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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To rorysboys:  "This Donegal team didn't just appear overnight, it was through hard work at underage level . Bonner Barrett and Rory Gallagher were much involved in there progression. Would caolan mc gonagle. Caolan mc Colgan ,be where they are today only for there underage managers I could add Brendan mc Cole plus many more.. not forgetting Shaun Patton who nobody seem to know about.."
You said months ago we hadn't got the players? Now your saying we had the players all along, make up your mind. It has taken a proper manager to get them fit properly in the first place and with a proper game plan mould them into a structured team.
Moving Caolan Mc Gonagle to number 6 has been a masterstroke as it has galvanised the backline completely.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 350 - 26/06/2024 12:58:47    2554950

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Eoin was an important player in the years of 15/16/17 but seemed to drift away after that. I agree he looked go in the Comortas but yiu have to appreciate the standard at that is along way off intercounty.

His club mate Stephen McBrearty (Paddy's brother) also preformed very well down in Cork.

I can never understand how he never made a proper impact at senior inter County. Such a natural footballer."
Eoin walked away from the county panel himself and Stephen has never been consistant enough to make an impact at county level.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 350 - 26/06/2024 13:01:47    2554951

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Replying To CCFabu:  "Declan brought so much to Donegal after the negativity under RG and he deserves huge credit for his work in bringing through so many of the young lads. I felt he was incredibly unlucky with the COVID years and how championship format changed, and those stupid Super8s. However things definitely went stale and it was the right time for him to go.

A legend of Donegal football and that's that. We move on and we should all be happy with what Declan brought to the county and that Jim is now bringing us on to the next step (hopefully).

looking forward to the weekend."
Declan did a fine job, 2 Ulster titles and those days are always good days. Always will be. But it went backwards after the 2020 Cavan game. In 2021, probably unlucky with the Covid knockout championship game V Tyrone. 2022, too conservative in the Ulster final and paid the price. Too lateral, not creative enough in attack. Thereafter it was end game. The Carr debacle, nice man but a disaster of a situation. That was on the County Board.

So it's a breath of fresh air again. This weekend will hopefully be positive and then we can try and go for an All Ireland final. Who on earth thought we could be talking about that possibility again last summer?

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1363 - 26/06/2024 13:05:02    2554952

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Calm down lad it's only my opinion. If you don't like it, it doesn't bother me but you must agree with me that it's a bit easier making a quarter final now than when bonner and Gallagher were involved. Come back to me when Sam's in the hills . Enjoy Sunday we're all Donegal fans whether you agree with me or not."
We were straight into a qf if we hadn't held ball in normal time in 2022 v derry and straight into a semi in 2020 and couldn't get past a bad cavan team who beat us well on the day, yeah it's alot easier now...

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 960 - 26/06/2024 13:38:06    2554964

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Replying To CCFabu:  "Declan brought so much to Donegal after the negativity under RG and he deserves huge credit for his work in bringing through so many of the young lads. I felt he was incredibly unlucky with the COVID years and how championship format changed, and those stupid Super8s. However things definitely went stale and it was the right time for him to go.

A legend of Donegal football and that's that. We move on and we should all be happy with what Declan brought to the county and that Jim is now bringing us on to the next step (hopefully).

looking forward to the weekend."
Absolutely. The first 2 years under Declan were fantastic, and he was certainly hamstrung by the Super8 format. The draw with Kerry in Croke Park was up there with one of the best displays I ever witnessed. The week after against Mayo was just a clusterxxxx.

I felt we regressed when Rochford was brought to the table. And I would love the opportunity to ask the question directly, was he a Declan appointment or a County Board appointment. Some day.

The 2020 Covid Championship also was one that was an opportunity missed.

Declan was and will always be a Donegal great.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 623 - 26/06/2024 13:50:02    2554966

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "You said months ago we hadn't got the players? Now your saying we had the players all along, make up your mind. It has taken a proper manager to get them fit properly in the first place and with a proper game plan mould them into a structured team.
Moving Caolan Mc Gonagle to number 6 has been a masterstroke as it has galvanised the backline completely."
I said it all along prove it in croke park against the dublins and Kerry . That's when you know if the players have it. Until then nothing has been proven. Surely that's not too hard to understand.. as I said before take Sam back to the hills and then you can say I was wrong

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2493 - 26/06/2024 13:55:32    2554969

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Eoin was a far better defender than he was attacker. He was excellent. Name me a forward who got the better of him.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1157 - 26/06/2024 14:05:16    2554970

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Calm down lad it's only my opinion. If you don't like it, it doesn't bother me but you must agree with me that it's a bit easier making a quarter final now than when bonner and Gallagher were involved. Come back to me when Sam's in the hills . Enjoy Sunday we're all Donegal fans whether you agree with me or not."
I don't agree at all that it's easier now to make a 1/4 final than under the previous regimes. The Covid years are the only 2 seasons where there is an excuse and a valid one with straight knockout. Otherwise, no. We have played 6 games to get to this 1/4 final. The Super 8 was a similar system. We couldn't get the combination of results required in those years to progress so it's ultimately a failure compared to this season. I don't like either system but they are what they are, favourable to strong counties in weak provinces. Yeah look we are all flying the one flag this weekend and while we may differ, I am sure we all want success for Donegal. It's all that has ever underpinned any view I've made here. Fingers crossed a very good season becomes even better.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1363 - 26/06/2024 15:35:21    2554987

