National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


People suggesting a 3 month ban for a push, seriously we have lost the run of ourselves. The punishment has to fit the crime.

On the game itself, was there anything Kerry could have done differently in the second half with a man down? I thought they were very passive but maybe its impossible with 1 man less. Cork played better when they went down to 14, they never took a backward step.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1942 - 26/05/2026 09:56:29    2675618

Link

Replying To CCFabu:  "I'd agree with you generally Flaker but two things here. I think that Jim's response has made things worse, I don't think he expected the question and what we saw was an unfiltered reaction. He gets a lot of OTT credit for masterminding things but I think creating a narrative was the furthest thing from his mind there. If he was thinking it through he'd have taken the question as it was, and set a narrative around being angry about what happened to Ryan but had no intention of getting physical or whatever else. His reaction has, in my opinion, forced there to be a resolution. And I think he will be banned, and it will be 12 weeks as that is the rule.

I also don't think we can pin the brawl on our lads reacting. Are they just to accept a shoulder after the hooter and carry on? There are two sides at it on Saturday and both to blame, no need to go looking for who instigated what. They were all at it.

I also think some Donegal posters need to simmer down about the likes of Tommy Rooney. He's a journalist. If he didn't ask that question, someone else would have. I think the thrust of the question was also fair enough - given what happened with Ger Brennan, it's fair to ask if Jim was worried. I think if the GAA actually follow their rules fully for once, a lot of people will be done for the inter county season.

I also agree with an Armagh poster about things being let go and the macho stuff. I find it all a bit pathetic, of course there is physicality in football but go beat your man at the game and leave all that nonsense to the macho idiots."
Thanks,CCF,good post,am glad someone took the time to read exactly what i said.

isfeidirrlinn (Armagh) - Posts: 25 - 26/05/2026 10:00:48    2675622

Link

Replying To Green_Gold:  "People suggesting a 3 month ban for a push, seriously we have lost the run of ourselves. The punishment has to fit the crime.

On the game itself, was there anything Kerry could have done differently in the second half with a man down? I thought they were very passive but maybe its impossible with 1 man less. Cork played better when they went down to 14, they never took a backward step."
It's 3 months or nothing.
No wiggle room.
That's the penalty for that infringement

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2457 - 26/05/2026 10:07:49    2675628

Link

Replying To Green_Gold:  "People suggesting a 3 month ban for a push, seriously we have lost the run of ourselves. The punishment has to fit the crime.

On the game itself, was there anything Kerry could have done differently in the second half with a man down? I thought they were very passive but maybe its impossible with 1 man less. Cork played better when they went down to 14, they never took a backward step."
You are missing the point. Nobody thinks 12 weeks is fair. Same in Ger Brennan case. The problem is the rules as they are currently. If the letter of the law is followed it is 12 weeks. Next year there will be new rules in this regard, I have no doubt.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8847 - 26/05/2026 10:10:54    2675631

Link

Replying To Green_Gold:  "People suggesting a 3 month ban for a push, seriously we have lost the run of ourselves. The punishment has to fit the crime.

On the game itself, was there anything Kerry could have done differently in the second half with a man down? I thought they were very passive but maybe its impossible with 1 man less. Cork played better when they went down to 14, they never took a backward step."
Difference is Meath didn't utilise extra man and are far off the level of Donegal, had we been down to 14 men, Kerry would have punished us. The top teams will slow game down and be patient with an extra man.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1233 - 26/05/2026 10:14:47    2675632

Link

Replying To TheFlaker:  "There is no way Hurson saw in real time what Jim did. And no way they saw the punch from the Kerry player. I believe officials are informed of what happened and see footage at half time. Even though that would be denied."
Linesman seemed to be looking at both incidents. Hard to know really when it's that hectic though. Media coverage is incredible, Burns uppercut hardly mentioned beyond ruining the game and all focus on a light push.

joeteor (Donegal) - Posts: 264 - 26/05/2026 10:15:30    2675633

Link

Replying To TheFlaker:  "There is no way Hurson saw in real time what Jim did. And no way they saw the punch from the Kerry player. I believe officials are informed of what happened and see footage at half time. Even though that would be denied."
True. Even with the benefit of TV replays, it still took a couple of watches to determine that it was Micheal Burns punch which drew blood.

