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New Donegal Manager

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Replying To ballyshannon: "Martin mchugh , it's his time now" He was in charge (unofficially) between 2015 and 2017, but didn't do anything. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 19/07/2021 15:04:41 2361733 Link
Replying To jacktheboy: "Barrett from Milford should be next Manager." Why should he? I have heard his name floated around the place, He obviously has political clout within the County, particularly in Milford area, but I don't think he has achieved anything that would warrant him getting a shot the Donegal Seniors. Donegal always has a number of guys with serious backing from clubs in a certain region of the County, but most of the time they not of sufficient quality to manage the Donegal seniors to an All Ireland title. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 19/07/2021 15:11:40 2361736 Link
Replying To Green_Gold: "Agree with other posters that it was bad taste starting this chat in the run up to the Tyrone game. However as the dust settles on yesterday's defeat, this topic will be fair game now. Bonner did a great job the first two years, it was vast improvement on what went previously and those two Ulster titles were great. Also we played great football to boot. We faltered in the Super 8s but I felt we would make the leap to the next stage, for whatever reason that has not happened. Did the Cavan game last year damage us more than we thought? Or was it a load of injuries that scuppered us. Or the manager was picking the wrong team with not enough defenders? I can't see Declan staying on but he at least deserves a bit of time to consider his options. The problem is that I can't see any obvious candidates apart from Jim but he seems hell bent on sticking with soccer. If Declan decides to pack it in, are we looking outside the county for a manager?" I agree, there frankly aren't any obvious contenders for Declan Bonners job right now, definitely not within the County. I'm not against Bonner, I think he has generally done a good job in landing and maintaining promotion, and winning two Ulster titles, he just hasn't been able to take us to that All Ireland level. Considering how heavily involved Stephen Rochford has been over the last 3 years, I am not sure he can bring anything fresh to the table. Martin McHugh has been out of it for too long, and would really need to be starting with Minors or U20's and winning before he would likely get a shot. I haven't seen anything from Barrett to suggest he would be able for that role. Jim McGuinness who would probably be best to get our defensive/attacking balance right, but he is trying hard to get into Soccer, I think Malachy O'Rourke is possibly the next best available Ulster based manager who is not already in a role, however his passion for Monaghan GAA might prevent him from taking it on. Michael Murphy in a player/manager role?? Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 19/07/2021 15:26:11 2361749 Link
Replying To jacktheboy: "Barrett from Milford should be next Manager." I hope this nomination was a bita craic seriously what has he done. Keep bonner any day... Mc Guinness or mc hugh are the only two County men worth considering... letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 153 - 19/07/2021 16:24:00 2361791 Link
Whatever way it goes I hope the players have some say in the decision. They will know what's best more than the county board. For example they would have an idea if Rochford could bring something different if he was in the riding seat alone. Or if bonner should stay but shake up the backroom team High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 76 - 19/07/2021 16:24:09 2361792 Link
I think Declan deserves some time to consider his options. It is a massive commitment managing a county team and God knows how disruptive the Covid situation has been these past 2 seasons. The county board might make the decision for him, who knows? But at least let the dust settle for a few days before coming to any decisions. As for potential replacements? Jim would be ideal but it's hard seeing that happen. Malachy O'Rourke alongside a young progressive coach like Michael Boyle who knows Donegal football? I know he is based in London now though. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 19/07/2021 16:25:46 2361793 Link
Replying To ballyshannon: "Martin mchugh , it's his time now" Wudnt want him. I think bonner will probably go he's done well probably not luckiest manager but he made us good to watch again. If he decides to stay then it could be interesting from a well informed source he's well got by the senior players.. if bonner thinks he has no more to offer he'll go because he is true Donegal man at heart. Him Murphy and mc gee who I hear has a bad injury owe this county nothing. By the way did anybody see the mc gee incident. