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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To gunman:  "I always thought from his minor days that Curran had potential.Tobin and Dunleavy were 2 of the better players in the U20s but they don't seem to be playing for their clubs these days.Are they injured or away or what?"
Not sure. Maybe they're in Philadelphia! Seems like all decent young Donegal footballers are spending their summer there. A great way to spend a summer playing ball in the States. Not sure how the transfer situation works these days. I'm sure their clubs will be keen to have them back & eligible for club championship back home.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9510 - 30/06/2022 15:16:00    2428853

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I think next spring will be a crucial period in terms of where we're going, no matter who is in charge. It's obviously preferable to be operating in Division One, but I wouldn't say it's the be-all and end-all either. If we ended up relegated but managed to blood a good few new faces e.g. McGeehin, Bradley-Walsh, Tobin, Grant, McGroddy, Curran, McColgan Dunleavey...and fingers crossed maybe even see the likes of Morrison back it might not be the worst thing.

There might even be a few lads that emerge with their reputations enhanced after the club championships as well."
Yeah the players you mentioned are all quality players, I think a few of them could break into the Senior team next season, but the Club Championship might unearth a few others too, hopefully it does.

An option that is probably overlooked is Benny McLaughlin from Malin, considered to be one of the best wing forwards in the County, I'm not sure why he hasn't previously been a part of the Donegal setup, maybe personal reasons or work commitments etc,

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 30/06/2022 15:22:20    2428856

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Replying To Commodore:  "Yeah the players you mentioned are all quality players, I think a few of them could break into the Senior team next season, but the Club Championship might unearth a few others too, hopefully it does.

An option that is probably overlooked is Benny McLaughlin from Malin, considered to be one of the best wing forwards in the County, I'm not sure why he hasn't previously been a part of the Donegal setup, maybe personal reasons or work commitments etc,"
Was he not in under Jim or Rory. Maybe the brother but didn't really cut it, if my memory serves me.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 30/06/2022 15:31:52    2428859

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I think some of the freshening up is not necessarily about an introduction of a whole host of new players. The current donegal set up have been good at introducing players. Typically it tends to be a player and year and that's plenty satisfactory. Think shane o'donnell, brendan mccole, peadar mogan, mcff since 2019. It's hard to believe that if oisin farrah got a run at full match fitness he'd have broken through fully. Aaran doherty and Conor o'donnell got game time this year and will get another go next year. Rory o'donnell made his debut as did caolan mccolgan and Jamie grant. These lads as well as one or two more from the under 20s will get a chance next year though it could take a few years to fully bed in.

The freshening up needed might actually be a bit of toughening up. Strangely the very first the game of the year highlights some of my frustration the most. They had to out that game against mayo and finally lay down a marker against them. They didn't and it's that lack of an edge that frustrates me. I don't buy that donegal aren't as good as any of the rest of the teams in ulster at least.

I also find some of the posts here that take satisfaction in not supporting the county to ge quite disappointing. You might not like the style, management or whatever but the management and team are hugely committed and deserve support.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 780 - 30/06/2022 15:36:49    2428861

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can i ask , of the new players mention what height and strength are they ? we lack power especially in our defense .
Any word on Kieran Gillespie or Odhran MacNiallais coming back in 2023?

red.hugh (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 30/06/2022 16:10:33    2428868

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Replying To red.hugh:  "can i ask , of the new players mention what height and strength are they ? we lack power especially in our defense .
Any word on Kieran Gillespie or Odhran MacNiallais coming back in 2023?"
Big tall boys like Paddy McGrath and Frank McGlynn and heavy boys like Martin Shovlin,

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 30/06/2022 17:32:27    2428889

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Replying To red.hugh:  "can i ask , of the new players mention what height and strength are they ? we lack power especially in our defense .
Any word on Kieran Gillespie or Odhran MacNiallais coming back in 2023?"
Have you any new players lad that could make a difference. Be interesting to hear you seem to be well up on your gaa ??

