Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

RMDrive · 16-01-2014 11:28pm

keane2097 wrote: »

What's the story with the Bonner guy?

Loads of talent, important member of Glenswilly team (current DL SFC champions), was previously on panel over the years and was dropped from it a few times, issues with the discipline required at IC level.

overshoot · 17-01-2014 11:02am

RMDrive wrote: »

Loads of talent, important member of Glenswilly team (current DL SFC champions), was previously on panel over the years and was dropped from it a few times, issues with the discipline required at IC level.

yep, even when he was part of the partyboy panel which says it all! There was still a bit of it left when he was first called up i think
I remember him having a moment in the county semi last year before ardara got themselves back into it, glenswilly were well enough ahead although the officials missed it (i think). If you cant keep your head when its all going your way....

Nidgeweasel · 17-01-2014 2:44pm

RMDrive wrote: »

Not surprised at Bonner - it was always unlikely that he would fit in. The best of luck to him anyway.
Odhran McNeilis has done well so far this year and could be a HF option. Christy Toye is back in action too - hopefully he'll survive the league and be pushing for a championship place.

Christy hasn't been a starter under Jim. Great one there to have to bring on though.

harpsman · 17-01-2014 4:53pm

Yeah not surprised that Bonnar didnt last-youd have to ask why he wasnt involved for last 3 years? Id have similar concerns about Leon Thompson tbh.
Unfortunately because we re desperate for back up Jim took a risk on them.

Nidgeweasel · 17-01-2014 10:17pm

harpsman wrote: »

Yeah not surprised that Bonnar didnt last-youd have to ask why he wasnt involved for last 3 years? Id have similar concerns about Leon Thompson tbh.
Unfortunately because we re desperate for back up Jim took a risk on them.

Thompsons had his share on injuries hasnt he? From what I've been told he was asked back but needed to get a good year or so with the club under his belt first. Whether that's accurate or not I don't know.

He's a good lad though, Thompson. Wouldn't have any of the concerns id have about Bonner about him. Been involved before and done alright, not really sure if he's up to it though. Similar to Colin Kelly, surprised he didn't get a call. Very good for Glenswilly this year in the games I seen.

RMDrive · 18-01-2014 12:20am

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Thompsons had his share on injuries hasnt he? From what I've been told he was asked back but needed to get a good year or so with the club under his belt first. Whether that's accurate or not I don't know.

He's a good lad though, Thompson. Wouldn't have any of the concerns id have about Bonner about him. Been involved before and done alright, not really sure if he's up to it though. Similar to Colin Kelly, surprised he didn't get a call. Very good for Glenswilly this year in the games I seen.

Kelly can't commit I believe. Thompson is a bit small - him, Hanlon and Jigger will struggle (have struggled) to break into the team I reckon.

Nidgeweasel · 19-01-2014 12:45am

RMDrive wrote: »

Kelly can't commit I believe. Thompson is a bit small - him, Hanlon and Jigger will struggle (have struggled) to break into the team I reckon.

Really don't know why O'Connor is in there. The kid's a great prospect and will go on to great things but he's only a wean. I've seen a smaller player than him (a minor too) tie him up in knots in the intermediate championship this year, I couldn't see him up against IC players just yet.

The experience and everything of being around the panel will do him good, but I'd be surprised if we got any real change out of him until he's out of U-21s.

I remember being in Carrick in 2007 when Murphy saved the day against Leitrim, Murphy was a man, even back then. O'Connor's not. McBrearty's another one who's physically cut out for it and we haven't had anywhere near a consistent return from him.-yet.

Agree re: Thompson. Remember a few years ago we had him, Wappa and Colin Kelly in a front 3 for a league game.

And people say there's big men in the hills!

harpsman · 19-01-2014 7:48pm

Remember thompson i think against fermanagh and cork in 06 and was very nippy and dangerous. I was talkin to somebody who saw him in club champ last year and said he was brilliant. He did tap over a goal chance against cork that probably woulda won it for us. Remember bonner hittin one of the fermanagh lads a shoulder that nearly killed him. Pity hes such a tosser.
As for colin kelly he opted out in mcivers time cos he likes to go out every weekend. Guess its his own life

overshoot · 19-01-2014 7:55pm

harpsman wrote: »

