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New Donegal Manager

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32: "There is some pile of negativity going on here. It's very easy to criticise and pretty much criticise everything. Bringing Karl lacey as head of academy development is hardly a regressive move by the county board. Limerick success is based on an academy structure and it's proven to have worked in other counties as well. Having someone like him working within the young players can only benefit donegal down the line. They also undertaken collaboration they were doing with LYIT and also to keep so of the younger players local. They've got the development work complete in convoy gaa centre. Players and management have to be frustrated by last few years and no doubt changes need to be made. I don't want to see ban in a man marking corner back role. Nobody did more damage to tyrone than him running at them. He has to play in a freer role in the hb line, maybe in sweeper role that allows him to carry the attack from the back. Identify the full back marker players and get coaching with the as early as possible. Think mcff comes into this category. He's got pace and he's a tenacious character though a bit over zealous. Maybe mckelvey from naomh conaill comes into the reckoning here too. I think the whole back 7 of the under 20s are under age again next year. It's possibly too early for any of them to make the jump next year but think some of of them will come through. I think donegal also had a development group with the senior squad, maybe under 21s who might not be quite ready but the training will help bring them along. I don't know the players but it's a good idea. The club championship for the first time in a while represents a good opportunity for players to stake a claim for county selection. Nice to see conor o'donnell go back to carn and play well and they've got promoted which is good to see. Against armagh in a do or die match he really added something. Hope to see more of him in a proper league structure next year. Oising farrah likewise and he looked very good last year in the club championship last year. It's been mentioned that his development was not managed well but I'm pretty sure his initial injury was a club match. Fingers crossed Jason mcgee can have a good run with cloughaneely in the intermediate championship as well. Bonner may also need to freshen the management team up a bit and toughen the team up. Maybe a few more sand dunes in downings or send them on eamon mcgees special forces training. Maybe find a cause to get behind. Prove the great and the good of the hoganstand donegal forum wrong!!! It's the 50 year anniversary of donegals first ulster win next year. Nice to celebrate that in little style next year." If watching Tyrone reach an AI final is not enough of a cause to get behind I don't know what is. Are we that fair behind them? I would suggest not. But we need to toughen up and get our defence in order first and foremost. Surely to God we'll see a somewhat more normal GAA calendar in 2022, plenty of games in McKenna Cup and league to settle on a system. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 31/08/2021 12:18:00 2376713 Link
Replying To The keeper: "I have been chatting to donegal supporters all around the county, and every single one of them said the same thing, we are going no where under his management. I have absolutely nothing against declan bonner, was a great player. And i only want what is best for donegal. I think for to long we looked down on ourselves and accepted second best, were happy with the odd big day out, a moral victory. I truely thought the mcguinness changed things for the better in donegal, put a mindset in the team and supporters we are as good as anyone. But looking at things and the way the board fast tracked declan bonner, i feel we are back to the bad old days of under the table agreements. The cosy boys club as previous poster has said. We have learned nothing, and i hope i am wrong, but it will be another 20+ years before sam visits again. As a donegal gaa man, i really hope i am wrong" As a naomh Conal man what was to stop your club putting up a candidate. Did you go to your club and voice your opinion. Probably not rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 31/08/2021 12:43:55 2376726 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "If watching Tyrone reach an AI final is not enough of a cause to get behind I don't know what is. Are we that fair behind them? I would suggest not. But we need to toughen up and get our defence in order first and foremost. Surely to God we'll see a somewhat more normal GAA calendar in 2022, plenty of games in McKenna Cup and league to settle on a system." Agreed with yourself and Ulsterchamps. Some of the negativity I find baffling on here to be honest. We lost to Tyrone in an extremely tight game where we battled brilliantly without Murphy or Neil McGee for the majority of the game. We are not far away from them in particular and I think if we have a clear run at things next year we can make an impact on the All-Ireland series. I also think there's severe revisionism going on with the Ulster titles we won, particularly the 2019 season. We got caught by Mayo in Castlebar on a horrible dirty wet day, deservedly beaten and a disappointing end to what was a great summer. I think Bonner has been unlucky in coming up against the nonsense Super 8 format the 2 years we were Ulster champions, not getting any benefit really from winning our province. The big negative has been losing to Cavan in last year's Ulster final, it was a massive opportunity to get to a semi-final and test ourselves against Dublin and they messed it up. It was extra disappointing as they had battled brilliantly against Tyrone in a typhoon in Ballybofey and I thought had turned a corner mentally. Consistency is an issue under Bonner and I hope we see improvements next year. Please god we get some sort of normal season, as I would like to see a fair run at it without any Super 8 nonsense. However I think football has moved on a little bit from what worked for us in 2018 and 2019, so we need to adapt. But as some have mentioned on here, without constantly harping back to Jim, there are very few serious options out there and I am happy for Bonner to have another run at it. The way some posts read on here you'd swear he was bringing us to Division 4 football. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 31/08/2021 12:45:17 2376727 Link
