Donegal GAA Thread

Redsoxfan

Well, I could start a thread in the GAA section, but I'm pretty sure it would die a death among all the threads about the Dubs and Team of the Decade etc.

So, was anyone in Cavan on Saturday night? I probably would have gone up myself (I know :rolleyes:) only I was in London to watch a foreign sport.

I had a look at the McKenna Cup panel there, and not too many faces I had seen before. Anyone have any info/views on these guys:

- Edward Kelly (Urris)
- Colm McCarron (Dungloe)
- James Keeney (Bundoran)
- Lee McFadden (Cloghaneely)
- Shane Boyle (Killybegs) (he might have been around last year)

Would appreciate if anyone who attends the McKenna Cup games posts here, I won't make any of them, but am hoping to attend most of the National League Games

Tír Chonaill Abú!

muffler

Good idea for updates.

smashey

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Well, I could start a thread in the GAA section, but I'm pretty sure it would die a death among all the threads about the Dubs and Team of the Decade etc.

Not while I'm a mod there it won't.

Redsoxfan

From Hogan Stand

At Kingspan Breffni Park, Donegal recovered from a 0-3 to 0-4 interval deficit to beat Cavan by 0-11 to 0-9. Newcomer Gareth Concarr accounted for all of the visitors' first half points, while Young Player of the Year Michael Murphy added further punch to their attack following his introduction in the second half.

Dubliner Gareth 'Nesty' Smith made an impressive debut for Tommy Carr's side by hitting 0-7, but it wasn't enough to deny the holders.

Donegal - L McFadden; J Keeney, N McGee, P McDaid; F McGlynn, B Monaghan, K Cassidy (0-1); N Gallagher, E Kelly; O Doherty, C McFadden (0-2), R Wherity (0-1); G Concarr (0-3, 2f), A Hanlon (0-1), D Walsh. Subs: M Murphy (0-2) for O Doherty, D Gallagher (0-1) for R Wherity.

Anyone know where Micheal Boyle is-playing Sigerson maybe?

EAFC_rdfl

is that colm mcfadden at centre forward?

smashey

EAFC_rdfl wrote: »

is that colm mcfadden at centre forward?

Yeah, something John Joe is trying out for a while. It makes sense to expereiment in the McKenna cup.

Redsoxfan

I'm pretty sure Colm McFadden has been played at centre forward before. Not sure if it's a good idea-he sure ain't mobile enough for centre forward at inter-county level. With his build, he should be an asset around the middle of the park, but I think he belongs at corner forward for Donegal.

docmartin

i'd assume michael boyle is playing o byrne cup with DIT, he did last year and i think he's still a student there

shiibata

smashey wrote: »

It makes sense to expereiment in the McKenna cup.

Just hope this years experiments have longer lasting results than last year:(

Will head to the game on Wed night and see what we have, Tyrone are looking good, 26 points last Sunday and I think 13 different scorers.

docmartin

Redsoxfan wrote: »

- Edward Kelly (Urris)
- Colm McCarron (Dungloe)
- James Keeney (Bundoran)
- Lee McFadden (Cloghaneely)
- Shane Boyle (Killybegs) (he might have been around last year)

Lee mc fadden has been in goals for the county underage teams since under 16's and was part of the ulster championship winnig minor team a few years back, shane boyle is also a very strong club player, saw him in action for killybegs a few times

UpDonegal

Tonight will see the clash of Dún na nGall V Tír Eoghain in Mac Cumhaill Pk @ 7.30pm.
Doherty and his Tír Chonaill troops will be hoping to make it 2 wins out of 2, after a hearty win V Cavan in Breffini, last Saturday(0-11 to 0-09).

Hope all the Donegal faithful supporters will come out and cheer on the side

Good luck lads...Tír Chonaill Abú!! :)

Redsoxfan

Don't suppose any dates have been set for the Ulster Championship yet?

docmartin

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Don't suppose any dates have been set for the Ulster Championship yet?

http://www.gaa.ie/page/ulster_gaa_football_senior_championship1.html
this should help bit messy but it's all there

Redsoxfan

Cheers-I had gone looking before but couldn't find it.

