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Donegal GAA thread

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This will be Jim's 5th All Ireland semi-final in 6 years - 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024 and 2025, it it some record. Have we been in 6 other semi-finals? 1972, 1974, 1983, 1990, 1992 & 2003 - have I issed any?

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1916 - 06/07/2025 11:26:05    2623875

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Replying To winatallcost:  "I think it is not just the Tyrone game. Armagh have proven versus Dublin and Kerry to have had an inadequate midfield yet proved to be more than a match for Donegal. Dublin if anything also were strong in that sector versus Tyrone. I think the big thing with Donegal is their shooting accuracy. They tend to get shots away and are generally accurate but will they get enough ball if the short option is not there. Also by running the ball all the time, it does give teams a chance to get back. Langan and Thompson great shooters and from distance but are they primary possession winners, I'm not sure.
Also who are the man to man one on one defenders. Donegal generally defend in numbers but expect from now on it being more a man to man game. Sit back against current teams and they will pick you off from distance. Donegal appear strong favourites for whole lot along with Kerry and given last years defeat against Galway in Croke Park I'm sure lots learned. Ironically Donegal seemed to run out of gas. Maybe it was down to the running game. Galway got a lucky goal but all this is irrelevant as Galway are gone now anyway.
Donegal would have been confident of getting over Armagh too last year but that is also irrelevant as Armagh are now gone this year too.
With Murphy back it is huge pressure to get over the line for an All-Ireland as perhaps he may not be in a position to return again. No doubt he is putting all into this year. I was hearing he was a full time footballer which for an amature game is hard to understand. Jim Mcguinness coming back when being involved in professional sport is also unique and unheard of but I'm sure they are both well looked after and do it for the love of Donegal.
Declan Bonnar had Donegal during players for prime ages and while performing well never reached the 2012 levels. Was this down to tactics, commitment, selection issues or just better teams around including the great Dublin team or Kerry team. An aging Kerry team unexpecedly overcame Donegal in 2014 after Donegal took out Dublin in semi. Was this down to complacency? Probably all irrelevant now as I think only Murphy, McHugh and McBrearty left from that and its essentially a completely different game also with the new rules.
Although it was a mistake from keeper on short kickout which proved costly which certainly still applies now."
You seem to have figured a lot out there.....maybe to your own reasoning which is fair enough....I could give alternative thoughts on all your points, but you know what, we'll just see how the game (s) pans out.
Looking forward to it.

chancer (Donegal) - Posts: 36 - 06/07/2025 12:31:33    2623887

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Massive win for the Tyrone minors there, great game.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3318 - 06/07/2025 14:55:45    2623917

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I MacCumhaill park pitch is under going a major upgrade and will be closed for a while.

Its well needed pitch looks very bumpy and uneven. Looking forward to seeing it done.

Bingobus (Donegal) - Posts: 2 - 06/07/2025 21:58:16    2624008

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Didn't get a ticket with my club and only rubbish ones left. Raging

thebronze14 (Donegal) - Posts: 56 - 07/07/2025 10:10:50    2624063

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Replying To thebronze14:  "Didn't get a ticket with my club and only rubbish ones left. Raging"
I wouldn't give up hope yet. I would say better seats will be available on Ticketmaster towards the end of the week.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9871 - 07/07/2025 12:38:05    2624103

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Things have been eerily quiet in the run up to this Meath game, Meath's Robbie Brennan has signaled that he has significant homework done on Donegal, we are likely to face another stern tactical examination that will be up a level from the Monaghan game as Meath will apply learnings from that game.

I have a nervous feeling going into this game, expecting it to be a cagey match. We need to avoid conceding goals if we are to have a decent chance of winning. Overcoming the high press on short kickouts will be where its at I suspect.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1409 - 07/07/2025 13:26:34    2624121

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I wouldn't give up hope yet. I would say better seats will be available on Ticketmaster towards the end of the week."
Yeah I'll keep an eye out. Also people's plans always change so people will have to sell ones nearer the time

thebronze14 (Donegal) - Posts: 56 - 07/07/2025 13:29:28    2624122

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Replying To Bingobus:  "I MacCumhaill park pitch is under going a major upgrade and will be closed for a while.

Its well needed pitch looks very bumpy and uneven. Looking forward to seeing it done."
I saw that and it's definitely needed. They've been talking about for a while. Funnily enough it's been better than usual in 2025. The drier spring than normal probably helped.

I think the actual soil there is pretty good so hopefully won't be as expensive as other renovations. It's also prudent to not communicate a target date given the vagaries that the Irish weather brings.

The pitch in Sligo never took and they had to go again and you don't want that. There was a lot of pressure to have mchale park available and it struggled a bit as well. Ballyshannon was given plenty time settle and it really helped.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 895 - 07/07/2025 13:43:57    2624123

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "I saw that and it's definitely needed. They've been talking about for a while. Funnily enough it's been better than usual in 2025. The drier spring than normal probably helped.

I think the actual soil there is pretty good so hopefully won't be as expensive as other renovations. It's also prudent to not communicate a target date given the vagaries that the Irish weather brings.

