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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To farneygael3:  "Will you have the half and half jersey on Saturday."
Are you sore because a Monaghan woman decided she'd have a better chance in Donegal?

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 815 - 24/06/2025 16:10:21    2620756

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Replying To shaggykev:  "Agreed.

Hate the way they sell tickets too. They release all the worse seats first and then gradually add in the good seats closer to the match.

If you are first online and keen to buy early you should be able to buy a decent seat somewhere close to the middle of the stands. I know loads are given to clubs first up but not a great system and puts early buyers in a stick or twist situation.

I don't see Saturday getting over 60K.
Sunday will be 70k+"
Come Thursday there will be many seats down the middle of the hogan there, Its to catch people out and fill the worst sseats, everyone knows it.

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 416 - 24/06/2025 16:22:07    2620759

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one thing I hope Jim is drilling in to Murphy this week is to stay away from tackling. He got a yellow on Sunday needlessly and we know from Ulster that opposition teams will be putting pressure on the ref to card him at every opportunity. The card he got against Monaghan was a joke.

CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 229 - 24/06/2025 16:35:22    2620766

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Replying To Jack L:  "A lot been talked about the curtain raiser. What about the big Dublin/Tyrone match. A throwback to the late 2000's when both sides served up classic encounters.
A lot have changed in both counties since then. Difficult to call. Tyrone were impressive in dispatching Donegal. Dublin played well against Galway.
Dublin, I feel do not have enough quality. However it would not surprise me to see it going the distance and the dreaded penalty shootout.

Indeed both main matches this weekend will be intriguing ."
I personally don't think Tyrone were impressive against us. I'm not trying to take away from them, it's always something to be proud of coming up to a provincial champions back yard and winning. They scored 2 goals which from a Donegal perspective were very very poor to concede which gave Tyrone a commanding grip on the game, which they very nearly let slip as the game went on. Only for Gavin Mulreany being thrown in to the deep end for that game, coupled with the early loss of McGonagle and McFadden, Tyrone likely come away with nothing. My view is that Tyrone went into that game underrated and have come out of it overrated. Neither team could get clean hand on a ball in midfield, Morgan's kickouts were as poor as I have seen them be (without being particularly bad, such is his extraordinary level) and Canavan was kept quite.

They have loads of talent and on their day are a match for anyone but I'd have to think an away game against Dublin is always a tough one to come out on top of. Relatively close match for me with Dublin pulling away in the 4th quarter.

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 77 - 24/06/2025 16:43:34    2620768

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Replying To Breffni40:  "I wonder will they play "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" Lockjaw? I know a certain county they could dedicate it to :)

You're right about TM though an absolute farce to deal with it, either online or on their app. And they charge a significant amount for that honour too"
Hopefully aye. A good tune!

Gor sorted in the end but not really to my satisfaction. Im out if the country at the minute and just gad ti eventually settle for what I got.

Roll With It might be a more apt song choice now come to think of it.

Head down and just take care of business.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9834 - 24/06/2025 16:47:47    2620769

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Moving away from this scheduling talk, how do we see the game going? Whose style translates better to Croke Park? We play a hard running game and Croke Park is a big pitch, will it be hard for us to make the ground we typically do? Monaghan take a bit of a gung-ho approach to the game, does that leave more gaps in Croke Park than it does in Clones? Is there an argument that Monaghan aren't "road tested" having not played an All-Ireland contender/ Division 1 team since they played us? There's a lot of threads to pull on here to make a case for either team.

papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 77 - 24/06/2025 16:50:07    2620770

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Replying To Jack L:  "A lot been talked about the curtain raiser. What about the big Dublin/Tyrone match. A throwback to the late 2000's when both sides served up classic encounters.
A lot have changed in both counties since then. Difficult to call. Tyrone were impressive in dispatching Donegal. Dublin played well against Galway.
Dublin, I feel do not have enough quality. However it would not surprise me to see it going the distance and the dreaded penalty shootout.

