patk
County: Monaghan
Posts: 102

1576701
Bit surprised at those saying Donegal will not want to show their full hand and are only looking at the Derry game. Not that that's not true for Donegal, but imo it's equally true of Monaghan. Make no mistake, promotion to division 1 was the primary objective from the league(as I'm sure it was for Donegal), and the main thing in mind for Monaghan is also a tough opening game in Ulster against Tyrone or Down. I'm sure both teams would like to win another trophy but there's no doubt the championship is where the focus is for both these teams, and a good competitive run out in Croker against another good team will be good preparation for both teams ahead of the Ulster campaign.




I have got to agree. There will be a championship edge to this game, and there is a lot riding on it re setting up the rest of the year. I dont agree or subscribe to the nothing idea that some teams in ulster keep it up their sleeves for later in the year, as there is no later in the year if you go out in the early stages of the championship. I think that we can win this game. I have a strong feeling about it, and think that we will be trying all in our power to beat monaghan twice in the same year, to get rid of another monkey!

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 20/04/2014 20:22:29    1577768

Donegal 5+. Monaghan will be shown up for what they are imo (overrated).

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1572 - 20/04/2014 20:35:07    1577779

ahsure.
County: Galway Donegal 5+. Monaghan will be shown up for what they are imo (overrated).
Posts: 1089

Does your opinion take into consideration that we are a Div 1 team on merit and Ulster champions on merit with the fourth smallest population in the country. We got there with hard graft and an ability to play it either way (maybe you should try that yourselves and you might have beaten us in the league)
Dublin and Donegal (if they get back to 2012 form) are the two best teams in the country and good luck to them. We would relish playing either of them. What's your opinion on that.
Anyway, it would be a bigger setback to Donegal to lose than us, so the pressure is on them. They can't afford to lose to an overrated team like us AGAIN

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 20/04/2014 21:09:41    1577804

Don't care too much for these finals other than a competitive game just before championship is handy. In the case of this one, it's interesting because the two teams fancy themselves for the Ulster title and another rival of theirs are playing us in the other final the same day.

I never agreed mixing league with knock-out, as far as I'm concerned, Cork finished top on points and in Div2 Donegal finished first on point difference. They should at least lose the semis in Div1, no atmosphere and a needless extra demand on players.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 20/04/2014 21:52:17    1577821

20/04/2014 20:35:07
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1090

Donegal 5+. Monaghan will be shown up for what they are imo (overrated).

Overrated by who exactly? I don't see anybody claiming we're contenders for Sam. At the moment I would say we just are inside the top 8 teams, and being the reigning Ulster champions, and after two successive promotions to play Div 1 football next year backs that up imo. So I fail to see your logic. I think it was yourself who said something similar before the last league game, I'd suggest you focus your attention on your own county's affairs.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 21/04/2014 13:20:34    1578009

patk
County: Monaghan
Posts: 103

1577657
Ah yeah, both teams will of course want to win, I just mean there are bigger games ahead. I was just emphasising that Monaghan too are focused on Ulster but I do get what you mean when there's a bit of a difference with the Derry and Donegal match. That game is looking like the biggest first round game in the country this year.

It's hard to know how big of a game it will be.

Derry have had a great Division 1 so far this season, and are playing some excellent football. However the one thing Division 1 has been missing this season, are the more defensive looking teams. All sides in Division 1 have adopted open attacking football, with even Tyrone getting in on the act.

When you look at the likes of Donegal, Monaghan, Down, you would suspect that high scores will be unlikely against them. And in a way, Derry haven't faced any of those sides this year and may struggle against that.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 21/04/2014 13:39:46    1578019

Love to see Monaghan win this. Good luck to them so with that in mind Monaghan by 3.

bluedubstar (Dublin) - Posts: 835 - 21/04/2014 14:55:58    1578056

20/04/2014 20:35:07
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1090

1577779
Donegal 5+. Monaghan will be shown up for what they are imo (overrated).

We were over rated and just ticking over and still bet you's..........

hardcore (Monaghan) - Posts: 1366 - 21/04/2014 19:32:44    1578169

"One seasons wonders" is what I'd coin Monaghan as, granted they had a decent league this year but you can't judge anything in Feb-March. Monaghan will have a poor Championship to reflect the standard of their squad (or lack of).

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1572 - 21/04/2014 21:21:21    1578226

21/04/2014 21:21:21
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1092

"One seasons wonders" is what I'd coin Monaghan as, granted they had a decent league this year but you can't judge anything in Feb-March. Monaghan will have a poor Championship to reflect the standard of their squad (or lack of).

