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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To gunman:  "Maybe with the 2 week break we might see a couple of the long termed injured back.By the way who was the boy on crutches.I couldn't make him out from where I was."
90% sure it was Caolan Ward

NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 89 - 05/02/2024 14:41:03    2524565

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It's clear the problem Donegal will have is getting enough scores. Oisin Gallen is brilliant and we need him to stay fit. He's the only really top level forward we have. The rest are too young or too old. We're hoping that Brennan and McBrearty score enough but they're players at the end of their careers, nowhere near what they were in their prime. Everyone talking about Niall O'Donnell coming back, but he hasn't done anything significant for years for club or county, again everyone hoping he can deliver something but the evidence of recent seasons suggest he probably won't. That's not a criticism of him, just the reality of someone who's had a lot of injuries.

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 586 - 05/02/2024 16:08:53    2524581

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Replying To Commodore:  "I openly said 2019 - 2022 that I thought Declan Bonner constantly using Ryan McHugh as a wing back wasn't working, we became too predictable and physically having it match up with Derry's Gareth McKindless or Mayo's Diarmuid O'Connor where he was outplayed and overpowered. I also thought that playing Peadar Mogan and Ryan McHugh at the same time left us a bit lightweight at the back and I stand over all of those comments.

What has impressed me so far in 2024 about Ryan McHugh is that he is moved around, not always playing the same role. In the first two league games he has been sweeper, bit like Mark McHugh 2012, but in McKenna Cup he often played a more advanced role at right wing forward and was impressive. The current defensive system seems more robust at dealing with powerful runners, so that helps.

Peadar Mogan looks more powerful, his pace is unreal. I think when Caolan McColgan returns and if Eoghan Ban can reach full fitness without further niggles, we will be a hard to predict team with a powerful bench.

Looking forward to Niall O'Donnell coming back, should give us that added dimension upfront too."
Nowadays you don't have a traditional shape, you basically have a defensive formation, an attacking formation, and you have your transition.

The problem in the last few years was that we had sluggish ball carriers, which really played into the opponents game plan. Under Jim, this won't be the case. We have have a mixture of speed and strength with dynamic ball carriers like Caolan McGonagle, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban, Peadar Mogan etc performing the role which in recent years was performed by Caolan Ward, Stephen McMenamin and to a lesser extent Brendan McCole. Even Michael Murphy lacked a little in that regard.

I honestly think we will be a whole new proposition for opposing teams, especially when combined with less lateral play, getting runners ahead of the ball. But as we have seen, with every team, it's when attack breaks down, have we the legs to get back to help the men left holding the Fort. I think we do.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 05/02/2024 16:13:32    2524583

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Replying To greenfan:  "It's clear the problem Donegal will have is getting enough scores. Oisin Gallen is brilliant and we need him to stay fit. He's the only really top level forward we have. The rest are too young or too old. We're hoping that Brennan and McBrearty score enough but they're players at the end of their careers, nowhere near what they were in their prime. Everyone talking about Niall O'Donnell coming back, but he hasn't done anything significant for years for club or county, again everyone hoping he can deliver something but the evidence of recent seasons suggest he probably won't. That's not a criticism of him, just the reality of someone who's had a lot of injuries."
Big statement about Niall O Donnell. We'll see how he goes this year. Was out best player two years ago..last year was injured and barely played. He was the man against Derry in Mc Cuhaill park who got us over the line. A fit Niall will be interesting. Maybe not this year with his continued injuries but he's a big player for us.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1196 - 05/02/2024 16:56:56    2524596

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Niall O'Donnell and Conor O'Donnell would make a serious difference to our forward line.I think Niall would work great with Fara,he has that ability to pick out a good pass.As regards Brennan being at the end of his career.He is only 28

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1126 - 05/02/2024 17:13:13    2524601

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Replying To greenfan:  "It's clear the problem Donegal will have is getting enough scores. Oisin Gallen is brilliant and we need him to stay fit. He's the only really top level forward we have. The rest are too young or too old. We're hoping that Brennan and McBrearty score enough but they're players at the end of their careers, nowhere near what they were in their prime. Everyone talking about Niall O'Donnell coming back, but he hasn't done anything significant for years for club or county, again everyone hoping he can deliver something but the evidence of recent seasons suggest he probably won't. That's not a criticism of him, just the reality of someone who's had a lot of injuries."
What Brennan at the end of his career. this forum never disappoints.. he played minor in 2014 which leaves him about 28..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 05/02/2024 18:01:32    2524607

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Good two points yesterday, cavan were game and I thought we were a wee bit off it, from the week before I thought the pace moore and mogan were key to our transition and the loss of eoin ban early was also a big loss. I think we badly missed their pace and energy.

