|
Replying To naomh_conaill_4: "As the dust settles on the 2024 inter county season we can only look back with "What Ifs" but we have to be nothing but optimistic. The current All Ireland champions couldn't beat us in 2024 and the runners up beat us in a game that could have went either way.
I would be shocked if there wasn't a message sent out to the lads at the weekend to say we are close and we can push on.
Next season its all about staying in Division 1 and then focus on the All Ireland series I really don't think Ulster should be the priority next season.
For the club season hopefully we can pick up 2-3 new players that can challenge the starters.
I know for my own club Ethan O'Donnell will be back in the mix come championship and also Eoghan McGettigan is back training. Just wondering could Mc Fadden-Ferry be convinced back? I think he is still in Oz" I'm hearing mc fadden ferry has extended his 3 week holiday so maybe he'll get the bug to stay.
tickets (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 01/08/2024 16:21:31
2563460
Link
0
|
|
Replying To naomh_conaill_4: "As the dust settles on the 2024 inter county season we can only look back with "What Ifs" but we have to be nothing but optimistic. The current All Ireland champions couldn't beat us in 2024 and the runners up beat us in a game that could have went either way.
I would be shocked if there wasn't a message sent out to the lads at the weekend to say we are close and we can push on.
Next season its all about staying in Division 1 and then focus on the All Ireland series I really don't think Ulster should be the priority next season.
For the club season hopefully we can pick up 2-3 new players that can challenge the starters.
I know for my own club Ethan O'Donnell will be back in the mix come championship and also Eoghan McGettigan is back training. Just wondering could Mc Fadden-Ferry be convinced back? I think he is still in Oz" It's been a great season really. Getting promoted, winning Ulster the hardest way possible and breaking the AI semi final voodoo. Yes that came down to small margins but we didn't get parity on a couple of breaks on the day and it wasn't to be. We were very close and we'll be closer again. Lads now will be mad to commit and get involved. The return of the excellent Ethan O'Donnell and potentially OMcFF really boosts the 26. Finbar Roarty looks to be an absolute phenom and there might be a couple more to really push on. There'll be lads watching this year's championship and using it as motivation to be involved putting in serious work. Lots to be optimistic about. Also we've a decent U 20 squad this year. It's very tough for them as Derry and Tyrone are probably among the top 3-4 sides in the country at the grade.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2806 - 02/08/2024 08:25:59
2563541
Link
0
|
|
Replying To panamasam: "It's been a great season really. Getting promoted, winning Ulster the hardest way possible and breaking the AI semi final voodoo. Yes that came down to small margins but we didn't get parity on a couple of breaks on the day and it wasn't to be. We were very close and we'll be closer again. Lads now will be mad to commit and get involved. The return of the excellent Ethan O'Donnell and potentially OMcFF really boosts the 26. Finbar Roarty looks to be an absolute phenom and there might be a couple more to really push on. There'll be lads watching this year's championship and using it as motivation to be involved putting in serious work. Lots to be optimistic about. Also we've a decent U 20 squad this year. It's very tough for them as Derry and Tyrone are probably among the top 3-4 sides in the country at the grade." I know there is a lot of chatter about our underage setups and definitely improvements needed to keep us competing, but I do feel we've been very unlucky in the underage grades in the past few years in meeting really brilliant Derry and Tyrone teams that go on and win the All-Irelands. and more often than not for those AI winning sides, the match against our lads is the hardest they get pushed and the closest matches
maybe there's only one or two occasions that are sticking out in my head but it certainly feels that way to me following our underage groups
CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 127 - 02/08/2024 14:10:57
2563589
Link
0
|
|
Replying To CCFabu: "I know there is a lot of chatter about our underage setups and definitely improvements needed to keep us competing, but I do feel we've been very unlucky in the underage grades in the past few years in meeting really brilliant Derry and Tyrone teams that go on and win the All-Irelands. and more often than not for those AI winning sides, the match against our lads is the hardest they get pushed and the closest matches
maybe there's only one or two occasions that are sticking out in my head but it certainly feels that way to me following our underage groups" I'd tend to agree with this, particularly at under 20 level. This year Donegal lost to Derry by a point. Derry should have beaten Tyrone in the Ulster final. They lost on penalties. Tyrone walked the all Ireland after.
And two years ago the Tyrone vs Donegal match went to et in Derry. Donegal just couldn't really deal with Michael mcglennon that evening. Tyrone won the all Ireland after.
