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National Forum

Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "I know there was a bit of backlash around the treatment of players who didn't make the matchday panel for the 2025 final so a lot of players will look at the rewards for committing to savage training for a year while being largely unavailable at club level also even if not getting game time for Donegal.

McColgan a good player for sure but again has had injury problems since breaking into the squad. A definite starter if fit."
Also backlash over extended panel members and the team holiday. Think there was 7 of them who were told they weren't going after the full years training, While wives and girlfriends went. Doesn't paint a good picture and as far as I am aware none returned the following year.

Beolive92 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 11/11/2026 15:15:38    2700097

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Replying To panamasam:  "Another loss we didn't need in Mark Curran off to Oz something I didn't know myself either. Underutilized in my opinion over the last couple of years. Interesting the mention about Dunleavey I'm surprised we haven't seen more of him. He's a fantastic fielder. Hope McCahill has better run with injuries. He is a player who has that X Factor and I think Malone will come on after a very good run. However as the Flaker says we're depending on lads to either come back from injury or show they can stay fit. Enjoyed the podcast with Paddy. Clearly lots of regret there despite so much success. Very similar to the great Armagh team at the starts of the 2000's. Interesting he doesn't think Jim's methods are sustainable beyond 4 years. What do people think of that with reports during the summer saying he might be interested beyond the 4 years. Plus any word on the Lacey situation? Seemed an automatic to stay on as minor manager or jump up to the under twenties especially after last year's success. That All Ireland B was no mean feat and they beat a very good Louth side in the final."
Did you watch any of the minors games? Not a great style at all and not knocking the competition but B was not that tough. They couldn't compete with the top sides and considering how long he had them training think he could produce more. Still yet to see Lacey prove he's a top manager, we are very quick to put Jim's disciples forward. They all able for the old rules yet to see any innovation in the county. We need to adapt and we have the footballers to do it but we don't give them the platform. Kavanagh has earned his stripes too, started with the underage went to senior clubs and is now back. From reports I hear he is a very good coach and obviously loves his football. Think we should focus on who is there and not who isn't.

Beolive92 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 11/11/2026 15:22:45    2700098

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Replying To panamasam:  "Another loss we didn't need in Mark Curran off to Oz something I didn't know myself either. Underutilized in my opinion over the last couple of years. Interesting the mention about Dunleavey I'm surprised we haven't seen more of him. He's a fantastic fielder. Hope McCahill has better run with injuries. He is a player who has that X Factor and I think Malone will come on after a very good run. However as the Flaker says we're depending on lads to either come back from injury or show they can stay fit. Enjoyed the podcast with Paddy. Clearly lots of regret there despite so much success. Very similar to the great Armagh team at the starts of the 2000's. Interesting he doesn't think Jim's methods are sustainable beyond 4 years. What do people think of that with reports during the summer saying he might be interested beyond the 4 years. Plus any word on the Lacey situation? Seemed an automatic to stay on as minor manager or jump up to the under twenties especially after last year's success. That All Ireland B was no mean feat and they beat a very good Louth side in the final."
No, I don't think Lacey got the best out of that group by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the minor club matches on display this year have been of an incredibly high standard.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 537 - 11/11/2026 16:26:22    2700103

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Replying To Beolive92:  "Did you watch any of the minors games? Not a great style at all and not knocking the competition but B was not that tough. They couldn't compete with the top sides and considering how long he had them training think he could produce more. Still yet to see Lacey prove he's a top manager, we are very quick to put Jim's disciples forward. They all able for the old rules yet to see any innovation in the county. We need to adapt and we have the footballers to do it but we don't give them the platform. Kavanagh has earned his stripes too, started with the underage went to senior clubs and is now back. From reports I hear he is a very good coach and obviously loves his football. Think we should focus on who is there and not who isn't."
Oh don't get me wrong I'd be happy to see Kav come in, it would be a great appointment. However I thought Lacey done a good job last year. To answer your other question yeah I was in Brefeni for the Cavan game and watched the Derry game online (not a great advertisement and played not to win). I actually work/reside around the midlands during spring/summer and got to a couple of Leinster minor games. I thought there might be a Leinster winner of the All Ireland last year. I seen Kildare in the flesh and they were excellent. Louth had a few underage from the previous year if I'm not mistaken and that was a decent team. Beaten by Offaly but largely the better team but Offaly had a keeper who kicked 2 pointers for fun. I'm sure he went viral and now could be heading to the states if I'm not mistaken.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2977 - 11/11/2026 16:31:05    2700105

