Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

harpsman

Thought I d throw this up see if theres any interest.
Opinions on new backroom team,reasons for departure of old one, McGuinness claim that his players had 9 games in 11 weeks during championship season, possible new players or anything else!!

Gerry91

Very interesting year ahead of ye

Ye were never going to be in contention this year IMO given the amount winning the AI took out of ye

Relegation from the league really wasn't advisable though, no matter what Jimmy says

That said ye bate Tyrone this year and if ye could do it again next year I think ye'd win Ulster. The draw on Thurs could tell alot.

harpsman

Agree we were never really contenders last year-winnin and celebratin an all ireland takes alot out of any team,particularly in a county that doesnt win too many and a style of play that is as labour intensive as Donegal.Throw in a few injuries and no squad depth and you re in trouble.

Obviously the Tyrone game fooled us all to some extent, although its always funny to hear the Monday morning quarterbacks telling us later in the year that they saw the writing on the wall all along.They were spouting the same rubbish bout our league form-our league performances were actually BETTER this year than last year. Personally I dont mind playing in Div 2 next year.I dont think we need more winter grudge matches with Tyrone and Mayo and another relegation dogfight.

TBH I dont see us as contenders next year either-basically I think McGuinness pulled off one of the greatest managerial coups ever winning the all ireland with that group of players and it would be a miracle to do it twice- I think we probably have the fifth best squad in terms of talent.

Fr Tod Umptious

harpsman wrote: »

Agree we were never really contenders last year-winnin and celebratin an all ireland takes alot out of any team,particularly in a county that doesnt win too many and a style of play that is as labour intensive as Donegal.Throw in a few injuries and no squad depth and you re in trouble.

Obviously the Tyrone game fooled us all to some extent, although its always funny to hear the Monday morning quarterbacks telling us later in the year that they saw the writing on the wall all along.They were spouting the same rubbish bout our league form-our league performances were actually BETTER this year than last year. Personally I dont mind playing in Div 2 next year.I dont think we need more winter grudge matches with Tyrone and Mayo and another relegation dogfight.

TBH I dont see us as contenders next year either-basically I think McGuinness pulled off one of the greatest managerial coups ever winning the all ireland with that group of players and it would be a miracle to do it twice- I think we probably have the fifth best squad in terms of talent.

Well there were plenty here telling us that Donegal were a real contender for 2013.
The league relegation is a big problem for Donegal, and the fact that they did better in the league in 2013 than in 2012 matter not a hoot cos they got relegated in 2013
Ulster has become more competitive in 2014, Tyrone will improve, Cavan are beginning to build and will learn a lot from 2013, Monagahn may not learn as much but as defending champs they will be competitive.
So playing against the lesser lights in Div 2 will not be of the same benefit to Donegal as playing Div 1 would be when they get to the summer.
That being said they could be a Semi Final team come August depending how draws go etc
Jimmy's commitment to Celtic and his new back room team will have a big baring on how they get on.

Gerry91

Agree about relegation being a bit of a problem ^^

Also agree that depending on draw Donegal could well go deep in the All Ireland

Fine their season will be remembered for that drubbing at Mayo but still I thought there were some positives for champ. Fine they didn't win Ulster but it really was an inspired Monaghan they faced in their own back garden

Beat Down playing poorly, which is always a good sign of a team and beat Tyrone with a good professional performance IMO. Tyrone who had just made a league final

The Laois result was really underrated IMO. They're only the second team to do the 6 day turnaround or something mad like that. Laois aren't a pushover and made quarters the year before and had built up huge momentum this year with 3 qualifier wins under their belt. It's not easy get back up after a disappointing loss, just ask Kerry in 2012 who probably should have been knocked out by Westmeath. The two most important players were missing too in Lacey and McHugh

No, as a Mayo man I'd rather see ye out nice and early if at all possible- with respect. Everything fell our way this year, it certainly wouldn't be near as easy again if we met ye next year, especially if ye had momentum built up

The draw will tell a lot tonight though. Ye had a tough Ulster draw last year in all fairness. I'll decide whether I fancy ye for Ulster or not when I see it I think (cop out I know!)

harpsman

We did start 2011 in Div 2 and won it,Ulster and got to AI semi where we lost to eventual champions by 2 points so Id probably take that again.
Not too many easy draws in Ulster next year.

Gerry91

harpsman wrote: »

We did start 2011 in Div 2 and won it,Ulster and got to AI semi where we lost to eventual champions by 2 points so Id probably take that again.
Not too many easy draws in Ulster next year.

