In a really perverted way I enjoyed the Ulster Final last year. By the 40th minute it was clear Donegal were not going to win. So I put my flag down and just watched Monaghan play and tried to forget about what happened to Donegal. They were enjoying it, their fans were loving it, they kicked some wonderful points. It was hard not to admire them and applaud them. When the final whistle went Dick Clerkin was near us and he gestured towards the Monaghan fans. You could tell how much it meant to them. It reminded me of Derry in 2011. It was an unreal atmosphere - I just wish I was a neutral.

I simply cannot call this one. Donegal are out to prove that last year was a fluke, And Monaghan are out to prove that last year wans't a fluke. History will tell us that Donegal can't beat Monaghan. But history will also tell us that Monaghan can't beat Tyrone and Armagh don't lose replays.

I really do hope this game will be played in the spirit of Ulster Football: physical, intense with a dash of heroism - to expect anything else would be foolish. This is our Championship, played in our way, and we shouldn't care what the muggles think.

But I cannot call it.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 07/07/2014 17:46:16    1615368

Left out the man who could be Man Of the Match. LEO MCLOONE Sorry boys. He can play no 11/14/ and/6 has scored goals in our last two matches. I understand what you say Patk but I think it would be unreal for the fellows you've named to block out Murphy, McFadden Mc Brearty two years running. But our inside men might not be the danger , could be the men breaking through from midfield /back line could be the danger. Don't think this will be too high scoring game. A goal could have a big influence on this game.

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 07/07/2014 17:51:05    1615371

If the game remains tight until half time, I suspect Donegal will win.

In all their recent games, statistics have shown that Monaghan have built up their lead very early in the 1st half and more or less kept it.
Last year's Ulster Final and this years Division 2 final showed this, however the Division 2 final seen Donegal claw back level on the 53rd min. Something they were unable to do last year, and had they 15 men on the pitch I reckon they would have won it.

Mark McHugh was to blame for the Monaghan goal late in Division 2 final, which helped them get a lead a tag a few points late on. And since he departed for the US, Donegal have looked a sharper outfit.

It will be a tight game, but I suspect Donegal will edge it by 4 or 5 points ( Probably including a goal ).

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/07/2014 17:55:28    1615377

Gary in fairness the league final was a ten point hammering for Donegal as the penalty was outside the box and the ulster final was also a ten point defeat as the Donegal defender handled the ball on the ground in the square also the inside forward line is not scoring as two two macs could have been taken off

prideof85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 851 - 07/07/2014 18:26:33    1615402

Full house for this one lads?

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 07/07/2014 18:55:38    1615409

GaryMc82
County: Derry
Posts: 1182

1615377 If the game remains tight until half time, I suspect Donegal will win.

In all their recent games, statistics have shown that Monaghan have built up their lead very early in the 1st half and more or less kept it.
Last year's Ulster Final and this years Division 2 final showed this, however the Division 2 final seen Donegal claw back level on the 53rd min. Something they were unable to do last year, and had they 15 men on the pitch I reckon they would have won it.

Mark McHugh was to blame for the Monaghan goal late in Division 2 final, which helped them get a lead a tag a few points late on. And since he departed for the US, Donegal have looked a sharper outfit.

It will be a tight game, but I suspect Donegal will edge it by 4 or 5 points ( Probably including a goal ).

What a load of nonsense GaryMc82. Monaghan way better than Monaghan in League Final. Brilliant goal by Monaghan from way down the field. All agreed Donegal penalty was a joke. You Derry guys have an inferiority complex regarding Donegal...Monaghan certainly don't........different breed you see and we Farney boys will prove our superiority once again in UF!

