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

For me, having been a supporter of the defensive system since the noughties, this Donegal system has taken it to the nth degree, but to win games, were relying on McBrearty and Mick scoring freely. Whatever about Mick, McB certainly wont help. Dublin's individual defenders are the best I've seen on years, so don't need to blanket defence, and they will have the manpower to defeat Donegal in my eyes. I would suggest a win for Dublin by well above what the bookies have as handicap (8 points?)

I don't see this game being as close or as tight as all the pundits are predicting. I think Donegal will get the same treatment as all the other teams we've encountered this year so far and will be lucky to be within 6 or 7 points of us at the end. To honest, I can easily see a dubs victory in the 12-15+ points range.

#COYBIB

My heart is saying Donegal, but head saying Dublin.
I will be a big ask for Donegal to win. Its Dublins to lose.
Lets see if they are as great as we are all being told they are.

NIMAN wrote: »

My heart is saying Donegal, but head saying Dublin.
I will be a big ask for Donegal to win. Its Dublins to lose.
Lets see if they are as great as we are all being told they are.

Any Donegal supporter that stayed back last day to watch the Monaghan game would've seen that this Dublin team are the real deal. It's not bigheadedness or arrogance it's just the planets have aligned and we've been given a great panel of players and a very rarely mentioned great backroom team too.

The Dublin team come into this game better prepared than at any time so far. If Dublin lose tomorrow, it'll be because they didn't play well. If they don't play well, it'll be because Donegal didn't let them. I'll certainly not be offerering any excuses

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

On balance, based in what I've seen of Dublin this year, I think we should have the edge on Donegal tomorrow.

However I would caution against the over confidence being shown by many fans.

We all know Dublin are capable of playing a blinder, but they are also capable of completely imploding.

Let's not count our chickens just yet.

Not this team under this management

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

On balance, based in what I've seen of Dublin this year, I think we should have the edge on Donegal tomorrow.

However I would caution against the over confidence being shown by many fans.

We all know Dublin are capable of playing a blinder, but they are also capable of completely imploding.

Let's not count our chickens just yet.

Is that just a banal, historical observation or is that actually levelled at the current side? If its the latter you obviously haven't been watching much football lately.

Grandeeod wrote: »

I concur. Not a side that bottles it anymore. If they were 10 points down at half time, I'd still feel confidant. But anyway, lets get it on later today. Can't sleep, won't sleep. Even told the missus I wasn't interested in you know what.:D Watching it in a foreign land. Went to the LF on a visit back home, but feel a bit different about this game.

Last game I watched abroad (poor planing on my part), was the 2002 AISF v Armagh in Peurta Rica. Pub was mobbed barely could see the tele in a sauna like atmosphere - anyways Ray Cosgroves last minute free to level it, huge roar goes up I'm up and at it ... didn't realise it was the 300 odd non Dub supporters shouting

Donegal double today returns 21/1 - is the country really that naive?

This Dublin team hasnt been tested since last September, while Donegal have practised grinding out victories against Derry, Monaghan and Armagh this summer so far. There's youth and experience in this Donegal squad - I give Jimmy every chance.

The one thing that concerns me is if we get a Red/Black card very early on, we obviously dont have the strength in depth that Dublin do.

Anyway, I believe!

intellectual dosser wrote: »

Donegal double today returns 21/1 - is the country really that naive?

This Dublin team hasnt been tested since last September, while Donegal have practised grinding out victories against Derry, Monaghan and Armagh this summer so far. There's youth and experience in this Donegal squad - I give Jimmy every chance.


Anyway, I believe!

crazy odds i guess you must have some on at that price
most dublin supporters are expecting a much closer game than the media and bookies are predicting
odds never won matches it is what happens today at 1.30 and 3.30 in croke park is all that matters

I am steaming on this train back to Dublin.

COYBIB

. also ****ing delighted Kerry won yesterday!

Getting more nervous the closer it gets, unless we get a lead early I think this will be very tight (and not too easy on the eye). Dublin under Gavin haven't had to deal with this other than about 20 mins against Monaghan, It'll be tough but I think we'll win.