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Replying To rorysboys: "Will niall be back next year. Got very little game time this year. It's a huge commitment niall is not the only one in that regards. It's not easy keeping players happy . It'll be interesting to see will many feel like I'm not getting game time and it's not worth the commitment. Hopefully they won't because we need everyone on board. Another thing I feel jim has to freshen up the backroom team and do what he done when he took in rory gallagher. It worked that time so no harm in taking a similar kind of coach. Just in case people think I want rory in. I don't or never will." I don't see why Niall O'Donnell would not come back, I believe he will get more League game time this year to impress, he seemed to be injured for a lot of the league this year. It's a shame his other brother does not commit also, a solid defender. Ultan Doherty is another defender that I am surprised has not been drafted in. We need everyone and these type of defenders are stronger physically and it's hard to beat more strength.
I agree as regards bringing in a number two, someone that knows the game and will add to the tactical side of things during the game. Although can you really fault the lads that were there this year.
The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 714 - 03/08/2025 07:37:48
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Replying To The keeper: "It's very simple, the game was lost in the first 15 minutes, we were completely over run in midfield during that period. Lost most breaking ball.
You can't give a lead like that to Kerry and expect to come back.
I don't think you can blame the defense when the opposition dominates possession during that period.
Even through I am not his greatest fan, I think McFadden got harshly dropped, and we definitely need McGee next season for a full game or at least 55 minutes. I think langan and Thomson are better in the half forward line.
I definitely think we need to give Niall O'Donnell more of a go next year, he is a classy forward that has the legs and accuracy to score.
I believe mcbrearty has not got the legs anymore, even through I do hope he gives it another year on the bench to hopefully collect a winners medal next year.
I pray to god that our manager stays for a few more years, as we have some talented footballers coming up and they need a professional manager to show them what is required.
As disappointing as the final was, look how far we have come, competitive at the very top. We have gained some respect back.
Let the players rest, thank them and hopefully next year we will win the 3 in a row in Ulster and go one step further in the all Ireland.
Bring on the club championship, come on naomh conail" Kerry won breaking ball possessions 9 to 2 in the first half, this is where Donegal lost the game
It was the same against Tyrone in Ballybofey where Tyrone won 90% of the breaking ball. It's an obvious weakness in Donegals game but 1 of the areas that's easier to fix and at worst break even on that stat during big matches.
Tirchonailabu56 (Donegal) - Posts: 39 - 03/08/2025 10:08:08
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Replying To The keeper: "I don't see why Niall O'Donnell would not come back, I believe he will get more League game time this year to impress, he seemed to be injured for a lot of the league this year. It's a shame his other brother does not commit also, a solid defender. Ultan Doherty is another defender that I am surprised has not been drafted in. We need everyone and these type of defenders are stronger physically and it's hard to beat more strength.
I agree as regards bringing in a number two, someone that knows the game and will add to the tactical side of things during the game. Although can you really fault the lads that were there this year." Thoughts on his brother being dropped from the 26 last week?
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1302 - 03/08/2025 10:28:45
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Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "He's the best player I've ever seen but Jesus Christ this "9 points" talk is a little anoying. He scored 3 two pointers and one of them was at the footer and had nothing to do with McCole. It's very difficult to defend against players who can hit them. He also got a handy 1 pointer from a mistake that wasn't on McCole. In truth he had 6 points in old currency and 3 of which were from long range. Not like he broke free and roasted McCole. Prime Neil McGee would have struggled against him too.
It's not like Clifford scored 9 shots. It was 6. Still an amazing performance but come on.
For the record, I like the 2 point rule but in no way should it be given for frees beyond the arc. It's much more difficult to hit it from play then a placed ball or a free with the ball in your hands.
Already buzzing for next season. Hope Jim gets everyone to commit back next year and he finds a gem or two during the club championship. We're as good as anyone but need to keep that confidence going in to next year." On the 2 point rule didn't see the need for it with 3 up and 3 back as there is now space for forwards to get room, I think it should have been 2 point rule or 3 up and 3 back, I don't think we needed both. Incidentally was at an underage game this year and referee unable to police 3 up back, breaches all over the place.
