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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Donegal big favourites for Sunday thoughts"
Paddy Power has Kerry evens and Donegal 6/5

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 694 - 22/07/2025 19:53:22    2627262

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Donegal big favourites for Sunday thoughts"
They aren't favourites, Kerry are. Have a look at any of the bookies. My thoughts are why is a Longford supporter coming on a Donegal forum trying to make people believe Donegal are big favourites? Care to explain?

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 279 - 22/07/2025 20:29:05    2627271

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "They aren't favourites, Kerry are. Have a look at any of the bookies. My thoughts are why is a Longford supporter coming on a Donegal forum trying to make people believe Donegal are big favourites? Care to explain?"
Don't heed him at all. Longford is not the home of football.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2545 - 22/07/2025 20:59:30    2627296

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Got word late last night that we have been allocated our tickets from the club. Was like a kid at Christmas really is like getting a golden ticket

Donegal-lad27 (Donegal) - Posts: 27 - 23/07/2025 08:20:13    2627342

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Replying To endgame:  "Don't heed him at all. Longford is not the home of football."
There won't be any football there soon the way things are going with them.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 4 - 23/07/2025 08:59:13    2627349

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Donegal big favourites for Sunday thoughts"
I suspect the Longford profile is the same Kerry poster who keeps posting that "Kerry are written off", maybe in the hope of igniting a siege mentality type scenario or something.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1434 - 23/07/2025 09:09:14    2627352

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The difference between the two teams at the bookies is negligible and hardly worth wasting your breath over.
I've read lots of articles and listened to umpteen podcasts at this stage and the only conclusions you could draw is that both teams are in the final on merit, and victory on the day for either team will come down to very small margins.

There is obviously a lot of talk about McCole v Clifford and other potential matchups. All very important of course. But I'm just wondering if a lesser discussed player will prove the difference. In particular I'm thinking of Conor O'Donnell. The lad is on fire. He's so direct, pacy and two-footed. He is priced at 22/1 for MOTM.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9912 - 23/07/2025 09:13:00    2627353

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "If they are not a Member of a Donegal club they are not entitled to a Ticket from Donegal County Board.
If they want to be sure of a Ticket, they need to be a Season Ticket holder or a Full Member of the County they support."
The point was more is a Donegal club member (note there are plenty who do very little for their club) who rarely attends Donegal games more entitled to a ticket through all the various ways of getting a ticket than a Donegal fan who attends matches (regardless of a ST or not) and is involved in their local club outside Donegal.

NORTHMEN (Donegal) - Posts: 28 - 23/07/2025 09:40:32    2627362

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Replying To ThroughTheGap:  "East Donegal wouldn't have too many people who have to drive 20km to their nearest club.
For anyone not a member of a Donegal club, but who go to all the games, there is the option of the season ticket. But when it comes to Donegal getting to the All Ireland Final, then it's fair to look after the people and the clubs in Donegal. Yes, I have sympathy for the people who emigrated, but with the demand for tickets, if they don't want to remain a member of their club or get the season ticket, I'd be less worried for them than people living in Donegal. And spare a thought for the executive members of clubs who, at this minute, are having to make horrible choices that will cause rows and friction that will linger long after Sunday."
I agree that Season ticket holders and fully paid club members be looked after first, and most die hard fans fall under either or both of those categories and I believe all in those categories will or already have tickets allocated.

However I am aware of a few cases where people who aren't club members for a variety of reasons, who had been buying league and Championship tickets in Supervalu or Ticketmaster and hadn't realized that once the County reaches an All Ireland Final, that ticket avenue is no longer open to them. These are people who would have been among the 3000-5000 Donegal fans who attended some league games and I dare say they attended more games than many who will get tickets.

I think it needs to be communicated better to the general public that they need to be fully paid club members or season ticket holders in order to get access to AI Final tickets. As a lot of people follow Donegal who aren't club members, and this might increase Club membership.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1434 - 23/07/2025 09:56:00    2627366

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Replying To Commodore:  "I agree that Season ticket holders and fully paid club members be looked after first, and most die hard fans fall under either or both of those categories and I believe all in those categories will or already have tickets allocated.

However I am aware of a few cases where people who aren't club members for a variety of reasons, who had been buying league and Championship tickets in Supervalu or Ticketmaster and hadn't realized that once the County reaches an All Ireland Final, that ticket avenue is no longer open to them. These are people who would have been among the 3000-5000 Donegal fans who attended some league games and I dare say they attended more games than many who will get tickets.

I think it needs to be communicated better to the general public that they need to be fully paid club members or season ticket holders in order to get access to AI Final tickets. As a lot of people follow Donegal who aren't club members, and this might increase Club membership."
I dont think the communication could have been any clearer, every club make it clear at the start of every year that allocations would be based on club membership on March 31st. Also, club memberships are all paid online , so they can be paid from anywhere in the world.

