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Donegal GAA thread

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Hard luck Naomh conaill. Thought the ref was going to blow up after the keeper took the kick out, was hoping for some extra time to look forward to!

It's a game of fine margins and the quality between the top teams aren't all that much.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 260 - 25/11/2023 22:01:59    2514602

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Replying To greenfan:  "Success for Gaa teams shouldn't be measured in how many trophies they win. Success for a lot of clubs is keeping the show on the road every year, managing to field teams in rural areas when times are hard and emigration has ripped the heart out of communities. Success is having a club that is at the heart of the community. Most clubs know at the start of a season that they won't win anything but they still keep going because of a love for the games and a pride in their parish. If it was all about winning cups and championships we'd only have a handful of clubs in every county. Anyone measuring success in terms of cups and championships hasn't a clue what the gaa is all about."
Most sensible post that's been put up for a while. In senior men's football there are only 5 championship cups to be won so success can't be measured only by who has the cup, otherwise we may all shut the door.

There is a regulations meeting for the county committee this Tuesday night it'll be interesting to see how much time is spent talking about reform of the league and championship structures so as we can keep as many clubs functioning as possible.
I'll check in with our club rep on Wednesday and I'll nearly guarantee it's no time at all.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 59 - 26/11/2023 00:46:45    2514610

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "A brave effort by Glenties but came up short in the end. Hard to win a game of that intensity with only one sub. Strange they didn't take on a few more, they must be saving the 21s for Ballyshannon tomorrow.

The fresh legs certainly helped Glen."
The sub thing is very interesting. If you make 1 sub in a tight Ulster club game what does that say about the quality of the squad…no matter how many players you have… NC played their part but strange decision,

veterngaa (Monaghan) - Posts: 684 - 26/11/2023 08:58:41    2514613

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Replying To veterngaa:  "The sub thing is very interesting. If you make 1 sub in a tight Ulster club game what does that say about the quality of the squad…no matter how many players you have… NC played their part but strange decision,"
We lost by a great score in the last kick of the game, and the subs Glen brought on were big strong men that would most likely get on any other side.
We lost one of our best man markers in Campbell this week. Our best forward has been out all season, and last three seasons due to knee ligament injuries.
We have a lot of young players on the bench, but it's hard to bring on them in an Ulster semi final against a really top strong physical side that glen are.
No excuses, glen deserved there victory on the night, when you have the start Naomh Conail had in the first 20 minutes, we were probably lucky to be still in the game after that. But that's down to the spirit and experience of Naomh Conail and there never say die attitude.
But it was a really great battle in the second half, and as a Naomh conail man, it was great to be battling it out with a great club team glen are.
And I must also mention the Glen supporters, who were friendly and decent in Victory, and I wish them the very best for the rest of the championship.
As for Naomh Conail, my club, I am proud of every single player and selector who gave us great joy over the season. I said before our success will not last forever, and I remember the days when we were happy to win an intermediate championship in Donegal.
But like a previous poster said, it's not all about trophies, it's about the community and what the club does for the community and it's youth.
Let's hope now that Donegal can get back on track, and give us something to cheer about over the winter and summer.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 26/11/2023 12:45:16    2514624

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Replying To The keeper:  "We lost by a great score in the last kick of the game, and the subs Glen brought on were big strong men that would most likely get on any other side.
We lost one of our best man markers in Campbell this week. Our best forward has been out all season, and last three seasons due to knee ligament injuries.
We have a lot of young players on the bench, but it's hard to bring on them in an Ulster semi final against a really top strong physical side that glen are.
No excuses, glen deserved there victory on the night, when you have the start Naomh Conail had in the first 20 minutes, we were probably lucky to be still in the game after that. But that's down to the spirit and experience of Naomh Conail and there never say die attitude.
But it was a really great battle in the second half, and as a Naomh conail man, it was great to be battling it out with a great club team glen are.
And I must also mention the Glen supporters, who were friendly and decent in Victory, and I wish them the very best for the rest of the championship.
As for Naomh Conail, my club, I am proud of every single player and selector who gave us great joy over the season. I said before our success will not last forever, and I remember the days when we were happy to win an intermediate championship in Donegal.
But like a previous poster said, it's not all about trophies, it's about the community and what the club does for the community and it's youth.
Let's hope now that Donegal can get back on track, and give us something to cheer about over the winter and summer."
I take it your coming back to support Donegal. I'm asking all n conal supporters come cship time how many n Conal men will make the team. Had this discussion with a few people last night…

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 26/11/2023 15:21:52    2514630

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I take it your coming back to support Donegal. I'm asking all n conal supporters come cship time how many n Conal men will make the team. Had this discussion with a few people last night…"
In my opinion there will only be one or two starters for Donegal come championship, Kieran Thomson and Ultan Doherty (tough man marker).
There may be a few on the panel, but my belief is that Kieran Thomson and Ultan Doherty are the only players from our club that are good enough to start.
But it depends how much McGuinness improves players, Ethan O'Donnell I believe has massive potential, but I believe he is Australia bound.
I hear Conor O'Donnell is Australia bound also, which is a pity as I believe we need a good strong central defender, and he would be perfect.

