Donegal_abroad
County: Donegal
Posts: 338

1753959
Gary Mc from Derry, I hope you're right!! I got it wrong about Derry and have no issue saying so, you read the situation well and Derry really pushed us all the way. I felt they wouldn't get that near to Donegal. You say a 6/7 point win for Donegal, and this is the game I am most nervous about. Id feel delighted to win by a single point. Like you, I actually think that the factors are nearly all in Monaghan's favour. They are coming in off an easier run, have had less games and they have surely one big performance in Ulster ahead of them.. We have had to hit a fairly high level a number of times already. I think there could be a freshness to Monaghan, like in 2013, where they hit us like a steam train on Sunday. Can we respond to that? Before a certain regular Donegal poster accuses me of trying to play the cute hoor, well I'm really not. Monaghan beat us in the league and reduced us to being rudderless that day with a highly effective blanket defence. They've had our number now a few times and for all of the above, I actually fancy them to sneak it though I hope I am wrong!

There were a lot of factors that contributed to Donegal getting well beat in 2013, and I don't think any of those things can be applied this time.

Entering their 3rd Ulster final against each other, and also noting that both sides have played a few league matches since last season, both teams know what lays ahead. Donegal know they will face possibly one of their toughest games of the year, and that is an environment in which they tend to thrive.
This Monaghan side have yet to win an All Ireland Quarter final match, and that tells us that they don't fare so well in those high stakes matches, although they remain a tough nut in Ulster.

It is a essentially a home game for Monaghan, and It will require a 70+ mins performance of high Intensity to win this. I think that while there will be little between the two sides, Donegal's mental strength will see them pull away and win by a comfortable margin.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 15/07/2015 21:54:25    1754064

This match is very hard to call, but one factor could swing it in Monaghan's favour. Hunger! This is last chance saloon for a lot of these Monaghan players and as shown against Cavan they have fierce hunger for a second Ulster title, the likes of Owen Lennon, dick, jinksy all these lads will burst a gut for a second Ulster title

room2 (Monaghan) - Posts: 96 - 16/07/2015 09:02:51    1754076

Monaghan have been training with 15 v 20. It will be interesting to see if this helps them on the day

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 16/07/2015 09:06:08    1754077

first 15 minutes massive in the game. Donegal will try and blow us away with an early goal and a flurry of points and if that happens we are goosed obviously. If we get past this period like Derry did and get some good possession around the middle and try and get Hughes and McManus into the game unlike last year then we could push them very close. Donegal being one of the favourites for the All Ireland have to be strong favourites against us and I think this will work in our favour to produce a massive performance as Donegal have never held any fears for Monaghan teams. In fact I'd say we are one of the few counties around who arent intimidated by them as our record against them in championship is not bad at all.

This is a lot of the players 5th Ulster final and they wont be happy with just one win in five. Will be the mother of all battles and I think we can take it by a point or two.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1803 - 16/07/2015 09:49:58    1754099

It's great to have the current two best teams in Ulster contesting another final. We've built up quite a rivalry these past few years! Playing Monaghan in Clones on Ulster final day is a great occasion. The town will be buzzing with the partisan local support as well as the sizable contingent who will make their way down from the Hills!

As for the game itself we all know what to expect. It will be attritional, hard hitting and the intensity levels certainly early on will be extremely high. I believe the team that keeps their cool in the frenetic early stages will ultimately be victorious. If Donegal can tack on a few early scores to establish a 3 or 4 point lead then I think it could prove to be very difficult for Monaghan as they don't score too many goals.

Rory Gallagher will be determined to land his first bit of silverware as manager. Also, there are a few Donegal players who might not see another Ulster final given their age profile. So I would expect us to go out and leave nothing behind us. Without sounding too arrogant I just think we're at a level a wee bit higher than Monaghan and may prove that point on Sunday.

Donegal 1-12 - 0-11 Monaghan

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9165 - 16/07/2015 10:28:25    1754122

Lockjaw
County: Donegal
Posts: 3972

1754122 It's great to have the current two best teams in Ulster contesting another final. We've built up quite a rivalry these past few years! Playing Monaghan in Clones on Ulster final day is a great occasion. The town will be buzzing with the partisan local support as well as the sizable contingent who will make their way down from the Hills!

As for the game itself we all know what to expect. It will be attritional, hard hitting and the intensity levels certainly early on will be extremely high. I believe the team that keeps their cool in the frenetic early stages will ultimately be victorious. If Donegal can tack on a few early scores to establish a 3 or 4 point lead then I think it could prove to be very difficult for Monaghan as they don't score too many goals.

Rory Gallagher will be determined to land his first bit of silverware as manager. Also, there are a few Donegal players who might not see another Ulster final given their age profile. So I would expect us to go out and leave nothing behind us. Without sounding too arrogant I just think we're at a level a wee bit higher than Monaghan and may prove that point on Sunday.

Donegal 1-12 - 0-11 Monaghan

Agreed. But Donegal will blow monaghan away early.

