National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To The_Second_Coming:  "Hi CTGAA10, would this not be the clubs just taking cash at the gate as normal? The County Board would not have any control until the latter stages? Correct me if I am wrong."
Yea spot on. Once we hit quarter final time it'll be no cash.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 04/09/2023 16:49:25    2503038

Link

I didn't know it was club decision,just saw it on national forum headlines and was hoping it might be something we could look forward to again..maybe I'm just behind in my thinking..I seriously thought of going to a number of matches in limerick but went to 2 and couldn't be bothered doing the ticket thing again..thanks for information anyway..

CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2415 - 04/09/2023 18:54:46    2503071

Link

Any sighting of Jim at the last round of games? I had a look at the wikipedia page, which I'm not certain of it's accuracy of the squad in the 2011 semi final. The names outside of the starting 15, had around 11 players which didn't feature in 2012 which is a large number. I have no doubt that we'll be seeing call-ups to a bunch of lads we've not seen in a senior intercounty jersey before. One of my biggest gripes with Rory, Declan, Paddy Carr and his replacements was the seeming inability to spot or unwillingness to bring anyone in from club level who hadn't come through the underage structures. The great question is, does the available and willing players collectively possess as much untapped potential as his previous lot, and have they the steel to commit to the level the last bunch did? I believe Jim's motivating abilities will move them to the required commitment, and I'm clueless to be honest if pushed to their potential if the current grouping can match or exceed the successes of the 2012 brigade. Time will tell.

StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 135 - 04/09/2023 21:01:56    2503077

Link

Replying To StockholmGael:  "Any sighting of Jim at the last round of games? I had a look at the wikipedia page, which I'm not certain of it's accuracy of the squad in the 2011 semi final. The names outside of the starting 15, had around 11 players which didn't feature in 2012 which is a large number. I have no doubt that we'll be seeing call-ups to a bunch of lads we've not seen in a senior intercounty jersey before. One of my biggest gripes with Rory, Declan, Paddy Carr and his replacements was the seeming inability to spot or unwillingness to bring anyone in from club level who hadn't come through the underage structures. The great question is, does the available and willing players collectively possess as much untapped potential as his previous lot, and have they the steel to commit to the level the last bunch did? I believe Jim's motivating abilities will move them to the required commitment, and I'm clueless to be honest if pushed to their potential if the current grouping can match or exceed the successes of the 2012 brigade. Time will tell."
Hi StockholmGael: Milford Saturday night and Glenswilly then Eunans on Sunday. Barrett in tow.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 676 - 05/09/2023 11:18:55    2503117

Link

Replying To StockholmGael:  "Any sighting of Jim at the last round of games? I had a look at the wikipedia page, which I'm not certain of it's accuracy of the squad in the 2011 semi final. The names outside of the starting 15, had around 11 players which didn't feature in 2012 which is a large number. I have no doubt that we'll be seeing call-ups to a bunch of lads we've not seen in a senior intercounty jersey before. One of my biggest gripes with Rory, Declan, Paddy Carr and his replacements was the seeming inability to spot or unwillingness to bring anyone in from club level who hadn't come through the underage structures. The great question is, does the available and willing players collectively possess as much untapped potential as his previous lot, and have they the steel to commit to the level the last bunch did? I believe Jim's motivating abilities will move them to the required commitment, and I'm clueless to be honest if pushed to their potential if the current grouping can match or exceed the successes of the 2012 brigade. Time will tell."
Yeah that's it. Time will tell. I think there is plenty of talent there. But for one reason or another, I don't think they've fully fulfilled their potential. There can be no excuses now. I'm sure Jim wouldn't have taken on the job unless there were certain guarantees around the set up.

I think we'll get back to being very competitive in Ulster, and should be aiming for AI quarters at least. Whether we have the marquee star quality needed to go all the way like we did before is debatable.

I would say there is some serious physical work ahead for the players. Hopefully they will all relish the challenge.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 05/09/2023 13:37:20    2503141

Link

who has been the stand out players in the championship so far?

beidhmeanseo (Donegal) - Posts: 139 - 05/09/2023 13:39:23    2503142

Link

Replying To beidhmeanseo:  "who has been the stand out players in the championship so far?"
I'll not bother commenting on the usual candidates. McBrearty, Gallen, Murphy, Mogan etc all showing their class.
From what I've seen and read....

