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Donegal GAA thread

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Another fantastic result for the hurlers today to secure promotion to 2A for next season. They have made incredible progress over the last 10 years. And the fact that it has been built by a Donegal hurling legend in Mickey McCann, with native talent, makes it all the more incredible. The work of those small number of people in our hurling clubs also needs to be acknowledged.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 17/03/2024 19:13:54    2531739

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Replying To HEREBENJI:  "Was at the game, where I was sitting seemed to be more Donegal fans than Kildare. They are having a bad year and maybe decided to stay home and watch Ireland rugby match. Mogan was excellent, Langan good and Daire O Baoil in 2nd half. Hard working performance by all and thought it was clever game management to play keep ball for a few minutes after their goal. That took momentum away from them when only 2 down and they failed to score after. Does anyone know much about Ronan Gallagher that came on near end, not a name I know from underage teams. He seemed to be playing around the middle but wasn't really on long enough to gauge."
Played for Finn Harps underage for a number of seasons and was highly thought of but didn't break into the senior side.

Very talented player, played at 6 for Downings in Intermediate final and ran the show until he got injured. Has been injured since then but is definitely a player that could do the business at County level.

Good to see new players breaking through.

ballboy101 (Donegal) - Posts: 225 - 17/03/2024 19:17:47    2531743

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "I watched the Derry V Mayo game. Mayo got a lot of joy out of kicking the ball on top of the square - either to Aidan O'Shea or Tommy Conroy. We could get joy out of having maybe Hugh McFadden or Langan in there for periods and go route 1.

Conor McCluskey would nearly need to be man marked even though he's a corner back, he's that much of a goal threat.

Odhran Lynch creates so much and is very comfortable on the ball. I hope we put pressure on him early before he gets into our half.

I'd say there's joy to be had against Derry by going long and direct early - before they get their defence set. Once they're set they're very hard to break down."
I didn't get to see the Derry game today, but have seen them live a number of times in the last few months. You're right about Odhrán Lynch, he is top class. Shaun Patton is a very good keeper, but he just does not possess the skills to compete against Lynch from open play. And we shouldn't try. Armagh done it last year in the Ulster Final with Ethan Rafferty, but we shouldn't try it. Do we allocate another man to follow him when he comes out? And do we position a speed merchant, maybe Peadar Mogan, in our forward line to keep him on the back foot. There will be a lot of conundrums between now and 20th April.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 722 - 17/03/2024 19:25:25    2531747

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That's kildare and louth that have pretty much given a 100% of the donegal kick outs. Against louth it was justified for them as donegal were careless in attack and turned the ball over too much. They were much better and controlling the set play yesterday. Admittedly kildare are a poorer team than louth at the minute
That kind of game is going to suit a player like mogan coming from deep and not suit the inside forwards so much. Mogan had some game overall. Kildare couldn't manage him at all.
Mcguinness mentioned this in the interviews and it was very noticeable that they weren't so good in the transition from turnovers. It was a bit panicky and lacking composure. If they had that right yesterday they would have got well into the 20s in points scored.

The press on the kildare kick out was very aggressive and worked well. Kikdare broke it once and got the goal and don't think donegal could be quite as aggressive against a team with a better kickout than kildare.
Controlling the possession also takes pressure off the defence. Though when kildare did attack the donegal defence did well. You'll pretty much win all your games if you only concede 1.08. The markers were tight in the one on one plays and the swarm did well when kildare brought it in too close.

Really good to see niall o'donnell back. He's not full match sharp and needs time though think he's loads to offer if he can get fully back to himself.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 780 - 17/03/2024 19:37:42    2531753

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We were always in control yesterday although there was some lack of ball control in tight situations and the odd careless pass.We would need to be creating more goal chances against this quality of opposition,the one from the first attack is the only one I can remember which we should have scored When you go 4 or 5 up you would need to be rattling in a goal and not letting them hang in there.On a lighter note the biggest cheer of the day was when the ref gave us a free midway through the second half our first of the day.Sometimes you hear it said that you had to work hard for your frees but no matter how hard we worked yesterday we just were not getting them.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1126 - 17/03/2024 20:09:06    2531772

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Nice to get promoted. Armagh in croke park great preparation for Derry, and mc Guinness will have another look at Derry hopefully . Derry don't play like a Micky Harte team they seem to go for the jugular at every opportunity..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2583 - 18/03/2024 11:11:36    2531884

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I didn't get to see the Derry game today, but have seen them live a number of times in the last few months. You're right about Odhrán Lynch, he is top class. Shaun Patton is a very good keeper, but he just does not possess the skills to compete against Lynch from open play. And we shouldn't try. Armagh done it last year in the Ulster Final with Ethan Rafferty, but we shouldn't try it. Do we allocate another man to follow him when he comes out? And do we position a speed merchant, maybe Peadar Mogan, in our forward line to keep him on the back foot. There will be a lot of conundrums between now and 20th April."
Putting Patton on him definitely not an option. Maybe he can be marked by an outfield player or we just need to treat him like an outfield player and hassle and harry him as much as anyone else.