Maybe not but if ye got Antrim round 1 and a winner of Fermanagh and Armagh in round 2 I couldn't see ye being too disappointed

harpsman

Gerry91 wrote: »

Maybe not but if ye got Antrim round 1 and a winner of Fermanagh and Armagh in round 2 I couldn't see ye being too disappointed

Id take that draw.
Also,Donegal and Mayo on opposite side of draw next year so if both teams on form wont meet til final-which I think wed both take;)

Gerry91

harpsman wrote: »

Id take that draw.
Also,Donegal and Mayo on opposite side of draw next year so if both teams on form wont meet til final-which I think wed both take;)

That's for sure!

notfromhere

Derry not a bad draw

Gerry91

Super draw for ye. Ye'll certainly make Ulster final anyway. I'd have ye faves for Ulster now based on that

Ye could take beating lads

notfromhere

Dont know about being faves Gerry. But a good draw.

overshoot

harpsman wrote: »

Thought I d throw this up see if theres any interest.
Opinions on new backroom team,reasons for departure of old one, McGuinness claim that his players had 9 games in 11 weeks during championship season, possible new players or anything else!!

iv more or less given up on the sports threads in the donegal forum... will probably do better here alright.

harpsman wrote: »

Agree we were never really contenders last year-winnin and celebratin an all ireland takes alot out of any team,particularly in a county that doesnt win too many and a style of play that is as labour intensive as Donegal.Throw in a few injuries and no squad depth and you re in trouble.

the county championship being rolled into a few weeks was a massive contributor too. Its mcguinness' & id say a few players last hurrahs this year so we may have a chance IF we have a fit squad. if bonner keeps his head in check i think he will be a good addition too. could see himself & gallagher in midfield with the 2mchughs & kavanagh at half forward.

great draw for us in ulster... wary of McIvor but not sure if derry have the squad to be up to too much. happy to see down/tyrone/monaghan/cavan (who i think will push on this year... altho still lose the semi) take each other out

harpsman

Whaddya mean? Derry are div1 and we re div2 so they ll be overwhelming favourites by your earlier logic!! All in all a decent draw. All joking aside going to celtic park gonna be tough- ive alot of respect for mciver. Think derry could be dangerous.

Gerry91

overshoot wrote: »

iv more or less given up on the sports threads in the donegal forum... will probably do better here alright.


the county championship being rolled into a few weeks was a massive contributor too. Its mcguinness' & id say a few players last hurrahs this year so we may have a chance IF we have a fit squad. if bonner keeps his head in check i think he will be a good addition too. could see himself & gallagher in midfield with the 2mchughs & kavanagh at half forward.

great draw for us in ulster... wary of McIvor but not sure if derry have the squad to be up to too much. happy to see down/tyrone/monaghan/cavan (who i think will push on this year... altho still lose the semi) take each other out

Who's Bonner?

harpsman

Gerry91 wrote: »

Agree about relegation being a bit of a problem ^^


Whaddya mean? Derry are div1 and we re div2 so they ll be overwhelming favourites by your earlier logic!! All in all a decent draw. All joking aside going to celtic park gonna be tough- ive alot of respect for mciver. Think derry could be dangerous.

Gerry91

harpsman wrote: »

Gerry91 wrote: »

Agree about relegation being a bit of a problem ^^


Whaddya mean? Derry are div1 and we re div2 so they ll be overwhelming favourites by your earlier logic!! All in all a decent draw. All joking aside going to celtic park gonna be tough- ive alot of respect for mciver. Think derry could be dangerous.

As in a problem if ye met Down, Monaghan or Tyrone early perhaps! With that draw I can't see it being an issue though

Derry flatter to deceive ye'll get through it

overshoot

Gerry91 wrote: »

Who's Bonner?

Additions to the squad for 2014;

McGuinness also confirmed that he had added to the squad with the inclusion of Ciaran Bonner (Glenswilly), Leon Thompson (Naomh Conaill), Christy Toye, Antoin McFadden (St. Michael’s), Conor Classon (Ardara), Thomas McKinley (Naomh Colmcille), Hugh McFadden (Killybegs), Stephen McLaughlin (Malin) and Darach O’Connor (Buncrana).

good player, was in the squad before, think he was part of the Div1 winning team in 07, i think hes 28. good player (...discipline, think it was why he was dropped), a doubt for the county semi this weekend tho,

Gerry91

overshoot wrote: »

Additions to the squad for 2014;


good player, was in the squad before, think he was part of the Div1 winning team in 07, i think hes 28. good player (...discipline, think it was why he was dropped), a doubt for the county semi this weekend tho,

You're right I remember him well now come to think of it, brain is fried!

