Congratulations to Donegal on a fully deserved victory last night. Where the better team in the first half and most of the second half. Monaghan were useless last night can't remember a Monaghan team playing so badly. The one point result flattered Monaghan. The two goals in the first half kept us in a game we had no right to be in. Donegal attacked with purpose with brilliant lines of running and changing the point of attack it was a joy to behold at times. Every time Monaghan got a point back Donegal went up and scored straight after it. We could simply never get back to parity. I left the game feeling very disappointed in the Monaghan team and Management as I believe mistakes on the line and on the field cost us big time. Monaghan retreated far too deep, as a result of the goal chances coughed up the week before. Dropping Conor McCarthy was a big mistake, his replacement was all at sea when he tried to drop back in the diffensive screen one and his naive positioning coughed up two points in the first half. But Monaghan turned the ball over repeatedly, I don't mind if Donegal players actually turned the ball over that's fair enough but back kick passing and hand passing killed us. On at least 5 occasion Monaghan player kicked a ball to a man 15 yards away and resulted in a turn over. Donegal punished Monaghan turn overs brilliantly like any decent team would. The width of a crossbar ended up being the difference. Malachy played too defensive and the shame is we have forwards that can win a game, but simply doesn't put enough faith in them. Jack McCarron scored two brilliant long range scores when introduced, McCarthy is a wee Magician, Barry McGinn from the under 21's and McManus. Monaghan to go forward have to show more faith in the talent that is there.

But we had no right to be near Donegal last night and I wish them the best in the final and hope Donegal go and win it.
On a side note we have our rivalry over the last few years, but not a bad word between supporters and its brilliant compared to the hate and vile from other counties supporters.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1928 - 03/07/2016 09:31:17    1875266

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1595 - 03/07/2016 10:37:26    1875290

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 03/07/2016 10:55:07    1875302

I hope our arm chair experts can now get off rorys back.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 03/07/2016 12:12:29    1875340

Monaghan were more interested in stopping Donegal playing than going and winning the game themselves. They had man markers on Murphy, McBrearty, both McHughs and McNialais. These markers had no interest in joining the play even when Monaghan had the ball as they were so afraid of losing possession and not having hold of their mans jersey. Monaghan are well capable of playing football when they want to and have good young players coming through. Their management need to trust them more.

From a Donegal point of view performance in first half was good but 2 sloppy goals cost us big time. Management need to show more faith in the panel. When fresh legs were clearly needed we didnt use the bench whereas Monaghan empied theirs and were on top at the end as a result. Bringing McElhinney back on is insulting to the unused subs and he did the same with Kav in the Fermanagh game. The likes of Ciaran Thompson, Eoin Ban and Stephen McBrearty should be getting a run. Gillespie probably only got a run out of necessity with Neil McGee suspended but has proved his worth and I believe the other young lads would too.

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 12:18:12    1875343

Fantastic performance all round. we were holding on at the end . we were much the better team on the night. some outstanding performances. o reilly what a player he is becoming. the goals are a worry lucky we didnt concede three. good to see rory kav back to his best although himself and lacy could have been substituded towards the end.lacey was excellent apart from a few stray passes but hes injured so tiredness was prob creeping into his game. also thought the fans were superb. along drive on a sat night but it was well worth it. finally have to gave rory and the backroom team praise they had their homework done and it worked well esp closing up on the monaghan kick outs. my only gripe is not using our bench enough. i thought leo would come on last night big strong player who the conditions would have suited..

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2408 - 03/07/2016 12:23:48    1875345

Monaghan still rely heavily on the older players on the team which has been become more apparent over the last two games. I would worry for Monaghan now and they will require the luck of the draw to make the Quarter finals.

The Round 2B qualifiers see Monaghan now play Longford, with Mayo/Fermanagh, Cork/Limerick and Kildare/Offaly, and the winners of Round 4B enter the All Ireland Series against either the Leinster Champions or the Munster Champions. So there is no doubt this side of the draw will be difficult to navigate, but some of the younger players Monaghan had on display are excellent.