Indeed both main matches this weekend will be intriguing ."
True .. there's a lot of talk on here about the Donegal/Monaghan game and no talk about the Dubs and Tyrone. The clue is in the name of the thread... 'Donegal GAA'

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 698 - 24/06/2025 16:53:40    2620771

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I would have strong opinions about Gaa and its fixtures but that's for another time. Hopefully the players got through Sunday okay and are overall in good enough shape. I suppose you'd be particularly thinking of Patton and Gallen. It was great to see Magee back and get the first half. Hopefully it was just precautionary to only give him a half. As others have said McFadden did very well in the second half and hard too see him not starting against Monaghan.

Monaghan got their run out in croke park with the new rules in the d2 final. They hit I think 6 two pointers (3 of them beggan frees). They also kicked the ball in a lot and worked two points off that. They got a great group in the group stage and maximised it by winning it. They'll be delighted to be playing Donegal on Saturday and they have to think they've a great chance.

In relation to Donegal this year. They've given a huge amount of themselves and the supporters have really bought into them. The feeling in winning Ulster was just fantastic. Hopefully the supporters can continue the support on Saturday and get down in big numbers. Here's hoping the players can do themselves full justice on Saturday. Up Donegal

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 881 - 24/06/2025 17:11:18    2620774

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Replying To papa_pump:  "Moving away from this scheduling talk, how do we see the game going? Whose style translates better to Croke Park? We play a hard running game and Croke Park is a big pitch, will it be hard for us to make the ground we typically do? Monaghan take a bit of a gung-ho approach to the game, does that leave more gaps in Croke Park than it does in Clones? Is there an argument that Monaghan aren't "road tested" having not played an All-Ireland contender/ Division 1 team since they played us? There's a lot of threads to pull on here to make a case for either team."
You make good points there. From a Monaghan perspective, I believe this game will let us know where we are with our rebuild. We would like to win the game but I think Donegal need to win it more than us. They are further down the road. Personally I don't think Donegal were at full tilt in Clones against us. Was our slow start our own fault or was it Donegal's doing. Would be slightly worrying that the teams we have faced would seem to be at a lower level than Donegal's opposition. Our performances against Roscommon, Louth and Down were impressive but..... Will the one week turnaround (6 or 7 days doesn't matter) have any efect on Donegal? I dont think so, unless extra time comes into it. Being honest I think we need to be at the top of our game with a high scoring percentage from our kicks at goal and our midfield to have their best game of the year. If we are in it with 10 to go, we have the know how to finish it off. No predictions but a good performance in Croke Park after promotion in the league and making the quarter finals of the championship would have been a pipe dream 10 months ago.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 650 - 24/06/2025 17:15:56    2620775

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Replying To papa_pump:  "Moving away from this scheduling talk, how do we see the game going? Whose style translates better to Croke Park? We play a hard running game and Croke Park is a big pitch, will it be hard for us to make the ground we typically do? Monaghan take a bit of a gung-ho approach to the game, does that leave more gaps in Croke Park than it does in Clones? Is there an argument that Monaghan aren't "road tested" having not played an All-Ireland contender/ Division 1 team since they played us? There's a lot of threads to pull on here to make a case for either team."
Patton might have a field day with his passing and it would suit our run game very well. Concerning thing is how easy monaghan got 2pts last time out and we've been so disciplined throughout, I worry now if we're due a silly red card.
Overall I think we should win but it just could be one game too many.
If Shane O'Donnell learns how to shoot we will win !

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 178 - 24/06/2025 17:20:58    2620777

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Hopefully aye. A good tune!

Gor sorted in the end but not really to my satisfaction. Im out if the country at the minute and just gad ti eventually settle for what I got.

Roll With It might be a more apt song choice now come to think of it.

Head down and just take care of business."
Its an absolute disgrace the way Ticketmaster operate. The bottom line is that they prey on peoples insecurity. But I blame Croke Park for handing them the ability to do it. Like you I had to panick buy for a couple of family members, because there is no guarantee that you'll be looked after by your club. Clubs don't want the hassle of selling tickets and the risk being left with them, and having to pay for them if Ticketmaster release better tickets on sale later in the week.

Some people will say that this is another Donegal rant, but it's not, all Counties are treated the same.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 815 - 24/06/2025 17:35:17    2620780

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Its an absolute disgrace the way Ticketmaster operate. The bottom line is that they prey on peoples insecurity. But I blame Croke Park for handing them the ability to do it. Like you I had to panick buy for a couple of family members, because there is no guarantee that you'll be looked after by your club. Clubs don't want the hassle of selling tickets and the risk being left with them, and having to pay for them if Ticketmaster release better tickets on sale later in the week.

