Donegal used to being able to beat teams by playing for 15 minutes and then defending and picking off scores for 55 minutes. However against Monaghan we're not and never have been able to do this. We've the players (except for NMcG) but our biggest weakness is the sideline and the lack of respect therein. You could imagine Jim going to town on Neil after the Fermanagh match. But not Rory. And that's the difference. We know it, the players know it. Respect.

There's too much against us. Monaghan to win by 4 or 5.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 22/06/2016 16:28:14    1870817

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 22/06/2016 17:46:03    1870854

I think Rory should be brave and blood young Gillispie. Indeed it could misfire but very soon we will have to introduce new blood.
Plus if we reach the final he would have a game under his belt. I also think we should give Eoghan ban S McBrearty or C Thompson some game time. I don't mean take them all on but at least one or two.
Also Rory wants to start with all his big physical players around the middle McElhinney H MC Fadden Leo etc
Going to be hard to predict but I believe Donegal will give it a massive push Sat night and I would say Monaghan would not want to play like they did in the first half against Down. I thought Down have a good few chances early on but missed most. I know Monaghan upped their game early on in the second half and they probably scored as much in that game as they have done in the three Ulster finals v Donegal

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 22/06/2016 20:45:11    1870901

I don't think I've ever been as nervous about a sporting weekend!! Great to look forward to!

It's so hard to call this one. A real heart vs head debate! But after Ireland's result last night I'm edging towards the heart's decision!
We'll need big performances from everyone, in particular at the back from whoever is tasked with the McManus job!

Murphy to the edge of the square! Pow!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 23/06/2016 09:47:01    1871035

Lockjaw

I also mentioned this on the Donegal forum after the Fermanagh game.it would indeed be nice to see.

Donegalman
You are probably right in a sense..I only mentioned that game as it was his last near flawless performance.
You say he is now used as an impact sub and you may be correcr but i always assumed it was because he was carrying a niggling injury that has kept him from Starting. Karl is 31 and i wouldnt say he's exactly over the hill but your right in saying it is wishful thinking to expext him to put in a 70min performance but I will not be at all surprised if he is set the task of looking after McManus for at least part of the game. To be totally honest I dont know a lot about young Gillispie but he is getting high praise here for a league game and rightly so, but this is Championship and C Mcmanus we are talking about an surley a seasoned Player such as Lacey would be the option to go for. Of course these are only Opinions on a forum and it will be Rory's call at the end of the day.

Patk
I find it infuriating having to reply to these type of posts when people quote. Nobody is impying that Donegal managmnet or Supporters are taking Monaghan for Granted and if it came across as that' then it is my lack of articulation. Nor did anyone blame a Monaghan or the Ref for last years Ulster final result.
I also did mention in my post that Monaghan have other Quality players and even went as far as naming a few of them. It is only an opinion nothing more that i think we have more quailty players. When I mention about keeping Mcmanus quite' that is a compliment' as he really is that good. Just go back to your Cavan game last year when Monaghan where clearly struggling and up Stepped Conor McManus and it basically ended up as the Conor McMamus Show " Ref- back to my liking of him as a Stevie Gerard type player"i just feel if Mcmanus is kept under wraps as much as possible "No easy feat mind" then Monaghan are no were near as Dangerous. True monaghan have other quality players as you mention that will also need special attention.
And just for the record I have no issues with Monaghan or their supporters,,A fine team for such a small county and their success is not begrudged on my part. I congratulated the men beside me in 2013 and also congratulated and wished well any bystanders on the road out of Clones and they had the manners to say thanks very much. May the best team win Come Saturday.

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 23/06/2016 13:32:49    1871169

This has all the hallmarks of a tight dour encounter with nothing more than a score between two evenly matched teams.

The game being in Cavan is a bit of an advantage as far as Donegal are concerned but this is more than outweighed by the loss of Neil McGee & Neigl Gallagher, two huge players for us.

The fact that Rory Gallagher doesn't seem to be getting the best out of this squad leaves me giving Monaghan a hesitant vote but there is only a hop of a ball in it.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 23/06/2016 15:43:02    1871255

Is Neil Gallagher definitely out lads, or might he be fit to come on at some point?

