Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

Redsoxfan · 03-07-2015 8:17pm

A few things on Leo:

It doesn't like look like there will be any club games in July and August so maybe he felt he may as well train with the County!

Rory Gallagher has said all along that the door was always open for players to come back. If he had said otherwise and then welcomed Declan Walsh and Leo back, that would be a different matter.

I agree the timing is odd. To sit out the league is one thing, but strange that he wouldn't have wanted to play against Tyrone in Ballybofey? But, maybe something happened in his private life that allowed him to come back now? Or, maybe he just really doesn't like Monaghan.

There are more than a handful of lads on the Donegal panel that have no chance of seeing meaningful game time this summer, Leo or no Leo.

Mackas_view · 03-07-2015 10:55pm

Jigger is out injured he is still attending training and travelling to matches. He's 3 weeks away from fitness as far as I know.

I don't rate Hugh McFadden at all. He's an average footballer IMHO. Nowhere near that level. The Brick brought a lot more to the table and it would be brilliant to see him following McLoone and Walsh back into the set up

2moreMinutes · 04-07-2015 12:01am

I don't think it's fair to call Hugh McFadden an average player. Two fairly knowledgable & respected managers have seen enough in him to include him in the senior panel for the last two years despite him still only being an u21. He has his limitations, particularly around tackling, but that can only improve with more experience at senior level.

K-9 · 04-07-2015 2:29am

2moreMinutes wrote: »

It would be interesting to know who made the first move and why it was made now. It would also be interesting to know why that first move wasn't made before the championship began. As with all these kinda situations, it would also be interesting to know why he dropped out of the squad to start with.
Depending on what that reason was and why he's only coming back in now, I only hope this doesn't create any tension within the squad.

Interesting....someone punch me in the face before I start on a rant about pregnant Kerry women & Leitrim winning the AI......

Basically every single detail of what happened!

Mackas_view · 04-07-2015 10:03am

2moreMinutes wrote: »

I don't think it's fair to call Hugh McFadden an average player. Two fairly knowledgable & respected managers have seen enough in him to include him in the senior panel for the last two years despite him still only being an u21. He has his limitations, particularly around tackling, but that can only improve with more experience at senior level.

When has he shown any signs of being an above average player at either 21 or senior level. I'm not saying he hasn't I'm just saying I have yet to see it.

Redsoxfan · 04-07-2015 11:57am

Mackas_view wrote:

When has he shown any signs of being an above average player at either 21 or senior level. I'm not saying he hasn't I'm just saying I have yet to see it.

I heard he was pretty good in the Ulster Under 21 Final this year?

I was at the Final last year and he was decent, but not outstanding or anything.

His role for the seniors seems very limited. I don't know whether that is down to confidence, ability or is he told to keep it very simple.

I just don't know what his best position is for the County. It doesn't look like he's ready to take over for Big Neil when he calls it a day, that's for sure..

doc_17 · 04-07-2015 1:27pm

Hugh McFadden was very good against Kerry in the league this year. I know the league isn't the same as championship but that was a very good game that both teams went at to win

Mackas_view · 04-07-2015 9:31pm

Good to hear. I'm not knocking him. It's very easy for me to sit here and criticise him, I'm just giving my honest opinion. Hopefully if there is good football in him that he comes through and does well for himself

Redsoxfan · 04-07-2015 9:56pm

Most people I know don't rate him. I have seen glimpses of what he might offer (great point in Tralee etc) but to be honest it's hard to see how he fits into this team. I am trying to give him (and the managers who have picked him) the benefit of the doubt for now.

Whether we like it or not, he could well be the future....

opiniated · 04-07-2015 10:09pm

Well done to the Donegal U14 ladies, who drew against Roscommon in the All-Ireland today.

Rematch in 2 weeks.

Redsoxfan · 04-07-2015 10:22pm

In case anyone missed it, BBC Championship reported earlier that Drew Wylie could make the Ulster Final. Injury is medial ligament rather than the other.

Long shot but still...

Mackas_view · 04-07-2015 10:38pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

In case anyone missed it, BBC Championship reported earlier that Drew Wylie could make the Ulster Final. Injury is medial ligament rather than the other.

Long shot but still...

I have it from a Monaghan man that Drew Wylie will start the final it's only a bluff. He tweaked his hamstring and that's the height of it

Nidgeweasel · 04-07-2015 10:52pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

In case anyone missed it, BBC Championship reported earlier that Drew Wylie could make the Ulster Final. Injury is medial ligament rather than the other.

