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Monaghan will be entering this game as favourites, with Donegal missing Neil McGee and seemingly struggling with their own kick-outs. While Monaghan have so far shown exceptional accuracy in kick-out's, and in shot/score success so far, which statistically puts them in the driving seat entering this game. Monaghan playing for a place in their 4th Ulster final in a row, while Donegal playing for a place in their 6th Ulster final in a row. These games don't tend to provide goal opportunities, but have watched both sides this year and their increased attacking focus, I think we will see a goal or two in this game. Overall it should still be another war of attrition, both sides have the quality to win this game. After watching Cavan v Tyrone yesterday, I don't think either of those teams are as efficient as Monaghan or Donegal, and the winner of this game will be my favourite to win Ulster.
GaryMc82 (Derry) - 20/06/2016 17:51:25
You back on terms with Monaghan now Gary? After the Down game you were posting on another forum about Monaghan being lucky and getting home town decisions...Telling us Murphy and Donegal have too much class.
seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 21/06/2016 14:18:42
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Neil McGee or no Neil McGee I still think we have enough to beat this Monaghan team.That is of Course depending on wither big Neil G and Karl lacy are Fit. i dont know what Karls fitness is like at present but for me if he is anyway near then there is no better man to keep McManus underwraps.
Granted that Lacy has not been at his usual Standard and i would say his last real outstanding performance was against Derry 2014 where he kept lynch at bay. For me there are few if any better man markers in the Game than Karl when at full fitness. Wither he ever gets back to that standard is Questanable but for me he is the man for McManus.
I have to say I am a great admirer of Conor Mcmanus..I love watching him play and he is an Outstanding player and no one can even begin an argument against that Fact. He is a Top Drawer player.
However i feel this Monagahn team without there star man would be found very much wanting. He reminds me of a Steven Gerard in Liverpools 2005 european cup winning Team. An outstanding individual amongst a bunch of pretty average players bar a few others of pretty good talent..Hughes,Corey ,Beggan. spring to mind. I just think we have better players all over the pitch and if we manage to keep Conor Quite then i feel it is ours for the taking.
Previous years dont really matter but i feel this past number of years we had fairly hard runs in Ulster as opposed to Monaghan although the farney did take the Tyrone scalp in 2014. Last year we had a pretty tough draw and an extra game leading up to th UF and i know the Opinion that we left the Anglo celt in clones last year does not sit well with some Monaghan supporters but its my opinion that we certainly did.
I think this year with one game under our belt we should be warmed up nicely for this challenge and although Monaghan are pretty strong defensively and Going by what i witnessed in our last game aginst Fermanagh its clear DL are working on some good moves and i can see Goals in this game so for me it is Donegal by at least 3 in an intense game.
InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 21/06/2016 16:11:05
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Replying To InishowenMan: "Neil McGee or no Neil McGee I still think we have enough to beat this Monaghan team.That is of Course depending on wither big Neil G and Karl lacy are Fit. i dont know what Karls fitness is like at present but for me if he is anyway near then there is no better man to keep McManus underwraps.
Granted that Lacy has not been at his usual Standard and i would say his last real outstanding performance was against Derry 2014 where he kept lynch at bay. For me there are few if any better man markers in the Game than Karl when at full fitness. Wither he ever gets back to that standard is Questanable but for me he is the man for McManus.
I have to say I am a great admirer of Conor Mcmanus..I love watching him play and he is an Outstanding player and no one can even begin an argument against that Fact. He is a Top Drawer player.
However i feel this Monagahn team without there star man would be found very much wanting. He reminds me of a Steven Gerard in Liverpools 2005 european cup winning Team. An outstanding individual amongst a bunch of pretty average players bar a few others of pretty good talent..Hughes,Corey ,Beggan. spring to mind. I just think we have better players all over the pitch and if we manage to keep Conor Quite then i feel it is ours for the taking.
Previous years dont really matter but i feel this past number of years we had fairly hard runs in Ulster as opposed to Monaghan although the farney did take the Tyrone scalp in 2014. Last year we had a pretty tough draw and an extra game leading up to th UF and i know the Opinion that we left the Anglo celt in clones last year does not sit well with some Monaghan supporters but its my opinion that we certainly did.