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "I don't agree at all that it's easier now to make a 1/4 final than under the previous regimes. The Covid years are the only 2 seasons where there is an excuse and a valid one with straight knockout. Otherwise, no. We have played 6 games to get to this 1/4 final. The Super 8 was a similar system. We couldn't get the combination of results required in those years to progress so it's ultimately a failure compared to this season. I don't like either system but they are what they are, favourable to strong counties in weak provinces. Yeah look we are all flying the one flag this weekend and while we may differ, I am sure we all want success for Donegal. It's all that has ever underpinned any view I've made here. Fingers crossed a very good season becomes even better."
Agree but in the super 8 was it not the top 2 that qualified. We beat Meath drew with Kerry lost to mayo which meant we didn't qualify. No prelim quarters I think them years.. it doesn't really matter just getting my point across..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2493 - 26/06/2024 15:55:25    2554994

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Absolutely. The first 2 years under Declan were fantastic, and he was certainly hamstrung by the Super8 format. The draw with Kerry in Croke Park was up there with one of the best displays I ever witnessed. The week after against Mayo was just a clusterxxxx.

I felt we regressed when Rochford was brought to the table. And I would love the opportunity to ask the question directly, was he a Declan appointment or a County Board appointment. Some day.

The 2020 Covid Championship also was one that was an opportunity missed.

Declan was and will always be a Donegal great."
absolutely 100% agree on Rochford but you'd be shot for suggesting it back during those years to be honest

the 2020 final is the big regret but I think in other years with the backdoor or second chances, in both 2020 and 2021 Declan would have gotten us to a semi-final at the minimum in my opinion. 2021 I thought we battled so well against Tyrone in tough circumstances and then the year was over.

but it is what it is, things went extremely stale and negative after that, I was really disappointed with the showing in 2022. But I'll always be thankful for Declan after the RG years. But like I said, we move on and isn't it great we're all buzzing about the team after a rough couple years on and off the pitch.

CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 118 - 26/06/2024 18:08:51    2555016

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Replying To TheRock2121:  "Eoin was a far better defender than he was attacker. He was excellent. Name me a forward who got the better of him."
Every forward , he's not good enough. End of.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 17 - 26/06/2024 18:32:28    2555021

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Replying To CCFabu:  "absolutely 100% agree on Rochford but you'd be shot for suggesting it back during those years to be honest

the 2020 final is the big regret but I think in other years with the backdoor or second chances, in both 2020 and 2021 Declan would have gotten us to a semi-final at the minimum in my opinion. 2021 I thought we battled so well against Tyrone in tough circumstances and then the year was over.

but it is what it is, things went extremely stale and negative after that, I was really disappointed with the showing in 2022. But I'll always be thankful for Declan after the RG years. But like I said, we move on and isn't it great we're all buzzing about the team after a rough couple years on and off the pitch."
Very good post nice to see that there's a few knowledgeable posters about.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2493 - 26/06/2024 20:34:02    2555040

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Absolutely. The first 2 years under Declan were fantastic, and he was certainly hamstrung by the Super8 format. The draw with Kerry in Croke Park was up there with one of the best displays I ever witnessed. The week after against Mayo was just a clusterxxxx.

I felt we regressed when Rochford was brought to the table. And I would love the opportunity to ask the question directly, was he a Declan appointment or a County Board appointment. Some day.

The 2020 Covid Championship also was one that was an opportunity missed.

Declan was and will always be a Donegal great."
No doubting Declan Bonner is a Donegal great, that doesn't make him a great manager though,
maybe we'll find out the inside story on the Rochford appointment in a book someday,
there are not many managers at McGuinness's level and it's unfair to judge anyone against him in fairness.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2870 - 26/06/2024 21:17:42    2555043

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I said it all along prove it in croke park against the dublins and Kerry . That's when you know if the players have it. Until then nothing has been proven. Surely that's not too hard to understand.. as I said before take Sam back to the hills and then you can say I was wrong"
Your a hard man to please. Prove it in Croke Park against any decent teams because since 2012 our record in Croke Park is poor the odd time we got there.
The improvement in the months since Jim took the helm has been unbelievable. I don't know how far we can go or what our ceiling is but for the first time in years I am optimistic again.
We are also good to watch which is another positive from previous managers where the players are allowed to express themselves in a positive way.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 350 - 26/06/2024 21:44:09    2555045

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Replying To SouthOfTheGap:  "Absolutely. The first 2 years under Declan were fantastic, and he was certainly hamstrung by the Super8 format. The draw with Kerry in Croke Park was up there with one of the best displays I ever witnessed. The week after against Mayo was just a clusterxxxx.

I felt we regressed when Rochford was brought to the table. And I would love the opportunity to ask the question directly, was he a Declan appointment or a County Board appointment. Some day.

The 2020 Covid Championship also was one that was an opportunity missed.

