Good post Thomas, very honest...... I had that feeling when we played Dublin last year in the AI semi final and we know ow that went.....

I wish you well but hope your feeling doesn't come through like mine did...........

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 15/05/2015 21:54:17    1724154

Thomas Clarke
County: Tyrone
Posts: 751

1724149 Tyrone are massive underdogs and written off by most, yet the whispers from the camp have been very positive. Morgan is the only 'injury' (yet he's the only keeper on the bench?), and the side has had as low key a build up as I remember. Donegal are rightly strong favourites, yet this week I've heard many Tyrone people say '...they're a great side and they should beat us but, you know, I just have a feeling...'

One thing is certain, this game will go a long way to determining Mickey Harte's future as Tyrone manager. We've had almost ideal preparation and, if we aren't good enough to give it a real rattle, then we'll probably be looking for new ideas before long. Anyway, as I've said, Donegal are a mighty side littered with stars, but, you know, I just have a feeling...

Despite Donegal generally being the favourites, most Donegal fans that I have spoken with in the last few weeks are ultra cautious.

Everybody is well aware of how seriously Tyrone are taking this, and their secret training locations and of course their very Impressive performances in Division 1 this year with the exception of the Donegal game.

I knew Morgan and Cavanagh would both be starting for Tyrone over a week ago, and so did Donegal I suspect. This will have little Impact on the day, Donegal anticipated these guys were ready.

The general consensus entering this game, Is that it will be a mother of a tight affair. Mickey Harte has not once given Donegal a easy game since 2011, not once!!. I remember 2013, when he flooded the midfield and Tyrone actually really dominated that area by have many sweepers surrounding Neil Gallagher. 2012 was another example of a really tight affair, and this Sunday will be no different.

Nobody will be shocked if Tyrone win this, they are due a win against Donegal and most Donegal fans will acknowledge that. However I still think a Tyrone win will depend on a few things going their way on the day, and a few costly Donegal mistakes. You kinda know what your getting with Donegal, while Tyrone still lack consistency.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 15/05/2015 21:59:07    1724155

I would love a shock in this one, a great game of football, but cant see it happening.
Donegal will win but this could be dire.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 16/05/2015 08:35:35    1724158

Starting to get that old familiar feeling now. A mixture of excitement & dread. This is a very difficult one to call & I know the first game of the Championship can be hard to gauge but even more so when facing old adversaries like Tyrone. We played one of our better league games against them this year; they played probably their worst game against us. They are buoyed by their U-21 success & have a point to prove, namely that Tyrone have not gone away in spite of relegation & can still cut it at the highest level. Mickey Harte too is out to show he is still the right man for the job, having been written off by many as ripe for retirement. At times like this in the past, Tyrone have dug deep & pulled it out if the bag. No better man for that than Sean Cavanagh. If he is on form (& he is rarely off), he will fight for 70mins & it will come down to the wire.

We DL folk are rightly cautious. We know only too well the danger of over-confidence. We are still getting the measure of our new manager. We've had a fairly good league but we know that means virtually nothing now. What team will he field & how will we fare? Will we expect to win & fail to 'click' or will we rise to the occasion? I am hoping for the latter but also cautiously remembering 2013 when we peaked for our opening game & went downhill after that. No doubt but that last year's final is still in the back of our minds. I hope the hurt will spur us on this year.

Still, some of my favourite games have been our recent meetings with Tyrone. Our 2012 clash was like a game of chess between Mickey Harte & Jim. I am interested to see how Rory & Mickey manage this one tactically. Whoever wins, it will be a hard-fought journey through Ulster. The qualifiers would be the easier path but who wants to go that route.

I believe we can win this & all things being equal, we should win. I think man-for-man we have the better team. A goal (or 2, from Ryan McHugh) would make all the difference. Setting off for the hills now & I canny wait.

Glynners (Donegal) - Posts: 109 - 16/05/2015 09:02:19    1724160

Glynners
County: Donegal
Posts: 21

1724160 I am hoping for the latter but also cautiously remembering 2013 when we peaked for our opening game & went downhill after that. No doubt but that last year's final is still in the back of our minds. I hope the hurt will spur us on this year.

I don't think Donegal peaked at all in 2013, they had an extremely bad run of Injuries both before and after the Tyrone game. So while they may have had key men available and on the team sheet, most of them were nowhere near fully fit.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 16/05/2015 11:38:51    1724179

i hope we win, but if Tyrone win, I would not begrudge them their victory. It will go to the wire. I hope that we have our scoring boots on tomorrow, as I am confident that our defense will not want for much. We will see, tyrone have a big point to prove and they will not come to ballybofey tomorrow just for the day out.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 16/05/2015 11:58:29    1724182

Having been to couple of league games this year and watched the rest on TV' I am very happy with what I witnessed. Was very impressed with a few of the younger lads Rory Fielded in a couple of the games.