The pitch in Sligo never took and they had to go again and you don't want that. There was a lot of pressure to have mchale park available and it struggled a bit as well. Ballyshannon was given plenty time settle and it really helped."
Is it a full new drainage job, or is it just a reseeding job? Prunty usually insist a full 12 month lay off after a new pitch is laid, but maybe other companies have their own terms and conditions.

You'd imagine if we have 4 League games and possible Ulster Championship or Super 8 games next summer, that you're talking about a big revenue hit if it's out of action for 12 months.

Hopefully there'll be a good plan in place.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 833 - 07/07/2025 14:36:42    2624150

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Replying To Bingobus:  "I MacCumhaill park pitch is under going a major upgrade and will be closed for a while.

Its well needed pitch looks very bumpy and uneven. Looking forward to seeing it done."
The Ladies Toilets in Macumhail park are a bit of an embarrassment and should probably take priority over any other works.

I would hope our current chairperson will get wheels in motion to get them up to standard.

Tirchonailabu56 (Donegal) - Posts: 36 - 07/07/2025 17:46:39    2624225

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Replying To Commodore:  "Things have been eerily quiet in the run up to this Meath game, Meath's Robbie Brennan has signaled that he has significant homework done on Donegal, we are likely to face another stern tactical examination that will be up a level from the Monaghan game as Meath will apply learnings from that game.

I have a nervous feeling going into this game, expecting it to be a cagey match. We need to avoid conceding goals if we are to have a decent chance of winning. Overcoming the high press on short kickouts will be where its at I suspect."
I'm sure Jimmy is doing significant homework on Meath as well.The problem he has is he not alot of Meaths games were televised this years championship apart from leinster final and the Galway game as far as I'm aware (Cork,Roscommon Dublin Kerry weren't on only highlights.Im sure Meath were not in his plans at the start of the year and probably thought it would be Galway again before last weekend which in fairness most people thought.The pressure is definitely on Donegal as last year yee let Galway off the hook and shouldve made the all Ireland at least.He really wont want to fall at this stage again this year so I'd say he is giving all his thoughts on Meath (cant see him looking beyond us as he is far too knowledgeable In my opinion) and will know we are a genuine threat.This Meath team seem to be growing in confidence with every game and the Galway result is massive as it's the first win in the all Ireland series in croke park for a good while.Ive watched alot of your games this year and definitely think yee can be got at but we will need to take our chances.Monaghan certainly rattle yee in the first half and even though 2nd half yee showed great character and skill Monaghan shooting let them down and the 2 lads going off for them were causing trouble for yee.Having said all that when yee click yee look very impressive.Young Roarty looks very impressive he might go on morris I'd say,languin also looks a baller and 2 o donnels.Yee seem to have a decent spread of scorers Murphy top with 0-26 mabreffy next with 1-18 and o baoil (who is underrated in my opinion)1-10.Yee have 8/9 lads with over 11 points at least in championship well able to score so we will have our work cut out for us.What yee have is the never say die attitude Ulster final for example just finding ways to win.Jimmy rubbing a few people up the wrong way but I've always like him something about him.He installs belief in teams and it's going to be fascinating on Sunday because Robbie has installed super belief in Meath and the county is buzzing again for the first time in years and who comes out on top we shall see.The weather is meant to be in the mid to high 20s the weekend so that could be a factor as well.Hopefully we can reach our first all Ireland in 24 years on Sunday cant wait for the match may the best team win.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 393 - 07/07/2025 18:33:02    2624232

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Replying To thebronze14:  "Didn't get a ticket with my club and only rubbish ones left. Raging"
Seems some clubs have got their full allocation and other clubs haven't. See termon saying they 60 tickets short from what they applied for and they got no hill tickets at all

I'm still waiting to hear from my club if not successful will just get them on ticketmaster even though seats are great on there at the minute

Donegal-lad27 (Donegal) - Posts: 22 - 07/07/2025 18:52:01    2624235

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Is it a full new drainage job, or is it just a reseeding job? Prunty usually insist a full 12 month lay off after a new pitch is laid, but maybe other companies have their own terms and conditions.

You'd imagine if we have 4 League games and possible Ulster Championship or Super 8 games next summer, that you're talking about a big revenue hit if it's out of action for 12 months.

Hopefully there'll be a good plan in place."
I don't know the size of the job. From reading something before the overall soil was good enough but no matter what's done I can't imagine a short lay off.
Having played 4 league games at home this year it would generally be three next year so that's one league matches with the others going to letterkenny and ballyshannon anyway. I think we'll be due to have Galway, mayo and Kerry at home and the rest away. With the change to way Ulster is drawn I don't think we can be in the preliminary round so guess it depends on the draw.
And the I don't think with the new knock out style all Ireland next year that you are guaranteed a home match anymore. So it's probably not as many county matches as you might think.

And at least ballyshannon and letterkenny are decent enough alternatives, admittedly without floodlights.

