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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To The keeper:  "I followed club football and County football my entire life, and played the game.
You haven't even played the game, so i can't really respect anything you say.
Surely he has to go now, people from one end of the county to the other agree its time for change.

I agree with other posters that something needs to be done with club football, its horrible to watch and follow, and my own club are as guilty as anyone.
But only a rule change will change the way the game is being played.
But i would not use club football as an excuse for this management setup failing to get the best out of Donegal football. As it was the same problem in his first spell in charge.
As regards a new manager, i dont believe there is anyone in the county with the quality to improve us, other than Mcguinness, but i cant see him taking it ( i hope i am wrong).
So therefore we have to look outside the county, in tryone club football or somewhere else.
The next management dont necessary need to have previous inter county experience.
But anything is better that doing nothing and settling for what we have at the moment.
I thank Bonner for his commitment over the years, but will never change my mind that his appointment was a step back."
"You haven't even played the game, so i can't really respect anything you say."

Some of the worst practitioners of any sport can be some of the best analysts / coaches.

If the only people allowed to express an opinion in any area are people who were practitioners in that area, then anyone who wasn't a politician shouldn't be allowed to vote!

You need to focus more on the quality of someone's argument instead of trying to win points by resorting to personal put-downs.

You make good points I think; they stand up well without the added sneers.

points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet (Tyrone) - Posts: 242 - 06/07/2022 11:51:27    2430057

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This talk about rebuilding worries me.Can we afford another couple of years without success and possibly relegations.If we have such good players as most posters think why would we need such a big rebuild.I am in the "don't know category" regarding the manager because I don't know what is going on inside the camp and what the atmosphere is like.If somebody new takes over the talk will be that we will have to give them a few years and that is what worries me,Bonner has only one more year left and that pressure on him to deliver might be the impetus to get us a bit further provided the players put in the required effort and Bonner himself makes Murphy an ordinary team member and not overshadowing every conversation.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1060 - 06/07/2022 12:52:49    2430074

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Replying To The keeper:  "I would approach Tony McEntee even if he is already in a job with sligo. Had them playing great football and should have beat cavan in croke park with a nice brand of football.
I am sure the lure of management of a Div 1 side could lure him away from sligo.
No stone should be unturned to find the best candidate for the job, and not settle for the handy option like we did last year."
John Mc entee what did he do for Sligo, even some of the Sligo posters don't want him. We're Sligo not tanked by mayo this year and we'll beaten again this year. My god your knowledge is getting worse by the day. Lol

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 06/07/2022 12:59:24    2430077

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We can talk what we like, I doubt if bonner reads the silly talk on here. If bonner wants the extra year he has it . player's seem to want him. If he chooses to go, will a few follow I think they might. If Mc entees the best we can come up with god help us. Paying a man big money for what.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 06/07/2022 13:07:29    2430079

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Tony Mc entee I mean.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 06/07/2022 13:08:44    2430080

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Which poster said on here about 4-5 years ago and I quote "the next county chairman will be firmly in Declan Bonners corner".

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 648 - 06/07/2022 13:19:05    2430083

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Replying To rorysboys:  "John Mc entee what did he do for Sligo, even some of the Sligo posters don't want him. We're Sligo not tanked by mayo this year and we'll beaten again this year. My god your knowledge is getting worse by the day. Lol"
Didn't sligo not give cavan a great game in croke park recently, and should have won the game. The same cavan team that made Donegal look ordinary for 45 minutes in ulster.
And Tony McEntee has only been there for a short period, where Mayo have dominated for years. So to be critical of the man, who is managing a side who are years behind mayo in regards to funding and general underage structures, not to mention strength conditioning is uneducated criticism.
He played for an armagh team that was one of the most well conditioned teams in the country, and i am sure he knows a lot more that you or me in what it takes to be successful.
There is absolutely no benefit to keeping our current management team on for one more year.
A fresh voice with new ideas and a strong personality is needed to manage this team. And it may take 2-3 years before we see progress. But holding on to the current management will just waste another year.
Everyone wants change now, other than rorysboys.
The players even though they wont say it publicly, the supporters are making there voices heard by not going to the games, and even voices in the papers are saying the players need a new voice.
If he stays on another year, its all about him, and definitely not for the betterment of Donegal football.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 06/07/2022 14:44:19    2430110