Declan was and will always be a Donegal great."
I would agree with you. Rochford was a huge disappointment and did nothing to improve the team.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 350 - 26/06/2024 21:46:49    2555047

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Declan did great things for Donegal football and transformed us from a one dimensional defensive team into a serious attacking force. Things went against him but a lot of what's good with our current team is thanks to him.

On to our next game, what team would people pick if everyone is fit? I think Ban and Moore start in the corners, Curran drops to the bench, and Conor O'Donnel comes on in the second half maybe for O'Baoill. C.O.D will be pushing for starting spot though.

Will be interesting to see if Moore goes to midfield again if McGee isn't fit. I would have thought Thompson would have been the obvious choice but by all accounts Moore was comfortable there.

High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 83 - 26/06/2024 22:39:56    2555057

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Just concentrating on the match at the weekend.

Louth were there or thereabouts with the most well set up teams, I've often seen teams show up in ballyshannon and that's about it. Louth showed up and meant business. They conceded all kickouts to the near the end of the game and were hard broken down. Donegal made a lot of unforced errors and turned the ball over too much that day. The unforced errors cost us dearly in cork so they will want to eradicate that
The goal we got that day was a lucky one and important to help keep the daylight between the teams.

Louth will surely be better than against cork were they did the luck that sometimes you need. I thought after the goal they went defensive too soon and allowed cork come on to them. Mulroy was not great the last day either though he did plenty damage to us in ballyshannon. Hopefully we'll curtail him ok.

I really hope donegal come our with their chests out and put their best foot forward. They have had the two weeks off and hopefully preparation has went well. And fingers crossed our injuries are at a minimum.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 735 - 26/06/2024 22:55:06    2555060

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "Declan did great things for Donegal football and transformed us from a one dimensional defensive team into a serious attacking force. Things went against him but a lot of what's good with our current team is thanks to him.

On to our next game, what team would people pick if everyone is fit? I think Ban and Moore start in the corners, Curran drops to the bench, and Conor O'Donnel comes on in the second half maybe for O'Baoill. C.O.D will be pushing for starting spot though.

Will be interesting to see if Moore goes to midfield again if McGee isn't fit. I would have thought Thompson would have been the obvious choice but by all accounts Moore was comfortable there."
Moore did well in castlebar though clare were without their best midfielder. He's taller than you might think and his running should suit croke park. Assuming mcgee is out i think moore will start at midfield. As I mentioned in my previous post just now Louth completely conceded the kick out in ballyshannon and if they do that the midfield battle might not be as important as other matches.

If conor o'donnell was fully fit I think mcguinness would start him but it's unlikely he's there yet. And having him come off the bench should add a scoring threat. Ban hasn't really got back to his best and hopefully that's just game time that's needed.
I guess Curran will start at corner back if moore is at midfield. He didn't see the second half against clare but presumably donegal were thinking if score difference.
He'll probably go with obaoill though not 100% sure on that.
Niall o'donnell scores well in croke park and he's been quiet enough on the scoring front for the last few games and hopefully he'll go well. Farrah has also scored some lovely points there and hopefully we might get to see his best as well. Though louth might make that very hard to clogging the space.

Also hoping there will be a big crowd and a good atmosphere. I think louth will bring a decent crowd.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 735 - 26/06/2024 23:19:59    2555065

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Replying To High_and_wide:  "Declan did great things for Donegal football and transformed us from a one dimensional defensive team into a serious attacking force. Things went against him but a lot of what's good with our current team is thanks to him.

On to our next game, what team would people pick if everyone is fit? I think Ban and Moore start in the corners, Curran drops to the bench, and Conor O'Donnel comes on in the second half maybe for O'Baoill. C.O.D will be pushing for starting spot though.

Will be interesting to see if Moore goes to midfield again if McGee isn't fit. I would have thought Thompson would have been the obvious choice but by all accounts Moore was comfortable there."
I'd imagine that Langan will pick up Tommy Durnin. He's the taller and the more mobile of the Louth midfield. He's not a bad player, but nothing spectacular. Their other midfielder is 37 year old Bevan Duffy. He is strong wily character, having played rugby with Leinster in his younger days. His role is usually to hold the middle, and only make an odd foray forward. If Jason is fit he will be way too good for him. If not, Ciaran Moore would kill him for speed, but would struggle with his strength. Ciaran Thompson, with his huge experince could be best suited to him.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 623 - 26/06/2024 23:25:24    2555068

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Replying To rorysboys:  "I said it all along prove it in croke park against the dublins and Kerry . That's when you know if the players have it. Until then nothing has been proven. Surely that's not too hard to understand.. as I said before take Sam back to the hills and then you can say I was wrong"
Hopefully Jim can bring us up against the likes of Kerry or Dublin in the All Ireland Semi final. It's been a long time since we played the likes in croke park in an all Ireland knockout game. Have we played them since 2014 when Jim was last in charge?

We can't take our eyes off the Louth game on Sunday anyway. We know from experience when Bonner looked past Cavan what happened. I'm sure Jim and the lads won't be taking anything for granted though.

FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 238 - 26/06/2024 23:26:57    2555069

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