Remember bonner hittin one of the fermanagh lads a shoulder that nearly killed him

was that just after bonner had been (fairly) shouldered off the pitch himself? he came back in from the sideline, gave at least twice what he got and to make it worse, the player had never seen it coming? it was also legal but could be a completely different event, thats just the most brutal one i can remember from around that time!

harpsman · 19-01-2014 9:45pm

Yeah. Thats the one. Fermanagh crowd were going mental but as u say it was legal.
How u all feelin bout this season. Personally im happy enough to be in div 2. Id prefer to be winning games than losing most in div1 and i think the standard is ok. Hopefully win the division and set us up for tricky trip to celtic park

K-9 · 20-01-2014 12:27am

harpsman wrote: »

Yeah. Thats the one. Fermanagh crowd were going mental but as u say it was legal.
How u all feelin bout this season. Personally im happy enough to be in div 2. Id prefer to be winning games than losing most in div1 and i think the standard is ok. Hopefully win the division and set us up for tricky trip to celtic park

Being optimistic it might suit us, still good competition, for me barring the top 4/5 teams there isn't a hell of a lot between the next 10 or so, though obviously we will miss out playing those top teams and the difference in quality and intensity they offer, even in league games. Division 1 was a very high standard last year.

For us it's a matter of getting all the lads fit and hopefully adding 1 or 2 to the panel, if we get promoted that's a bonus.

Nidgeweasel · 20-01-2014 2:03am

harpsman wrote: »

Remember thompson i think against fermanagh and cork in 06 and was very nippy and dangerous. I was talkin to somebody who saw him in club champ last year and said he was brilliant. He did tap over a goal chance against cork that probably woulda won it for us. Remember bonner hittin one of the fermanagh lads a shoulder that nearly killed him. Pity hes such a tosser.
As for colin kelly he opted out in mcivers time cos he likes to go out every weekend. Guess its his own life

overshoot wrote: »

was that just after bonner had been (fairly) shouldered off the pitch himself? he came back in from the sideline, gave at least twice what he got and to make it worse, the player had never seen it coming? it was also legal but could be a completely different event, thats just the most brutal one i can remember from around that time!

harpsman wrote: »

Yeah. Thats the one. Fermanagh crowd were going mental but as u say it was legal.
How u all feelin bout this season. Personally im happy enough to be in div 2. Id prefer to be winning games than losing most in div1 and i think the standard is ok. Hopefully win the division and set us up for tricky trip to celtic park

Aye that was the one, beat them by 3.

Mark Little was the guy he clattered. If ever a buck deserved a shoulder! And there wasn't a thing wrong with that challenge, fermanagh made a meal of it and Bonner got booked after the subsequent mele after the ref had been pressurised.

Was Mulgrew managing them then?

K-9 · 20-01-2014 2:17am

Us long suffering Liverpool fans will get the reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHovYPNveU0

RMDrive · 20-01-2014 4:26pm

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Aye that was the one, beat them by 3.

Mark Little was the guy he clattered. If ever a buck deserved a shoulder! And there wasn't a thing wrong with that challenge, fermanagh made a meal of it and Bonner got booked after the subsequent mele after the ref had been pressurised.

Was Mulgrew managing them then?

There was a poisonous atmosphere that day. The crowd had been segregated through the ticked allocations and the incident with Little happened right in front of the Fermanagh section of the stand. There were several bottles thrown onto the field by them.

IIRC Bonner had been unceremoniously sent over the sideline and had to wait for the linesman to let him back on, which he did. Little was completely unaware that Bonner had been let onto the field behind him and was unprepared for the shoulder. In fairness it was a terrible knock that he got - the neck takes all the impact when you are not braced for the shoulder. IMO that's the kind of incident that carries the most risk of serious injury - when a player is completely open and unable to protect himself. Not saying Bonner did anything wrong mind, but I was very glad that little came out of it ok.

harpsman · 20-01-2014 4:41pm

RMDrive wrote: »

There was a poisonous atmosphere that day. The crowd had been segregated through the ticked allocations and the incident with Little happened right in front of the Fermanagh section of the stand. There were several bottles thrown onto the field by them.

IIRC Bonner had been unceremoniously sent over the sideline and had to wait for the linesman to let him back on, which he did. Little was completely unaware that Bonner had been let onto the field behind him and was unprepared for the shoulder. In fairness it was a terrible knock that he got - the neck takes all the impact when you are not braced for the shoulder. IMO that's the kind of incident that carries the most risk of serious injury - when a player is completely open and unable to protect himself. Not saying Bonner did anything wrong mind, but I was very glad that little came out of it ok.