Why do we always seem to play on the bank holiday weekend?

Redsoxfan

docmartin wrote: »

i'd assume michael boyle is playing o byrne cup with DIT, he did last year and i think he's still a student there

More like DCU maybe? I see an M Boyle in goals for them last weekend.

Redsoxfan

(I'm not there)

Tyrone 3-8 (Penrose with 3 goals); Donegal 1-7 (M Murphy 1-6)

Donegal: P Durcan; J Keaney, N McGee, C McCarron; E Waide, K Lacey, M McGuire; N Gallagher, K Cassidy; E Kelly, C McFadden, D Gallagher; A Hanlon, M Murphy, G Concarr. Subs:
Tyrone: M O’Neill; M Swift, Justin McMahon, Joe McMahon; G Teague, C Gormley, Sean O’Neill; A Cassidy, K Hughes; E McGinley, B McGuigan, T McGuigan; N Gormley, M Penrose, G Devlin. Subs: M Donnelly for Devlin (27). Subs:
Referee: JJ McCleary (Derry).

Redsoxfan

Wow-sounded like an entertaining game 2-17 to 4-11 is some scoring.

shiibata

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Wow-sounded like an entertaining game 2-17 to 4-11 is some scoring.

Was a very entertaining game alright for a mid january night. Great fetch by Murphy with the 1 arm in 2nd half and then rattling the onion bag.

Nearly needed a caculator in 2nd half to keep up with the scoring:D

K-9

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Wow-sounded like an entertaining game 2-17 to 4-11 is some scoring.

They came back a few times, good to see. What would we do without Murphy?

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/thriller-ends-in-stalemate-442759.html

Thriller ends in stalemate

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:26 PM

Donegal 2-17 Tyrone 4-11

Young Footballer of the Year Michael Murphy laid on a scoring exhibition at Ballybofey.

But his magical 2-9 tally was not enough to win a thrilling Dr McKenna Cup tie for Donegal.

A first half hat-trick from Tyrone’s Martin Penrose in the end proved crucial for Tyrone, who held on to salvage a draw.

Penrose drilled home the first of his two first half goals in the fourth minute, latching on to an Aidan Cassidy pass before darting past two defenders and gave Paul Durcan no chance with a clinical finish.

The home side responded with a Michael Murphy goal, the young tyro deftly punching the ball beyond the reach of advancing goalkeeper Mickey O’Neill from Darragh Gallagher’s long delivery.

Tommy McGuigan’s second converted free and points from Niall Gormley and Penrose made it 1-5 to 1-1 to the Red Hands on 14 minutes, but a couple of Colm McFadden scores kept John Joe Doherty’s men very much in the hunt.

The deadly Penrose struck again, however, on 20 minutes with another screamer. Donegal responded immediately, shooting five points in a row, four of them from Murphy, to narrow the gap to a point.

Penrose, who lives just a stone’s throw from the Donegal border, had more punishment in store for his neighbours with a third strike in the sixth minute of stoppage time to send Tyrone in with a 3-8 to 1-9 interval lead.

A four point salvo in the opening five minutes of the second half, from McFadden, Murphy, Darragh Gallagher and sub David Walsh made it a one score game once again, and Tyrone’s bid to trump their opponents with another goal was foiled by Durcan’s superb save from Niall Gormley.

Murphy brought the sides level, but as the game entered its final quarter, Mickey Harte’s men were clinging onto a slender one point lead.

Former Aussie Rules rookie Kyle Coney came off the bench to net a fourth goal with his first touch and get his side back on course.

There were yet more twists in this remarkable game, and Murphy stamped his class on the contest yet again when he rose high to fetch, turn and shoot low to the net.

Donegal: P Durcan, J Keeney, N McGee, C McCarron, E Wade, K Lacey, M McGuire, K Cassidy, N Gallagher, E Kelly (0-1), C McFadden (0-5, 2f) D Gallagher (0-1), A Hanlon, M Murphy (2-9, 6f, 2 ’45), G Concarr.

