I seen Kildare play and beat a good Meath team this year.It went to extra time,Meath missed a penalty and Kildare scored a few points after that to win the game.I would say they looked bigger than Meath,but not overly bigger.They look to have more natural players compared to some previous teams that they have had.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 23/07/2016 11:06:14    1888452

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 23/07/2016 14:08:43    1888514

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 23/07/2016 17:02:21    1888569

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2990 - 23/07/2016 17:51:29    1888584

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 23/07/2016 20:55:12    1888770

fair enough I hope cian o neill can make progress with Kildare
leinster needs them to come good again
and of course a great football mad supporters and county

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 23/07/2016 21:01:40    1888778

Best of luck to all the minor sides over the weekend especially the Donegal minors who have a very tough test ahead against Cork today. Hopefully they can do the business and make it to Croke Park for another day or two.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 30/07/2016 10:50:52    1892229

Galway 3-10 Laois 0-12

Donegal 2-13 Cork 0-13

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2216 - 30/07/2016 17:18:18    1892328

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 30/07/2016 18:36:22    1892396

So Galway v Donegal it is. I have seen Donegal in all their games bar the game in Belfast against Antrim. I have witnessed Galway once in their semi final win over Roscommon. I know a few people who had seen that Laois team before and felt they were very fortunate to be playing in a quarter final especially ahead of Meath and even Dublin. As a result I feel Donegal probably had the tougher game today. They were 4 points down at HT yet won by 6 despite hitting some bad wides. I know the Connaught men including some Galway lads here think Connaught was strong this year. Now I only witnessed one Connaught game and some highlights on TV but I do feel Ulster was operating at a higher level. Galway will be confident going into the game but ye would want to have improved 20-30% from what I saw in Kiltoom to beat this Donegal side. The Cork lads in attendance I think will testify what a good side they are. Plus I know the Kerry lads felt this was a decent Cork outfit despite defeat in Munster.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 30/07/2016 20:50:38    1892498

I see Donegal had only 1 point after 25 minutes, I believe something similar happened vs Derry in the Ulster Final?

Our game with Cork went very differently, we had scored 2-3 or 2-4 in the first 10 minutes (and could have easily had another 2 goals) and yet were behind by a point with 15 minutes left before a strong finish saw us win by 6 points.

Todays result indicates a close game with Derry tomorrow.

KYTitletown (Kerry) - Posts: 816 - 30/07/2016 21:52:33    1892550

I arrived 20 mins into the game so cannot comment on it up to that point KY. I left to arrive on time but lost time finding parking close to Croke Park as I don't usually drive in coming from the M50 but had to today on account of the roadworks in the city centre.

From what I did see of the first half it was similar to the Derry game in that Donegal got outsmarted on the kickouts. They showed nerves when working into good positions but then playing loose passes or taking the wrong option. Cork must be commended as some of their point scoring was of the top drawer. I think it was you who singled out their full forward line and they were on fire especially the full forward who gave an exhibition in the first half. What should be noted KY is that there was a breeze that was favoured Cork in the first half.

Fair play to the Donegal management as changes made at HT really worked. The Cork full forward line did not get a sniff plus McGee and Gallagher took over at midfield. These 2 lads would not look out of place in a Kerry jersey. Love to field high balls and both real ball players. The thing is with them is that sometimes they are too honest going up trying to field balls when knocking down lay offs would be the better option. Peader Mongan who lines up as a corner forward but actually plays as a sweeper grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck again. He done well in first half but sometimes his passing was slightly off point but not in the second half. For a lad of his age he is a master of the sweeper role and has some footballing intelligence. Niall O'Donnell was well marshaled in the main but he still had a huge influence and the lad marking him had enough with about 10 mins to go as was out on his feet. Enda McCormack and Eoin McGettigan stepped up when needed in the second half to take pressure of O'Donnell. Donegal had some bad wides too I might add even though they won by 6.

The hallmark of this side is how quick they translate from defense to attack and unlike the senior side they have players inside who stay there opening up the middle for the runners. Also they have goals in them so even if a few scores down they can turn a game around quickly. Niall O'Donnell can take 2 or 3 players out of the game at the flick of a switch which opens things up quickly. They are a very good side, I would go as far to say better than the 2014 edition. I actually think Donegal were the 2nd best team in the country at the grade last year too but got beat by a Derry side they would have beaten 4 out of 5 times. The touchline let them down as well as some appalling finishing. I think they would have tested Kerry more than Derry or Tipp twice but we will never know. Good to see some of the players from that panel making amends this year.

From what I have seen this year I thought the standard was high in Ulster. I think Kerry will win though as even though Derry are well coached and have some good players they might lack the scoring power. Donegal were a 5-6 point better side than Derry despite the final scoreline. They conceded a soft goal at the death plus missed 2 or 3 other guilt edged goal chances themselves.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 30/07/2016 22:48:46    1892586

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 30/07/2016 22:55:22    1892588

Galway was my original tip to win this years minor All ireland before a ball was thrown in however they are now without four key players in Barry Goldrick John Daly, Cian Darcy Dara Silke and I have my doubts now.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3347 - 31/07/2016 00:10:45    1892626

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 31/07/2016 10:20:17    1892672

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 31/07/2016 11:01:46    1892695

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 31/07/2016 11:33:49    1892709

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 31/07/2016 12:47:52    1892746

Marooned (Galway) - Posts: 2216 - 31/07/2016 13:28:43    1892760

All those Galway players are injured the latest is Goldrick who broke his leg. Darcy is probably the best midfielder at this grade a massive loss.

Laois,Roscommon were both beaten by half time v Galway. Laois only managed 0-4 from play over the 60 mins. Roscommon not as good as other years but I believe they would beat all teams apart Galway Kerry Donegal Kildare the top four teams.

Kerry aren't as strong their last two minor teams and hammering Derry today confirms as I expected that Ulster is not as strong as some thought.

In the last quarter final tomorrow Kildare should have a comfortable win tomorrow as Mayo are only the 4th best in Connacht this year.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3347 - 31/07/2016 13:44:31    1892769