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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To The keeper:  "The only issue I had with that Derry game in 2022 was Michael Murphy playing out in midfield and his man scoring 3 points. When we were crying out for a target man in full forward to beat Derry's blanket defense.

The reality is players are coached every where in Donegal that possession is king, and do not lose it or you will be benched.

There is guys coaching now who have never kicked a ball in there life, but because they went and did a coaching course, and learned the possession is king rubbish. Every coach in Donegal is at it now.

I remember the game where players went man V man, and players like Adrian Sweeney, Brendan devenney and Tony Boyle got the ball and the first thing they did was turn and take on there men.

But you do that now and you will be disposeded by getting swarmed by the opposition, that's the reality.

I thought the first half was poor on Sunday, however the second half was better. And with several top players missing from both sides, they will improve come championship.

I think our biggest problem is the gap between the top 4-5 teams and the rest of the teams.

I remember the day when the league was competitive and most sides would give you a game no matter what position you were on the table. That's not the case anymore and I have been to league games where it was a glorified challenge game because the opposition were so poor.

But I am still a glass full person, the last few years we got some great tight championship football. I remember the three games against gweedore in the final, they were enthralling encounters. I only remember one really bad final and that was Naomh conaill v kilcar where kilcar won a horrible game of football, and it was down to both sides. But kilcar will hardly care as they won that day.

I still believe if the right man gets the Donegal Job he will be able to find 25 good players in the county and improve them. And hopefully that man is McGuiness."
Do you honestly think a target man was going to work against Derry. If my memory serves me right Rodger's has scored frequently this last few years. Just admit club football in Donegal especially at senior level is ****. Yous play Charles Mc Guinness at full forward but rarely hit high ball into him. .. with the st eunans match on tg4 in a few weeks my wish is that both teams throw off the shackles and go for it. No more robotic football please..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 08/08/2023 13:50:04    2499531

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Do you honestly think a target man was going to work against Derry. If my memory serves me right Rodger's has scored frequently this last few years. Just admit club football in Donegal especially at senior level is ****. Yous play Charles Mc Guinness at full forward but rarely hit high ball into him. .. with the st eunans match on tg4 in a few weeks my wish is that both teams throw off the shackles and go for it. No more robotic football please.."
Having Michael as a target man might have worked if we had used more skillfull ball carriers who could actually kick pass the ball into a target man. We used Stephen McMenamin and Caolan Ward as our primary ball carriers that day. They were never going to unlock the Derry defence, with a penetrating run or a defence splitting pass. I'd say Rory Gallagher couldn't believe his luck that day.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 08/08/2023 14:11:31    2499536

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With the club championship fast approaching who are the up and coming players worth keeping an eye on?

Killian Faulkner from Four Masters & Jack Gillespie from Red Hughs are two names that spring to mind.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 08/08/2023 16:07:08    2499578

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Having Michael as a target man might have worked if we had used more skillfull ball carriers who could actually kick pass the ball into a target man. We used Stephen McMenamin and Caolan Ward as our primary ball carriers that day. They were never going to unlock the Derry defence, with a penetrating run or a defence splitting pass. I'd say Rory Gallagher couldn't believe his luck that day."
Correct. It's funny how Kerry utilised the kick pass against Derry in the semi final and got a percentage of joy from it as well as running it.. and they had men kicking it in who could do it, we were utterly one dimensional, tried very hard but tactically predictable.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1389 - 08/08/2023 16:09:43    2499579

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "With the club championship fast approaching who are the up and coming players worth keeping an eye on?

Killian Faulkner from Four Masters & Jack Gillespie from Red Hughs are two names that spring to mind."
In addition to those two,
Eunans
Conor Morrison -see can he return to county form.
Ciaran Moore - an athlete with a lot of potential.



Glenties/NC.
Ethan O Donnell. No shock here but can he win player of the championship. Potential there. Deserves a county call up and run in the team.

Kilcar.
Eoin mc Hugh. Back the last few months and hitting plenty of points. Probably the most adaptable and under appreciated footballer in Donegal.
Ryan mc shane. Can he kick on even further this year.

Gweedore.
Donal Mc Birde. Potential to be a big player.

Glenfin.
Luke Mc Glynn. Serious talent. How can he do in this year's championship? Will his small size hold him back from being a regular in county football?
Shaun Ward. Another with great potential.

Glenswilly.
Keelan Dunleavy. Can take a score and works well.

Termon.
Jamie Grant. Power and Speed of a county player. Surprisingly no game time when it mattered for Donegal this year.
Ryan Mc Fadden. Potential Donegal midfielder/half forward if he can bulk up.

Dungloe.
Karl mc gee. Had a good intermediate championship last year scoring three points in their semi final win from half back. Can he adapt to senior football?

Four Masters.
Rory O Donnell. Plenty of potential here too, needs to step up even more this year.