Subs: D Walsh (0-1) for McCarron, F McNulty for D Gallagher, C Gallagher for hanlon

Tyrone: M O’Neill, M Swift, Justin McMahon, Joe McMahon, G Teague (0-1), C Gormley, S O’Neill, A Cassidy, K Hughes, E McGinley, B McGuigan, T McGuigan (0-4, 4f), N Gormley (0-2), M Penrose (3-3, 0-1f), G Devlin (0-1).

Subs: M Donnelly for Devlin, K Coney (1-0) for T McGuigan, E McCusker for N Gormley, R McNabb for C Gormley, P Harte for B McGuigan

Referee: JJ Cleary (Derry).

Redsoxfan

shiibata wrote: »

Was a very entertaining game alright for a mid january night. Great fetch by Murphy with the 1 arm in 2nd half and then rattling the onion bag.

Nearly needed a caculator in 2nd half to keep up with the scoring:D

Apart from Murphy, anyone else play well?

Redsoxfan

Wow, that's quick work by the Examiner!

shiibata

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Apart from Murphy, anyone else play well?

Hmmm, unfortunately not too many, mcFadden had a better 2nd half when put up along with murphy. Big Neil had some good moments in 2nd half, good catches earning "a mark". That Dara Gallagher is a strong lad, done some good things(very good point).

We were behind the town goals but that save(river end goals) the examiner mentions by Durcan, it looked a fantastic save from him, one handed save low to his left.

Ref must have given about 20 frees for lifting ball off the ground, sure was fussy on that.

Redsoxfan

Not a good sign when neither of the new corner forwards can score in such a high scoring game!

One of my mates was at the game and said that Durcan made an amazing save alright. I still don't think he should be on the team.

I wonder did Lacey really play centre back?

shiibata

Redsoxfan wrote: »

I wonder did Lacey really play centre back?

Ye, he did but was evevtually put back to mark Penrose. I would hope the management would be a tad quicker making these changes though, rather late to change after he had scored 2-2. McGee was miles off him.

Redsoxfan

Some news from Hogan Stand:

(Barry) Monaghan dubious over fist pass

He says "....I also feel it will slow up the game and overall that is not good."

Barry's possibly our slowest player! While he was probably our best player in a few games last year, I would like to see him replaced in the starting 15.

Sweeney bows out

'Only' 32-tis a young man's game these days.

Take a bow Adie. I'll never forget that point into the Hill.

smashey

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Sweeney bows out

'Only' 32-tis a young man's game these days.

Take a bow Adie. I'll never forget that point into the Hill.

Eh... Redsoxfan...

that link is about Raymond Sweeney.

Redsoxfan

smashey wrote: »

Eh... Redsoxfan...

that link is about Raymond Sweeney.

Damnit-that story was about Adrian when I read it yesterday! No fooling.

GoldenGreen

Just wondering if anyone know for sure what time is the game on tonight against St Marys. I have seen 7pm mentioned and 7:30pm

Redsoxfan

GoldenGreen wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone know for sure what time is the game on tonight against St Marys. I have seen 7pm mentioned and 7:30pm

Gas isn't it? County Board website hasn't been updated since last year's McKenna Cup :rolleyes:.

The Ulster Council say 7.00.

Redsoxfan

Anyone at the game last night? I heard it was poor stuff.

RMDrive

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Anyone at the game last night? I heard it was poor stuff.

Seemed like Donegal only played in fits and starts - at least that's what I gathered from the couple of updates on Highland.

Down on Wed now. No harm to be having these games anyway - better than training.

Redsoxfan

Barrett Sportslighting McKenna Cup

At Ballybofey

Donegal 1-13 St. Mary's 0-5

Donegal - L McFadden; C McCarron, N McGee, P McDaid; C Byrne, K Lacey, E Waide; N Gallagher, E Kelly; F McNulty, C Gallagher, D Gallagher (0-4); D Walsh, C McFadden (0-7, 4f), R Wherity. Subs: G Concarr (0-1) for C Gallagher, J Keaney for McCarron, M Maguire for Byrne, A Hanlon (1-1) for Wherity, O Doherty for D Gallagher.

