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Donegal- backwards, forwards or stagnation?

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Replying To JoeSoap:  "Do you think Odhran would be better suited as a centre half forward? I'm not sure about his defensive discipline for midfield but he's a fine footballer."
Certainly an option. Odhran has a wand of a left foot and a good footballing brain. I'd like to see how Ciaran McGinley would do in midfield if given a chance. He has been the standout midfield player in this year's Championship. Play him alongside a hopefully fit Neil Gallagher. This would free Odhran for a CHF role.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9154 - 14/10/2016 12:01:45    1926173

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but for 2017 with no disrespect to Antrim, 4 games would take them there.

I just hope that the management and players of Antrim take the 'no disrespect' that was on show last night when the draw was made and the interviews carried out and use it as an incentive. Yes the smart money will be on Donegal but it's not too long ago we scalped them in their own backyard that people should be so dismissive of us.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/10/2016 12:21:37    1926188

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Replying To Offside_Rule:  "but for 2017 with no disrespect to Antrim, 4 games would take them there.

I just hope that the management and players of Antrim take the 'no disrespect' that was on show last night when the draw was made and the interviews carried out and use it as an incentive. Yes the smart money will be on Donegal but it's not too long ago we scalped them in their own backyard that people should be so dismissive of us."
I remember that game (2009 perhaps???) when Antrim beat Donegal in Ballybofey and they were full value for their victory. That was pre-McGuinness era though and we were not great. However even during the McGuinness reign we always found Antrim a very difficult opponent, I remember in the 2014 Ulster semi-final the game was level at half time. Antrim are always a very strong opponent in Ulster but just seem to lose focus in the qualifiers. Donegal will expect to win but I think it will be tough.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1876 - 14/10/2016 13:27:20    1926226

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I am going to repeat the general consensus here already and from the Donegal forum in that Donegal have a very good squad of players that is being held back by the 'play to not lose' tactics we use. Against the top sides especially out of Ulster these tactics make Donegal cannon fodder to the top sides as it is so predictable. I was shocked Rory got the added term that he got but it is what it is and you can only hope he will make the changes necessary for Donegal to play to their capabilities though sadly I am rather pessimistic about this. Donegal probably need another have back with pace and power to get up and down the field. We saw last year how important big Neil is to the side so looking forward Donegal will need a midfielder or 2. As already mentioned Donegal also need an additional scoring inside forward. It is very difficult to know what to do with MM. I seen him play recently in a club match and his passing off the foot really was a joy to see. Saying that on form there is no more a dangerous full forward in the country. There is plenty of talent coming through. This years U-21 championship is really a very important one for the county and the development of some of the players coming through. Apart from Jim McG Donegal have being dogged by poor management in recent years especially at underage and it is a big worry moving forward as without the right management in place you are not going to reach your potential. In the immediate future looking forward to seeing the county final on Sunday and getting another look at Kilcar in action. They are striking the right chord between defense and attack at the moment led by the evergreen Michael Hegarty.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 14/10/2016 13:31:39    1926228

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Replying To gotmilk:  "How do you suggest getting the ball to them?"
I would not worry too much about us getting the ball into them----- I would imagine it's the opposition who shoul worry about how to stop getting the ball into them.
Anybody fancy Cavan to win Ulster next year ?

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 14/10/2016 14:17:18    1926246

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Replying To Green_Gold:  "
Replying To Offside_Rule:  "but for 2017 with no disrespect to Antrim, 4 games would take them there.

I just hope that the management and players of Antrim take the 'no disrespect' that was on show last night when the draw was made and the interviews carried out and use it as an incentive. Yes the smart money will be on Donegal but it's not too long ago we scalped them in their own backyard that people should be so dismissive of us."
I remember that game (2009 perhaps???) when Antrim beat Donegal in Ballybofey and they were full value for their victory. That was pre-McGuinness era though and we were not great. However even during the McGuinness reign we always found Antrim a very difficult opponent, I remember in the 2014 Ulster semi-final the game was level at half time. Antrim are always a very strong opponent in Ulster but just seem to lose focus in the qualifiers. Donegal will expect to win but I think it will be tough."
I remember a few matches during the 2000s they gave us all we could handle.

Particularly 2003, we beat Derry out the gate in the first round of Ulster and they took it to the wire next day out.

Very very proud county

Seansy48 (Tyrone) - Posts: 237 - 14/10/2016 14:49:58    1926264

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Donegal- backwards, forwards or stagnation?