And letterkenny is a fine set up for a county final. The intermediate and junior finals have worked well there as does the hurling.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 895 - 07/07/2025 19:15:45    2624237

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I assume both teams will be wearing provincial colours?

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 178 - 07/07/2025 21:25:38    2624254

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Listening to the football pod today and Tommy Rooney says both teams will be in their alternative kit due to the Green and Gold clash. Donegal in White but Meath will be in a Yellow jersey apparently and not their alternative Blue kit that they requested to wear.

Ulsterchamps72 (Donegal) - Posts: 159 - 07/07/2025 21:46:02    2624259

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Replying To Donegal-lad27:  "Seems some clubs have got their full allocation and other clubs haven't. See termon saying they 60 tickets short from what they applied for and they got no hill tickets at all

I'm still waiting to hear from my club if not successful will just get them on ticketmaster even though seats are great on there at the minute"
Just looking at ticketmaster this morning looking like Sunday going to be very close to a sell out only tickets available for the nally stand and 5 sections in the upper davin/hogan

With clubs not getting full allocation of tickets don't expect many better seats making there way onto ticketmaster before Sunday. It's going to be some occasion and atmosphere

Donegal-lad27 (Donegal) - Posts: 22 - 08/07/2025 08:38:10    2624289

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Replying To Proudroyal:  "I'm sure Jimmy is doing significant homework on Meath as well.The problem he has is he not alot of Meaths games were televised this years championship apart from leinster final and the Galway game as far as I'm aware (Cork,Roscommon Dublin Kerry weren't on only highlights.Im sure Meath were not in his plans at the start of the year and probably thought it would be Galway again before last weekend which in fairness most people thought.The pressure is definitely on Donegal as last year yee let Galway off the hook and shouldve made the all Ireland at least.He really wont want to fall at this stage again this year so I'd say he is giving all his thoughts on Meath (cant see him looking beyond us as he is far too knowledgeable In my opinion) and will know we are a genuine threat.This Meath team seem to be growing in confidence with every game and the Galway result is massive as it's the first win in the all Ireland series in croke park for a good while.Ive watched alot of your games this year and definitely think yee can be got at but we will need to take our chances.Monaghan certainly rattle yee in the first half and even though 2nd half yee showed great character and skill Monaghan shooting let them down and the 2 lads going off for them were causing trouble for yee.Having said all that when yee click yee look very impressive.Young Roarty looks very impressive he might go on morris I'd say,languin also looks a baller and 2 o donnels.Yee seem to have a decent spread of scorers Murphy top with 0-26 mabreffy next with 1-18 and o baoil (who is underrated in my opinion)1-10.Yee have 8/9 lads with over 11 points at least in championship well able to score so we will have our work cut out for us.What yee have is the never say die attitude Ulster final for example just finding ways to win.Jimmy rubbing a few people up the wrong way but I've always like him something about him.He installs belief in teams and it's going to be fascinating on Sunday because Robbie has installed super belief in Meath and the county is buzzing again for the first time in years and who comes out on top we shall see.The weather is meant to be in the mid to high 20s the weekend so that could be a factor as well.Hopefully we can reach our first all Ireland in 24 years on Sunday cant wait for the match may the best team win."
don't be so naieve, Jim will have video footage of all meath's games this year, telvevised or not, if there was a camera there he will have the recording. in terms of prep for the opposition no stone will be left unturned and meath will be given the utmost respect. All four teams have made the semi's on merit, no luck involved. i'm expecting 2 close games and hopefully Donegal will be celebrating on Sunday evening.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1112 - 08/07/2025 09:23:19    2624293

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Replying To Donegal-lad27:  "Just looking at ticketmaster this morning looking like Sunday going to be very close to a sell out only tickets available for the nally stand and 5 sections in the upper davin/hogan

With clubs not getting full allocation of tickets don't expect many better seats making there way onto ticketmaster before Sunday. It's going to be some occasion and atmosphere"
Giving it to be a scorcher of a day too. Could be a day where the team with the strongest panel will prevail.
As usual, very quiet in the Donegal camp. Would I be right in saying that Caolan McGonagle is the only man that is still doubtful? I can't think of anyone else that there were injury concerns over. As with any team going far in the Championship, you need a wee bit of luck when it comes to your panel staying fit and injury free. Fingers crossed that the stars are aligning on that front for us. Still a sizable challenge to overcome this weekend though.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9871 - 08/07/2025 09:32:01    2624298

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Replying To Donegal-lad27:  "Seems some clubs have got their full allocation and other clubs haven't. See termon saying they 60 tickets short from what they applied for and they got no hill tickets at all

I'm still waiting to hear from my club if not successful will just get them on ticketmaster even though seats are great on there at the minute"
It's a total mess from the Gaa. For clubs not able to get their full allocation, yet you can still purchase tickets through Tickemaster. Makes a mockery of having a club membership, I'm waiting to hear if I will get mine or not through the club. Been ordering mine through the club, where possible, all season, in the hope to secure one for the semi final and hopefully the final!

dgcrusader (Donegal) - Posts: 108 - 08/07/2025 10:19:14    2624309

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