St Mary's - T Harney; M Slane, K O'Boyle, M Digney; C Campbell, B Canavan, B Og Maguire; J Kelly, M McKenna; O McIvor, K Mossey (0-1), M Began; P McAleer, K Niblock (0-2, 2f), D Carson (0-1). Subs: L McQuaid for McIvor, B Doyle (0-1) for Campbell, S O'Neill for Began, G Johnston for Carson, R Dolan for Digney.

Ref: S McNamee (Tyrone)

Carrickman

RMDrive wrote: »

Seemed like Donegal only played in fits and starts - at least that's what I gathered from the couple of updates on Highland.

Down on Wed now. No harm to be having these games anyway - better than training.

Yeah indeed it's better than training some good hard games will do them no harm, the important thing is to get out of division 2 or if things go bad stay in it!!

RMDrive

Carrickman wrote: »

Yeah indeed it's better than training some good hard games will do them no harm, the important thing is to get out of division 2 or if things go bad stay in it!!

I wouldn't be overly concerned about getting back into Div1. There may even be advantages from a Donegal perspective to staying in Div 2. It's still a very competitive place to be with Kildare, Meath, Armagh etc and a lower profile build-up could suit us heading into Championship.

GoldenGreen

it will be tight for Donegal to get back to Div 1. Some very tight games for us in div 2.

Oh if any one is interested the Gaelic Life is running a NFL fantasy football competition, its just based on the Ulster players :-) Free to Enter and prizes to be won.

enter it here:
http://www.gaeliclife.com/fantasy_championship_2010/index.html

Redsoxfan

McKenna Cup-Donegal stay on course

Sounds like if they kepy playing Down would have won!

We'll get another look at them in the league, and then again on May 30th.

Yankeesfan

McKenna Cup Final is on in Enniskillen saturday night at 7.30pm. I think TG4 may be showing the game live.

UpDonegal

The pairing have already met in the qualifying rounds in Ballybofey where both sides put on a fantastic display of football, with the sides drawing on the night, so it should be another classic!

I wish John Joe, his selectors and team the best of luck on Saturday.... Come on Donegal!!!

RMDrive

Yankeesfan wrote: »

McKenna Cup Final is on in Enniskillen saturday night at 7.30pm. I think TG4 may be showing the game live.

Yeah they're showing it all right.

Redsoxfan

Aye, tis live on TG4. Not the same as being there, but I'll hopefully get a look at the likes of Ed Kelly, Adrian Hanlon, Daire Gallagher and Gareth Concarr. I'll be at nearly all the league games, which may tell us if we have learned anything from last year's All-Ireland Q/F.

We're McKenna Cup Champions, but it didn't do us much good last year!

Edit-well no Daire Gallagher I guess

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalsport/Dara-Gallagher-out-for-12.6019344.jp

Redsoxfan

Barrett Sportslighting Dr McKenna Cup semi-final
At Enniskillen
Donegal 1-13
Down 1-12

Donegal - L McFadden; J Keaney, N McGee, P McDaid; E Waide, F McGlynn, K Cassidy (0-1); F McNulty, N Gallagher; E Kelly (1-0), D Walsh, L McLoone (0-1); A Hanlon (0-4), C McFadden (0-5, 3f), G Concarr (0-2, 2f). Subs: P Durcan for McFadden; C Dunne for N Gallagher; R Wherity for Concarr.

Down - B McVeigh; S Toner, C Garvey, M Cole; S Parr, B McArdle, K Duffin; P Fitzpatrick, C King; D Gordon (0-1), M Poland, R Murtagh (0-1); P McComiskey (1-4, 4f), J Clarke (0-4), R Sexton. Subs: A Rogers for Fitzpatrick; S Kearney for Toner; D Hughes for Parr; M Clarke (0-2, 1f) for Poland; B Coulter for Sexton.

Ref: P Hughes (Armagh).