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 30/06/2022 20:27:40    2428908

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Replying To rorysboys:  "
Replying To marty234:  "[quote=Commodore:  "My changes for 2023 might shock a few people, but

1. Shaun Patton

2. Caolan Ward
3. Brendan McCole
4. Stephen McMenamin or Conor Morrison (If fully fit)

5. Eoghan Ban Gallagher
6. Jack MacCeallbhuí
7. Odhran McFadden-Ferry or Tony McClenaghan

8. Ciaran Thompson (As suggested by Naomh Conaill)
9. Caolan McGonigle

10. Shane O'Donnell
11. Michael Langan
12. Jason McGee

13. Oisin Gallen
14. Eoin McGeehin (St Eunans)
15. Jamie Brennan

IMPACT SUBS
Michael Murphy
Paddy McBrearty
Ryan McHugh
Peadar Mogan
Paul Brennan"
No Conor o Donnell amazing how good of a league he had and likes of bonner and supporters reckon he isn't good enough for a starting spot. His piece of skill got us over line against very average div 4 Cavan team."
So scoring a goal against as you say against a very average division 4 team should guarantee you a place on the Donegal team. You never fail to disappoint lad. My old granny is 80 and she knows more about football than. You do. Comedy gold would sum it up."]Haha the same boy that raves about our current management team and is looking to offer them an extension after getting beat by that same division 4 team in a comedy gold performance not so long ago. You not see his performances in league as well roryboy. I guess you and our mgt are looking through the same glasses lol

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 30/06/2022 20:42:01    2428910

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Replying To breffnibluewhite:  "
Replying To Commodore:  "[quote=marty234:  "[quote=Commodore:  "My changes for 2023 might shock a few people, but

1. Shaun Patton

2. Caolan Ward
3. Brendan McCole
4. Stephen McMenamin or Conor Morrison (If fully fit)

5. Eoghan Ban Gallagher
6. Jack MacCeallbhuí
7. Odhran McFadden-Ferry or Tony McClenaghan

8. Ciaran Thompson (As suggested by Naomh Conaill)
9. Caolan McGonigle

10. Shane O'Donnell
11. Michael Langan
12. Jason McGee

13. Oisin Gallen
14. Eoin McGeehin (St Eunans)
15. Jamie Brennan

IMPACT SUBS
Michael Murphy
Paddy McBrearty
Ryan McHugh
Peadar Mogan
Paul Brennan"
No Conor o Donnell amazing how good of a league he had and likes of bonner and supporters reckon he isn't good enough for a starting spot. His piece of skill got us over line against very average div 4 Cavan team."
Conor O'Donnell isn't good enough for a Championship starting spot right now, he needs more time to develop his game, but definitely has the raw potential to become a great future player. I noticed his impact was magnified in games where he was still relatively unknown, where the opposition weren't paying attention to him and giving him a free reign.
However in games where he was getting attention, his influence was diminished.

Running in to tap in a goal is welcome, but you have to also look at performance for the total time on the pitch, and while Conor is definitely a up and coming star, I think he needs more time and needs to work on his game more."]interesting selection i say all your impact subs would then all retire and you soon be joining very average cavan in division 3"]Are you going to keep him until he is a pensioner?. Looking at some of our individual performances this year with some major loyalty being shown to these individuals. I think o Donnell has been very unlucky not to start.

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 30/06/2022 20:45:29    2428911

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Was he not in under Jim or Rory. Maybe the brother but didn't really cut it, if my memory serves me."
I don't think ever did, I heard he was contacted, but opted not to join the panel years ago due to work/family commitments at the time. A lot of players and coaches rank him highly and believe he is a better wing forward than many players in the current setup.

Obviously that means nothing unless he joins up and shows what he can do, but it would be interesting to see if management gave him a shot and he is interested this time.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 01/07/2022 08:09:19    2428923

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Replying To Commodore:  "I don't think ever did, I heard he was contacted, but opted not to join the panel years ago due to work/family commitments at the time. A lot of players and coaches rank him highly and believe he is a better wing forward than many players in the current setup.