Monaghan 0.08 Donegal 2.12. And Iv a bet on this spread with the bookies. Monaghan to fold on the big day.

foxes_denn (Cavan) - Posts: 129 - 16/07/2015 11:02:00    1754144

Looking forward to this fascinating game on sunday.Unfortunately (hope I'm wrong) I feel Donegal might just take it. Firstly the Derry game will stand to them and helped to prevent complacency going into the final. Secondly I feel they ahve a better squad overall and it will count for the 70 minutes.
Their go to player is Paddy McBrearty and I feel he is getting better and better each year. Last year in clones he kicked some monsterous scores which tipped the tide for them. Midfield is where it will be won on sunday. Great to see Eoin Lennon back but from being at the fermanagh game I thought he just wasn't match fit. He will be tested up against neil gallagher who I rate as the best in the country. Hopefully the fitness has improved since the last day. Neil McAdam has seen alot of ball this year and needs a big game to gather the breaking ball. Even without Drew Wylie (personally I wouldn't start him if he's not 100%) I feel we have the best defence in Ireland and we can deal with the donegal forwards. Our main weakness is our half forward line. I thought against Fermanagh their half backs were getting too much space to run up the field and kick some good scores. We'd need to tighten up there. Sounds like it gonna be a wet day so I'd be deploying Kieran Hughes full forward and landing plenty of high balls into the donegal full back line. I thought Derry exposed their defensive frailties the last day.
Found it strange that their zero press coverage regarding the game this year. Its thursday and minimal articles in all the country's leading newspapers
Anyway looking forward to the day and will be standing cheering up on O'duffy Terrace for arguably the biggest, most anticapitated game of the GAA football championship this year. MUINEACHAN ABU!

montheman (Monaghan) - Posts: 28 - 16/07/2015 11:10:59    1754149

Ulster is the only province where the bookies favourite has won every game so far this year, maybe there is a twist in the tale on Sunday.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 16/07/2015 11:33:44    1754171

oxes_denn
County: Cavan


Agreed. But Donegal will blow monaghan away early.

Monaghan 0.08 Donegal 2.12. And Iv a bet on this spread with the bookies. Monaghan to fold on the big day

I don't know which is the funniest, your prediction or the or the claim that you have a bet on. Anyway you made your point now off back to your denn with ya for the winter.
The deciding factor in this game could be discipline and how it is administered, any foul will be punished with the range of free takers on show. We both have a similar mentality in that we both hit hard and expect to get hit hard, so I don't expect any dirt as such. I just hope that the referee buys into it for the day and isn't a factor in the result.
One of my abiding memories from 2013 was the sincere goodwill of the losing Donegal supporters after the match. So if on the off chance we do lose, while it will be very disappointing it won't be so bad losing to Donegal. If your going to Clones enjoy your day and go with the flow (you mightn't have a choice can he a little hectic)
We will win though

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 16/07/2015 11:45:45    1754183

Soma who is down as the favourite?
I would presume its very even with maybe donegal just shading it. Either way no result here would be a shock.

I see it being a few scores either way.

Is Paddy mcBrearty fully fit? Also will Mark McHugh start on Sunday. I feel he is still quite important for us.
Who is the ref?

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 16/07/2015 11:55:53    1754193

I think Donegal peaked somewhere between the Tyrone and Armagh match whereas monaghan haven't yet and Sunday they will hit the ground running and win maybe 14 to 1-7 because theres a big game in monaghan and we will be taking the anglo celt back for the 15 time suas muineachan

prideof85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 851 - 16/07/2015 11:58:24    1754195

"I think Donegal peaked somewhere between the Tyrone and Armagh match"

Wishful thinking. I'd be surprised and disappointed if that was the height of our ambition for the year.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9165 - 16/07/2015 12:02:15    1754200

dstuction Donegal are very heavy favourites for Sunday, only Mayo are stronger favourites in all the games being played this weekend.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 16/07/2015 12:06:08    1754204

Donegal strong favourites take that all day

prideof85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 851 - 16/07/2015 12:39:16    1754235

Starting to feel the familiar butterflies.

Monaghan did a big number on us in 2013 & we returned the favour last year.

I think this will be a close game with our scoring options just carrying us through.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 16/07/2015 13:59:05    1754325

Soma
County: UK
Posts: 1057

1754204
dstuction Donegal are very heavy favourites for Sunday, only Mayo are stronger favourites in all the games being played this weekend.

You and I differ on 'very heavy'. They are favourites at 4/9. Very heavy favourites would be more like Dublin last week....heavy favourites mayo this week...favourites Donegal. Donegal are rightly favourites but I think it will be 3-4 point

Foxes denn - Still seething at the defeat in May or the way you whimpered out to Roscommon? Regardless, I think you aren't the full shilling if you believe Donegal will win by 12 points. I would be shocked if it was more than half that margin.

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 16/07/2015 14:54:13    1754377

convinced of a Monaghan win in this despite huge loss of one of the best full backs in the country in Drew Wylie

stekhli (Dublin) - Posts: 3121 - 16/07/2015 15:31:24    1754412

Foxes denn - Still seething at the defeat in May or the way you whimpered out to Roscommon? Regardless, I think you aren't the full shilling if you believe Donegal will win by 12 points. I would be shocked if it was more than half that margin.

We will see who the full shilling is after Sunday lad. Its hard enough to win Championship games but when the Referee is against you in every match its near impossible. The Cavan phoenix will rise again next year and the roles will be reversed come 12 months.

Come back to me on Sunday or sometime next week when your over the hammering and see what you have to say then Lad.

foxes_denn (Cavan) - Posts: 129 - 16/07/2015 15:35:08    1754415

Apologies seanfinn, I didn't have the bookies dictionary to hand when doing that post. I presume you have your 20 on Monaghan ready to collect 70 back from the bookies Monday morning?

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 16/07/2015 15:47:25    1754429

stekhli the best full back in the country you speak of in Drew Wylie will be playing this weekend...

beidhmeanseo (Donegal) - Posts: 137 - 16/07/2015 15:59:20    1754446