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 19/07/2021 17:22:15 2361828 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "I think Declan deserves some time to consider his options. It is a massive commitment managing a county team and God knows how disruptive the Covid situation has been these past 2 seasons. The county board might make the decision for him, who knows? But at least let the dust settle for a few days before coming to any decisions. As for potential replacements? Jim would be ideal but it's hard seeing that happen. Malachy O'Rourke alongside a young progressive coach like Michael Boyle who knows Donegal football? I know he is based in London now though." I agree, I'm not opposed to Declan Bonner staying on for another year and hopefully getting one full Covid-19 free season to show what we can do, but an All Ireland title must be the ambition level. Not sure if O'Rourke would manage a rival team of Monaghans, probably not, as he will probably take control of Monaghan again if Banty messes up and steps down. It would be interesting to see if Jim McGuinness would be interested in returning, this team is arguably got more depth and natural attacking talent that what he inherited in 2011, and they have already won Ulster titles etc, so strong platform there and an abundance of pace. He isn't all about defence, but he probably would have an idea or two on how to tighten us up. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 19/07/2021 23:20:55 2361980 Link
Though I do think it's time for Declan to step aside I don't fancy any of the current underage managers, and I definitely don't fancy McHugh. Looking back at past managers is a bit regressive, but I feel like John Joe Doherty would do a better job than the current names flaunted. The team he inherited were far inferior to the squad Declan had to work with. Francie Martin is another name who's been selector but hasn't got a go at the big job, though he may want to stick with that Donegal minor ladies side and take them to senior. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 384 - 20/07/2021 12:47:14 2362096 Link
Replying To High_and_wide: "Whatever way it goes I hope the players have some say in the decision. They will know what's best more than the county board. For example they would have an idea if Rochford could bring something different if he was in the riding seat alone. Or if bonner should stay but shake up the backroom team" Stephen Rochford has been on the scene for some time now, and has definitely helped us develop or attacking game significantly and has put in the miles from Mayo each week for us, and I appreciate that and respect the man for it. My question now is would he actually bring the required improvement or anything fresh to the table if he had the final say as manager? I don't think him and Bonner had many disagreements, they certainly seemed to always be on the one page publicly and Stephen Rochford's opinion was always taken onboard, in fact in 2019 leaks from the squad were suggesting that he was making the lions share of decisions behind the scenes, which suggests at a minimum his opinions were being heard and implemented. Perhaps he would bring in a backroom team with different approach, but there would need to be a clear roadmap for the next 2 years with focus on improving our defensive issues and making us less predictable. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 20/07/2021 13:02:29 2362102 Link
Replying To Commodore: "I agree, I'm not opposed to Declan Bonner staying on for another year and hopefully getting one full Covid-19 free season to show what we can do, but an All Ireland title must be the ambition level. Not sure if O'Rourke would manage a rival team of Monaghans, probably not, as he will probably take control of Monaghan again if Banty messes up and steps down. It would be interesting to see if Jim McGuinness would be interested in returning, this team is arguably got more depth and natural attacking talent that what he inherited in 2011, and they have already won Ulster titles etc, so strong platform there and an abundance of pace. He isn't all about defence, but he probably would have an idea or two on how to tighten us up." Ah I'm not sure about O'Rourke being hesitant about accepting other jobs in Ulster because of his past with Monaghan. He brought Monaghan on an awful lot & won two Ulster titles and established them as a steady Div 1 team. But time moves on and I'm sure most Monaghan Gaels would wish him the best in whatever his future holds. It would be a different story maybe, if he was still in the Monaghan hot seat and another county made an approach. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 20/07/2021 13:29:49 2362122 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Ah I'm not sure about O'Rourke being hesitant about accepting other jobs in Ulster because of his past with Monaghan. He brought Monaghan on an awful lot & won two Ulster titles and established them as a steady Div 1 team. But time moves on and I'm sure most Monaghan Gaels would wish him the best in whatever his future holds. It would be a different story maybe, if he was still in the Monaghan hot seat and another county made an approach." If bonner decides to go Gary Mc daid would be the best of the rest. He's knowledgeable about football and is well respected but that's for another day. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 20/07/2021 14:16:58 2362149 Link
