National Forum

Donegal V Fermanagh Ulster SFC Final 2018

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Donegal look to be in flying form and on paper should have far too much scoring firepower for Fermanagh. I like Donegal, but God it'd be great if Fermanagh can do it.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 19/06/2018 16:54:54    2113141

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It will be a test of the sort Donegal haven't come up against before but they can't say they haven't been warned & will have had a good look at Fermanagh's defensive set up which is what their game plan is built on.

Scoring from long range will be important for Donegal & if they manage to build up a bit of a lead then Fermanagh will have to come out & have a go.

Donegal by 5 if they get their game plan right.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 19/06/2018 17:06:14    2113145

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I'd agree with the general theme of the comments. The start is crucial and if Donegal get a 5/6 point lead it will be very difficult to see Fermanagh coming back. I expect us to start similar to the Monaghan game; contain and frustrate. Donegal have more players with the ability to kick points from 45 meters +. This may force our defensive line to set out 10 yards or so and open up gaps for McBrearty and Brennan. It'll be interesting to see how Rory manages this.
The quality of the Donegal full back line appears to be an advantage that Fermanagh need to exploit. I also think the lack of McGee will force McGlynn to limit his runs forward (IMO he's every bit if not more dangerous than McHugh going forward).
I can see a few changes to our starting lineup and perhaps slightly bias I think we have the personnel to contain and hurt Donegal. If we can limit Donegal to 12 points and improve our conversion rate I believe we will do it.

I suspect that goals could prove crucial.

In Rory we trust!

ErneExile (Fermanagh) - Posts: 9 - 19/06/2018 20:04:28    2113182

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Looks like it's going to be a sellout on Sunday. With weather forecast good clones will be buzzing Sunday. Our last two finals were sellouts too but it was two dissapointing days. Having followed donegal all my life to win this one would be special . But it's not going to be easy. The lure of that first ulster will make them a dangerous team.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2401 - 19/06/2018 20:09:58    2113183

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Three days to go and the nerves are starting to kicking in. Can everyone outside of Donegal pray for a Fermanagh win on Sunday. If we get enough divine intervention we might finally bring the Anglo Celt back to the banks of the Erne.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 21/06/2018 12:17:09    2113549

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Replying To gotmilk:  "Three days to go and the nerves are starting to kicking in. Can everyone outside of Donegal pray for a Fermanagh win on Sunday. If we get enough divine intervention we might finally bring the Anglo Celt back to the banks of the Erne."
Fermanagh have my support anyway (Sorry Donegal but I love an underdog except when they play us). I am hoping for an exciting game mainly. It doesn't have to be free scoring (ha, as if!) but intense and serious tactical game will be what i want to see.

Come on the ernemen! Arlene will be delighted :)

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 21/06/2018 13:51:31    2113571

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Replying To gotmilk:  "Three days to go and the nerves are starting to kicking in. Can everyone outside of Donegal pray for a Fermanagh win on Sunday. If we get enough divine intervention we might finally bring the Anglo Celt back to the banks of the Erne."
Sorry gotmilk, my rosaries are already spoken for but if the worst does happen I will raise a glass to ye all on Sun night!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 21/06/2018 14:31:04    2113576

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Sorry Fermanagh - your day will come eventually .

This will not be anything other than a facile victory for us- anything less than 7 plus will be disappointing.

We have too much power, pace, class and scoring threat to be handled.

Lot of hurt from last 2 ulster finals to banish.

One way traffic home to the hills with the cup in the bag by half time...

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1595 - 21/06/2018 15:14:14    2113585

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "Sorry Fermanagh - your day will come eventually .

This will not be anything other than a facile victory for us- anything less than 7 plus will be disappointing.

We have too much power, pace, class and scoring threat to be handled.

Lot of hurt from last 2 ulster finals to banish.

One way traffic home to the hills with the cup in the bag by half time..."
The only thing even sweeter than winning Ulster on Sunday would be knocking that smugness out of you.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 21/06/2018 17:28:39    2113615

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "Sorry Fermanagh - your day will come eventually .

This will not be anything other than a facile victory for us- anything less than 7 plus will be disappointing.

We have too much power, pace, class and scoring threat to be handled.

Lot of hurt from last 2 ulster finals to banish.

One way traffic home to the hills with the cup in the bag by half time..."
Perhaps the cup will be heading to the Lakes and not to the Hills on Sunday evening.It would be historic.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2162 - 21/06/2018 18:28:02    2113623

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "Sorry Fermanagh - your day will come eventually .

This will not be anything other than a facile victory for us- anything less than 7 plus will be disappointing.

We have too much power, pace, class and scoring threat to be handled.

Lot of hurt from last 2 ulster finals to banish.

One way traffic home to the hills with the cup in the bag by half time..."
Who let the troll out?

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 21/06/2018 18:40:34    2113624

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will be nowhere near as freescoring as the other games, Fermanagh will be out to frustrate from the get go but i think Donegal will eventually have too much firepower up top. Donegal by 3/4 although there is no team id rather surrender the Anglo Celt to than Fermanagh!

