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Very odd decision to show two games at the same time on both the Saturday and Sunday this weekend in the senior championship.
I would've thought it would make more sense to pick different times so the weekend and season passes are more attractive to purchase.
Nonetheless looking forward to some good games to kick off the championship. A few interesting fixtures.
I don't blame young lads going to America for the summer but it goes to show the farce that is the group stages of the Donegal championship. Our reigning county champions, and our new league champions both happy to do without some of their top young players for the opening three games.
I know this comes up every year but Donegal should consider the new all Ireland format which is also used in Derry. At least it would introduce some jeapordy to the competition from the beginning.
Northwest90 (Donegal) - Posts: 20 - 05/08/2026 20:06:23
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For those participating in the predictions competition.
Make your predcitions like this for example...
Gaoth Dobhair x 2
St. Eunans x 7
NC v Downings - DRAW
1 point for getting the winner right, 3 points if you call a draw, 5 points if you call the winner with exact winning margin.
I'll be away for a couple of weeks, so I'll put up next weekend's fixtures some day next week. Then when I'm back I'll tot up all the scores from the first two rounds of action.
Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh
Naomh Conaill v Downings
Glenswilly v Termon
Glenfin v Naomh Columba
Dungloe v MacCumhaills
Ardara v Kilcar
Four Masters v Killybegs
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford
Carndonagh v Buncrana
Fanad Gaels v Burt
St. Nauls v Red Hughs
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC)
Malin v Cloughaneely
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L)
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels
Pettigo v Moville
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10447 - 06/08/2026 08:47:38
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Replying To JimB1991: "You can't look at it like that, Mayo not taking on 2 pointers changes the way that game is played and how Kerry are able to defend
If they were not kicking two pointer attempts and trying to work it in, it would have created more opportunities for Kerry to sit in their zonal defensive shape and then engage the man in possession in a tighter, more crowded space and force turnovers." Couldn't agree more and this is really the heart of our own problems last year. It became so obvious how we wanted our attacks to play out and teams built for it. Down Cork and Dublin all stopped buying the overlapping runs around the arc and teams knew well we weren't going to be putting a big ball into Hugh McFadden, who was only playing inside to make room for shooters on the arc. By comparison look at Kerry in the semi final - they used the inside mark twice which has the small but important role of keeping Dublin honest, and saying to them that if you don't watch the lads playing furthest up the pitch we can catch you sleeping. Same goes on counter attacks; for Kerry and Mayo they might start heaving ball down the pitch to Kobe or Beirne or Geaney or Dave Clifford, or they might charge it up the field with McBrien or Gavin White. Point is it leaves the other team wondering whether to filter back or stay up and mark up sooner rather than later.
Every time we got the ball last year, teams knew to just run back and mark the arc. I honestly don't think we are stuck for forwards at all, it's ideas we are stuck for. Variety in your attack is worth more than any individual forward.
papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 94 - 06/08/2026 10:42:09
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Replying To papa_pump: "Couldn't agree more and this is really the heart of our own problems last year. It became so obvious how we wanted our attacks to play out and teams built for it. Down Cork and Dublin all stopped buying the overlapping runs around the arc and teams knew well we weren't going to be putting a big ball into Hugh McFadden, who was only playing inside to make room for shooters on the arc. By comparison look at Kerry in the semi final - they used the inside mark twice which has the small but important role of keeping Dublin honest, and saying to them that if you don't watch the lads playing furthest up the pitch we can catch you sleeping. Same goes on counter attacks; for Kerry and Mayo they might start heaving ball down the pitch to Kobe or Beirne or Geaney or Dave Clifford, or they might charge it up the field with McBrien or Gavin White. Point is it leaves the other team wondering whether to filter back or stay up and mark up sooner rather than later.
