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Replying To SurelyToGod: "Not a Jim hater. I have great respect for his achievements and ability as a man and as a coach. I am comfortable in levelling criticism at Jim because of the high-level of performance he provides for the county. The criticisms that I've made on this forum of McGuinness have been consistent since the start of his latest tenure. McGuinness certainly and indeed other posters on this forum have more experience and exposure than I to the inner workings of county football, so I won't claim that every critique I have made is correct.
My point is that impressive club championship campaigns don't register with Jim when it comes to squad and team selection. I understand it's about more than good performances at club level, but Jim has a history of choosing good club players from his own preferred clubs ahead of great club players from rival Div1/senior clubs like Dungloe, Naomh Muire, Ardara, Four Masters, Aodh Ruadh, Glenfin. Each of these clubs have had strong senior/intermediate championship campaigns during Jim's tenures but in 6 seasons how many players in total has he used in Championship from those 6 clubs? Adrian Hanlon, Mark Curran, Paddy McGrath, Lacey, Durcan, Frank McGlynn. All established in Championship before McGuinness. More players from Naomh Conaill were on the squad this year alone than those 6 teams combined in 6 years. The bar is so much higher for those clubs because in my opinion Jim is blinkered. I still think Naomh Conaill will be top 8 but this could all be to Naomh Conaill, Kilcar, Michaels detriment. After last night N.C. really need a good draw for round 3 and 4.
McGuinness didn't add the Nauls boys to panel. Mogan and McCole both All Star nominees and Mulreany was number 2 before Jim took over. Conor O'Donnell was starting corner forward before Jim took over. All credit to Jim for backing Moore and Roarty as they're excellent footballers, but it wasn't club form that brought them into the setup." Conon Classon, KJ Molloy, Luke Keeney, Barry Dunnion, Luke McGlynn off the top of my head have all featured in McGuinness squads.
ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 91 - 10/08/2025 17:32:02
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Replying To ThroughTheGap: "Conon Classon, KJ Molloy, Luke Keeney, Barry Dunnion, Luke McGlynn off the top of my head have all featured in McGuinness squads." None of those players played a minute of Championship football under McGuinness as far as I'm aware. Dunnion and Luke McGlynn both played championship football before Jim's stints. Dunnion was a starter up until Jim took over and never saw the pitch again. Going by his team selections in early 2011, if Leo McLoone hadn't broken during the league, we would have seen established starter Frank McGlynn discarded in favour of Leo, Thompson, Marty Boyle in half back line.
In terms of footballers overlooked, it would be easy for someone to rattle off individuals that were overlooked over the years and for them to be dismissed as not being at the required level, but the reality is exposure to inter-county football and lack thereof is a huge factor in talent development.
Dungloe are obviously the form team to pick just two examples from in 2024/2025. I am confident that Mark Curran and Karl Magee are significant upgrades on all Naomh Conaill, Gaoth Dobhair, Cill Chartha players who didn't feature in the All-Ireland final.
SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 500 - 10/08/2025 19:48:46
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "None of those players played a minute of Championship football under McGuinness as far as I'm aware. Dunnion and Luke McGlynn both played championship football before Jim's stints. Dunnion was a starter up until Jim took over and never saw the pitch again. Going by his team selections in early 2011, if Leo McLoone hadn't broken during the league, we would have seen established starter Frank McGlynn discarded in favour of Leo, Thompson, Marty Boyle in half back line.
In terms of footballers overlooked, it would be easy for someone to rattle off individuals that were overlooked over the years and for them to be dismissed as not being at the required level, but the reality is exposure to inter-county football and lack thereof is a huge factor in talent development.
Dungloe are obviously the form team to pick just two examples from in 2024/2025. I am confident that Mark Curran and Karl Magee are significant upgrades on all Naomh Conaill, Gaoth Dobhair, Cill Chartha players who didn't feature in the All-Ireland final." Surelytogod you aren't serious? Mark is a solid defender and I felt he was hard done by not seeing more game time when we needed a man marking type. Other fella would find it hard to get into Eunans/Glenties/Gweedore back 6.
Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 64 - 10/08/2025 20:01:33
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Replying To Whyme923: "Surelytogod you aren't serious? Mark is a solid defender and I felt he was hard done by not seeing more game time when we needed a man marking type. Other fella would find it hard to get into Eunans/Glenties/Gweedore back 6." This is what I mean. It's easy to dismiss Magee like that because he hasn't been given intercounty exposure like the players from those teams, but he's an actual scoring half back who's winning club matches (albeit it looks like he was red carded last night and suspended for next round of fixtures).
