I am curious to know will Donegal's hunger be there for the whole hog, Dublin's wasn't there last year. But I believe the hunger will be there for the game against Tyrone, AI champs, at home, against arch-enemies...

If injury free, Donegal to shade it!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8821 - 07/05/2013 21:33:15    1380272

I don't see how the number of All Irelands Tyrone have in total, the last of which was five years ago now, has got anything to do with this game.

I'd say the record in championship between the two teams over the past two years would be much more relevant.

Mickey Harte is a great guy but his statement about pressure being all on Donegal is off the mark and clutching at straws. Three defeats in three consecutive years is a far more pressured prospect.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 07/05/2013 21:34:07    1380274

I'm surprised by your pessimism getoverthebar!
Of course we believe we can win, ya have to
believe man (pulls hair in frustration!)
Total Faith, Tyrone all the way on the 26th May.

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 07/05/2013 21:41:57    1380280

Mind games Donegal_abroad don't get too hung up on it. Mickey Harte is a master at this and isn't going to change now. It is a fascinating game and I don't know if Donegal can raise themselves up to the same physical and mental level of last year. If this was last season I would have put my house on Tir Connail but I believe Tyrone will just want this one too much to lose 3 in a row.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 07/05/2013 21:53:42    1380296

Ulsterman, I don't see why Donegal cannot reach those heights again.

Jim McGuinness felt himself that he could get more out of them this year and I see no reason to doubt him on that, given the enormous strides we've made in 2 years, which let's face it, nobody could have envisaged.

I admire Mickey Harte greatly but the heat really is all on him. If Donegal beat Tyrone yet again in Ulster, where do they go? They obviously have aspirations to build an All Ireland winning team and if they're second fiddle in Ulster yet again it will topple those plans to my mind.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 08/05/2013 10:34:37    1380374

TheGateKeeper, I wouldn't classify myself as a Tyrone fan as such. I like intercounty football surely but wouldn't be a big man for going to games (or popping up in Dublin in the summer as is fashionable). I try and look at it from a neutral point of view. Donegal undoubtedly have to raise their game because Tyrone are coming in with some momentum even on the back of the Dublin defeat. I think the pressure is on Donegal obviously being AI Champions but they'll be more than capable of raising their game.

I just hope its the nail biter we all expect.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 08/05/2013 11:08:30    1380394

I love the hype building around this game and I can see the past two championship encounters as a guide to how this will go. It will be a fairly low scoring game, full of intense tackling, any score got will be well deserved, no space, tactical battles on the sideline, time delaying by the team in front, fans baying for blood. This will be great for the two counties involved but I can't see it being the open and beautiful game that for example the Tyrone v Dublin league final or Donegal v Cork AI semi was last year. This will be a real battle, winner takes all game and the winners will get praise but their overall AI credentials will be questioned by the pundits as they will feel they didn't show x or y that will make them champions. I really couldn't give a hoot what anyone outside Donegal will think as long as we win but if we don't I'll wish Tyrone all the best and hopefully we will re-group and make the business end of the AI series.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 08/05/2013 12:49:10    1380489

Jim Mc Guiness and Donegal seem to be getting in the press a lot at the minute. Jims attempting to clarify his comments about the League, his defence of Mc brearty (right fully so) and his comments about county fixtures. Are these signs of an unprepared/unpreparing team or are they grist to the mill of "the world is against us lads".
Not a cheep out of tyrone, maybe they are caught in the headlights. (but i doubt that)

Manfred (Derry) - Posts: 20 - 10/05/2013 10:34:48    1381516

I think McGuinness might have got ahead of himself a bit this year.He has taken a lot on, it has to be said with Celtic etc. Whatever he tries to say , I think he has taken his eye off the ball and is going to get a lesson from Tyrone. I dont mean a football lesson, it will be very tight, but a lesson in life. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. By rubbishing the league (and that's what he has done) he has put himself in a "must win" scenario, or look silly. Harte has done the complete opposite and will not look silly if Tyrone loose.

gaelantrim (Antrim) - Posts: 1616 - 10/05/2013 11:17:09    1381553

Manfred
County: Derry
Posts: 12


Not a cheep out of tyrone,

Sure Mickey Harte is using every available oppurtunity to play mind games. Saying that its the be all and end all for Donegal, and they need to win it more! The game should have been played in Clones!

I didnt hear a word from the Tyrone camp in 2011 or 2012. I think Mickey has realised that we are just better than them at the minute and they need every advantage that they can get. He a worried man me thinks!

