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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To GaryMc82:  "You're right in that he probably has an edge as a sub entering the fray late in a game that he otherwise won't have if in from the start, same with big Michael Murphy. I always liked Ryan McHugh ever since he helped demolish the Dubs in 2014, the Dub team that couldn't be beaten, masterful exhibition and probably one of the biggest upsets that day. He has lost a step or two over time, its 12 years since that famous day, but still a handy boy.

Word of warning though, Derry are coming good under Ciaran Meenagh this year, and looking at Ulster, id say a Ulster final is on the cards and Id bank on a Derry v Donegal final."
I think Derry won't be far away alright, our side of the draw is harder to navigate, when ot comes to the big games Jim will play whoever suits the opposition best, Ryan is a safe pair of hands, always uses the ball well, maybe a substitute roll will be on the cards for him later on in the Championship, all depends on injuries etc too.
If Michael is fully fit I can't see him being left on the bench in a big game, he's just too good to play minutes without him when you don't have to imo.
He is getting into the best shape of his career almost from what I see, the man is a machine.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3741 - 07/03/2026 20:21:47    2660471

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "I think Derry won't be far away alright, our side of the draw is harder to navigate, when ot comes to the big games Jim will play whoever suits the opposition best, Ryan is a safe pair of hands, always uses the ball well, maybe a substitute roll will be on the cards for him later on in the Championship, all depends on injuries etc too.
If Michael is fully fit I can't see him being left on the bench in a big game, he's just too good to play minutes without him when you don't have to imo.
He is getting into the best shape of his career almost from what I see, the man is a machine."
Your side of Ulster is def loaded, a run in Ulster would bring back that belief. The whole thing kinda fell apart in Derry after Rory Gallagher was forced out, I'm not wanting to get into that, but he had the full Derry panel buying into his message and plan and we was sure we could win Sam. Things just weren't the same under Mickey Harte, even though he started well with McKenna Cup and National league titles, Donegal exposed a weakness in Celtic Park that other big teams probably had identified already.

Murphy can be hard to handle, but at his age, he has a higher risk of injury, so best not overdo it. McHugh is a safe pair of hands, but he can be managed. I would be more worried about the threat of Mogan or Roarty from deep, getting players to match them.

Donegal have a serious squad, and Jimmy McGuinness is a brilliant football manager, this could be Donegal's year.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3042 - 07/03/2026 21:23:07    2660476

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Big ask for donegal to get to a 3rd in a row imo. We are on the tough side of things too. Ulster isn't the be all and end all anymore."
I get with the All Ireland format now, winning Ulster isn't considered a benefit, but I'm not sharing the "Scrap the Provincials" narrative. Winning Ulster mean so much to the majority of players and Counties in Ulster, you can see that when Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Monaghan etc win titles, the crowds etc. Massive thing, it should be protected and ring fenced.

Moving away from the Provincials probably benefits Kerry and Dublin most, as Munster and Leinster Championships had been neglected by the GAA for decades, while they are both in the top 2 or 3 funded Counties in Ireland, and they had zero competition at Provincial level most years. They now want to scrap the Provincials.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3042 - 07/03/2026 22:15:32    2660480

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Replying To GaryMc82:  "You're right in that he probably has an edge as a sub entering the fray late in a game that he otherwise won't have if in from the start, same with big Michael Murphy. I always liked Ryan McHugh ever since he helped demolish the Dubs in 2014, the Dub team that couldn't be beaten, masterful exhibition and probably one of the biggest upsets that day. He has lost a step or two over time, its 12 years since that famous day, but still a handy boy.

Word of warning though, Derry are coming good under Ciaran Meenagh this year, and looking at Ulster, id say a Ulster final is on the cards and Id bank on a Derry v Donegal final."
Hi GaryMc82: How is the Donegal man getting on in there. Hearing players speak highly of him.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 692 - 07/03/2026 23:07:15    2660483

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Any word on the under 20s and how they are getting on. Missing some big names from their minor panel from a few years ago e.g jordi gribben.

Thesarsfields1976 (Monaghan) - Posts: 4 - 08/03/2026 18:59:17    2660554

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Replying To GaryMc82:  "I get with the All Ireland format now, winning Ulster isn't considered a benefit, but I'm not sharing the "Scrap the Provincials" narrative. Winning Ulster mean so much to the majority of players and Counties in Ulster, you can see that when Cavan, Derry, Donegal, Monaghan etc win titles, the crowds etc. Massive thing, it should be protected and ring fenced.

Moving away from the Provincials probably benefits Kerry and Dublin most, as Munster and Leinster Championships had been neglected by the GAA for decades, while they are both in the top 2 or 3 funded Counties in Ireland, and they had zero competition at Provincial level most years. They now want to scrap the Provincials."
Not saying to get rid of it but i don't think wining an ulster and not winning an all Ireland can be seen as a success anymore under this current team and manager. It's all Ireland or bust for Jim I think. This could be his last year as coach too. Hope not but I don't think he will stick around too long again.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 312 - 08/03/2026 20:50:27    2660574

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Replying To eddieSize5Balls:  "Not saying to get rid of it but i don't think wining an ulster and not winning an all Ireland can be seen as a success anymore under this current team and manager. It's all Ireland or bust for Jim I think. This could be his last year as coach too. Hope not but I don't think he will stick around too long again."
Where would he be going? he's hardly going back to try soccer again, Donegal is the perfect job for him, I hope he stays for the next 20 years.
I'd rather we focused on the All Ireland but we are going for 3 Ulster's in a row, I suppose if we do that it sets us up full of confidence again heading into the All Ireland series. Think provincial winners get a better draw too but I haven't a clue how the new set up is going to work, just read that somewhere.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3741 - 08/03/2026 21:12:03    2660579

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Where would he be going? he's hardly going back to try soccer again, Donegal is the perfect job for him, I hope he stays for the next 20 years.
I'd rather we focused on the All Ireland but we are going for 3 Ulster's in a row, I suppose if we do that it sets us up full of confidence again heading into the All Ireland series. Think provincial winners get a better draw too but I haven't a clue how the new set up is going to work, just read that somewhere."
Getting to a provinchial final gives you home advantage in the first game of the All Ireland series.Winning the Final will give you no advantage over the team beaten in the final i.e. both teams will get home advantage.The important thing is getting to the Ulster Final which will not be easy with a potential S/F against Armagh or Tyrone if we beat Down.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1236 - 09/03/2026 11:43:31    2660637

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