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As good a prospects as the like of Mulligan, Carroll, Brennan and Langan are that is what exactly they are prospects. They are all talented lads but have not shown anything to suggest they should be in a team ahead of Leo Mcloone. Leo might not be the most dashing or skillful player say like Odhran but what he does bring is leadership, strength, composure and experience. He was excellent in both the county semi final and final this year. I know NC did not cover themselves in glory in the final but I thought Leo played well. Always showing for the ball, recycling and winning frees when needed. In the semi final his experience is really what won it for NC getting the crucial frees that brought NC back into it. In 2014 he was arguably one of Donegal's most important players especially in Ulster. Clearly he was one of Jim McG's most important players always popping up getting crucial scores when needed. When the chips were down last year in the championship who stood up? This is where a player like Leo could be invaluable and for me he will be an automatic starter. Yes he will have games where he might not be so effective but Donegal cannot afford to be without him especially now with the introduction of younger players. The younger players above have all shown glimpses of their talent but yet to really stampo themselves as certain starters. Personally I think Brennan is a guy you bring off the bench against tired legs. Carroll and Mulligan have shown flashes of their talent but not yet enough to say they should start. When they show more consistency and gain more experience at senior level then they should have a good future. As for Langan he needs to get on the ice cream diet and put on a bit of conditioning as he is very light yet. He is a guy I rate who I think could be a very important player in the future. Personally I see Stephen Mcmenamin and Daire O'Baoill as 2 guys ready to make the step up. Both strong guys who are quick and not afraid to get stuck in. Just a shame Donegal have lost out by the stupid decision to get rid of the U-21 championship. Donegal would again have had a very strong side who I think would have won Ulster and possibly given the AI a better shot than last year. That kind of experience would have been huge for those players but sadly not to be.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 27/10/2017 12:42:16 2058550 Link 0 |
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In my opinion Carroll was much better than McLoone in that Semi Final.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 27/10/2017 14:01:50 2058583 Link 0 |
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Leo may not be the answer to all our problems but he is surely good enough to start in the Donegal team. Personally I favour playing him in that centre half back role, he played his best football in that position for Donegal during the 2014 NFL. I am a fan of Michael Carroll and feel he can be a major star for us in the future, really hoping he can nail down his position this coming year and fulfill his potential, we have to remember he would still be an under-21 player next year of that competition still existed. Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1883 - 27/10/2017 14:58:39 2058603 Link 0 |
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He had a good game especially in the first half but ultimately it was a game they lost that they should have won and Leo was one of the main reasons that NC did win that night. I am not saying Leo is the saviour of Donegal football. He would not have the natural talent of Odhran or the pace of Carroll but he has a good football brain and is tough. Donegal need to bring some of that toughness back to their game, it is something missing from some of these young players coming through.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 27/10/2017 17:06:37 2058639 Link 0 |
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Watched the Dublin co final last night. Was told about Nathan Mullins last week. He was the lad who played a few games for donegal u21s a few years back. Wonder will Bonner approach him seeing that midfield is our big weak point. As john haran says about him on his twitter page there's nobody better out there. I know his dad Brian taught in carndonagh school in the early nineties so Nathan could have been born there. I know it's a long shot but what do other posters think about it. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2423 - 31/10/2017 14:10:23 2059296 Link 0 |
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Not a good idea.With the likes of McGee,Carroll,Langan etc we have enough prospects at home.By the way the Dublin final was as bad as the Donegal Final
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 31/10/2017 14:47:24 2059303 Link 0 |
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Ya it was a poor game. I thought Mullins done ok but looking forward Donegal just need a bit of patience as in 2-4 years time they will have some of the best midfield prospects around.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 31/10/2017 15:10:14 2059309 Link 0 |
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Interesting to see that U-20 Championship games are to be played as curtain raisers to the Senior championship and not the U-17 which will have a separate draw.It will mean having the seniors and U-20s out on the same and less disruption to the club scene. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 01/11/2017 13:49:14 2059513 Link 0 |
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Is the draw for the U-20's and seniors the same?
