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Donegal GAA thread

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The draw that nobody wanted, another all ulster clash. Its probably the hardest draw as well, Armagh were excellent against Tyrone. I felt they were really up for the game yesterday and played more direct than they did in Ballybofey. I find it hard to be confident about this game unless we can be more positive in our game plan. We feel like a punch drunk boxer waiting for the final blow to come.

I really hope this game isn't in Clones, would prefer Breffni or Omagh. I can't see that many Donegal supporters going, we will be really outnumbered. If the game was in Omagh then we might get a decent support.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1873 - 06/06/2022 11:13:12    2422704

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Replying To JoeSoap:  "Bloody Armagh... sick to the back teeth of facing Ulster teams at this point. Would have much preferred Mayo.

It will probably be in Clones won't it? Or maybe Enniskillen"
Double header in Croke Park with Kildare/Mayo?

jimski (Kildare) - Posts: 381 - 06/06/2022 11:25:21    2422715

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Replying To FoolsGold:  "I seen a score from a Club game in Donegal today. Letterkenny 1-1 to Kilcar 1-4. Thats desperate. Slow hand passing no doubt ,with packed defence.

A good summers day should be high scoring."
There's lies the problem. People who gave out about the county playing defensive, don't seem to mind to go and watch there club playing it. If players are playing like that for there club what chance have we of them going attack minded for the county. Club football is a mess in Donegal.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2391 - 06/06/2022 11:25:36    2422716

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "It's the draw neither team wanted and find the inconsistency of the draw frustrating with repeats to be avoided next week. The last neutral championship match was Cavan which is a little out of the way but is the best stadium. I'd rather it than clones. Healy park would be best from distance point if view. It's not a huge venue but just can't see many going from Donegal so capacity would be fine. When all is said and done it'll end up being clones!"
With our support base in recent times, and in light of Armagh Bandwagon being back up and running, we are going to be badly outnumbered this weekend no matter where its played.

Although saying that, Armagh brought a massive crowd to Ballybofey, but thankfully we never gave them the opportunity to get their roar going. Hopefully it'll be the same this weekend.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 583 - 06/06/2022 11:25:42    2422717

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A lot of vibes going around that the momentum is with Armagh. The way I see it, we have a week longer to rest the bodies than they do. We have beaten them already. We have a point to prove no more than they did yesterday and we haven't become poor after one defeat. If the players have regrouped and got their heads right and we tweak certain things for this game, no reason we can't win. We are nervous and doubtful I suppose which is understandable but this is no mission impossible.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1319 - 06/06/2022 12:17:59    2422737

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "A lot of vibes going around that the momentum is with Armagh. The way I see it, we have a week longer to rest the bodies than they do. We have beaten them already. We have a point to prove no more than they did yesterday and we haven't become poor after one defeat. If the players have regrouped and got their heads right and we tweak certain things for this game, no reason we can't win. We are nervous and doubtful I suppose which is understandable but this is no mission impossible."
Armagh ran out comfortable winners against Tyrone, I was really impressed by how they played, especially their direct runs through the middle and particularly their keeper Ethan Rafferty running the length of the pitch and scoring. The big question is really how much of it was due to Tyrone being really poor or Armagh stepping it up a notch? I felt it was a bit of both, Tyrone looked off the boil for long periods and Armagh looked to have improved and looked more powerful than Tyrone.

As for Donegal, we had most of our attack and midfield returning from Injury at the of the National League, many of whom I thought would be lacking match fitness against Armagh in Ballybofey. We did just enough to beat Armagh, we laboured past Cavan and in fairness we ran Derry to the wire and could have very well won that match in normal time.

Donegal's main issue is No 6 position, we have Eoghan Ban Gallagher at No 5 and Odhran McFadden Ferry is looking lively at No 7, although neither really adding points to the board very often. However No 6 is a crucial position we just don't seem to have settled on. We need somebody with power, pace and who can take scores when needed, I think the rest of the team is actually taking shape. We may need to think outside of the box for No 6, adapt a player to it perhaps.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 06/06/2022 13:23:22    2422762

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Clones 4pm on a Sunday... what a trek for Donegal supporters again. Any hope had of a decent turnout taking a severe dent with that venue

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 06/06/2022 13:31:31    2422767