Francie Martin and Martin McHugh :D Give over. Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1072 - 20/07/2021 14:44:52 2362161 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Ah I'm not sure about O'Rourke being hesitant about accepting other jobs in Ulster because of his past with Monaghan. He brought Monaghan on an awful lot & won two Ulster titles and established them as a steady Div 1 team. But time moves on and I'm sure most Monaghan Gaels would wish him the best in whatever his future holds. It would be a different story maybe, if he was still in the Monaghan hot seat and another county made an approach." It's hard to know. Only those inside the bubble will know how much input Rochford really had and how different things would look if he was manager. I'd be willing to gamble on him, based on his pedigree at club and county management. However, I could be wrong. Martin McHugh did well at Cavan. We can't argue with that. My fear is that he would be unable to bench or drop the kilcar lads if they were not on form or if the opposition could nullify them too easily which has happened too often recently. There's been nobody standout at underage or with the ladies or even at club level that springs to mind. I'm not sure if O Rourke is even our answer. He seemed to run out of ideas at Monaghan too. If we got a wealthy Donegal sponsor to make Jim an offer he couldn't turn down, that would be ideal. Eamonn Fitzmaurice announced his willingness to get back into management. Do we need to buy a helicopter? StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 112 - 20/07/2021 14:51:16 2362163 Link
Replying To StockholmGael: "It's hard to know. Only those inside the bubble will know how much input Rochford really had and how different things would look if he was manager. I'd be willing to gamble on him, based on his pedigree at club and county management. However, I could be wrong. Martin McHugh did well at Cavan. We can't argue with that. My fear is that he would be unable to bench or drop the kilcar lads if they were not on form or if the opposition could nullify them too easily which has happened too often recently. There's been nobody standout at underage or with the ladies or even at club level that springs to mind. I'm not sure if O Rourke is even our answer. He seemed to run out of ideas at Monaghan too. If we got a wealthy Donegal sponsor to make Jim an offer he couldn't turn down, that would be ideal. Eamonn Fitzmaurice announced his willingness to get back into management. Do we need to buy a helicopter?" Undoubtedly McHugh is a sharp football brain, but when was the last time he actually had a definitive managerial role? It's a long long time since 97 with Cavan. How many times has he been in the frame for the Donegal hotseat? Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 20/07/2021 19:25:58 2362243 Link
Enda McGinley would be outside choice , playing record second to none and is the right age for job. He knows the game inside out and although he a Tyrone Man he knows Donegal possess serious quality so hard to turn us down ballyshannon (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 20/07/2021 19:37:25 2362249 Link
Replying To ballyshannon: "Enda McGinley would be outside choice , playing record second to none and is the right age for job. He knows the game inside out and although he a Tyrone Man he knows Donegal possess serious quality so hard to turn us down" What experience would Mc ginley have to manage a top team. Sad day if we have to go to Tyrone to get a manager. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 20/07/2021 20:24:51 2362262 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Undoubtedly McHugh is a sharp football brain, but when was the last time he actually had a definitive managerial role? It's a long long time since 97 with Cavan. How many times has he been in the frame for the Donegal hotseat?" A long time and the role has changed a lot since then. No doubt he keeps a finger on the pulse of the standard with Ryan still playing county along with his and Mark's media commitments. He managed Sligo IT to a Sigerson, got beat by Glenswilly in the county final when managing Kilcar and don't recall him doing anything special at Jordanstown when he managed there. Another candidate who might be tempted would be Cathal Corey, who was in the hat when Bonner got the job. Did well at Naomh Conall, managed Slaughtneil and didn't seem a huge impact in Sligo but they're a weak county. Gary McDaid probably would fancy it too, his CV isn't the worst but he was managing a club team with Murphy and Neil Gallagher. Hard to lose too many games at club level when those two were on song. StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 112 - 20/07/2021 21:14:03 2362285 Link
Replying To rorysboys: "What experience would Mc ginley have to manage a top team. Sad day if we have to go to Tyrone to get a manager." Lads Declan going to stay for 1 more year and he deserves all our support.Some of the names suggested 1 in particular laughable imo. neutral (None) - Posts: 358 - 20/07/2021 21:50:19 2362298 Link
In my opinion this squad is crying out for Jim to return and bring the best out of them, I think it would give the county a massive lift to get McGuinness back in, he was made for the Donegal job. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2757 - 20/07/2021 22:09:07 2362313 Link