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National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

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One thing I've noticed this year - in both county and club games here, is the amount of pads being subbed only to be brought back on again. Happened more so yesterday with extra time but I have seen it in other club games as well as the game against Dublin in Croke Park.

For me it raises two issues:

1. Player welfare/injury prevention. In a time when player welfare is rightly front and centre, surely sending a player back on having already played increases his risk of injury. It's not like the NFL or rugby where you see them keeping warm on a stationary bike at the side of the pitch.

2. It must absolutely default the confident of the subs who don't get on at all. Slogging away, in most cases, since January only to be told that a player who has already exhausted himself for at least 40 minutes is still a better option than you. Might explain the turnover of players we see in some squads.

Just something I have observed this past while. Can be helped if a team only has two of three fresh subs, but both teams had a least 10 togged yesterday and both reserve teams are gone from Championship so no fear of players being burned.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1746 - 05/10/2026 17:29:57    2696320

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Replying To SAMFORHILLS9292:  "without a doubt they proabably deserve a ulster but wont get it this year i dont think, gaoth dobhair 18 fine outfit"
We would be happy with a county title, I expect Eunans to be a series test. To win ulster you need your full squad, and unfortunately with two big injuries to our squad this past few weeks, a county title is all we can hope for.
I believed if we had stayed injury free, we had a small chance of ulster, provided we won the County title. As we all know, in Donegal there is always a tough battle and nothing was ever guaranteed.
But to be in 10 out of 11 finals is some going, so whatever will be will be.
There is still plenty of young footballers in our team, and to think, most pundits were writing us off about 5 years ago as too old and finished.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 05/10/2026 17:43:04    2696323

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Gaoth Dobhair missing a few men with senior county experience - McFadden-Ferry, Carroll, Gillespie and Mulligan. I know most of them haven't bene imvolved for a few years. Be some lift to them if even a couple of them returned though.
Micheal Roarty a big loss this year too - he brings serious energy to the middle third.

Club level is different to county I know, but it still shows what a difficult job it is for any full back when Murphy plays inside and gets good early ball. I thought Malone was being well shackled early on, but he eventually showed his class. Expect a big year from him in 2027."
Gaoth Dobhair always have problems keeping their best players at home and focused, maybe due to lack of jobs at home or maybe some just lose interest in the commitment needed, but definitely a massive problem for them.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1974 - 06/10/2026 10:05:26    2696358

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Replying To Commodore:  "Gaoth Dobhair always have problems keeping their best players at home and focused, maybe due to lack of jobs at home or maybe some just lose interest in the commitment needed, but definitely a massive problem for them."
I don't think it's a commitment issue. It's more of an employment thing, I suppose a lot of clubs are in a similar situation in fairness. But I often wondered if more of the 2018 Ulster winning team had stayed around, might they have challenged for and won more county titles? Obviously the likes of Cassidy and the McGees couldn't go on forever..

but a core of Daire O'Baoill, Gillespie, McFadden-Ferry, Mulligan, Carroll, Niall Friel, Gary McFadden etc who are now entering prime years, complimented by the youth coming through, likes of Padraig McGB, Cathal Rua, Cathal McGee, Colm Doherty etc would be a formidable outfit.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10494 - 06/10/2026 10:54:21    2696373

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I don't think it's a commitment issue. It's more of an employment thing, I suppose a lot of clubs are in a similar situation in fairness. But I often wondered if more of the 2018 Ulster winning team had stayed around, might they have challenged for and won more county titles? Obviously the likes of Cassidy and the McGees couldn't go on forever..

but a core of Daire O'Baoill, Gillespie, McFadden-Ferry, Mulligan, Carroll, Niall Friel, Gary McFadden etc who are now entering prime years, complimented by the youth coming through, likes of Padraig McGB, Cathal Rua, Cathal McGee, Colm Doherty etc would be a formidable outfit."
I suppouse when you name them it would be like Glenties missing Odhran, Ultan, Kevin McG, Brendy, Charles and Eunans Conor Sr/Jr, Dowling, Tobin and Shane. Its a big dent in any squad.

Whyme923 (Donegal) - Posts: 155 - 06/10/2026 14:32:52    2696413

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Replying To Commodore:  "Gaoth Dobhair always have problems keeping their best players at home and focused, maybe due to lack of jobs at home or maybe some just lose interest in the commitment needed, but definitely a massive problem for them."
Its definitely a problem down there, good young footballers tend to lose there way or leave the country.
I couldn't blame anyone leaving for a better life, if I had to do it all again, I would myself.
But I believe there is an issue with gweedore in the commitment area or everyone does not always seem to pull together.
In order to be consistent and successful the entire club need to be going in the one direction.
I am not attacking gweedore, as they have more titles than most, but there are always rumours of infighting and so on.
Naomh conail have been lucky as regards losing players to immigration, and we don't have much work around.

The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 06/10/2026 16:25:58    2696426

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