Some people will say that this is another Donegal rant, but it's not, all Counties are treated the same."
No argument from Monaghan on that one. It was shambolic this morning. The Sunday games were even worse.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 650 - 24/06/2025 19:22:09    2620796

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "You make good points there. From a Monaghan perspective, I believe this game will let us know where we are with our rebuild. We would like to win the game but I think Donegal need to win it more than us. They are further down the road. Personally I don't think Donegal were at full tilt in Clones against us. Was our slow start our own fault or was it Donegal's doing. Would be slightly worrying that the teams we have faced would seem to be at a lower level than Donegal's opposition. Our performances against Roscommon, Louth and Down were impressive but..... Will the one week turnaround (6 or 7 days doesn't matter) have any efect on Donegal? I dont think so, unless extra time comes into it. Being honest I think we need to be at the top of our game with a high scoring percentage from our kicks at goal and our midfield to have their best game of the year. If we are in it with 10 to go, we have the know how to finish it off. No predictions but a good performance in Croke Park after promotion in the league and making the quarter finals of the championship would have been a pipe dream 10 months ago."
Monaghan to be fair always play well in Croke Park, that would worry me.
Will the 6 day turnaround around affect Donegal? I suppose we won't know that until Saturday. The run of matches, something like 8 matches in 11 weeks would be more of a worry than the 6 day turnaround I think. The fact that it was Louth last Sunday instead of the likes of Mayo who were certainly not as physical will be a help.
I still think we should have more left in the tank, Saturday evening will tell the tale.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 625 - 24/06/2025 19:42:45    2620799

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Its an absolute disgrace the way Ticketmaster operate. The bottom line is that they prey on peoples insecurity. But I blame Croke Park for handing them the ability to do it. Like you I had to panick buy for a couple of family members, because there is no guarantee that you'll be looked after by your club. Clubs don't want the hassle of selling tickets and the risk being left with them, and having to pay for them if Ticketmaster release better tickets on sale later in the week.

Some people will say that this is another Donegal rant, but it's not, all Counties are treated the same."
No good at all. Really hard to get a bunch of tickets together as others were hoovering them up at the same time and the stupid messages about not being able to leave single seats on their own. I was a bit quicker to thd party on the season ticket and at least got a good seat with it.
The middle sections of the cusack are reserved for season ticket holders. I guess if they don't all sell some could come back online on Thursday so for people who have not purchased yet it could be something to keep an eye on.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 881 - 24/06/2025 20:39:27    2620813

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Ah here lads a 6 day turnaround? Sure that's nothing just ask the likes of Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Ban, Brendan McCole about the 5 day turnaround into an AI under 21 semi final against a very well rested Dublin side. Many didn't get home till 3-4 am after travelling back late from Armagh then forced to play the semi final the following Saturday afternoon. So maybe there is a little credence and history to what Jim is saying. Unfortunately it was either ourselves or Galway who were oing to get shafted and they choose us.... what a surprise.

Back to last weekend I wasn't feeling overly confident at halftime. The flatness in attack that dogged us for much of the first half against Cavan and for periods against Mayo was back to the fore. However after a sketchy start to the second half we really kicked into gear and made easy work of it at the end. Big Hughie made a big difference as well as Murphy's 2 pointer which was the changing point in the game. Again McCole was quietly brilliant taking Mulroy out of the game and also giving Patton outlets for his lockouts. Roarty again so so good and Caolan McColgan has really impressed since given his opportunity. Something that's really impressed is our drift defence. It's not being talked about much but we've been excellent the last 2 weeks and it augurs well for Croke Park.