Hopefully no more players fail to commit, Donegal as a county need everyone.

But no excuses, I still expect us to find players and start to be competitive against the top teams

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 26/11/2023 17:37:05    2514635

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Replying To The keeper:  "In my opinion there will only be one or two starters for Donegal come championship, Kieran Thomson and Ultan Doherty (tough man marker).
There may be a few on the panel, but my belief is that Kieran Thomson and Ultan Doherty are the only players from our club that are good enough to start.
But it depends how much McGuinness improves players, Ethan O'Donnell I believe has massive potential, but I believe he is Australia bound.
I hear Conor O'Donnell is Australia bound also, which is a pity as I believe we need a good strong central defender, and he would be perfect.

Hopefully no more players fail to commit, Donegal as a county need everyone.

But no excuses, I still expect us to find players and start to be competitive against the top teams"
Challenge match Donegal vs Roscommon at Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon on Sunday 17th December @1.30pm, which should be the first glimpse of what Jim has in mind.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1217 - 27/11/2023 09:29:11    2514676

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Unlucky Naomh Conaill. Many are tipping Glen as the one team who might be fit to topple Kilmacud so to take them right to the wire was no mean feat. It was such fine margins. I thought Ciaran Thompson was going to field that last high ball but he just seemed to over-balance and couldn't get it fully into his grasp. In fairness to Glen they were very clinical and patient, working the ball to Bradley who then did the rest.

I think Eoghan McGettigan is a huge loss in games like these. He has that ability to get three or four scores which could have proven to be all the difference.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 27/11/2023 10:17:51    2514684

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Replying To Commodore:  "Challenge match Donegal vs Roscommon at Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon on Sunday 17th December @1.30pm, which should be the first glimpse of what Jim has in mind."
If he's putting up a 55k fence in Convoy to keep prying eyes away from training I don't think he's going to give much away at a challenge game!

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1074 - 27/11/2023 10:30:19    2514688

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Unlucky Naomh Conaill. Many are tipping Glen as the one team who might be fit to topple Kilmacud so to take them right to the wire was no mean feat. It was such fine margins. I thought Ciaran Thompson was going to field that last high ball but he just seemed to over-balance and couldn't get it fully into his grasp. In fairness to Glen they were very clinical and patient, working the ball to Bradley who then did the rest.

I think Eoghan McGettigan is a huge loss in games like these. He has that ability to get three or four scores which could have proven to be all the difference."
Yeah Eoghan McGettian would be a massive addition to that team, also what happened to Kieran Gallgher?
Even though they might lose a couple of their elder statesmen over the next few years, I'd still fancy them to pick up a couple of Donegal championships over the next few years as they seem to continuosly compete at u21.
Fair play to them, obviously a lot of good work going on

greatkick (Donegal) - Posts: 14 - 27/11/2023 13:27:51    2514721

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "If he's putting up a 55k fence in Convoy to keep prying eyes away from training I don't think he's going to give much away at a challenge game!"
Maybe I'm missing something but is spending that much money on a fence really justifiable?
If anyone was inclined to spy on Donegal training a well placed drone would defeat the purpose of it surely?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 27/11/2023 14:00:01    2514730

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55.000 in these times doesn't make sense if county teams want to know what's happening in convoy believe me they'll find out. Another thing is why is club football in Cavan so strong is it because of there championship format arva win junior last Saturday and there in the first division in Cavan, ballyhaise are in intermediate final plus they play in division 1, and gowna should have beaten n Conal. In my mind the Ulster and all Ireland titles are so unfair on smaller clubs. The only teams playing in junior championship should b junior teams plus reserve teams should not compete in there own county because they cant compete in there provincial .championship. Bear in mind donegal have double the population of Cavan..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 27/11/2023 15:20:03    2514742

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Maybe I'm missing something but is spending that much money on a fence really justifiable?
If anyone was inclined to spy on Donegal training a well placed drone would defeat the purpose of it surely?"
Are they meant to train with loads of Random onlookers?

heyday (Laois) - Posts: 35 - 27/11/2023 15:53:47    2514751

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Maybe I'm missing something but is spending that much money on a fence really justifiable?
If anyone was inclined to spy on Donegal training a well placed drone would defeat the purpose of it surely?"
A drone or man up a tree? building a fence is a load of nonsense and a waste of money, unless maybe it's part of Jim's coaching ie. to bond the team like the wrist bands years ago, siege mentality type thing.
Or maybe Jim was a big fan of The Goats don't Shave years ago and he wants to build a wall round Donegal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwvhvDE3FMs

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3066 - 27/11/2023 15:59:04    2514754

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Maybe I'm missing something but is spending that much money on a fence really justifiable?
If anyone was inclined to spy on Donegal training a well placed drone would defeat the purpose of it surely?"
I suppose with a drone, it would be easily heard/seen so they could stop what they are doing. Seems to be steep alright but if it means something good is happening behind those walls then it's hopefully worth it.