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1151 - 03/08/2025 10:31:35
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Replying To Tirchonailabu56: "Kerry won breaking ball possessions 9 to 2 in the first half, this is where Donegal lost the game
It was the same against Tyrone in Ballybofey where Tyrone won 90% of the breaking ball. It's an obvious weakness in Donegals game but 1 of the areas that's easier to fix and at worst break even on that stat during big matches." Another weakness in Donegal football at both club and county is our lack of players with the kicking skills to ping or whipp 30 to 40m accurate fast kick passes from outside the 45 into the 13m line to a inside forward, its another weakness Jim and his coaches need to address, perhaps take a few players aside like Dara, Niall O Donnel, Aaron Doherty and get them to specialise in whipped kick passes into the 13m line for Marks and Goal Threats. With the likelihood of 4 points for a goal rule coming into effect next year this skill will become even more important in 2026.
We also need to find another left footed 2 point kicker, perhaps Odhran Doherty might step up but with Thompson, COD, McBreaty as our left footed ooptions and usually only 1 or 2 of them is on the pitch at a time, we need another left footed player who can hit 2 pointers on the pitch.
Tirchonailabu56 (Donegal) - Posts: 39 - 03/08/2025 10:59:33
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Starting to hear of county men who won't be playing for their clubs next weekend. This isn't a post to blame them, but it's just another example of how club football is suffering and dying on the vine. This means that some of these county players will only play 1 match in their home ground. If you'd said to me that this would be the case WITH the split season, I'd have said what was the point of the split season.
And again, let me state, those lads deserve a holiday but club football is in a sorry state in the county at the minute to be finding any players.
ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 84 - 03/08/2025 11:45:31
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Replying To The keeper: "What an laughable post, do you really think the parade was mentioned at training, or the hype of homecomings had anything to do with the group. Nonsense.
The group can't control what happens outside, and never will. And this silly stuff about the parade is just a stick to beat Donegal with by there detractors.
It's embarrassing for the detractors.
Only thing I somewhat agree with was Donegal news papers talking about homecomings, I am old school and believe that should have been organized after the game.
But again the group can't control the hype outside.
Now grow up and forget about the parade." You're 100% correct. It was a spur of the moment to break away at that exact point of the parade. Yawn
CillTormoir (Galway) - Posts: 571 - 03/08/2025 12:58:33
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Replying To CillTormoir: "You're 100% correct. It was a spur of the moment to break away at that exact point of the parade. Yawn" Not what our Donegal links in Monaghan are saying. And we have a few.
farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 328 - 03/08/2025 14:12:50
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We are not far away in terms of tactics and players. I don't think we need to change our approach and suddenly start going man to man instead of zonal in defence. However it would be great to have that option and maybe have short periods where we press high and go man to man and try to get some proper tackles in. That was one of the very dissapointing things against kerry - we got so little contact on their forwards. Of course that's because kerry were avoiding contact but I felt in previous games we managed to apply more pressure and get contact with opposition forwards rather than just marking space.
Lots of posters suggesting we need to get more traditional defenders in. I don't agree because one of our biggest strengths all year was that we had scoring threats from all over the pitch. I'd say we could just get the likes of Mark Curran to improve his attacking game and the likes of McColgan to improve his defence, that sort if thing. I think Jeaic McKelvey has a lot to offer in that regard, very tight defender and also offers a lot going forward, comfortable on the ball. Was surprised he didn't get more time in the league.
Like everyone else I'm hoping for no retirements but if some of the older lads were to step away it might allow some of the younger generation to really express themselves and take ownership of the team. Time will tell on that front.
By all accounts there's lots of talent coming through the u20s so things are looking bright for us despite a day in croker we'll all want to forget.
Onwards and upwards
High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 03/08/2025 14:42:46
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One more thing, getting possession in midfield at kickouts has become the most important thing in the new rules. Of course we need McGee and Langan fit next year and maybe a new midfielder in there. McFadden had a great year.
