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Donegal GAA thread

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The leagues are too big, huge gaps in quality in each Division as there is 13 or 14 clubs in each division. Too easy to stay up in Div1 or Div2 as a result which leads to dead rubbers and conceded games. Personally think we should change up the leagues to 8 teams leagues (play home and away) or have 5 divisions or 10 team leagues (home and away). St Eunans B and Naomh Conaill B teams (and any other clubs) should start there at lower divisions. The reserve leagues need to looked at, too many clubs in Div1 conceding games. The current Championship structure suits clubs with big panels, guarantees them a month to get boys a game and have all ready for QF's. Personally think we should go back to home/away/3rd game format. Would increase chances of upset and all games are real Championship games from get go. Crowds would likely be higher and interest locally.

KHL (Donegal) - Posts: 110 - 10/08/2024 10:40:47    2564508

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Replying To KHL:  "The leagues are too big, huge gaps in quality in each Division as there is 13 or 14 clubs in each division. Too easy to stay up in Div1 or Div2 as a result which leads to dead rubbers and conceded games. Personally think we should change up the leagues to 8 teams leagues (play home and away) or have 5 divisions or 10 team leagues (home and away). St Eunans B and Naomh Conaill B teams (and any other clubs) should start there at lower divisions. The reserve leagues need to looked at, too many clubs in Div1 conceding games. The current Championship structure suits clubs with big panels, guarantees them a month to get boys a game and have all ready for QF's. Personally think we should go back to home/away/3rd game format. Would increase chances of upset and all games are real Championship games from get go. Crowds would likely be higher and interest locally."
I wouldn't have a problem tightening up league. I don't think it would be fair on players to go away too much from current championship system. I actually think it's quite a clever concept.
If you went back to home and away and say st nauls draw naomh conaill and they'll be gone. Peader mogan, brendan mcole and maybe gavin mulreanny will play two competitive matches for their club in the year and that's just not fair. At least there's a minimum of 5 games in the current system.

With leagues going ahead without county players there is a set fixture with regular club players getting matches which I guess club players are happy about.
I suppose you could do a tyrone on it and only play three league games to end of June or to end of July if county team are going well. That's hardly encouraging for the regular club player to go so long without matches though.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 780 - 10/08/2024 11:32:56    2564519

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Kilcar fairly underachieved with their golden generation of players a few years ago..one championship, and a bore it was.."
Any word on their big transfer?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1003 - 10/08/2024 11:40:32    2564523

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Any word on their big transfer?"
Hope it doesn't happen. Small clubs have to survive too.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2553 - 10/08/2024 12:23:31    2564527

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I think it is a bit harsh saying kilcar under achieved with it's golden generation, as there were a lot of good sides involved when they had there golden generation, Glenswilly were a tough physical side with Neil Gallagher and Murphy along with others, very hard to beat. You had my own club Naomh conail who had a golden generation with outstanding footballers. And also Eunans. Kilcars biggest problem was they had some tidy wee footballers but always was missing a few big men that did the dirty work.
For a small parish, I have a lot of respect for them and the footballers they have produced. They will probably regret maybe not winning another title, but it's not as if they bottled it, there was 3-4 sides around that could win the title.
As regards the transfer, at the end of the day, if the player wants to go, I think he should be let go. It's not as if he has no connections to kilcar. I knows it tough on the club he is leaving, but sometimes you have to be the bigger man, wish the player luck and move on .

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 711 - 10/08/2024 21:40:13    2564551

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Replying To The keeper:  "I think it is a bit harsh saying kilcar under achieved with it's golden generation, as there were a lot of good sides involved when they had there golden generation, Glenswilly were a tough physical side with Neil Gallagher and Murphy along with others, very hard to beat. You had my own club Naomh conail who had a golden generation with outstanding footballers. And also Eunans. Kilcars biggest problem was they had some tidy wee footballers but always was missing a few big men that did the dirty work.
For a small parish, I have a lot of respect for them and the footballers they have produced. They will probably regret maybe not winning another title, but it's not as if they bottled it, there was 3-4 sides around that could win the title.
As regards the transfer, at the end of the day, if the player wants to go, I think he should be let go. It's not as if he has no connections to kilcar. I knows it tough on the club he is leaving, but sometimes you have to be the bigger man, wish the player luck and move on ."
Oh right. Martin Shovlin could've said the same thing & won a few senior championships with Killybegs in the early 90s. But he didn't.

