Dublin v Donegal Sunday 31 August AI semifinal Mod Warning Posts #392 #541

intellectual dosser wrote: »

Jeez Tod you're one of my favorite posters on the GAA forum, I've never seen you allow emotion creep into a post so much.

I remember being on Hill 16 for the 2012 final and the behavior of a group of Mayo fans beside me before the game wasn't anything to be proud of - but I wont be labeling all Mayo supporters with the same reputation.

The strange thing about the style of play is that if you brought someone from 20 years ago into the present day they'd also be asking questions of Dublin, Mayo and Kerry too. Constant Hand passing and multi-man tackling are now such a common part of everyone's game that no one talks about it anymore. Donegal have surely taken it to a further extreme and therefore take most of the flak, 5 years ago it was Tyrone, now its Donegal - who's next?

Jimmy wont be apologizing to anyone - 3 years since that semi final people need to get over it.

I have never had issue with Mayo fans really. Well except that town was deserted last year after the final. Understandably so.

The best craic to be had is when there's an Ulster team in town (except those Orchard shower), and it tends to be a great day out regardless of what unfolds on the pitch.

And when it's Dublin v (insert Ulster team here) it's ninety!


The oft-stated "there wasn't that much handpassing 20/30/40 years ago" grates on me somewhat. If they were playing football out there today like they did when I was in my teens I would turn my back to it.

Some of the 'ball that has been played in the last ten years has been spectacular. Hand passing is a tactical addition as opposed to a way out of trouble as it often felt like back in the day.

The quality of foot passing is light years ahead of that up-and-under crap we were subjected to for decades.

The Tyrone team from 2008 is my favourite of the lot. Only this current Dublin squad is coming close to playing with such verve.

Tom Joad wrote: »

Feel like I have stumbling into some altered reality here:eek:.

As a neutral here have to object to what was said about the Donegal fans -some of the most decent, soundest and wittiest fans I have met from any county are Donegal fans. Also what they have achieved coming from being a laughing stock team of party boys to what they have achieved is nothing short of outstanding and they have now developed some cracking underage teams too so Jim has laid the foundations for a very good period for Donegal in the future. And all in the toughest province to get through and with a limited squad.

But sure you can't be neutral with Donegal, lest the ancients turn in their grave, you have to hate them or nothing! :P

Their 2012 performance was breathtaking and some of the football they played was exceptional. There was only ever gonna be one winner of that final v Mayo for me from the second they got there.

I was at the Donegal Mayo game last year when Mayo obliterated Donegal and have to say that we still had the crack with the Donegal supporters but the Mayo supporters around me were some of the greatest most arrogant obnoxious bell ends I ever met wearing GAA jerseys (and I've been in Santa Ponza with a group of Dublin fans ). But I wouldn't generalise all Mayo fans to be like that - but it is laughable that some Mayo supporters think they are superior to Donegal based on the lazy old Sunday Game cliches about the way they play and think they would hockey Donegal in an AI Final - come on lads no offence but it's Mayo on All Ireland Final day!! To say you would hockey anyone is incredible to say the least.

That game last year was inevitable after the Monaghan game I thought. And to be honest Mayo spunked their lot that day.

Anyway back on topic - I think Donegal will keep it tight early on but come the 50th minute Dublin will have one of their power periods and will run out winners by 7 points.

I'd say it'll be 'til the 60 and we'll win by 7.

DoctaDee wrote: »

THAT semi final in 2011; intriguing, enthralling ?, well yeah to the same degree as you rubberneck a car crash. Mickey Whelan spoke of the Dubs preparation for the game, playing countless practice matches with a packed defence - even 18 v 15 aside. Jim Mc confiscated mobile phones as the war room readied battle stations. What unfolded was outside the scope of anything that Dublin had reasonably prepared for - frustration was evident both on the field and in the stands. I thought that particular atmosphere served as an advantage to Donegal.

That SF was unbelievable. The tension in the stadium was like nothing I have ever experienced at HQ, before or since. Even the last 10 against Kerry in the Final didn't come close to that.

You really appreciate what a remarkable tactical battle that was on re-watches. Frankly a Herculean performance from Donegal. The discipline to a man was exceptoional.

The comments from Spillane afterwards were odious, with his "victory for football" bull.
If Donegal came out of that gamethen it was a clear case of the best team won. Both teams were magnificent.

Fast forward 3 years and that intervening period has served as a great learning period to others on the facets of the defensive game. Flynner now speaks the mantra of "Patience" as the 1st step in approaching the match. Past30Now alluded to the post I had regarding the Dublin planning for this defensive system. It has been 8 months of refinement - but this is not being dismissive of games upto the Monaghan match either as the style of play was suited to all eventualities. It's not rocket science, moving the ball quickly with committed numbers, isolating 2v1 situations with runners off the shoulder and the ball being moved quickly thru the hands. Dublins advantage is they can do it quicker than most (with the possible exception of Kerry), but tellingly they can do it for longer than everybody.

Dublin have replicated the Donegal defensive system as a well coached philosophy in AvB practice games - but to my mind there's no way Donegal can mirror the Dublin way of playing.

Things have gone very quiet on the Dublin front - I'd spoken with a few of the players prior to the Monaghan game and might have picked up a snippet or 2 of info elsewhere, but have heard nothing. But make no mistake about it, this is the match they've had in their crosshairs all season

We all know how far Dublin have taken the game in the last 4 years, but my God, it's frightening to read it, isn't it?