I think this year with one game under our belt we should be warmed up nicely for this challenge and although Monaghan are pretty strong defensively and Going by what i witnessed in our last game aginst Fermanagh its clear DL are working on some good moves and i can see Goals in this game so for me it is Donegal by at least 3 in an intense game." I mentioned it on another thread that with no Neil McGee our best plan for McManus might well be to put Karl on him and hope that he still has one more defensive man-marking master class left in him. It would be great to see!
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 21/06/2016 16:22:20
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On paper our preparation is probably a little better. We seem to have a clean bill of health and most of the top players are performing. On the other hand, McGee is a big loss for Donegal and a few senior players seem to be struggling for fitness, Gallagher in particular. And Durcan is a huge loss from last year with his kickouts. Even still, I'd expect this to be a tight game with probably a kick of a ball in it at the end either way. The teams are so familiar with each other now that it'll likely be a niggly tactical battle.
Tough to call a game like this, but I'll say us by a couple of points. Our main players are going well - the Hughes brothers both had great games against Down, neither have had great games against Donegal since 2013 so it's good they're in form. And as someone else said, O'Connell is turning into a key player for us. Walshe also looks to be getting back to his best - I've heard other players say it takes a full season after recovery from a cruciate injury to feel fully right again.
Like I said before though, it's going to be a tight one, and could go either way.
patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 21/06/2016 16:26:09
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Replying To GaryMc82: "Monaghan will be entering this game as favourites, with Donegal missing Neil McGee and seemingly struggling with their own kick-outs. While Monaghan have so far shown exceptional accuracy in kick-out's, and in shot/score success so far, which statistically puts them in the driving seat entering this game. Monaghan playing for a place in their 4th Ulster final in a row, while Donegal playing for a place in their 6th Ulster final in a row.
These games don't tend to provide goal opportunities, but have watched both sides this year and their increased attacking focus, I think we will see a goal or two in this game. Overall it should still be another war of attrition, both sides have the quality to win this game.
After watching Cavan v Tyrone yesterday, I don't think either of those teams are as efficient as Monaghan or Donegal, and the winner of this game will be my favourite to win Ulster." Donegal's kickouts are a source of concern and although overall I thought McGinley done well against Fermanagh Saturday is going to be a huge test for him. I think Donegal should keep the short kickouts to a minimum as Monaghan will push up on them putting McGinley under pressure. In what's likely to be s close game Donegal cannot afford to give away anything soft so by going long the majority of the time Monaghan will have to work hard for a score even if they win the kickout. I also think Donegal are strong on breaking ball and can very dangerous when winning breaks around the middle especially with McGlynn and the McHughs in the form they're in. Plus if Donegal keep going long with their kickouts then opportunities for easy short kicks should appear the longer the game goes on. It's all about minimising the mistakes and if Donegal get it right which I'm confident they will I can see them prevailing this time round. It's really has turned into a great riviarly though.
Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 21/06/2016 16:45:46
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Inishowenman, we cant be relying on Karl Lacey for a game like monaghan. His role is that of an impact sub now. If you are going back to a single game in 2014, and hoping that it is going to return to him 2 years later, it is wishful thinking. I feel that he will not be at the races, as the game moves on so much each year, especially for a man who is a veteran. I would feel the same way about big neil at mid field, with the exception that he has a function in his ability to field and break ball effectively from kick outs.
Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 21/06/2016 16:53:05
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You back on terms with Monaghan now Gary? After the Down game you were posting on another forum about Monaghan being lucky and getting home town decisions...Telling us Murphy and Donegal have too much class.
seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts:199 - 21/06/2016 14:18:42
I don't recall making that specific type of comment after the Down game this year, can you copy and paste the one you speak of? I thought Down put in a very good first half, but fell to bits in the 2nd half and were very poor then. But Down's collapse was in the 2nd half was probably forced and Monaghan pushed up and were utterly dominant.
