HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Replying To Commodore: "Hearing there are a few departures from the Donegal senior team ahead of 2026 season, at least two defenders and a younger inside forward. Unclear if they have been cut or if they need to step away, but none of them are currently starters, so its not a huge blow. However Ciaran Thompson will be likely out until next summer too, he will be a massive loss." Thompson is a huge blow, apart from Paddy who wasn't really hitting 2 pointers this season, Ciaran was our only left footed 2 pointer option that delivered when it mattered, there is no like for like replacement unless anyone has seen some left footer catch the eye in the club championship? The problem is, if you don't have a left footed 2 pointer player, it will make it easier for opponent defences to get contact on right footed players as they know their runs have to be made from left wing to right to get shots off on their right foot. Think Jim might have to look at changing Roarty or Mogan to the half forward/midfield role to replace Thompson. Mogan has it in his locker to hit 2 pointers, any other left footed players out their showing well in the club championship who can CONSISTENTLY hit 2 pointers? Tirchonailabu56 (Donegal) - Posts: 40 - 27/08/2025 17:26:02 2633826 Link
Replying To Tirchonaill1: "It would be fantastic to win 3 Ulsters in a row but I think any team thinking about winning the All Ireland needs that as their only focus, Kerry have it so easy in Munster and they just do enough in the league, focus is totally on Sam, we are battered and bruised after Ulster usually." After a tough Ulster, Donegal were definitely a bit off it against Tyrone, but in a strange way the loss actually worked out for them - it gave them an easier quarter and semi draw with Monaghan and Meath instead of running into Dublin and Kerry. The sheer number of games was probably a factor, though that won't be as big a problem next year. There's no preliminary round in Ulster for Donegal, and the All-Ireland qualifiers will have at least one game fewer. If Donegal go straight through, it would mean a maximum of eight matches in total, which should give them more room to really target Ulster. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 932 - 27/08/2025 18:57:07 2633838 Link
Moving Roarty to HF to hit two pointers is making me giggle. Same as above hearing 5/6 lads stepping away from panel. Again 3/4 squad members and 2/3 extended. If Jim seen any player in the last two years they would be up by now. Losing 5/6 isn't good Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 73 - 28/08/2025 20:10:48 2634004 Link
What do we make of the article from McEniff saying that he expects Michael to stay for another year? It would be a nice shot in the arm if he does commit. SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 872 - 28/08/2025 22:00:13 2634011 Link
Replying To SouthOfTheGap: "What do we make of the article from McEniff saying that he expects Michael to stay for another year? It would be a nice shot in the arm if he does commit." Did we do any better in 2025 than we did in 2024 even though he played ok himself. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 28/08/2025 23:02:21 2634021 Link
Replying To SouthOfTheGap: "What do we make of the article from McEniff saying that he expects Michael to stay for another year? It would be a nice shot in the arm if he does commit." If Michael is staying on for next year then he has to be given the captains armband, everyone knows he's the real leader anyway no disrespect to Paddy. I hope it is true and he is going to give us another year, he needs to be rested or used sparingly during the league though. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3439 - 29/08/2025 00:30:38 2634025 Link
I see the fixture for R4 are up on the website. 4 on the Sat and 4 on the Sun. I doubt clubs will agree to that. All games should be played at the same time for fairness. Was checking tables as well for the championship and it'll be interesting on who gets the top 4. Can't seem to find the reserve table anywhere, it seems to be the only one not up. Does anyone know how the qtr finals are being done this year? I know Glenties and Eunans weren't happy last year getting each other after finishing 1st/2nd. Are they seeded this year? Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 73 - 29/08/2025 10:26:48 2634050 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "I see the fixture for R4 are up on the website. 4 on the Sat and 4 on the Sun. I doubt clubs will agree to that. All games should be played at the same time for fairness. Was checking tables as well for the championship and it'll be interesting on who gets the top 4. Can't seem to find the reserve table anywhere, it seems to be the only one not up. Does anyone know how the qtr finals are being done this year? I know Glenties and Eunans weren't happy last year getting each other after finishing 1st/2nd. Are they seeded this year?" As far as I know quarters are an open draw again. Complete joke that the R4 games aren't all at the same time. Surely clubs won't stand for that? donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 32 - 29/08/2025 11:40:04 2634062 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "I see the fixture for R4 are up on the website. 