ArnoldJRimmer wrote: » The preliminary round is a pain in the hole, but aside from that, I think its a very winnable side of the draw. I think we're capable of reaching an Ulster final against those teams, Antrim aside, we're probably at a similar level to them at this stage. Delighted to see Tyrone and Monaghan drawn in the first round, hopefully they kick lumps out of each other in a 3 game saga
Redsoxfan wrote: » Pat Shovelin has passed away. Very sad news.
Murphy14 wrote: » What does our county board be thinking moving fixtures around like this all home games should be in Mac Cumhaill Park particularly when we only have 3 home games. Playing politics!
Redsoxfan wrote: » Aside from the awful record in Letterkenny, both O'Donnell Park and Tierney Park are a pain in the hole/back etc for standing with their crappy 'terraces'.
bob skunkhouse wrote: » "I disagree that we should be making an Ulster Final from that side of the draw...." do you think the other side of the draw is easier? @CB - so if we don't make super 8 this year, does that mean the season wasn't successful? While I agree the super 8s is the way forward, if we didn't make it in year 1 I wouldn't consider it unfruitful (depending on the other factors I mentioned above of course). There's nothing in last year's play to suggest to me we are a top 8 team - maybe 7th or 8th but that's about it.
Redsoxfan wrote: » Well now. From the initial soundbites, on the face of it, to me at least, it appears Declan Bonner will approach the league in a similar fashion to Jim McGuinness. So, I am not expecting much from Division 1 next year, especially considering we have only 3 home games. Now, in any other year, I would be reasonably confident of beating Galway and Kildare at home, and, to be honest, Mayo too, but as we play them last, they usually finish strong. But, our County Board, in their wisdom, decide to cede home advantage by playing games in Letterkenny and Ballyshannon. Now, whatever about Ballyshannon needing the cash, Letterkenny doesn't, well, not over Ballybofey anyway. Then you look at our away games. Dublin, Kerry, Monaghan - teams we have absolutely horrible records against. Shame on any Donegal manager who doesn't want to beat Monaghan and by **** we should be able to. But, I expect nothing from those games, except maybe Monaghan, but unless we are really at the races, we won't beat them. Away to Tyrone is a horrible fixture as well, for any number of reasons. They are no great shakes, but they are very much the team to beat in Ulster. I would be more confident of winning in Omagh than in Croke Park or Tralee (Killarney????), but it seems unlikely at this stage. Hard to know what I want to see in the league. Some new (or indeed players we didn't see last year) get a chance. Try some things, or at least go out and play with a bit of freedom so that even if we don't win, we give a good account of ourselves. Playing ****e football and losing is not acceptable. But I'm not expecting much. The whole 'Ulster Championship' excuse will be trotted out. Fair enough, Declan didn't start that. Championship. Well, if we have everyone fit and they want to play for this manager, we should be good enough to make it to the Ulster Final. After that, it's probably as much about Tyrone, who are further down the road than we are, so we will need to hope they regress a little. But that's a long shot. If we don't improve from where we were last year, there's every chance Cavan can upset us in Ballybofey - we were there for the taking against Antrim last year. As long as it looks better than last year, I am not to pushed about results (who did we beat last year?), but I don't want to losing to teams outiside Division 1. Hopefully we can improve or at least get back to something like the level we were at, and the likes of EB Gallagher, J McGee and J Brennan can build on some promising performances from last year and show that they all belong at this level. It will be good to see McLoone and MacNiallais back and hopefully they can make a difference. Declan knows the underage talent, so let's see what he brings through. Whatever about last year, next year is definitely about 'transition' although the more 'transition' there is, the less years our more experienced players have left. 7th place in Division 1. Ulster Final loss to Tyrone. 1 win in Super 8.
doc_17 wrote: A good post. I agree with nearly everything.
Redsoxfan wrote: From the initial soundbites, on the face of it, to me at least, it appears Declan Bonner will approach the league in a similar fashion to Jim McGuinness. So, I am not expecting much from Division 1 next year, especially considering we have only 3 home games.
Redsoxfan wrote: » doc_17 wrote: A good post. I agree with nearly everything. Cheers! What do you not agree with?
