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Donegal V Down

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Donegal are strong favourites for the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi final against Down at Clones on June 10th. Who do people think will make the Ulster final ?? REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1617 - 01/06/2018 13:55:07 2106265 Link
No beating about the bush here, if Donegal play to their potential they will win this with quite a bit to spare even allowing for the openess of their defence. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 01/06/2018 14:06:26 2106270 Link
I think Donegal will qualify for Ulster Final. They performed well in the league, despite being relegated. They have some quality players. Down have a romance about them, dating back to the 1960's when they won3 All Irelands. I would love to see them rise again, but feel they are heading for the qualifiers. thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 01/06/2018 14:11:12 2106274 Link
Donegal by lots.... waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 01/06/2018 14:38:02 2106286 Link
Watching Derry v Donegal on iplayer now. I always believe Down can win any championship game, so if we can take our chances better that day, and if people are saying the Donegal defence is not as mean as it was before, why not? Nobody from outside the county expected Us to beat Monaghan last year. Down by a point. Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 01/06/2018 14:58:33 2106291 Link
I like the look of Donegal, and where they're going. They could have a big say yet. realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8591 - 01/06/2018 19:20:43 2106341 Link
Murphy and mc brearty could run amok in this one... downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 02/06/2018 16:02:28 2106488 Link
Replying To realdub: "I like the look of Donegal, and where they're going. They could have a big say yet." I am always very apprehensive when I read or hear praise from either a dub or a Kerry man. Things have started very promising including in the league despite relegation. In fact playing Division 2 football will allow Donegal to bed in more of the young talent coming through next year. The championship has gone well so far in that despite 2 good wins there was still plenty left to work on. Another bonus is not really having to expend much effort playing within ourselves and not having to go too high in the intensity levels. Maybe this could change next weekend. Down definitely have forwards who could do damage as despite improvement from the league the Donegal defense is far from water tight something I think will be exposed in the Super 8's (if Donegal make it). On the plus side with the super 8's in mind if Donegal get there there is a decent 26 man squad there unlike some other sides that might make the super 8's. We are probably a couple of years away from getting to our potential but it is great to see so many young players coming through. Some posters will remember that despite what the media were saying Donegal were far from over the hill. Unfortunately they were hamstrung by the negativity of the previous regime, the Dubs in 2016 a prime example (but far from the only one). panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 02/06/2018 23:29:37 2106619 Link
Not long until the game now. I would say everyone outside of Donegal will be hoping for a Down win to set up a novel final with Fermanagh. Down have some quality players who will give us plenty to think about but I think that overall, we're just that wee bit stronger. Should be a great day out in Clones! Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9133 - 06/06/2018 15:02:29 2108097 Link
Dangerous game for Donegal, as Down have the quality attacking players to really test our defence. Derry scored 0-16 the last day (And hit a lot of wides), Cavan scored 1-15 the day before that. This Down team have arguably better attacking players than either of those sides, as well as a sturdy midfield and decent defence. Connaire Harrison is a truly outstanding player, unmarkable at times. Donal O'Hare likewise is brilliant. Unless we tighten up at the back, they could do some serious damage. Our defence has been unsettled with Neil McGee and Paddy McGrath carrying injuries, and Anthony Thompson is not fully back yet. These players along with Frank McGlynn made up 4 of our 2012 All Ireland winning back six, and naturally we are vulnerable until the younger players find their feet properly. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1112 - 06/06/2018 21:30:53 2108211 Link
Dont want to put the commentators curse on our lads, but I am sure they will have looked at the u20 experience of last Sunday and will not be going into this game fully focused. Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 06/06/2018 22:33:51 2108235 Link
Almost afraid to say anything after the Fermanagh result last weekend but if Donegal don't sit on their laurels and do what they were trying to do in the league, it should be too much for Down. realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8591 - 06/06/2018 22:37:12 2108239 Link
Replying To panamasam: "I am always very apprehensive when I read or hear praise from either a dub or a Kerry man. Things have started very promising including in the league despite relegation. In fact playing Division 2 football will allow Donegal to bed in more of the young talent coming through next year. The championship has gone well so far in that despite 2 good wins there was still plenty left to work on. Another bonus is not really having to expend much effort playing within ourselves and not having to go too high in the intensity levels. Maybe this could change next weekend. Down definitely have forwards who could do damage as despite improvement from the league the Donegal defense is far from water tight something I think will be exposed in the Super 8's (if Donegal make it). On the plus side with the super 8's in mind if Donegal get there there is a decent 26 man squad there unlike some other sides that might make the super 8's. We are probably a couple of years away from getting to our potential but it is great to see so many young players coming through. Some posters will remember that despite what the media were saying Donegal were far from over the hill. Unfortunately they were hamstrung by the negativity of the previous regime, the Dubs in 2016 a prime example (but far from the only one)." Why apprehensive, just another person's opinion not matter what the county. realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8591 - 07/06/2018 00:05:02 2108257 Link