Agreed.Bit like the McHugh incident in Ulster final-there was no intelligent debate about the challenge,just "ah sure he was going for the ball". Again Im not sayin there was anything illegal about the challenge cos i have never seen a proper replay but I dont think "going for the ball" is good enough if its dangerous

keane2097 · 20-01-2014 5:11pm

harpsman wrote: »

Agreed.Bit like the McHugh incident in Ulster final-there was no intelligent debate about the challenge,just "ah sure he was going for the ball". Again Im not sayin there was anything illegal about the challenge cos i have never seen a proper replay but I dont think "going for the ball" is good enough if its dangerous

The fact that of the two only McHugh did anything like "going for the ball" also seemed to pass most people by on that incident.

The Assistinator · 20-01-2014 10:25pm

RMDrive wrote: »

There was a poisonous atmosphere that day. The crowd had been segregated through the ticked allocations and the incident with Little happened right in front of the Fermanagh section of the stand. There were several bottles thrown onto the field by them.

IIRC Bonner had been unceremoniously sent over the sideline and had to wait for the linesman to let him back on, which he did. Little was completely unaware that Bonner had been let onto the field behind him and was unprepared for the shoulder. In fairness it was a terrible knock that he got - the neck takes all the impact when you are not braced for the shoulder. IMO that's the kind of incident that carries the most risk of serious injury - when a player is completely open and unable to protect himself. Not saying Bonner did anything wrong mind, but I was very glad that little came out of it ok.

spare a thought for poor michael doherty that day, didnt he loose most of his teeth that day

Nidgeweasel · 20-01-2014 10:44pm

RMDrive wrote: »

There was a poisonous atmosphere that day. The crowd had been segregated through the ticked allocations and the incident with Little happened right in front of the Fermanagh section of the stand. There were several bottles thrown onto the field by them.

IIRC Bonner had been unceremoniously sent over the sideline and had to wait for the linesman to let him back on, which he did. Little was completely unaware that Bonner had been let onto the field behind him and was unprepared for the shoulder. In fairness it was a terrible knock that he got - the neck takes all the impact when you are not braced for the shoulder. IMO that's the kind of incident that carries the most risk of serious injury - when a player is completely open and unable to protect himself. Not saying Bonner did anything wrong mind, but I was very glad that little came out of it ok.

Trust me when I say Mark Little was fine and could have played on. Fermanagh made a meal of it looking to get bonner sent off.

Poisonous is right but there's no love lost between us two especially from the early noughties. Can't remember a Donegal game with that level of segregation before or since. I enjoyed it to be fair.

From what I remember, barrybowens was superb that day for them.

harpsman · 20-01-2014 11:10pm

martyo wrote: »

spare a thought for poor michael doherty that day, didnt he loose most of his teeth that day

Nah-that was earlier against Derry.Scored a great goal that day.Also Paddy Campbell ended up with a retrospective ban cos Sunday Game highlighted his vinnie jones on Muldoon

Nidgeweasel · 20-01-2014 11:31pm

harpsman wrote: »

Nah-that was earlier against Derry.Scored a great goal that day.Also Paddy Campbell ended up with a retrospective ban cos Sunday Game highlighted his vinnie jones on Muldoon

I'd forgotten about that. They peppered us with highballs that day. I was in the corner of the stand with an incredibly bad hangover. Oh to be young!

MfMan · 21-01-2014 12:50pm

Anyone confirm the details about the Galway/Donegal league clash on the second week in Feb.? GAA site says it's on 8pm Sunday night - shurely shome mishtake?

Redsoxfan · 29-01-2014 12:59am

MfMan wrote: »

Anyone confirm the details about the Galway/Donegal league clash on the second week in Feb.? GAA site says it's on 8pm Sunday night - shurely shome mishtake?