But winning ball in midfield is as much about the wee lads getting the dirty ball on the ground as about the big lads high fielding. The majority of high kickouts are fisted down rather than caught clean. Winning breaking ball is a skill and takes preparation and Kerry were better drilled in that regard. They were better positioned around the midfielder and reacted better to the breaking ball.
High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 03/08/2025 14:49:09
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Replying To ThroughTheGap: "Starting to hear of county men who won't be playing for their clubs next weekend. This isn't a post to blame them, but it's just another example of how club football is suffering and dying on the vine. This means that some of these county players will only play 1 match in their home ground. If you'd said to me that this would be the case WITH the split season, I'd have said what was the point of the split season.
And again, let me state, those lads deserve a holiday but club football is in a sorry state in the county at the minute to be finding any players." The CCC are the ones that decide the fixtures and when it's due to start, everybody knew this would happen. Can't for the life of me understand why they wouldn't put the championship back a week or two. Unbelievable decision making.
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 03/08/2025 15:43:33
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Replying To donegalgael-12: "The CCC are the ones that decide the fixtures and when it's due to start, everybody knew this would happen. Can't for the life of me understand why they wouldn't put the championship back a week or two. Unbelievable decision making." Men need to play ball should have started this weekend tbh
farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 328 - 03/08/2025 17:55:17
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Replying To ThroughTheGap: "Starting to hear of county men who won't be playing for their clubs next weekend. This isn't a post to blame them, but it's just another example of how club football is suffering and dying on the vine. This means that some of these county players will only play 1 match in their home ground. If you'd said to me that this would be the case WITH the split season, I'd have said what was the point of the split season.
And again, let me state, those lads deserve a holiday but club football is in a sorry state in the county at the minute to be finding any players." Yeah I posted about this during the week of players who aren't going to play. And I agree with someone else's post about the short term gain and long term pain in regards to players. I'd imagine players are told to take the break now until November esp players playing for the lesser clubs.
Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 57 - 03/08/2025 18:45:13
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Replying To farneygael3: "Men need to play ball should have started this weekend tbh" What are yiz up to there lad, Monaghan still haven't started their Championship despite the fact it could've been started a month ago.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 863 - 03/08/2025 18:45:34
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Replying To donegalgael-12: "The CCC are the ones that decide the fixtures and when it's due to start, everybody knew this would happen. Can't for the life of me understand why they wouldn't put the championship back a week or two. Unbelievable decision making." Because a master fixture plan has been set in stone with dates and I'd imagine club players have looked at it and booked holidays themselves for after the championship final etc… should we accommodate 30 players in regards to 1500 players ?
Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 57 - 03/08/2025 18:47:49
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Replying To Whyme923: "Because a master fixture plan has been set in stone with dates and I'd imagine club players have looked at it and booked holidays themselves for after the championship final etc… should we accommodate 30 players in regards to 1500 players ?" You've correctly identified the root of the problem - the master fixture. Two weeks was never going to be enough between an all Ireland final, which was always a possibility, and the start of the club championships. Hopefully the CCC have the foresight to fix that next year.
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 03/08/2025 19:40:13
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Replying To SouthOfTheGap: "What are yiz up to there lad, Monaghan still haven't started their Championship despite the fact it could've been started a month ago." Yea. Men need to kick ball should have started a month ago tbh
farneygael3 (Monaghan) - Posts: 328 - 03/08/2025 19:53:09
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Replying To donegalgael-12: "You've correctly identified the root of the problem - the master fixture. Two weeks was never going to be enough between an all Ireland final, which was always a possibility, and the start of the club championships. Hopefully the CCC have the foresight to fix that next year." So do club players play final in November/December?
Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 57 - 03/08/2025 20:18:26
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Replying To Whyme923: "So do club players play final in November/December?" Don't be daft, move it a week or two, play it in October and you still have a week or two before Ulster Club.
donegalgael-12 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 03/08/2025 21:09:40
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