Considering the article where the Monaghan freetaker Conor McManus describes the level of encroachment and abuse faced when taking a free against Antrim last weekend,you would have to ask why are they allowed continue and why don't the refs intervene from the first attempt at standing too close. Donegal have been doing it without correction since 2011 and referees like Joe McQuillan, David Coldrick etc.seem to completely ignore it. At times they will put 3 players 5 or 6 yards from the ball just to push their psychology on the taker pleading innocence to the ref. Its time for refs to act, move the ball up and show a yellow card, that will end the nonsense. With Donegal allowed to get away with this for so long its actually surprising that other teams have not been quicker to take this to the limits. However if refs don't man up and take control is it any wonder that the cheating disease is spreading?

jonno (Kildare) - Posts: 261 - 13/06/2013 13:26:12    1405672

I'll get slatted for this but cheating and bending the rules and getting away with it is the trademark of the best teams and players. Richie McCaw and NZ being a key example.

I remember being told as a young lad playing corner back, first chance you get to land the sucker punch on your man do it. This as far as the rules are concerned is a yellow card and in alot of cases a red one but not getting caught was key. All corner backs are the same.

The best penalty takers can end up striking the ball on the 14, The most organised teams will always have a new ball when the free taker wants it, Doengal was enroch on the free taker, Tyrone delibrately foul to prevent the counter attack, as soon as a ref turns his back the free taker will gain another 5 yards, every line ball is taken inside the line in hurling, The player running through the middle on goal isnt met by a defender because another forward purposely obstructs him.

Best example I seen AL final 2007 KK v Limerick. 17yr old Seamus Hickey at corner back, repeatedly struck of the ball once no official was looking.

Im not saying by any means coach lads to be cheats or encourage it in training, but the best and cutest players all have their ways.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 13/06/2013 14:22:17    1405744

Think we've heard Kildare crying foul about Donegal before, for example one of the management back room team trying to influence the referee before the 2011 AI Quarter Final in Croke Park speculating about Donegal's supposed fouling tendency.Then in reality we witnessed Kildare players dragging and hauling Donegal players to the ground continuously in the final minutes of that game in an unsuccessful attempt to quell the Donegal comeback. So the very thing that you're on about now in reference to Donegal will be replicated to higher levels by your own county and many others as the year unfolds. Some of these realities of the game are often stuck as a label on the successful teams in an attempt to deflect from the less successful counties' wider deficiencies. Of a greater importance would be whether Kildare under McGeeney are finally actually going to win something?

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 13/06/2013 14:25:23    1405748

Donegal_abroad
County: Donegal
Posts: 260

1405748 Think we've heard Kildare crying foul about Donegal before, for example one of the management back room team trying to influence the referee before the 2011 AI Quarter Final in Croke Park speculating about Donegal's supposed fouling tendency.Then in reality we witnessed Kildare players dragging and hauling Donegal players to the ground continuously in the final minutes of that game in an unsuccessful attempt to quell the Donegal comeback. So the very thing that you're on about now in reference to Donegal will be replicated to higher levels by your own county and many others as the year unfolds. Some of these realities of the game are often stuck as a label on the successful teams in an attempt to deflect from the less successful counties' wider deficiencies. Of a greater importance would be whether Kildare under McGeeney are finally actually going to win something?


What a ridicilous post. Football was around before 1992 ya know.

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 13/06/2013 14:32:38    1405756

Just feel it should be pointed out in relation to the article on the Antrim Monaghan match that it wasn't just Antrim who were doing it, just none of our players seem to have gone to the media on it.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 13/06/2013 14:38:35    1405764

sedico, what was so ridiculous about it? Every word of it is fact.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10369 - 13/06/2013 14:38:40    1405765

Without getting into 'well you cant talk because ...', yes, you would think a ref would be able to stop guys incroaching on frees. It is not as if it is an off the ball thing, or even a spilt second thing. His view isnt obscured either. When this is occuring, where is the ref looking exactly? Also, werent linesmen given the power to ensure frees are taken from the right place? Surely he can keep an eye on this type of thing also? Isnt that only common sense?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 13/06/2013 14:38:40    1405766

Donegal_abroad
County: Donegal
Posts: 260

1405748
Think we've heard Kildare crying foul about Donegal before, for example one of the management back room team trying to influence the referee before the 2011 AI Quarter Final in Croke Park speculating about Donegal's supposed fouling tendency.Then in reality we witnessed Kildare players dragging and hauling Donegal players to the ground continuously in the final minutes of that game in an unsuccessful attempt to quell the Donegal comeback. So the very thing that you're on about now in reference to Donegal will be replicated to higher levels by your own county and many others as the year unfolds. Some of these realities of the game are often stuck as a label on the successful teams in an attempt to deflect from the less successful counties' wider deficiencies. Of a greater importance would be whether Kildare under McGeeney are finally actually going to win something?


