Does anyone remember who marked O'Donoghue when the teams met in 2012? Obviously he has improved a lot but still interesting to know. He scored a point from play that day.

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1422 - 03/09/2014 13:11:50    1647449

Paddy Mc Grath, Ben. Neil will probably pick him up this time though. Kerry will be hoping to create space by JoD pulling Neil around the place!

DLlegends (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 03/09/2014 13:27:16    1647462

D Murphy, M Ó Sé, T Griffin, T O'Sullivan, T Ó Sé (0-02), M McCarthy, K Young, D Ó Sé, S Scanlon, P Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan (0-01), T Kennelly (0-02), C Cooper (0-06, 6f), T Walsh (0-04), Darran O'Sullivan (0-01).
Interesting to see the amount of changes in the starting team since 2009. Only K.Young starting against mayo the last day. Even though most of the subs that day are still around. Interesting to see how many changes from Donegal in the same period of time. People who say this team isn't in transition need to see this team.

Would make Donegal favourites for the final and most Kerry people wouldn't begrudge them as they are a fine football county with nice people. However i don't think people are giving kerry credit for their achievements this year and are only focusing on our usual easy path to the final and referees in our favour. I guess nothing changes from reading threads on this site but we won't lose any sleep over it. Good luck to both teams in the final and may the best team win.

ky4sam2014 (Kerry) - Posts: 32 - 03/09/2014 13:35:06    1647471

Bursting with excitement already for this one. Start of the year I really thought it would be a Kerry/Dublin final, but after the Gooch got injured I thought Cork or Mayo might be ahead of us. I had completely written off Donegal and continued to througout the year but here they are now favourites, how wrong I was. I was cautious as I've great respect for JMG but with Donegal not using that many players in the league I really thought they would lack depth, but they uncovered some really good talents this year.

As far as predicting the final, I'm with GaryMc on this one, can't call it yet anyways. Until last Sunday I hadn't been that impressed with Donegal, but they really pushed on the last day and perhaps the are hitting peak performance levels at just the right (wrong) time. Some points have been made for a Donegal win, and I'm not trying to disprove a Donegal win as I'm still very much on the fence, but here it goes. McHugh is a great player and one point made was Kerry don't have a runner to follow him, depending on whether McHugh attacks from deep or stays further forward I think Donnacha has done great jobs marking runners from deep in the past, and I reckon Paul Murphy could also be a good pick for this. Jonathon Lyne has some serious pace too and has played an awful lot at wing back in the past but he's played more forward stuff lately for Kerry. Another point was the combo of Murphy, McFadden, McHugh, McBrearty will cause Kerry problems. I've discussed McHugh already, Murphy for any team will be difficult so fair enough there. But McFadden? I duno lads but he's not having a great season, I know he has superb class but I think trying to rely on him won't work. And McBrearty is a fine footballer we could struggle here alright (perhaps keeping O'Se in reserve for when McBrearty comes on would be a good idea. Kerry will have to win at least 50% of the battles in midfield and in Donegals half back line. I think that'll be the winning of the game there. Kerry can't let these 5 men loose, and they will also need to be very quick on the ball in this area. A reason I wouldn't start Michael Geaney - he's played well this year but he gets caught in possession too often and Donegal will capitalise on this. If David Moran can keep his form going we could have a great chance. I've been saying for years this guy would step up and he kept proving me wrong but he's finally reaching his potential.

One case for Kerry optimism, is that Kerry haven't played a similar style in their past 3 encounters. The Cork game and Galway game were different, and the Mayo games were different again. Interesting that they can change the style so easily. Even though Donaghy has proved me wrong in the last two games and actually proved to be useful, I very much doubt he will have the same effect against Donegal. Really hoping Eamonn has the good sense to keep him in reserve. Or at least keep interchanging him from inside to outside the field. This worked very well against Cork one year, and even though Donaghy didn't benefit from it, Declan O'Sullivan did as the Cork defender (Canty I think) was prepared for an aerial battle but had to keep switching between aeriel and running.

And sorry I know this was a very Kerry orientated post, I'm just fascinated by how Kerry will approach this game. It's going to be a great battle!!

