National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


What sort of predictions do we have for the league finals and promotion/relegation playoffs this weekend? I'm not sure just how much involvement the county lads will have this weekend so I'll tentatively pick:
Div. 1 champions: Naomh Conaill
Div. 1/2 promotion/relegation: Termon
Div. 2 champions: Four Masters
Div. 2/3 promotion/relegation: Cloughaneely
Div. 3 champions: St Mary's Convoy

NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 74 - 18/07/2024 17:39:53    2559960

Link

Replying To chancer:  "What is infatuation with retiring players who are just scraping 30....? Look at the like of Paul Conroy for God's sake....Chrissy McKaigue, Fitzsimons, McCarthy and plenty others in their mid 30's ..
Any quality player who still feels they have the desire to play is always welcome in my book . We have lost enough great players too soon....."
How is a general question an infatuation?
Did you even read my actual comment?
Paddy was heavily rumored to have had one foot out the door until Jim came back.
Ryan took a full year out.
They are 31 and 30 respectively and have played a lot of games over the last 10/11 years.
Murphy was only 32 when he stepped away
I hope they all stay well into their 30s but its a possibility. Jesus....

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 18/07/2024 19:43:40    2559971

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yes and there's also the invaluable experience they can impart to younger panel members as well, the standards that need to be set and maintained etc

I have the utmost respect for Michael Murphy, for everything that he has given, and for his decision to step away......
But......

We were/are so close. Could he be tempted for one last hurrah? Use him sparingly during the league. There's no point in saying save him for Championship, because as he said himself, if he's in he's in. Play him at FF. He may not be the force of old but his presence so close to goal would still spook opposition full back lines and allow the likes of Gallen, O'Donnell and Paddy a wee bit more room to operate in?

People might disagree and say just leave him be. And to be honest I can agree with that viewpoint as well. But when there is a genuine chance of an All Ireland, what a way to cap off an already magnificent Donegal career? If it doesn't work out so be it. But my take on life is, don't die wondering."
There is literally no chance that 35 year old Murphy will come back with 2 seasons out.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 67 - 18/07/2024 19:45:08    2559972

Link

Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "There is literally no chance that 35 year old Murphy will come back with 2 seasons out."
Finally someone talking a bit of sense

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 546 - 19/07/2024 08:41:38    2560007

Link

Replying To greenfan:  "Finally someone talking a bit of sense"
Murphy gone unfortunately ,time to look to the future. Is there a big target man out there which I feel we need, great to have an option of getting early ball in now and again. We need to mix it.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 19/07/2024 09:57:52    2560018

Link

On a side note, I see we've just gone past 10,000 posts. I know we don't all agree, but sure that's what a forum is all about.
Good luck to all teams participating in the various league finals and promotion/relegation playoffs.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9432 - 19/07/2024 10:56:59    2560031

Link

Just a question. Are the two lads from Convoy who played with London in championship this year able to transfer back and play Junior A Championship here.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 48 - 19/07/2024 12:02:39    2560045

Link

Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "I know people in here are now focusing on club championship, but i was wondering, are there any realistic players not involved with Donegal that you think should be in the squad next year?

I personally think Ultan Doherty should be involved.
He is young, strong, fast and a real proper old school defender, people in here say we need more defenders like that, so maybe we should take a look?
Kieran Gallagher is also another big fella who should be in or around county but I think he's abroad?


I would think Luke McGlynn will only get better and bulk up in the off season, he is at a good club in Glenfin to develop and comes from a great footballing family.
Hopefully he gets more of a chance next year.

Glenswilly are known to be a big man team, so is there anyone there that could help us out in Midfield or Attack?
We have some big men already but I feel we are a little short when it comes to comparison to the other teams in the hunt for Sam.
Maybe that young Marley fella they have?

(I have been away from Ireland for 5 years so I am not as up to date with the club scene back home apart from my own club)"
I doubt there's many diamonds in the rough about. It will likely be more about developing player already involved. Moore did kind of come a little from nowhere but that's quite unusual though he did play underage for Donegal.

With donegal in division 1 there's actually more room to experiment and give squad players a chance to stake a claim. Even if Donegal get relegated next year it doesn't impact championship. Donegal couldn't afford to mess about in division 2 this year.

Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde and Rory O'Donnell have both height. I'd imagine oisin caulfield and Luke mcglynn will see some more game time. And maybe Ronan Gallagher. He had played soccer underage and did well with downings last year and was on the panel this year.

Mcguinness mentions regularly about bringing through the best minor each year. With rules prohibiting an under 18 player playing he could not use roarty. He will get a chance next year as well. I'm not sure about the four masters young players. They might be a bit young. It will be interesting to see how they get on in the championship this year. And be interested to see how mccumhaills do this year too and probably glenswilly too.

Also it's not too late for some of the more established players who didn't play much this year to find form for next year.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 772 - 19/07/2024 13:03:22    2560059

Link

Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "Just a question. Are the two lads from Convoy who played with London in championship this year able to transfer back and play Junior A Championship here."
As long as long as they haven't played championship over there before the come back they are OK.

Will Daniel Clarke be returning for Newton?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 958 - 19/07/2024 14:04:30    2560072

Link

On a related note, does anyone know the right process to follow if a child wants to transfer clubs within the county?
Already registered with Club A, but have moved to an area and go to school in Club B. Wants to play GAA with his school buddies.

