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Stop feeding the troll.
StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 112 - 25/04/2023 21:35:15
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Replying To germac: "Very dissapointed with your own Martin McHughs comments since Sundays game, referring to the result he said it was an embarresment and one of Donegals darkest days, were not London or New York , were Down a county with serious history , even though we havent won Ulster in years we still fancy ourselves as a Cship team, unfortunatly Martin couldent be gracious with his comments, maybe thats Martin being Martin , Looking ahead to Sunday we all know its a big ask for us to get a result, as Armagh will be big favourites an rightly so , but its Cship football and you never know ," I listened to Martin's comments and he could have been more gracious to Down, definitely agree. He was angry about Donegal as many of us are, angry about the disintegration of our set-up, our competitiveness. Perhaps he was trying to make his point by stating we shouldn't be losing to Down. But he went a bit far. Down were deserved winners and are a great GAA county. Beautiful part of the world too.
Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 26/04/2023 10:06:52
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Replying To Scenicparish: "The problem with Championship football in Donegal is that four or five teams are so far ahead of the rest. A lot of clubs have either lost a lot of players through emigration or have a poor underage structure. Apart from the County Final last year most matches were open. County Finals are never free flowing football and especially last year when both teams knew each other so well." To be fair that's not just a Donegal thing. I could name 3 Mayo clubs and one of them will win the county this year.
TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7908 - 26/04/2023 10:13:03
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Replying To Scenicparish: "I was at the County Final last year. Finals are never free flowing football especially the two teams in last years final that know each other so well. All other matches I attended were not defensive football. In the League so far Naomh Conaill have scored 1 - 11, 2 - 20 and 2 - 11." Forget about the league lad. When the championship comes round teams revert back to win at all costs. . If you think otherwise that's fine
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2417 - 26/04/2023 11:00:35
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Replying To germac: "Very dissapointed with your own Martin McHughs comments since Sundays game, referring to the result he said it was an embarresment and one of Donegals darkest days, were not London or New York , were Down a county with serious history , even though we havent won Ulster in years we still fancy ourselves as a Cship team, unfortunatly Martin couldent be gracious with his comments, maybe thats Martin being Martin , Looking ahead to Sunday we all know its a big ask for us to get a result, as Armagh will be big favourites an rightly so , but its Cship football and you never know ," I think it was more frustration with all that is going on in Donegal and how it is affecting the team.I don't think there are many in Donegal that would disrespect Down.Most people here I would say would have Down as their second favourite team after ourselves.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1063 - 26/04/2023 11:31:08
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I hear people giving out about club football in Donegal. what are the solutions a lot of counties have 3/4 teams with a realistic chance of winning senior titles. the biggest problem for me watching underage football is some clubs playing 2/3 sweepers in u15/u17 games (sometimes lower ages again) I feel this doesn't help us develop players. also our s&c seems to be miles behind the likes of derry and tyrone at underage level. on a positive note our minors look to be a serious side. well done Luke Barrett and co
Gaelbomber (Donegal) - Posts: 32 - 26/04/2023 11:32:44
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Replying To germac: "Very dissapointed with your own Martin McHughs comments since Sundays game, referring to the result he said it was an embarresment and one of Donegals darkest days, were not London or New York , were Down a county with serious history , even though we havent won Ulster in years we still fancy ourselves as a Cship team, unfortunatly Martin couldent be gracious with his comments, maybe thats Martin being Martin , Looking ahead to Sunday we all know its a big ask for us to get a result, as Armagh will be big favourites an rightly so , but its Cship football and you never know ," I listened to mchugh and he was in no way insulting to Down gaa. He pointed out facts which were completely correct.
He stated that down didn't even play great and probably put that down to nerves.
He stated that Down were there for the taking, however was disappointed and amazed that Donegal were just not good enough to take advantage, and that we looked unfit and thats the biggest worry.
He was correct in everything he said.
He also stated that the quicker the review is over and we are out of the championship the better, as we need to start rebuilding from top to bottom for the betterment of Donegal football.
As a proud Donegal man, he was hugely disappointed, stated it is the lowest he felt in a long time regarding Donegal gaa.