KJ Molloy looks like he has a big future ahead. He's still very young but by all accounts is progressing very well.
Jamie Brennan is operating at wing-back for Bundoran. You'd expect to see him standing out at Intermediate level, but an interesting position for him that he appears to be enjoying.
Brennan's marker the other day, Jamie Grant also appears to be going well. I thought he'd get more game time in the league last year, but it didn't materialise.
Micheal Roarty from Gaoth Dobhair has been impressive at wing-back.
Killian Faulkner is another young player to keep an eye on. Very impressive in an ever improving Four Masters team.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 05/09/2023 14:33:21    2503153

Link

Replying To beidhmeanseo:  "who has been the stand out players in the championship so far?"
ah Jimmy we're not going to do the work for you

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 443 - 05/09/2023 15:07:03    2503162

Link

Replying To beidhmeanseo:  "who has been the stand out players in the championship so far?"
I wouldn't be picking any players at this early stage. Its the knockout stages that separates the men from the boys.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 411 - 05/09/2023 18:39:59    2503208

Link

Replying To Scenicparish:  "I wouldn't be picking any players at this early stage. Its the knockout stages that separates the men from the boys."
Not so sure about that. Take Conor O'Donnell and Caolan McColgan as examples. Both play for junior clubs (although i think both have missed championship action thus far due to injuries) In normal circumstances I'm sure they would be flying and really standing out. Just because they're not playing for "big" clubs at senior championship level doesn't mean they should be disregarded.

Similarly at senior level, just because a club isn't making waves and is unlikely to be challenging at the business end, doesn't mean their players shouldn't be due the same consideration.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 06/09/2023 10:33:00    2503244

Link

Has the football style been the same more or less across the board? I haven't seen anything too different to be honest.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 06/09/2023 10:34:28    2503245

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Has the football style been the same more or less across the board? I haven't seen anything too different to be honest."
Yes, unfortunately it's the same, every team is playing in more or less a similar manner. I try to get to a game or two every weekend and it's all possession based with defensive football. It is really difficult for any forwards to stand out. If you are lucky, a game might break out in the second half. There isn't a kick pass given to the forwards.

It is fantastic news that Jim is back, he will get us mentally and physically right. Does he have the players - only time will tell. The way club football is played in the county must be a huge concern for him.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1904 - 06/09/2023 11:42:25    2503264

Link

Replying To Green_Gold:  "Yes, unfortunately it's the same, every team is playing in more or less a similar manner. I try to get to a game or two every weekend and it's all possession based with defensive football. It is really difficult for any forwards to stand out. If you are lucky, a game might break out in the second half. There isn't a kick pass given to the forwards.

It is fantastic news that Jim is back, he will get us mentally and physically right. Does he have the players - only time will tell. The way club football is played in the county must be a huge concern for him."
Yeah I'd say playing corner forward isn't much craic these days. Even if you do manage to win a ball inside it's usually the case that it has to be recycled back out the pitch again.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 06/09/2023 12:07:57    2503272

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Not so sure about that. Take Conor O'Donnell and Caolan McColgan as examples. Both play for junior clubs (although i think both have missed championship action thus far due to injuries) In normal circumstances I'm sure they would be flying and really standing out. Just because they're not playing for "big" clubs at senior championship level doesn't mean they should be disregarded.

Similarly at senior level, just because a club isn't making waves and is unlikely to be challenging at the business end, doesn't mean their players shouldn't be due the same consideration."
You're right there some senior clubs think that if you play junior you're not good enough to play county. A lot of great junior players down the years proved that wrong. As you mention caolan Mc Colgan. Conor o donnell. David Walsh from 2012 are examples.. and I guarantee you Mc Guinness will be using another few who play junior championship this year in his squad..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 06/09/2023 12:46:09    2503278

Link

Replying To Scenicparish:  "I wouldn't be picking any players at this early stage. Its the knockout stages that separates the men from the boys."
McGuinness doesn't necessarily want already moulded footballers. Buy-in to whatever tactical and training approach is more important. He will want a bigger training squad, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the likes of Aodh Ruadh, Four Masters, Termon players make up a large chunk of the younger core brought in.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 443 - 06/09/2023 13:16:26    2503290

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I'd say playing corner forward isn't much craic these days. Even if you do manage to win a ball inside it's usually the case that it has to be recycled back out the pitch again."
It must be a nightmare for corner forwards, they are lucky if they get a single shot in a game. The flipside is that the backs have it easy, normally they have 1 or 2 back-ups when the forward gets the ball. It must be one of the reasons why we struggle for good intercounty backs who can man mark.