On the foireann website it says that "The GAA rulebook does not currently permit player transfer requests within a county to be handled in Foireann"

Can the child simply register with the new club by becoming a new member? Or is there some admin work that needs to be completed between the two club secretaries?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9432 - 19/07/2024 15:02:48    2560085

Link

Replying To Lockjaw:  "On a related note, does anyone know the right process to follow if a child wants to transfer clubs within the county?
Already registered with Club A, but have moved to an area and go to school in Club B. Wants to play GAA with his school buddies.

On the foireann website it says that "The GAA rulebook does not currently permit player transfer requests within a county to be handled in Foireann"

Can the child simply register with the new club by becoming a new member? Or is there some admin work that needs to be completed between the two club secretaries?"
My understanding, and I'm open to correction, is that if the child hasn't played competitive football with Club A, he can move to Club B, as long as he has a tie to Club B. And to define competitive football, this is U12 Championship.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 673 - 19/07/2024 17:26:01    2560104

Link

Replying To peiledoir20:  "As long as long as they haven't played championship over there before the come back they are OK.

Will Daniel Clarke be returning for Newton?"
Was that rule not changed since last year. Not sure what the position is with Daniel this year.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 48 - 20/07/2024 00:07:54    2560133

Link

Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "Was that rule not changed since last year. Not sure what the position is with Daniel this year."
Don't think it has changed but the London clubs are probably making sure that they don't lose players for cship. After all c ship is what it's about these players are well looked after over there and although they would like to play for there home club I would say with work and a long winter coming up thell be very few coming back.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2536 - 20/07/2024 11:29:35    2560155

Link

Division 1 league Final was a breeze for a depleted N.Connaill.

Championship Favorites in this order? 2 Horse race?

1. Naomh Connaill
2. St Eunan's
3. Gweedore
4. McChumhaills
5. Kilcar

LeftfootRightfoot (Donegal) - Posts: 1 - 22/07/2024 12:33:37    2560574

Link

Replying To LeftfootRightfoot:  "Division 1 league Final was a breeze for a depleted N.Connaill.

Championship Favorites in this order? 2 Horse race?

1. Naomh Connaill
2. St Eunan's
3. Gweedore
4. McChumhaills
5. Kilcar"
I think Kilcar might feel they should be in position 3.
Naomh Conaill will be very hard to stop in my opinion. They are just so well set up and comfortable in what they're doing. Young Roarty looks like a serious prospect and they still have the experience of Brick, Leo, Tony etc to call on.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9432 - 22/07/2024 13:44:53    2560606

Link

Replying To LeftfootRightfoot:  "Division 1 league Final was a breeze for a depleted N.Connaill.

Championship Favorites in this order? 2 Horse race?

1. Naomh Connaill
2. St Eunan's
3. Gweedore
4. McChumhaills
5. Kilcar"
unfortunately it looks like it's a one-horse race at this stage. Hopefully its not, would be good to have a really competitive championship

greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 546 - 22/07/2024 14:08:42    2560624

Link

Gweedore In 5th. Kilcar and Mc Cuhaills are ahead of them.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1183 - 22/07/2024 15:00:00    2560656

Link

Be surprised if it was anyone other than Naomi conail or st eunans win it. Very little between both sides, the last few years the games against them are tight affairs.
I would read nothing into league football, both gweedore and Naomi conail were missing players.
Agree about roarty, looks the part, has speed and aggression and very composed on the ball.
Only hope for other sides is if both teams meet before final and kilcar or another team get the easier side of the draw and catches them out in the final.
But in saying that a lot can happen in a few weeks, injuries and so on.
Hopefully it's my beloved Naomh conail doing the 3 in a row.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 705 - 22/07/2024 18:40:44    2560746

Link

Gweedore had three goal chances in the first 20 minutes but couldn't take them. That comes down to experience. They got Glenties three times on long kick outs and a counter attack but couldn't find the net.

Keepers positioning for the first goal was bad . Point effort dropped over his head and in at the back post. Looking through the Gweedore team I think the oldest starter was Kieran Gillespie who was a minor in 2014. Might take them another year or two the get over the line.

Glenties had serious game management and knew what and when to turn it on. Serious credit to them. 4/5 county lads started the game. I know Ciaran, Leo and Anthony were missing. Who else was missing for them that will start?

Glenties wont be stopped.

tickets (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 22/07/2024 22:13:54    2560777

Link

Replying To tickets:  "Gweedore had three goal chances in the first 20 minutes but couldn't take them. That comes down to experience. They got Glenties three times on long kick outs and a counter attack but couldn't find the net.

Keepers positioning for the first goal was bad . Point effort dropped over his head and in at the back post. Looking through the Gweedore team I think the oldest starter was Kieran Gillespie who was a minor in 2014. Might take them another year or two the get over the line.

Glenties had serious game management and knew what and when to turn it on. Serious credit to them. 4/5 county lads started the game. I know Ciaran, Leo and Anthony were missing. Who else was missing for them that will start?

Glenties wont be stopped."
That's true. Gaoth Dobhair definitely butchered a couple of very good opportunities for goals in the first half. Any team with ambitions of beating Naomh Conaill need to be absolutley clinical with chances like those. It was a double whammy for them when McDyre's goal went in at the other end. So instead of maybe establishing a 5 or 6 point lead, they found themselves 5 points down. And against a seasoned team like Naomh Conaill, it was always going to be an uphill struggle from there.

A lot would depend on injuries, emigration and lads returning home, but I think Gaoth Dobhair could be very strong in a few years time as well. You could have a core of experienced lads like O'Baoíll, McFadden-Ferry, Carroll, Mulligan, Gillespie, Harkin etc and the successful u21 crop, plus they had six county minors this year who will hopefully continue to develop. A lot can change though so it's no guarantee.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9432 - 23/07/2024 09:10:25    2560810

Link