4 on the Sat and 4 on the Sun. I doubt clubs will agree to that. All games should be played at the same time for fairness. Was checking tables as well for the championship and it'll be interesting on who gets the top 4. Can't seem to find the reserve table anywhere, it seems to be the only one not up. Does anyone know how the qtr finals are being done this year? I know Glenties and Eunans weren't happy last year getting each other after finishing 1st/2nd. Are they seeded this year?" Yes I agree all 8 matches should be played at the same time. As far as I know quarter final draw is the same as last year ie an open draw. Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 738 - 29/08/2025 12:07:02 2634066 Link
Replying To Tirchonaill1: "If Michael is staying on for next year then he has to be given the captains armband, everyone knows he's the real leader anyway no disrespect to Paddy. I hope it is true and he is going to give us another year, he needs to be rested or used sparingly during the league though." I don't see Paddy being a starter next year. I'd prefer if the Captain spent as much time on the pitch as possible, which would also rule out Michael and Hugh. This is where I see the leadership torch being passed to Michael Langan or Brendan McCole, who seem to be leaders within the squad. SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 872 - 29/08/2025 12:19:48 2634070 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "I see the fixture for R4 are up on the website. 4 on the Sat and 4 on the Sun. I doubt clubs will agree to that. All games should be played at the same time for fairness. Was checking tables as well for the championship and it'll be interesting on who gets the top 4. Can't seem to find the reserve table anywhere, it seems to be the only one not up. Does anyone know how the qtr finals are being done this year? I know Glenties and Eunans weren't happy last year getting each other after finishing 1st/2nd. Are they seeded this year?" I wonder is it because of the number of officials that are needed? Not sure how they'll be making the draw. Does anyone else feel a bit underwhelmed by these group games? Any I've seen have been fairly lacklustre. Might be a bit more bite in this next set of games I suppose. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9990 - 29/08/2025 12:25:23 2634072 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "Moving Roarty to HF to hit two pointers is making me giggle. Same as above hearing 5/6 lads stepping away from panel. Again 3/4 squad members and 2/3 extended. If Jim seen any player in the last two years they would be up by now. Losing 5/6 isn't good" Hearing the same it's a big commitment when you get no time. Still no decision from paddy mc brearty. Hearing big hugh might be staying on. Mark Curran might feel that he'll not get much game time. Mc fadden ferry I'm Hearing won't be available but it's still only rumours. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2663 - 29/08/2025 12:43:38 2634077 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "I wonder is it because of the number of officials that are needed? Not sure how they'll be making the draw. Does anyone else feel a bit underwhelmed by these group games? Any I've seen have been fairly lacklustre. Might be a bit more bite in this next set of games I suppose." All games were played last year at the same time. You need 24 officials available on the day. How didn't they have this planned as they had the fixtures for how long.... Termon v Eunans game moved already as same time as Glenfin. Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 73 - 29/08/2025 13:54:59 2634091 Link
Replying To rorysboys: "Hearing the same it's a big commitment when you get no time. Still no decision from paddy mc brearty. Hearing big hugh might be staying on. Mark Curran might feel that he'll not get much game time. Mc fadden ferry I'm Hearing won't be available but it's still only rumours." Hopefully all they guys who were making the 26 all stay on, but the larger panel needs freshening up. There were players in the extended panel last year who were never going to make the 26, never mind the starting 15 and they should be replaced by younger , hungrier players who, given a chance in that environment could push those in the 26 and potentially the starting team. There are players who have been in the panel for years and hardly kicked a ball. I don't see the value of keeping players in an extended panel who haven't made a match day squad in years. greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 729 - 29/08/2025 13:56:15 2634092 Link