2pm in Salthill, Sunday 9th February.

overshoot · 29-01-2014 10:57am

Teams out (poached from the donegal fb page)
1.Paul Durcan
2.Karl Lacey
3.Neil McGee
4.Ryan McHugh
5.Frank McGlynn
6.Leo McLoone
7.Anthony Thompson
8.Rory Kavanagh
9.Martin McElhinney
10.Mark McHugh
11.Dermot Molloy
12.Odhrán Mac Niallais
13.Colm McFadden
14.Michael Murphy ©
15.Darrach O’Connor
been a while since Lacey was at Full back for donegal! a few interesting selections

Nidgeweasel · 29-01-2014 2:18pm

overshoot wrote: »

Teams out (poached from the donegal fb page)
1.Paul Durcan
2.Karl Lacey
3.Neil McGee
4.Ryan McHugh
5.Frank McGlynn
6.Leo McLoone
7.Anthony Thompson
8.Rory Kavanagh
9.Martin McElhinney
10.Mark McHugh
11.Dermot Molloy
12.Odhrán Mac Niallais
13.Colm McFadden
14.Michael Murphy ©
15.Darrach O’Connor
been a while since Lacey was at Full back for donegal! a few interesting selections

When did Murphy become a copyrite!

Tell you what, not a big fan of Leo in at Centre Half. Interesting though as you said.

Lacey in at corner back there'll be some sleepless nights around! He was exceptional there before he moved out the field. What a player, one of the best in the country.

Redsoxfan · 29-01-2014 4:34pm

Assuming the team (and subs) are as named (stranger things have happened I guess....), keep in mind the following when looking at the selection:

- Neil Gallagher and David Walsh aren't fully fit
- Paddy McGrath is still working his way back from surgery
- Eamon McGee is suspended for the first two league games

So, Lacey at corner back may just be a case of necessity. Leo was played at centre back in all three McKenna Cup games. Now, a lot of talk suggests that is his best position, but from what I've heard and seen, he's not a good enough defender in that position.

If, as selections so far suggest, Leo stays at 6, it will be interesting to see what they do with Lacey. Based on everything we've seen over the years, it's highly likely that he will slot in at corner back, with Eamon McGee losing out.

But, and this is only my own view, would it make sense for Lacey to slot into the Mark McHugh role as a sweeper/playmaker and McHugh to play as a more conventional half forward? I've always felt that Lacey was wasted at corner back as he is our best footballer.

Anyway, until Paddy McGrath is fit and Eamon McGee returns from suspension, we'll continue to guess. Leo could yet end up at half forward or on the bench.

i'm happy to see MacNiallais and Jigger get a run. Maybe they won't be up to it, but now is the time to find out.

keane2097 · 29-01-2014 4:39pm

Karl Lacey at corner back for the year would be a travesty. As big a waste as Kerry playing Marc O Se in the full back line all these years, maybe worse even considering there are decent players who could take Lacey's place back there in Eamonn McGee and Paddy McGrath.

McHugh and Lacey to both play at wing forward could be a goer though.

Redsoxfan · 02-02-2014 12:40pm

Reported last night that Jigger is a big doubt for today's game, which is a real pity.

Heading to Portlaoise now soon - come on Donegal we can win this too!

Nidgeweasel · 02-02-2014 3:26pm

Christy seems to be flying

Great to have him back.

Nidgeweasel · 02-02-2014 3:42pm

1-6 to 0-5 at Halftime to Donegal.

Highland have said Toye's been involved in every Donegal score. Have the wind second half, see what we do here. Seem to have been running it alot first half into the wind.

RMDrive · 02-02-2014 4:56pm

Good win for Donegal and great to have Christy back in action. Sounded like he had a stormer. Great also to have Hugh McFadden, McNialis and McElhinney do well too.
Laois very poor though. They'll do well to avoid relegation.

downthemiddle · 02-02-2014 6:14pm

RMDrive wrote: »

Good win for Donegal and great to have Christy back in action. Sounded like he had a stormer. Great also to have Hugh McFadden, McNialis and McElhinney do well too.
Laois very poor though. They'll do well to avoid relegation.

Just home from the game. Christy had his best match in years, great to see him back.
The hunger was back today and the team looked in very good shape for this time of year. Defensively we were excellent. We got forward in numbers and the transition from defence to attack was very impressive. We carved Laois open on numerous occasions and could have scored more goals. Colm Anthony's finish was worth the admission price alone.
We are still struggling to win primary ball around the middle but we were very good under the breaking ball today.
All this has to be tempered with how poor Laois were.

LilNiall · 02-02-2014 10:19pm

Great win today-time will tell if we are better than last year or Laois are bad but we scored well & coulda got alot more. Looking forward to Galway next week.

Saying that, Derry looked decent last night & away against them is looking a real test.

Nidgeweasel · 02-02-2014 10:34pm

LilNiall wrote: »

Saying that, Derry looked decent last night & away against them is looking a real test.