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 23/06/2016 16:36:56    1871274

GaryMc82 on another forum -

The biggest talking point should be the 3 handy points Monaghan were handed right before half time. Had Down went in level they would have won I feel. Monaghan again very lucky in their home ground. I think Donegal will have far to much class in the semi as Monaghan will do well to get such luck again in 3 weeks
The fact that the referee folded under the home support calls every time a 50:50 decision went up speaks volumes for the luck involved in this win for Monaghan. Michael Murphy and his Donegal team will beat them easy .


Thats what you posted....perhaps there are two of you though!

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 23/06/2016 17:47:19    1871290

Inishowen man...I would say there is not much to separate us. I would view Donegal as being very Michael Murphy centric. There are other good players around him but he is the main talent. Where Donegal have the advantage is beyond the first 15. I feel they have just that bit more in reserve.

I would be amazed if the winning margin for Donegal is 3+. I think we will win by no more than three.

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 23/06/2016 17:50:14    1871292

I'd be suprised if Monaghan get 1-15 as they did not post that against us in the last three Ulster finals

SamOnErrigal (Donegal)

The reason why I say 1-15 is that I genuinely believe we have better scoring forwards than the last 3 finals and also I believe that that is around what we will need if we are to win this time. So it is in hope as much as expectation. In no way would I underestimate Donegal

mhunicean_abu (Monaghan) - Posts: 1044 - 23/06/2016 21:58:39    1871383

Would love to be proven wrong but unless Rory has something up his sleeve that hasn't been seen in quite a few performances I'd expect Monaghan to win this by 4-5 points. Our goalkeeper has accuracy problems and when we go straight to midfield we don't have the ball winners either in the air or from breaks. We don't have a defender to mark Mc Manus whom I rate the top forward in Ireland. Neil Gallagher won't play but more worrying would be the fitness of Frank Mc Glynn. If Frank plays our defence is fairly good but when he's not on the pitch we have a gaping hole through the middle.
People are talking about Murphy but lets face it he hasn't played since the Roscommon game, looks either injured or not hungry enough for it this year. It could even be that he isn't happy with the set up and can't see us progressing. The most important players for us at present are Ryan Mc Hugh, Frank Mc Glynn, Paddy MC Brearty and Odhran Mac Niallais. If all four play well on Sunday we have a chance but we'll need all four playing well and the rest breaking even.
Finally and our biggest concern is the lack of bravery in Rory Gallagher. The talent is there with the likes of Eoin Ban, Stephen Mc Brearty, Ciaran Thompson etc. but he hasn't the guts to play them. This will eventually cost us.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 23/06/2016 22:24:22    1871387

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 23/06/2016 22:30:44    1871390

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9141 - 24/06/2016 09:28:33    1871426

Lacey will get skinned by McManus if he is to mark him. Karl had a very poor year last year. Unless he has improved to 2014 levels, then we and he are in bother. (No disrespect to the man, he has given us his all, I am only pointing to his form over the past 2 seasons).

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 24/06/2016 10:41:26    1871457

Most media sources today seem to be leaning towards a Farney win. Tomas OSe was even talking about a comfortable win for them this morning. History tells us though that Monaghan struggle to deliver when the expectation is high and I think that will be the case tomorrow. Out of Clones, a glorified training run in the first round, Donegal smarting over the loss of McGee and wanting to avenge last years Ulster final.

Donegal have showed nothing of their capability since the middle of the league and have been totally focused on this fixture, no disrespect to Fermanagh. Monaghan on the other hand have had to battle their way to Division 1 survival and might have over-done the prep for a feeble Down challenge.
We should see a fresh Donegal hit hard and early, probably chasing goal chances in the opening quarter. I would not be surprised to see an early black card in pressured Monaghan defence either. Neil Gallagher is the key, no wonder Patk is having sleepless nights wondering about him!

MadgeKing (Cavan) - Posts: 493 - 24/06/2016 11:05:53    1871467

turkeyplucker (UK) - Posts: 137 - 24/06/2016 12:03:31    1871486

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 24/06/2016 12:13:06    1871489

Ha no sleepless nights here, I think we have the players to win regardless but Gallagher would be a loss for Donegal no doubt!

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 24/06/2016 12:18:26    1871492

Agree 100% Donegalman

turkeyplucker (UK) - Posts: 137 - 24/06/2016 12:28:48    1871499

If Beffni is so good, how come that they can't sell stand tickets there are numbered and not have the stand as open ticket on Saturday..

Farney (Monaghan) - Posts: 801 - 24/06/2016 15:17:41    1871579