Obviously that means nothing unless he joins up and shows what he can do, but it would be interesting to see if management gave him a shot and he is interested this time."
You must know him lad, if you know he's interested. Not much previous managers could do if he wudnt commit. Another thing huge step up from playing div 2 football to making it at county level.. you'll probably mention Ryan Bradley but players like that don't come around too often..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 01/07/2022 09:50:05    2428932

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Replying To marty234:  "
Replying To rorysboys:  "[quote=marty234:  "[quote=Commodore:  "My changes for 2023 might shock a few people, but

1. Shaun Patton

2. Caolan Ward
3. Brendan McCole
4. Stephen McMenamin or Conor Morrison (If fully fit)

5. Eoghan Ban Gallagher
6. Jack MacCeallbhuí
7. Odhran McFadden-Ferry or Tony McClenaghan

8. Ciaran Thompson (As suggested by Naomh Conaill)
9. Caolan McGonigle

10. Shane O'Donnell
11. Michael Langan
12. Jason McGee

13. Oisin Gallen
14. Eoin McGeehin (St Eunans)
15. Jamie Brennan

IMPACT SUBS
Michael Murphy
Paddy McBrearty
Ryan McHugh
Peadar Mogan
Paul Brennan"
No Conor o Donnell amazing how good of a league he had and likes of bonner and supporters reckon he isn't good enough for a starting spot. His piece of skill got us over line against very average div 4 Cavan team."
So scoring a goal against as you say against a very average division 4 team should guarantee you a place on the Donegal team. You never fail to disappoint lad. My old granny is 80 and she knows more about football than. You do. Comedy gold would sum it up."]Haha the same boy that raves about our current management team and is looking to offer them an extension after getting beat by that same division 4 team in a comedy gold performance not so long ago. You not see his performances in league as well roryboy. I guess you and our mgt are looking through the same glasses lol"]You keep coming up with the solutions lad. Would love to know what level if any you played at, going by your knowledge it's probably the latter. Ha,

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 01/07/2022 09:53:18    2428935

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Replying To rorysboys:  "You must know him lad, if you know he's interested. Not much previous managers could do if he wudnt commit. Another thing huge step up from playing div 2 football to making it at county level.. you'll probably mention Ryan Bradley but players like that don't come around too often.."
I don't think snobbery against players operating outside Div1 is helpful. Plenty of good intermediate and even junior club players have represented the county with distinction over the years. If you're good enough it shouldn't matter what club you're from.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9510 - 01/07/2022 11:47:03    2428966

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I don't think snobbery against players operating outside Div1 is helpful. Plenty of good intermediate and even junior club players have represented the county with distinction over the years. If you're good enough it shouldn't matter what club you're from."
I didn't mean to come across as belittling players from smaller clubs. Far from it alot of our great players have come from smaller clubs. In fairness to our last few managers they have played a lot of these players ie, Mc menamin. Mc gonagle. C o donnell, David Walsh, etc.. but this Mc Laughlin boy from malin must be in his mid 20s because I don't recall him playing on any of our underage county teams this last 7 or 8 years.. at that age it's very hard to come in with s&c etc.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 01/07/2022 14:59:20    2429019

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Beware of the sniper he might be talking silly in your eyes, but when all is said and done he could be the one talking the most sense. Remember that"
Not talking silly, everyone has their right to a view and I respect that. But I just don't buy the idea that the players aren't good enough. It's a cop out for me and it's a way of excusing almost anything.

In 2010, we had a pretty abysmal year and within 2 years were All Ireland champions. I always believe the players are in Donegal. We have really only awakened as a proper force since the McGuinness era, before that we were always talented but the structures weren't really in place. The McGuinness era was a culture shift and badly needed. The problem is that we have pretty much reverted back full circle again. I don't see why management needs more than 5 years and why it needs constant defending at this point, sorry I just don't get that.