Is our style of club football the norm? Is the game played the same way in other counties?

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1904 - 06/09/2023 13:32:53    2503297

Link

Replying To StockholmGael:  "Any sighting of Jim at the last round of games? I had a look at the wikipedia page, which I'm not certain of it's accuracy of the squad in the 2011 semi final. The names outside of the starting 15, had around 11 players which didn't feature in 2012 which is a large number. I have no doubt that we'll be seeing call-ups to a bunch of lads we've not seen in a senior intercounty jersey before. One of my biggest gripes with Rory, Declan, Paddy Carr and his replacements was the seeming inability to spot or unwillingness to bring anyone in from club level who hadn't come through the underage structures. The great question is, does the available and willing players collectively possess as much untapped potential as his previous lot, and have they the steel to commit to the level the last bunch did? I believe Jim's motivating abilities will move them to the required commitment, and I'm clueless to be honest if pushed to their potential if the current grouping can match or exceed the successes of the 2012 brigade. Time will tell."
I think you raise very interesting questions.
You are correct in saying that Rory and Declan were very conservative in selecting players from outside of the obvious. They simply selected those who had come through from underage and as we well know there is more in the county than that. No idea how Paddy Carr selected his squad, I would guess that it was selected for him as he did not know the club scene nor the players.
McGuinness will select the right character and personality for the hard road which may mean so called big names being left out.

As to whether the 2023 group are better than 2011, I believe we have better players now. Whether we have better leaders, I'm not so sure!

PeterQ92 (Donegal) - Posts: 118 - 06/09/2023 14:49:27    2503315

Link

Replying To Green_Gold:  "It must be a nightmare for corner forwards, they are lucky if they get a single shot in a game. The flipside is that the backs have it easy, normally they have 1 or 2 back-ups when the forward gets the ball. It must be one of the reasons why we struggle for good intercounty backs who can man mark.

Is our style of club football the norm? Is the game played the same way in other counties?"
I don't think it's just a Donegal thing in fairness. I'd say the style is similar in a lot of other counties. It's a tricky one. I mean if my club went gung-ho and started kicking direct ball into the full forward line, only for it to be intercepted easily by opposition sweepers, you'd be calling them naive for kicking possession away.

It'll never happen, but you'd nearly need both teams to "agree" to play man-on-man, no sweepers allowed, and see how it develops from there. Maybe something that needs to happen at underage. Unfortunately a win-at-all-costs mentality has been firmly established. And if you can't win, then definitley don't get hammered. I would say that from u-15 up, systems and tactics come into it, would we be better off just letting them play man-on-man? Might develop better defenders and scoring forwards this way?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 06/09/2023 15:00:45    2503321

Link

Replying To PeterQ92:  "I think you raise very interesting questions.
You are correct in saying that Rory and Declan were very conservative in selecting players from outside of the obvious. They simply selected those who had come through from underage and as we well know there is more in the county than that. No idea how Paddy Carr selected his squad, I would guess that it was selected for him as he did not know the club scene nor the players.
McGuinness will select the right character and personality for the hard road which may mean so called big names being left out.

As to whether the 2023 group are better than 2011, I believe we have better players now. Whether we have better leaders, I'm not so sure!"
Very easy saying Rory and Declan were conservative in picking players, you would need to back it up with names. Easy throwing out talk like that but back it up. Will Mc Guinness come championship have many new names starting I doubt it.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 06/09/2023 15:22:40    2503328

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Not so sure about that. Take Conor O'Donnell and Caolan McColgan as examples. Both play for junior clubs (although i think both have missed championship action thus far due to injuries) In normal circumstances I'm sure they would be flying and really standing out. Just because they're not playing for "big" clubs at senior championship level doesn't mean they should be disregarded.

Similarly at senior level, just because a club isn't making waves and is unlikely to be challenging at the business end, doesn't mean their players shouldn't be due the same consideration."
I never singled out the Senior Championship? I meant the knock out stages of all Championships. When you need to win a match like the knock out stages of Championships the better players normally stand out. That's my opinion anyway.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 411 - 06/09/2023 15:56:36    2503336

Link