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Their heads were fine when they beat Derry by 11 points in the preliminary round in May 2004. Silly excuse. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 12/07/2016 18:12:33 1882039 Link 0 |
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You undermine your own team there, we needed him to get over better teams ! Also it's far from a silly excuse, I can't remember another team going through that. The death of your captain will effect the team at some point, you're being bloody obtuse. I'd say the loss of Jim McGuinness has fairly effected Donegal and he doesn't even take to the field on top of that he could return at some point. Why on earth would I be making excuses for 2004 by the way? There clearly wasn't something right there, anyone who watched it found it pretty obvious. At the time it was said the hunger was gone after winning the AI in 2004. Frankly I don't know what it was and don't claim to, one things for sure though and that's that the 2005 team were on another level to other Tyrone teams i've seen. 10 matches to win an AI, bloody great summer altogether ! Seansy48 (Tyrone) - Posts: 237 - 12/07/2016 19:08:29 1882050 Link 0 |
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No disrespect intended over Cormac. He was a brilliant footballer and an exceptional young man who was taken from us far too young. I have no doubt that the Tyrone squad of that time was deeply affected. But my point still stands. Donegal could always give Tyrone a rattle at any time, no matter how badly we appeared to be going. The exception maybe was in 2007 when you battered us. I can't remember us losing to yez in Championship any other time though. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9161 - 13/07/2016 10:06:50 1882352 Link 0 |
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It's getting closer now and I feel this will be a cracker. Tyrone are at their best in 6/7 years now and will fear nobody. They're brought immense speed to their game, have much more leaders in the team now from what I'm seeing and they are putting in huge scores in championship games to date. Donegal beat Monaghan, showing glimpses of fine play and what an achievement it is to make another Ulster final, regardless of the result on Sunday. Tyrone will see themselves as ready to take over this Sunday from Donegal as the big team in the north, hopefully Donegal will find another gear to avoid this happening. They'll need to. Hopefully Murphy is fully fit, hasn't looked it to date but still doing well enough. Peter Harte, Mattie Donnelly, Sean Cavanagh are the leaders in Tyrone that Donegal will need to manage the most; if these guys don't live up to the hype then I don't expect the lads around them to carry the can for Tyrone. All in all, while Tyrone are clear favourites with the bookmakers, I expect us to put up a big fight. Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 13/07/2016 10:10:15 1882357 Link 0 |
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This is only the fourth final between Tyrone and Donegal. 1972 Donegal won their first Ulster Championship in the pouring rain at Clones. 1989 saw Tyrone earn a draw in the scorching sun before blowing Donegal away in the reply. This game could be similar to 1994 Ulster semi-final in Cavan when a young up and coming Tyrone team overcame the Donegal team that had five years at the top in Ulster and had won an All-Ireland. Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 13/07/2016 11:50:27 1882432 Link 0 |
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Looking forward to this game, I think that Tyrone should have the extra motivation as we haven't won the title in 6 years. Donegal also need this win to prove that they still at the top table. therapy (Tyrone) - Posts: 24 - 13/07/2016 13:23:44 1882488 Link 0 |
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A lot of oil guff being spoken about Tyrone at the moment. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 13/07/2016 14:39:51 1882555 Link 3 |
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I have to agree - I have enjoyed watching Tyrone this year, their style of play is really easy to watch but their progress will be severely tested this Sunday - if they get over that they are a serious outfit and the most likely to dethrone the Dubs - however the latter will be the ultimate test.
IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 13/07/2016 15:39:31 1882600 Link 0 |
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Yep. I mentioned on a thread on the Donegal page that if I was lucky/good enough to be playing in this match for Donegal, and I won the first dirty ball ahead of a Tyrone man I'd be telling him, "this isn't Division 2 here now me boy!" Think it's vital Donegal get ahead early on and immediately try to sow seeds of doubt in this Tyrone team. Then and only then will we see what they're made of. Everything else beforehand is speculation really. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9161 - 13/07/2016 15:58:16 1882619 Link 0 |
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I'd look at the the other way. Tyrone have been a pillar of consistency over the last 12 months. Since losing in Ballybofey last June, we've played 25 intercounty games, losing just one (perhaps harshly against Kerry in the AI semi-final). Fair enough, most of those games were in qualifier, pre-season or league competitions, but it does show a consistency of performance and the ability to beat just about anything that's been put in front of us to date. Tyrone are a very fast, well-conditioned, skilful and very organised side. We perhaps don't have a marquee forward in the mould of a Murphy, Brogan or McManus, but we have plenty of good players who can score. This 2016 vintage is the best Tyrone side since at least 2009. On the other hand, Donegal have looked inconsistent at best in the last 2 years. They crashed out of last years championship losing to Monaghan in Ulster, and heavily to Mayo in Croke Park. This year, they lost their last 4 league games by an average of 5 points each, before stuttering past Fermanagh and Monaghan in Ulster. If I was from Donegal, I'd be very concerned about the form lines through Monaghan, a team who Tyrone disposed of quite easily last summer, and whose only victories since January this year were against Down and, well, Donegal. I've no doubt about the level of performance that I can expect from Tyrone on Sunday, as I've seen it time and again over the last year. Whether we're now good enough to beat Donegal remains to be seen, but I feel like I know where we are at. As for Donegal, they are much harder to assess. Have the new additions to their team brought them back towards their 2012 best, or have they been merely papering over the cracks? One thing's for certain, after Sunday, we'll know exactly where Donegal are. Win, and they'll be seen as the main threat to Dublin. Lose, and their shock 2014 win over the Dubs, sandwiched as it was between very disappointing 2013 & 2015 seasons, will start to look more and more like an anomaly. Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 13/07/2016 17:03:36 1882663 Link 0 |