It's a shame that Declan hasn't read the room and clearly next week's meeting with McGrath means he is staying on, as it wouldn't be made public knowledge in advance if he was being asked to step aside. Again, I'm at pains to say most people in the county have massive respect for Declan and all he has given in service to Donegal football, but sometimes it's time to face actual reality.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1383 - 01/07/2022 17:02:35    2429065

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I didn't mean to come across as belittling players from smaller clubs. Far from it alot of our great players have come from smaller clubs. In fairness to our last few managers they have played a lot of these players ie, Mc menamin. Mc gonagle. C o donnell, David Walsh, etc.. but this Mc Laughlin boy from malin must be in his mid 20s because I don't recall him playing on any of our underage county teams this last 7 or 8 years.. at that age it's very hard to come in with s&c etc."
Fair enough. I think S&C is a small bit overblown to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I know that in order to play county football you need to be flying fit and explosive power is important for sure. But I think somewhere along the way some management teams forget the most important ingedient of all and that's actual footballing ability. If there are players within the county good enough footballing wise to play county I wouldn't be dismissing them because they haven't a huge block of S&C done.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9510 - 01/07/2022 17:22:13    2429068

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Replying To rorysboys:  "You must know him lad, if you know he's interested. Not much previous managers could do if he wudnt commit. Another thing huge step up from playing div 2 football to making it at county level.. you'll probably mention Ryan Bradley but players like that don't come around too often.."
No I honestly don't know him or any of the Malin players personally. I don't know what the reasoning was for him turning down an invite to County setup, I heard he was invited a few years ago, possibly during Rory Gallagher's time, but I'm not sure when and by who. I don't know if he ever played underage either, but he is definitely rated highly.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 01/07/2022 21:09:21    2429106

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I don't think snobbery against players operating outside Div1 is helpful. Plenty of good intermediate and even junior club players have represented the county with distinction over the years. If you're good enough it shouldn't matter what club you're from."
Yeah I would agree, but I think he was maybe referring to players who never featured at minor or U21/U20 for County, like its probably rare for someone to make the jump into the Senior panel at a later time.

In Kerry I heard years ago that they divide the County into 4 regions and the best players from all clubs in each region get a run out and they have selected players for Kerry Seniors from lower divisions based on those performances, so there is always the potential to unearth a gem here or there. It might not happen very often, but still that one player could make a big difference.

Maybe we should try something similar to Kerry, see if anyone stands out.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 01/07/2022 21:14:55    2429109

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I didn't mean to come across as belittling players from smaller clubs. Far from it alot of our great players have come from smaller clubs. In fairness to our last few managers they have played a lot of these players ie, Mc menamin. Mc gonagle. C o donnell, David Walsh, etc.. but this Mc Laughlin boy from malin must be in his mid 20s because I don't recall him playing on any of our underage county teams this last 7 or 8 years.. at that age it's very hard to come in with s&c etc."
Yeah me neither, I don't know much about him in terms of his history or age etc, but people who I consider to have a keen eye for players with talent reckon he is the business, like he has the tools and quality needed to play for Donegal. But who knows, maybe he has no interest or maybe Donegal selectors don't really agree, I'm sure they would approach anyone who makes the team stronger.

I mentioned in my post to Lockjaw that its probably very hard to break through into the Donegal seniors if the player hasn't featured at underage every.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 01/07/2022 21:20:12    2429110

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Are you going to keep him until he is a pensioner?. Looking at some of our individual performances this year with some major loyalty being shown to these individuals. I think o Donnell has been very unlucky not to start.

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 142 - 30/06/2022 20:45:29


I would agree that he definitely has outperformed some of our more prominent names in the half forward line, but those players are capable of much better and I'm not sure why they were all so flat this year. Like I know Michael Langan, Ciaran Thompson and Niall O'Donnell had injuries, but they didn't seem to perform at all. I think Shane O'Donnell was possibly the most understated and most consistent player in the half forward line.

Conor O'Donnell is a class act when he gets space, but I think he needs more time to get to a level where he finds that same space while getting a lot of attention. Who knows, maybe next season he will step up and take a place.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1193 - 01/07/2022 21:25:48    2429112

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