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Replying To rorysboys:  "When you write a post an hour after an Ulster final it's pretty obvious you weren't there. I already questioned the keeper on it and he never denied it. Any more questions"
There are plenty of reasons why people dont go to games, work, family, cost. I simply have very little free time compared to when i was younger, i never missed a game.
Does that mean i am not a real supporter? Then so be it. I watch the games live on tv, or record them.
I played the game and followed it my entire life, so i think i am entitled to an opinion.
I would have loved Bonner to be successful and built Donegal into a force to be reckoned with. But after initial promise we have stalled, and i believe players after a manager has been in charge for a few years get tired of hearing the same voices. They will not come out and say it, but you will see it in the games. Sometimes a new voice and fresh ideas are needed.
In saying that, with the talent we have, i still believe we have enough to beat armagh and hopefully get a run out in croke park.
Otherwise it will be a big disappointment to supporters and players, and will be hard to see how the management will be able to lift them next season if they stay on.
I hope we get to croke park to play a kerry or dublin, thats where i want this Donegal team to be every year. To be competing against the best.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 06/06/2022 14:32:46    2422792

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Anyone else think it odd that RTE televise the draw but don't actually show the draw? they keep the camera on the presenters? why bother 'televising' it at all?
Armagh again surprise surprise, I'd say there'll not be many of our supporters going this time, think everyone is sick of the way we are trying to play football these days.
Go out and try and win the game and for the love of God put Murph in FF (if his ankle is better of course) and kick the bloody ball in to him, the game is called football after all.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2739 - 06/06/2022 14:54:54    2422796

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Replying To rorysboys:  "There's lies the problem. People who gave out about the county playing defensive, don't seem to mind to go and watch there club playing it. If players are playing like that for there club what chance have we of them going attack minded for the county. Club football is a mess in Donegal."
A good management dictates the way his players play irrespective of the club background they come from. If he tells them to play lateral and backwards then they will play that way. And with county fball You have the pick of the bunch and if they aint doing that then you change them for a man that is. Club managers sometimes don't have that luxury. You will use every excuse in the book for the mgt set up. You are asking me to name players that should be in panel to add quality I give a list before and you disregarded everyone of them so I ain't giving anyone's name again for you to run them down as fballers. And there is a few i would add including the best forward in club fball in county at minute as well as star of st eunans team last you. I wilnt name them as We are tired of you slating our players of high quality that are both in and not in the county panel at the minute.

marty234 (Donegal) - Posts: 158 - 06/06/2022 15:03:39    2422798

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Replying To The keeper:  "There are plenty of reasons why people dont go to games, work, family, cost. I simply have very little free time compared to when i was younger, i never missed a game.
Does that mean i am not a real supporter? Then so be it. I watch the games live on tv, or record them.
I played the game and followed it my entire life, so i think i am entitled to an opinion.
I would have loved Bonner to be successful and built Donegal into a force to be reckoned with. But after initial promise we have stalled, and i believe players after a manager has been in charge for a few years get tired of hearing the same voices. They will not come out and say it, but you will see it in the games. Sometimes a new voice and fresh ideas are needed.
In saying that, with the talent we have, i still believe we have enough to beat armagh and hopefully get a run out in croke park.
Otherwise it will be a big disappointment to supporters and players, and will be hard to see how the management will be able to lift them next season if they stay on.
I hope we get to croke park to play a kerry or dublin, thats where i want this Donegal team to be every year. To be competing against the best."
I wudnt call you a real supporter fair enough you went to games when you were younger. You still have plenty time to criticise bonner after every defeat but remain silent when we win. You were probably the first poster on after the Ulster final. Says it all. My definition of a real supporter is someone who follows there team through thick and thin. We'll see who the real supporters are this Sunday . This team deserves support must be annoying for them to see us been outnumbered in every game we play. It's about time we came out and supported them .