I was always going to be.

Might not be a bad thing.

LilNiall · 02-02-2014 10:55pm

Only be a good thing if we come through it. A good confident league run would set us up well hopefully.

Redsoxfan · 02-02-2014 11:23pm

downthemiddle wrote: »

Just home from the game. Christy had his best match in years, great to see him back.
The hunger was back today and the team looked in very good shape for this time of year. Defensively we were excellent. We got forward in numbers and the transition from defence to attack was very impressive. We carved Laois open on numerous occasions and could have scored more goals. Colm Anthony's finish was worth the admission price alone.
We are still struggling to win primary ball around the middle but we were very good under the breaking ball today.
All this has to be tempered with how poor Laois were.

Pretty much sums up my own thoughts.

While it was disappointing not to get a look at Jigger at this level, it was great to see Christy Toye back in the starting line up. And what a performance - involved in so much of what was good. Looked very frustrated at having to come off - I can imagine - some thought he'd never play for Donegal again. We're essentially getting a new player considering he wasn't involved at all last year. And make no mistake about it, half forward is a position of need.

Agree that we were poor at fielding around the middle - isn't this always the case when Big Neil is missing? McElhinney at least got through a lot of work and took his two scores well.

Speaking of midfield, it was interesting that Hugh McFadden got the call to come in ahead of Matthew Smyth, but maybe I'm reading too much into that - McFadden didn't get any game time in the McKenna Cup. I thought he played well - took scores very well, broke some ball. Don't think he's mobile enough for midfield, but he sure is talented.

MacNiallais did quite well - got the opening goal obvsiously, but will be annoyed he didn't double his tally in the second half. Still, he didn't seem to let it affect him kicking a point afterwards. Again, good to see options at half forward.

In all honesty, we could have had three or four goals. McFadden's finish was class, not quite Murphy v Queens, but impressive. I guess you credit McLoone for chipping the ball to him, but I would be critical that he very nearly lost it - he ran into trouble more than once. Not tested defensively.

I thought Anthony Thompson had a fine game, very unselfish for the MacNiallais goal.

Brick at 11? I dunno. Not for me. Right now, I'd have M McHugh, Christy and MacNiallais as our half forward line and I'd have Walsh ahead of Brick in the subs.

Refwatch - thought the ref bottled an obvious black card at the end of the first half when he showed yellow to the Laois midfielder. Frustrated both sets of supporters during the first half.

Looking at the scoreline from Navan and hearing that Meath could have had more goals, I'm pretty confident going to Salthill next weekend. Laois were pretty awful, but we seem focused and fit, which is great to see.

tl;dr? Donegal good, Laois bad.

RMDrive · 02-02-2014 11:51pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Speaking of midfield, it was interesting that Hugh McFadden got the call to come in ahead of Matthew Smyth, but maybe I'm reading too much into that - McFadden didn't get any game time in the McKenna Cup. I thought he played well - took scores very well, broke some ball. Don't think he's mobile enough for midfield, but he sure is talented.

Jim said on Highland after the game that McFadden only put himself into the reckoning in recent weeks - probably explains why we didn't see him in the McKenna.

Redsoxfan · 03-02-2014 12:20am

RMDrive wrote: »

Jim said on Highland after the game that McFadden only put himself into the reckoning in recent weeks - probably explains why we didn't see him in the McKenna.

I'm pretty sure he was said to be injured, either way, good to see him get his minutes and scores today.

harpsman · 03-02-2014 11:24am

Whos Jigger?

Great news bout Christy-hope he stays fit.
Havent seen McNialis yet-sounds a decent player.
An encouraging start,and hopefully we can develop a panel of at least 20 players who are up to high level intercounty standard-last year we had 1 or 2 players who were not good enough,a few injured,and and a few dreadfully out of form which left us in alot of trouble.
I think with everyone fit and hopefully playin well and the addition of Christy, McNiallis and maybe 2 others we are capable of promotion and reclaiming Ulster-agree that Derry away a big hurdle though.

Redsoxfan · 03-02-2014 12:03pm

harpsman wrote: »

Whos Jigger?

Darach O'Connor

harpsman · 03-02-2014 12:26pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Darach O'Connor

Ahh.Dont know much about him-feel free to fill me in.

PS was Brick Molloy playin?-hes never really fulfilled his potential.
TBH any time I see him he looks unfit and lacking in mobility.