Replying To rorysboys: "As a naomh Conal man what was to stop your club putting up a candidate. Did you go to your club and voice your opinion. Probably not" Our club is rather busy with other things, and with such a tight window to nominate a candidate, its no surprise there was no competition for the donegal job. As a donegal supporter for the past 30+ years, i just expect higher standards. Why could the county board not draw up a list of candidates from the time we got knocked out, and interview them if interested including declan bonner. Then get the best man for the job, should that be bonner or someone else. I hope i am proved wrong, and declan bonner goes on to won Sam. I am just not convinced he will. The keeper (Donegal) - Posts: 687 - 31/08/2021 15:08:41 2376787 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "If watching Tyrone reach an AI final is not enough of a cause to get behind I don't know what is. Are we that fair behind them? I would suggest not. But we need to toughen up and get our defence in order first and foremost. Surely to God we'll see a somewhat more normal GAA calendar in 2022, plenty of games in McKenna Cup and league to settle on a system." I agree with this. Seeing how this season has panned out must surely let the players and managers know how close we are. We lost Tyrone on a day when everything went wrong. We need to work on defense (individuals and systems), but I'd rather have that problem than lack of talent or scorers. Hard to be overly enthusiastic about Bonner being re-appointed, but overall I think he probably deserves another crack at it. The last 2 years have been all over the place with Covid, he deserves a run at a 'normal' season. When we lose it isn't all the managers fault. There are plenty of the players who have gone missing in big games. himachechy (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 31/08/2021 15:53:25 2376801 Link
Ulsterchamps dont think Eamon Mc Gee was to brave in the celebrity from hell series.Suffers from fear of heights. neutral (None) - Posts: 358 - 31/08/2021 17:20:46 2376832 Link
Replying To thelowball: "Can't understand why there isn't uproar among Donegal faithful supporters at the status quo on the senior managerial situation. Why isn't the county board,Mick McGrath and co up in arms at the senior show! Surely there must be some officers disgruntled at the farce that is the Donegal senior team, or is everyone happy with their couple of 'Ulsters' and not a trace of Croke Park. Bonner should be back in Doochary with his feet up, giving some one else a chance to make Donegal relevant again. With last years final to be played and this years champ. around the corner, time the the new man was given a chance to suss out some new talent!" Wrong again lowball you were writing Bonner's obituary too early. Hard to keep a good man down. Hopefully you'll be behind bonner and his team in 2022. Hopefully a trip to croke park beckons. Let the good times begin rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 31/08/2021 17:54:43 2376843 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "If watching Tyrone reach an AI final is not enough of a cause to get behind I don't know what is. Are we that fair behind them? I would suggest not. But we need to toughen up and get our defence in order first and foremost. Surely to God we'll see a somewhat more normal GAA calendar in 2022, plenty of games in McKenna Cup and league to settle on a system." As a few folks have said that's a good point using tyrones success as cause or motivation. Though other counties in ulster are no doubt thinking the same. Derry will start integrating the marquee players from their minor winning team and will take belief out of this year. Monaghan and Armagh are both real forces as well. I listen to the odd gaa program on tyrone gaas propaganda channel ttm. I remember one of their presenters being dismissive of donegal saying that all they're really good for is beating tyrone and they don't back it up after. The most annoying thing about that is that there is real truth in it. Anyhow as you say hopefully a normal year will help and they need to be getting at it as early as possible. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 697 - 31/08/2021 19:12:48 2376864 Link
Hi all, heard the news and came on here to see what the local reaction was as i was surprised Bonner kept the job. Fair to say I'm not the only one! Do Donegal do outside managers? I thought Rochford would have been a great appointment if he was interested. Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 31/08/2021 19:46:54 2376869 Link
Replying To Cbar: "Hi all, heard the news and came on here to see what the local reaction was as i was surprised Bonner kept the job. Fair to say I'm not the only one! Do Donegal do outside managers? I thought Rochford would have been a great appointment if he was interested." Generally there is great respect for Stephen in Donegal, the man has put in a lot of hours and lot of travel, and clearly has been a major force behind the scenes in adapting how Donegal play. The problem is that he is already in the existing management team, providing key input behind the scenes. The question to ask now is whether Stephen Rochford would bring anything different to the table to what he was bringing in his current capacity? I'm not so sure. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 31/08/2021 23:04:23 2376907 Link
Bonner is still the best we have currently. Last few years has had its ups and downs for sure but with that experience I think he can put it to good use. We have had bad calls as well as bad luck at times but on our day we can beat anyone and still the strongest in Ulster, fine margins cost us this year. Best of luck to Declan and Donegal for next season, hopefully with fans back we can achieve something big! FootballGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 229 - 31/08/2021 23:09:48 2376908 Link