Cheers

harpsman

Gerry91 wrote: »

harpsman wrote: »

As in a problem if ye met Down, Monaghan or Tyrone early perhaps! With that draw I can't see it being an issue though

Derry flatter to deceive ye'll get through it

Agree they to tend to flatter to deceive,still wont be takin em for granted.
Dont think Donegal have played a championship match in Derry in my lifetime so will be a novelty.

harpsman

Decent player alright- you would have to wonder why he hasnt been involved for the best years of his career-last i remember of him is having his jaw broken by Colm Mc Fadden-that will be interesting.

overshoot wrote: »

Additions to the squad for 2014;


good player, was in the squad before, think he was part of the Div1 winning team in 07, i think hes 28. good player (...discipline, think it was why he was dropped), a doubt for the county semi this weekend tho,

harpsman

Leon Thompson v handy too by all accounts-again discipline a possible issue.
Actually is he the little guy that played in 06?-handy but v small

overshoot

harpsman wrote: »

Leon Thompson v handy too by all accounts-again discipline a possible issue.
Actually is he the little guy that played in 06?-handy but v small

yea anthoneys older brother, thought his disipline was alright... could be wrong. he broke his leg very badly last time he was involved, not sure if he was the same player after, although i havnt seen him in a while so he could be back to his old form

overshoot

Glenswilly lucky to go through to the final, had it wrapped up and did their best to let Ardara back into it, better forwards (main difference glenswilly were ruthless in their attacks) and it probably would have been a defeat, ardara hit the post with the last kick of the game.

Bonner still showing as a bit of a liability too, glenswilly player down made out as if he was stamped on, i didnt see it, and given bonners delayed reaction he didnt either, still didnt stop him jumping in (he was the only one to do so).

K-9

Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport » Gallagher joins Maxi’s U21′s

Well that seems a confuffle over nothing!

Stoner

K-9 wrote: »

Highland Radio – Latest Donegal News and Sport » Gallagher joins Maxi’s U21′s

Well that seems a confuffle over nothing!

He did some mouthing last year for a second in command, I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with himself and McGuinness not being on the same team.

Donegal lost the myth they had in 2011 and 2012. Mayo and monaghan took care of that. However regardless they have a great spine IMHO with two of the best forwards in the game, and mcbrearty is handy too. Adding 5 or 6 fresh players with 2 or so being decent will be huge for Donegal IMHO. On their day the defence is the best in Ireland, defensively I rate Donegal 2011 & 2012 as the best in the country, only Mayo could challenge that.
Don't forget that Murphy is still a top three player he has great drive too and is a leader.

Looking at all that, if McGuinness gets his head on, grabs some fresh blood rather than talking about doing it (that's all he did last year) Donegal will be serious contenders this year, a top three team, and winners too.

harpsman

Love your optimism stoner.
Not too confident myself,would be delighted with an Ulster win and AI semi.

overshoot

i think we have a good chance if everyone stays fit, we dont have a squad although might have an improved bench this year due to less injuries and the few additions (ryan mchugh, bonner, toye, thompson back)

it took serious hunger in 2011/12 to do that, and im convinced its a few players & mcguinness' last year so they could give a right go at it. I dont think we lost the myth, we couldnt perfrom like the 2012 team, simple. Tyrone really put it up to us last year, played us at our/their? own game, were getting in behind and we managed to come through it. if they had that intensity this year they probably would have beaten us. it was our best performance by far this year but not at any of the 2012 levels

Tyrone got to an ulster semi and AI quarter in 04 (us/mayo)
first round of ulster and second of the qualifiers (laois) in 06 (after taking 2 games to beat louth in round 1), ulster win and AI semi in 09

if you look at teams who hadnt enjoyed repeated AI success and were used to winning (so exclude kerry and tyrone's third attempt), Armagh is the only team who came close to retaining their all Ireland since the qualifiers came in.


on another note, anyone at the county final, was away so didnt get to it,
based on the semi not expecting a whole lot in ulster.... then again we never do well there anyway!

Gerry91

overshoot wrote: »

i think we have a good chance if everyone stays fit,

Yeah this exactly.

harpsman

Yeah we certainly could do with those guys comin in/back to strengthen the panel.

overshoot

Nice flick from murphy there in the lead up to the goal

robbed stat from HS
out of glenswillys 3-19, murphy scored 1-5, and was involved in the build up of another 2-8 (so 3-12!)

K-9

We really should enjoy him while he's here, he's a once in a generation type player, Martin McHugh in his day is the only one that comes near his talent and influence in my time following the county team.

shiibata

K-9 wrote: »

We really should enjoy him while he's here, he's a once in a generation type player, Martin McHugh in his day is the only one that comes near his talent and influence in my time following the county team.

Spot on, my father went to the County final, his first game in upteen years, brother was home from abroad, so both went to it....but he could not get over the brilliance of Murphy, had a special word for big Neil too right enough..

As for past players, thought Tony Boyle at his best was a joy to behold as well..