NaomhNaille (Donegal) - Posts: 124 - 21/06/2018 20:02:29    2113639

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Donegal for me. Fermanagh just don't have enough scoring forwards. If corrigan starts it will be a help. Tight first half, Donegal to get on top, better subs to finish it out.
Good luck to both teams, I heard it's a sell out of 28000 which is great to see.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 21/06/2018 22:27:23    2113658

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Replying To gotmilk:  "Three days to go and the nerves are starting to kicking in. Can everyone outside of Donegal pray for a Fermanagh win on Sunday. If we get enough divine intervention we might finally bring the Anglo Celt back to the banks of the Erne."
Good to hear from you Gotmilk, I thought the pressure had really got to you. I'm sure all neutrals will be supporting you on Sunday and I'm equally sure that Donegal posters will understand that it's not an anti-Donegal bias. I have a split household myself with the wife flying her Donegal colours. Whatever the result I hope it doesn't hinge on a ref blooper or a calamitous mistake by some player.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 21/06/2018 23:30:23    2113672

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Would love to see Fermanagh win. I have nothing against Donegal at all but it gives the GAA a real boost when the underdog triumphs. Heart is with the Erne men but head says Donegal by 5+, all round they are a better side with the better players. It's to be very warm on Sunday and pitch temps could hit the late 20's+ so that may test the stamina and legs of the players.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9701 - 22/06/2018 00:30:34    2113676

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Replying To Dergforeeva:  "Don't see it as funny logic atall, as I say we know where we stand because of the Dublin game and indeed the Mayo match in 2016, Donegal see their Ulster final losses in as last few years as a failing on management/tatics more so than anything else and believe they left titles behind them because of this. I would argue that Donegal see themselves as on a par or better than Tyrone/Monaghan who some people tout as challengers,"
Some of us in Donegal do believe our drop in the rankings within Ulster between 2015 and 2017 was largely due to Managerial problems, particularly around player selection and tactics. While most fans accept a transition was necessary after the 2014 All Ireland final, not all agree with how that transition was handled by RG.
Experienced gritty physical players like Leo McLoone, Declan Walsh, Anthony Thompson, Brick Molloy and even Martin McElhinney were messed about, excluded or felt excluded from team plans during Rory's tenure. Others who were included, maybe should not have been.

I personally believe this Donegal panel has sufficient talent, depth and potential to win Ulster and All Ireland Titles, I believe we can beat Tyrone, Monaghan and any other team in the Country on any given day, but I also know a lot depends on our management getting the balance and process right. I also believe Tyrone at full strength are All Ireland contenders, while I am still unsure about Monaghan based on their failure to reach an All Ireland SF since 2013.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1110 - 22/06/2018 16:05:37    2113762

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Replying To Dergforeeva:  "Can't speak for Monaghan but certainly nobody in Tyrone was chatting about challenging for an All-Ireland after the tanking we took from Dublin last year, Donegal know exactly where they are at, they consider themselves contenders for Sam never mind Ulster. And who would blame them that's impressive stats"
Most pundits or Journalists would list Dublin, Kerry, Galway as the serious All Ireland challengers this year and maybe then the experienced teams of Mayo, Monaghan and Tyrone as possible contenders this year after the league ended. After that Roscommon, Tipperary, Donegal, Cork and maybe Cavan were seen as teams with a slim to zero realistic chance of contending for the All Ireland, but with a chance of maybe challenging for Provincial crowns and/or reaching the Super 8.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1110 - 22/06/2018 16:21:31    2113764

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "Donegal for me. Fermanagh just don't have enough scoring forwards. If corrigan starts it will be a help. Tight first half, Donegal to get on top, better subs to finish it out.
Good luck to both teams, I heard it's a sell out of 28000 which is great to see."
If Fermanagh push up on Donegal to prevent short kick-outs, Donegal have revealed themselves to be decent with long balls, so he will need to devise a tactical plan to limit Donegal's kick-out success. This may be through effective use of Fermanagh's big men around the middle like Eoin Donnelly, or targeting Patton during kick-outs.

While If Fermanagh give Donegal the short kick-out and free possession, RG will need to be confident that his defensive structure is strong enough to seriously frustrate a very strong, pacey and versatile Donegal running attack, and hope for success on the Counter like against Monaghan.

Fermanagh have some outstanding players, the Quigleys, Eoin Donnelly and Tomas Corrigan have been outstanding for years now, and Gallagher has made them stronger.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1110 - 22/06/2018 17:07:52    2113775

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Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 233 - Watched them against Monaghan and I would say that their best player is their fullback and probably the best in the country-there CB is good also along with midfielders with their weaker links being their attack- I see it as a very interesting match. Donegal strong favourites -yes as they have much better players overall on paper - but paper does not always win matches.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 22/06/2018 18:32:10    2113783

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Whilst in a number of ways it feels like a lifetime ago, I recall how close Fermanagh came to the Anglo-Celt back in 2008.

Donegal gaels aside, you have to have a heart of stone not to wish them well.

There's some goat on here proclaiming to be from the Hills and predicting an early knockout.
He'll learn.

Set fair for a great occasion.
Enjoy.

Knoxboya (Monaghan) - Posts: 357 - 22/06/2018 22:06:20    2113815

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