I believe he was speaking for all of us in that regard
The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 26/04/2023 11:34:42
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Replying To rorysboys: "Listen here a lot of clubs have produced great players who have always given 100% percent for Donegal.. silly even to bring it up. In your eyes outside n Conal and Jim Mc Guinness donegal gaa doesn't exist. I have absolutely nothing against n Conal or Jim Mc Guinness. I admire n Conal for all they achieved your right it takes a lot of effort from a lot of people to achieve what they achieved as for Jim he gave us great days no disputing that. What I don't like especially from you is belittling great gaa men like bonner, rochford etc. who are you to belittle anybody . I'm not an expert contrary to what people think but I'm dam sure bonner and Co know more about football than. Me and most people on here. Did bonner go out to lose last year's Ulster final? no he didn't no prouder Donegal man who's done it all. Did he make mistakes of course he did ,did Jim make mistakes off course he did. There's nobody perfect. Did bonner deserve the on line abuse he got this few years no he didn't he's far too decent a person , nobody likes people treated like that. If players aren't happy with a set up they wudnt be long letting the manager know, in bonners term this was never an issue or did players leave the squad because of it. I'm not saying bring bonner back I'm just highlighting what happens when you demand change when players seem happy enough. Look at the mess we're in now. An absolute shambles. I've followed Donegal well over 40 years and to think that they'll be no big days in clones or croke park saddens me.. we're in big danger of sliding down the divisions." I have great respect for Declan Bonner as a person, player and manager, I think after that 2020 Ulster final we just lost momentum and never really recovered it. I was appalled by the online abuse and verbal abuse he got at 2022 matches.
The mess this season is due to Rory Kavanagh and his team pulling out after the County Final fall out, they had agreed to take over the Donegal job. It meant that we we had to start a last minute search for a manager in late October, we struggled because there was nobody at that late stage who was fully prepared with a backroom team in place. By the time Paddy Carr was finally appointed, it was basically December and that is really why its such a shambles.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1123 - 26/04/2023 11:36:46
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Replying To Donegal_abroad: "I listened to Martin's comments and he could have been more gracious to Down, definitely agree. He was angry about Donegal as many of us are, angry about the disintegration of our set-up, our competitiveness. Perhaps he was trying to make his point by stating we shouldn't be losing to Down. But he went a bit far. Down were deserved winners and are a great GAA county. Beautiful part of the world too." I agree with Martin McHugh, he hit the nail on the head. A full strength well prepared Donegal side would have easily disposed of that Down team on Sunday, unfortunately we had a very weak team and squad for this match, and for the National League. When considering the players we have missing for various reasons, Sundays was the most depleted Donegal team in Championship that I have seen in the last 30 years.
No disrespect to Down's history, but he was referring to their present outfit, who failed to get out of Division 3 this year. With the right management team we can be a Top 2/3 team in Ulster again, im shocked people can't see that.
Donegal pushed Derry into extra time in Ulster last year and only lost by 2 points, yet now we should be afraid of disrespecting Down!! I mean we beat Armagh 2/3 times last season too, people here forget how good we potentially are, instead the focus on other stuff.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1123 - 26/04/2023 11:44:20
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Replying To ryan: "The Roscommon management team was put in place a day after Donegal appointed management." Roscommon didn't face the same mass exodus of players though, anyone in Roscommon who were uncertain later joined up with the panel. In Donegal it was the opposite, we had injuries to key players, but many others opted out.
Losing a Murphy, McBrearty or McHugh at the same time is a massive blow, but other losing other reliable and experienced players was equally a blow, as we ended up plugging positions on the starting team with inexperienced players.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1123 - 26/04/2023 11:49:29
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The fact is there are a number of factors in why it looks like we are driving off a cliff.
Number 1, the county board are a mess, and are in no way open and transparent. This has turned the media and supporters away.
Number 2, the mess that was the appointment of Carr. I know for a fact that he was removed from a club job up the country because it was so disorganised. How could he possibly organise a county team.
Thats is no attack on the Man, he is a proud Donegal man, its just club and county football has moved on so fast, that its just past his time.
Number 3, A series number of first team players are missing from last year due to retirement and injury.
Murphy, mcbrearty, mchugh, the 3 o'donnells of Eunans are good enough to start with Donegal.
Thomson not long back from injury, and didn't look fully fit. Langan playing and getting injured.
Thats 8 players there alone, half a team.
Murphy, mcbrearty and mchugh will probably be all retired by next season.
So we need new management asap, to scope the county and prepare the team properly for next season.
We also need to sort out our county board, and the new board members need to start being open and transparent, so that supporters and media can trust them.
Unless all of the above happens, then next year could be worse.
The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 26/04/2023 12:07:53
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Replying To The keeper: "The fact is there are a number of factors in why it looks like we are driving off a cliff.
Number 1, the county board are a mess, and are in no way open and transparent. This has turned the media and supporters away.
Number 2, the mess that was the appointment of Carr. I know for a fact that he was removed from a club job up the country because it was so disorganised. How could he possibly organise a county team.
Thats is no attack on the Man, he is a proud Donegal man, its just club and county football has moved on so fast, that its just past his time.
Number 3, A series number of first team players are missing from last year due to retirement and injury.