Gallen was obviously a big plus, Thompson and langan had a jig say in the middle third , and ryan mchugh and patton were key in the second half.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1001 - 05/02/2024 22:53:59    2524666

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I'm afraid caolan mc Colgan is out with injury too long to have any real effect this year same goes for Conor o donnell. I heard Niall o d has had a set back so time is against him too. I was hoping we would be unearthing 2 or 3 new lads that would make the c ship team this year, it's not looking likely now. I know it's early days but the way the calendar is run any muscle injuries from now on is fatal. That's where we need the squad mc Guinness alluded. to that too, I don't think squad is strong enough.. another good squad player is caolan ward but he was in London for treatment last "week so not looking good."
I agree that it will be difficult for these players to make any impact considering they have missed the entire pre-season training and the National League, but maybe they can still impact from the bench for 10-15 minutes?

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1221 - 06/02/2024 12:42:04    2524736

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Nowadays you don't have a traditional shape, you basically have a defensive formation, an attacking formation, and you have your transition.

The problem in the last few years was that we had sluggish ball carriers, which really played into the opponents game plan. Under Jim, this won't be the case. We have have a mixture of speed and strength with dynamic ball carriers like Caolan McGonagle, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban, Peadar Mogan etc performing the role which in recent years was performed by Caolan Ward, Stephen McMenamin and to a lesser extent Brendan McCole. Even Michael Murphy lacked a little in that regard.

I honestly think we will be a whole new proposition for opposing teams, especially when combined with less lateral play, getting runners ahead of the ball. But as we have seen, with every team, it's when attack breaks down, have we the legs to get back to help the men left holding the Fort. I think we do."
I disagree regarding runners, If you look at Donegal starting lineups since 2019-2020, Caolan McGonigle, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban and Peadar Mogan have featured heavily and all but Caolan McGonigle were regular ball carriers/runners. Brendan McCole and Stephen McMenamin were usually at full back and corner back, Caolan Ward seemed to be moved around to plug various positions.

2019 - 2020 I thought we looked impressive, but didn't have a settled back six, partly due to transition from Neil McGee and Paddy McGrath to young guns Brendan McCole and Stephen McMenamin/Odhran McFadden Ferry. I also thought both Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner had a bad habit of showing their tactical hand too early in the year, it allowed other top teams too much time to plan for us.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1221 - 06/02/2024 13:02:00    2524738

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Replying To Commodore:  "I disagree regarding runners, If you look at Donegal starting lineups since 2019-2020, Caolan McGonigle, Ryan McHugh, Eoghan Ban and Peadar Mogan have featured heavily and all but Caolan McGonigle were regular ball carriers/runners. Brendan McCole and Stephen McMenamin were usually at full back and corner back, Caolan Ward seemed to be moved around to plug various positions.

2019 - 2020 I thought we looked impressive, but didn't have a settled back six, partly due to transition from Neil McGee and Paddy McGrath to young guns Brendan McCole and Stephen McMenamin/Odhran McFadden Ferry. I also thought both Rory Gallagher and Declan Bonner had a bad habit of showing their tactical hand too early in the year, it allowed other top teams too much time to plan for us."
I completely agree we definitely showed our tactical hand too early. And there was a flaw in that game plan when, for example teams knew that we would go lateral, then we move our pieces up the pitch, and they then allowed our less dynamic ball carriers to carry the ball as far as they wanted. Ulster Final against Derry a case in point.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 06/02/2024 14:03:09    2524756

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I completely agree we definitely showed our tactical hand too early. And there was a flaw in that game plan when, for example teams knew that we would go lateral, then we move our pieces up the pitch, and they then allowed our less dynamic ball carriers to carry the ball as far as they wanted. Ulster Final against Derry a case in point."
Are you still crying about the Derry game, a game of small margins. Look how Derry have done since then. Every game in championship is different easy writing here about game plans and showing your hand. Foolish talk in my mind. To win anything you need a bit of luck too. Me thinks too many experts about.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 06/02/2024 15:13:46    2524775

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A great result on Sunday. Far better winning a tight game like that than hammering Cork by 10 plus points. Questions have been asked about the mental fortitude of this group in the past, and yes it was only the league, but winning tight games is a very good habit to get into. Not easy for us as supporters I know.

Farrah proved what we all know, that he is the real deal and it's of paramount importance that he stays injury free and well.

A well deserved week off now to manage any injuries and niggles. It will be important that we beat Fermanagh in the next outing to maintain momentum. It won't be easy though. We all know about our iffy record in Letterkenny and I can remember Fermanagh actually beating us there in a league game not that wild long ago. They're going well too, so we'll need to be at it and not take anything for granted.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9545 - 06/02/2024 15:36:44    2524781

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The Cavan game was the mirror opposite of the Cork game, really tough and physical. I think you learn more from these type of games, harder viewing for sure but great to win a close game. We got well beaten at midfield and I feel that will be our problem area unless Langan and Jason McGee are fit. It's difficult to play the high press on opposition kickouts if you can't win the ball when kicked long to midfield. Ryan McHugh continues his fine form as does Caolan McGonagle. Oisin Gallen is a very special talent. I was impressed with Cavan, some really good players and could cause a shock or two this year in the championship.

