said it a few weeks ago straight after the league match between these two that Tyrone will win this. No reason to depart from that view.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1880 - 13/05/2015 09:25:36    1723035

Blind faith tells me Tyrone will edge a result.

When your county is involved in a championship match against an opponent they consistently struggle against sure what measure can you use other than Blind Faith. Using any form of logic at this stage would only depress me

downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 567 - 13/05/2015 10:01:59    1723047

I'm not at all surprised to see the majority of people on this thread (so far) backing tyrone for the win.

And I won't be surprised if they walk away from Ballybofey with the win on Sunday either.

This is a 50/50 game this year. And if Sean Cavanagh is fully fit, that might just be the difference in this game. I think we'll get the win though just about. It won't be pretty. Donegal by 2

HandballRef (Donegal) - Posts: 523 - 13/05/2015 11:11:42    1723075

I'm not at all surprised to see the majority of people on this thread (so far) backing tyrone for the win.

And I won't be surprised if they walk away from Ballybofey with the win on Sunday either.

This is a 50/50 game this year. And if Sean Cavanagh is fully fit, that might just be the difference in this game. I think we'll get the win though just about. It won't be pretty. Donegal by 2

___________________________________________


And the winner of the 2015, STBO (Stating The Bleedin' Obvious) award goes toooooooooooo *Drumroll*.................. HandballRef.

Well done pal, You can pick up your prize outside Jacksons hotel before or after the game on Sunday. A nice DVD of last years all ireland final. :)

Of course it wont be pretty. It's Ulster "football" ...

;)

Just kidding fella!

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 13/05/2015 11:39:08    1723084

It will be a tricky enough tie but one which I feel Donegal can emerge victorious in.
I just get the feeling that for a number of the Donegal lads they will this may be the swansong year and they will be determined to go out with a bang. You have lads like Durcan, McFadden, Neil Gallagher, Christy Toye, Eamon McGee, Karl Lacey etc who are coming near the end now and the opportunities for more silverware at county level are diminishing. That's not to write them off or anything like that - just being realistic that inter county football these days is a young man's game.

With that in mind I sense there is a steely determination this year to not only win Ulster, but to give the All Ireland a serious rattle as well. We have a core of hardened, experienced men now complimented by some really exciting young players so the right mix is in place. Tyrone come to Ballybofey in indifferent form, although boosted by their u21 All Ireland success. So there is an element of beware the wounded animal. But I just think Donegal are that bit more experienced, have more fire power and they know how to win tight games.

Donegal 1-11 - 0-10 Tyrone.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9734 - 13/05/2015 11:56:55    1723099

Donegal by 4.

ShortGrass_1 (Kildare) - Posts: 223 - 13/05/2015 12:07:41    1723107

Draw and Donegal win replay.

mayo_hurler (Mayo) - Posts: 113 - 13/05/2015 12:16:30    1723115

All logic points to a Donegal win but then again logic doesn't always apply in the Ulster Championship, still I take Donegal by 3-4 points in what is sure to be a tough encounter.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3747 - 13/05/2015 12:53:56    1723139

2004 Ulster Senior Football Championsip Semi Final Result. Donegal 1-11 Tyrone 0-09
Tyrone were all Ireland Champions and no-one gave us much chance. Everyone was talking about the Ulster Final between Tyrone and Armagh and how good it would be. We had no pressure on us and Colm Mc Fadden inspired us to a deserved victory that day.

This proves that if you don't perform on the day you will be beat and even though we have better all round players than Tyrone and bags of experience we need to be on top of the game or could be caught. Under Jim Mc Guinness we never looked like taking anyone lightly and I hope this will continue under Rory Gallagher. There is no pressure on Tyrone and all on us so I'd take a 1 point victory!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 13/05/2015 13:22:00    1723159

1. Morgan. If anyway fit at all.
2. Aidan McCrory
3. Ronan McNamee
4. Cathal McCarron
5. Ronan McNabb
6. Justin McMahon
7. Rory Brennan
8. Colm Cavanagh
9. Cathal McShane
10. Mattie Donnelly
11. Darren McCurry
12. Peter Harte
13. Mark Bradley
14. Sean Cavanagh
15. Conor McAliskey

Goals_Will_Come (UK) - Posts: 375 - 13/05/2015 14:09:19    1723199

That team won't start.