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 84 - 18/03/2024 18:50:40    2531975

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In the Bonner years we had the problem that we'd get into great positions but lads like Stephen McMenamen or Caolan Ward would end up in front of goal or with space to shoot, and they would not take on the shot. V interesting to see the defences that McGuinness is picking. Mogan scored 5 points from corner back against Kildare. Moore starting in the full back line and causing trouble with his running game. I can see Jim picking a full back line against Derry full of players that are dangerous in attack. Where that leaves our defending/ man marking I don't know... Maybe some of our forwards can be made into sticky defenders..

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 84 - 18/03/2024 18:57:34    2531977

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "I didn't get to see the Derry game today, but have seen them live a number of times in the last few months. You're right about Odhrán Lynch, he is top class. Shaun Patton is a very good keeper, but he just does not possess the skills to compete against Lynch from open play. And we shouldn't try. Armagh done it last year in the Ulster Final with Ethan Rafferty, but we shouldn't try it. Do we allocate another man to follow him when he comes out? And do we position a speed merchant, maybe Peadar Mogan, in our forward line to keep him on the back foot. There will be a lot of conundrums between now and 20th April."
Lynch is a very good footballer, but the risk is always there. Ryan O'Donoghue should have finished one into an open net yesterday, after Lynch was caught upfield. That would have levelled the game late on. He obviously got caught out by Comer in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2022 as well.
It's probably worth it if they feel he contributes enough in creating chances up the other end of the pitch, but conceding a goal like that can be a real momentum swinger.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2228 - 18/03/2024 19:36:46    2531989

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Lynch is a very good footballer, but the risk is always there. Ryan O'Donoghue should have finished one into an open net yesterday, after Lynch was caught upfield. That would have levelled the game late on. He obviously got caught out by Comer in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2022 as well.
It's probably worth it if they feel he contributes enough in creating chances up the other end of the pitch, but conceding a goal like that can be a real momentum swinger."
yeah, it would nearly be worth practicing lobbing the keeper from 50 yards at training, the opportunity will come up this year that often

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 84 - 18/03/2024 20:33:07    2532004

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Replying To gunman:  "Hard to know what to make of that game.The first goal was a result of an unfortunate slip by one of the Cavan players and we capitalised on it very well.The second goal was a pure freak which put us in a very strong position.In between the goals we tagged on some lovely scores but again it was mainly due to Cavan having a nightmare with their kickouts.However there was some lovely movement in our play.After that Cavan seemed to sort out their problems and more or less dominated .They got dangerously close and it was only with sending off that Donegal were able to tag on a couple of points and seal the win.Maybe the fall off was due to complacency with the big lead they had.As you say some very nice play and a very good display from McGlynn but we will only know how good they are when they come up against another good team."
The 20's started like a train and Cavan couldn't get to grips with them. Luke Mc Glynn and Oisin Caulfield were very impressive. Paddy mc Elwee was shooting on sight. When Cavan pushed up on our kick outs we had real problems. There was only 1 real outlet, Conor Mc Ginty. A very fortuitous goal before half time gave us a cushion. In the second half, we seemed to lose confidence and started to take all the wrong options. The Cavan captain Lovett caused us no end of problems. we had Donegal Gallagher on him, and ended up with Finbarr Roarty on him. He scored 9 points in total. The subs coming on made a huge difference. Sean Martin coming back from injury made a big difference in the half back line, I think it was a lesson for both management and players. Cian mc Menamin coming back from injury should make a huge difference in the next game.

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 316 - 19/03/2024 11:53:33    2532092

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Another good victory on the road at the weekend. By all accounts a professional, competent display without over exerting ourselves. Hard to know how we'll approach the Meath game now that promotion has been secured. Meath are also safe now so it could be a bit of a dead rubber with both teams looking to just see it out and avoid injuries?

I'd be thinking that winning is a good habit, and with us at home we should look to continue our momentum, albeit if we can do that by giving more game time to the likes of the returning Niall O'Donnell, all the better.