Of course there is room for improvement but it's certainly not all doom and gloom.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 772 - 02/08/2024 17:13:15
2563613
Link
0
|
|
Replying To CCFabu: "I know there is a lot of chatter about our underage setups and definitely improvements needed to keep us competing, but I do feel we've been very unlucky in the underage grades in the past few years in meeting really brilliant Derry and Tyrone teams that go on and win the All-Irelands. and more often than not for those AI winning sides, the match against our lads is the hardest they get pushed and the closest matches
maybe there's only one or two occasions that are sticking out in my head but it certainly feels that way to me following our underage groups" In terms of winning matches in Ulster Championship, Donegal are possibly the top side in Ulster over the last 30-35 years, in fact Tyrone and Donegal have emerged as the top two teams in Ulster during this period, replacing Down and Cavan in the previous 30 years (1960 - 1989). Now our win rate in Ulster finals is not flattering, but us consistently reaching finals shows we are still major force in Ulster football despite the lack of underage success.
We clearly have proven our ability to develop players for senior squad even if we are aren't winning at underage, which makes me wonder what we would be like at senior grade if consistently successful at underage.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 02/08/2024 21:19:16
2563632
Link
2
|
|
The recent success of the underage in Derry and Tyrone can be linked to their school success. They have a couple of massive GAA schools in each county. Omagh have won 2 Hogans in a row and they have other schools, biggger than anything we have in Donegal almost, competing at Ulster B level. Derry have Maghera and Magherafelt and there is serious money being pumped in there, full time GAA personnel in the schools. This makes it hard to compete at MacLarnon Cup level, let alone MacRory level. Abbey did well this year to win the MacLarnon, and if they have half that team back again, it would be great to see them enter the MacRory just to see how they go.
ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 03/08/2024 12:27:35
2563681
Link
0
|
|
Exactly CC and UC. Saying we haven't been good at underage recently is throw away stuff. You could throw a hat over ourselves, Tyrone and Derry this year with Tyrone winning the AI. It could be argued they were the 3 top sides in the country. Similarly we took Tyrone to ET a couple of years ago which was easily they're toughest game when going on to win the AI. It's all about developing players for senior at the end of the day and I think we're doing that. Back in 2015 out minors beat Armagh by 2-14 to 7 points in the Athletic grounds. Just have a look at some of the players Armagh had in that squad yet Derry beat us the next day out.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2806 - 03/08/2024 13:22:23
2563689
Link
0
|
|
What's the reason that we are so close to Derry and Tyrone but can't get over the line? On every occasion from minors to 20/21s the past 8/9 years.
TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1184 - 03/08/2024 15:12:05
2563702
Link
0
|
|
Whilst we can draw a bit of comfort from the fact that we're narrowly lost to strong Derry & Tyrone teams at underage recently, I still think winning titles is important. That know-how of ekeing out wins in tight championship matches is invaluable experience.
Like Commodore says, if we could unlock the secret & start winning underage titles more consistently who knows what exciting prospects could be in store at senior level. Easier said than done I know, which is why it's vital that a functioning youth academy is operating efficiently at all times.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9449 - 03/08/2024 19:21:36
2563715
Link
0
|
|
Replying To TheRock2121: "What's the reason that we are so close to Derry and Tyrone but can't get over the line? On every occasion from minors to 20/21s the past 8/9 years." I hate to say it, but modern football/management is probably the most truthful answer. My feeling is that in a number of those close games, we didn't let off the handbrake off until we were nearly a beaten docket. That U20 game against Tyrone in Celtic Park is definitely one that falls into that category.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 680 - 03/08/2024 19:26:14
2563716
Link
1
|
|
Regarding the all ireland next year, i think we are in a great spot.
I do not fear Tyrone under Jim tbh, I know loads of people here always say you cant write them off but honestly I dont see us losing to them , however Armagh worry me next year in Ulster.
I would like to face Derry again and prove it wasnt a fluke.
I know you dont need to win the provincial to win an all ireland but i love winning it so i would love a good run to the final again.
Armagh could be like us in 2013 and be on holiday mode, so i would say we have a good chance at repeating.
I also think that Div 1 is for sure the toughest it has ever been next year.
We should stay up imo and would be great to actually win a Div 1 title again.
I could be overly optimistic but lets look at the other teams around us.
Dublin are going to have a lot of retirements and are quite an old team, plus they have been beatable the last 2 to 3 years.
Tyrone, we dont lose to them under Jim.
Galway are nothing overly special, we SHOULD have beaten them plus 3 of their best players (Conroy, Walsh, Comer) are into their 30s now and with two final losses in the last 2 years, I seriously doubt they will do much next year.
Kerry have some of the best footballers in the country but are beatable too and overly reliant on the Cliffords.
Derry have probably the best squad in the country but going to have a new manager again for the 3rd year in a row and also, they just about beat us in 2022, and we put it up to them in 2023 before they pulled away from us, not much separates us and I trust Jim to be able to get over the line against them should we play them again.
Mayo are similar to ourselves but this Mayo team is one that does not fear me like the one we faced in 2013, 2015 or 2019
Armagh, scare me a little because of what they can do on any given day but a lot of teams who win an all ireland when they dont usually do, suffer from a hangover the next season, so they could be caught.
