Firstly take away the fact that I am from Donegal and I know we can only meet (if Donegal win Ulster) in the Final. In fact, I would say Donegal would probably lose a match against Dublin in a final. I just think it would be a fascinating game.

You look at the way the two teams are set up: Dublin say let's play catch up and Donegal say let's play damage limitation.

Donegal have a (in the last three years) a 80%+ success rate on shot selection which means for every 10 balls they hit, they got roughly 8 scores. Jim Gavin's Dublin have roughly a 60% success rate. However, Jim Gavin's Dublin need possession because when you're only converting 60% of your scoring chances you need about 35-40 chances to get 18 points in a match. McGuinness's Donegal only need 24ish chances or so to get the same return.

Murphy, McFadden, McBrearty vs O'Carroll, Cooper, O'Brien(?)
Brogan, Mannion, Andrews/Kilkenny vs McGee, McGrath, McGlynn

You can say what you like about Donegal and their style of football (it has been very 2011 this year) but these two teams are built to meet each other. I honestly think this match could be unreal. Not high scoring, but absorbing.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 16/07/2013 09:17:52    1433069

they played each other 2 years ago and it was anything but a good game!!!!!!!!!

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 804 - 16/07/2013 10:12:41    1433108

Give me Dublin v Meath any day of the week, Dublin v Donegal if anything like 2011 game is something I never want to see again

dubarra (Wicklow) - Posts: 541 - 16/07/2013 10:36:19    1433130

Agreed, anything other than a Dublin v Donegal Final would be a massive shock.

Cute_Kerry_Hoor (Kerry) - Posts: 2518 - 16/07/2013 10:42:13    1433133

As a Dublin fan, my opinion is that Jim McGuinness is probably licking his lips at the thought of playing Dublin. While Dublin play a very attractive brand of football, in my opinion they leave the full back line totally exposed. To give Murphy, McFadden and Mcbrierity (sp) the same space as they give Meath would be suicidal against Donegal. I reckon Gavin would have to deploy a sweeper against Donegal. If not I can only see a Donegal win.

Drummerboy (Dublin) - Posts: 85 - 16/07/2013 10:42:46    1433137

Things have changed since then!

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 16/07/2013 10:50:12    1433147

With Donegal almost certainly in an All-Ireland final (well semi-final at least) I don't think they'll meet the Dubs this year.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13833 - 16/07/2013 10:54:30    1433151

Will sam be coming to letterkenny or Donegal town this time around?

unclegerry (Mayo) - Posts: 1223 - 16/07/2013 11:00:14    1433155

I'm far more worried about our next game than any thought of playing Donegal.

Why have you got 'Andrews/Kilkenny' ?

I think big Jim will be more worried about his next game too than anything the Dubs do if Donegal play like they did against Down in Croke Park they will be dumped out on their backsides.

Bluewave (Dublin) - Posts: 552 - 16/07/2013 11:11:13    1433168

I agree with MesAmis

I actually think if Dublin come up against Cork or Tyrone in the QF .. that will be the end of Dublin for 2013.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13655 - 16/07/2013 11:11:59    1433169

Donegal will only fear Kerry and rightly so!.....Kerry are gonna win SAM easily enuf!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 16/07/2013 11:13:47    1433172

No, Sam won't be coming to either Letterkenny or Donegal town, Mayo man. It's probably headed for Castlebar, just like it always is supposed to around this time of year!

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1478 - 16/07/2013 11:16:06    1433180

I'm not saying that Dublin or Donegal are going to make it to the final... I am just saying it is a match I'd love to see!

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 16/07/2013 11:20:29    1433188

Get real waynoI, leave the cuteness to the Kerrymen, its the national pastime there. If Tyrone negotiate the barrier that is Kildare then we have a reinvigorated Meath to contend with, if we reach the QF, then thats mission accomplished for this team for 2013 as far as I'm concerned.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 16/07/2013 11:24:12    1433197

Wow some boys are getting a head of themselves.

Sure the rest of us may not bother showing up.

westkerry (Kerry) - Posts: 1250 - 16/07/2013 11:25:54    1433198

Drummerboy
County: Dublin
Posts: 48

1433137 As a Dublin fan, my opinion is that Jim McGuinness is probably licking his lips at the thought of playing Dublin. While Dublin play a very attractive brand of football, in my opinion they leave the full back line totally exposed. To give Murphy, McFadden and Mcbrierity (sp) the same space as they give Meath would be suicidal against Donegal. I reckon Gavin would have to deploy a sweeper against Donegal. If not I can only see a Donegal win.



Agreed, Dublin are like Kerry Between 04 and 09, class football players, good to watch, etc etc, unfortunately you are right both Kerry and Dublin are the best teams in Ireland, but Donegal will suck the life out of both teams in the final, I for one if Dublin beat Kerry along thw
the way, ill be cheering for a football win in the final, ie Dublin.

kerryrowz (Kerry) - Posts: 833 - 16/07/2013 11:47:27    1433219

Sign up here if you want to see your county play Dublin in Croker. Form an orderly queue.

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 16/07/2013 11:57:52    1433240

Be a lot of egg on peoples faces when its a Kerry/Mayo final. Both will overcome said teams in semis.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 16/07/2013 12:02:15    1433253

westkerry
County: Kerry
Posts: 284

1433198
Wow some boys are getting a head of themselves.

Sure the rest of us may not bother showing up.

Agreed. It's all very well talking hypothetically but it's what happens on the big green rectangle that counts.

Take Tyrone for example. I think they could be knackered after having to play and beat Kildare and Meath just to reach the quarters. I think a well rested Dublin could whip them if they were to meet at this stage. No matter what wayno's kidology says! :P

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9874 - 16/07/2013 12:10:13    1433265

Donegal_abroad
County: Donegal
Posts: 281

1433180
No, Sam won't be coming to either Letterkenny or Donegal town, Mayo man. It's probably headed for Castlebar, just like it always is supposed to around this time of year!

One of the myths/lies spouted by pundits and media alike.From a man thats always there, never heard Mayo supporters claiming we were going to win Sam in the context portrayed by you and others. Nothing could be further from the truth, we are a negative bunch in the main, of course the tongue in cheek stuff will be posted in here (guilty*) but thats just muckin about.

Saying all that there is a genuine belief that we have a really good side under Horan and they will give it a right friggin lash, thats for sure.

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 16/07/2013 12:17:01    1433273