It'll be good for the team to get a run out at Croke Park on Easter Sunday. A bit of a free-hit, but also a good chance to put Armagh in their box, something that I enjoy seeing no matter what the occasion.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9551 - 19/03/2024 15:45:17    2532178

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Momentum is indeed a big thing in football, saying that I'm sure a few of the fringe players will get a chance to show what they can do against Meath, how will Jim approach the league final?
Derry are on the horizon and they have been operating at a different level, they look like a serious team and with the added X factor of Mickey Harte there they must be thinking they have a real chance of landing Sam this year.
I'd say it's between them and Dublin with Kerry a dangerous third.
Anyway congratulations to Jim and the management team and the players on getting promoted,
that's the first big goal of the season achieved with a game to spare.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3071 - 19/03/2024 17:10:32    2532208

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Momentum is indeed a big thing in football, saying that I'm sure a few of the fringe players will get a chance to show what they can do against Meath, how will Jim approach the league final?
Derry are on the horizon and they have been operating at a different level, they look like a serious team and with the added X factor of Mickey Harte there they must be thinking they have a real chance of landing Sam this year.
I'd say it's between them and Dublin with Kerry a dangerous third.
Anyway congratulations to Jim and the management team and the players on getting promoted,
that's the first big goal of the season achieved with a game to spare."
Yes Derry are going well, but for me, Dublin are clear favourites. I watched their game against Galway on Saturday and they were just in cruise control the whole way through. Eamonn Fitzmaurice made a comment before the match that he was looking forward to seeing how Dublin would do in a dirty, wet day in Salthill with its usual horrible swirling breeze. Answer: they went out and totally outfought Galway, kicking 0-22 in the process. Halfway through the second half when the game was as good as done they threw on McCaffrey, Basquel and Mannion. They still have Cluxton and James McCarthy to come back as well.

Everyone was waiting (hoping) for a dropoff in standards when the Brogans, Flynn, McAuley, Rock, Cooper, McMahon etc stepped away but the lads who have stepped up are hungry and extremely talented as well.

As it stands I'd have..

1. Dublin

2. Kerry/Derry

Then about 5 or 6 teams like Mayo, Tyrone, Galway, Armagh and ourselves who could give anyone a good game on their day, but are a bit off those top 3 I mention above.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9551 - 20/03/2024 09:33:47    2532288

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yes Derry are going well, but for me, Dublin are clear favourites. I watched their game against Galway on Saturday and they were just in cruise control the whole way through. Eamonn Fitzmaurice made a comment before the match that he was looking forward to seeing how Dublin would do in a dirty, wet day in Salthill with its usual horrible swirling breeze. Answer: they went out and totally outfought Galway, kicking 0-22 in the process. Halfway through the second half when the game was as good as done they threw on McCaffrey, Basquel and Mannion. They still have Cluxton and James McCarthy to come back as well.

Everyone was waiting (hoping) for a dropoff in standards when the Brogans, Flynn, McAuley, Rock, Cooper, McMahon etc stepped away but the lads who have stepped up are hungry and extremely talented as well.

As it stands I'd have..

1. Dublin

2. Kerry/Derry

Then about 5 or 6 teams like Mayo, Tyrone, Galway, Armagh and ourselves who could give anyone a good game on their day, but are a bit off those top 3 I mention above."
Agree.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1197 - 20/03/2024 20:37:56    2532402

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yes Derry are going well, but for me, Dublin are clear favourites. I watched their game against Galway on Saturday and they were just in cruise control the whole way through. Eamonn Fitzmaurice made a comment before the match that he was looking forward to seeing how Dublin would do in a dirty, wet day in Salthill with its usual horrible swirling breeze. Answer: they went out and totally outfought Galway, kicking 0-22 in the process. Halfway through the second half when the game was as good as done they threw on McCaffrey, Basquel and Mannion. They still have Cluxton and James McCarthy to come back as well.

Everyone was waiting (hoping) for a dropoff in standards when the Brogans, Flynn, McAuley, Rock, Cooper, McMahon etc stepped away but the lads who have stepped up are hungry and extremely talented as well.

As it stands I'd have..