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Replying To The keeper:  "Didn't sligo not give cavan a great game in croke park recently, and should have won the game. The same cavan team that made Donegal look ordinary for 45 minutes in ulster.
And Tony McEntee has only been there for a short period, where Mayo have dominated for years. So to be critical of the man, who is managing a side who are years behind mayo in regards to funding and general underage structures, not to mention strength conditioning is uneducated criticism.
He played for an armagh team that was one of the most well conditioned teams in the country, and i am sure he knows a lot more that you or me in what it takes to be successful.
There is absolutely no benefit to keeping our current management team on for one more year.
A fresh voice with new ideas and a strong personality is needed to manage this team. And it may take 2-3 years before we see progress. But holding on to the current management will just waste another year.
Everyone wants change now, other than rorysboys.
The players even though they wont say it publicly, the supporters are making there voices heard by not going to the games, and even voices in the papers are saying the players need a new voice.
If he stays on another year, its all about him, and definitely not for the betterment of Donegal football."
Stop contracting your self. You ignore all Sligo hammerings but choose the game you wanted too. If Mc entee is such a great manager he should have got Sligo out of div 4 after two attempts. Micky Harte only needed one attempt.. you say it may take 2or 3 years before we see progress. Make up your mind your saying all year we have one of the most talented squad in the country why should it 2 or 3 years. If there's a new manager he has to win at least an Ulster and get us to a semi final the first year, seeing we are so talented. Anything less is a failure. . How many times do I tell you there not supporters, there all like yourself armchair critics.. even Jim can't see the talent your seeing when he's not interested.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 06/07/2022 15:41:12    2430124

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Replying To rorysboys:  "Stop contracting your self. You ignore all Sligo hammerings but choose the game you wanted too. If Mc entee is such a great manager he should have got Sligo out of div 4 after two attempts. Micky Harte only needed one attempt.. you say it may take 2or 3 years before we see progress. Make up your mind your saying all year we have one of the most talented squad in the country why should it 2 or 3 years. If there's a new manager he has to win at least an Ulster and get us to a semi final the first year, seeing we are so talented. Anything less is a failure. . How many times do I tell you there not supporters, there all like yourself armchair critics.. even Jim can't see the talent your seeing when he's not interested."
Again you fail to see whats stared you in the face this past few years because of your friendship with our current management.
The reason it may take 2-3 years is because our current management have had the team in regression this past few years.
Its plain to be seen that we are behind the big teams in fitness, strength and conditioning and mental toughness. And this has happened under our current management's watch.
The talent is there, it just needs a proper management team to guide it and harness it into a proper mentally tough side.
I understand you are finding it hard to understand, as you have not played the game. But the least you would expect from a management team is to have you team in peak physical condition. And he has failed year after year.
I would take Tony McEntee any day of the week rather that repeat the last 3 underachieving years.
Lets hope he does the right thing and steps away, otherwise its all about ego

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 06/07/2022 16:47:34    2430148

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Replying To The keeper:  "Again you fail to see whats stared you in the face this past few years because of your friendship with our current management.
The reason it may take 2-3 years is because our current management have had the team in regression this past few years.
Its plain to be seen that we are behind the big teams in fitness, strength and conditioning and mental toughness. And this has happened under our current management's watch.
The talent is there, it just needs a proper management team to guide it and harness it into a proper mentally tough side.
I understand you are finding it hard to understand, as you have not played the game. But the least you would expect from a management team is to have you team in peak physical condition. And he has failed year after year.
I would take Tony McEntee any day of the week rather that repeat the last 3 underachieving years.
Lets hope he does the right thing and steps away, otherwise its all about ego"
You were the one who wanted Cathal Corey to manage Donegal when bonner got the job. We all know how he done since that. You have shown a complete dislike for bonner since day one , funny that as neighbouring clubs, you would think you would show the man a bit of respect, did he do something on you, maybe you couldn't handle him on the pitch, if you ever played. For a fool sitting at home watching the games, you should be ashamed of yourself questioning our s&c coaches and our back room team in general. People who have worked hard and are well qualified to do there jobs. What qualifications have you to question them, apart from being a keyboard warrior your opinions doesn't really matter.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 06/07/2022 17:08:48    2430152

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I see John Gildea has expressed similar sentiments to a lot of those expressed already here. That we have a more fundamental problem than simply whomever is occupying the managerial hotseat. Namely that our style of play is yesterday's news and has been found out. You could argue that Derry use the same style. But they have the novelty factor, success starved and are fanatically fit. I don't think their style is sustainable longer term.

