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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To letsgetgoing:  "Agree 100% with your contribution. Jim Mc Guinness and Rory Gallagher were very innovative in their approach and won a deserved All Ireland with Donegal. However their approach has ruined our game as it is a terrible game to watch. It is more about GPS stats than skill now.
Some of our greatest players ever would not have got picked for their teams nowadays. Can you imagine the likes of Jimmy Keavney (Dublin), Bomber Liston (Kerry) and Frank McGuigan (Tyrone) tracking back to defend the D on a continuous bases.
They would be trying to convince their managers that the battery in their GPS has gone flat."
That's selective ignorance on approach, Jim McGuinness merely took the Blanket defense approach of Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Joe Kernan (Armagh) in the 2000's to the next level in 2011-2012. He had implemented it at Naomh Conaill for a few years before taking on the Donegal job, he brought Rory Gallagher onboard in 2011 as a coach and started Rory's education on this way of doing things.

Sport like human being's tactically evolve, that is the way of things. While ignorance is bliss in terms of reminiscing about the Golden of days of football for decades before this, we all know there were many horror shows back then too, but the sport was tactically naïve. Tactical evolution happens in all sports, Gaelic Football just had been molly coddled for decades and went into shock when very intelligent innovative people thought outside the box.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 09:22:32    2467911

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Replying To Tyrion:  "Rorysboys I actually do think Curran should have started against Armagh last year but that's just my opinion tbh. What I was trying to refer in that post was marks been a peripheral player this past few years under declan and never got a real go, but stuck at it and has taken his chance this year unlike mccleanaghan that left before ulster final last Yr. He's learning He's trade at county level this year and will make mistakes but I believe he's our best corner back to come through this past while. Give the lad a season under him and then we'll see."
In fairness to Tony McClenaghan, he was in the Donegal panel since 2017-2018 and rarely featured, yet he impressed most times that he did feature. He left before the Cavan Ulster SF last season after 4-5 years of not getting a look in, which I thought was unfair.

I think Mark Curran only joined the panel last season, and has got run out this year because so many players are either injured or opted out. I think its unfair to suggest Tony McClenaghan didn't stick at it, 4-5 years is a long time to be putting in that effort and not getting rewards.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 09:31:14    2467913

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "All true. Curran really struggled in the last two games but this has to be expected coming straight into a team..our plus one is all over the place of late which doesn't help either. Curran had a good game on MC Curry in Omagh and a decent second half against Kerry. He did very well against Burke from Galway only giving away a free to him.

I like Curran on the ball. He'll look for that forward pass and runs straight and hard unlike some other defenders/players who go diagonal with ball in hand.

Could we possibly turn some club players into defenders? It's come to this stage as we don't have quality defenders. Forker for Armagh being an example and Hampsey for Tyrone. Both play out the field for their clubs. Just trying to think who could suit this role? Someone strong , athletic, quick. Moore from Eunans is a prospect, as stated not a natural corner back by any means but worth a shot.

Players need to be coached also think this starts with club coaching first.The quality of our tackling is laughable. Close lining lads. We need to be smart."
Conor Morrison is back with St Eunan's, prior to his injury 2-3 years ago, he was a dead certain for a corner back position with Donegal. He is a brilliant man marker, but cruciate injury really set him back and I'm not sure where he is at since.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 09:48:52    2467917

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Replying To gunman:  "You are 100% right.In most club teams corner backs and corner forwards are not going be great players.What we need to do as you say convert good players in to these positions.For example I think Conor O'Donnell who is quick. two footed and able to take a score could be a good option in the full forward line."
I 100% agree on this, too many think we should have ready made players for key positions, when in reality we should be adapting players to key positions.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 09:57:02    2467918

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Replying To Commodore:  "That's selective ignorance on approach, Jim McGuinness merely took the Blanket defense approach of Mickey Harte (Tyrone) and Joe Kernan (Armagh) in the 2000's to the next level in 2011-2012. He had implemented it at Naomh Conaill for a few years before taking on the Donegal job, he brought Rory Gallagher onboard in 2011 as a coach and started Rory's education on this way of doing things.

Sport like human being's tactically evolve, that is the way of things. While ignorance is bliss in terms of reminiscing about the Golden of days of football for decades before this, we all know there were many horror shows back then too, but the sport was tactically naïve. Tactical evolution happens in all sports, Gaelic Football just had been molly coddled for decades and went into shock when very intelligent innovative people thought outside the box."
Rory Gallagher did not innovate very much in the last 10 years. It is totally boring football, end of story. The fact that a person has a point of view that you disagree with, does not mean they are ignorant.

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 492 - 31/03/2023 11:41:09    2467949

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Replying To Commodore:  "In fairness to Tony McClenaghan, he was in the Donegal panel since 2017-2018 and rarely featured, yet he impressed most times that he did feature. He left before the Cavan Ulster SF last season after 4-5 years of not getting a look in, which I thought was unfair.