Nidgeweasel

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Well there were plenty here telling us that Donegal were a real contender for 2013.
The league relegation is a big problem for Donegal, and the fact that they did better in the league in 2013 than in 2012 matter not a hoot cos they got relegated in 2013
Ulster has become more competitive in 2014, Tyrone will improve, Cavan are beginning to build and will learn a lot from 2013, Monagahn may not learn as much but as defending champs they will be competitive.
So playing against the lesser lights in Div 2 will not be of the same benefit to Donegal as playing Div 1 would be when they get to the summer.
That being said they could be a Semi Final team come August depending how draws go etc
Jimmy's commitment to Celtic and his new back room team will have a big baring on how they get on.

Disagree. Cavan will be out first round imo.

overshoot

didnt get to it... was at the FAI cup final but great result for Glenswilly today beating St. Galls. Roslea Shamrocks next up on November 17th, away that weekend tho too, club championship hasnt fallen well for me at all this year:mad:

haha just found St Gall's set sights on Uslter crown
first hurdle :pac:

Nidgeweasel

Will the Quigleys be back for Roslea? Glenswilly have a real chance of getting to the final. The standard in Fermanagh is poor.

overshoot

Donegal have been asked to explain their controversial club fixtures schedule with the GAA's powers that be.

Not a fan of postponing all matches until after the championship, i dont see why we are being pulled up on it though, other counties have been doing it for years.

K-9

Don't know why McGuinness is getting stick for it either, my understanding was the proposal was to play 2 club championship games first, the decision to defer all games came with the backing of the clubs.

overshoot

K-9 wrote: »

Don't know why McGuinness is getting stick for it either, my understanding was the proposal was to play 2 club championship games first, the decision to defer all games came with the backing of the clubs.

yea thought that was a better idea for the players (all around)
clubs didnt want it tho as the bottom falls out of everything else if they are out of the championship.
it hurts the other junior/intermediate teams tho as the stronger clubs field nearer their first teams in the smaller competitions to give players run outs while they wait on the big one

TheBigGreen

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=204679

Sounds very dodgy to me.

An inside job?

Nidgeweasel

An truth in the rumours that wee Grace the outgoing treasurer has been seen about the town wearing a fur coat and a crown?

harpsman

Anyone headin too club final to support Glenswilly?

overshoot

should be, have missed the last 2 games for various things & healy park isnt far!

i reckon ballinderry gives them a better shot than kilcoo or a full strength Cross would have, so hopefully we can land our second ulster club crown!
definitely going to be the toughest match for them by far though...

harpsman

Good comeback today in armagh. Obviously reading nothing into mckenna cup but still prefer winnin. Banty on radio after bit worried that hes playin his big guns this early. Young mcnialis q impressive by sounds of things

Nidgeweasel

Banty is a blubbering idiot. It's a fitness exercise. No more no less.

I felt MacNiallas done well last week also. Got about the place well, he's probaly more dynamic than Rory Kav and certainly more so than Big Neil, although those two are without doubt our first choice when fit.

overshoot

what the hell is going on tonight?! Donegal 1-9 Queens 3-0 as it stands!

has the uni/county debate gone too far & queens drafted their other football students?

Nidgeweasel

Pipped by Monaghan. Shame, the other two games could have been useful but not to worry. 3 games under the lads belts in the 'could' will have helped. Have a really tricky league start so hopefully we can follow on from two decent wins put our best foot forward.

overshoot

Highlights... although not great, only show 2 of the 6 goals altho murphy's is a belter (22 sec)
also incase anyone has missed it, my hope for a gallagher bonner midfield has already gone up in smoke! row at christmas, at least i warned about his attitude! thought he would have lasted a bit longer tho!
(ended up on page 1 as a reminder... still hating this redesigned boards that doesnt let you go to the last post you read-well on a pc)

Nidgeweasel

overshoot wrote: »

Highlights... although not great, only show 2 of the 6 goals altho murphy's is a belter (22 sec)
also incase anyone has missed it, my hope for a gallagher bonner midfield has already gone up in smoke! row at christmas, at least i warned about his attitude! thought he would have lasted a bit longer tho!
(ended up on page 1 as a reminder... still hating this redesigned boards that doesnt let you go to the last post you read-well on a pc)

Sure it's hardly a surprise. I'm a big fan of Bonner as a player but they guys an idiot.

You would have thought with Jim, what he's missed out on and what he could potentially achieve with this squad would be incentive enough to keep the head down but no.

Our mentality has moved on now, he'd have been a perfect one for the 'Party Boys' era but that has thankfully been consigned to the scraphead.

Pity because we could have done with him you know, our cup is not overflowing with natural attacking talent in our half forward line.

RMDrive

Not surprised at Bonner - it was always unlikely that he would fit in. The best of luck to him anyway.
Odhran McNeilis has done well so far this year and could be a HF option. Christy Toye is back in action too - hopefully he'll survive the league and be pushing for a championship place.

keane2097

What's the story with the Bonner guy?