Tom Joad wrote: »

As a neutral here .

No you're not, you just have to hide it better and be fair.

The curse of being a Mod!

BonnieSituation wrote: »

The Tyrone team from 2008 is my favourite of the lot. Only this current Dublin squad is coming close to playing with such verve.

My favourite team of the last 20 years as well, breath taking at their best, but I do think Dublin have taken their style, and Donegal in 2012, onto another level. In fairness they just have more numbers and more talented players which helps, plus the dedication to make it work.

Total respect here in Donegal for Dublin, everybody understands the massive task we have.

BonnieSituation wrote: »

...................We all know how far Dublin have taken the game in the last 4 years, but my God, it's frightening to read it, isn't it?

Sorry, didn't want to quote the whole post but just a few thoughts.

I can't remember much of the 2011 SF tbh, I know I walked out afterwards feeling like I'd been tasered repeatedly.

The 2010 SF v Cork remains the defining atmosphere for me, purely because it was incessant for the 75 odd mins of the match .. again I walked out feeling tasered repeatedly, but had so much pride in the Dubs coming from the hammering the previous year although an ultimately fruitlless ending for them. This was closely followed by the NHL final in 2011, a crowd of around 35,000 made some racket, and of course the AI in 2011 when I fell down the steps after Cluxton pointed, memories and a scar for prosperity.

I always felt there was a mutual admiration between Dublin & Tyrone fans a few years back (when we weren't winning ) .. sort've a "no one likes us we don't care" kindred spirit.

Finally ... yeah it is frightening their preparation with regards work & resolve, but in a very understated way. I haven't met the more "colourful" characters on the team, but the ones I have are very matter of fact.

It reminds me of a scene in "League of their Own" when James Corden was talking about the eastend of London hard men, the fellas that were full of talk and "bish,bop", then the proper hard men that just needed to sniff to make a point. I'd imagine all great sport teams excude a certain vibe much akin to a hard man sniff

intellectual dosser wrote: »

Jeez Tod you're one of my favorite posters on the GAA forum, I've never seen you allow emotion creep into a post so much.

I remember being on Hill 16 for the 2012 final and the behavior of a group of Mayo fans beside me before the game wasn't anything to be proud of - but I wont be labeling all Mayo supporters with the same reputation.

The strange thing about the style of play is that if you brought someone from 20 years ago into the present day they'd also be asking questions of Dublin, Mayo and Kerry too. Constant Hand passing and multi-man tackling are now such a common part of everyone's game that no one talks about it anymore. Donegal have surely taken it to a further extreme and therefore take most of the flak, 5 years ago it was Tyrone, now its Donegal - who's next?

Jimmy wont be apologizing to anyone - 3 years since that semi final people need to get over it.

You're dead right,every county has it's own quota of idiots.Mayo is no different.The vast,vast majority of Mayo fans admire Donegal for what they have achieved in recent years whatever the tactics.
They were worthy winners of the AI in 2012,you've got some excellent footballers(one with more than a drop of Mayo blood ),I for one would'nt derive any satisfaction from our North Western neighbours getting a hammering on Sunday.

Is this match a sell out?

Cannot buy tickets online now but no sign from media how tickets are selling. Was assumption it would be a sell out but heard Super Valu in Donegal report they have loads of tickets.

Don't know is this allowed moderators but I have two premium level tickets & am looking to swap with anybody that might be able to get their hands on 3 normal tickets(or two adults & child) together? Any chance?

BonnieSituation wrote: »

The Tyrone team from 2008 is my favourite of the lot. Only this current Dublin squad is coming close to playing with such verve.

K-9 wrote: »

My favourite team of the last 20 years as well, breath taking at their best, but I do think Dublin have taken their style, and Donegal in 2012, onto another level. In fairness they just have more numbers and more talented players which helps, plus the dedication to make it work.

Total respect here in Donegal for Dublin, everybody understands the massive task we have.

Mine too.

The end to that 2008 final is how I'd dream of Donegal winning one if they ever got the chance again.

They were such a brilliant side, Tyrone. I loved watching them. They're the best I've seen I think. I know people say the Kerry boys and now the Dubs but I would back that Tyrone side against anyone. They had that je ne sais quoi that the others didn't. Think it may be steel or northern grit. Possibly as a result of the tragedies that they have encountered on the way. McGirr, Omagh, Cormac.

Does anyone know if the minor game will be televised or available abroad?

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Does anyone know if the minor game will be televised or available abroad?

Its live on TG4. Don't know if they stream worldwide though.

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

Agreed, the 2005 team was a superb team with a lot of them at the top of their game.

True enough, I just preferred the style of football more in 08, the annihilation of Dublin was spectacular at times.

K-9 wrote: »

True enough, I just preferred the style of football more in 08, the annihilation of Dublin was spectacular at times.

Ha yeah all from a team beaten 1st round in Ulster that year. We were hammered by Tyrone, we were annihilated by Kerry the following year

K-9 wrote: »

True enough, I just preferred the style of football more in 08, the annihilation of Dublin was spectacular at times.

It's the only time I ever left a match early. We'd lost two semi finals in a row and it felt that we were on the verge of a breakthrough. Pillar Caffrey had done a great job with the team, but that was a sickener. The 05 team for Tyrone was better than the 08 team, but that performance by them was excellent.

for a match thread there is not much about the actual match here.
heres hoping for the rain and wind to come on sunday might slow up dublins running game.

Worth a 50 quid punt on donegal at 7-1