This could be an okay game, expecting a few heavy hits and tackles. Would be Great if Murphy would return and put a mark in Donegals full forward line and cause hassle alongside Paddy McBrearty. Hugh McFadden and Odarhan McNeillas seem to be getting better. Both Mark and Ryan McHugh are great but they just need a bit more confidence.
Dublin's Basqule seems to be a great player. Mannion and MacCauley look to be getting stronger. And Fenton is an absolute Machine.
Don't get me wrong I Respect Dublin 100% but I do not want to see another long winning streak.
I would love to see a Donegal Win here but I have to go with Dublin.
Dublin 2+

oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 05/02/2018 17:31:09    2074380

Hard to see us throwing the shackles of for this one, although I believe that we should give it a go. We probably are aware of points differential so a route will most likely be avoided at all costs. But I believe if we play our very best, we have a chance.

We haven't beaten Dublin since 2014 and god knows when the time before that was. I think that we will do well to salvage a result.

Long kick outs would be helpful. Another thing I noticed was needless pushing in the tackle that coughed up a few soft frees for Galway yesterday. This will be an automatic score for the Dubs if we do it. A 70 minutes of total concentration will be required.

I think it is too big an ask for us if I were to be entirely honest as the Dubs seem to be getting better and better.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 05/02/2018 17:57:27    2074391

Expect this game to be fairly open, similar to the Donegal Kerry game. So we live in hope. I'd take your prediction of a 2 point defeat... score difference could be crucial to staying up!

Cupotay (Donegal) - Posts: 31 - 05/02/2018 18:03:02    2074393

Handy enough one for Donegal, we should win by 10+ points ha ha. On a serious note I hope Donegal can stay in touch and make it a close contest. We should have Nathan Mullins back but will have an inexperienced side out.

Patrick McBrearty is in the firm of his life but unfortunately all the other potential ball winners in the full forward line are injured - MM, Jamie Brennan and Michael Langan.

So far this year we have been fairly attacking but I just wonder will Bonner put everyone behind the ball for this one, he wont want a heavy defeat for these young players.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1873 - 05/02/2018 18:27:23    2074397

You have to win your home games and I'd expect Dublin to do just that

But Donegal have accounted well for themselves without picking up any points but were very close to Kerry and Galway

Dubs by 4+ though

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 05/02/2018 18:50:13    2074406

Watch for Mullins and McCarthy having a right cut off each other again. I'd say Nathan still falling. .....

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 05/02/2018 19:33:07    2074424

Dubs by a few points..but in fairness to donegal there looking a bit more attack minded this year which is great to see..mcbrearty was on fire against kerry..
Maybe too big an ask for donegal at the moment but there moving in the right direction if they continue to let the players play a bit of ball..
If donegal go out and give it lash here and lose by a few points theres no shame in that..
But to set up and do what tyrone did in the semi last year thats a different story..no respect there

GGdub (Dublin) - Posts: 260 - 05/02/2018 22:07:00    2074457

I think we could be in bother here. Dublin will know that by bottling Paddy McBrearty up it will severely limit our scoring threat. Paddy is the main man for us at the minute. By my count he has scored 1-35 in his last 4 games.

It's a tricky one for Declan. I don't think anyone is expecting us to beat Dublin. If we play openly then Dublin could put up a big score on us. That would be 3 defeats in a row and although it's only the league morale could be hit. If we play defensively and still lose badly (as Tyrone found out to their cost) then the knives will be out and people will say we haven't changed a bit.

I'd like to see us get men behind the ball when not in possession. But when the chance comes to attack that we fully commit to it without fear. We've been using the kick passing a lot more this year. In Croke Park's wide spaces it'd be good to see us play expansively and play some early ball into the inside men. Then get bodies running hard to to support them.
It won't be easy but if we play with intensity and concentrate hard then we can give Dublin a good game.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9115 - 06/02/2018 09:40:16    2074500

Hard game to get enthusiastic about if I'm brutally honest , much prefer when we play Donegal away as your always sure of a tighter game , I was impressed with Donegal v Kerry just feel they will be exposed on the bigger pitch , as I'm paying my cash I will be delighted to be proven wrong would love to have a team put it up to us for the whole game , safe journey to anyone traveling down

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 06/02/2018 20:24:19    2074648

Donegal have been on my radar since 1992, beat them any chance you get. But I expect a game from them at least.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8585 - 06/02/2018 21:12:28    2074662

I don't think we will get anything against a great Dublin panel but hope Bonner sets us up to have a go.
If he sets up a blanket we will get stuffed as we don't have the discipline in the tackle to do it. If we set up like against Kerry I think we may still get beat but if we are serious about changing our style then at least we will learn from the game.
Galway set up with a blanket in the second half last week and we looked clueless but Dublin won't be as defensive. If we set up properly then it could be a very entertaining game. Any chance to play in Croke Park should be enjoyed and although our recent results against Dublin haven't been good I always enjoy playing them.
Hope it's a good game.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 06/02/2018 23:01:50    2074695

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9115 - 07/02/2018 12:44:11    2074788

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8585 - 07/02/2018 15:34:21    2074821

I'd love to be wrong, I've lots of strong connections with Donegal, but it's hard to see past a comfortable Dublin victory.

festinog (Galway) - Posts: 3097 - 07/02/2018 17:55:46    2074848

Won't be easy against Dublin for obvious reasons. Still and all, as long as we give the Orchard County another spanking later this year I'll be happy ;)

Donegal_D (Donegal) - Posts: 61 - 08/02/2018 15:26:16    2075035

If we can live with the Dubs for 70 minutes and stay within 4 or 5 points I'll be very happy. Lot of guys missing through injury and we're clearly trying different things this year. My worry is that the Dubs will target Patrick in a big way as he's in the form of his life and obviously our main (maybe only) scoring threat.

Ideally we'd have had a couple points on the board already but the priority is getting ready for Championship.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 08/02/2018 16:24:04    2075047

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 08/02/2018 18:20:38    2075066

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 08/02/2018 18:57:30    2075077

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 08/02/2018 20:09:21    2075100

DannyMcA (Dublin) - Posts: 260 - 08/02/2018 23:02:38    2075153