DLlegends (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 10/05/2013 11:17:32    1381554

You Think or you hope.
I dont think Mickey is the worrying type. In fact I know football is well down on his list of things to worry about

Manfred (Derry) - Posts: 20 - 10/05/2013 11:55:53    1381575

gaelantrim
County: Antrim
Posts: 1382

1381553
I think McGuinness might have got ahead of himself a bit this year.He has taken a lot on, it has to be said with Celtic etc. Whatever he tries to say , I think he has taken his eye off the ball and is going to get a lesson from Tyrone. I dont mean a football lesson, it will be very tight, but a lesson in life. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. By rubbishing the league (and that's what he has done) he has put himself in a "must win" scenario, or look silly. Harte has done the complete opposite and will not look silly if Tyrone loose.

Jesus Gael, catch a bit of a grip. Neither manager will "look silly" if they lose. The only way they would look silly is if they were making rash, unfounded predictions about winning which neither has done. They are two of the top managers in the country & neither will look silly after Ballybofey.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 10/05/2013 14:05:25    1381671

This will be my last post on the match as I'm heading Stateside at the weekend prior to a two week Caribbean cruise, I had no need to put that bit in I know, but it just looks as good typed as it hopefully will be in reality!!

I think we'll win by 4 points, something like 1-11 - 0-10. If we negate SON I'm confident we'll have enough firepower in Murphy, McFadden and McBrearty to get the job done! Time will tell though - it'll be a great day and I hope anyone lucky enough to get tickets for the game enjoys the occasion!

Adios a mis amigos!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10366 - 10/05/2013 14:29:26    1381695

DLlegends
County: Donegal
Posts: 177

1381554 Manfred
County: Derry
Posts: 12


Not a cheep out of tyrone,

Sure Mickey Harte is using every available oppurtunity to play mind games. Saying that its the be all and end all for Donegal, and they need to win it more! The game should have been played in Clones!

I didnt hear a word from the Tyrone camp in 2011 or 2012. I think Mickey has realised that we are just better than them at the minute and they need every advantage that they can get. He a worried man me thinks!

Or maybe he thinks tyrone are better in 2013 and knows when to go for it:)

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 10/05/2013 14:45:24    1381709

I'd say Tyrone will be under immense pressure to win this game. To lose 3 years on the trot to Donegal in Ulster would be a huge mental blow to Tyrone. Mickey Harte eluded to this after the league match in Omagh, how it's not good to lose too often to any single team as players start to feel they can't beat them.

Donegal are the stronger of the two teams in my opinion, with Tyrone back for another bite at the apple having failed last summer and the summer before. McGuinness has nothing to lose, Donegal have beaten Tyrone when it counted on more than one occasion and the record shows that.

The only way I see Donegal lose this is by key men losing their cool and seeing red, or the referee giving an avalanche of decisions against them. Otherwise Donegal will win what should be another tight game, and push on for a 3rd Ulster title in a row.
If the go that far and look good, I would be suprised if the push a bit further and have a tilt at Sam again.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 10/05/2013 21:52:45    1381936

Donegal by two

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 19/05/2013 19:09:35    1386766

Myself and Mickey Harte are possibly two of the very few outside of Co Donegal who can Ignore the National League campaign results completely and realise the enormous task facing Tyrone.

Last season Tyrone ran close a Donegal side that were still finding belief and confidence in themselves, and still trying to figure out if they could repeat the dizzy heights achieved in 2011. This season much has changed!.

Donegal enter this championship having
1. Beaten Tyrone in the Championship 2 years on the trot.
2. Won the Ulster Championship 2 years on the trot.
3. Beaten Down, Kerry, Cork and Mayo last season in convincing fashion.
4. Won the All Ireland title.

This will be a more confident and proven Donegal side, and let us not forget a very settled side who are in year 3 of "The System".
The actual game will likely be a war of attrition in the first half, but I think Donegal will have a slender lead at half time and will be unlikely to relinquish it.
It will be tight, but I think Donegal will win by a slightly better margin than last season. I think both sides will be very disciplined as neither will want to lose a man and possibly throw the game away.


Verdict: Donegal by 4 or 5 points.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3057 - 19/05/2013 21:00:10    1386855

That's it Gary, keep trying to convince yourself! ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 19/05/2013 21:03:09    1386857

That's it Gary, keep trying to convince yourself! ;)
It will be a draw in Ballybofey, and Tyrone will win
the replay in Clones! This will be Donegal's fate, a
sort of karma, for denying the mass of supporters
(from Tyrone, Donegal and others) the opportunity to
attend this battle! Justice not revenge will be served
gary! ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 19/05/2013 21:09:04    1386867

I think Tyrone might shade this as they are in fine form at the minute and I don't know if Donegal will still have that bite and hunger from last year. Having said that Tyrone need to start finding some more scoring forwards and stop depending on Stephen O'Neill so much; they will also have to tighten up around the middle of the half back and full back lines as teams can steamroll them when they run at their backs. The first 5 mins will tell us if Donegal still have it.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 19/05/2013 21:09:26    1386869