Every time we got the ball last year, teams knew to just run back and mark the arc. I honestly don't think we are stuck for forwards at all, it's ideas we are stuck for. Variety in your attack is worth more than any individual forward." 100%
99.99% of Donegal's attacks this year seemed to HAVE to be pre rehearsed set plays. And opposing teams cottoned on to those the longer the year went on.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1713 - 06/08/2026 12:13:37
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - GDx2
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - Eunans x2
Naomh Conaill v Downings NC x 6
Glenswilly v Termon - draw
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - NCx 3
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - Duggloe x 2
Ardara v Kilcar - Draw
Four Masters v Killybegs - FMx5
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford NMx4
Carndonagh v Buncrana - Buncrana x3
Fanad Gaels v Burt - Fanad x 4
St. Nauls v Red Hughs - Nauls x 2
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) - Muff x 4
Malin v Cloughaneely - draw
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) - Urris x 3
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa - NU x 2
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels - LK x 6
Pettigo v Moville - Moville x 5
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - draw
greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 801 - 06/08/2026 16:35:33
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - St.Michaels X2
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - St.Eunans X8
Naomh Conaill v Downings - NC X5
Glenswilly v Termon - Termon X1
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - Draw
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - Draw
Ardara v Kilcar - Kilcar X3
Four Masters v Killybegs - Four Masters X6
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford - Naomh Muire X1
Carndonagh v Buncrana - Buncrana X2
Fanad Gaels v Burt - Fanad X2
St. Nauls v Red Hughs - St.Nauls X4
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) - Draw
Malin v Cloughaneely - Malin X2
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) - Urris X5
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa - Na Rossa X2
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels - Gaels X6
Pettigo v Moville - Draw
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - Draww
HowManyStepsRef (Donegal) - Posts: 316 - 06/08/2026 16:51:40
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - St.Michaels X2
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - St.Eunans X7
Naomh Conaill v Downings - NC X6
Glenswilly v Termon - Termon X4
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - N Columba X 2
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - MacCumhaills X3
Ardara v Kilcar - Kilcar X6
Four Masters v Killybegs - Four Masters X8
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford - Naomh Muire X3
Carndonagh v Buncrana - Buncrana X2
Fanad Gaels v Burt - Fanad X1
St. Nauls v Red Hughs - St.Nauls X2
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) - N Padraig X4
Malin v Cloughaneely - Malin X3
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) - Urris X6
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa - Na Rossa X1
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels - Gaels X1
Pettigo v Moville - Moville X2
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - R Emmets X2
Northwest90 (Donegal) - Posts: 20 - 06/08/2026 18:07:22
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - GDx3
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - Eunans x6
Naomh Conaill v Downings NC x 4
Glenswilly v Termon - Glen x2
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - NCx 4
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - Dungloe draw
Ardara v Kilcar - Kilcar x1
Four Masters v Killybegs - FMx7
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford NMx3
Carndonagh v Buncrana - Buncrana draw
Fanad Gaels v Burt - Fanad x 2
St. Nauls v Red Hughs - RH x2
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) - Muff x 3
Malin v Cloughaneely - Malin x1
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) - Urris x 3
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa - NU x 4
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels - LK x 7
Pettigo v Moville - Moville x 6
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - NC x4
EP (Donegal) - Posts: 88 - 06/08/2026 22:51:14
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Replying To peiledoir20: "100%
99.99% of Donegal's attacks this year seemed to HAVE to be pre rehearsed set plays. And opposing teams cottoned on to those the longer the year went on." Our failures this year had nothing to do with tactics or style of play.It was purely down to lack of energy and intensity.When questions were asked of us we just were not able to respond.There are different theories why this was the case ranging from too much training to not enough.No doubt there was a bit of complacency against Down and Cork and Dublin showed that there was still a kick in them.Maybe they put too much in to the two Kerry games.Mayo beat Kerry because of their sheer intensity in the way they pressed the Kerry backs not letting them get their heads up to pick out long passes which the like to do.They learned that from the way Donegal played in the league final.That tactic would not have worked against Donegal because there is always support for the man on the ball.Kerry were also a shadow of the team that beat Donegal last year and they will point to injuries during the year as the cause.Is it possible that some of the Donegal players were unable to train properly as well.McGuinness sort of hinted at that.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1267 - 06/08/2026 22:53:04
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - Draw
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - Eunans x 6
Naomh Conaill v Downings - NC x 3
Glenswilly v Termon - Glenswilly x 2
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - NC x 3
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - Dungloe x 4
Ardara v Kilcar - Ardara x 2
Four Masters v Killybegs- FM x 7
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford - NM x 5
Carndonagh v Buncrana - Bunc x 4
Fanad Gaels v Burt - Fanad x 1
St. Nauls v Red Hughs - St Nauls x 5
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) - Draw
Malin v Cloughaneely - Malin x 1
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) - Urris x 2
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa - Na Rossa x 2
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels - Gaels x 5
Pettigo v Moville - Moville x 3
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - NC x 1
Samforthehills26 (Donegal) - Posts: 14 - 07/08/2026 09:37:43
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Replying To gunman: "Our failures this year had nothing to do with tactics or style of play.It was purely down to lack of energy and intensity.When questions were asked of us we just were not able to respond.There are different theories why this was the case ranging from too much training to not enough.No doubt there was a bit of complacency against Down and Cork and Dublin showed that there was still a kick in them.Maybe they put too much in to the two Kerry games.Mayo beat Kerry because of their sheer intensity in the way they pressed the Kerry backs not letting them get their heads up to pick out long passes which the like to do.They learned that from the way Donegal played in the league final.That tactic would not have worked against Donegal because there is always support for the man on the ball.Kerry were also a shadow of the team that beat Donegal last year and they will point to injuries during the year as the cause.Is it possible that some of the Donegal players were unable to train properly as well.McGuinness sort of hinted at that." And where do you think that 'lack of energy' stemmed from?