You say you can't judge anything in Feb-March, yet here you are judging Monaghan as "one-season wonders". Which is ridiculous in itself, as how can you label them that when the season so far has shown progress, and the championship following this "one season" has yet to start. You're talking complete scutter.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 22/04/2014 08:49:45    1578264

My opinion only, proof will be the pudding come the first weekend of July when Monaghan players will be sitting on the beaches of far flung exotic places wondering "what might have been".

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1572 - 22/04/2014 13:34:14    1578443

ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1094

1578226
"One seasons wonders" is what I'd coin Monaghan as, granted they had a decent league this year but you can't judge anything in Feb-March. Monaghan will have a poor Championship to reflect the standard of their squad (or lack of).

Monaghan are an exceptionally strong outfit, and are generally are a team to be avoided where possible. Last season they got a taste, and I reckon they will be back in Croker for more this year. It's Monaghan's blend of experience and youth that will stand to them, that and their strong midfield.

As for playing Donegal, I don't see this as being an easy game to predict. Having watched both sides this year, I felt Donegal were the most impressive of the two sides in terms of overall tactics and play. However in saying that, Donegal have also had a couple of games where they were sloppy and slack. But generally speaking the look sharper, faster, and more attacking while keeping a tight enough backline.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 22/04/2014 13:49:23    1578451

22/04/2014 13:34:14
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 1094

1578443
My opinion only, proof will be the pudding come the first weekend of July when Monaghan players will be sitting on the beaches of far flung exotic places wondering "what might have been".

ahsure you sound like a Cavan man....................We really dont care what you think,we are in the League final,we are in Division 1,we are the current ULSTER MINOR AND SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS and we are better than Galway.

ps.And when we win Cup's we dont kick them down the street like you's lot.

hardcore (Monaghan) - Posts: 1366 - 22/04/2014 14:47:46    1578493

All-Star defender Colin Walshe is out for Monaghan on Sunday due to injury.

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 25/04/2014 21:29:51    1580102

Just have a feeling that Donegal might be a bit more keen this time of year with their Championship clash with Derry scheduled sooner than Monaghan's opener.

Donegal 1-12 - Monaghan 0-11

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9154 - 26/04/2014 08:47:59    1580136

Ah sure we should just have the same defensive match ups as last year and we'll be grand. Vinny on Murphy, Drew on McFadden, with Walshe out McBrearty might get a kick or even a point this time though. Darren Hughes to come on with 20 to go and inspire us to yet another famous win over the men from the hills.

Monaghan 0-6 Donegal 0-5

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 26/04/2014 10:37:34    1580171

This game has now turned for the worse for Monaghan. They are missing a host of players and a number of them that wont be playing are named on the team sheet. I think Donegal might win this easily I hope not but I fear now if monaghan are missig the players there suppose to be it will be very very difficult

muckla (UK) - Posts: 366 - 26/04/2014 14:16:29    1580254

Yeah it looks like we are having a bit of an injury crisis alright, doogan, walshe, donaghy and more all out. We really needed colin walsh to play to his full ability and without him we could be in big trouble, however there are other players there capable of putting in a good performance but they all will have to be in top form to make up for the loss of others. Still confident we can win , no one on that team will fear Donegal so i hope we give a good account of ourselves opne way or the other

Muineachain76 (Monaghan) - Posts: 180 - 26/04/2014 16:15:30    1580285

Good luck to Jim and the boys tomorrow,hard to call, 2 good Ulster teams, our boy s should shade it, only just,

mchugh11 (Donegal) - Posts: 242 - 26/04/2014 21:17:09    1580482

Best of luck to JMcG and his team,mentors and all supporters of DONEGAL tomorrow. Can't make it back so I'm a bit disappointed but we can win tomorrow.
Sorry to hear about the death of John Hannigan (rip) When I first started following Donegal HE was on the team. S Hoare,Fionn Gallagher, B Brady(rip ) P Kelly S o Donnell John Hannigan,PJ flood. F Mc Felly S Ferriter Frankie Cambell Mick Griffen Harry Laverty Des Houlihan(rip )aLaois man,Neilly Gallagher John Cambell (Dungloe) plus we had S granaghan, Micky McLoone TonyMc Devitt B McFellyHughie Travers Danny Thomas and big Eddie Gallagher That was roughly the first panel of Donegal players I followed and they were great players among them and we should have won an Ulster with them at least. Would be a fitting tribute to John Hannigan tomorrow for us to win in Croke park I think he played on the first Donegal team to ever win a game in Croke park, the Grounds tournament against Roscommon in 1972.
Looking forward to seeing the County again later on this year.

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 26/04/2014 21:57:22    1580538