Sure everyone has some connection with some other club. The can of worms being opened springs to mind.

That's the last I'll say about it.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9510 - 11/08/2024 11:14:14    2564581

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Thank god championship has started so we can talk about clubs now for a while, the main percentage of Gaa. Not to put down the county players but look a lot of them are missing the first 1/2 games of championship.

Took in 2 games at the weekend and both games that I went too were great. Ardara were close to mccools out they pulled away as expected. Dungloe had a good win as did Aodh ruadh.

First game - Eunans played a kilcar team -6/7 players and had a good win and I'd say will topple Glenties.

Second game- Four masters had a great win v Gweedore. First half masters started better and went 3 up, Gweedore panicked and went for goal on 2/3 times when point is on. Is it young players not taken correct option? Masters had same energy throughout the game and Gweedore missed a sitter by DOB first half could a changed game but masters going by taking Faulkner off the bench are dark horses.

Looking at GD, only had 19 players for the day. Where's this panel?

tickets (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 12/08/2024 00:46:20    2564681

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That's a fantastic result for Four Masters, quoted 6/1 with some bookies to win the game! Dungloe also had a great result away to Glenfin. I would imagine it will be between St Naul's and Cloghaneely for the relegation battle, hearing Brendan McCole needs surgery on his injury, massive loss for the club. Kealan Dunleavy, for Glenswilly, looks an impressive player, would like to see him involved with the county next season, in some capacity.

dgcrusader (Donegal) - Posts: 42 - 12/08/2024 11:05:21    2564721

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Replying To dgcrusader:  "That's a fantastic result for Four Masters, quoted 6/1 with some bookies to win the game! Dungloe also had a great result away to Glenfin. I would imagine it will be between St Naul's and Cloghaneely for the relegation battle, hearing Brendan McCole needs surgery on his injury, massive loss for the club. Kealan Dunleavy, for Glenswilly, looks an impressive player, would like to see him involved with the county next season, in some capacity."
Kealan Dunleavy definitely was a star performer at underage level, hopefully he can kick on to the next level. I recall him kicking a few incredible long range points.

I'd love to hear people's opinions on Four Masters. Can they put more big teams to the sword this summer? Could McCrea make the step up to a county panel. Senan Carr has already cut his teeth in the McKenna Cup, is there any possibility of him getting a run in the National League next spring?

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 699 - 12/08/2024 14:10:20    2564770

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Someone said Ardara were close to MacCumhaills, I wouldn't say that at all. MacCumhaills were by far the better team. Also saw Glenfin vs Dungloe, Glenfin were very poor, carried their league form into championship. Mad result for Four Masters, Gaoth Dobhair will hit back hard against Glenfin on Saturday night. St Eunans looked good, Kilcar were awful though and won't play as bad again. Hard to know where Glenswilly are at, as Nauls are a middling Div 2 team and were missing players. Naomh Conaill look the team to beat.
On a side note, a good few county men, who played against Galway, didn't play for their clubs. It seems the championship isn't even a priority now for a few, which might be harsh to say and they'd never admit it, but it's probably true.

ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 41 - 12/08/2024 14:55:31    2564776

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Replying To dgcrusader:  "That's a fantastic result for Four Masters, quoted 6/1 with some bookies to win the game! Dungloe also had a great result away to Glenfin. I would imagine it will be between St Naul's and Cloghaneely for the relegation battle, hearing Brendan McCole needs surgery on his injury, massive loss for the club. Kealan Dunleavy, for Glenswilly, looks an impressive player, would like to see him involved with the county next season, in some capacity."
Dunleavy along with Johnie McGroddy,Kieran Tobin and Jamie Grant were the standout players from that team that lost to Tyrone in extra time in Celtic Park.They were around the senior setup last year but none of them made the cut this year for whatever reason.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 12/08/2024 15:20:28    2564783