As for Donegal they have surprised me, they looked to have pace, a good kicking stragedy and players from all positions who can kick points. However it is the strength of the panel with introducing younger players to an already very experienced panel that has them looking strong. I would still doubt they could win three big games in Croke Park but have to now be favourites for Ulster.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts:177 - 03/07/2016 10:55:07

I didn't know what to expect from Donegal after the league, they opened well and ended poorly. But when I watched them against Fermanagh, I seen a better organised and slick moving outfit with some flaws, but still formidable. In truth I thought Monaghan's precision with kick-outs and organisation might have caught them, but Donegal looked really good in the drawn game and their pace was unreal. And they seemed to carry that through to this replay.

How far can Donegal go this year? If they win Ulster, with their significant experience and quality, I would not rule out a run to an All Ireland final. They have contested 2 of the last 4 All Ireland Final's, and enter their 6th Ulster final in a row, and are the only side to have beaten Dublin in Championship football since 2012. So they tick a lot of the boxes mentally and physically, but there are a lot of bumps on the road and a lot can happen between now and then. A tough Ulster Final awaits them, another 70+ minute battle of high intensity football, If they win Ulster we will know more.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 03/07/2016 12:32:32    1875348

GaryMc82, for a man who wasnt at the game last night it baffles me how you have made 4 lengthy posts about it already. As far as I know there have been no tv highlights shown.

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 13:01:53    1875363

Replying to 'I hope our arm chair experts can now get off rorys back'.

Donegalman (All) - Posts:2478 - 03/07/2016 12:12:29

I have being critical of management especially after the first Dublin league game. I was also one of the first on here to praise management for making the changes tactically that most wanted to see namely leaving MM inside. I am certainly no arm chair expert however and go to most games including both Monaghan games. The championship is still relatively young so there are many challenges ahead. Last year the championship started well until the embarrassment against Mayo.....I never want to see that again. Rory is showing signs of learning but is still far from flawless but those signs are good as that is what you want to see. One thing is for sure leaving Paddy McB isolated in the full forward line further down the line is not the way to go. I have to laugh at the 'dying kick' comment. The average age of this side is now 25. There is alot of talent coming through as well. Expect you will learn this over the next 2-3 years at U-21 level when I expect Donegal to pick up an Ulster title or 2 plus a run at an AI. This years minors look exceptional but so did last years and they did not even get to the Ulster final.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 03/07/2016 13:07:28    1875364

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1876 - 03/07/2016 13:17:38    1875367

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 03/07/2016 13:40:56    1875374

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 13:47:53    1875375

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 03/07/2016 13:55:18    1875380

TirChonaillabu2 (Donegal) - Posts: 344 - 03/07/2016 14:07:30    1875384

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 14:09:50    1875387

But we had no right to be near Donegal last night and I wish them the best in the final and hope Donegal go and win it.
On a side note we have our rivalry over the last few years, but not a bad word between supporters and its brilliant compared to the hate and vile from other counties supporters.
shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts:1449 - 03/07/2016 09:31:17 1875266

Spot on Shaggylegend about supporters|

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 442 - 03/07/2016 14:12:37    1875389

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 14:24:57    1875393

HEREBENJI (Donegal) - Posts: 422 - 03/07/2016 14:26:19    1875394

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 03/07/2016 14:36:31    1875401

I'm of the opinion that Rory has actually hindered us more than helped,and I think it is the leaders we have on the pitch that's keeping us going so well,I don't rate or respect him as a manager,
the messing going on and the daft lack of bringing on subs at times will cost us some day,we have a fantastic team and great young players coming through, even if we do win Ulster I still won't rate Rory, it's down to the players and the team and mentality that Jim built,
that's my opinion anyway for what it's worth.
TirChonaillabu2 (Donegal) - Posts:170 - 03/07/2016 14:07:30 1875


I think this comment says it all really.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 03/07/2016 14:39:03    1875404