Murphy, mcbrearty, mchugh, the 3 o'donnells of Eunans are good enough to start with Donegal.
Thomson not long back from injury, and didn't look fully fit. Langan playing and getting injured.
Thats 8 players there alone, half a team.
Murphy, mcbrearty and mchugh will probably be all retired by next season.
So we need new management asap, to scope the county and prepare the team properly for next season.
We also need to sort out our county board, and the new board members need to start being open and transparent, so that supporters and media can trust them.
Unless all of the above happens, then next year could be worse." The Keeper knows his stuff.
Any word on how the academy is working now? is there an u16 manager in place?
Gaelbomber (Donegal) - Posts: 32 - 26/04/2023 12:56:59
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Replying To rorysboys: "Forget about the league lad. When the championship comes round teams revert back to win at all costs. . If you think otherwise that's fine" Of course and who can blame teams for doing what it takes to win matches when it come to the knock out stages. Some league matches and group stage matches of championship can be great matches to watch.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 295 - 26/04/2023 15:30:32
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Replying To The keeper: "The fact is there are a number of factors in why it looks like we are driving off a cliff.
Number 1, the county board are a mess, and are in no way open and transparent. This has turned the media and supporters away.
Number 2, the mess that was the appointment of Carr. I know for a fact that he was removed from a club job up the country because it was so disorganised. How could he possibly organise a county team.
Thats is no attack on the Man, he is a proud Donegal man, its just club and county football has moved on so fast, that its just past his time.
Number 3, A series number of first team players are missing from last year due to retirement and injury.
Murphy, mcbrearty, mchugh, the 3 o'donnells of Eunans are good enough to start with Donegal.
Thomson not long back from injury, and didn't look fully fit. Langan playing and getting injured.
Thats 8 players there alone, half a team.
Murphy, mcbrearty and mchugh will probably be all retired by next season.
So we need new management asap, to scope the county and prepare the team properly for next season.
We also need to sort out our county board, and the new board members need to start being open and transparent, so that supporters and media can trust them.
Unless all of the above happens, then next year could be worse." Couldn't agree more.
Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 295 - 26/04/2023 15:32:38
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Replying To Gaelbomber: "I hear people giving out about club football in Donegal. what are the solutions a lot of counties have 3/4 teams with a realistic chance of winning senior titles. the biggest problem for me watching underage football is some clubs playing 2/3 sweepers in u15/u17 games (sometimes lower ages again) I feel this doesn't help us develop players. also our s&c seems to be miles behind the likes of derry and tyrone at underage level. on a positive note our minors look to be a serious side. well done Luke Barrett and co" Luke Barrett has had little to do with this years minors up until Christmas, they were the first team to come through working with Karl in the academy. I know Karl changed Luke's backroom team pre-Christmas but since Karl left Luke has brought his own lads back in, not a good sign. I would hope the minors continue to work under the academy programme that was set-up and that they just don't go back to doing thing's there own way. Time will tell I suppose.
ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 727 - 26/04/2023 15:54:04
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Replying To ryan: "Luke Barrett has had little to do with this years minors up until Christmas, they were the first team to come through working with Karl in the academy. I know Karl changed Luke's backroom team pre-Christmas but since Karl left Luke has brought his own lads back in, not a good sign. I would hope the minors continue to work under the academy programme that was set-up and that they just don't go back to doing thing's there own way. Time will tell I suppose." It appears that whatever Barrett is doing with the Minors is working very well since Christmas , so maybe let him do it hisway .
jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 409 - 26/04/2023 18:34:24
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Replying To Commodore: "Below is the level of talent not currently in the Donegal squad, of which I would consider 9 or 10 to be starting lineup players, if you look at our Championship squads for the last few years you will understand what I mean. The other players have serious experience too, which a large contingent of the current squad lack.
Michael Murphy - Retired
Patrick McBrearty - injured
Ryan McHugh
Niall O'Donnell
Shane O'Donnell
Eoghan McGettigan
Ethan O'Donnell
Odhran MacNiallais
Stephen McBrearty
Peadar Mogan - Injured
Eoin McHugh
Andrew McClean
Jack McKelvey
Paul Brennan - Injured
Tony McClenaghan
Eunan Doherty
Odhran McFadden Ferry
Conor Morrison
Aaron Deeney
Of course management team is an issue, although they were only put in place in December, so they didn't get a fair crack at it from that standpoint, but we are still miles behind where we should be. However we also need to accept that we have lost a huge number of serious players, those listed above would probably beat the team we field against Down on Sunday" You could include kerian Gillespie and Neil McGee..two serious defensive players exactly what we'll missing at the moment.