JMK (Kerry) - Posts: 273 - 03/09/2014 14:56:11    1647536

I think Fitzmaurice will have learnt a lot from Donegal's game plan from Sunday. Regardless of Sundays end result, for 20 minutes Dublin had the right idea, they pushed up on the Donegal defence and turned over a fair amount of ball, got it to their long range scorers who profited from the chances.
Kerry will know better than Dublin now that if they do open up any kind of lead, then they need to play conservative, drop bodies back and slow the game down.
The only way you're going to turn Donegal over is to make them come at you. Once they didn't have to come at Dublin on Sunday anymore they were able to regroup and play the game on their terms

NavyNBlue (Dublin) - Posts: 1357 - 03/09/2014 15:04:58    1647544

Does anyone remember who marked O'Donoghue when the teams met in 2012?

Paddy McGrath picked him up from the start before moving onto Darran O'Sullivan. Kept O'Sullivan at bay anyway he didn't get a sniff of it.

Toney (Meath) - Posts: 298 - 03/09/2014 15:57:54    1647570

the long ball wont work against Donegal so Dec O'Sulliovan should come in for Donaghy , Donaghy better off as impact sub for midfield sector to snuff out Neil Gallagher towards the end of the game , I'd also start Lyne ahead of Michael Geaney if I was Eamon Fitz , this will be a tight one

stekhli (Dublin) - Posts: 3121 - 03/09/2014 16:15:34    1647579

Donegal_abroad, I think essmac was being sarcastic.

MichaelO (Tyrone) - Posts: 820 - 03/09/2014 17:36:23    1647613

Dont see how kerry are going to win this one. Id say kerry could win next years all ireland but Donegal, on song, are almost impossible to beat.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 03/09/2014 17:56:20    1647623

ky4sam2014
County: Kerry
Posts: 4

1647471
Would make Donegal favourites for the final and most Kerry people wouldn't begrudge them as they are a fine football county with nice people. However i don't think people are giving kerry credit for their achievements this year and are only focusing on our usual easy path to the final and referees in our favour. I guess nothing changes from reading threads on this site but we won't lose any sleep over it. Good luck to both teams in the final and may the best team win.

Agreed here. Kerry firstly have been involved in three classic All-Ireland semi-finals in the space of a calendar year. Secondly, all the critics expected Cork to easily dismiss the Kerry challenge and then it was Mayo who were to send Kerry packing. To win on two occastions against the odds is not bad going at all.

For a team in transition, will another hurdle be a step too far? The bookies odds speak volumes.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7955 - 03/09/2014 18:03:15    1647630

Surprised Donegal are 8/15 favs for this one. Thought it would have been closer to a coin toss. Another over reaction of the betting markets perhaps?

Kerry tend to traditionally struggle against Ulster sides but I think the mass public don't give Eamon Fitzmaurice enough credit. The way Kerry were able to not only contain but beat up Mayo in the middle of the field shows what a shrewd operator he is and you can be damn sure he won't fall into the pitfalls that caught out Jim Gavin.

His men in the half back line will sit back and we may see a very cagey game from Kerry. They have shown they're physically able for a Donegal side and their efficiency in keeping the scoreboard ticking over and scoring from distance makes me believe if Donegal do win this, it will be by the minimum 1-3 points.

Kerry's biggest strength is their full forward line but that is the one area Donegal specialise in shutting down. The Brogans and O Gara were taken out of the match on Sunday and we've seen Donegal do that before like to Mayo in the All Ireland final in 2012.
Kieran Donaghy at full foward would appear to be meat and drink for the McGees but can they really keep James O Donoghue out of the whole match? Keith Higgins did a great job on him but he still scored 3-9 or something over the two matches with Mayo

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 224 - 03/09/2014 18:44:11    1647639

Good to Sam heading ulster bound once again...!!!

