Donegal squad has a great team spirit that I haven't seen from a Donegal since the late 80's early 90's hopfuly we can end the dought of not having won a trophy at senior level since '92.

Oh and well done to the minors as well.

solskjaer20

How can we beat Tyrone one day then go out and play like that?

Donegal far better team, we weren't at the races at all.
I knew a wet day wouldn;t suit us, but still we were terrible.

Quick point:

I rewatched the tape of the match when I got home from Clones.
If you look closely at the far-range replay of Muldoon's sending off.....you can see that the number three hit him in the balls first.
Enda's only problem wasthat he didn't hit him hard enough.

BBC of course din't notice it...lets fae it Jarlath Burns wouldn't notice if it was raining bananas.

The lads on RTÉ did notice though.

That being said, Donegal were the better team and worthy winners.

odonaghue

Did anyone hear where the final is being played? I love to see us get some revenge on Armagh for all the grief they caused us, either way it's gonna be a good final!!!

Carrickman

odonaghue wrote:

Did anyone hear where the final is being played? I love to see us get some revenge on Armagh for all the grief they caused us, either way it's gonna be a good final!!!

Ditto would love another shot at Armagh!! As I posted above no venue has been desided yet so I take it that means if Armagh win on Saturday the game will be in Croke Park while if Fermanagh win it will be in Clones.

I got odds of 11-1 in March for Donegal to win Ulster so hopfuly I will be getting a few €€ in July;)

Carrickman

Doherty boost for Donegal
Donegal are hopeful that star forward Michael Doherty will be able to line out in the Ulster football final after being stretchered off in the closing stages of the semi-final victory over Derry.

It was initially feared that Doherty – who scored 1-4 – may have broken his leg and jaw. But it has since transpired that the injuries are not as serious as first thought and he could be back in time for the final against either Armagh or Fermanagh on July 9.

Defender Barry Dunnion is also expected to be fit for the provincial decider after being forced to retire injured 15 minutes into the second half. Dunnion was hurt following a heavy shoulder charge by Derry’s Fergal Doherty.

Thankfuly the injury wasent as bad as reported yesterday.

mchurl

Good to hear the injury isnt as bad as forst feared because it sounded pretty horrific

smashey

Croke Park for the final on July 9th. I can't wait. Revenge springs to mind although such thoughts are dampened by recent history. I think this could be Donegal's year. Most of the current team have no 'baggage' regarding Armagh and seem to be growing in confidence. Their ability to score from almost anywhere, allied to their willingness to at least have a go, should keep the Armagh defence busy. The minors will also be playing against Antrim. How about a Donegal double?

Carrickman

Looking foward to it myself as well, glad to get another shot at Armagh, think it is crazy though to play it in Croke park it means a 5-6 hour drive (depending where you live from Donegal) and the kick off is 2.15 so a very early start for anyone going up on the Sunday morning. We have a very good minor side this year as well so hopfuly they will start the day off and win the minor title for the first time since 1996, Tir Connell ABU.

Glenman

Armagh looked good against Fermanagh the last day, and I fear will be tuff to beat. It's bound to be a closer match than two years ago and I think Donegal have a good chance if they play well.
It's a tuff one to call but you'd have to favour Armagh.
Won't be going myself though as the all-Ireland Tug of War championship is taking place in Slane.
Tug of War rules

philologos

I've got tickets to the final so I shall be supporting Donegal
Was also at the match two years ago and was dissapointed lol

smashey

I will get my tickets on Thursday. Let the countdown begin.