|
Replying To greenfan: "Great to see the senior and u20 managers are clearly working together to do what's best for both teams. Having Roarty available for the 20s is a massive boost for an already impressive team." I felt for the Cavan lads looking at Finbarr coming on in the second half. As if they hadn't enough to contend with. Next Wednesday is unmissable especially if the first game is anything to go by plus this time seeing Mcelholm and Roarty this time. Amazing what good coaching can do. Many of these lads were involved against Cavan at under 17 when they just about got over the line. Many of these lads have been involved in sessions with the seniors and it shows. Plus the amazing paths the Abbey and Four Masters have been on the last couple of years have clearly brought these lads on buckets.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2846 - 23/04/2025 23:09:17
2603959
Link
0
|
|
It was a brilliant performance from the young lads last night. They looked so slick and confident in everything that they were doing. I'd say Roarty coming on was the last thing the poor Cavan lads wanted to see.
Next week will be a massive game. I'd always be wary of meeting a team that you comfortably beat already earlier in the campaign. Especially with young lads, in spite of best efforts, complacency is always a danger. But from what I've seen these lads are very well drilled, and with Roarty now an option as well I'd be quietly confident they can go and get the job done.
Beyond that, the sky's the limit.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9728 - 24/04/2025 10:20:19
2603997
Link
0
|
|
one couldn't but be impressed with Donegal U-20's last night, irrespective of the opposition. clearly well drilled and well prepared and also with plenty of talent. Tyrone in my view are the benchmark for underage football in Ulster just ahead of Derry. A new game the next day where the previous encounter will count for little if only to give donegal belief that they are playinga very good side who are not world beaters.
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1041 - 24/04/2025 11:18:03
2604008
Link
0
|
|
Any thoughts on Down? I must admit I haven't seen a lot of them in recent times.
Big Pat Havern would need watching - I'd say Stephen McMenamin might get anohter job to do there.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness are two of their other players who have impressed me in the past.
All things considered though, I think it would be a major shock if they were to turn us over. A game to do a professional job in, and get out of it without picking up any injuries.
This would be the team I'd pick....
1. Patton
2. McMenamin
3. McCole
4. McFadden-Ferry
5. Moore
6. McFadden
7. Eoghan Ban
8. McGee
9. Langan
10. N O'Donnell
11. S O'Donnell
12. D O'Baoíll
13. Brennan
14. Gallen
15. C O'Donnell
I know there are a few assumptions there and I'm certainly not trying to be disrespectful to Down.
Not sure where Eoghan Ban is at.
McGee would have to be carefully monitored, but feel he needs more minutes, even a half.
It would be good to see Niall O'Donnell get some game time as well.
Gallen to start to regain sharpness/confidence, same for C O'Donnell after a quiet game last Sunday.
Leaves Mogan, McHugh, McGonagle, Thompson, Murphy and McBrearty getting a rest, but ready to spring if needed.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9728 - 24/04/2025 12:34:09
2604028
Link
0
|
|
The 20s were very good and definitely built from defence out. The first cavan goal being fortuitous and the second one at the end with more than a a hint of overcarry and then there were only 7 points conceded. They also didn't concede goals against tyrone either and that will be important next week. And in fairness strength is coming off the bench. Even parking roarty yesterday mulholland for example is coming on and kicking plenty scores.
There was a lovely point in the second half were martin kicked to mcmenamin after a turnover at the back. Mcmenamin did a lovely long kick pass to mccahill who then kick it across to senan carr into his chest and then kicked it over the bar. it was a great score. Four kicks like that in a row is not very donegal like ! This team are still predominantly a running team though, which is fair given how football has been played in the last few years. It is good to see some more puposeful kicking of the ball and hoping to see more of it as the rules bed in.
I was surprised that tyrone got over derry. Mceldowney and sergent being injured were huge losses to derry. There are similarities to 2022 when donegal beat tyrone comfortably enough in the league final. Tyrone really used it as motivation to win the semi. They were a hard enough listen in the interviews after. Hopefully history won't repeat itself. With mcelholm back they will be much better and they've had a run out in owenbedg which is a help to them. Though this is a good, well coached donegal team and they should go in with plenty confidence.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 798 - 24/04/2025 13:59:29
2604049
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Lockjaw: "Any thoughts on Down? I must admit I haven't seen a lot of them in recent times.
Big Pat Havern would need watching - I'd say Stephen McMenamin might get anohter job to do there.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness are two of their other players who have impressed me in the past.
All things considered though, I think it would be a major shock if they were to turn us over. A game to do a professional job in, and get out of it without picking up any injuries.
This would be the team I'd pick....