Great start to the league but it is imperative that we beat Fermanagh as the following game away to Armagh will be tough. The worrying part is the amount of injuries to key players. Overall a very satisfactory start to McGuinness era part two. We had a decent support in Cavan which is great to see.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1904 - 06/02/2024 17:05:24    2524807

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Are you still crying about the Derry game, a game of small margins. Look how Derry have done since then. Every game in championship is different easy writing here about game plans and showing your hand. Foolish talk in my mind. To win anything you need a bit of luck too. Me thinks too many experts about."
I referenced the Derry game, as it is a game most people would remember, not just experts like yourself.

Everyone knows that you are the foremost expert on this forum RorysStories. But you must get lonely up there in your Ivory Tower, considering that you have to constantly denigrate the opinions of others. If you don't like what other people have to say, maybe a "Forum" isn't the best place for you.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 06/02/2024 17:25:33    2524813

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I referenced the Derry game, as it is a game most people would remember, not just experts like yourself.

Everyone knows that you are the foremost expert on this forum RorysStories. But you must get lonely up there in your Ivory Tower, considering that you have to constantly denigrate the opinions of others. If you don't like what other people have to say, maybe a "Forum" isn't the best place for you."
I get it now everyone is allowed an opinion only rorysboys. I constantly denigrate the opinions of others ,sure every opinion I put up is denigrated. What's the difference . You can spout nonsense about a game 3 years ago as if your opinion is right and I don't know what I'm on about..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 07/02/2024 10:23:20    2524871

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Replying To greenfan:  "It's clear the problem Donegal will have is getting enough scores. Oisin Gallen is brilliant and we need him to stay fit. He's the only really top level forward we have. The rest are too young or too old. We're hoping that Brennan and McBrearty score enough but they're players at the end of their careers, nowhere near what they were in their prime. Everyone talking about Niall O'Donnell coming back, but he hasn't done anything significant for years for club or county, again everyone hoping he can deliver something but the evidence of recent seasons suggest he probably won't. That's not a criticism of him, just the reality of someone who's had a lot of injuries."
Niall o D was prob the best player we had for county in his last 2 years involved.

He captained us to our last county final victory scoring 4 points on the day.

He's been injured for a while now granted but he's a fantastic player and is still only 26 with plenty left to offer.

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1682 - 07/02/2024 11:12:59    2524883

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I referenced the Derry game, as it is a game most people would remember, not just experts like yourself.

Everyone knows that you are the foremost expert on this forum RorysStories. But you must get lonely up there in your Ivory Tower, considering that you have to constantly denigrate the opinions of others. If you don't like what other people have to say, maybe a "Forum" isn't the best place for you."
+ 1

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1682 - 07/02/2024 11:13:56    2524884

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I get it now everyone is allowed an opinion only rorysboys. I constantly denigrate the opinions of others ,sure every opinion I put up is denigrated. What's the difference . You can spout nonsense about a game 3 years ago as if your opinion is right and I don't know what I'm on about.."
That Derry game wasn't 3 years ago………….

Someone who claims to attend games as regularly as you do should know that…….

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1682 - 07/02/2024 11:16:38    2524885

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "That Derry game wasn't 3 years ago………….

Someone who claims to attend games as regularly as you do should know that……."
Typo lad sorry for my mistake. It doesn't matter what year it was. It's in the past and you lads will have to stop living there.. we came within a kick of ball that day of beating a strong Derry team. Not that you'll mention that another question for you who got Shaun Patton to play for Donegal. Another rough question for you. lol. One thing for sure is that rorysboys hates bluffers

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2580 - 07/02/2024 12:15:28    2524907

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "Niall o D was prob the best player we had for county in his last 2 years involved.

He captained us to our last county final victory scoring 4 points on the day.

He's been injured for a while now granted but he's a fantastic player and is still only 26 with plenty left to offer."
Yeah we're wild in this county for writing off good players who are still young. Just recently on this board, Jamie Brennan was finished at 28. Now there's talk that Niall O'Donnell is crocked and we should forget about him. Madness. We simply do not have that much quality squad depth that players like these can be just casually dismissed.

I've mentioned before on this board how there were a few players in Jim's first tenure who could have been similarly disregarded. We all knew the likes of Neil Gallagher and Colm McFadden were very talented players, but it's fair to say that weren't consistent enough to be regarded as truly elite players. Jim changed that. McFadden was top scorer in 2012 and a POTY nominee and Neil won two All Stars.

Now every man is different, and there will need to be a bit of luck with injuries, but from what I've seen of Niall O'Donnell, he is far too talented a player for us to be without if he's fit. He has vision that only the best players possess and the technique to deliver passes and scores that others just can't.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9545 - 07/02/2024 12:31:53    2524910

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