Gildea reasons that if the county adopt a newer fresh approach, then it will filter down to the club game. We simply have to find a better formula which allows our talented players to flourish. Whether it's Declan Bonner who finds it or someone else it doens't matter. No name should be bigger than what's best for Donegal football."
Some of what gildea said I agree with some of it I don't. People have short memories for one thing. Donegal played an expansive game in 18 and 19 and don't think it's fair to draw too many conclusions on style of play in 20 and 21 given limited games. Donegal club football hardly evolved into a free flowing game during 18 and 19 on the back of Donegals more expansive play. Naomh conaill vs gweedore was anything but in 2019. If the gaa want to move away from allowing football to be played in such a negative way then they need to have a proper review of the game, define what they want to see in the game and change the rules. It was interesting to listen to tagdh kennelly on the dl debate talk about afl rule changes off the back of defensive play there. I would be particularly interested is seeing how keeping the two men up the field works out. You basically get a free trial by analysing the impact it had on their game.

If people think the county management needs freshening up and a change of voice then call it out for that and that alone. Without rule changes I don't see any massive change coming in the way teams approaching how they play.
I also see John haran's calling for a change in the county management and looking for variation in the style of play. I hope the irony of st eunans playing in a very formularic, possession based way to win the club championship last year and the drudgery the tactics brought ulster quarter final loss to glen is not lost on him. With the talent they have it's a great opportunity this year for them to add variation to their game plan this year.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 697 - 06/07/2022 17:58:55    2430161

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Replying To rorysboys:  "You were the one who wanted Cathal Corey to manage Donegal when bonner got the job. We all know how he done since that. You have shown a complete dislike for bonner since day one , funny that as neighbouring clubs, you would think you would show the man a bit of respect, did he do something on you, maybe you couldn't handle him on the pitch, if you ever played. For a fool sitting at home watching the games, you should be ashamed of yourself questioning our s&c coaches and our back room team in general. People who have worked hard and are well qualified to do there jobs. What qualifications have you to question them, apart from being a keyboard warrior your opinions doesn't really matter."
In fairness, our S&C has been atrocious under Bonner. The best example is Hughie, who believes he's taking the captaincy from Michael Murphy and can't last 70 minutes on the pitch.

StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 112 - 06/07/2022 18:47:08    2430173

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Replying To rorysboys:  "You were the one who wanted Cathal Corey to manage Donegal when bonner got the job. We all know how he done since that. You have shown a complete dislike for bonner since day one , funny that as neighbouring clubs, you would think you would show the man a bit of respect, did he do something on you, maybe you couldn't handle him on the pitch, if you ever played. For a fool sitting at home watching the games, you should be ashamed of yourself questioning our s&c coaches and our back room team in general. People who have worked hard and are well qualified to do there jobs. What qualifications have you to question them, apart from being a keyboard warrior your opinions doesn't really matter."
I would have wanted Frank Spencer before our current management team. As i seen what he did in his first spell. Talented footballers back then also, but management couldn't get the best out of them.
Seems to be history repeating itself.
Its an embarrassing situation where tryone won the all Ireland last year with a completely new management team, and half the size of Donegal at best.
Time Donegal football took a look at itself.
Or are we happy with just taking part.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 06/07/2022 20:48:25    2430183

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Replying To gunman:  "This talk about rebuilding worries me.Can we afford another couple of years without success and possibly relegations.If we have such good players as most posters think why would we need such a big rebuild.I am in the "don't know category" regarding the manager because I don't know what is going on inside the camp and what the atmosphere is like.If somebody new takes over the talk will be that we will have to give them a few years and that is what worries me,Bonner has only one more year left and that pressure on him to deliver might be the impetus to get us a bit further provided the players put in the required effort and Bonner himself makes Murphy an ordinary team member and not overshadowing every conversation."
No need to rebuild, we have the core of a really great team, we just aren't currently getting the best out of them and we need to change out or rotate a couple of players.

