Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Jamie is the best and most consistent of them. Not sure how old he is, maybe 29 but he can still do a job.
I'm not sure why you bring those two up for 2 points. They've barely played over the last 2 years.
2 points were the difference today but Daire and Langan are very good at them. Add in Murphy, Gallen and Thomo when he's back.
Should be a good year."
They barely played but both made a difference when they came on in ulster finals over the last year.
Yeah we had a good day with the two pointers today, long may it continue.
Maybe Mulreany could be an option as a starter come summertime, his two point frees are a huge bonus. although I listened today on the radio so I couldn't tell if all the lost kickouts in the second half were down to bad kickouts or lads being beat in the air? I was surprised that we were beat for long periods in the air, we had our 3 strongest midfielders on the pitch.
Great result last night. Any sort of victory against the Dubs in Croke Park isn't to be sniffed at. When the team changes were announced, it was obvious that Jim was really targeting the two points.
Once we settled, I thought we completely dominated the first half, and should have been further ahead. We left some scores after us, albeit the wind was a factor.
I thought that with the wind at our backs second half that we'd go on to win fairly comfortably. But credit to the Dubs. They had an unfamiliar lineup, but they really dug in and made a good game of it. They owned midfield for a spell.
But our experience and quality ultimately showed. Langan & O'Baoíll settled us with some good scores and we saw it out.
One small gripe is this persistence with naming dummy teams. I realise there is probably a deadline to have a squad announced. But I'm sure the likes of Paul O'Hare & Domhnall MacGiollaBhríde's family and clubs were looking forward to the game. But neither got even a minute in the end. Maybe they picked up knocks I don't know.
We kicked a shocking amount of wides in the first half, and Dublin could very well have taken us in the second half, such was their dominance on kickouts and forcing turnovers from primary possession. I think it was a very good game for both teams, I wouldn't say either team was overly fussed about the result, it was more about the learning's and trying things.
I thought Shea Malone was very quiet until the got the goal, but this game will bring him on leaps and bounds. Conor O'Donnell is quietly becoming an outstanding corner forward, power and pace and two feet, he is now a key player in this team, he took his marker to the cleaners last night. Finbar Roarty just has it, fearless approach, pace and that directness, hard to believe he is still U20.
Dublin's Sean MacMahon was very impressive in the 2nd half, I thought he marshalled Dublin's comeback through high intensity and physicality, he could be a big player for them in 2026. They are a solid side, and Ger Brennan is a outstanding young manager, I think he will make hay with this Dublin side come summer.
Replying To High_and_wide: "They barely played but both made a difference when they came on in ulster finals over the last year.
Yeah we had a good day with the two pointers today, long may it continue.
Maybe Mulreany could be an option as a starter come summertime, his two point frees are a huge bonus. although I listened today on the radio so I couldn't tell if all the lost kickouts in the second half were down to bad kickouts or lads being beat in the air? I was surprised that we were beat for long periods in the air, we had our 3 strongest midfielders on the pitch."
Similar story here. I'm overseas and was all set to watch the game but tg4 shut down the use of a VPN through an Irish server so I had to rely on the radio commentary. Listening to Shea Malone's post match interview he said the wind died down in the second half. Listening to the commentary I fully thought Donegal would push on again with the wind at their backs. Looks like Jim is targeting as many points possible early and we might see more of the younger lads later in the league if we're in a position of comfort. Plus it'll be good preparation for the under 20 championship for those involved.