I think we are going to see a very different Donegal this year in the championship' in the sense of more attacking Football. Despite the 4 goals conceded against Cork in the league Semi' we where kicking some fine Scores from play. We all know we can defend when needed and I think if the defensive and attacking gel together then we will be hard to compete with throughout the championship.

Tyrone will come with a mission tomorrow and it will be hard fought for awhile' but i think we will win this easier than some think' with Murphy on the edge of the square and P. Mcbrearty being the Star man.

Donegal 2 12 Tyrone 1 9

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 16/05/2015 15:51:35    1724223

Donegal are a fine side, but if Tyrone show the attitude they did V Kerry in the last league game they have a chance!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 16/05/2015 16:46:00    1724234

Would love to.share in your optimism InishowenMan but I can't see us putting up 18 points worth against Tyrone tomorrow. I hope we can just eek out the win some how. I think we will. We did kick some great scores against Cork I agree.. but this is the Ulster Championship.. And there's not a hope that our players will be given the time or space to put over the kind of points we did against Cork.

I just can't see Tyrone allowing us to play a more attacking brand of football tomorrow. I think they have 13 of the same 15 named that lined up against Dublin in the league and I expect that's the type of game they'll play tomorrow. Scores will be extremely hard to come by and well earned when they do come. Still think we'll edge it

HandballRef (Donegal) - Posts: 520 - 16/05/2015 17:00:44    1724240

Just hope that this time tomorrow the hoganstand forums aren't flooded with 36 thousand different ways to 'save gaelic football'. I understand that this game will probably showcase defensive football but defending is an art and Is just as much a skill as kicking beautiful points

PoppinPoints (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 16/05/2015 19:02:51    1724275

All the best to our teams tomorrow Rory and Delcan go,go, go,we can do it but it wont be easy,Donegal minors to win but only, Donegal Seniors to Draw with Tyrone, and will have to do it all again in high Drama in Ballybofey, lads this will not be easy as a lot of people think, form, league is out the door, anything can happen, warning Tyrone are still there 1 of the top teams,

mchugh11 (Donegal) - Posts: 242 - 16/05/2015 20:39:10    1724299

Im really looking forward to this game, but Brolly and cassidy on gaelic life re both adamant itll be an easy Donegal victory.
I think itll be a close game (Donegal to win by 3 or 4)

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 16/05/2015 20:42:46    1724302

Past history tells us this game will be a low scoring and close game, we can discount the league game in March as everything went right for Donegal and Tyrone had a bad afternoon. I expect it to be very cagey in the first half with a lot of play between the two 45 metre lines. This doesn't mean it will be a bad game, just not free flowing with a lot of turnovers. I am hoping Donegal can pull away in the second half. I'd say there will be a few changes to the teams before kick off, Morgan starting for Tyrone and Colm McFadden starting for Donegal.

JimTheLegend (Donegal) - Posts: 247 - 16/05/2015 21:18:37    1724319

border Gael
County: Monaghan
Posts: 348

1724141
its a Donegal victory before theres a gate opened in Ballybofey. Theres no need for the hundreds to go to it and be squeezed into it like saradines in a tin. no need for the ref, no need for Tyrone to even turn up just hand over the victory now to the Ulster 2015 champions Donegal. Mickie Harte must be licking his lips. this is one challenge he wont shy away from and I would imagine neither will his players. Who will win. 5.45 Sunday we will know. for now I am better go with the flow Donegal by a point.

Your indeed right, micky Harte will off course be licking his lips and why wouldn't he.............

Another man just up the road from him will also be licking his lips, he answers to the name of Terry Hyland....

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 16/05/2015 21:39:30    1724335

Dreadful conditions in Ballybofey.

Has all the hall-marks of a sloppy game.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 17/05/2015 15:33:22    1724484

Good start to the game.Donegal were looking comfortable but that well taken goal gets Tyrone a foothold in the game.Enjoyable.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/05/2015 16:11:25    1724499

This is a good football match, but anyone wants to know what is wrong with Gaelic football it is the standard of officiating, that is all, the game is grande, just poor referee's and this is the case here. Donegal's defence is there for the taking its the one huge weakness in Donegals play. Donegal are great going forward this could be a great game - if the ref will stop getting it wrong and unduly influencing the game.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4898 - 17/05/2015 16:22:58    1724503

Very good game so far. Noticeable how few frees there are. Donegal will be disappointed that they aren't further ahead. Tyrone look dangerous when they run straight at the heart of the Donegal defence.

HighKings (Meath) - Posts: 271 - 17/05/2015 16:25:33    1724504

Some strange decisions alright, why did he opt for the hop ball when the ball hit him and was still in Tyrones possession, no advantage played and Donegal were allowed to regroup. Good competitive game so far in poor conditions, pleased with the high tempo from the red hands so far.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 17/05/2015 16:33:27    1724506

Really, really good game so far.

Tyrone are growing in confidence.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 17/05/2015 16:34:44    1724508