Redsoxfan wrote: » I would be surprised if we don't see Neil McGee starting on Sunday, unless he's had a setback or something.
Redsoxfan wrote: » So I guess what I am saying is that Rory is playing new faces out of necessity more so than anything else?
Redsoxfan wrote: » A good win in a cold and windy Ballyshannon yesterday. Cork played with a strong wind in the first half but were very conservative/defensive (before anyone has a go at me, I am not criticising them, just letting people know how they set up). Maybe they were trying to put in place a system for later in the year, maybe they know well that such a set up would yield dividends against Donegal, it's hard to know. Cuthbert himself admitted that Colm O'Neill only touched the ball once (aside from frees) in the first half - shocking that such a dangerous forward was not used more often, although I guess he was being marked by Neil McGee. They were happy to sit back and hit us on the break. We showed good enough patience in the first half, but we were still wasteful and I don't think that the conditions or the opposition can take all the credit for that. Second half we were much more aggressive and were well on top when Michael picked up his second yellow. I have no real issue with it but it was no worse than the Donaghy tackle they showed on League Sunday where he escaped a second yellow. Consistency etc. He should have known to watch himself given he was already on a yellow. Even after the sending off we should have been out of sight. Colm McFadden was wasteful with two chances of his own and then Ryan McHugh set him up when he really should have shot himself. I was disappointed with our defence in the second half - Cork were allowed too many second chances from poorly hit shots. But, we also showed good intensity when they tried running at us. With five minutes to go, I would have settled for a point as I was worried we were going to throw it away. Very happy to get the win in the circumstances. Marty O'Reilly did very well and should really have had 1-3 rather than 0-4, but four points from play for the wee man is very impressive. I thought he was a bit lost in Croke Park the last night, so happy to see him have an impact yesterday. Frank McGlynn was probably my man of the match. Big Neil and Christy also put in good shifts. Good to see Tony Thompson back in action. Hugh McFadden's tackling is crap and he gets booked too often and will continue to do so. People around me seemed to think he lacks puff, maybe the training is affecting him. Hopefully he shows improvement, he's been ok but not good enough for the summer at this stage. Eamon Doherty was just ok, I would need to watch the game again to make up my mind, but I don't think he did enough to keep his place when everyone is available. Has Paddy McGrath shrunk???? Joe McQ pissed everyone off. Thought Cork were pretty cute with when and where they fouled. Our accuracy and shot execution continues to worry me. Less than 50% again which is miles away from our usual efficiency when we are going well. People will blame the wind, but I don't think that tells the full story. Tl;dr; Donegal good enough, Cork very limited.
babybuilder wrote: Cannot wait for Monaghan game. Is Murphy available?
pardus wrote: » Always believed the heartland of Gaa in Donegal to be the south west of the county. Recently a native informed me that some areas in the south west are surprisingly soccer strongholds. Will someone shed some light on this please.
2moreMinutes wrote: » Woeful. Absolutely woeful. The only positive for me was that it didn't rain.
Nidgeweasel wrote: How was the gravel underfoot?
bob skunkhouse wrote: » Regarding your point about McFadden. While a great servant to the team down through the years, every dog has it's day and his was 2 years ago. His benefit to the team yesterday was zero. If Gallagher continues to show faith in him,then it's to the detriment of the team as a whole.
bob skunkhouse wrote: » One final comment, I went in to the Derry/Kerry a few weeks back and the one noticeable thing I took away from that game was that once he Kerry forwards got to within the score zone, nearly everyone of them managed to stick the ball over the bar, and this was despite them having 3 Derry men hanging off them. The Donegal forwards seem incapable of doing this either through lack of ability,or lack of confidence.
Boom__Boom wrote: » Next weekend's game should be interesting anyway. I'd imagine that the number travelling down is likely to be fairly small given the distance and yesterday's performance.
bob skunkhouse wrote: » Here, getting away from the football for a moment. There was a fairly serious medical emergency that happened a few rows below me in the stand about 50 mins before throw in. I have it on fairly sound advice that when they brought out the defibrillator to administer cardiac care, the thing had no batteries in it!If this turns out to be true, then puck me that's a fairly serious oversight.
