does o neill from tyrone the star of the minor team who who won the all ireland recently look like a top class inter county forward?..was very impressed with him when i saw him on 3 occasions

ffgg (Longford) - Posts: 2571 - 04/10/2012 19:03:06    1278133

Brian McIvor is a brilliant manager and was treated appalling by Donegal, something i'm still embarrassed about. He'll do a job with Derry and although it's well known there is no love lost between Derry and Donegal if we were to go out i'd be chuffed for McIvor to get his hands on the anglo celt.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 04/10/2012 20:51:54    1278219

Samsforthehills
County: Donegal
Posts: 368

1278219 Brian McIvor is a brilliant manager and was treated appalling by Donegal, something i'm still embarrassed about. He'll do a job with Derry and although it's well known there is no love lost between Derry and Donegal if we were to go out i'd be chuffed for McIvor to get his hands on the anglo celt.

Well said would have to agree with that, would be nice him do well. Looking at the draw I think he will take Derry to at least an Ulster final if he gets the commitment from the players.

Have a feeling Donegal will be taking the scenic route next year, Last thing we needed for our first game was Tyrone, If they have an injury free squad i think they would have the taking of Donegal at that time of year.

tonto21 (Donegal) - Posts: 181 - 05/10/2012 08:57:15    1278353

ruanua
County: Donegal
Posts: 4363

1278112 02/10/2012 15:45:53
Samsforthehills
County: Donegal
Posts: 364

1276542 I want this Donegal side to beat Armagh out the gate in an Ulster championship game.

________________________

True That
If John Terry and 14 of his mates were playing against Armagh I'd cheer for JT & Co.

Would John Terry shake Jimmys hand?

FairShoulder (Armagh) - Posts: 333 - 05/10/2012 09:21:38    1278362

Probably wouldnt shake hands but try and hit him during a break in play knowing Armaghs history.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 05/10/2012 13:34:28    1278527

Its Hard to know. Tyrone are coming out of transition and its very hard to do back to back. I know Donegal have done it in the last 2 years but after winning the All Ireland id say they will be still celebrating up there til August of next year.

Galway1974 (Galway) - Posts: 161 - 05/10/2012 14:19:29    1278577

Very tough opener for the champions against Tyrone. While publicly Donegal will say that they are quite happy with the draw I think privately many in Donegal would prefer an easier game to ease themselves into the Ulster championship aftr their heroics this year.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 3070 - 05/10/2012 14:22:38    1278579

In the recent past All-Ireland Champions coming from Ulster have been ambushed in the provincial Championship the following year.

In 2003 a virtuoso display from a young Paul Finlay gave Monaghan a shock win over Armagh.
The following year, although it was in the semi-final, Donegal beat Tyrone.
In 2006 Derry ousted Tyrone in a drab affair. If I remember correctly Tyrone failed to score in the entire first half.

In 2009 it could be argued that Ulster football wasn't at its strongest and Tyrone basically cake-walked it.

That's why I would be very wary of Tyrone next year. They'll have players back and Mickey Harte is one of the shrewdest around. For me, it was Tyrone by a mile who gave us our sternest examination this year.

Jimmy will have the lads grounded. Anyone thinking the players have been away mad on the beer since the 23rd of last month is very mistaken.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10366 - 05/10/2012 14:53:38    1278610

So there we have it. The ulster final disguised as the quarter final. It will be interesting to see who comes through on the other side. I'd like a Donegal v Armagh/Fermanagh final

BettystownRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 3353 - 05/10/2012 15:42:41    1278661

lilywhite1
County: Kildare
Posts: 1425

1278579
Very tough opener for the champions against Tyrone. While publicly Donegal will say that they are quite happy with the draw I think privately many in Donegal would prefer an easier game to ease themselves into the Ulster championship aftr their heroics this year.

I actually think this is a dream draw for Jim McGuinness. This is a wake up call from the celebrations, as this Donegal team know they will have an almighty battle on their hands in the Ulster QF. All Ireland champions can normally glide through the early rounds of the championship without much hassle, But the Donegal team know if they aren't focused they will lose to Tyrone.
Donegal know this now in 2012, and will likely knuckle down come the league as they really wont want to go out first round of Ulster as reigning champions.

Tyrone wont want to lose this game, as losing 3 years in a row to Donegal will be a bit hard to take.

I think its Donegal's to lose, as they are they finished product. I suppose the league game might tell us, but i doubt it somehow.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 07/10/2012 12:58:06    1279418

Im not sure this is a bad draw. I like the prospect of playing Tyrone as early as possible. The reality is that we will have to meet and beat them on the road at some stage, and if we can do it in the first round, it lessens the likelihood of meeting them later in the year. Because they are a serious threat to us, I think this is the best outcome.

I think Tyrone will be much better next year, but I have great belief in our lads from now on. I think that we have a head start on most teams in the country, and I suspect that Tyrone will b one of the teams who will be as close to us as you can get.

But I think that we can beat them all the same. As for the field in Ulster, they will have to improve by something miraculous to get where it will b needed to compete at the top level. The one team that will be closest to this is Armagh. Cavan are a couple of years off it, Derry are going to struggle for another while, as are Down because of defections to OZ. Monaghan will also struggle.