Long shot but still...

Seen today after further examination they seen it was the medial and not the ACL. You'd wonder if he needed an arthroscopy or if the MRI picked it up.

Anyway, I'd be surprised to see him start. If he does then that'll be alright because he won't be fully fit. He's a brilliant player so any reduction in performance will be beneficial.

Nidgeweasel · 09-07-2015 7:02pm

Quiet enough, seems to be a full compliment available. Jigger back in full training afaik.

They're away to a training camp this weekend so we can probably expect to see the same couple of interviews rehashed a thousand times next week.

Redsoxfan · 10-07-2015 9:14pm

I finally got around to watching the whole Derry game and reviewing the stats this week. It was a bad performance.

Why did we shoot so much?

There was a definite lethargy/tiredness about us. The Iazy shooting. The lack of support runners at one point in the first half. Michael's last free (I didn't expect him to score, but it should have been kicked dead).

We can do better, but what we saw against Derry was worrying.

Alvin Holler · 12-07-2015 7:08pm

Good to see Derry win yesterday. With Armagh out and Tyrone stuttering it doesn't say much for what we've beaten so far.

It's pretty hard to predict how it'll go next weekend, hopefully we'll have recharged the batteries and be full of energy.

North of 32 · 12-07-2015 7:20pm

Alvin Holler wrote: »

Good to see Derry win yesterday. With Armagh out and Tyrone stuttering it doesn't say much for what we've beaten so far.

That's a really weird attitude.

Nidgeweasel · 12-07-2015 9:08pm

Alvin Holler wrote: »

Good to see Derry win yesterday.

Blasphemy.

Alvin Holler · 13-07-2015 7:28pm

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Blasphemy.

ha, gives us an opportunity to beat them again:pac:

Redsoxfan · 14-07-2015 9:25pm

Rory on Leo

'Going well in training....':rolleyes:

Expects him to be in match day sqaud for Sunday

Gallagher added the McLoone's contribution to Donegal football in recent seasons means that he has been welcomed back into the panel with open arms.

:cool:

harpsman · 14-07-2015 9:52pm

Mackas_view wrote: »

Jigger is out injured he is still attending training and travelling to matches. He's 3 weeks away from fitness as far as I know.

I don't rate Hugh McFadden at all. He's an average footballer IMHO. Nowhere near that level. The Brick brought a lot more to the table and it would be brilliant to see him following McLoone and Walsh back into the set up

Think its a bit early to write him off. Most 21 year olds are a bit raw and improve alot between 21-25. Id say if 2 managers have him there at this age theres a good chance he will develop into a very good player. On the other hand he may not:(.

harpsman · 14-07-2015 9:59pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Jaysus if he's fit enough, Leo has done enough to earn his place. He's given a hell of a lot over the past four years. He took some time out, kept his head down and by all accounts is going well for his club.

The fact that hes fit and has played well in the past(personally Ive not been wildly inpressed with his performances in Croke Park) does not mean hes done enough to start. Sure, if hes absolutely flyin for the club and in training then that might justify it, but Id be surprised to see him start. But I agree, good to have him back.

harpsman · 14-07-2015 10:04pm

2moreMinutes wrote: »

It would be interesting to know who made the first move and why it was made now. It would also be interesting to know why that first move wasn't made before the championship began. As with all these kinda situations, it would also be interesting to know why he dropped out of the squad to start with.
Depending on what that reason was and why he's only coming back in now, I only hope this doesn't create any tension within the squad.

Interesting....someone punch me in the face before I start on a rant about pregnant Kerry women & Leitrim winning the AI......

Every time Martin tells that story its a different county involved.

Begiining to think the Leo/Rory stories were a bit like the ol Mickey Harte/Stephen O Neill dodgy house stories in 08- ie total rubbish. If there was bad blood theres no way hed be coming back mid season imo.

Nidgeweasel · 15-07-2015 7:04am

Don't you just know it'll be Tyrone in round 4 for the loser.

K-9 · 15-07-2015 2:27pm

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Don't you just know it'll be Tyrone in round 4 for the loser.

Could well be Tipp then. I think Tryone are vulnerable, they just don't have the forwards to put up big scores and Tipperary are putting up big scorelines this year. It'll come down to how well they can penetrate the blanket.

Derry seem to be gathering more steam, and from the small bit of highlights of the Wexford game, seem to be getting more bodies forward. I suppose that's easier to do against a team like Wexford, bit it seems they are trying to develop the system.

charlie14 · 15-07-2015 2:43pm

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

Don't you just know it'll be Tyrone in round 4 for the loser.