It's a tricky one. Could we see such a thing as a "suspended sentence" I wonder?
There is precedent with the Ger Brennan incident and McGuinness did push O'Connor and was wrong to do so.
But context could be a factor here. If you see one of your players spilling blood, a calm and restrained response is going to be difficult to put it mildly. Perhaps a fine and a stern warning. Any further infractions of any kind this summer will result in a sideline ban for the remainder of the Championship?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10344 - 26/05/2026 10:16:51    2675634

Link

Replying To TheFlaker:  "Fair enough but I would still disagree on the press conference. I think he would have been expecting the question and decided tom answer in the tone he did. And while I am not saying anyone has to accept a shoulder they were clearly trying to get Clifford sent off and were harassing him and chasing the ref demanding action. That's what sparked it."
I have to disagree with you here. Donegal were well within their right to chase Clifford after his cheap shot shoulder AFTER THE HOOTER WAS GONE! That's what sparked the row along with the incident where he should have gotten the line. Golden boy sparked the row imo 100%

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 188 - 26/05/2026 10:20:02    2675635

Link

Replying To MunsterFan:  "Nonsense. Noone is defending Burns. Unlike the ridiculous defending of Michael Murphy. A bit of balance lads"
No one defended Murphy after league final, he deserved a red, the commentary across rte and all the podcasts for weeks afterwards was OTT especially from those with a kerry bias. You'd think he was the first player in the history of the GAA to strike an opponent and get away with it. There have been worse incidents since then in the football championship with no coverage or hullabaloo.

A cork player saw red at the weekend for a lesser challenge than Clifford made with his elbow, had mcgonagle not made a bit of a meal of it, Clifford could have been in trouble. I am not suggesting Clifford is a dirty player, he isn't and gets more than his fair share of attention from opponents as players like Murphy do.

The booing of Murphy by(not all) but a large section of the Kerry crowd was really bad form too.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 1233 - 26/05/2026 10:23:27    2675638

Link

The GAA have been unable on numerous occasions in the past to use footage to deal with incidents. I'm fairly sure a good barrister could argue that point if required. There could be many precedents from this one. You could argue the ownership of the footage, the fact that it was behind a pay wall could have all sorts of legal ramifications. Just because it was on RTE doesn't make it admissable. Incidentally, they were unable to use the footage of the Armagh players interactions with OMcFF after the Ulster Final last year.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 927 - 26/05/2026 10:24:18    2675641

Link

Finnbarr Roarty gave an exhibition on Saturday. Farah too was incredible, but he seems to still have fitness issues, thoroughbreds can be temperamental. And Ryan McHugh has settled the debate that was on here a couple of months ago, he brings a football intelligence that you just can't coach.

SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 927 - 26/05/2026 10:28:03    2675643

Link

Replying To Seniorleague:  "Who is that quote attributed to?"
40 years of RTE to my knowledge, plenty other journalists too.

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 112 - 26/05/2026 10:39:38    2675648

Link

3 month minimum, a manager cannot touch a player, under no circumstances. Regardless of taking a backward step or not.

It will set a precedent that will run down from mc Guinness to club games around the country. It is zero tolerance. Sometimes a manager has to walk away and bite his lip.

In our games we cannot have managers run on and push platers, imagine mc Guinness gets away with this and the standards it sets to grassroots and club games. Stamp it out at the top.

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 488 - 26/05/2026 10:41:37    2675649

Link

Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Felt and looked like a challenge match in the second half. Gonna be interesting to see what they say or do on Thursday. Most likely Jim is out for the 12 weeks and that's a massive dent into any all Ireland hopes we have."
If he's banned, everyone else steps up, including the SUPPORTERS. Don't do a killarney, at any time.

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 112 - 26/05/2026 10:42:39    2675650

Link

Replying To TheFlaker:  "Fair enough but I would still disagree on the press conference. I think he would have been expecting the question and decided tom answer in the tone he did. And while I am not saying anyone has to accept a shoulder they were clearly trying to get Clifford sent off and were harassing him and chasing the ref demanding action. That's what sparked it."
That was Clifford's second go at McGonagle and there was no way it was going to go unchallenged. Too many teams bow down to Kerry, which is what they want. It backfired on Kerry as it was them who got the man sent off.

McGuinness' reaction was uncharacteristic and I'm sure on reflection he'll be disappointed with himself. Had he left it alone, Donegal would be in a great place. I'd worry about losing his presence on the training ground for the rest of the campaign. The rule leaves no room for the scale of the offence and it will probably change at Congress next year.

Another thing that should change is the numbers of the sidelines. Do away with the non essential members like secretary, PRO etc and ban anyone from entering pitch bar physio and doctor. Would go a long way to sorting the problems.

ballboy101 (Donegal) - Posts: 244 - 26/05/2026 10:59:56    2675655

Link