Joe Brolly said on RTE before the game that Jim McGuinness had a plan when he took over Donegal and that was to smash Tyrone's grip on the Ulster championship, that's the reason why there is a bite in these games

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 17/05/2015 18:54:55    1724635

Joe has a serious man crush on Donegal, it hasn't let up!

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7907 - 17/05/2015 19:00:54    1724641

Great game of basketball today.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 17/05/2015 19:02:14    1724643

Riverboys


They never really had a grip on Ulster. When they were at their best, Armagh were actually more successful in Ulster. Tyrone did win 3 in 4 years before McGuinness took over Donegal, but that was after 5 years without an Ulster title.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5017 - 17/05/2015 19:20:55    1724652

People getting use to absolute puke football. Open your eyes lads the game is muck up north.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 17/05/2015 19:25:42    1724655

Did you not find anything about the game enjoyable clondalkin?Have to say it was a good,hard game.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 17/05/2015 19:32:05    1724661

Jays clondalkin, dont sugarcoat it like.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 17/05/2015 19:33:52    1724662

Victorious87
County: Wicklow
Posts: 186

1724605
brentheredhand

Was waiting for the first muck reference, we have a winner. Off you go lad and enjoy the 'intensity' of the Leinster championship, me, I like my football 'earthy'.


I know your a very proud Tyrone man but your mad if you can decsribe that second half as anything positive, that wasn't intense, play was halted every few plays with cynical fouling, shoving and pulling, Donegal scored one point from play with that wind. The first half was very good, real intensity and quick counter-attacking. I'd take the Leinster championship any day over some of the games we'll see in Ulster this year and your only kidding yourself if you think its entertaining.



I think your way of the mark if you think the leinster championship will provide many decent games with that closeness and commitment.
Mc Gees , the Cavanaghs ,Oirin mc Neilish ,Murphy are all players who gave everything today , took hits , done some verbals and played some good football , game was intriguing .
How the rest of Ulster championship pans out is irrelevant. Can only judge on today and it was entertaining.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 17/05/2015 19:34:11    1724663

You are so right Clondalkin' it is pure Muck up North.

But when we Hit the big smoke on the the Sunny South east the Muck suddenly turns into Glittering Gold "wink Wink"

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 17/05/2015 19:40:04    1724668

I enjoyed the game today. It was a proper battle. Donegal's greater composure told in the end but it was closer than some gave it credit for, if Tyrone had been better with the frees or taken one of those goal chances we would have had a different outcome. I don't agree with Brolly when he talks about Donegal having things under control completely, they showed vulnerabilities at the back and no doubt had Paul Durkin not made that kickout mistake in lasts years final he would be talking about that 'one point thrashing' they gave to Kerry. Ultimately, both teams gave a good account of themselves for a May fixture, there are things to work on but the back door should suit Tyrone to get a few wins and some confidence into a youthful forward line who need games and scores. Donegal will go into the next game with a confidence that they will need against a no nonsense Armagh side. Overall a good start to the championship for me.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 17/05/2015 19:43:13    1724672

Great to get the win today. Tyrones elder statesmen showed their true colours today. Michael and the boys had the last laugh. Tyrone last won Ulster in 2010. Since then they have never beaten Donegal in Championship football. Seans last Ulster championship year surely and he gets the card he was responsible for bringing into our game. Justice.

DLGael (Donegal) - Posts: 111 - 17/05/2015 19:48:34    1724678

Just back from the game. I love the Ulster Championship on days like this, not simply because we won. But the passion, the frantic nature of the game, the score taking and the quality of link-up play through packed areas of the field was all very impressive at times. Yes it was niggly, but this is Ulster Championship after all, players play like their lives depend on it. The whole season leads up to this point. Donegal and Tyrone are fierce neighbours and rivals and the atmosphere where I sat was hostile, agitated but we were all hooked and adrenalin was pumping. Another defeat for Tyrone against us will leave them very sore. But today I was impressed with them, very much so at different parts of the game. There's a hundred talking points but ultimately, for me, it's a very positive start to the Ulster Championship and competitive provincial football would be almost dead nationally without it.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 17/05/2015 19:48:54    1724680

Donegal might have just about deserved it but in no way had they got that game under control, could have easily lost it!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 17/05/2015 19:50:25    1724681

First half was good enough.. But Donegal can take no credit for getting 14 men into their own half and not even put in a tackle until the half way line. That second half was as close to a basketball game as that I have ever seen in a GAA match. Why oh why is there such admiration for Michael Murphy? He had a very poor game today and constantly tries to fool refs around the square after he fails to win a high ball in there. As for the Kavanagh brothers how long must it have taken them to perfect those neck jerks. I will give Tyrone some credit for taking the game to Donegal but would give Donegal no credit for their second half of not attempting a tackle on a Tyrone player until they reached the half way line.

Connolly (Dublin) - Posts: 138 - 17/05/2015 20:04:57    1724692

Michael Murphy is one of the best footballers in the country, unfortunately he is being used as a workhorse instead of a forward.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7907 - 17/05/2015 20:19:02    1724704

There is no doubting that he is a very good footballer and a very good forward on his day but in my opinion he has been very average in a lot of games yet still gets the praises as if he was man of the match in these games.

Connolly (Dublin) - Posts: 138 - 17/05/2015 20:37:35    1724713

Murphy didnt play well in last years final,at all, and brolly kind of shrugged that off when O Rourke mentioned it today.
Had the Gooch played bad in an all ireland final Brolly would have went to town on him.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 17/05/2015 20:41:06    1724716

Murphy is wasted, used as a link man, I can never understand it and if you asked any manager playing against him they are only delighted to see him out the pitch.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7907 - 17/05/2015 20:46:21    1724721

Then why all the praise in every game??

Connolly (Dublin) - Posts: 138 - 17/05/2015 20:52:35    1724726

I've said it before and I'll say it again, thank God Murphy has an AI medal, because he'd surely have massive regrets about not being in a position to express himself as the great footballer he is. Even at that, I don't think he'll be entirely happy when it's all over!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8596 - 17/05/2015 20:53:59    1724728