I think Mark Curran only joined the panel last season, and has got run out this year because so many players are either injured or opted out. I think its unfair to suggest Tony McClenaghan didn't stick at it, 4-5 years is a long time to be putting in that effort and not getting rewards."
Commodore mark Curran is in his 4th year with county

Tyrion (Donegal) - Posts: 159 - 31/03/2023 13:13:46    2467969

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Predictions tomorrow and Sunday guys?

Killybegs vs Malin : Draw
St Michaels vs Gweedore : St Michaels by 3
Glenfin vs Cloughneely : Glenfin by 5
Aodh Rua BS vs Kilcar : Kilcar by 2
McCools vs N. Conaill : N.Conaill by 5
Bundoran vs Downings : Downing by 4

Glenswilly vs Ardara : Draw
Buncrana vs N. Maguire : N.Mhuire by 2
Red Hughes vs 4 Masters : 4 Masters by 3
Termon vs Fanad : Draw
Burt vs Milford : Milford by 3
Naomh Columba vs Lk Gaels : N.Columba by 6
Dungloe vs N.Brid : Dungloe by 3

Only by going through, do I realize how tough Div 2 will be this year......

KerrymanStuckInDonegal (Kerry) - Posts: 269 - 31/03/2023 13:35:50    2467978

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Replying To KerrymanStuckInDonegal:  "Predictions tomorrow and Sunday guys?

Killybegs vs Malin : Draw
St Michaels vs Gweedore : St Michaels by 3
Glenfin vs Cloughneely : Glenfin by 5
Aodh Rua BS vs Kilcar : Kilcar by 2
McCools vs N. Conaill : N.Conaill by 5
Bundoran vs Downings : Downing by 4

Glenswilly vs Ardara : Draw
Buncrana vs N. Maguire : N.Mhuire by 2
Red Hughes vs 4 Masters : 4 Masters by 3
Termon vs Fanad : Draw
Burt vs Milford : Milford by 3
Naomh Columba vs Lk Gaels : N.Columba by 6
Dungloe vs N.Brid : Dungloe by 3

Only by going through, do I realize how tough Div 2 will be this year......"
think we could see some strange results for a while, the soccer season is still ongoing and will impact some teams. Clubs like Fanad have a lot of players still playing soccer so may struggle for a while

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 462 - 31/03/2023 13:59:14    2467987

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Replying To letsgetgoing:  "Rory Gallagher did not innovate very much in the last 10 years. It is totally boring football, end of story. The fact that a person has a point of view that you disagree with, does not mean they are ignorant."
letsgetgoing: "Jim Mc Guinness and Rory Gallagher were very innovative in their approach and won a deserved All Ireland with Donegal. However their approach has ruined our game as it is a terrible game to watch. It is more about GPS stats than skill now".

I agree that a person having a point of view that I disagree with does not mean they are ignorant.
However your comment was ignorant (Not personally attacking you), as in it you blame Jim McGuinness and Rory Gallagher approach to football for ruining the game, despite the facts showing this tactical approach was already happening for a good few years before they came on the Intercounty scene and applied it to Donegal (Remember "Puke Football").

I agree Rory Gallagher hasn't been innovative, he simply copied what he learned from Jim McGuinness from 2011 onwards, McGuinness and Naomh Conail were at this tactical stuff from the early 2000's after seeing what Tyrone and Armagh were at.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 14:04:11    2467989

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Replying To Tyrion:  "Commodore mark Curran is in his 4th year with county"
That may be the case, but most likely in a fringe capacity as an U20 player they were preparing to make the step up. I believe he made his debut against Down in the McKenna Cup last year and never really featured again until this season.

Tony McClenaghan was in the squad from 2017 until 2022, he featured at various times in McKenna Cup and National League during that time frame, I never seen him perform poorly. He was a powerful wing back, I would have started him there ahead of Ryan McHugh and moved Ryan to Wing forward.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 31/03/2023 15:24:15    2468013

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Replying To greenfan:  "think we could see some strange results for a while, the soccer season is still ongoing and will impact some teams. Clubs like Fanad have a lot of players still playing soccer so may struggle for a while"
Is Glenswilly v Ardara off now ? Anyone know why

Realt1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 15 - 01/04/2023 10:33:16    2468089

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Replying To KerrymanStuckInDonegal:  "Predictions tomorrow and Sunday guys?

Killybegs vs Malin : Draw
St Michaels vs Gweedore : St Michaels by 3
Glenfin vs Cloughneely : Glenfin by 5
Aodh Rua BS vs Kilcar : Kilcar by 2
McCools vs N. Conaill : N.Conaill by 5
Bundoran vs Downings : Downing by 4

Glenswilly vs Ardara : Draw
Buncrana vs N. Maguire : N.Mhuire by 2
Red Hughes vs 4 Masters : 4 Masters by 3
Termon vs Fanad : Draw
Burt vs Milford : Milford by 3
Naomh Columba vs Lk Gaels : N.Columba by 6
Dungloe vs N.Brid : Dungloe by 3

Only by going through, do I realize how tough Div 2 will be this year......"
Can't argue with too many of these predictions in fairness
Except I think Gweedore light just edge Michaels.