Having to run the ball up the field for every attack. Set up around and in the arc and then play the ball around for 2-3 minutes waiting for an opening to exploit. That is mentally draining as much as it is physically draining.
Donegal were so predictable in the championship this year. Plan B was 'Do Plan A better'.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1713 - 07/08/2026 10:03:22
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Replying To gunman: "Our failures this year had nothing to do with tactics or style of play.It was purely down to lack of energy and intensity.When questions were asked of us we just were not able to respond.There are different theories why this was the case ranging from too much training to not enough.No doubt there was a bit of complacency against Down and Cork and Dublin showed that there was still a kick in them.Maybe they put too much in to the two Kerry games.Mayo beat Kerry because of their sheer intensity in the way they pressed the Kerry backs not letting them get their heads up to pick out long passes which the like to do.They learned that from the way Donegal played in the league final.That tactic would not have worked against Donegal because there is always support for the man on the ball.Kerry were also a shadow of the team that beat Donegal last year and they will point to injuries during the year as the cause.Is it possible that some of the Donegal players were unable to train properly as well.McGuinness sort of hinted at that." In last years championship we averaged 27 points per game. In the two games we lost, we conceded 23 and 27 point. Overall we conceded an average of around 20 points per game. So across 10 championship games you'd have needed 23 points to beat us. This year we scored an average of 24 points per game and conceded same, 24 points.
We can't make huge conclusions off of that but one thing that flies out to me straight away is we were scoring 3-4 points less per match than last year and we were conceding at much the same rate. Given the amount of possession we have in games I personally would think our backs are under more pressure the more often that our attacks that we're working last year get turned over. I think that is what would drive the lack of legs, when you're asking the backs to do 10-15% more than what they had to do last year. So I think you are right that the most obvious symptom for us last year was looking leggy, I just think it starts earlier than that with unforced errors and poor turnovers resulting in more pressure for us.
Even against cork there I can think of a few 3-4 point swings where we would make a sloppy handling error on the arc and they'd come up and hit us with a two pointer. At various times against Down we were level despite being well below our standard, and turnovers absolutely killed us. I don't think we can go in to next year depending on the same bag of tricks
papa_pump (Donegal) - Posts: 94 - 07/08/2026 10:50:48
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels GD x 5
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh Eunans x 8
Naomh Conaill v Downings NC x 5
Glenswilly v Termon Glen x 2
Glenfin v Naomh Columba NC x 3
Dungloe v MacCumhaills Dungloe x 5
Ardara v Kilcar Kilcar x 3
Four Masters v Killybegs FM x 7
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford NM x 5
Carndonagh v Buncrana Bun x 3
Fanad Gaels v Burt Fanad x 1
St. Nauls v Red Hughs Nauls x 4
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) NP x 3
Malin v Cloughaneely Malin x 7
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) Urris x 14
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa NU x 5
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels LKG x 7
Pettigo v Moville Moville x 4
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets Draw
Mountain_view (Donegal) - Posts: 1 - 07/08/2026 12:07:17
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Senior:
Gaoth Dobhair v St. Michaels - GD x 4
St. Eunans v Aodh Ruadh - Eunans x 9
Naomh Conaill v Downings - NC x 5
Glenswilly v Termon - Glen x 3
Glenfin v Naomh Columba - Glenfin x 1
Dungloe v MacCumhaills - Dungloe x 2
Ardara v Kilcar - Kilcar x 4
Four Masters v Killybegs - FM x 5
Intermediate:
Naomh Mhuire v Milford NM x 4
Carndonagh v Buncrana Buncrana x 4
Fanad Gaels v Burt Fanad x 1
St. Nauls v Red Hughs Nauls x 5
Bundoran v Naomh Padraig (UC) NP x 4
Malin v Cloughaneely Malin x 5
Junior:
Urris v Naomh Padraig (L) Urris x 16
Naomh Ultan v Na Rossa NU x 4
Convoy v Letterkenny Gaels LKG x 5
Pettigo v Moville Moville x 2
Naomh Colmcille v Robert Emmets - RE x 2
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10447 - 07/08/2026 13:24:09
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