How do you rate Monaghans chances against them ?:D

Nidgeweasel · 15-07-2015 6:04pm

K-9 wrote: »

Could well be Tipp then. I think Tryone are vulnerable, they just don't have the forwards to put up big scores and Tipperary are putting up big scorelines this year. It'll come down to how well they can penetrate the blanket.

Derry seem to be gathering more steam, and from the small bit of highlights of the Wexford game, seem to be getting more bodies forward. I suppose that's easier to do against a team like Wexford, bit it seems they are trying to develop the system.

I really don't think so. Much as it would be better for us. Even given the fact they are away I think Tipp will be doing well to keep this within 5/6 points. Tyrone far superior.

Interesting games this weekend all round. Tip v Tyrone, Derry v Galway, Kerry v Cork.

One thing you can say is that we really don't want to be in the draw on Monday morning.

In other news Monaghan have done a really naff promo video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfweG_5Oafo Has McManus been taking tips from Liam Neeson?

Mackas_view · 15-07-2015 10:08pm

Has anyone else seen Eamon McGee and Cassidy's comments to each other on twitter?

Thinks it's a bit foolish and outspoken of Eamon in the lead up to the game this weekend to get involved.

Stoner · 16-07-2015 12:51am

Mackas_view wrote:

Has anyone else seen Eamon McGee and Cassidy's comments to each other on twitter?

I didn't think too much if it. Looks like EMG wanted to call BS on Cassidy. If its true and he did sit out a club game who knows, regardless
I think the fact that it's all local to Donegal and not within the squad then I can't see it being too damaging, certainly won't motivate any opposition.

Ceist_Beag · 16-07-2015 8:38am

Don't think there was too much in it tbh but at the same time I do wish players would leave the phone down when it comes to making their views known on twitter - rarely does any good come from it.

Redsoxfan · 16-07-2015 8:59am

Eamon is right enough though.

So is the Ardara manager when he said of Cassidy 'his whole series of Gaelic Life pieces since the start of the year have been either sour grapes or contradictory'.

I wouldn't worry about it tbh. At least he isn't on the beer or slagging off Conor McManus.

Ceist_Beag · 16-07-2015 9:06am

Cass thought he was all set for a life in media after hanging up his boots but it seems most media outlets saw him as a lad with a large chip on his shoulder with very little decent insight into the game. It's a shame he can't just let it go.

doc_17 · 16-07-2015 11:54am

I get the sense that Cassidy liked seeing Donegal, especially under Jim, losing. At someone tweeted back at him, his articles are sour grapes. And the one he wrote last year after the All Ireland caused real annoyance with the Donegal lads at his club and that's why what happened in Termon happened.

rightyabe · 16-07-2015 2:11pm

What happened in termon?

jimbo32123 · 16-07-2015 2:22pm

Cassidy was on the line during the Gweedore V Glenswilly game in the championship earlier in the year and to be honest if he was playing it could of been that little bit of nouse that was needed in that game to take them closer to Glen who weren't firing on all cylinders...

In Termon i presume you mean the after math of the game and not the incident in the game itself??

rightyabe · 16-07-2015 2:24pm

jimbo32123 wrote: »

Cassidy was on the line during the Gweedore V Glenswilly game in the championship earlier in the year and to be honest if he was playing it could of been that little bit of nouse that was needed in that game to take them closer to Glen who weren't firing on all cylinders...

In Termon i presume you mean the after math of the game and not the incident in the game itself??

Spill the beans what happened? On both:)

Nidgeweasel · 17-07-2015 12:00am

It's about time Cassidy was called out for talking out of his arsehole.

Everything he writes has the stench of bitterness and envy. It's a shame really to see from somebody who contributed so much.

His articles are consistently poor.

Nidgeweasel · 17-07-2015 12:47am

Double post.

Redsoxfan · 17-07-2015 11:13am

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

It's about time Cassidy was called out for talking out of his arsehole.

Everything he writes has the stench of bitterness and envy. It's a shame really to see from somebody who contributed so much.

His articles are consistently poor.

It's a real shame alright. I had a degree of sympathy with him back in 2011, but I was largely in Jim's corner. His subsquent utterings have tended to support Jim's decision (as does the fact we won the All Ireland in 2012...)