Looking forward to the weekend I imagine Monaghan are liking their lips especially after missing the two pointer at the end of the first meeting and feeling hard done by with the hooter. The consensus is they won't start as bad this time. It's definitely a dangerous game as Monaghan have the forwards to punish us if we have one of those flat periods. The wind played a big factor in the first meeting and I think it was difficult for teams playing with the wind in the first half to get the most of that advantage when still gauging the importance and taking advantage of the two points. Monaghan definitely did take advantage in the second half but there was an element of shackles off given Donegal's dominance for much of the first half. Hopefully if we can keep our efficiency rate healthy at the weekend, continue our defensive work and bring that pace to Monaghan we can get over the line. I expect there might be a shock at the weekend but hopefully it won't be Donegal.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2876 - 24/06/2025 21:21:25    2620820

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "No argument from Monaghan on that one. It was shambolic this morning. The Sunday games were even worse."
One big advantage particular for supporters is that they dont have to scramble for tickets for the Sunday.
Twud be next to impossible to get tickets with the big Armagh/Kerry match.
Some solace

B&G (Longford) - Posts: 377 - 24/06/2025 21:37:32    2620823

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It's capitalism at its worst. The algorithm preys on people's insecurities. As in, I better just take these 4 tickets with a crap view than risk not getting any tickets at all.

Whilst we can all rightly be proud of Croke Park, it is a big beast that needs sustenance. This is the main reason for the split season I feel. So that they can shoehorn as many non GAA events as possible into that August September October window.

Player welfare/club scene is a convenient smokescreen excuse just.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9834 - 24/06/2025 22:19:21    2620835

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Replying To Lúla571210:  "Fair play to donegal on Sunday. Ye were the better team in first half just didn't take your chances. Second half ye blew us away but that was to be expected we never really got going since the lensteir final. I say the game on Saturday is a punishment for Jimmy giving out about being in the Hyde. Although surely it won't make much of a difference as the louth game wasn't too taxing on your players. About the throw in time why did ye refuse to give us the extra 15 minutes just to get better prepared or do you know who made that decision. Finbar roarty definitely on track for young player of the year and an all star a very impressive player. I think with Murphy back ye will have enough to win Sam. Gallen hitting form now aswell.
Ádh mòr i gcoinne muineachán Agus don cuid eile don bhliain."
Met a few sound Louth supporters last Sunday both before the game in the Villa Rose watching Down and Galway on the big screen and inside the ground after in the town terrace. Got a few well wishes from a couple trying to beat the traffic at the end. Ye also created a positive impression last year in Croke Park and wish ye every success in the future after years without it. Something stirring up there. Really impressed by your under twenties and minors this year. I really don't know how the minors didn't win Leinster in one of the games of the season against Offaly. Ye missed a couple of big opportunities against Tyrone in the under 20 final and they ruthlessly punished you but the end result wasn't a fair result. Best wishes in the future. Great to see Leinster potentially return to the competitive and interesting province it was for many years. Hopefully ye can build on the success and phenomenal progress of the last couple of years.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2876 - 25/06/2025 08:17:46    2620867

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "It's capitalism at its worst. The algorithm preys on people's insecurities. As in, I better just take these 4 tickets with a crap view than risk not getting any tickets at all.

Whilst we can all rightly be proud of Croke Park, it is a big beast that needs sustenance. This is the main reason for the split season I feel. So that they can shoehorn as many non GAA events as possible into that August September October window.

Player welfare/club scene is a convenient smokescreen excuse just."
100% Lockjaw...could not sum it up better than that.
Good to read a fair and honest piece by Darragh 'O Se in today's Irish Times...a man that's seeing the bigger picture here & calling it out for what it is...., in comparison to the likes of Waldorf Clerkin and Statler Spillane ,....

chancer (Donegal) - Posts: 34 - 25/06/2025 09:41:40    2620873

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Best wishes to Donegal and I hope you bring Sam home this year.

I was in Ballybofey on Sunday and from the moment I arrived mid morning to the town until the moment the car headed for home, i don't think i have met a friendlier/more welcoming bunch of people on my travels to games.

Supporters asking me about my journey/did i need any guidance/ congratulating us on our Leinster Championship win and general good will /chats on the side terrace in the ground.

You were only toying with us in the first half , but put the foot to the gas in the second half big time.
I was standing on the terrace right on the half way way line and the sheer power and pace when you turned over a ball was a sight to behold.

Go on and win Sam, and thanks for a lovely day in Ballybofey , well apart from the result, but we kind of half knew a tanking like that was coming.

louthman57 (Louth) - Posts: 314 - 25/06/2025 09:59:58    2620879

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