While Donegal system of play definitely progressed between 2015 and 2016, I think that progression has been slowed by some very poor management decisions. Whether it's Leo McLoone, Mark McHugh, Karl Lacey, or Substitution management or the integration of new players, a lot of people have been baffled by Rory Gallagher's decision making at times.

As a team, they should have a very talented and fresh squad of players in 2017. Talk of transition is just making excuses, there is no tomorrow in football, you play to win each and every year.

In my opinion, failure to win Ulster will likely see calls for a manager replacement getting louder. And for good reason too, they have left two Ulster titles on the trot behind them as past 2 seasons, and exited at the Quarter final stage in very limp fashion on both years.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 14/10/2016 23:49:06    1926388

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It's only one way for Donegal next year and that is forward.
If we don't go forward then , as with the u21's and minors last year bad management will be the root cause.
How many more Ciaran Cillispies have we in the county , young lads who got no chance to play co football I'd say quite a few and I'd also say , which a lot of people down south might not know we have massive talent If Red hand Micky had them or Jack o Connor / J Galvin were managing them we would be right up at the top IMO
In short term it might take one year to find a settled team but I am expecting us to be a tough team to beat in the next few years and with a big desire to win Sam again
Let's see how we perform in Div one and we have a good u21 team to look forward to next year so we should have a good idea where we are at come next May

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 15/10/2016 15:48:49    1926465

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After yesterday's county final I just need to say two words, Neil Gallagher.
I hope the big man gives one more year. Forget about him in the league and maybe even the Antrim game (no disrespect intended). Have him fit and ready for the potential Tyrone semi final.
This frees up Murphy. He no longer has to spend his time out around the middle winning ball. If Gallagher gets tired switch them for periods.
They have a great understanding as Kilcar found out to their cost yesterday.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9154 - 17/10/2016 10:38:32    1926838

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "After yesterday's county final I just need to say two words, Neil Gallagher.
I hope the big man gives one more year. Forget about him in the league and maybe even the Antrim game (no disrespect intended). Have him fit and ready for the potential Tyrone semi final.
This frees up Murphy. He no longer has to spend his time out around the middle winning ball. If Gallagher gets tired switch them for periods.
They have a great understanding as Kilcar found out to their cost yesterday."
Absolutely right. He is a massive player and rarely loses the ball. His kick passing is arguable the best in the county setup.
Its not always the big high ball (but he even does it great) but he can kick the diagonal ball also.

I think what yesterday showed was that Donegal can play football multiple different ways. Kilcar play a running game and were brilliant at it as shown over the whole year. The bad weather didn't help yesterday.
But Glenswilly brought a defensive setup (with a bit of pulling and dragging) but they actually did well with the ball and bypassed the kilcar defensive more often than not.

Combine both of these play style and straight away Donegal are less predictable and would be twice as good in attack

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 17/10/2016 10:52:06    1926845

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "After yesterday's county final I just need to say two words, Neil Gallagher.
I hope the big man gives one more year. Forget about him in the league and maybe even the Antrim game (no disrespect intended). Have him fit and ready for the potential Tyrone semi final.
This frees up Murphy. He no longer has to spend his time out around the middle winning ball. If Gallagher gets tired switch them for periods.
They have a great understanding as Kilcar found out to their cost yesterday."
Good post. Gallagher is so important to Donegal, especially now we are breaking in new keepers. It would be a great comfort to any keeper knowing they if in doubt, they can hit Gallagher. I think he might need to play some football early next year though as he played very little this year.

himachechy (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 17/10/2016 11:02:27    1926855

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Replying To himachechy:  "Good post. Gallagher is so important to Donegal, especially now we are breaking in new keepers. It would be a great comfort to any keeper knowing they if in doubt, they can hit Gallagher. I think he might need to play some football early next year though as he played very little this year."
He looked to be moving ok yesterday! He is so composed on the ball as well. Rarely, if ever gives it away. An underrated facet to his game I've always felt.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9154 - 17/10/2016 11:20:11    1926862

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "He looked to be moving ok yesterday! He is so composed on the ball as well. Rarely, if ever gives it away. An underrated facet to his game I've always felt."
As you say Lockjaw it is his ability to control a game like a top class soccer midfielder. High catches are good to watch but they are just one poscession.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1059 - 17/10/2016 11:42:03    1926880

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