As a Kildare man I actually find it hard to deny any of the above.

Although I'd rather win nothing than win it like Donegal do. AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 13/06/2013 14:40:09    1405768

Wow, relax Kildare man! Haha, you just gave away the whole intent of your post there my man! Bitterness towards Donegal as opposed to any genuine concern for the game itself.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 13/06/2013 14:42:03    1405771

Lockjaw
County: Donegal
Posts: 2832

1405765 sedico, what was so ridiculous about it? Every word of it is fact.


Maybe I should have been clearer. The conclusion of his post was ridicilous. What has what McGeeney has won got to do with the op?

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 13/06/2013 14:46:36    1405778

"Although I'd rather win nothing than win it like Donegal do. AND THAT'S THE TRUTH."

Bullshit. If you boys even won a Leinster there wouldn't be a cow milked for a month.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10369 - 13/06/2013 15:10:51    1405812

Win it like Donegal do? I'm assuming what you mean is that Donegal won Sam Maguire through some excessive use of dark arts. In reality, only a class outfit wins an All Ireland. Donegal were top class last year, beat everyone in their path. Outstanding individual performances throughout the year, McFadden, Lacey, both McGees, McGlynn, McHugh, Kavanagh, many other outstanding players. Extremely fit and determined collectively. Like any other team that's won Sam.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 13/06/2013 15:23:49    1405836

daytona11
County: Kildare
Posts: 2171

As a Kildare man I actually find it hard to deny any of the above.

Although I'd rather win nothing than win it like Donegal do. AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.


Fraid you're on your own there.

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 13/06/2013 15:29:55    1405845

My apologies. I really wasn't talking about the negative tactics Donegal used. Or the fact Donegal are bad for the game of football but was reffering to the crap Jimbo McGuinness talks on a regualr basis.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 13/06/2013 15:33:08    1405853

My apologies. I really wasn't talking about the negative tactics Donegal used. Or the fact Donegal are bad for the game of football but was reffering to the crap Jimbo McGuinness talks on a regualr basis.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 13/06/2013 15:33:23    1405854

Sedico,

My point is I'd rather hang onto what bit of class and respect we have than watch that nonsense and win an All Ireland. Winning is all about glory. Believe me , there was nothing glorious about what Donegal done last year. The team lack class as do the supporters. Doesn't matter what trophy they have they'll never have that.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 13/06/2013 15:36:43    1405860

Jim McGuinness doesn't talk crap. Some people do though!

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 13/06/2013 15:40:40    1405865

daytona11
County: Kildare
Posts: 2176

1405860 Sedico,

My point is I'd rather hang onto what bit of class and respect we have than watch that nonsense and win an All Ireland. Winning is all about glory. Believe me , there was nothing glorious about what Donegal done last year. The team lack class as do the supporters. Doesn't matter what trophy they have they'll never have that.


Fair enough I'd take winning any day of the week. I don't have opinion on the team except I'd admire them for going from also-rans to AI Champs in a few short years. Honestly don't agree with you regarding their fans. They were very gracious in victory around me in 2011. Obviously you'll get buffoons everywhere but I wouldn't generalise.

sedico (Kildare) - Posts: 1682 - 13/06/2013 15:53:38    1405883

"My point is I'd rather hang onto what bit of class and respect we have than watch that nonsense and win an All Ireland. Winning is all about glory. Believe me , there was nothing glorious about what Donegal done last year. The team lack class as do the supporters. Doesn't matter what trophy they have they'll never have that."

Yeah cos the likes Karl Lacey, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden etc are just galoots who bludgeoned their way to AI success last year. Not an ounce of football between them.
I can't speak for all Donegal supporters but I will say this - I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10369 - 13/06/2013 16:24:19    1405907

Crossfieldball
Best example I seen AL final 2007 KK v Limerick. 17yr old Seamus Hickey at corner back, repeatedly struck of the ball once no official was looking.

Seamus Hickey was a 20 year old in 2007. So u say no umpire or sideline official picked up on Hickey getting struck right in front of their noses. Hickey was corner back that day and played just in front of a set of umpires and behind Eddie Brennan . Never heard Or seen Hickey complain about anything because their was nothing he hasn't seen before in a hurling match.

richiescats (USA) - Posts: 420 - 13/06/2013 16:47:42    1405928