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "We have a lot of good footballers who can operate in the middle third of the pitch. We could do with a couple of specialist markers who just love sickening opposition forwards and aren't bothered about too much else."
Yea we're lacking a few strong man markers. Will get away with it against most teams. But not against the top teams in croke park on big days. It's been a problem this good few years.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2701 - 11/11/2026 16:49:47    2700107

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Replying To panamasam:  "Another loss we didn't need in Mark Curran off to Oz something I didn't know myself either. Underutilized in my opinion over the last couple of years. Interesting the mention about Dunleavey I'm surprised we haven't seen more of him. He's a fantastic fielder. Hope McCahill has better run with injuries. He is a player who has that X Factor and I think Malone will come on after a very good run. However as the Flaker says we're depending on lads to either come back from injury or show they can stay fit. Enjoyed the podcast with Paddy. Clearly lots of regret there despite so much success. Very similar to the great Armagh team at the starts of the 2000's. Interesting he doesn't think Jim's methods are sustainable beyond 4 years. What do people think of that with reports during the summer saying he might be interested beyond the 4 years. Plus any word on the Lacey situation? Seemed an automatic to stay on as minor manager or jump up to the under twenties especially after last year's success. That All Ireland B was no mean feat and they beat a very good Louth side in the final."
Have friends who play senior club in donegal and some who've been in the panel under Jim and others and they would all agree that 4 years is the max. As someone who never got past B teams when growing up, I can really relate lol

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 502 - 11/11/2026 21:33:34    2700143

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "We have a lot of good footballers who can operate in the middle third of the pitch. We could do with a couple of specialist markers who just love sickening opposition forwards and aren't bothered about too much else."
What do you mean by "sickening" exactly?

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 415 - 12/11/2026 02:49:19    2700158

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "What do you mean by "sickening" exactly?"
I mean making the forward's day as miserable as possible within the rules of the game.
Tight marking, getting out in front and breaking any balls away that are played in, blocking down shots etc

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10543 - 12/11/2026 10:58:14    2700173

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I mean making the forward's day as miserable as possible within the rules of the game.
Tight marking, getting out in front and breaking any balls away that are played in, blocking down shots etc"
I think two of the best in the county never got the run at Donegal they would have liked is Conor Morrison and Aaron Deeney. Two brilliant players who live for defending two of the best I watched at underage with county and even in to the senior panel. Just unlucky with injuries at times and also weren't picked. Mcguinness may have turned down morrison over the incident with his nephew which would be ridiculous as he rejected a top player. Heard rumblings before as to why Deeney left from a few eunans people I know and I can understand his reason. Is it down to club rivalry too. You would be hard find two better man markers in the county.

Beolive92 (Donegal) - Posts: 25 - 12/11/2026 12:02:00    2700181

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Replying To Beolive92:  "I think two of the best in the county never got the run at Donegal they would have liked is Conor Morrison and Aaron Deeney. Two brilliant players who live for defending two of the best I watched at underage with county and even in to the senior panel. Just unlucky with injuries at times and also weren't picked. Mcguinness may have turned down morrison over the incident with his nephew which would be ridiculous as he rejected a top player. Heard rumblings before as to why Deeney left from a few eunans people I know and I can understand his reason. Is it down to club rivalry too. You would be hard find two better man markers in the county."
Yeah it's a specialist position which became a bit obsolete during the blanket-defence days.
But with the new rules, I think a couple of tight-corner backs are imperative.

Aside from that, I wonder will we see a bit more kick passing from the county team this year? I watched Crossmaglen the other night and they certainly don't hang about if there is a direct kick pass on. It's great football to watch when it's executed well.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10543 - 12/11/2026 14:54:23    2700202

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Replying To SurelyToGod:  "No, I don't think Lacey got the best out of that group by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the minor club matches on display this year have been of an incredibly high standard."
What do you think getting the best out of them would've been? Are there players who were not involved that you saw in the minor club championship that had that X Factor? I don't remember anyone here posting that this was an exceptional group before the minor championship. From what I saw I thought there was obvious talent but not obvious Ulster winners granted they probably should've got to the final (the usual common thread in Donegal). So if withstanding winning an Ulster title then winning the AI B was the next best result. Definitely a worthy achievement.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2977 - 12/11/2026 16:57:06    2700218

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