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Couldn't watch the game but listened on the radio and seemed to be a very encouraging performance, turned Monaghan over multiple times and good to see young players like Frain, Caulfield, Molloy and McGlynn scoring. Another good test against Derry coming now, great stuff altogether. NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 78 - 14/01/2024 15:02:51 2520125 Link 0 |
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Very impressive performance. Especially that 1st half, we could have even been up by more. Next weekend will be a good test now before the league starts but signs are good so far. Great to see so many new players involved and performing so good as well. FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 253 - 14/01/2024 16:02:41 2520142 Link 0 |
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Plenty of "bang average" players on show today and they certainly weren't from Donegal.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 968 - 14/01/2024 16:53:26 2520160 Link 5 |
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Of the five so called "bang average' players that Madman named - Jason McGee, Niall O'Donnell, Michael Langan, Eoghan Ban, Brendan McCole - Ciaran Thompson was the only who brought his boots today. But then again, we would probably still have won if they were in their feet.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 680 - 14/01/2024 17:05:13 2520165 Link 0 |
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Of course, it was our B team out there today, coupled with injuries, men to AFL, NFL and a few men getting a well deserved break after last yr. Its understandable that Jimmy has to play full strength in these games to prime the team for a tough battle in Div 2.
monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 394 - 15/01/2024 09:21:23 2520228 Link 0 |
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It was a strange sort of game, we ended up something like 2-4 to 0-01 in front around 20 minutes in, yet Monaghan probably held the bulk of possession for that period. We were aided by a stiff breeze in that first half too, our running game seemed to cause Monaghan major issues during every attack and defensively we seemed comfortably able to contain Monaghan despite their possession. No Michael Langan, jason McGee or Brendan McCole yesterday, also still waiting on Niall O'Donnell and longer-term Conor O'Donnell and Hugh McFadden. Patrick McBrearty seems to be struggling in every game so far, not sure if he is on road back after an injury, he definitely hasn't been able to get a foothold in games so far despite weaker opposition. I like the tactical system we are playing, So far we have beaten Roscommon (Challenge game), Armagh U20's, weakened Tyrone side and a weakened Monaghan side. All Division 1 teams, but arguably all weakened sides, so I think next Saturday will be the first real test so far in 2024, as Derry will field a fairly strong team. That should give us an idea of where we stand ahead of the Division 2 campaign. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 15/01/2024 09:55:24 2520238 Link 0 |
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A great & cold day in Castleblaney yesterday. A long journey down the road but worth it!. Wish the covered stand was closer to the pitch side. Paddy has been a great servant and brilliant for the county but all eyes were on Oisin yesterday, he is fantastic. GAAmanDNG (Donegal) - Posts: 19 - 15/01/2024 10:04:39 2520241 Link 0 |
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Yes sure we were only missing the 9 or 10 ourselves but it gave a great opportunity for test our squad depth. Something Monaghan seem to be severely devoid of.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 968 - 15/01/2024 10:43:46 2520246 Link 5 |
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Definitely a significantly weakened Monaghan team from what we are used to, but despite the score difference there was still a lot to be optimistic about from Monaghan fans and expecting to see them improve significantly as the League starts. Donegal weren't at full strength, but there was definitely a strong core there. Lot of positives, but also a lot of things for them still to work on. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 15/01/2024 11:59:55 2520269 Link 0 |
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It's possible we had more first teamers missing than Monaghan. Mc Cole, Ban, Mogan, Langan, Mc Gee. Add in the likes of Niall O Donnell and Conor O Donnell who will be there or there about. We have a very strong squad. TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1186 - 15/01/2024 15:34:12 2520322 Link 0 |
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Hi TheRock2121: Not so long ago you were on here lamenting our lack of quality defenders.
AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 670 - 15/01/2024 18:42:34 2520349 Link 0 |
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A good win, anytime you beat Monaghan at home by 15 points is a good day out, ok both teams were missing lots of players who will be starters come Championship time but these games are great preparation for the league and much better than any training or challenge games, winning becomes a habit. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2948 - 15/01/2024 20:05:22 2520360 Link 0 |
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Still think it's our weakest area.
TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1186 - 15/01/2024 23:07:39 2520373 Link 0 |
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Yeah it was a good win, but I wouldn't get too carried away by this pre-season McKenna Cup campaign, as so far in pre-season we have beaten Roscommon in Challenge game, Armagh U20's, weakened Tyrone team and a weakened Monaghan team. There are definitely a lot of positives from how they are tactically setup, how players are performing etc, but Derry will be the first proper test this year and this Donegal side haven't really been properly stress tested yet apart from maybe the 2nd half against Tyrone in Healy Park when they brought on some big players. I think by the time Championship arrives and hopefully Donegal are at full strength with strong bench, we should be a headache for anyone. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 16/01/2024 07:58:18 2520385 Link 0 |
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We don't have quality man markers. The way round that is to defend better as a unit. It's evident already how they are defending with more intensity and getting more bodies round the player on the ball, players seem to know their roles better. In previous years, under Bonner and last year, we were getting bodies back but still ended up with defenders isolated , one on one with forwards and getting roasted.
greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 552 - 16/01/2024 09:32:42 2520398 Link 0 |
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You can be both a quality man-marker and an excellent team performer. The days of man-marking are somewhat behind us now anyway. Efficient possession systems do a better job of stifling marquee forwards than an elite man-marker. I totally agree, having a number of bodies back doesn't stop players getting isolated. Watching Carr/O'Rourke's Donegal was like Groundhog Day in that regard. The team had an incomplete attacking plan, and were terrible in transition. This was exploited over and over again by every team they played against because frustratingly similar weaknesses were shown in Bonner's teams. At least with McGuinness, weaknesses were disguised well and repaired with tactical tweaks between games. I'm just delighted that Donegal play Derry first, because Harte is one of the men who's shown he can consistently find and isolate weaknesses against McGuinness' teams. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 16/01/2024 12:15:54 2520429 Link 1 |
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Yeah there might still be a need for one or two specialist man-markers to counter opposition dangermen e.g. McCole on McGuigan, but I don't think it's the be all and end all that we don't have four or five really quality man markers. The systems teams employ these days are probably more important. One of the most interesting aspects of the McKenna Cup in my opinion has been Caolan McGonigle at CHB, a position that has been troublesome for us for a few years. I wonder will he continue in that position for the league? He has the physicality and strength certainly and he's a hard man to stop when he gets up a head of steam. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9458 - 16/01/2024 13:30:05 2520450 Link 0 |
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Absolutely he'll stay there. It would've been very easy for Jim to push Caolán into midfield on Sunday against Monaghan when we were the missing Langan/McGee size. But he persevered with Caolán at Centre Back because he wants to get him bedded into the position. In the last couple of years Hughie has been playing that role, but McGonagle offers so much more; more speed to cover the ground, more skill on the ball, and he is also hard to stop when he makes a line break.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 680 - 16/01/2024 14:12:22 2520469 Link 0 |
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It's possible. I don't think we have the luxury this season of saying our CHB is guaranteed to be in that mould, we will need to be more reactive to opposition shapes to have that level of consistency. But I certainly think both McGonagle and McFadden will be prepared to play that role depending on opposition. To tell the truth, I think there's a number of footballers in the panel who could play CHB excellently in the right system. Ban, DÓB, McGonagle, Hughie, McCole all have the experience, and can bring their own strengths to that area. Curran often acted as de facto CHB last season when Donegal were in possession as his man markers played deep. Don't be surprised to see McGuinness tease that idea out during the league. The best CHBs are corner backs. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 16/01/2024 14:19:33 2520475 Link 0 |
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See we have advertised for a new head of academy. This must be what our last chairman kept referring too as far back as last January when he quoted that the academy needs to be rebranded. Hurling and football together, a mess. ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 745 - 16/01/2024 20:14:58 2520554 Link 0 |