Jim wants attacking half backs and he's a better scoring half back than anyone at those three clubs.
SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 500 - 10/08/2025 21:27:23
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "This is what I mean. It's easy to dismiss Magee like that because he hasn't been given intercounty exposure like the players from those teams, but he's an actual scoring half back who's winning club matches (albeit it looks like he was red carded last night and suspended for next round of fixtures).
Jim wants attacking half backs and he's a better scoring half back than anyone at those three clubs." Donegal has attacking half backs? Who would you have him in for?
Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 64 - 10/08/2025 23:03:03
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Replying To Whyme923: "Donegal has attacking half backs? Who would you have him in for?" I've already said in the earlier post. We don't have attacking half backs, we have a large group of talented half forwards who are being played in the county half back line, of whom very few tog out at half back for their clubs.
To me the standout players that actually tog out at half back for their clubs in Championship are Eoghan Bán, Broderick, the two Currans, Magee, Tobin, Kevin McGettigan. Bán Gallagher and Magee the two best attackers from that group, Curran and McGettigan the best defenders.
SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 500 - 11/08/2025 14:18:06
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Went to Four masters v St nauls on Saturday. Poor fare. Four masters by far the better team but very wasteful. St nauls to their credit never gave up. Mogan dropped a two pointer short that would have equilised it. Turlough Carr best player on show. Richard O'Rourke very good first half. The two Campbell's Ian and Kyle and Peadar Mogan my pick of St Nauls players. Nauls if they stay injury free have every chance of staying up. FourMasters if they get a good draw can go on a run but some way of challenging I reckon this year
thebronze14 (Donegal) - Posts: 59 - 11/08/2025 16:00:52
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Watched Naomh Conaill and Glenswilly at the weekend. Glenswilly probably the better side over the hour but Mark Dorrian made a big call for the second Glenswilly goal. Copper took a mark from the kickout and played on, rather than taking a free kick as he is supposed to. It was a good move that resulted in a goal but nonetheless, big miss from the referee and possibly cost Naomh Conaill the game!
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 11/08/2025 16:40:29
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "I've already said in the earlier post. We don't have attacking half backs, we have a large group of talented half forwards who are being played in the county half back line, of whom very few tog out at half back for their clubs.
To me the standout players that actually tog out at half back for their clubs in Championship are Eoghan Bán, Broderick, the two Currans, Magee, Tobin, Kevin McGettigan. Bán Gallagher and Magee the two best attackers from that group, Curran and McGettigan the best defenders." Broderick plays midfield and he was in before and left
Tobin was in before and left
McGettigan was in the squad but barely played if at all this year for Donegal
Magee was in training but never picked for the squad nevermind a panel
Many clubs maybe don't have the luxury of putting what may be their best player at half back
And maybe the players playing half back for Donegal are just better?
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 11/08/2025 17:38:13
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Replying To donegalgael-12: "Watched Naomh Conaill and Glenswilly at the weekend. Glenswilly probably the better side over the hour but Mark Dorrian made a big call for the second Glenswilly goal. Copper took a mark from the kickout and played on, rather than taking a free kick as he is supposed to. It was a good move that resulted in a goal but nonetheless, big miss from the referee and possibly cost Naomh Conaill the game!" Players can play on from a mark , unless they signal the mark, then they have to kick it. Did he put his hand up to call the mark?
greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 725 - 11/08/2025 18:06:46
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "I've already said in the earlier post. We don't have attacking half backs, we have a large group of talented half forwards who are being played in the county half back line, of whom very few tog out at half back for their clubs.
To me the standout players that actually tog out at half back for their clubs in Championship are Eoghan Bán, Broderick, the two Currans, Magee, Tobin, Kevin McGettigan. Bán Gallagher and Magee the two best attackers from that group, Curran and McGettigan the best defenders." Ryan McHugh needs to be moved up the field, very creative and smart player but hasn't the physicality to play in our defensive line.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1315 - 11/08/2025 20:52:41
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "I've already said in the earlier post. We don't have attacking half backs, we have a large group of talented half forwards who are being played in the county half back line, of whom very few tog out at half back for their clubs.