1. Dublin

2. Kerry/Derry

Then about 5 or 6 teams like Mayo, Tyrone, Galway, Armagh and ourselves who could give anyone a good game on their day, but are a bit off those top 3 I mention above."
Hi Lockjaw: will we get within 6pts of Derry in Celtic Park? They look to be flying with the big picture in mind.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 677 - 20/03/2024 23:23:07    2532418

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This would be my current ranking and logic for that ranking

Tier 1 - Dublin, Derry & Kerry - Likely serious All Ireland challengers

Tier 2 - Mayo, Tyrone, Galway - Potential All Ireland challengers, but not consistently firing on all cylinders at this point in the year.

Tier 3 - Armagh, Donegal, Monaghan, Roscommon - Armagh and Donegal look good in Division 2, while Monaghan and Roscommon struggling in Division 1, all of these sides have potential to move into the Tier 2 bracket come Championship.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1223 - 21/03/2024 09:26:18    2532445

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Replying To AudiMan:  "Hi Lockjaw: will we get within 6pts of Derry in Celtic Park? They look to be flying with the big picture in mind."
It's fair to say that we probably are a rung or two down the ladder yet from the level Derry are currently operating at. They are a slick outfit who are probably thinking now is their time. But in saying that, we are a lot fitter and playing with greater intensity than we were in 2023. Who knows, with a full deck and a fair wind we might trouble them. Donegal beating Derry in a Championship match wouldn't exactly be a massive shock, but understandably the bookies will rightly have Derry as strong favourites.

We were probably saying the same things to ourselves around this time in 2011....

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9551 - 21/03/2024 09:30:40    2532447

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Replying To Commodore:  "This would be my current ranking and logic for that ranking

Tier 1 - Dublin, Derry & Kerry - Likely serious All Ireland challengers

Tier 2 - Mayo, Tyrone, Galway - Potential All Ireland challengers, but not consistently firing on all cylinders at this point in the year.

Tier 3 - Armagh, Donegal, Monaghan, Roscommon - Armagh and Donegal look good in Division 2, while Monaghan and Roscommon struggling in Division 1, all of these sides have potential to move into the Tier 2 bracket come Championship."
I'm not sure if I fully agree with this.

I'd have Armagh and Donegal and possibly Monaghan if they get their act together in a tier above Roscommon.

The Rossies have done nothing in recent years to deserve to be in the same tier as the above.

I'd argue Cork have a higher ceiling than the Rossies but probably don't deserve to be ranked above them at this point despite beating them in championship last year.

Do Galway get too much respect? They had a great year in 2022 but were very slow and ponderous in their play last year.

Obviously cant judge them on this year given they are missing 7 or 8 of their best players and will be happy to stay up.

drumalee11 (USA) - Posts: 332 - 21/03/2024 09:53:53    2532449

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Replying To drumalee11:  "
Replying To Commodore:  "This would be my current ranking and logic for that ranking

Tier 1 - Dublin, Derry & Kerry - Likely serious All Ireland challengers

Tier 2 - Mayo, Tyrone, Galway - Potential All Ireland challengers, but not consistently firing on all cylinders at this point in the year.

Tier 3 - Armagh, Donegal, Monaghan, Roscommon - Armagh and Donegal look good in Division 2, while Monaghan and Roscommon struggling in Division 1, all of these sides have potential to move into the Tier 2 bracket come Championship."
I'm not sure if I fully agree with this.

I'd have Armagh and Donegal and possibly Monaghan if they get their act together in a tier above Roscommon.

The Rossies have done nothing in recent years to deserve to be in the same tier as the above.

I'd argue Cork have a higher ceiling than the Rossies but probably don't deserve to be ranked above them at this point despite beating them in championship last year.

Do Galway get too much respect? They had a great year in 2022 but were very slow and ponderous in their play last year.

Obviously cant judge them on this year given they are missing 7 or 8 of their best players and will be happy to stay up."
Galway have been hampered with injuries, at full strength they are a match for anyone and have already shown they can reach an All Ireland final. I would not write them off, they would pose a serious obstable for anyone in the All Ireland series if key players return and get fit.

Roscommon are a talented side, Enda Smith is a different level player, They just always seem to be lacking or fall short, but I think they have the potential to do serious damage if prepared right. They got caught badly by Cork last year, but I think a lot of factors went against them and if they played Cork repeatedly 10 x times, they probably would win 7 of them. I agree that Cork ceiling should be higher, but they just aren't producing it for some reason.

Armagh are probably in and around the Tier with Mayo, Tyrone and Galway, but this year they need to take the next step, need to win Ulster or scalp the big guns in Croke Park in All Ireland series to show they have progressed, The longer the march on without winning Championship silverware, I think it leads to them losing momentum.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1223 - 21/03/2024 13:36:50    2532490

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