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2391 - 07/06/2022 07:55:48    2422814

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Replying To marty234:  "A good management dictates the way his players play irrespective of the club background they come from. If he tells them to play lateral and backwards then they will play that way. And with county fball You have the pick of the bunch and if they aint doing that then you change them for a man that is. Club managers sometimes don't have that luxury. You will use every excuse in the book for the mgt set up. You are asking me to name players that should be in panel to add quality I give a list before and you disregarded everyone of them so I ain't giving anyone's name again for you to run them down as fballers. And there is a few i would add including the best forward in club fball in county at minute as well as star of st eunans team last you. I wilnt name them as We are tired of you slating our players of high quality that are both in and not in the county panel at the minute."
You won't name players cause you don't know anybody. The best forward in club football in Donegal and a st eunan player. Name them hope it's not like your last list where I think off my head two of them are struggling to make there own club team. Hope your all set for clones marty. I hear all the keyboard warriors are being designated a certain section of the Gerry Arthur so the Donegal support willbe well boosted..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2391 - 07/06/2022 08:01:11    2422816

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A lot of people I have been talking to would prefer lose against Armagh rather than get humiliated in Croke Park and more chance or a managerial change if we lose in Armagh.

We were outnumbered 4-5 to 1 against derry and I expect nothing different on Sunday.

naomh_conaill_4 (Donegal) - Posts: 481 - 07/06/2022 08:51:34    2422827

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Replying To naomh_conaill_4:  "A lot of people I have been talking to would prefer lose against Armagh rather than get humiliated in Croke Park and more chance or a managerial change if we lose in Armagh.

We were outnumbered 4-5 to 1 against derry and I expect nothing different on Sunday."
Such a defeatist attitude. You must be proud of yourself. Who were you talking too, the keeper

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2391 - 07/06/2022 09:43:03    2422837

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Good to know I'm not a real supporter as I can't make it to Clones on Sunday.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 07/06/2022 10:26:50    2422876

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Replying To naomh_conaill_4:  "A lot of people I have been talking to would prefer lose against Armagh rather than get humiliated in Croke Park and more chance or a managerial change if we lose in Armagh.

We were outnumbered 4-5 to 1 against derry and I expect nothing different on Sunday."
Not me. I hope we win on Sunday.

However, we should try and rebuild one game at a time. Learn as much as we can in the remaining games we play in the championship this year.

Do I think we can win the All Ireland this year? very unlikely.
Do I think we can start rebuilding by at least 2 good performances in the next month or 2? I do.

Hard to see the donegal team changing their lateral approach this year. They will have to from now on though. We will know more about our prospects by half time on Sunday.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 07/06/2022 10:52:56    2422898

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Replying To rorysboys:  "When you write a post an hour after an Ulster final it's pretty obvious you weren't there. I already questioned the keeper on it and he never denied it. Any more questions"
I have just one other question.
What is donegal' plan b?

Gumball (Donegal) - Posts: 34 - 07/06/2022 10:55:38    2422899

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Two forward players I believe should be in the County setup is Eoin McGeehin (St Eunan's) and Benny McLaughlin (Malin).

Malin's Benny McLaughlin should be one of our key players for Donegal, but I heard he couldn't commit to the County setup or had some reason for not making the jump.

St Eunan's Eoin McGeehin has a unique ability to find space inside in a crowded defence and find goal, he has that elusive game that you can't teach. I don't think he has been called up yet, his brother is quality too.

I'm not sure about No 6 position, but I suspect we have somebody in the County who could do a good job in that role.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1106 - 07/06/2022 11:07:08    2422904

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Replying To Commodore:  "Two forward players I believe should be in the County setup is Eoin McGeehin (St Eunan's) and Benny McLaughlin (Malin).

Malin's Benny McLaughlin should be one of our key players for Donegal, but I heard he couldn't commit to the County setup or had some reason for not making the jump.

St Eunan's Eoin McGeehin has a unique ability to find space inside in a crowded defence and find goal, he has that elusive game that you can't teach. I don't think he has been called up yet, his brother is quality too.

I'm not sure about No 6 position, but I suspect we have somebody in the County who could do a good job in that role."
I think with the way football has developed the 6 role is not as important as it used to be. Defences now are 12 players or more as opposed to the traditional six. Pity in a way but that's the way it is now.

Gumball (Donegal) - Posts: 34 - 07/06/2022 11:45:29    2422933

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Replying To Gumball:  "I think with the way football has developed the 6 role is not as important as it used to be. Defences now are 12 players or more as opposed to the traditional six. Pity in a way but that's the way it is now."
Tyrone could have done with a 6 to mark Armaghs Number 11 Campbell on Sunday.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2006 - 07/06/2022 12:01:40    2422945

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