I think Bundoran v Downings might be closer than 4 pts.

Realt1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 15 - 01/04/2023 10:37:00    2468090

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Am I alone in thinking that the orourke/ Bradley appointment is not a good one. This donegal team look to be among the unfittest in Ireland and have no game plan, who has been training/coaching them for the last 6 months?? Paddy Carr can't have been entirely at fault??

It smacks of sure we couldn't get anyone else??

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 912 - 01/04/2023 12:24:08    2468108

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Replying To KerrymanStuckInDonegal:  "Predictions tomorrow and Sunday guys?

Killybegs vs Malin : Draw
St Michaels vs Gweedore : St Michaels by 3
Glenfin vs Cloughneely : Glenfin by 5
Aodh Rua BS vs Kilcar : Kilcar by 2
McCools vs N. Conaill : N.Conaill by 5
Bundoran vs Downings : Downing by 4

Glenswilly vs Ardara : Draw
Buncrana vs N. Maguire : N.Mhuire by 2
Red Hughes vs 4 Masters : 4 Masters by 3
Termon vs Fanad : Draw
Burt vs Milford : Milford by 3
Naomh Columba vs Lk Gaels : N.Columba by 6
Dungloe vs N.Brid : Dungloe by 3

Only by going through, do I realize how tough Div 2 will be this year......"
I'm going for gaoth dobhair,Glenfin, aodh ruadh, naomh conaill, bundoran, glenswilly,naomh mhuire, four masters, termon, milford, naomh columba , an clochan liath,

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 912 - 01/04/2023 12:30:09    2468110

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Replying To Realt1977:  "Is Glenswilly v Ardara off now ? Anyone know why"
Pitch is flooded

KerrymanStuckInDonegal (Kerry) - Posts: 269 - 01/04/2023 12:47:45    2468113

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Replying To KerrymanStuckInDonegal:  "Pitch is flooded"
Cheers.
Worked out alright with Murphy away although fancied
Glenswilly to win that anyways.

Realt1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 15 - 01/04/2023 13:37:52    2468122

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Replying To totalrecall:  "Am I alone in thinking that the orourke/ Bradley appointment is not a good one. This donegal team look to be among the unfittest in Ireland and have no game plan, who has been training/coaching them for the last 6 months?? Paddy Carr can't have been entirely at fault??

It smacks of sure we couldn't get anyone else??"
My fear is I can see us winning a couple of Championship games and then when the seasons over they'll offer the job to O'Rourke for another couple of years because maybe no one else will want it or whoever does wont be suit the county boards agenda.
I'm just an ordinary supporter and I haven't got much confidence left in us achieving any kind of real success again until we get ambitious innovative management in place that can inspire and lead us back to challenging for things again.
The whole thing is just depressing when you think of where we should be really if things had been done correctly.
The academy mess doesn't bode well for the future either.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2739 - 01/04/2023 14:11:17    2468127

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "My fear is I can see us winning a couple of Championship games and then when the seasons over they'll offer the job to O'Rourke for another couple of years because maybe no one else will want it or whoever does wont be suit the county boards agenda.
I'm just an ordinary supporter and I haven't got much confidence left in us achieving any kind of real success again until we get ambitious innovative management in place that can inspire and lead us back to challenging for things again.
The whole thing is just depressing when you think of where we should be really if things had been done correctly.
The academy mess doesn't bode well for the future either."
This is not that season. This season ends the same way it did in Crossmaglen a decade ago, and will signal the premature end of a few county careers.

The only hope is that it pushes some to break through that glass ceiling like Colm McFadden, Neil McGee, and Rory Kavanagh did.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 373 - 01/04/2023 14:59:13    2468135

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Replying To SurelyToGod:  "This is not that season. This season ends the same way it did in Crossmaglen a decade ago, and will signal the premature end of a few county careers.

The only hope is that it pushes some to break through that glass ceiling like Colm McFadden, Neil McGee, and Rory Kavanagh did."
Jim mcguinness pushed those players to break through the glass ceiling. Our team now is very similar to how they were back then, talented but lacking the belief, mental toughness , desire and physicality to be a really top team. Without a top class manager in place next season they won't improve

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 462 - 01/04/2023 16:14:42    2468147

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Replying To totalrecall:  "Am I alone in thinking that the orourke/ Bradley appointment is not a good one. This donegal team look to be among the unfittest in Ireland and have no game plan, who has been training/coaching them for the last 6 months?? Paddy Carr can't have been entirely at fault??

It smacks of sure we couldn't get anyone else??"
You're completely right. They're not up to the job, anyone can see the team is badly coached. You only have to watch the lack of intensity in the warm ups, never mind they way they play

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 462 - 01/04/2023 16:16:49    2468149

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