Very disappointing from a Donegal point of view but fair play to Monaghan on a deserved victory. They are a very well drilled side, defensively very strong and dangerous in attack. I think they'll be favourites for Ulster this year, tough side of the darw or not. If they have everyone fit they're a formidable force.

From our own point of view it was very disheartening. It was a lethargic, one dimensional display and brought back memories of the bad old days with indiscipline shown. Kavanagh was very silly in what he did. There might not have been much in it, but it was foolish from an experienced player. I don't think it would have affected the result but he's ruled out for Derry now which is bad news.

We still have a few weeks until the Derry game to sharpen up but it's very hard to call it. Derry aren't as bad as what they showed against Dublin, who were simply awesome. I still think we have the players to turn things around. A few Championship wins can build momentum and confidence again. An Ulster final appearance and a chance of redemption against Monaghan could ignite the spark needed. Here's hoping anyway!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9151 - 28/04/2014 12:02:36    1581286

I just wish some Donegal fans would stop talking about redemption and revenge every time they face or could face Monaghan. Mark McHugh was at it in the run up to the league game in Letterkenny. You'd think we had no to take to the same field as Donegal never mind beat them. What gives with nonsense ?. Monaghan put in a decent performance against an average looking Donegal team who seem to be off the standards they set themselves in 2012, I guess it's hard to keep that standard high but I'm sure they will be around in August.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 28/04/2014 12:14:54    1581297

Just wondering if the Monaghan player who appeared to be shot from the Lower Cusack at the beginning of the second half yesterday is ok?

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 28/04/2014 12:47:18    1581337

I too feel the Rory Kavanagh red card was correct.

And i agree it was a cowardly thing to do.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 28/04/2014 13:16:32    1581378

28/04/2014 12:47:18
Lifford Gael
County: Donegal
Posts: 1764

1581337
Just wondering if the Monaghan player who appeared to be shot from the Lower Cusack at the beginning of the second half yesterday is ok?

Incase you dont have a male genital part's,and you are of the female gender,i would like to bring to your attention that it is a rather sensitive area that does not need to be poked by a leather boot/shoe/fist or even a flick of a finger to bring a MAN to his knee's.

It is one of the most dangerous place's of the body to be hit.Mr Kavanagh should of been sent off before this for stamping on Eoin Lennon.

He was been destroyed again by Darren Hughes and couldnt take it,his actions should cost him 6 months.

hardcore (Monaghan) - Posts: 1366 - 28/04/2014 13:21:39    1581384

Lifford Gael, either you're a woman, or a man who is lucky enough not to get a poke in the balls before, it ain't nice. Doesn't take much to cause pain down there.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 28/04/2014 13:30:19    1581394

He appeared to have been shot a number of times though the way he went down consistent with sub machine gun fire! It looked very dramatic to me not entirely consistent with a poke in the balls as you suggest!

Lifford Gael (Donegal) - Posts: 1925 - 28/04/2014 14:04:50    1581429

Lifford

It's irrelevant how the Monaghan player went down.

Why are you defending this when even your manager came out and refused to back Kavanagh ?

It was a stone-wall red card. You should not be hitting your opponent with your boot in the mid-riff. It just shouldnt be done. End of story.

He saw red for a split second and he hit out. Can happen. But its a red card.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 28/04/2014 14:09:59    1581437

waynoI
County: Dublin
Posts: 8903o

1581378
I too feel the Rory Kavanagh red card was correct.

And i agree it was a cowardly thing to do.

In fairness, I watched it on the rte player. It was a red, but the monaghan player who dived can hold his head up high. Im sure the donegal county board will be getting an invoice for his medical expenses.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 28/04/2014 14:11:06    1581438

Amusing the Donegal posters trying to deflect the attention way from Kavanagh onto Hughes. Bottom line is one of your most experienced players stupidly saw red and hit an opposition with a low blow right in front of the officials, and as a result will now miss a difficult opening game in Ulster. It may be out of character for Kavanagh, but you need to look closer to home when it comes to blaming someone. A sharp poke to the balls isn't pleasant and I'm sure came as a surprise, I've been on the end of similar in a match before and it's not nice. Not strange to need a few moments to catch your breath again.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 28/04/2014 14:21:47    1581452

Full congratulations to Monaghan on a well deserved victory.

They were hungrier sharper & took their scores very well for what was as easy a victory in the end as the Ulster final was last year.

From a Donegal point of view I am very concerned & puzzled.

1 Starting Luke Keeney?
2 Mark McHugh & Neil Gallagher on the bench?
3 Conor Classon struggles for a starting place with Ardara
4 Most of all where has the zip, the bite, the swarming, the speed all gone?

2012 feel like aeons ago!!!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 28/04/2014 15:11:47    1581505

Lifford Gael
County: Donegal
Posts: 1766

1581429
He appeared to have been shot a number of times though the way he went down consistent with sub machine gun fire! It looked very dramatic to me not entirely consistent with a poke in the balls as you suggest!

Two questions
1. how could anyone try and justify that Kavanagh should not have been sent off?
2. How was this post allowed on a football forum?

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 28/04/2014 15:25:47    1581526

Do any of the Monaghan posters know who is coaching the team on the skills of the game, or if they have anyone in particular doing this role? I was very impressed with their shooting and fielding of the ball yesterday, was very enjoyable to watch. A number of points were scored from long-range with the unusual kicking action of cutting across the ball, was excellent to see and must surely be something they are working on quite a bit?
As for Donegal posters complaining about the Monaghan man going down easily, at half time in every game over here Premier Sports show the highlights of the 2012 All-Ireland, which means we get to see their full-forward roll around the ground on his own 21 holding his face until the referee blows the final whistle which acts as some sort of miracle cure as it sees the man hop up and run to the fans on the hill. It is embarrassing to watch every single time and is a real shame to see this being done by one of the country's best footballers.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 28/04/2014 17:23:24    1581631