Really looking forward to seeinh how things go.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 260 - 27/11/2023 22:03:34    2514800

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Replying To rorysboys:  "55.000 in these times doesn't make sense if county teams want to know what's happening in convoy believe me they'll find out. Another thing is why is club football in Cavan so strong is it because of there championship format arva win junior last Saturday and there in the first division in Cavan, ballyhaise are in intermediate final plus they play in division 1, and gowna should have beaten n Conal. In my mind the Ulster and all Ireland titles are so unfair on smaller clubs. The only teams playing in junior championship should b junior teams plus reserve teams should not compete in there own county because they cant compete in there provincial .championship. Bear in mind donegal have double the population of Cavan.."
Cavan has 12 clubs in Senior Championship so Intermediate and Junior is stronger. If Donegal did the same Intermediate & Junior would be stronger. The downside for Junior clubs in Cavan is that some of the smaller clubs are being cut adrift with no hope of winning a Junior Championship or even a game - there is only a few Junior clubs who can win the championship but as soon as these get promoted it may even itself out.

Arva is a bit of an outlier where they lost some good players to injury & emigration a few years ago and got relegated to junior. Last year lost the Junior final but had been promoted to Division 1 and have scraped in through a relegation playoff staying in Division 1 next year.

Ballyhaise were not good enough for Senior Championship and got relegated a few years ago. Got to some Intermediate finals but lost.

In Senior Cavan clubs have struggled for years (it's a long time since any of them have won a match in Ulster) - will be interesting to see if Gowna or another can maintain a challenge in Ulster next year. Has the 12 club championship strengthened or weakened the senior championship?

Newman21 (Donegal) - Posts: 42 - 28/11/2023 10:30:27    2514821

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Replying To heyday:  "Are they meant to train with loads of Random onlookers?"
Nope. A couple of gatekeepers monitoring who is going in and out of the Center of Excellence is surely cheaper and easier?

And anyway, it's not Real Madrid we're talking about here.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9541 - 28/11/2023 10:41:11    2514824

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Yeah, the only thing about the fence is that he apparently went out and got the money himself for it. So it's not taking away from the pot available. There was a coaching course at the weekend and Jim insisted all the blinds be kept down in the centre so that nobody could look at the team training.

Having 16 teams at Senior is why we struggle a little at intermediate and junior. 16 is too many. We'd be better off with a 16 team league first and see if that can raise the standard first.

SignTheContract (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 28/11/2023 11:52:12    2514839

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Kilcoo have announced Karl Lacey is staying on for 2024. Does that put a dent into any ambitions to get him back at the Academy?

The_Second_Coming (Donegal) - Posts: 27 - 28/11/2023 12:18:43    2514848

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Replying To Newman21:  "Cavan has 12 clubs in Senior Championship so Intermediate and Junior is stronger. If Donegal did the same Intermediate & Junior would be stronger. The downside for Junior clubs in Cavan is that some of the smaller clubs are being cut adrift with no hope of winning a Junior Championship or even a game - there is only a few Junior clubs who can win the championship but as soon as these get promoted it may even itself out.

Arva is a bit of an outlier where they lost some good players to injury & emigration a few years ago and got relegated to junior. Last year lost the Junior final but had been promoted to Division 1 and have scraped in through a relegation playoff staying in Division 1 next year.

Ballyhaise were not good enough for Senior Championship and got relegated a few years ago. Got to some Intermediate finals but lost.

In Senior Cavan clubs have struggled for years (it's a long time since any of them have won a match in Ulster) - will be interesting to see if Gowna or another can maintain a challenge in Ulster next year. Has the 12 club championship strengthened or weakened the senior championship?"
Cavan restructured the championship a couple of years ago. 3 teams were relegated from Senior to intermediate and 3 teams from Intermediate to Junior. Arva were one of the 3 to go down but had lots of injuries that year, Ciaran Brady done the ACL and a few in Australia.

Cavan have been strong the last few years as result of the 3 going down but it will probably even itself out next year. There was too many weak teams in Senior and Intermediate so they had to reduce the number. 12 in Senior, 14 in Intermediate and 14 in Junior is what it is now. Senior was too too heavy

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2839 - 28/11/2023 12:58:57    2514856

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