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 716 - 23/07/2025 10:34:15    2627376

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Replying To papa_pump:  "Would just like to add, it's not as easy as that for the whole county. For example, in parts of East Donegal and Inishowen you could be 10-20km from your nearest club, which would be a few towns over. Many people in these regions follow the county team avidly but don't feel a direct belonging to any club. I think everyone agrees that club members should be seen to, as there are no county players without the club developing them. Further, many more live in Dublin, Galway, Belfast and across the province. You're hardly going to drive to Buncrana to watch a junior league match if you live 200km away, but you'd make a point of coming to Ballybofey for the county team. I do think the lack of provision for non-club affiliated supporters is archaic. I think club members should be front of the queue, but it shouldn't be a closed shop."
After living abroad and then Dublin for years I don't really have an affiliation with a club anymore. After not getting first round Ulster tickets last year I joined a random club. Club get my money to help with club development, I've been able to get a ticket for matches (bar the semi). Win Win! But agree to some degree that the system should be altered somewhat

thebronze14 (Donegal) - Posts: 58 - 23/07/2025 11:06:46    2627391

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Replying To NORTHMEN:  "The point was more is a Donegal club member (note there are plenty who do very little for their club) who rarely attends Donegal games more entitled to a ticket through all the various ways of getting a ticket than a Donegal fan who attends matches (regardless of a ST or not) and is involved in their local club outside Donegal."
I understand. I have family of my own in that bracket but there has to be some rule in processing tickets. Unfortunately all supporters cannot be catered for.
There should be some way of knowing how many Donegal matches a person attended but that's not the case I'm afraid.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 694 - 23/07/2025 11:25:21    2627394

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Does anyone know of a club that has so far been able to fulfil all their orders based on membership as of 31st of March 2025? Any posts I have seen from clubs have talked about a need to assess club member's eligibility on their participation/support to a club or not being able to meet their member's requests?

So if there are clubs able to satisfy all of their members registered before the deadline how can other clubs not? Maybe it is blatantly obvious but just curious.

The_Second_Coming (Donegal) - Posts: 30 - 23/07/2025 11:55:02    2627406

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Replying To The_Second_Coming:  "Does anyone know of a club that has so far been able to fulfil all their orders based on membership as of 31st of March 2025? Any posts I have seen from clubs have talked about a need to assess club member's eligibility on their participation/support to a club or not being able to meet their member's requests?

So if there are clubs able to satisfy all of their members registered before the deadline how can other clubs not? Maybe it is blatantly obvious but just curious."
Good question, and here's two thoughts that might answer.

Is there a minimum cost of club membership, and what is the level of validation of member counts that the county board require from the clubs?

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 483 - 23/07/2025 12:16:32    2627414

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Deciding which members are more deserving of tickets could be extremely tough if there isn't pre-existing criteria.

ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 72 - 23/07/2025 12:36:18    2627423

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Replying To The_Second_Coming:  "Does anyone know of a club that has so far been able to fulfil all their orders based on membership as of 31st of March 2025? Any posts I have seen from clubs have talked about a need to assess club member's eligibility on their participation/support to a club or not being able to meet their member's requests?

So if there are clubs able to satisfy all of their members registered before the deadline how can other clubs not? Maybe it is blatantly obvious but just curious."
I think a lot of clubs took orders for tickets for juvenile members and in some cases non members. It's my understanding that clubs did get enough tickets to cover adult membership as of 31st March

I know our own club was,in a position to given tickets to all adult members as there numbers,on 31st March

Donegal-lad27 (Donegal) - Posts: 27 - 23/07/2025 12:43:37    2627426

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "I understand. I have family of my own in that bracket but there has to be some rule in processing tickets. Unfortunately all supporters cannot be catered for.
There should be some way of knowing how many Donegal matches a person attended but that's not the case I'm afraid."
I am a Donegal fan living in jersey for the 40 years . My 2 sons , Jersey born both play for our GAA club. I will try and get to a Donegal game anytime I'm home and I've been lucky enough to attend all of Donegals finals so far
I do agree that the loyal fans that attend all the games should be looked after first and it is great to hear so many loyal Donegal fans on here .
There will be loyal fans travelling from all over the world this weekend in the hope of getting a ticket . These are not the prawn sandwich brigade but also proud of their Donegal heritage and our team .
I hope I get a ticket and be there with most of Donegal o see our boys lift Sam

Emmetsboy (Donegal) - Posts: 3 - 23/07/2025 13:00:16    2627433

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Replying To The_Second_Coming:  "Does anyone know of a club that has so far been able to fulfil all their orders based on membership as of 31st of March 2025? Any posts I have seen from clubs have talked about a need to assess club member's eligibility on their participation/support to a club or not being able to meet their member's requests?

So if there are clubs able to satisfy all of their members registered before the deadline how can other clubs not? Maybe it is blatantly obvious but just curious."
Muff and Ardara, their club numbers have nearly doubled from within the last year. You can hazard a guess how

dgcrusader (Donegal) - Posts: 118 - 23/07/2025 13:28:51    2627439

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Replying To greenfan:  "I dont think the communication could have been any clearer, every club make it clear at the start of every year that allocations would be based on club membership on March 31st. Also, club memberships are all paid online , so they can be paid from anywhere in the world."
I meant communication should be clear to anyone buying tickets throughout the year from SuperValu or Ticketmaster, that if Donegal get beyond the All Ireland Semi Final, tickets for an All Ireland final will not be available via SuperValu or Ticketmaster at that point and they will be hard pressed to raise tickets.

At least then non-club members or non-season ticket holders would be well warned in advance.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1434 - 23/07/2025 13:29:43    2627440

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Replying To SurelyToGod:  "Good question, and here's two thoughts that might answer.

Is there a minimum cost of club membership, and what is the level of validation of member counts that the county board require from the clubs?"
All memberships are done on the gaa's portal (foireann.ie) , so Croke Park and the county board know exactly how many members each club has on the 31st of March. No validation needed.
Looking at my own club, The minimum cost is 40 euro for a non-playing adult member, but there are family options like 80 euro for 2 adults and a child. 100 euro for 2 adults and up to 5 children. Adult players are 100 euro, or 75 euro if they're a student. You basically add all your family under one account. When registering, you select the category for each member you want to register (playing, non playing, juvenile , student etc)

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 716 - 23/07/2025 13:30:10    2627441

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