What's very notable the past few weeks is that our 20-23 year olds aren't ready for county football. Whatever bit of s and c they get at county underage, Anton Mc Fadden who is highly respected in his area should continue to work on development players also once they are identified by management.

If you look at Mayo and their 17-23 year olds compared to ours. Same with Tyrone.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 08/08/2023 18:17:25    2499604

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "With the club championship fast approaching who are the up and coming players worth keeping an eye on?

Killian Faulkner from Four Masters & Jack Gillespie from Red Hughs are two names that spring to mind."
Gillespie hasn't the temperament unfortunately. If he was any use he'd have shown up for LYIT this year.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1074 - 08/08/2023 21:08:58    2499621

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Gillespie hasn't the temperament unfortunately. If he was any use he'd have shown up for LYIT this year."
I haven't seen him play a lot I must admit. From reading various match reports he always seems to show well for his club. Maybe intermediate is his level?

It would be great to see some new players make a big impression and force themselves into the reckoning for county football selection.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 09/08/2023 10:03:32    2499648

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Ethan O'Donnell got his crack at for a couple of years and then stepped away for some reason. Seems to be a problem for us in keeping players 16-25 happy and willing to stay in the panel.

SignTheContract (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 09/08/2023 10:16:45    2499660

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "Ethan O'Donnell got his crack at for a couple of years and then stepped away for some reason. Seems to be a problem for us in keeping players 16-25 happy and willing to stay in the panel."
I suppose the commitment is fierce to stick at it if you're not a regular starter. I always thought O'Donnell was/is one of the best club players in the county and had everything needed to push on and be a county player. But for some reason it has just never happened for him. Maybe if McGuinness did come back he'd be able to get in his head and drive him on?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 09/08/2023 10:36:47    2499671

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "Ethan O'Donnell got his crack at for a couple of years and then stepped away for some reason. Seems to be a problem for us in keeping players 16-25 happy and willing to stay in the panel."
True. He didn't get any real game time from what I remember. Probably needs a run in the team.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1194 - 09/08/2023 10:51:48    2499677

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Do you honestly think a target man was going to work against Derry. If my memory serves me right Rodger's has scored frequently this last few years. Just admit club football in Donegal especially at senior level is ****. Yous play Charles Mc Guinness at full forward but rarely hit high ball into him. .. with the st eunans match on tg4 in a few weeks my wish is that both teams throw off the shackles and go for it. No more robotic football please.."
Comer destroyed Rogers in at full forward in the Galway match that year because he was kept in. Defending isn't Rogers strong point, that's why he is played further out the field now (midfield).
We played right into Derry's hands by bringing Murphy out the field. So you are completely wrong again.

And the reason we didn't use McGuiness well on Sunday is because our best kick passers were on the bench or away. , Thompson, Doherty, and mcgettigan.....
We often use either McGuinness or Leo and sometimes both of them in for a high ball.

It's common sense to mix up your game and keep the opposition guessing, plus if you have a big man or two in full forward, it's makes the opposition defence drop back even deeper allowing players in the half forward line to shoot points, or from midfield.

Come down to our club and you might get some knowledge of the game.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 09/08/2023 11:58:11    2499695

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Do you honestly think a target man was going to work against Derry. If my memory serves me right Rodger's has scored frequently this last few years. Just admit club football in Donegal especially at senior level is ****. Yous play Charles Mc Guinness at full forward but rarely hit high ball into him. .. with the st eunans match on tg4 in a few weeks my wish is that both teams throw off the shackles and go for it. No more robotic football please.."
Please stop comparing the Donegal Senior team set up to the current Donegal Senior County Champions set up. There is a difference in day and night to the way both teams are run. Naomh Conaill didn't need to use a target man in full forward because they were always in control of the match. Why are you always having at a go at Naomh Conaill? We won the match, we can do no more.......

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 411 - 09/08/2023 13:01:47    2499714

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Replying To The keeper:  "Comer destroyed Rogers in at full forward in the Galway match that year because he was kept in. Defending isn't Rogers strong point, that's why he is played further out the field now (midfield).
We played right into Derry's hands by bringing Murphy out the field. So you are completely wrong again.

And the reason we didn't use McGuiness well on Sunday is because our best kick passers were on the bench or away. , Thompson, Doherty, and mcgettigan.....
We often use either McGuinness or Leo and sometimes both of them in for a high ball.

It's common sense to mix up your game and keep the opposition guessing, plus if you have a big man or two in full forward, it's makes the opposition defence drop back even deeper allowing players in the half forward line to shoot points, or from midfield.

Come down to our club and you might get some knowledge of the game."
Lol that supreme knowledge didn't do yous any good against the Antrim champions. Why play Mc Guinness full forward well if your kick passers wernt playing. You keep contradicting yourself self no surprise there. Another thing big difference in a claustrophobic clones than croke park.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 09/08/2023 14:45:43    2499745

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "Please stop comparing the Donegal Senior team set up to the current Donegal Senior County Champions set up. There is a difference in day and night to the way both teams are run. Naomh Conaill didn't need to use a target man in full forward because they were always in control of the match. Why are you always having at a go at Naomh Conaill? We won the match, we can do no more......."
Yea you can do more. stop ruining club football in Donegal by your negative tactics.?