1. Patton
2. McMenamin
3. McCole
4. McFadden-Ferry
5. Moore
6. McFadden
7. Eoghan Ban
8. McGee
9. Langan
10. N O'Donnell
11. S O'Donnell
12. D O'Baoíll
13. Brennan
14. Gallen
15. C O'Donnell
I know there are a few assumptions there and I'm certainly not trying to be disrespectful to Down.
Not sure where Eoghan Ban is at.
McGee would have to be carefully monitored, but feel he needs more minutes, even a half.
It would be good to see Niall O'Donnell get some game time as well.
Gallen to start to regain sharpness/confidence, same for C O'Donnell after a quiet game last Sunday.
Leaves Mogan, McHugh, McGonagle, Thompson, Murphy and McBrearty getting a rest, but ready to spring if needed." Same as you I haven't seen much of Down but this is an ulster final so we don't rest players at the stage. Start strong then empty the bench.
naomh_conaill_4 (Donegal) - Posts: 502 - 24/04/2025 15:00:32
2604060
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "The 20s were very good and definitely built from defence out. The first cavan goal being fortuitous and the second one at the end with more than a a hint of overcarry and then there were only 7 points conceded. They also didn't concede goals against tyrone either and that will be important next week. And in fairness strength is coming off the bench. Even parking roarty yesterday mulholland for example is coming on and kicking plenty scores.
There was a lovely point in the second half were martin kicked to mcmenamin after a turnover at the back. Mcmenamin did a lovely long kick pass to mccahill who then kick it across to senan carr into his chest and then kicked it over the bar. it was a great score. Four kicks like that in a row is not very donegal like ! This team are still predominantly a running team though, which is fair given how football has been played in the last few years. It is good to see some more puposeful kicking of the ball and hoping to see more of it as the rules bed in.
I was surprised that tyrone got over derry. Mceldowney and sergent being injured were huge losses to derry. There are similarities to 2022 when donegal beat tyrone comfortably enough in the league final. Tyrone really used it as motivation to win the semi. They were a hard enough listen in the interviews after. Hopefully history won't repeat itself. With mcelholm back they will be much better and they've had a run out in owenbedg which is a help to them. Though this is a good, well coached donegal team and they should go in with plenty confidence." Clearly alot of work being done by manager and all his back room team who have got them moving as a very cohesive outfit
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1041 - 24/04/2025 15:01:09
2604061
Link
0
|
|
Replying To naomh_conaill_4: "Same as you I haven't seen much of Down but this is an ulster final so we don't rest players at the stage. Start strong then empty the bench." Yeah I suppose erring on the side of caution would be the best bet. Last thing we'd want or need is to be drawn into a dog fight. Get the preparation right and try to put it to bed early if we can. Then look to make changes. I know we have to treat Down with respect, but being honest about it, we shouldn't have too much difficulty with a team that will be in Div3 in 2026.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9728 - 24/04/2025 16:25:41
2604087
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Lockjaw: "Any thoughts on Down? I must admit I haven't seen a lot of them in recent times.
Big Pat Havern would need watching - I'd say Stephen McMenamin might get anohter job to do there.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness are two of their other players who have impressed me in the past.
All things considered though, I think it would be a major shock if they were to turn us over. A game to do a professional job in, and get out of it without picking up any injuries.
This would be the team I'd pick....
1. Patton
2. McMenamin
3. McCole
4. McFadden-Ferry
5. Moore
6. McFadden
7. Eoghan Ban
8. McGee
9. Langan
10. N O'Donnell
11. S O'Donnell
12. D O'Baoíll
13. Brennan
14. Gallen
15. C O'Donnell
I know there are a few assumptions there and I'm certainly not trying to be disrespectful to Down.
Not sure where Eoghan Ban is at.
McGee would have to be carefully monitored, but feel he needs more minutes, even a half.
It would be good to see Niall O'Donnell get some game time as well.
Gallen to start to regain sharpness/confidence, same for C O'Donnell after a quiet game last Sunday.
Leaves Mogan, McHugh, McGonagle, Thompson, Murphy and McBrearty getting a rest, but ready to spring if needed." I disagree. We need to start a stronger team. We need to start getting goals too and I think this is the game for it.
I would like Murphy to play more as a full forward and not have him in midfield here , like to test out if he can grab a high ball and score on the turn because let's be real in the all Ireland series we will have tougher games where we might need a quick goal to get back into things.
The media are rightfully saying our own real weakness is lack of goals so let's have a strong team and let's get a couple.
I would start gallen though for confidence but that would be the only change I'd make to the 15.