.tribute (Cavan) - Posts: 360 - 03/09/2014 19:09:55    1647656

Ulster sides are a tough opponent no doubt. Usually those we've lost out to have gone on to win the All-Ireland. There's no shame in being edged out by a tough opponent. At the same time 3 of our last 6 All-Irelands came about beating the Ulster champion along the way. All 6 required getting past an Ulster opponent at some point. All counties have their championship ended at some stage unless they win it. Over the last 10 years it's been the capital or Ulster to end ours.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7955 - 03/09/2014 19:43:05    1647663

Think Donegal will beat Kerry and could win easily.
Reasons for thinking like that.
K Donaghy has kept Kerry in this years championship. Do you agree Kerry folks. ??
Donegal has dealt with all the best forwards they have met so far :::: M Lynch( Derry) C McManus/K Hughes ( Monaghan) J Clarke( Armagh) B Brogan/O Gara/Mc Mc menoman/( Dublin )
Do you think that they won't handle JoD or even K Donaghy ???
What did you all think of Donegal's discipline on Sunday ??? In the first half the defenders did not concede one free close to goals , all Dublin's Scores came from play in the first half I think. Brilliant defending, best I ever saw , especially against such class Dublin players( Sundays result don't make Dublin's players bad, they are still and will be a class team )

What about Kerry's defence against the Donegal forwards. ?
Would also question how good Mayo were this year. Bad moves from the line cost them the first day, 5 points up , a few minutes left and could not watch the likes of Donaghy. I don't think they had the mental strength to see off Kerry. Donegal will be a different animal and in my book Kerry will come up against something they never experienced before. I'd say Donegal played their best football on Sunday, I doubt we will see that type of game in the final and if Kerry do go defensive then we will have an Armagh v Donegal or Monaghan v Donegal Ulster final type game. I predict a dour hard close marking game with Donegal too battled hardened for Kerry Donegal for me are packing at the right time.

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 03/09/2014 21:22:46    1647720

wouldnt write off kerry at all..donegal will struggle to score as they wont have the space they got against dublin and kerry have superior insides forwards than the dubs..also better at midfield..kerry in general have more players comfortable at playing side to side stuff at a slower pace which is required against donegal as the dubs have a lot of players who really on flying at speed through gaps using their athleticism..2012 match between both sides game of championship i would argue

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 03/09/2014 21:33:29    1647729

I think the game will be fascinating and will be close. Really looking forward to it.

Do you not think the jersey's should have been changed for both sides?

I find it very strange. There is most certainly a clash. Both teams have the same colours, admittedly in varying degree, but still, this is the biggest game in the football calendar and surely nothing should be left to chance.

I understand the teams wanting to wear their traditional colours on All-Ireland final day, but still...

greenalien5 (Monaghan) - Posts: 44 - 03/09/2014 21:36:44    1647732

I just hope Donegal haven't left their best performance in the semi final. You get the impression that Jimmy McGuinness and the players were building themselves up for the Dublin match for the past few years and they proved a big point on Sunday. The danger is that the final becomes secondary to what Jimmy and the team really wanted and consequently they just don't psyche themselves up for Kerry in the same way. I really believe that if Donegal don't focus in the same way against Kerry they are really primed for delivering a shock as Donegal did against Dublin.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9720 - 03/09/2014 21:48:59    1647740

SamOnErrigal

I couldn't disagree more!

Kerry will come up against something they never experienced before.

This is Kerry we're talking about. They have come up against this before and in fact have adapted certain elements of their game strategy to suit this.

They won't step blindly into the void like Dublin did!

This game will be all about tactics. The sidelines will be where it's won or lost.

wile_man_sir (Donegal) - Posts: 150 - 03/09/2014 21:56:25    1647749

Donegal will be a difficult opponent no doubt.

Regards the jersey, Donegal have gone back to tradition and have less green on their jersey. It's a good move for all involved.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7955 - 04/09/2014 08:52:44    1647763

When Kerry played Dublin a few years back, I dreaded what would happen. Dublin looked to be on the up and I feared age would weary that great team. In the event, they romped home. The feeling was one of relief.

Fitzmaurice has done an extraordinary job, tactically and psychologically, with a young and largely untested squad. The had their luck too against a valiant Mayo team who are an attacker or two away from sealing the deal. Everything now is a bonus!

Donegal will pack the defence, harry and break... quickly and destructively. Kerry have patience, the ability to score from distance and a man mountain as full forward and a genie at his elbow. I expect them to win.

What worries me is the last Kerry final with Tyrone. Basically, they were out thought and out fought on the day. Flexibility of thought and practised alternatives are key. All of wnich will be needed to beat a well motivated, extremely efficient and thoroughly focused Donegal side

plike (Kerry) - Posts: 569 - 04/09/2014 09:25:31    1647773