Match report from Alan Foley

GoldenGreen

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Aye, tis live on TG4. Not the same as being there, but I'll hopefully get a look at the likes of Ed Kelly, Adrian Hanlon, Daire Gallagher and Gareth Concarr. I'll be at nearly all the league games, which may tell us if we have learned anything from last year's All-Ireland Q/F.

We're McKenna Cup Champions, but it didn't do us much good last year!

Edit-well no Daire Gallagher I guess

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donegalsport/Dara-Gallagher-out-for-12.6019344.jp

Aye poor Dara, he was shaping up well to be in with a shout for a regular place

Yankeesfan

Looks like Darragh will be out for 12 weeks at least. Tough break for him. I thought he was excellent against St. Marys, though McFadden got man of the match.

http://www.hoganstand.com/donegal/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=123107

RMDrive

It'll be good for the lads to get the game against Tyrone tomorrow. Was going to go but hearing it's on TV has changed my plans. With every game an away game for me I have to be selective on which games I go to.

Aoife9

Woo hoo Donegal retain the mckenna cup!! Poor Stephen O'Neil had a horrible injury think he may have dislocated his elbow! yuck hope he gets better soon.

Redsoxfan

Glad to see David Walsh popping up with the winning goal-like him as a player and hope he is a 1st choice for this year.

Hard to know what to make of the game. There was some shocking wides (by both sides), but Donegal can't afford those sort of wides on a regular basis.

I thought Paddy McDaid had a decent game in the full back line. Adrian Hanlon showed well for the ball, but was guilty of some bad misses. Ditto for Leo McLoone, but I suppose I'd rather see Donegal lads shoot rather than faff around with the ball in the half forward line and end up turning it over.

Good work by McFadden for the goal, stayed in there and fought for the ball, which is good to see.

Of course a game wouldn't be complete without Durcan making an error-what a shocking kick out that was. M Boyle should be our first choice for the season once he is free to play.

Will be disappointing if we can't beat Westmeath next weekend-I am expecting 4/4 from the first 2 games-anything else and we could struggle to stay in Division 2!

Felt sorry for Stephen O'Neill-a really fine footballer who hasn't had the best of luck with injury-I hope he recovers in time for the Championship. I see on Hogan Stand that it is a dislocated elbow.

Redsoxfan

No team on any website for Sunday yet, but I believe Lacey for McNulty is the only change from the McKenna Cup Final, with Cassidy moving to midfield.

Looking forward to my first game of 2010!

Redsoxfan

A much improved 2nd half performance saw us come away from Mullingar with 2 points. For the first 25 minutes, Donegal were awful. The burst at the start of the 2nd half and a good goal from Kevin Cassidy finished off Westmeath (who weren't helped by the loss of Dennis Glennon with a shoulder injury in the 2nd half).

The backs upped their game in the 2nd half. Murphy and McFadden came into the game more and Hanlon kicked a nice score after a couple of bad wides.

Donegal gave away too many frees for hand pass fouls. And a few too many cheap frees close to goal.

Fergal McNulty looked lost out there-I guess he hasn't much inter-county experience. Leo McLoone kicked some bad wides and was subbed. Conall Dunne played well when he came on.

Hopefully this game will bring them on a bit and here's hoping for a better 70 minute performance against Laois next weekend.

docmartin

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Fergal McNulty looked lost out there-I guess he hasn't much inter-county experience. Leo McLoone kicked some bad wides and was subbed. Conall Dunne played well when he came on.

to the defense of leo mc loone, he's bound to have been exhausted having played a full game on saturday plus 2 periods of extra time for naomh conaill against cloughaneely in the u21 championship.
as did eoin wade

Redsoxfan

docmartin wrote: »

to the defense of leo mc loone, he's bound to have been exhausted having played a full game on saturday plus 2 periods of extra time for naomh conaill against cloughaneely in the u21 championship.
as did eoin wade

Seriously? WTF were they even playing for then-is this JJ showing the County Board some contempt for not further delaying the U-21 championship?

Wade didn't do much to further his case either tbh and was subbed too.

Thanks for posting-good to know.

Redsoxfan

Anyone on here at the game in Ballyshannon today?

Looks like we might avoid relegation!