To big a game for Bradley in both sense of the word. Doubt brennan will start ahead of mc cann

redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 13/05/2015 14:15:34    1723205

I'd say Donegal will go with:

1. Durcan
2. McGrath
3. N McGee
4. E McGee
5. McGlynn
6. Lacey
7. Thompson
8. Gallagher
9. McElhinney/Toye
10. R McHugh
11. MacNíallais
12. O'Reilly/M McHugh
13. McBrearty
14. Murphy
15. McFadden

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9734 - 13/05/2015 14:19:19    1723210

When ye line it out like that, absolutely zero weaknesses there, possible Thompson and will toye still have it. seriously impressive outfit

redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 13/05/2015 14:42:28    1723226

Yeah Thompson may not start due to the fact that he's based in London now. Toye might be better used as an impact sub.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9734 - 13/05/2015 14:56:39    1723235

Lockjaw I think you have come really close to naming the Donegal starting 15. For me, McElhinney has to start, I don't think Eamonn Doherty, Mark McHugh or Christy Toye will start. Christy is grea to have as an impact sub. Hugh McFadden might start as he started all the league games I think. The excitment is really building for this one.

JimTheLegend (Donegal) - Posts: 247 - 13/05/2015 16:50:38    1723292

It would be a hard pill to swallow for Tyrone, if they exited the Ulster Championship to Donegal 4 times in 5 years.

This Donegal outfit have come through some major battles in the past few seasons, and are a battle hardened outfit. They are freah and fully fit entering this game, and It's hard to see them throwing this game away.

Tyrone have come out the wrong side of too many Championship battles in recent years, and so Donegal will have that mental edge over them. However apart from the league game in Ballybofey, Tyrone have actually been superb this year in the National League. They have produced some steely performances, and it looks like we are finally seeing them moving upwards again.

I just think Donegal will be too strong in too many positions to lose this, even thought Tyrone will set up a massive roadblock.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 13/05/2015 17:06:25    1723307

I expect a poor, non entertaining game between the sides and I cant see Donegal losing. They have a radical defensive system in place which is virtually impossible to break down, backed up by muscle bound rugby type players who suffocate their opponents at every turn.

Tyrone would need to play as Kerry did in last years final and hope for the best. Although Kerry got lucky with Durkin's error, I cant see such mistakes happening again in Bally Bo.

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 13/05/2015 17:25:12    1723316

Are we set for a full house in Ballybofey this weekend? Surely it will be

PoppinPoints (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 15/05/2015 19:35:06    1724121

its a Donegal victory before theres a gate opened in Ballybofey. Theres no need for the hundreds to go to it and be squeezed into it like saradines in a tin. no need for the ref, no need for Tyrone to even turn up just hand over the victory now to the Ulster 2015 champions Donegal. Mickie Harte must be licking his lips. this is one challenge he wont shy away from and I would imagine neither will his players. Who will win. 5.45 Sunday we will know. for now I am better go with the flow Donegal by a point.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 906 - 15/05/2015 21:03:54    1724141

Tyrone are massive underdogs and written off by most, yet the whispers from the camp have been very positive. Morgan is the only 'injury' (yet he's the only keeper on the bench?), and the side has had as low key a build up as I remember. Donegal are rightly strong favourites, yet this week I've heard many Tyrone people say '...they're a great side and they should beat us but, you know, I just have a feeling...'

One thing is certain, this game will go a long way to determining Mickey Harte's future as Tyrone manager. We've had almost ideal preparation and, if we aren't good enough to give it a real rattle, then we'll probably be looking for new ideas before long. Anyway, as I've said, Donegal are a mighty side littered with stars, but, you know, I just have a feeling...

Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 15/05/2015 21:41:51    1724149