Ceist_Beag · 03-02-2014 1:13pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Pretty much sums up my own thoughts.

While it was disappointing not to get a look at Jigger at this level, it was great to see Christy Toye back in the starting line up. And what a performance - involved in so much of what was good. Looked very frustrated at having to come off - I can imagine - some thought he'd never play for Donegal again. We're essentially getting a new player considering he wasn't involved at all last year. And make no mistake about it, half forward is a position of need.

Agree that we were poor at fielding around the middle - isn't this always the case when Big Neil is missing? McElhinney at least got through a lot of work and took his two scores well.

Speaking of midfield, it was interesting that Hugh McFadden got the call to come in ahead of Matthew Smyth, but maybe I'm reading too much into that - McFadden didn't get any game time in the McKenna Cup. I thought he played well - took scores very well, broke some ball. Don't think he's mobile enough for midfield, but he sure is talented.

MacNiallais did quite well - got the opening goal obvsiously, but will be annoyed he didn't double his tally in the second half. Still, he didn't seem to let it affect him kicking a point afterwards. Again, good to see options at half forward.

In all honesty, we could have had three or four goals. McFadden's finish was class, not quite Murphy v Queens, but impressive. I guess you credit McLoone for chipping the ball to him, but I would be critical that he very nearly lost it - he ran into trouble more than once. Not tested defensively.

I thought Anthony Thompson had a fine game, very unselfish for the MacNiallais goal.

Brick at 11? I dunno. Not for me. Right now, I'd have M McHugh, Christy and MacNiallais as our half forward line and I'd have Walsh ahead of Brick in the subs.

Refwatch - thought the ref bottled an obvious black card at the end of the first half when he showed yellow to the Laois midfielder. Frustrated both sets of supporters during the first half.

Looking at the scoreline from Navan and hearing that Meath could have had more goals, I'm pretty confident going to Salthill next weekend. Laois were pretty awful, but we seem focused and fit, which is great to see.

tl;dr? Donegal good, Laois bad.

That's a good account of the game. A couple of points to add. I think the reason Christy was so frustrated at coming off was that he clearly got a slap to the mouth and was itching to get back at whoever did it!

Agreed on the ref, it was a clear black card offence before half time.
I felt Mark McHugh was showing signs of getting back to his best - if we can keep him fit this year it will make a massive difference to our chances (he still needs to brush up on his point taking tho!).
Ryan McHugh at corner back - not so sure about this one but I'll trust in McGuinness to be the best judge on whether he can make it in this position or not.
McLoone at center back - I think this could work alright but he does need to avoid carrying the ball into traffic.
Rory is showing good form too and Karl bust a gut in the first half with his forward runs.
Agreed on the lad who come into midfield late on - he certainly has a presence but would be concerned at his ability to get around but positive signs there for the future.
McNiallais looks good on the ball and can win his own ball - again I think he could improve on his mobility but looks like a good addition.
Finally all this is definitely tempered by the fact that Laois were awful, truly awful.

harpsman · 03-02-2014 1:18pm

Without wishin to be too personal,how does Tomas O Faharta keep getting jobs?-any time Ive seen his teams theyve been awful.

Must be someone in Laois whos a half decent manager;Id be fairly sure theyd do at least as well as this fella(hope they dont win Leinster now:))

Ceist_Beag · 03-02-2014 1:21pm

harpsman wrote: »

Without wishin to be too personal,how does Tomas O Faharta keep getting jobs?-any time Ive seen his teams theyve been awful.

Must be someone in Laois whos a half decent manager;Id be fairly sure theyd do at least as well as this fella(hope they dont win Leinster now:))

I was asking the Laois man beside me the same question - his answer was that as a school teacher he's good with words so gives a good interview!

He also made the interesting point that not one Portlaoise player started yesterday apart from the goalkeeper - who is the number 2 Portlaoise goalkeeper! Seems there is a real split in the county between Portlaoise and all other clubs.

Ceist_Beag · 03-02-2014 1:37pm

harpsman wrote: »

PS was Brick Molloy playin?-hes never really fulfilled his potential.
TBH any time I see him he looks unfit and lacking in mobility.

He played most of the match and tbh I'm not sure if he will ever make the first 15 once the championship comes around. Full of heart and effort but he just lacks the pace and composure imho. He played in the corner for most of the first half, not at 11.

Redsoxfan · 03-02-2014 6:20pm

harpsman wrote: »

Ahh.Dont know much about him-feel free to fill me in.