Cassidy was a beast of a player for Donegal. We managed without him in 2012, and I don't think he would have made a difference in 2013 as we were just fooked anyway. In 2014, he would have been getting on and might not have been first choice anyway. I'm not clear that he would be fit for the sort of the role that Frank and Thompson have tended to play. I'm sure he might have been an asset in other ways, but such is life - he doesn't sound like he would have stuck with it anyway.

doc_17 · 17-07-2015 12:53pm

After the All Ireland final last year Cassidy wrote a piece that said Donegal should have won at least one more Sam but that Jim's decisions cost Donegal. He was fairly critical of a man that the three county men in his panel loved. They didn't all play in Termon. Some suggested injury, some others theories are doing the rounds.

Redsoxfan · 17-07-2015 8:55pm

Mushroom pickers have named a team. Drew Wylie on the bench. Neil McAdam and Darren Hughes at midfield. Mark McHugh's mate at 11.

fullstop · 18-07-2015 4:51am

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Mushroom pickers have named a team. Drew Wylie on the bench. Neil McAdam and Darren Hughes at midfield. Mark McHugh's mate at 11.

I reckon wylie could start. They're fairly cringing it up with their promo stuff the last few days.

Alvin Holler · 18-07-2015 8:46am

I don't think he'll play. He missed the end of the league and didn't look fully fit against Cavan and he must have missed most of the training since then.

It'll be interesting to see who picks up McBrearty, I presume Corey will be on Murphy as usual.

Ceist_Beag · 18-07-2015 10:33am

Can't see Wylie starting, it would be a massive gamble. Corey on Murphy would be expected but does anyone think Rory has a surprise up his sleeve for tomorrow? I'm not sure who would come in or what change he will make but something tells me he has been planning for Monaghan since the start of the year and I expect he will have something different in mind for tomorrow.
Good news is the weather forecast for Sunday has improved as the week has gone on so it looks like it should be a relatively good day for the game tomorrow.

Redsoxfan · 18-07-2015 2:51pm

Squad v Monaghan for Ulster Final
1 Durcan
2 Mc Grath
3 N McGee
4 E McGee
5 R McHugh
6 Lacey
7 McGlynn
8 Gallagher
9 McElhinney
10 Toye
11 MacNiallais
12 O'Reilly
13 McBrearty
14 Murphy
15 Colm Anthony
16 MA McGinley
17 Thompson
18 Doherty
19 M McHugh
20 Hugh McFadden
21 C McGinley
22 David Walsh
23 Declan Walsh
24 Gary McFadden
25 McLoone
26 Jigger

Strongest squad we have named all year.

davegrohl48 · 18-07-2015 4:52pm

Tallest forward line in the country that six. Only Reilly under 6'. Very hard defend against that amount of size. Also great pace in Toye n McBrearty.

Alvin Holler · 18-07-2015 7:30pm

Redsoxfan wrote: »

Squad v Monaghan for Ulster Final
1 Durcan
2 Mc Grath
3 N McGee
4 E McGee
5 R McHugh
6 Lacey
7 McGlynn
8 Gallagher
9 McElhinney
10 Toye
11 MacNiallais
12 O'Reilly
13 McBrearty
14 Murphy
15 Colm Anthony
16 MA McGinley
17 Thompson
18 Doherty
19 M McHugh
20 Hugh McFadden
21 C McGinley
22 David Walsh
23 Declan Walsh
24 Gary McFadden
25 McLoone
26 Jigger

Strongest squad we have named all year.

So does this mean Mark McHugh is certain to start;)

Griffin and Eoin McHugh are gone from the bench for McLoone and Jigger

doc_17 · 18-07-2015 10:27pm

Murphy is key. Will he start? Wee fairy towl me he might be less than 100%

Which of course means he will play and get MOTM hopefully.

Redsoxfan · 18-07-2015 11:45pm

Alvin Holler wrote:

So does this mean Mark McHugh is certain to start

Interesting. I wonder what you have heard.

Alvin Holler wrote:

Griffin and Eoin McHugh are gone from the bench for McLoone and Jigger

Ah, Eoin is gone. Thought it was Daniel McLaughlin and Griffin. I would have liked to see more of Eoin McHugh - looks like he could have impact, but I guess two McHugh's is enough...

Redsoxfan · 18-07-2015 11:45pm

davegrohl48 wrote:

Tallest forward line in the country that six. Only Reilly under 6'. Very hard defend against that amount of size. Also great pace in Toye n McBrearty.

Toye? Pace?

Donegal GAA Discussion Thread

Comments