Yeah I have upset Monaghan posters in the past, as I have considered Donegal to be a stronger more versatile side in general. And have noted that Monaghan's Ulster Championship successes have always come the season after Donegal contested All Ireland finals the previous September (2013 & 2015), and failed 3 years running to win an All Ireland Quarter final. But for some outrageous shooting last year, Donegal should have run out comfortable winners in the Ulster final. So yes I probably have been harsh on Monaghan, but I believe it was the truth and not stated as a jibe.
I think Monaghan have worked on a lot of their failings against Tyrone last season, and I believe they are a far stronger side for it now. I think they are more versatile than previous seasons, have a bit more pace and are maybe better geared towards the All Ireland series than in previous seasons. I also rank Malachy O' Rourke as one of the finest tacticians in our game, a brilliant and sometimes underrated manager. I feel with improvements Monaghan have made, and losses Donegal have taken, Monaghan are slight favourites in this game. It could go either way, but statistically Monaghan have been doing the kick-outs and scoring per shot rate far better.
GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 21/06/2016 18:17:22
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Replying To mhunicean_abu: "Neil will be a big loss for sure. I'm open to correction on this but I don't think Donegal have started a Championship match without him for the guts of a decade. His presence and organisational skills are vital to us at the back, especially with a new goalkeeper as well. It remains to be seen who picks up McManus but hopefully there is a contingency plan in place. Kieran Hughes is another man who'll need close watching. He was very good against Down and has also troubled us in the past, most notably in the 2013 final.
We'll need to squeeze up on Monaghan I feel and take our chances with winning kickouts out around the middle. Monaghan have shown in the past that they have the patience to build slowly from the back against us, passing laterally up the field until they reach half way or just beyond. Then it's usually an accurate cross field pass to yield a bit of room to a raiding wing back/forward and an equally accurate shot at the posts. If we sit back and allow them the same opportunities this weekend then I think Monaghan will have the experience and confidence to do a number on us again.
Vinny Corey has done a great job shackling Murphy in the past, and I think if we continue playing Murphy out the field this Saturday then we could see the same. I mentioned on the Donegal forum that I think it's time Rory put the cat among the pigeons a wee bit and stationed Murphy at the edge of the square for the majority of this game. It would force Monaghan into a rethink and undoubtedly increase our goal scoring threat, which could the key to the winning this game for us. Our point scoring tallies in tight games have reduced somewhat in recent years, and we now rely on taking goals to win games.
I'll give us a hesitant nod to win this 2-9 - 0-13
Lockjaw (Donegal)
Would't argue with any of this except the scoreline, would be disappointed and surprised if we concede two goals (especially if Murphy is out the field). I expect McManus will score 8 or 9 points (including frees), Beggan a couple and the rest of the team should take us up to around 1-15. I think we are better than last year both defensively and in attack (won't mention the middle sector). Will Donegal reach that score? I am hoping not, they have the ability, but as I said our defence has improved and if Murphy is out the field, well...
I don't get the same sense of urgency with this Donegal team as was evident before and if it were a case of "groundhog day" again with 20 minutes to go could they just let the game peter out as they did in the league? Sunday will answer a lot of questions about both teams, if it is a good close game, then losing will not be the end of the world for either team. It would be no disgrace to lose this match.
Weather is forecast for good on Saturday evening so hopefully both teams contribute to a great game" I feel you are been a little over ambitious with Monaghan scoring 1-15. Monaghan still don't have a second or third proven scoring forward. Think Donegal will tighten up their disciple and tacking and limit the amount of scoring frees they give away because they know McManus/began will score them.
Hoping for a good game but feel Donegal will win it.
The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 21/06/2016 18:27:11
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I'd be suprised if Monaghan get 1-15 as they did not post that against us in the last three Ulster finals
Indeed when they beat us well in 2013 I Think they got 0-13 and 3 of those came in the last few minutes.
I am taking us to get at least one goal and I'd predict around 0-5 each at half time.
I also think you will see a very good strong defensive game from Donegal and to me it's up to P mcB O McNellis Leo and co to get the scores We can't have lads underperforming on Sat night and we must take a leaf out of Galways book ---- they had to start with a rookie full back line and look how they done. We are only short one ( a big loss) but I'd throw young C Gillispie into the full back line and take a chance.