Jigger is still at secondary school - he was County Minor captain last year and I presume he is sill a minor this year. He was part of the Buncrana minor team that did well last year.

Physically, he is very small. Think Woppa or Leon Thompson but much stockier.

I've seen him play three times - once for the minors in a league game against Derry where he looked good, but that wasn't against the full strength Derry team. The second time was against Tyrone in the Ulster Chamionship. I can't really recall him doing that much, I was more impressed by our full back and wing back and pi$$ed off that we didn't have anyone who could kick a free. He also played in the Ulster U-21 Final against Cavan, but played second fiddle to McBrearty.

He's certainly talented, whether he's ready for Senior intercounty is another matter. He was doing ok in the McKenna Cup as far as I heard.

harpsman wrote: »

PS was Brick Molloy playin?-hes never really fulfilled his potential.
TBH any time I see him he looks unfit and lacking in mobility.

Yes, at 11. Doubt he's unfit, just doesn't move as well as others. Don't really know what to make of him - he tends to be hit and miss - literally - likes taking shots. I guess, in fairness too him, he does score, but he's not consistent enough.

Redsoxfan · 03-02-2014 6:25pm

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

That's a good account of the game. A couple of points to add. I think the reason Christy was so frustrated at coming off was that he clearly got a slap to the mouth and was itching to get back at whoever did it!
Agreed on the ref, it was a clear black card offence before half time.
I felt Mark McHugh was showing signs of getting back to his best - if we can keep him fit this year it will make a massive difference to our chances (he still needs to brush up on his point taking tho!).
Ryan McHugh at corner back - not so sure about this one but I'll trust in McGuinness to be the best judge on whether he can make it in this position or not.
McLoone at center back - I think this could work alright but he does need to avoid carrying the ball into traffic.
Rory is showing good form too and Karl bust a gut in the first half with his forward runs.
Agreed on the lad who come into midfield late on - he certainly has a presence but would be concerned at his ability to get around but positive signs there for the future.
McNiallais looks good on the ball and can win his own ball - again I think he could improve on his mobility but looks like a good addition.
Finally all this is definitely tempered by the fact that Laois were awful, truly awful.

I don't think that Ryan McHugh is a corner back at this level, although interesting that Jim praised him afterwards. We don't really have options in the full back line IMHO - McHugh and Declan Walsh are more effective as half backs. Same probably goes for Eamon Doherty and Luke Keeney.

To me, Hugh McFadden's natural position is as a full forward, but, he did well breaking ball yesterday around midfield. He's a lovely striker of the dead ball from the ground as well. Not going to supplant Murphy or Colm, but a potentially very useful player for the squad at this stage.

Ceist_Beag · 03-02-2014 6:25pm

Speaking of McBrearty Redsoxfan, what about that point by him yesterday - absolute class! He has it all that lad, hopefully this year he can put it together to take some of the pressure off Colm Anthony and Murphy.

Redsoxfan · 03-02-2014 6:40pm

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

Speaking of McBrearty Redsoxfan, what about that point by him yesterday - absolute class! He has it all that lad, hopefully this year he can put it together to take some of the pressure off Colm Anthony and Murphy.

It was class for sure. But look, we all know what Paddy is capable of, but he doesn't always deliver in obvious ways, i.e. scoring 2-3 points per game regularly.

Now, whenever I watch games back, you see more of what he offers. He's unselfish (maybe too much so) and rarely seems to make bad decisions/turnovers. Maybe we expect too much of him in the role he is asked to play for Donegal?

But, I don't think it's unkind to say that the performances for Donegal (so far) haven't really lived up to the hype. Based on what we saw last year, would you have Paddy, Paul Mannion or James O'Donoghue as your corner forward?

Ceist_Beag · 03-02-2014 6:47pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

But, I don't think it's unkind to say that the performances for Donegal (so far) haven't really lived up to the hype.

Absolutely - this year he does need to produce what we know he is capable of. He could be one of the stars of the championship - he's that good - but it really is up to him putting it together on the pitch.

Redsoxfan · 04-02-2014 11:05pm

Ceist_Beag wrote: »

Absolutely - this year he does need to produce what we know he is capable of. He could be one of the stars of the championship - he's that good - but it really is up to him putting it together on the pitch.

Well, maybe he's reading CB. Scored seven points from play in the Sigerson today from full forward.

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