To me the standout players that actually tog out at half back for their clubs in Championship are Eoghan Bán, Broderick, the two Currans, Magee, Tobin, Kevin McGettigan. Bán Gallagher and Magee the two best attackers from that group, Curran and McGettigan the best defenders." That's all very grand though the question was who would you have him in for and you didn't answer that. Just broad statements about the half forwards playing as half backs.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 928 - 11/08/2025 22:20:02
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Replying To donegalgael-12: "Broderick plays midfield and he was in before and left
Tobin was in before and left
McGettigan was in the squad but barely played if at all this year for Donegal
Magee was in training but never picked for the squad nevermind a panel
Many clubs maybe don't have the luxury of putting what may be their best player at half back
And maybe the players playing half back for Donegal are just better?" Good post. Quite a few players have got their chance but due to lack of commitment or some players are just not good enough they were omitted from the panel.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 735 - 11/08/2025 22:48:44
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Replying To greenfan: "Players can play on from a mark , unless they signal the mark, then they have to kick it. Did he put his hand up to call the mark?" You can play on if you don't signal a mark. If you signal a mark you must take a free kick, not a solo and go.
Copper put the arm up to call a mark and the ref whistled.
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 11/08/2025 23:48:04
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Could we have an outside winner of the championship this year? Both Eunans and N Conaill lost their first game, seems like Patton and Thompson could be missing. Other teams like Dungloe, FM, Glenswilly have really closed the gap along with GD and Kilcar. Could be a very interesting championship ahead.
FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 282 - 12/08/2025 11:39:09
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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "That's all very grand though the question was who would you have him in for and you didn't answer that. Just broad statements about the half forwards playing as half backs." I'll answer again. I'd have him in ahead of EVERYONE on the bench who didn't play in the final, and I would prefer not to single out players who did feature in the final that I would also replace.
SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 500 - 12/08/2025 13:58:36
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Replying To FootballGuy: "Could we have an outside winner of the championship this year? Both Eunans and N Conaill lost their first game, seems like Patton and Thompson could be missing. Other teams like Dungloe, FM, Glenswilly have really closed the gap along with GD and Kilcar. Could be a very interesting championship ahead." Early days yet. Gweedore were lucky to beat Glenfin at home. Kilcar just held on to beat Eunan who were missing 8 regulars although Kilcar were missing Ryan and Mathew Mc Clean.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 735 - 12/08/2025 14:45:38
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "I'll answer again. I'd have him in ahead of EVERYONE on the bench who didn't play in the final, and I would prefer not to single out players who did feature in the final that I would also replace." Go ahead and name them sure since you reckon that a couple of your Dungloe mates are better than what McGuinness picked, since you know better than the man that has taken us to back to back Ulsters and an All Ireland semi final and final.
dgcrusader (Donegal) - Posts: 122 - 12/08/2025 14:53:18
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "I'll answer again. I'd have him in ahead of EVERYONE on the bench who didn't play in the final, and I would prefer not to single out players who did feature in the final that I would also replace." You're obsessed with Curran. He's a solid player. Morning more.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 233 - 12/08/2025 15:10:45
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Replying To SurelyToGod: "Not a Jim hater. I have great respect for his achievements and ability as a man and as a coach. I am comfortable in levelling criticism at Jim because of the high-level of performance he provides for the county. The criticisms that I've made on this forum of McGuinness have been consistent since the start of his latest tenure. McGuinness certainly and indeed other posters on this forum have more experience and exposure than I to the inner workings of county football, so I won't claim that every critique I have made is correct.
My point is that impressive club championship campaigns don't register with Jim when it comes to squad and team selection. I understand it's about more than good performances at club level, but Jim has a history of choosing good club players from his own preferred clubs ahead of great club players from rival Div1/senior clubs like Dungloe, Naomh Muire, Ardara, Four Masters, Aodh Ruadh, Glenfin. Each of these clubs have had strong senior/intermediate championship campaigns during Jim's tenures but in 6 seasons how many players in total has he used in Championship from those 6 clubs? Adrian Hanlon, Mark Curran, Paddy McGrath, Lacey, Durcan, Frank McGlynn. All established in Championship before McGuinness. More players from Naomh Conaill were on the squad this year alone than those 6 teams combined in 6 years. The bar is so much higher for those clubs because in my opinion Jim is blinkered. I still think Naomh Conaill will be top 8 but this could all be to Naomh Conaill, Kilcar, Michaels detriment. After last night N.C. really need a good draw for round 3 and 4.
McGuinness didn't add the Nauls boys to panel. Mogan and McCole both All Star nominees and Mulreany was number 2 before Jim took over. Conor O'Donnell was starting corner forward before Jim took over. All credit to Jim for backing Moore and Roarty as they're excellent footballers, but it wasn't club form that brought them into the setup." Name me one "great" player from those clubs that was around in Jim's 6 years of managing that he didn't play.
The reality is outside of the 5-6 bench players who get game time, the rest of the panel are only there for training.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 233 - 12/08/2025 15:15:34
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