Replying To Cbar: "Hi all, heard the news and came on here to see what the local reaction was as i was surprised Bonner kept the job. Fair to say I'm not the only one! Do Donegal do outside managers? I thought Rochford would have been a great appointment if he was interested." Our last outside manager was Brian McIver I believe, and Mickey Moran before that, 2 Derry men so not far away. I'm not sure Rochford is interested in the main job from what I've heard, he likes the coaching but not the head job, I may be wrong there though. Really outside of Malachy O'Rourke there are not many outstanding candidates around. Bonner has given a lot and brought us good football with a very young team. As I mentioned we suffer with inconsistency but I think he deserves another crack at it and hopefully a season that isn't too impacted by COVID. I am surprised he got a further 2 years, moreso that I wasn't sure if Bonner wanted to keep going that long, but I suppose they will see how the next season goes really. I can understand people being unenthused about this or a bit disappointed but some of the comments, from one poster in particular, just reeks of a personal vendetta. We all know what poster it is, they'll disappear as soon as we win a few next year and won't reappear until something goes wrong. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 01/09/2021 09:21:04 2376935 Link
Conor Laverty would have been another interesting candidate. By all accounts a very shrewd football brain and an up and coming manager. Obviously the logistics involved in travel from Down would have been a hindrance though. We'll just have to get behind Declan again. I have no doubt that with better luck with injuries and a defensive rethink that we can be top dogs in Ulster again. Lets not lose all reason here. Yes Ulster will be super competitive again but I can guarantee you no team will be happy drawing us in the first round in 2022. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 01/09/2021 11:37:40 2376965 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Conor Laverty would have been another interesting candidate. By all accounts a very shrewd football brain and an up and coming manager. Obviously the logistics involved in travel from Down would have been a hindrance though. We'll just have to get behind Declan again. I have no doubt that with better luck with injuries and a defensive rethink that we can be top dogs in Ulster again. Lets not lose all reason here. Yes Ulster will be super competitive again but I can guarantee you no team will be happy drawing us in the first round in 2022." I actually think Tomas O'Se would be an interesting outside manager, however geography would rule him out, as I believe he works and lives in Cork. I always find his analysis to be superb. I agree that nobody will want to be getting Donegal in the opening round, I think this is a new era for Ulster football, as there isn't much between Tyrone, Donegal and Monaghan, and Armagh and Derry are coming strong, and Cavan have the potential and Down, Fermanagh and Antrim can give anybody a game. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1121 - 01/09/2021 12:54:43 2376984 Link
I forgot all about Rory as an outside manager, though really he feels like a Donegal man in many ways! JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 01/09/2021 12:55:16 2376985 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Conor Laverty would have been another interesting candidate. By all accounts a very shrewd football brain and an up and coming manager. Obviously the logistics involved in travel from Down would have been a hindrance though. We'll just have to get behind Declan again. I have no doubt that with better luck with injuries and a defensive rethink that we can be top dogs in Ulster again. Lets not lose all reason here. Yes Ulster will be super competitive again but I can guarantee you no team will be happy drawing us in the first round in 2022." Hi Lockjaw: Any idea what is causing these injuries this past few years with the county men. It can't be just down to bad luck, it's occurring too regularly with too many players. AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 648 - 01/09/2021 13:17:09 2376993 Link
Any word on the backroom team.? TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1142 - 01/09/2021 17:48:38 2377084 Link
Heard mick mc grath saying on radio bonner was away on a family holiday so probably be no word on backroom team this week. Be interesting to see will rochford stay or is kept. Hope he does supposed to be well liked among the players. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 01/09/2021 17:55:18 2377087 Link
Replying To JoeSoap: "Our last outside manager was Brian McIver I believe, and Mickey Moran before that, 2 Derry men so not far away. I'm not sure Rochford is interested in the main job from what I've heard, he likes the coaching but not the head job, I may be wrong there though. Really outside of Malachy O'Rourke there are not many outstanding candidates around. Bonner has given a lot and brought us good football with a very young team. As I mentioned we suffer with inconsistency but I think he deserves another crack at it and hopefully a season that isn't too impacted by COVID. I am surprised he got a further 2 years, moreso that I wasn't sure if Bonner wanted to keep going that long, but I suppose they will see how the next season goes really. I can understand people being unenthused about this or a bit disappointed but some of the comments, from one poster in particular, just reeks of a personal vendetta. We all know what poster it is, they'll disappear as soon as we win a few next year and won't reappear until something goes wrong." I'm glad you mention the particular poster with the vendetta against bonner. It's an absolute joke 99 per cent of his post are anti bonner. This poster is definitely a player bonner didn't pick or dropped off the squad. Sad really. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 01/09/2021 18:01:56 2377088 Link
Now all of a sudden Rory u and the soap boy are trying to drum up support for your perennial loser manager. Do the math Rory and 75 to80 percent posters on here and the majority of ur supporters in the county, I'd say 90percent think it's a shambles. Sit back boys and enjoy the little bit of adulation for now, he'll be gone soon enough. To keep u guys guessing I wouldn't let Bonner touch my laces in the day lol!, By the way Rory, have Bonner call Peter Keane, whose about to be canned after his Croke Park exploits ,he can probably give Bonner a few pointers Oh yes u did mention Croke Park in a recent post,guess u found it on the map, now Show Bonner where it is. By the way as long as Adm allows it, I will not be goin away much to ur consternation. thelowball (USA) - Posts: 400 - 02/09/2021 00:36:18 2377163 Link