Shelbourne (Monaghan) - Posts: 567 - 07/07/2014 18:57:16    1615411

prideof85
County: Monaghan
Posts: 293

1615402
Gary in fairness the league final was a ten point hammering for Donegal as the penalty was outside the box and the ulster final was also a ten point defeat as the Donegal defender handled the ball on the ground in the square also the inside forward line is not scoring as two two macs could have been taken off

I don't think either of those games will have any bearing on the upcoming final no more than the league game in Letterkenny early this year.
I don't know enough about Monaghan to say, but Donegal are in a very different place, at full strength & with new young players scrapping for places.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 07/07/2014 19:00:22    1615413

what are you on about gary , complete nonsense what your saying sbout mchugh , donegal would be a stronger outfit if they had him in their ranks , you cant argue otherwise

stekhli (Dublin) - Posts: 3121 - 07/07/2014 19:14:20    1615416

SamOnErrigal
County: Donegal
Posts: 417


That was the year Seamus Bonner (rip) became the only Donegal man to win three Ulster medals.
Can 20 odd Donegal players equal that record this year in 2weeks time.

A few guys did 83, 90 and 92 as well. Molloy, McHugh, Reid and McMullan.

Alvin (Donegal) - Posts: 218 - 07/07/2014 19:24:42    1615419

squareball_1988
County: Donegal
Posts: 286

Good post Squareball, showing a good attitude. I was one of those basking in the glory, which in fairness, was due after that gut-wrenching defeat to Tyrone in our previous final appearance. It was when Dessie Mone ran from half back and scored from the 45 that there was as collective realisation that it was going to be Monaghan's day.

One Donegal supporter near me started to cry. It was probably the first time the poor lassie witnessed a defeat for Donegal, assuming she only started to go to matches since Jimmy took over.

Like yourself I find it hard to call this, but I'd expect it to be played in the right spirit and may the best team win.

MiseMuineachain (Monaghan) - Posts: 212 - 07/07/2014 20:07:37    1615442

GaryMC, your obviously not allowed to give your opionion around here if your opionion doesn't favour the Farney boys....... You should know not to be tipping donegal when there playing a super power like Monaghan, I mean your only from a county like Derry who have a in-superior complex against Donegal....... This is laughable coming from a Monaghan man, you would think theynwere winning ulster titles and all Ireland's all there life's...... For what it's worth I agree with your predictation, Donegal by 4/5 points

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 07/07/2014 20:33:07    1615450

Its gonna be a repeat of last years final Monaghan in a different league than Donegal at the moment.

Midlu1 (Louth) - Posts: 790 - 07/07/2014 20:53:28    1615466

Alain
Got mixed up there and I should have said .....first Donegal man to win three Ulster medals Should have known as I was at all those finals 83/90/92.

As regards this coming game forget about the Div 2final and what happened there. We won't have a complete copy of that game , both sides will be at different fitness levels from last April and not one person here can say for sure either team can win. I want to SEE Donegal win same as Monaghan people want to see Monaghan win. As regards not having beaten Monaghan in the championship for years I don't think JMcG will dwell too long on that.
As regards last years final it was clear from early on Donegal were not going to win. It did not really bother me as after all we had come on a great journey since JIM took over. Plus other supporters must have their day in the sun and when the final whistle went I turned to a Donegal lady and said as we saw the Monaghan people celebrating ::::this time last year that was us,,, this time two years ago that was us. She agreed with me and nobody could deny Monaghan their day and most of the players who had already lost U finals.

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 07/07/2014 20:58:36    1615468

The jury remains out on Donegals newcomers and likewise their backs must step up and halt the Monaghan forwards something the Mc Gees and Lacey have always found difficult stretching back to the 2007 hammering Monaghan gave them. How big of a loss is Mark Mc Hugh? I think he is massive a loss to this Donegal. Donegal cannot go with tactic they played with last year as they were just smothered up by the Monaghan defence. Long range kicking decided the league and Ulster final, I suspect it may again. Also, losing this game is not an option for either as more than likely Tyrone will be waiting a week later.

222 (UK) - Posts: 695 - 07/07/2014 21:24:58    1615487

Midlu1
County: Louth
Posts: 645

1615466
Its gonna be a repeat of last years final Monaghan in a different league than Donegal at the moment.

As in a good way ?:) or Donegal are ahead of us?