Bring on Tyrone, I think this is the start to the championship that we all need.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3858 - 07/10/2012 13:24:39    1279429

Donegalman
County: All
Posts: 478

1279429
Im not sure this is a bad draw. I like the prospect of playing Tyrone as early as possible. The reality is that we will have to meet and beat them on the road at some stage, and if we can do it in the first round, it lessens the likelihood of meeting them later in the year. Because they are a serious threat to us, I think this is the best outcome.

As for the field in Ulster, they will have to improve by something miraculous to get where it will b needed to compete at the top level. The one team that will be closest to this is Armagh. Cavan are a couple of years off it, Derry are going to struggle for another while, as are Down because of defections to OZ. Monaghan will also struggle.

Bring on Tyrone, I think this is the start to the championship that we all need.

I think Tyrone peaked too early during the 2012 season. They had a great Div 2 campaign ( Ok apart from the Div 2 final ), and then beat Armagh in an impressive performance and gave Donegal possibly their closest championship game in 2012. But it went badly pear shaped against Kerry, didnt look like the same Tyrone side Donegal had faced. In fairness they have addressed some of the issues that Dublin highlighted in their 2011 All Ireland QF, But Tyrone still have a serious inconsistant side that looms over them. I think Donegal will step it up a level next year, and will be even more confident and fluent.

If McIver can get Derry training the way he wants, I think they could finally realise their potential. I fancy Derry to beat Down, and I think the other side of the draw will likely produce an Monaghan/Armagh SF with either team possible winners. Although i have a feeling Cavan may be ready to take a scalp or two in Ulster.

Still fancy Donegal for Ulster 2013, I get the feeling 1 All Ireland won't satisfy their hunger fully. And they will be in the mix for the All Ireland along with Mayo and Cork.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 07/10/2012 16:07:00    1279509

cork mayo and dublin you should add. their hunger will be back. tyrone of the last decade have a shocking record against donegal don't they?

BettystownRoyal (Meath) - Posts: 3353 - 08/10/2012 09:24:50    1279760

Yep Tyrone have lost to Donegal a few times, even in the noughties

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 08/10/2012 22:00:30    1280298

Tyrone will be better than they were last year and could win another Ulster but i feel thats the best they can do. They are a few years off from being a top side again but the potential is there. Donegal will again be a very competitve side, whether they can emmulate the feats of last year is another thing. I mean they played an absolute blinder last season, and never took a step wrong. Tyrone maybe for Ulster next year if they overcome a strong donegal side in CLONES

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 09/10/2012 11:25:14    1280379

A good read here from The Examiner:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paddy-heaney/it-will-take-some-innovative-coaching-to-wrest-sam-away-209824.html

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10366 - 09/10/2012 12:07:56    1280407

cacsmckilly
County: Tyrone
Posts: 519

1280379 Tyrone will be better than they were last year and could win another Ulster but i feel thats the best they can do. They are a few years off from being a top side again but the potential is there. Donegal will again be a very competitve side, whether they can emmulate the feats of last year is another thing. I mean they played an absolute blinder last season, and never took a step wrong. Tyrone maybe for Ulster next year if they overcome a strong donegal side in CLONES

I agree that Tyrone will win Ulster if they beat Donegal. It will be a huge ask for Mickey Harte & Co, as Donegal will be on full alert for the opening tussle with Tyrone. To be drawn against Tyrone in the opening round of 2013 will help focus the Donegal lads again, as they won't want to contemplate being knocked out in the opening round. Donegal still have plenty of room for improvement, which i assume they will work on come January.

Tyrone are taking shape, although the loss to Kerry didnt help convince many. But in fairness, I don't think that was a true reflection of Tyrone's current strength.
Owen Mulligan needs to hang up his Intercounty boots, I dont think he is up to it anymore. Tyrone's pace has improved dramatically between 2011 and 2012, which is a sign things are going in the right direction. I'm interested in seeing how the addition of Coney and Cavanagh will add to the mix next season.

I still think Donegal's improvement between now and next season will be what slots them in for another All Ireland title. Unlike their predecessors of 1992, I get the feeling these Donegal boys are planning on scooping a few All Ireland titles. And with Dublin and Kerry with new management, and Mayo possibly on the verge of losing James Horan, I think Cork could be their only real challenger that already has a stable management setup. Now thats not to say some of these managers cant win All Ireland in their first seasons, but just that these men will all be looking at setting up their teams and own styles.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 09/10/2012 20:56:46    1280843

Maybe Celtic.....or even Liverpool....

kikfada (Louth) - Posts: 2091 - 10/10/2012 20:02:48    1281356

Or Maybe Kilkenny?????

4bythenore (Kilkenny) - Posts: 360 - 10/10/2012 20:17:57    1281359

Meath can stop them with Mr Tayto at full back marking Michael Murphy:)

Seriously, Dublin could be there again as will Cork and Kerry. Donegal are well capable of doing two in a row, it will depend on whether the hunger is there.

ClassApart (Meath) - Posts: 1200 - 10/10/2012 20:58:40    1281394