RoryGall35 (Donegal) - Posts: 168 - 26/04/2023 21:43:49
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Replying To The keeper: "The fact is there are a number of factors in why it looks like we are driving off a cliff.
Number 1, the county board are a mess, and are in no way open and transparent. This has turned the media and supporters away.
Number 2, the mess that was the appointment of Carr. I know for a fact that he was removed from a club job up the country because it was so disorganised. How could he possibly organise a county team.
Thats is no attack on the Man, he is a proud Donegal man, its just club and county football has moved on so fast, that its just past his time.
Number 3, A series number of first team players are missing from last year due to retirement and injury.
Murphy, mcbrearty, mchugh, the 3 o'donnells of Eunans are good enough to start with Donegal.
Thomson not long back from injury, and didn't look fully fit. Langan playing and getting injured.
Thats 8 players there alone, half a team.
Murphy, mcbrearty and mchugh will probably be all retired by next season.
So we need new management asap, to scope the county and prepare the team properly for next season.
We also need to sort out our county board, and the new board members need to start being open and transparent, so that supporters and media can trust them.
Unless all of the above happens, then next year could be worse." You forgot to add that most clubs in Ireland and counties have ruined the game of Gaelic Football. Now it's all about strength, fitness and Numbers. It's a *********** form of rugby. I don't care who started it, whether you want blame Tyrone/Armagh in the 2000's, McGuiness in 2012, McGeeney or Rory Gallagher.....
The game has transformed into something in the past 20 years that makes it unwatchable and unplayable. Look at St Michaels not fielding in the seniors, Killybegs fielding a D team vs St Eunans or look at all the walkovers in the reserves in past three years.
Unless you are less than 10 percent body fat or you live in the gym between training sessions, the GAA is not for you. The age of the skillful player is over, a strong fit robot that does what he is told is more important to a team these days than a gooch.
Going back to my original point : Donegal clubs,
Everyone is copying the same blueprint of defend in numbers try and counter at speed and hold the ball till it's worked into a high percentage scoring zone. The reason that St Eunans and Glenties are miles ahead of every other club in Donegal has nothing to do with skill, they are dedicated and committed to that process and are fit enough and strong enough to implement it. Every other club tries to do the same thing but aren't at their level yet. That's what's killing club football in Donegal. Managers are making teams play to a system that only works for two clubs and cripples the development of Gaelic football in Donegal.
I see the writing on the wall and it's not good. Years ago you had three types of Senior player 1. Inter County player 2. Good club player 3. Social player.
You had 4 types of reserve players, 1. Young players that were driven. 2. Older players on way out 3. Social Players 4. Players that love the game but were useless( I would put myself in that bracket)
Today, there is very little difference between a county player and a good club player, they both train the same and you have no social players playing Senior because things got too serious.
In reserve football the young players who are driven don't seem to get the chance to play at that level, they seem to go straight to senior without passing Go. The older players don't stay at reserve that long because it's gotten too serious. The social player is keeping the reserves a float but that's why there are so many walkovers, festivals and weekends away are more important to them than fielding a team. That leaves the players who love the game but were/are useless. They will tog no matter what, but things are bad when they have to....that's why so many reserve games are lopsided.
KerrymanStuckInDonegal (Kerry) - Posts: 269 - 26/04/2023 22:45:46
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Replying To Commodore: "I have great respect for Declan Bonner as a person, player and manager, I think after that 2020 Ulster final we just lost momentum and never really recovered it. I was appalled by the online abuse and verbal abuse he got at 2022 matches.
The mess this season is due to Rory Kavanagh and his team pulling out after the County Final fall out, they had agreed to take over the Donegal job. It meant that we we had to start a last minute search for a manager in late October, we struggled because there was nobody at that late stage who was fully prepared with a backroom team in place. By the time Paddy Carr was finally appointed, it was basically December and that is really why its such a shambles." by all accounts kavanagh et al only announced their interest once they knew paddy carr/o'rourke were the only ticket in town. they met with members of the CB but the deal to appoint carr had already been done, don't know why they agreed to meet kavanagh and co? it was typical of the clandestine shenannigans that surrounded the whole farce that was the appointment process. it's ironic that Carr has gone, bradley and o'rourke will be gone once we exit the championship, Lacey and 40 of the best coaches in the county have gone, Kavanagh no longer available as an option at county level, alot of players have made themselves unavailable for selection.....and yet the puppetmasters at CB level still remain!
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 922 - 27/04/2023 09:09:37
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Replying To jacktheboy: "It appears that whatever Barrett is doing with the Minors is working very well since Christmas , so maybe let him do it hisway ." That's part of why we are in this mess, people doing things their own way. No joined-up thinking or proper long-term programme. Not Barrett's fault.
ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 727 - 27/04/2023 09:35:04
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