MonaghanGlory (Monaghan) - Posts: 738 - 07/07/2014 21:34:45    1615494

Midlu.
Can't figure out how you have come to that conclusion. This in my book is going like the way Tyrone/Donegal games 2011/2012 with very little to separate the sides. Now there is always the possibility that any one of them might not play to their potential and if you are following football long enough you should know that. I have saw it with Donegal many a time, not performing on the day.
If Donegal are to win I think they are more capable of scoring goals than Monaghan would be. Then again I don't think Monaghan concedes many goals. So far between this year and last years championship I think Monaghan scored 2 goals in 6 games but I think Donegal have scored at least 8 goals in seven games. If the two teams play to their potential I don't think anyone can call it but one thing I will say is ::: any of the two can push Dublin all the way if and when they do meet.

Saw the betting in PPower 1/1 the two with the draw at 15/2.
All Ireland 16/1 each of them. Both Donegal/Monaghan are joint forth in the betting behind Dublin, Kerry/Mayo but then again either one of them will have to probably meet and beat Dublin to get to the AI final. I think we'll worry about Clones first on 20/6/14

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 07/07/2014 21:39:51    1615499

In truth, I aint got a clue where we are at. Sunday week will finally tell us. Despite Derry's eventual collapse, I still feel we were very good against them. Antrim were dismissed easy in the end so its hard to know. I think we are as mean as ever at the back. Jim will really focus on the middle third this year as we got taken apart by the Farney last year. Its gonna be very close and probably low scoring.

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 07/07/2014 21:47:07    1615504

07/07/2014 21:39:51
SamOnErrigal
County: Donegal
Posts: 420

Midlu.
Can't figure out how you have come to that conclusion. This in my book is going like the way Tyrone/Donegal games 2011/2012 with very little to separate the sides. Now there is always the possibility that any one of them might not play to their potential and if you are following football long enough you should know that. I have saw it with Donegal many a time, not performing on the day.
If Donegal are to win I think they are more capable of scoring goals than Monaghan would be. Then again I don't think Monaghan concedes many goals. So far between this year and last years championship I think Monaghan scored 2 goals in 6 games but I think Donegal have scored at least 8 goals in seven games. If the two teams play to their potential I don't think anyone can call it but one thing I will say is ::: any of the two can push Dublin all the way if and when they do meet.


In 7 championship games we've scored 3 goals and conceded 1. We should be scoring more alright but as long as we concede less I'm happy for now.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 07/07/2014 21:54:38    1615510

222 uk
Now if you think back 14 months ago when Donegal defeated Tyrone in Ballybofey everybody gave Donegal a massive chance to retain the AI. Now that did not happen and things went from bad to worse for Donegal as the season progressed. I was at that game and the defensive performance by Donegal in the second half was outstanding..... Tyrone just could not get through.
Now I'd expect we will field 12/13players from the 2012 side and I don't see M McHugh missing as being an issue and I think a lot of Donegal people will agree with me on that. Also don't forget his younger brother Ryan is now playing and more or less doing Mark's job and I must say for a young player He is playing very well.
What happened or did not happen last year will have no bearing on things on Sunday week but what I think and hope I'm right in saying this:::Donegal are in a different shape this year , less injuries , full squad to pick from and everybody flat out training. A lot of people are dismissive of Donegal but if our form gets near 2012 form I think we are as good as most teams in the country.

Watch Cork/Kerry yesterday, could never see Kerry getting all that space from Donegal or indeed from Monaghan. Plus Cork are no way physical or were not yesterday comparing to the way Monaghan/Donegal play. If either of Monaghan/Donegal could beat Dublin then I'd be confident of Sam coming back to Ulster

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 07/07/2014 22:05:06    1615517

I cant figure how Donegal supporters are so confident and claiming Donegal have improved and in a better place than last year. Donegal have been a Derry team than crumbled against Dublin and that knocked them for six. Beating an Antrim team missing 6 of their best players is no mean feat either, but then again you can only beat whats in front of you. That doubt in Murphy McFadden and McBrearty head wondering can they finally show up against Monaghan. Kieran Hughes has roasted Eamon McGee in their 3 last duals once for jordanstown and twice for Monaghan. I believe monaghan will have the mental edge.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 08/07/2014 08:18:51    1615519