I'm not sure if down have the 2 point shooting that Derry and Monaghan have? That was what made those games come close at one point so if we can get our 2 pt shooting back on track and knock on a goal or two we should be winning this fairly easily.
I fancy Tyrone to do Armagh and that would set up a great final.
We have a great record against both under Jim but I fear Armagh more so than Tyrone.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 116 - 24/04/2025 19:05:28
2604106
Link
0
|
|
Replying To naomh_conaill_4: "Same as you I haven't seen much of Down but this is an ulster final so we don't rest players at the stage. Start strong then empty the bench." Another theory is you finish with your strongest team, it's a 20 man game anyway now, we should beat Down but we need a good team performance, if our levels are off by 5 or 10% it could be hard enough won.
Looking forward to the other semi final on Saturday, I fancy Tyrone to beat Armagh, should be a cracker.
Well done to the U20's, great for the future of senior football too, things are looking up.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3169 - 24/04/2025 19:21:36
2604109
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Lockjaw: "Any thoughts on Down? I must admit I haven't seen a lot of them in recent times.
Big Pat Havern would need watching - I'd say Stephen McMenamin might get anohter job to do there.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness are two of their other players who have impressed me in the past.
All things considered though, I think it would be a major shock if they were to turn us over. A game to do a professional job in, and get out of it without picking up any injuries.
This would be the team I'd pick....
1. Patton
2. McMenamin
3. McCole
4. McFadden-Ferry
5. Moore
6. McFadden
7. Eoghan Ban
8. McGee
9. Langan
10. N O'Donnell
11. S O'Donnell
12. D O'Baoíll
13. Brennan
14. Gallen
15. C O'Donnell
I know there are a few assumptions there and I'm certainly not trying to be disrespectful to Down.
Not sure where Eoghan Ban is at.
McGee would have to be carefully monitored, but feel he needs more minutes, even a half.
It would be good to see Niall O'Donnell get some game time as well.
Gallen to start to regain sharpness/confidence, same for C O'Donnell after a quiet game last Sunday.
Leaves Mogan, McHugh, McGonagle, Thompson, Murphy and McBrearty getting a rest, but ready to spring if needed." Have you not learned anything from the last day? Put out your strongest team. Don't underestimate Down. Rest players if we are lucky enough to be well ahead in the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 460 - 24/04/2025 20:20:25
2604117
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Lockjaw: "Any thoughts on Down? I must admit I haven't seen a lot of them in recent times.
Big Pat Havern would need watching - I'd say Stephen McMenamin might get anohter job to do there.
Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness are two of their other players who have impressed me in the past.
All things considered though, I think it would be a major shock if they were to turn us over. A game to do a professional job in, and get out of it without picking up any injuries.
This would be the team I'd pick....
1. Patton
2. McMenamin
3. McCole
4. McFadden-Ferry
5. Moore
6. McFadden
7. Eoghan Ban
8. McGee
9. Langan
10. N O'Donnell
11. S O'Donnell
12. D O'Baoíll
13. Brennan
14. Gallen
15. C O'Donnell
I know there are a few assumptions there and I'm certainly not trying to be disrespectful to Down.
Not sure where Eoghan Ban is at.
McGee would have to be carefully monitored, but feel he needs more minutes, even a half.
It would be good to see Niall O'Donnell get some game time as well.
Gallen to start to regain sharpness/confidence, same for C O'Donnell after a quiet game last Sunday.
Leaves Mogan, McHugh, McGonagle, Thompson, Murphy and McBrearty getting a rest, but ready to spring if needed." Play the strongest team available. Donegal weren't that impressive against Monaghan, were lucky it didn't go to extra time. Monaghan had a half chance to get an equaliser with a couple mins to go but it went wide. We got the benefit of a bad refereeing decision in the first half that led to Murphy's 2 pointer... and only won by 2.
greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 620 - 24/04/2025 21:17:35
2604122
Link
0
|
|
Excellent work from ulster council selecting owenbeg for ulster u20 final in a midweek fixture when brewster park would have been an obvious choice...
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1041 - 24/04/2025 21:33:18
2604126
Link
0
|
|
Donegal team: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Ciarán Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Dáire Ó Baoill, Ciarán Thompson, Shane O'Donnell; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Conor O'Donnell.
Subs: Gavin Mulreany, Caolan McColgan, Odhrán McFadden Ferry, Odhrán Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Eoin McHugh, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Jamie Brennan, Niall O'Donnell, Oisín Gallen, Jason McGee.
Exact same squad as last week. Best of luck to all the team and management this weekend, hopefully we will be in another Ulster final by Sunday evening!
dgcrusader (Donegal) - Posts: 79 - 25/04/2025 09:57:54
2604169
Link
0
|