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Replying To ThroughTheGap:  "Someone said Ardara were close to MacCumhaills, I wouldn't say that at all. MacCumhaills were by far the better team. Also saw Glenfin vs Dungloe, Glenfin were very poor, carried their league form into championship. Mad result for Four Masters, Gaoth Dobhair will hit back hard against Glenfin on Saturday night. St Eunans looked good, Kilcar were awful though and won't play as bad again. Hard to know where Glenswilly are at, as Nauls are a middling Div 2 team and were missing players. Naomh Conaill look the team to beat.
On a side note, a good few county men, who played against Galway, didn't play for their clubs. It seems the championship isn't even a priority now for a few, which might be harsh to say and they'd never admit it, but it's probably true."
To be fair to the county players, they have been at full throttle since last October. One of our more prominent players even missed gave up his stag. Running through all sorts of inclement weather on winter nights when we were sat in front of the fire. If they need a few weeks off to recharge the batteries then who are we to question them. I'll look forward to seeing them in action when they do return.

What I would question more is the amount of injuries (non county players included) that clubs seem to be carrying. Kilcar and St. Nauls were missing 5 or 6 each as an example. With S&C all the rage now and being designed to prevent injury yet we seem to have more than ever. Can anyone more educated in this area explain that to me?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1003 - 12/08/2024 16:27:25    2564800

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Injuries to players both Club and County ,, simple answer to that question, too many out there not qualified acting as trainers and strength and conditioning coaches and indeed physios and gym owners with no qualificians giving out training programmes. Get fully qualified people to the job, might cost a few euroes more but worth it .

jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 447 - 12/08/2024 17:02:57    2564808

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Replying To NPadraigAbu:  "Wondering what the thoughts are surrounding our current league structure, especially from junior clubs. This might not be a popular opinion but I wonder would we benefit from bringing back Division 4 and adding the teams from the lower half of division 3 and perhaps St. Eunans B and Naomh Conaill B? There seems to be a real gap in quality between some clubs and it's not really helping anyone getting beaten by 10+ points week on week. Of course you could argue there should be an onus on these clubs to bridge the gap but I'm just wondering whats the general consensus?"
A proper review of our league structures meeting has been promised for September this year. This was to happen last year but didn't take place.

There were proposals from two clubs regarding the structures brought to County Committee last year as the term for the three division league had expired however these proposals never got debated as a delegate who had been prominent in the old executive put in a proposal that the three division league be retained.
On speaking to my club delegate to County Committee it appears this was a solo run by this delegate as the Killybegs club (his club) hadn't submitted a proposal at all.

I would have faith in the new executive to review the league format properly this year.

There is too big a gap in all the divisions but particularly in Div 2 and 3. If we continue to keep things as they are we will see some of the small clubs who are at the bottom of Div 3 fold and then there will crocodile tears from big clubs to say it's terrible. In reality the big clubs don't have a clue what struggles the smaller clubs have and that's fair enough but they need to listen to the view of smaller clubs when these types of decisions are being made.

Teams have to be playing at a competitive level to retain players and this is going to be more important than ever next year when soccer moves to a summer season.

Whateveryourhavingyourself (Donegal) - Posts: 56 - 12/08/2024 17:36:43    2564818

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "To be fair to the county players, they have been at full throttle since last October. One of our more prominent players even missed gave up his stag. Running through all sorts of inclement weather on winter nights when we were sat in front of the fire. If they need a few weeks off to recharge the batteries then who are we to question them. I'll look forward to seeing them in action when they do return.

What I would question more is the amount of injuries (non county players included) that clubs seem to be carrying. Kilcar and St. Nauls were missing 5 or 6 each as an example. With S&C all the rage now and being designed to prevent injury yet we seem to have more than ever. Can anyone more educated in this area explain that to me?"
I'm not saying that they don't deserve a break. But if we accept that they are always going to use the first 2 rounds of the championship to take holidays, honeymoons, rest, etc., are we then happy to accept that we will only see some county men play 2 or 3 times for their club?

ThroughTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 41 - 12/08/2024 17:37:23    2564819

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Just looking at the fixtures for next weekend for round 2 of the championship.
I notice that Milford, Fanad and Downings all are down to play on Saturday evening with Milford and Downings at home and Fanad away.
Also Gaothdobhair, Dungloe and Naomh Mhuire are all down to play at home on Saturday evening with similar throw-in times also. Can the fixtures not be staggered a bit more to allow people to attend more games. There doesn't seem to me much thought put into our fixtures compared to our neighbouring counties. I am sure the clubs would prefer their games on at different times to neighbouring clubs where possible to help with attendances.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 747 - 12/08/2024 18:10:08    2564825

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "A proper review of our league structures meeting has been promised for September this year. This was to happen last year but didn't take place.

There were proposals from two clubs regarding the structures brought to County Committee last year as the term for the three division league had expired however these proposals never got debated as a delegate who had been prominent in the old executive put in a proposal that the three division league be retained.
On speaking to my club delegate to County Committee it appears this was a solo run by this delegate as the Killybegs club (his club) hadn't submitted a proposal at all.

I would have faith in the new executive to review the league format properly this year.

There is too big a gap in all the divisions but particularly in Div 2 and 3. If we continue to keep things as they are we will see some of the small clubs who are at the bottom of Div 3 fold and then there will crocodile tears from big clubs to say it's terrible. In reality the big clubs don't have a clue what struggles the smaller clubs have and that's fair enough but they need to listen to the view of smaller clubs when these types of decisions are being made.

Teams have to be playing at a competitive level to retain players and this is going to be more important than ever next year when soccer moves to a summer season."
Very much needed. I think most leagues and championships need to be reviewed regularly and make changes for the betterment of Donegal football if needed.
I think our senior championship needs to go to 12 teams.
16 teams in intermediate which would be a very competitive championship.
The rest in junior and include St.Eunans and Naomh Conaill and possibly MacCumhaills 2nd teams in this championship as well.

Also 2 teams up and 2 teams down from senior to intermediate and intermediate to junior would be positive also.

As far as the leagues go, i am not sure what is best here but a review would be healthy. I just think the nature of league football, change is good every few years.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 747 - 12/08/2024 18:50:40    2564831

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Replying To Whateveryourhavingyourself:  "A proper review of our league structures meeting has been promised for September this year. This was to happen last year but didn't take place.

There were proposals from two clubs regarding the structures brought to County Committee last year as the term for the three division league had expired however these proposals never got debated as a delegate who had been prominent in the old executive put in a proposal that the three division league be retained.
On speaking to my club delegate to County Committee it appears this was a solo run by this delegate as the Killybegs club (his club) hadn't submitted a proposal at all.

I would have faith in the new executive to review the league format properly this year.

There is too big a gap in all the divisions but particularly in Div 2 and 3. If we continue to keep things as they are we will see some of the small clubs who are at the bottom of Div 3 fold and then there will crocodile tears from big clubs to say it's terrible. In reality the big clubs don't have a clue what struggles the smaller clubs have and that's fair enough but they need to listen to the view of smaller clubs when these types of decisions are being made.

Teams have to be playing at a competitive level to retain players and this is going to be more important than ever next year when soccer moves to a summer season."
Very much needed. I think most leagues and championships need to be reviewed regularly and make changes for the betterment of Donegal football if needed.
I think our senior championship needs to go to 12 teams.
16 teams in intermediate which would be a very competitive championship.
The rest in junior and include St.Eunans and Naomh Conaill and possibly MacCumhaills 2nd teams in this championship as well.

Also 2 teams up and 2 teams down from senior to intermediate and intermediate to junior would be positive also.

As far as the leagues go, i am not sure what is best here but a review would be healthy. I just think the nature of league football, change is good every few years.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 747 - 12/08/2024 18:52:27    2564832

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Also fair play to Na Rossa on a great victory vs Naomh Mhuire

tickets (Donegal) - Posts: 103 - 12/08/2024 22:02:27    2564843

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Got to a few games at the weekend. What a result for four masters. Standard quite high in all the games player wise which is a u turn from 12 months ago.

Jimsam12 (Donegal) - Posts: 18 - 13/08/2024 07:39:59    2564862

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