A lot will probably disagree with me but those are my thoughts.
Its in our grasps for sure and we have the best man in the country to help us achieve it.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 05/08/2024 20:00:28
2563929
Link
0
|
|
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Regarding the all ireland next year, i think we are in a great spot.
I do not fear Tyrone under Jim tbh, I know loads of people here always say you cant write them off but honestly I dont see us losing to them , however Armagh worry me next year in Ulster.
I would like to face Derry again and prove it wasnt a fluke.
I know you dont need to win the provincial to win an all ireland but i love winning it so i would love a good run to the final again.
Armagh could be like us in 2013 and be on holiday mode, so i would say we have a good chance at repeating.
I also think that Div 1 is for sure the toughest it has ever been next year.
We should stay up imo and would be great to actually win a Div 1 title again.
I could be overly optimistic but lets look at the other teams around us.
Dublin are going to have a lot of retirements and are quite an old team, plus they have been beatable the last 2 to 3 years.
Tyrone, we dont lose to them under Jim.
Galway are nothing overly special, we SHOULD have beaten them plus 3 of their best players (Conroy, Walsh, Comer) are into their 30s now and with two final losses in the last 2 years, I seriously doubt they will do much next year.
Kerry have some of the best footballers in the country but are beatable too and overly reliant on the Cliffords.
Derry have probably the best squad in the country but going to have a new manager again for the 3rd year in a row and also, they just about beat us in 2022, and we put it up to them in 2023 before they pulled away from us, not much separates us and I trust Jim to be able to get over the line against them should we play them again.
Mayo are similar to ourselves but this Mayo team is one that does not fear me like the one we faced in 2013, 2015 or 2019
Armagh, scare me a little because of what they can do on any given day but a lot of teams who win an all ireland when they dont usually do, suffer from a hangover the next season, so they could be caught.
A lot will probably disagree with me but those are my thoughts.
Its in our grasps for sure and we have the best man in the country to help us achieve it." Some good points there but how are you of the opinion Derry have the best squad in the country.
Their lack of squad is whats let them down over the past two years.
They are lacking the forward power also.
Be interesting to see how they recover next year but a lot of their success was down to the hard running game and micro management of Rory Gallagher in my opinion.
drumalee11 (USA) - Posts: 317 - 05/08/2024 20:25:28
2563931
Link
1
|
|
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Regarding the all ireland next year, i think we are in a great spot.
I do not fear Tyrone under Jim tbh, I know loads of people here always say you cant write them off but honestly I dont see us losing to them , however Armagh worry me next year in Ulster.
I would like to face Derry again and prove it wasnt a fluke.
I know you dont need to win the provincial to win an all ireland but i love winning it so i would love a good run to the final again.
Armagh could be like us in 2013 and be on holiday mode, so i would say we have a good chance at repeating.
I also think that Div 1 is for sure the toughest it has ever been next year.
We should stay up imo and would be great to actually win a Div 1 title again.
I could be overly optimistic but lets look at the other teams around us.
Dublin are going to have a lot of retirements and are quite an old team, plus they have been beatable the last 2 to 3 years.
Tyrone, we dont lose to them under Jim.
Galway are nothing overly special, we SHOULD have beaten them plus 3 of their best players (Conroy, Walsh, Comer) are into their 30s now and with two final losses in the last 2 years, I seriously doubt they will do much next year.
Kerry have some of the best footballers in the country but are beatable too and overly reliant on the Cliffords.
Derry have probably the best squad in the country but going to have a new manager again for the 3rd year in a row and also, they just about beat us in 2022, and we put it up to them in 2023 before they pulled away from us, not much separates us and I trust Jim to be able to get over the line against them should we play them again.
Mayo are similar to ourselves but this Mayo team is one that does not fear me like the one we faced in 2013, 2015 or 2019
Armagh, scare me a little because of what they can do on any given day but a lot of teams who win an all ireland when they dont usually do, suffer from a hangover the next season, so they could be caught.
A lot will probably disagree with me but those are my thoughts.
Its in our grasps for sure and we have the best man in the country to help us achieve it." Why should you have beaten galway?
Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 05/08/2024 22:39:51
2563946
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Galway9801: "Why should you have beaten galway?" The very fine margins of missing a 21m free in the 64th minute to go one up, and he concession of a free less than a minute later for touching the ball on the ground. The game ultimately in my opinion came down to a brush of the ball on the ground for what I'd say was 1/10th of a second. You may disagree, but those are the fine margins.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 680 - 06/08/2024 11:14:14
2563985
Link
1
|
|
And don't forget that the defining score of the game was a flukey goal from Donegal. A Galway player did something similar to Thompson a minute or so after the ref blew Thompson and the ref let it go. It led to a point. The overcarrying call on McHugh at the start of the second half was bizarre. It led to a point. Everything went Galway's way. Donegal are a better team.
ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 06/08/2024 13:14:27
2564005
Link
1
|
|
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Regarding the all ireland next year, i think we are in a great spot.
I do not fear Tyrone under Jim tbh, I know loads of people here always say you cant write them off but honestly I dont see us losing to them , however Armagh worry me next year in Ulster.
I would like to face Derry again and prove it wasnt a fluke.
I know you dont need to win the provincial to win an all ireland but i love winning it so i would love a good run to the final again.
Armagh could be like us in 2013 and be on holiday mode, so i would say we have a good chance at repeating.
I also think that Div 1 is for sure the toughest it has ever been next year.
We should stay up imo and would be great to actually win a Div 1 title again.
I could be overly optimistic but lets look at the other teams around us.
Dublin are going to have a lot of retirements and are quite an old team, plus they have been beatable the last 2 to 3 years.
Tyrone, we dont lose to them under Jim.
Galway are nothing overly special, we SHOULD have beaten them plus 3 of their best players (Conroy, Walsh, Comer) are into their 30s now and with two final losses in the last 2 years, I seriously doubt they will do much next year.
Kerry have some of the best footballers in the country but are beatable too and overly reliant on the Cliffords.
Derry have probably the best squad in the country but going to have a new manager again for the 3rd year in a row and also, they just about beat us in 2022, and we put it up to them in 2023 before they pulled away from us, not much separates us and I trust Jim to be able to get over the line against them should we play them again.
Mayo are similar to ourselves but this Mayo team is one that does not fear me like the one we faced in 2013, 2015 or 2019
Armagh, scare me a little because of what they can do on any given day but a lot of teams who win an all ireland when they dont usually do, suffer from a hangover the next season, so they could be caught.
A lot will probably disagree with me but those are my thoughts.
Its in our grasps for sure and we have the best man in the country to help us achieve it." The expectation or hope is Jim will take Donegal up and level from 2024, but a lot will depend on us avoiding injuries and also uncovering new talent, particularly an inside forward and maybe a corner back.
Looking at next years Ulster, I'm expecting Armagh, Derry and Donegal to be the contenders in Ulster, unclear where Tyrone and Monaghan will be at this stage.
The All Ireland is between Dublin, Kerry, Armagh, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Derry or Tyrone, any of those could potentially win it, at this point there isn't much between them all, maybe that will all change after the league next year.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1182 - 06/08/2024 13:32:38
2564011
Link
0
|
|
I seen the Buncrana manager isn't happy with the treatment Caolan McGonagle gets at club level from opposition players and referees, sounds a bit ridiculous to me because whatever a division 2 player can give a senior inter-county player can give it 10x harder. I would like to ask though do intermediate and junior clubs with county men notice them getting treated harshly by referees because they're county men?
NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 78 - 06/08/2024 15:45:59
2564045
Link
0
|
|
Replying To NPadraigAbu: "I seen the Buncrana manager isn't happy with the treatment Caolan McGonagle gets at club level from opposition players and referees, sounds a bit ridiculous to me because whatever a division 2 player can give a senior inter-county player can give it 10x harder. I would like to ask though do intermediate and junior clubs with county men notice them getting treated harshly by referees because they're county men?" I saw the tackle he was referring to and it was a horrendous attempt. It was a lesser player trying to put down a mark on a top county player.
Should have been a straight red instead of a black also.
Tackles like that are dangerous and have no place on the field.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 965 - 06/08/2024 16:17:12
2564055
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Galway9801: "Why should you have beaten galway?" The amount of wides and shots thats dropped short in the last 10-15, the dodgy free Galway got.
I believe we played the better football over the course of the game and were very unlucky to have ran out of gas at the crucial time.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 06/08/2024 19:12:29
2564079
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Commodore: "The expectation or hope is Jim will take Donegal up and level from 2024, but a lot will depend on us avoiding injuries and also uncovering new talent, particularly an inside forward and maybe a corner back.
Looking at next years Ulster, I'm expecting Armagh, Derry and Donegal to be the contenders in Ulster, unclear where Tyrone and Monaghan will be at this stage.
The All Ireland is between Dublin, Kerry, Armagh, Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Derry or Tyrone, any of those could potentially win it, at this point there isn't much between them all, maybe that will all change after the league next year." Can't wait for next season.
Conor O D back at full fitness will be amazing
Same with Jason McGee and Eoghan Ban...
Roarty could be a brilliant addition, looking forward to seeing how he does with Naomh Conaill in the coming weeks.
Same with Luke McGlynn in Glenfin
Few others uncovered in the club championship will be great to see
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 06/08/2024 20:29:00
2564095
Link
0
|