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 09/08/2023 14:47:23    2499747

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Yea you can do more. stop ruining club football in Donegal by your negative tactics.?"
St Eunans played the exact same way on Sunday. Derry have won 2 Ulster Titles playing the same way. How have we destroyed club football? Its up to other teams to find a way of breaking us down.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 411 - 09/08/2023 17:16:25    2499787

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "The GDM has tendered his resignation and the list is being advertised."
Well at least there is finally closure on this. It was dragging on. Hopefully an interested candidate can be found who will put the role first.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1074 - 09/08/2023 19:45:31    2499803

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "In addition to those two,
Eunans
Conor Morrison -see can he return to county form.
Ciaran Moore - an athlete with a lot of potential.



Glenties/NC.
Ethan O Donnell. No shock here but can he win player of the championship. Potential there. Deserves a county call up and run in the team.

Kilcar.
Eoin mc Hugh. Back the last few months and hitting plenty of points. Probably the most adaptable and under appreciated footballer in Donegal.
Ryan mc shane. Can he kick on even further this year.

Gweedore.
Donal Mc Birde. Potential to be a big player.

Glenfin.
Luke Mc Glynn. Serious talent. How can he do in this year's championship? Will his small size hold him back from being a regular in county football?
Shaun Ward. Another with great potential.

Glenswilly.
Keelan Dunleavy. Can take a score and works well.

Termon.
Jamie Grant. Power and Speed of a county player. Surprisingly no game time when it mattered for Donegal this year.
Ryan Mc Fadden. Potential Donegal midfielder/half forward if he can bulk up.

Dungloe.
Karl mc gee. Had a good intermediate championship last year scoring three points in their semi final win from half back. Can he adapt to senior football?

Four Masters.
Rory O Donnell. Plenty of potential here too, needs to step up even more this year.

What's very notable the past few weeks is that our 20-23 year olds aren't ready for county football. Whatever bit of s and c they get at county underage, Anton Mc Fadden who is highly respected in his area should continue to work on development players also once they are identified by management.

If you look at Mayo and their 17-23 year olds compared to ours. Same with Tyrone."
What about Mark McAteer from Glenswilly?

DonegalAtlantic (Donegal) - Posts: 114 - 09/08/2023 22:43:18    2499818

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Lol that supreme knowledge didn't do yous any good against the Antrim champions. Why play Mc Guinness full forward well if your kick passers wernt playing. You keep contradicting yourself self no surprise there. Another thing big difference in a claustrophobic clones than croke park."
Obsessed with our club, and it's killing you that we are successful.
Well done to the Antrim champions, they gave a good account of themselves in the Ulster semi also. And beat us in a penalty shootout. But it's still nice to be the kings of Donegal.
As regards playing McGuinness full forward, that's his position, plus he defends from the front, and his workrate is as good as any player in the county.
See you learned something again from a Naomh conaill man.
Suppose the cliche "every day is a learning day" applies to you when it comes to football.

So your blaming the size of clones now, that's a new one, used to be COVID, it was windy, he is rebuilding, we haven't got the defenders.............the list goes on.

Let's hope your not one of the applicants for the job, then Donegal football will really be in trouble, you would have mcbrearty playing fullback, lol.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 10/08/2023 11:56:15    2499865

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Would be interested to hear posters championship predictions:

SENIOR

WINNERS - Eunans
DARK HORSE - Glenswilly
RELEGATED - St. Nauls

INTERMEDIATE

WINNERS - Termon
DARK HORSES - Malin
RELEGATED - Naomh Brid

JUNIOR

WINNERS - Carndonagh
DARK HORSES - Muff

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1074 - 10/08/2023 12:12:06    2499869

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Replying To The keeper:  "Obsessed with our club, and it's killing you that we are successful.
Well done to the Antrim champions, they gave a good account of themselves in the Ulster semi also. And beat us in a penalty shootout. But it's still nice to be the kings of Donegal.
As regards playing McGuinness full forward, that's his position, plus he defends from the front, and his workrate is as good as any player in the county.
See you learned something again from a Naomh conaill man.
Suppose the cliche "every day is a learning day" applies to you when it comes to football.

So your blaming the size of clones now, that's a new one, used to be COVID, it was windy, he is rebuilding, we haven't got the defenders.............the list goes on.

Let's hope your not one of the applicants for the job, then Donegal football will really be in trouble, you would have mcbrearty playing fullback, lol."
Nah I think Mc Guinness will get the job if he wants it. Be nice to get back playing in an all Ireland final again. Might even get you off the couch keeper to join the band wagon supporters again.. my only hope is that he ditches the negative football and goes for it, with this talented squad we have..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 10/08/2023 13:00:32    2499882

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