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 01/11/2017 20:13:22 2059624 Link 0 |
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I think so but I think it has to be rubber stamped by congress in the spring.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 02/11/2017 00:22:12 2059669 Link 0 |
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Very tough draw if that is the case. Cavan had a decent minor team last year. Win that and it will be Derry who got to AI minor final this year and contested the Ulster final the previous year. Win these to make just an Ulster semi final.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 02/11/2017 13:36:16 2059765 Link 0 |
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See alan lyons is in the training squad for December. I know hes from naomh ultan but have never seen him play, does any of the posters know or have seen him play. going by league reports hes a forward who scores heavily, in saying that he might be their free taker. rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2423 - 03/11/2017 13:14:52 2060073 Link 0 |
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Lockjaw would be the man to ask there, never seen him play myself.
HandballRef (Donegal) - Posts: 520 - 03/11/2017 14:32:02 2060126 Link 0 |
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Is there a list of the current training panel anywhere?
dgl_gaa (Donegal) - Posts: 71 - 03/11/2017 14:43:09 2060134 Link 0 |
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Don't see it anywhere just heard alan lyons name on radio this morning. don't think squads are usually announced much now, probably because its probably kept open, because you will get players leaving and more coming. I see the u20 manager is up for selection now .
rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2423 - 03/11/2017 15:36:16 2060153 Link 0 |
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After watching the international rules i am in no doubt that MM has to play in the forward line for large periods of the game next year if we're to succeed. I thought he was unreal against professionals but so was mc manus to be fair naomh_conaill_4 (Donegal) - Posts: 482 - 22/11/2017 10:31:55 2063252 Link 0 |
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Completely agree with you. I was never in favour of MM toiling out the field even though I could see why. But was rare he utilized his excellent foot passing from out there under the previous regime which kind of defeated the purpose. The Galway game was a dark day when we saw one of the finest full forwards of the modern era in his own full back line at fault for a silly goal. The problem with MM there is that he is doing far too much. I imagine those in Kerry, Dublin and Mayo were bemused looking at it. If he played for any of those counties he be first name on the sheet at full forward. Himself and Paddy can form a fearsome inside partnership with whichever one of the young speeders to feed off them. Possibly a confident and more consistent Cian Mulligan with the likes of Jamie Brennan to come on and wreck havoc against tired limbs.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 22/11/2017 18:47:48 2063309 Link 0 |
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We have 4 of the best attackers in the country with Murphy, McBrearty,Ryan McHugh and MacNiallais pulling the strings.On top of that we have Mulligan,Brennan,Owen McHugh,O;Reilly and more to pick from.I think midfield will be ok too with McGee,Carroll,McELhinney and maybe Ciaran McGinley(if he makes the step up) to pick from.It is the defence I would be worried about which was our downfall last year.We don't know how McGrath will recover from his injury,McGee and McGlynn could be declining,Gillespie is still unproven and seems to be plagued by injury.
gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 22/11/2017 20:47:35 2063313 Link 0 |
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Well I would definitely have Leo in and around midfield for certain and every chance Odhran could be operating there too. You are right though defensively we were awful last year. Too passive and lack of penetration. I do think there are players who could make a difference. Stephen Mcmenamin is definitely one. So is Daoire O'Baoil who has all you want in a modern day wing back. I honestly think the likes of O'Reilly and Mcelhinney will struggle to be starting players myself.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2784 - 22/11/2017 21:34:18 2063318 Link 0 |
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4 of the best attackers in the country is a stretch. I would class McBrearty and Murphy as elite, the jury is out on the other two. I fear Ryan may not have recovered from the ankle injury sustained last year and Odhran blows very hot and cold. Murphy is our best forward and midfielder. He is our best all around footballer and as a result he has been asked to do too much. If he is in our forward line we are very formidable with himself and Paddy. However, I think you are overly optimistic on our midfield options. None of the players you have named, bar McGee, have the potential or ability to go win primary possession regularly. McGee, while I believe he ultimately will be, is currently not a dominant fielder. Carroll, McElhinney and McGinley would be known more for their running power than fielding. I can't see Murphy staying inside if this is the case. Gunman is spot on in his assessment of our back line. The back line is in serious transition and unless young boys step up we could be in for a long year. I am glad to see Leo back as he could be the answer at 6. I would be curious to see the full panel that Declan has in at the moment. A good year for us would be survival in league 1 (which is possible given our youth and natural fitness this time of year) and an Ulster Final appearance. Anything after that is bonus territory. Here's hoping for a respectable year. Blood_Sub (Donegal) - Posts: 14 - 23/11/2017 16:57:46 2063393 Link 0 |