Remember this if Mayo end up in Dublin / Kerry side of the draw I would give the winners of Ulster a massive chance to reach the All Ireland final.
If the draw goes as its planned --- Ulster champions v Connaught champions then would most on here not agree that any of the four remaining counties would beat either Galway or Roscommon.
SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 21/06/2016 19:35:12
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Would love to see stats on Beggans place kicking. McManus can kick them from anywhere ( even from around the 40) and rarely misses but it seems Beggan wouldn't have that high of stats - I could be mistaken though.
Either way any free could be put over.
I'm feeling more confident. I feel if we can break even in midfield we can be more efficient with the ball. E McGee and Big Hughes will be a telling battle, as will the expected Murphy v Corey. How will Dessie fare running after Eoin McHugh? Very hard to judge Monaghan on the Down performance so hard to know how their newer player will do against a battle hardened Donegal team but I guess Saturday will show us where both teams are at.
dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 21/06/2016 20:43:00
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Replying To dstuction: "Would love to see stats on Beggans place kicking. McManus can kick them from anywhere ( even from around the 40) and rarely misses but it seems Beggan wouldn't have that high of stats - I could be mistaken though.
Either way any free could be put over.
I'm feeling more confident. I feel if we can break even in midfield we can be more efficient with the ball. E McGee and Big Hughes will be a telling battle, as will the expected Murphy v Corey. How will Dessie fare running after Eoin McHugh? Very hard to judge Monaghan on the Down performance so hard to know how their newer player will do against a battle hardened Donegal team but I guess Saturday will show us where both teams are at." Dessie may not start. Ryan Wylie on mchugh with the elder wylie, walshe and corey in full back line.
Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1058 - 21/06/2016 21:13:04
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Replying To InishowenMan: "Neil McGee or no Neil McGee I still think we have enough to beat this Monaghan team.That is of Course depending on wither big Neil G and Karl lacy are Fit. i dont know what Karls fitness is like at present but for me if he is anyway near then there is no better man to keep McManus underwraps.
Granted that Lacy has not been at his usual Standard and i would say his last real outstanding performance was against Derry 2014 where he kept lynch at bay. For me there are few if any better man markers in the Game than Karl when at full fitness. Wither he ever gets back to that standard is Questanable but for me he is the man for McManus.
I have to say I am a great admirer of Conor Mcmanus..I love watching him play and he is an Outstanding player and no one can even begin an argument against that Fact. He is a Top Drawer player.
However i feel this Monagahn team without there star man would be found very much wanting. He reminds me of a Steven Gerard in Liverpools 2005 european cup winning Team. An outstanding individual amongst a bunch of pretty average players bar a few others of pretty good talent..Hughes,Corey ,Beggan. spring to mind. I just think we have better players all over the pitch and if we manage to keep Conor Quite then i feel it is ours for the taking.
Previous years dont really matter but i feel this past number of years we had fairly hard runs in Ulster as opposed to Monaghan although the farney did take the Tyrone scalp in 2014. Last year we had a pretty tough draw and an extra game leading up to th UF and i know the Opinion that we left the Anglo celt in clones last year does not sit well with some Monaghan supporters but its my opinion that we certainly did.
I think this year with one game under our belt we should be warmed up nicely for this challenge and although Monaghan are pretty strong defensively and Going by what i witnessed in our last game aginst Fermanagh its clear DL are working on some good moves and i can see Goals in this game so for me it is Donegal by at least 3 in an intense game." I hope the Donegal management underestimate us as much as that. Donegal do have quality players but so do we. Conor was fairly quiet in the 2013 final but Kieran Hughes stepped up in a big way for example. Clearly Conor is our star man and we'd be worse without him, but you can say that about any county and their main man, small counties especially. No point in talking about hypotheticals. There are young forwards coming up but Rome wasn't built in a day.