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Thomas a couple of things regarding your post. Firstly Donegal did not stutter across the line against Fermanagh to suggest so would imply they made hard work of it. In fact it was a very composed performance against a team with an extra man for an entire half of the match. Donegal found another gear, got ahead and effectively rode out the game comfortably. I was surprised by the ease they won as I actually fancied Fermanagh to make it a thorough test coming into the game. Secondly against Monaghan did not stutter to a draw they left the game behind them leaving at least 2-04 behind them. Did you attend the replay? I am guessing not as despite the final scoreline Donegal were worth far more than the 1 point margin and found another gear any time Monaghan looked like mounting a comeback.......again hardly stuttering but they were not ruthless. The 2 teams match up well. It will be a dour affair I think with only a couple of points between the teams.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 13/07/2016 20:05:55 1882757 Link 1 |
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I didn't think that they were at all impressive or comfortable against Fermanagh. The Erneman missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time that would have put them ahead, and the 2nd Donegal goal which finally put some daylight between the sides should have been disallowed for a square ball. As for Monaghan, I saw the first game, and had to make do with radio and tv highlights for the replay. My point remains in that, after 150 odd minutes against a side very out of form, Donegal still only had a point to spare. Maybe I'm underestimating Donegal, but I haven't seen too many impressive performances from them in the last 3 years, the AI semi-final mugging aside. I think that they are there for the taking, and I'll be very disappointed if Tyrone don't beat them on Sunday. Thomas Clarke (Tyrone) - Posts: 1002 - 13/07/2016 20:34:06 1882775 Link 0 |
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One thing for sure mister, Donegal won't be standing still on Sunday I am well aware that none of us know what will happen on Sunday but to me Tyrone have it all to do. I think the media overreacted following the Tyrone /Kerry semi last year. I know Tyrone played well, could have win with a bit of luck but were that Kerry team a great team? The final against Dublin tells us they were not. I would say they are a Kerry team who are well passed their best. The Div one final v Dublin this year probably backs that up. So in reality since last May 2015 Tyrone have played only two top teams , namely Kerry and Donegal and lost both games. Now that's not to say they won't won on Sunday They must be due a victory against Donegal very soon but I think we can shade it. I think Donegal will go for it and there might be more in it at the final whistle than what people think. But Donegal standing still---- the world must be coming to an end. SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 13/07/2016 20:57:12 1882785 Link 0 |
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It does not matter wheather they were impressive against either Fermanagh or Monaghan but this Sunday is the day they want to be impressive. We were not to impressive against Armagh in CP in 2014 but v Dublin ( the unbeatables/ best team in the land)we really showed our worth. To me this is make or break for Tyrone. SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 13/07/2016 21:05:50 1882790 Link 0 |
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Last time Tyrone played Donegal in the championship was last year and they ran Donegal close but were beaten. Tyrone were team building. They're still team building But they're much further on their journey. They're a lot stronger team. Donegal are about the same as last year. Monaghan are a lot weaker team than last year. So no need to explain what my calculations are. I would plump for a Tyrone win. border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 13/07/2016 21:24:53 1882795 Link 0 |
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Funny how all of a sudden Monaghan are now a much weaker team than what they were yet after the 2nd half performance against Down the talk was maybe they could go a step further in Croke Park. As pointed out Tyrone have met 2 division 1 teams in the last year and they were beaten on both occasions. Yes Tyrone have shown signs of improvement in beating Cavan a Div 2 team. It was a false scoreline I might add especially after the 1st half. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 13/07/2016 22:40:42 1882834 Link 1 |
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This is difficult to call but I can't see any real improvement in Donegal, in a one off game any result is possible but on form Tyrone look the stronger. So whatever the result we can improve again, past results count for nothing and the joy in the Tyrone boys faces after beating Cavan tell you how important this match is to them. Donegal are respected for thief achievements over the last number of years but all good things must come to an end, let's be honest and say that maybe the Monaghan game was your Ulster final due to previous defeats and you could have lost both games!!! therapy (Tyrone) - Posts: 24 - 14/07/2016 00:13:16 1882861 Link 0 |
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The bottom line is that if a young, fit, ambitious Tyrone side DON'T dispatch an ageing, slow, tired Donegal team by at least 5 points they are going nowhere. Tyrone fans know this but won't say it. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 14/07/2016 00:23:04 1882865 Link 0 |
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Bottom line is, its not the b all and end all for either team. If tyrone don't win they will still get to croke park who knows how far and learn another hard lesson for next year. I actually think they are a year or 2 off until lee brennan, a freetaker can be blended in. redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 14/07/2016 08:21:51 1882891 Link 0 |
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I'd be happy with 3 or 4 points Ulsterman but you are right, time to step up for the young Red Hands
downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 567 - 14/07/2016 09:17:49 1882912 Link 0 |