Great Donegal performance against a Down team who were simply blown away. What will excite lovers of open attacking football is that they are winning while playing a lovely brand of attacking football having scored 2-20, 2-16 & 2-22 along the way. Old carmudgeon that I am I would like to see them tighten up a bit at the back but I appear to be in a minority of one in MuckrossHead Towers on that one. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 10/06/2018 20:31:56 2109557 Link
Great performance again by the lads. The intensity went up a notch from the previous games and Down couldn't live with it even with their numerical advantage. Murphy is in ominous form and has added another string to his bow with left footed points. Paddy was hungry and operating well inside too. Jamie Brennan was very lively. He has great pace and a good eye for a score. He looks a lot physically stronger too. Didn't see the McGee incident but there's talk of an appeal so let's wait and see what happens there. Finally Ryan McHugh must be the most fouled player in gaelic football today. On and off the ball. Very frustrating to see. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9133 - 10/06/2018 21:09:17 2109575 Link
Ryan gets a lot of hits to the head, it really needs to be eradicated from the game these high dangerous 'tackles; anyway a good performance, thought Neil's staright red card was harsh, a second yellow maybe. Down were poor and the final will be a different kettle of fish altogether, we'll not be scoring 2.22 against Fermanagh, Michael Murphy is as complete a Gaelic footballer as I've ever seen, looking forward to the final and hopefully seeing the Anglo Celt returning to the hills, against anyone else I'd be rooting for Fermanagh to win their first title but I don't think they'll be able to hold the firepower we have for 70+ mins. Tir chonaill Abu. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2747 - 10/06/2018 22:10:07 2109608 Link
Good performance - Warm heavy day in Clones - Down tactics were strange - they started trying to rough up Brennan and McBrearty but it was almost done in a half hearted way. The keepers kick outs were brutal - Almost 10 times in a row to a Donegal player ( if he was blindfolded he would at least have a 50/50 chance) That gave Donegal a huge foothold in the game Murphy was immense both as an inside forward and directing play as CHF / without a doubt the top player in the game at present Huge amount of rotation with maybe 4/5 different players partnering breenan inside. Brennan/Mchugh/Mcglynn/McBrearty all had big games. On areas for improvement Thought Langan was slow in covering back, Mulligan is better going for goal rather than trying to kick points with his left. When Down went with the shirt kick out they picked up 7 points in about 15 mins some of which looked easy got McGee Red might be questionable but was a second yellow If the Black card was correctly applied Ryan McHugh was a victim of at least 5 Should have too much fire power got Fermanagh but huge step up for Super 8. In theory the group could be Dublin/ Donegal/Kerry/Mayo !! ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 10/06/2018 23:13:21 2109648 Link
Replying To ruanua: "Good performance - Warm heavy day in Clones - Down tactics were strange - they started trying to rough up Brennan and McBrearty but it was almost done in a half hearted way. The keepers kick outs were brutal - Almost 10 times in a row to a Donegal player ( if he was blindfolded he would at least have a 50/50 chance) That gave Donegal a huge foothold in the game Murphy was immense both as an inside forward and directing play as CHF / without a doubt the top player in the game at present Huge amount of rotation with maybe 4/5 different players partnering breenan inside. Brennan/Mchugh/Mcglynn/McBrearty all had big games. On areas for improvement Thought Langan was slow in covering back, Mulligan is better going for goal rather than trying to kick points with his left. When Down went with the shirt kick out they picked up 7 points in about 15 mins some of which looked easy got McGee Red might be questionable but was a second yellow If the Black card was correctly applied Ryan McHugh was a victim of at least 5 Should have too much fire power got Fermanagh but huge step up for Super 8. In theory the group could be Dublin/ Donegal/Kerry/Mayo !!" If we win Ulster we're in with Dublin, we might also have Mayo but if Kerry win Munster they'll be in the other group. Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 11/06/2018 00:01:24 2109667 Link
Replying To MuckrossHead: "Great Donegal performance against a Down team who were simply blown away. What will excite lovers of open attacking football is that they are winning while playing a lovely brand of attacking football having scored 2-20, 2-16 & 2-22 along the way. Old carmudgeon that I am I would like to see them tighten up a bit at the back but I appear to be in a minority of one in MuckrossHead Towers on that one." I told you before the championship I really like the look of this Donegal some serious players all over the team that was some hammering today only bad point was McGee let the team down badly 5 knees I counted in front of the linesman I accept he's as hard as nails but I don't know what he was thinking on this one. Still feel you're not getting the most out of Murphy out the field he's playing well don't get me wrong but inside he's scares the life out teams we all love to see him out the field. clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 11/06/2018 00:08:27 2109669 Link
Scoreline doesn't give a true reflection of 14 man Donegal's dpminance cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1673 - 11/06/2018 09:16:25 2109726 Link