And we often hear about the handy run when we won Ulster's, yet in 2014 we had the tough side but you never hear about it, and rightly so - we just weren't good enough. The last few Ulsters have been won by the right teams, it's not like a ref done anyone out of a title.
patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 21/06/2016 21:44:55
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Is there any truth in the rumour that Donegal are appealing Neil McGee's red card?
neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 21/06/2016 23:10:19
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This is going to be a tough match especially as it's giving bad weather fir Saturday evening. A bigger more physical team certainly has the upper hand on a real wet pitch. We saw this well proven last weekend.
border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 22/06/2016 08:06:42
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Replying To neverright: "Is there any truth in the rumour that Donegal are appealing Neil McGee's red card?" Its not a rumour, nor has it ever been. The appeal hearing is tonight, the argument being made is that the match report is at odds with the offence committed by Neil.
Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 22/06/2016 10:56:32
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Replying To Donegalman: "Its not a rumour, nor has it ever been. The appeal hearing is tonight, the argument being made is that the match report is at odds with the offence committed by Neil." Yeah its on main page now. No outcome in it though.
2 questions though:
1) Why wasn't the appeal last week. surely that has effected his/the teams preparation for this weekends game
2) I dont feel we should have lowered ourselves to exploiting the system. Sure other teams have done it but I would like to think we are above that. it was a red and so was the first one. unfortunate sure but I dont feel an appeal is correct.
I will be delighted if he is eligable but it does stick with me a bit. If he doesn't get it rescinded can it be extended? Obviously it wouldn't help us in this example but I really feel that should be the case during any appeals process
dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 22/06/2016 11:56:34
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Replying To dstuction: "Yeah its on main page now. No outcome in it though.
2 questions though:
1) Why wasn't the appeal last week. surely that has effected his/the teams preparation for this weekends game
2) I dont feel we should have lowered ourselves to exploiting the system. Sure other teams have done it but I would like to think we are above that. it was a red and so was the first one. unfortunate sure but I dont feel an appeal is correct.
I will be delighted if he is eligable but it does stick with me a bit. If he doesn't get it rescinded can it be extended? Obviously it wouldn't help us in this example but I really feel that should be the case during any appeals process" Appeal was last night. It was rejected.
Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 22/06/2016 12:36:42
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I think that the county board went in with a shot to nothing attitude. You might as well appeal rather than not try at all.
Looks like they are going to be sticky about appeals from now on. Which is not a bad thing at all imo.
Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 22/06/2016 12:38:54
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Donegal supporters including myself need to forget about 2015 -yes we missed 13-15 chances but tough ****.
Saturdays game is massive for this Donegal team and management .
Saturday will tell us if Rory was really keeping his powder dry during the league which I don't think he was .
Monaghan have had the upper hand on us despite us competing in 2 All-Ireland finals and winning 3 Anglo -Celts.
We lose Sunday , our season is over . The only route is the front door route .
Monaghan are not to blame for our ineptitude in front of goal - Donegal are to blame .
Monaghan are not to blame for our manager dropping his best players back to their own 45.
Enough of this nonsense .
TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 22/06/2016 15:01:38
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Replying To TheRightStuff: "Donegal supporters including myself need to forget about 2015 -yes we missed 13-15 chances but tough ****.
Saturdays game is massive for this Donegal team and management .
Saturday will tell us if Rory was really keeping his powder dry during the league which I don't think he was .
Monaghan have had the upper hand on us despite us competing in 2 All-Ireland finals and winning 3 Anglo -Celts.
We lose Sunday , our season is over . The only route is the front door route .
Monaghan are not to blame for our ineptitude in front of goal - Donegal are to blame .
Monaghan are not to blame for our manager dropping his best players back to their own 45.
Enough of this nonsense ." Agree with this, time for Rory to show his worth on the sideline. Looks like we won't have Neil McGee which makes the task more difficult. However it is time for the team to put in a good 70 minute performance with no excuses. There is no point looking at past results and making excuses. Monaghan beat us fair and square last year and we need to being something new in terms of tactics.
I really doubt if MM will play any of the game at full forward, hopefully I am wrong. He rarely plays at full forward under Rory Gallagher.
Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1876 - 22/06/2016 15:36:02
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