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Well guys might as well get the ball rolling what are we expecting this weekend...will Donegal play the way they did in the first couple of rounds? Will they revert to type and go defensive? From a Dublin perspective I think the 2 week break will have brought Dublin on an extra couple of weeks training should help them. Looking forward to a good game there won't be more than a couple of pts in it either way I feel. jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 21/02/2017 13:59:33 1959153 Link 0 |
Hi Jack....Donegal got plenty of bodies back against Roscommon but lacked intensity at times and were often caught on their heels meaning the Rossies found gaps back there. Kerry sliced through time after time and but for poor shot selection and shooting could have put up a cricket score in the first half. This is a very young Donegal side with so much experience lost. There is plenty of pace in the team but with Murphy likely to be deployed out the field there is a real lack of presence and menace in the full forward line. Paddy McB is more a support act than the main act for me and we don't have many other options. Donegal have a great record in Ballybofey but think the Dubs will win comfortably. This year is all about players gaining experience for Donegal. Think they will do well to stay in division 1 but if they don't won't be the worst thing that has ever happened either. Looking forward Donegal are lacking quality inside forwards. Also with big Neil forced to retire midfield is an immediate issue. Saying that I don't think midfield will be a problem looking forward. There will be a young kid called Jason McGee playing there Sunday and this guy is going to be one of the best midfielders in the country in 2 or 3 years time. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2771 - 21/02/2017 14:34:14 1959173 Link 0 |
I just think home advantage counts for a lot in the league I fancy Donegal to put in a big performance interesting thing from a dubs perspective is we have only scored 1 goal from our own boot from open play in the last 6 competitive games and that was an injury time goal againt Donegal last year i think we will need to raise a green flag this week if we are going to win. jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 21/02/2017 15:14:34 1959189 Link 0 |
It'll be a tough game, no doubt. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20587 - 21/02/2017 15:39:33 1959205 Link 0 |
Great to see gaa stock phrases alive and well gerund (Mayo) - Posts: 9 - 21/02/2017 15:48:07 1959212 Link 3 |
I really hope I am proven wrong but I feel the great rivalry which has existed between Dublin and Donegal has abated somewhat. A lot of the main protagonists on our side have moved on or are taking a break. Dublin fans will see a lot of young & unfamiliar faces in Donegal's lineup on Sunday. It would be expecting a lot for them to overcome a team as formidable as Dublin at this stage of their development. However, it will be a great learning curve for them. Donegal fans will have to be patient and just accept that a few trimmings from top teams will be a distinct possibility in the short term. That said, we are formidable in Ballybofey so I'd expect to see a Dublin win by about 5 or 6 points. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9073 - 21/02/2017 16:39:39 1959242 Link 0 |
Haha
jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20587 - 21/02/2017 16:44:12 1959248 Link 1 |
Not playing the cute H or anything but Donegal are not anywhere near the levels of 2011, 12, 13 or 14. TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 21/02/2017 17:53:34 1959280 Link 1 |
I'm actually worried that the final scoreline might not look to good from a Donegal perspective at the end of this game. With McBrearty being ruled out and Murphy having to play at midfield I can't see us causing too many problems for the Dublin defence. Plus we have given up loads of goal chances in our first 2 games especially against Kerry so it's hard not to see a very comfortable win for the Dubs. It will be a huge learning curve for our young lads and I think it's important for us Donegal supporters to stay positive as it will take time for this new team to develop. Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 21/02/2017 18:01:17 1959283 Link 0 |
Couldn't disagree with previous posters. Paddy McBrearty has been ruled out now too which makes a tough ask tougher. I think keeping it to within 5 or 6 points would be a respectable result. benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1422 - 21/02/2017 18:22:00 1959295 Link 0 |
Just the league? ;)
The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2087 - 21/02/2017 18:26:52 1959297 Link 0 |
Is Patrick McBreaty injured? How long is he out for? Big loss.
The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2087 - 21/02/2017 18:32:20 1959299 Link 0 |
I admire your optimism TheRightStuff, but i honestly think Donegal are in trouble. 9 players is to much to lose in a single year. 2018 is very optimistic for Donegal to be a force again - it will take many years for these young players to transition into senior football, if they ever can. Also i have seen a fair bit of these U21 players over the past years and i dont understand the hype in Donegal surrounding them. I feel a lot of them are only average players and nowhere near the standard of the 2010 team. Admittedly there are a few strong lads with potential like Jigger and Stephen McBrearty but without many experienced players helping guide them, aswell as having totally inept managers in RG and Bonnar, then their potential could easily be wasted. TakeyourPoint. (Tyrone) - Posts: 133 - 21/02/2017 19:14:55 1959314 Link 1 |
Expecting a very tough game, teams relish playing and trying to beat Dublin and often bring their very best and focus to try and beat the best. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4441 - 21/02/2017 19:28:02 1959319 Link 0 |
I think Dublin will win this handy enough, I think Donegal will be a long time waiting for another Anglo Celt and could very well be in division 2 next year. El_Torro (Tyrone) - Posts: 155 - 21/02/2017 20:35:52 1959342 Link 0 |
I can't see anything other than a comfortable win for Dublin here. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 21/02/2017 22:12:09 1959388 Link 0 |
This week be an experience for our young guns and can't see anything other than a comfortable win for Dublin. The other posters here from Donegal are spot on but like the Tyrone poster suggested 2018 is still a stretch for us to be competitive again with the big guns. Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 21/02/2017 22:24:01 1959392 Link 0 |
Yeah, he went off injured early in the second half against Roscommon with groin strain/tear. It's doesn't sound too serious going by Rory Gallagher but I'd say he might well miss another game after this weekend as I doubt they'll want to take any chances of it happening again.
Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 22/02/2017 09:14:36 1959466 Link 0 |
Factoring in all the injures and the 9 retirements in the last few months, I would say it will be a point differential exercise on sunday. Will go and support nonetheless. Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 22/02/2017 11:07:32 1959502 Link 0 |
I don't see anything other than a comfortable Dublin win here but we've shown a bit of fight in the first 2 matches so I'd be pleased with a good performance mostly. I don't think we have the forwards to really hurt Dublin so you may well see a blanket and hope our pacey lads can strike on the counter from turnovers. I wouldn't want to see this tactic personally as I don't think the young lads are disciplined enough to make it work, but we'll see. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 22/02/2017 11:22:56 1959511 Link 0 |