I strongly believe the root cause of our problems is the lack of power in our half back line, we keep trying to fit Ryan McHugh and Peadar Mogan in the team and we end up sacrificing 1 or 2 half backs. Those players are wing forwards, and it leaves us weak defensively and also means we don't have the same running power that Derry, Armagh and Tyrone have when attacking.

We are also too predictable, Murphy will always drop deep and go inside a couple of random times, Paddy McBrearty does the same loop and struggles if he can't get on the left foot. Jamie Brennan struggle against defensive teams in tight narrow pitches, but is really dangerous in more open pitches like Croke Park if he can get space to run, so we need alternatives for those tight games.

We want to be dominating the Ulster Championship and regularly challenging for All Ireland's,

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 07/07/2022 09:02:07    2430198

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This thread has become toxic

naomh_conaill_4 (Donegal) - Posts: 481 - 07/07/2022 09:22:53    2430199

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Replying To naomh_conaill_4:  "This thread has become toxic"
Couldn't agree more.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 808 - 07/07/2022 09:34:08    2430201

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Apologies I am sure this has been commented on already but this is a long thread.

What is Bonners situation? Has he got an agreement in place for a few more years?

Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 07/07/2022 09:56:57    2430207

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Replying To StockholmGael:  "In fairness, our S&C has been atrocious under Bonner. The best example is Hughie, who believes he's taking the captaincy from Michael Murphy and can't last 70 minutes on the pitch."
Didn't know bonner was a s&c coach. The man must have many talent's.. for your information Hughie got a horrible injury last year and it was doubtful if he would play any football this year. But in fairness to Hugh he came back after missing a lot of games. Maybe that was the reason he didn't last 70 minutes.. you probably blame bonner for Hugh getting injured playing for killybegs.?jesus wept.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 07/07/2022 09:57:27    2430208

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Replying To The keeper:  "I would have wanted Frank Spencer before our current management team. As i seen what he did in his first spell. Talented footballers back then also, but management couldn't get the best out of them.
Seems to be history repeating itself.
Its an embarrassing situation where tryone won the all Ireland last year with a completely new management team, and half the size of Donegal at best.
Time Donegal football took a look at itself.
Or are we happy with just taking part."
Maybe it's about time a people like yourself would go out and support your county team. Funny no word from players or management since the Armagh game. There a 100% right, they probably feel why should we. These people are not stupid they felt let down and betrayed by so called supporters who turned there back on them.. the same people if they win a game or two are out shaking hands and looking for selfies..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2411 - 07/07/2022 10:04:27    2430211

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "Some of what gildea said I agree with some of it I don't. People have short memories for one thing. Donegal played an expansive game in 18 and 19 and don't think it's fair to draw too many conclusions on style of play in 20 and 21 given limited games. Donegal club football hardly evolved into a free flowing game during 18 and 19 on the back of Donegals more expansive play. Naomh conaill vs gweedore was anything but in 2019. If the gaa want to move away from allowing football to be played in such a negative way then they need to have a proper review of the game, define what they want to see in the game and change the rules. It was interesting to listen to tagdh kennelly on the dl debate talk about afl rule changes off the back of defensive play there. I would be particularly interested is seeing how keeping the two men up the field works out. You basically get a free trial by analysing the impact it had on their game.

If people think the county management needs freshening up and a change of voice then call it out for that and that alone. Without rule changes I don't see any massive change coming in the way teams approaching how they play.
I also see John haran's calling for a change in the county management and looking for variation in the style of play. I hope the irony of st eunans playing in a very formularic, possession based way to win the club championship last year and the drudgery the tactics brought ulster quarter final loss to glen is not lost on him. With the talent they have it's a great opportunity this year for them to add variation to their game plan this year."
I think part of the problem too is teams trying to emulate that they see county teams doing but don't possess the same fitness or resources to do so. It's safer to play defensively and lower the risk of a hiding for a lot of teams. You may be right that rule changes will be needed to force teams to adopt a different approach. But I wouldn't necessarily trust the GAA to get those right. Plus, it adds more burden to referees, particularly at club level.

We'll wait and see what the club championship brings. I don't think we'll see much tactical variation but lets hope we see a few emerging talents put their hands up for potential county selection. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how MacCumhaills do with their Gallen/Bradley-Walsh attack. Hopefully Gallen will get an injury free run at it. I'm also assuming he'll be back from Philadelphia of course.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 07/07/2022 10:13:53    2430214

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