Replying To Tirchonaill1: "It would be fantastic to win 3 Ulsters in a row but I think any team thinking about winning the All Ireland needs that as their only focus, Kerry have it so easy in Munster and they just do enough in the league, focus is totally on Sam, we are battered and bruised after Ulster usually." Kerry obliterated every ulster team they played this year in Championship so stating they had a easy route is rubbish. A Kerry team just getting up to speed also won the Div 1 League. In fact the "do enough in league" comment is exactly what should be applied to Donegal as you could almost say they threw the last two games to avoid a final by putting out weakened teams. Kerry will be there again next year. Expect big improvements from Dublin, Mayo and perhaps Galway if they sort out fitness issues. Armagh, Tyrone and possibly Down and Derry will be looking to make strides in Ulster too. If Donegal have all the players available again next year that they had this year though, I agree they will be strong favourites for Ulster again! winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 788 - 29/08/2025 13:58:07 2634093 Link
Replying To SouthOfTheGap: "I don't see Paddy being a starter next year. I'd prefer if the Captain spent as much time on the pitch as possible, which would also rule out Michael and Hugh. This is where I see the leadership torch being passed to Michael Langan or Brendan McCole, who seem to be leaders within the squad." I 100% agree with this, if Paddy is not going to be captain next year then we should be looking at a long term captain like McCole, Langan or Mogan. Roarty will surely be captain some day but too young at the minute. I thought Paddy was a very good captain this year, always encouraging the players in the pre-match build up and great attitude even though not a starter. Shame to hear some of the panel players will be stepping away but you could hardly blame them. Its serious committment if you are getting no game time. Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1932 - 29/08/2025 14:40:37 2634103 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "All games were played last year at the same time. You need 24 officials available on the day. How didn't they have this planned as they had the fixtures for how long.... Termon v Eunans game moved already as same time as Glenfin." Yeah they really should be played at the same time in the interest of fairness and integrity of the compeition. Hopefully it will get sorted out to everyone's satisfaction. Looking forward to the knockout stages to be honest. In my opinion it's like this... 1. Eunans 2. Naomh Conaill 3. Dungloe/Gaoth Dobhair/St. Michaels/Four Masters/MacCumhaills/Glenswilly - any of these capable of beating the other on their day Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9990 - 29/08/2025 14:43:16 2634104 Link
Replying To Whyme923: "Moving Roarty to HF to hit two pointers is making me giggle. Same as above hearing 5/6 lads stepping away from panel. Again 3/4 squad members and 2/3 extended. If Jim seen any player in the last two years they would be up by now. Losing 5/6 isn't good" In fairness, losing 5/6 is pretty standard during winter for McGuinness. This is the first club championship with new rules and some players will excel while others will struggle. There will be a large scouting effort made these months because we know a lot more about what's needed for the new rules. Even if Jim has overlooked footballers, he has more than enough of an excuse to give second looks. Short-term we can't be as reliant on the small pool of footballers from development squads as they were selected based on ability in a different ruleset at age 16/17/18. Has to be a focus on players in league and championship who are hitting the 2pters from play with either foot, scoring goals, and the players who are stopping their markers from doing either. Would love to see a list of 2pt hitters in league and championship so far. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 29/08/2025 17:58:42 2634135 Link
Replying To SurelyToGod: "In fairness, losing 5/6 is pretty standard during winter for McGuinness. This is the first club championship with new rules and some players will excel while others will struggle. There will be a large scouting effort made these months because we know a lot more about what's needed for the new rules. Even if Jim has overlooked footballers, he has more than enough of an excuse to give second looks. Short-term we can't be as reliant on the small pool of footballers from development squads as they were selected based on ability in a different ruleset at age 16/17/18. Has to be a focus on players in league and championship who are hitting the 2pters from play with either foot, scoring goals, and the players who are stopping their markers from doing either. Would love to see a list of 2pt hitters in league and championship so far." I don't suppose there is much chance that they will do away with the 2 pointers especially since Kerry won the final with the use of them.If it had been the other way round they might have got rid of them.Maybe I am being cynical. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 29/08/2025 19:30:04 2634147 Link
I was sad to hear of the passing of Ollie Horgan.Ollie was a real character and there are not too many of them around now in any of the sports.R.I.P. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 29/08/2025 19:32:54 2634148 Link