Boom__Boom wrote: Next weekend's game should be interesting anyway. I'd imagine that the number travelling down is likely to be fairly small given the distance and yesterday's performance.
Redsoxfan wrote: » Well I am heading down, I relish the away trips, for the Saturday night at least. Last away win in Division One was in Mulligar in 2009 as far as I know.
bob skunkhouse wrote: » Terrible, terrible game to watch. I read Brolly's article in the Sindo last night and he was writing about teams having 12/13 men behind the ball. Well, yesterday I witnessed the whole 15 of Donegal's team back defending on multiple times. Not even Monaghan resorted to that - and they are noted for the mass defence. If this is what Gallagher is going to bring, I'd sooner have the local U12 manager take over. I'd many an argument the length and breadth of the country down through the years defending the 'blanket defence' but yesterday was indefensible. Not to make light of someone's misfortune, but the spectator who was stretchered out during the second half had a lucky escape in not having to watch the full game of this! Reading Gallagher's comments in the NP's and him talking about the team been "too lateral and conservative" - well...I'm sorry Rory but is this not the way they're are coached? They persisted with the short passing into the wind in the first half but then continued with it in the second half. Like FFS, how long did it take you to see that that approach wasn't working? The only score from the game came from a direct long ball into the edge of the square. When this reaped a goal, why did they not try it a few more times? Nobody has to be an expert to figure this out. Where the puck was plan B? Regarding your point about McFadden. While a great servant to the team down through the years, every dog has it's day and his was 2 years ago. His benefit to the team yesterday was zero. If Gallagher continues to show faith in him,then it's to the detriment of the team as a whole. Another thing, giving the ball 3-4 metres in front of Murphy isn't working. While he has the bulk to defend himself and ball when in possession, he doesn't have the pace to reach a ball that's kicked in front of him. Too many times yesterday the defender made it to the ball ahead of him. Another point, Mark McHugh was blown up for over carrying the ball when the nearest Monaghan player was 15 metres away. I mean, like c'on. This is a basic basic error. Maybe the point about the team looking tired and jaded isn't so absurd, but should they be feeling like this in the first week of March? I'm just thinking...I wonder is there a JMG hangover about the team. A new manager is meant to revitalise and invigour a team but I dont see this happening with this team. There were two instances in the game which got to me thinking. The first was Toye's shot from about 40m out that went gloriously wide. The ball went over and back, over and back about 20 times before he took the shot - which in my opinion was born more of frustration than any serious thought of sticking it over the bar. It wasn't even a shot to nothing! The second point, soon after that incident, again after repeated lateral movement, Neil Gallagher gave a pass into Murphy (I think - possibly Paddy Mc), anyway, Monaghan won the ball and started a counter attack. Well...Gallagher went nuts with the inside forwards, arms flailing - the lot - asking where the runners where. He was 100% right, nobody was making any moves at all at all...I'm thinking to myself...is there any disharmony creeping through the team. I'm sure the players themselves don't want to be playing this standard of crap football either. Last October, with only Kavanagh the serious retiree from the panel, I felt confident of Donegal making another AI semi final at least. After yesterday's game, I'm not so confident now. One final comment, I went in to the Derry/Kerry a few weeks back and the one noticeable thing I took away from that game was that once he Kerry forwards got to within the score zone, nearly everyone of them managed to stick the ball over the bar, and this was despite them having 3 Derry men hanging off them. The Donegal forwards seem incapable of doing this either through lack of ability,or lack of confidence.
Boom__Boom wrote: Well I suppose I should wish you well in enjoying your trip but I'll be hoping you don't enjoy the result and as a Killarney native I can't help think you'll be missing out by having to go to Tralee.
