Jayop wrote: The second time they all booed I counted and every single Galway player was in their own half. Very little understanding among them of what actually caused Donegal to retain the possession on those two instances.
Redsoxfan wrote: » It was kind of a strange game on Saturday. We started so well, and then came the almost inevitable decline. To then finish up winning by 10 points is kind of misleading, because between the 15th and 50th minute, we didn’t play that well at all. We got the breaks in the 2nd half – with Conroy missing a fairly kickable free and then being denied one when he seemed to be fairly clearly fouled by Neil McGee. But no harm to finish with a flourish for a change. Still, there were some positive signs. Odhran MacNiallais for one. The points, the passing, the work rate. Very good. Martin McElhinney was too reckless with his shooting but he did make an impact which as good to see after the Ulster Final. Ryan McHugh was everywhere – great to see him back to his best. Finally, we get to see Michael Murphy where he is most effective. Fair enough, it might not always work, especially in Ulster, but we have to try and persist with it more often – the results speak for themselves. His play further out the field isn’t that effective – surely we have someone else who can perform more or less the same role? Again, Paddy is confusing/frustrating – is he injured or not and how bad is it? Those were two very bad wides in the 2nd half. To be fair, he still showed well a lot of the time without getting any good ball. Colm wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but f**k it, I am going to focus on the positives, he still contributed a lot. It’s great to see, as was another Christy Toye goal in Croke Park. Hugh McFadden wasn’t great, but he put himself about. Dreadful kick pass in 1st half. Didn’t kick the ball other than that. Thought that E Doherty really struggled – continually beaten by his man and Paddy McGrath’s black card was down to him. Thompson, Leo and Walsh all looked pretty good coming on. The first two could have a big part to play on Saturday. If Paddy doesn’t start, could Leo be a good partner for Michael up top? Unlikely, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it. We still kicked too many wides and our defence still looks suspect when run at – and we will see plenty of that on Saturday. My biggest concern is that E McGee, Lacey, Murphy (despite what Rory says), Paddy and maybe even Frank are not 100%. Mayo will be well rested and aren't really carrying any injuries we know of. It could well end up like 2013. I hope we can keep it interesting. But I just can’t see us winning at this stage. It’s a big step up from Galway and a very different kind of challenge from Monaghan.
Redsoxfan wrote: » My biggest concern is that E McGee, Lacey, Murphy (despite what Rory says), Paddy and maybe even Frank are not 100%. Mayo will be well rested and aren't really carrying any injuries we know of. It could well end up like 2013. I hope we can keep it interesting. But I just can’t see us winning at this stage. It’s a big step up from Galway and a very different kind of challenge from Monaghan.
K-9 wrote: » Maybe one of the Down or Galway lads from the 60's. Can't think of anybody more recent. JackO but he was a midfielder.
harpsman wrote: » On a point of trivia Christy has championship goals in Croke Park 13 years apart going back to Meath 02. Has anyone else done this?
jjdonegal wrote: Can anyone log into their season ticket account? Won't let me in and I'm trying to opt out of our 2 season tickets as have got tickets elsewhere. Nuisance as deadline is tomo morning.
jjdonegal wrote: » Can anyone log into their season ticket account? Won't let me in and I'm trying to opt out of our 2 season tickets as have got tickets elsewhere. Nuisance as deadline is tomo morning.
Redsoxfan wrote: » Let's discuss. When Michael plays deep, what does he offer? He's big and physical, so his presence alone is an asset around midfield and even under our own crossbar. He's can also be a good kick passer, but who does he end up passing to if he's not inside? He can't tackle and it could be said that his tackling is a liability. So, can we afford to leave Michael at full forward if we play Hugh McFadden as a third midfielder. I'd say, yes, we can. If you think back to 2012, Jim used to like picking Ryan Bradley. No harm to him, but he wasn't the finest footballer. But he worked hard and was a big strong lad who could get stuck in around midfield. Michael played wholly at FF in 2012 as far as I recall and it worked pretty well. Can Hugh McFadden be Ryan Bradley? Yes, I believe that he can. He works hard enough. His tackling is poor. He doesn't try anything too adventurous. Pick him and we might be able to leave Michael at FF, where he is at his most effective. With reasonable ball, there is no one better in that position. I'd be leaning towards the following: Durcan McGrath N McGee E McGee (but I don't believe that he's fit and I worry that he will be pushed around by Aidan O'Se if he ends up marking him) Thompson McGlynn M McHugh Gallagher H McFadden R McHugh MacNiallais Toye O'Reilly Murphy C McFadden Subs all to come on at some stage - McBrearty, McElhinney, Lacey, Dec Walsh, McLoone Finish with your strongest team. Hopefully the team that starts will be able to keep us in the game long enough for the likes of Paddy, McElhinney (both seem to play better as subs) and McLoone can have a real impact.
Ceist_Beag wrote: » y the boys are pushing themselves that gives me hope that they can really give Mayo a good rattle on Saturday. If we can keep out the goal chances
harpsman wrote: » Ive alot of time for Mayo fans but a larger proportion than normal were very ungracious that day. My personal theory is that their noses were very out of joint after losing a final to little old Donegal the previous year. Could be wrong.
Redsoxfan wrote: » Let's discuss. When Michael plays deep, what does he offer? He's big and physical, so his presence alone is an asset around midfield and even under our own crossbar. He's can also be a good kick passer, but who does he end up passing to if he's not inside? He can't tackle and it could be said that his tackling is a liability.
Boom__Boom wrote: » He was sent off 3 times in the league with 2 blacks and a red from 2 yellows. He also has had a couple of close shaves with some of his tackles in the championship - he picked one yellow which was the correct decision but wasn't a million miles from the black (and a huge factor in these ones can be how the player fouled ends up going to ground) and there was another tackle where I'm not sure if he picked up a card but also wasn't a million miles from a black. Having him out the field constantly tackling is definitely taking a risk - I'd imagine he would be far safer in terms of lasting the full 70 in by goal.
Redsoxfan wrote: But, I agree that in general, he needs to be more careful.
Nidgeweasel wrote: » He's been a very lucky boy in the past two games imo. He should have gone in the Ulster final and again on Saturday. I actually think he was persecuted somewhat during the league because of his physicality, some of the calls were very debatable but those examples I've just given he was blessed not to go.
Redsoxfan wrote: » On Michael, one of the blacks in the League was very much deliberate (v Tyrone). Donegal were winning easily and were pretty much assured of their Division One status, so he was 'advised' to take one and missed the Mayo game. Clean slate for the Championship. I recall the red against Cork. The 2nd yellow was quite harsh, but he needed to watch himself given he was already on a yellow. I felt the Sunday Game focusing on that aspect of his game last week was a little odd. But, I agree that in general, he needs to be more careful.
