Cant imagine this will be one for the purists. But it should have plenty of bite. As far as I know Monaghan didn't field their full team because of I injuries when they came to Letterkenny.

Looking forward to an Ulster v Ulster game before our match v Derry in May.

Monaghan to win by 2.

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 17/04/2014 13:21:35    1576319

Should be a really entertaining game from two teams on the up.

Can't imagine JMcG will be tipping his hand to Derry but at the same time will want to win.

Looking forward to it.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 17/04/2014 17:43:21    1576483

Looking forward to this game, going head in early to catch this one.

Looking forward to seeing Donegal in person. See what type of tactic's they employ for this one.

As previous poster stated Donegal wont want to give away too much in this game they have already achieved there aim of promotion.

Take monaghan to win by 3.

jacktheDub (Dublin) - Posts: 944 - 17/04/2014 18:13:06    1576488

Really difficult to pick a winner at this stage, although come championship time I would expect Donegal to edge past Monaghan this year.

Donegal are starting to get very strong again, with player's who missed 2013 all back and nearing full fitness. Paddy McGrath is the one notable absentee, however i was told he has been doing a late fitness test prior to the Armagh game. So he probably isn't far off.
Donegal haven't started their strongest 15 this year yet in any game, and I don't think they will in this game either.

Monaghan have had their fair share of Injuries this season, and probably haven't been at full strength this year yet. Their main priority will be getting men fully fit for a tough Championship opener. Gavin Doogan broken foot see's him out, however Darren Hughes came on at HT against Galway and should be in running to start.

While both sides will try and win this game, I think this will be viewed as a good competitive run out in Croke Park and excellent preparation for Championship next Month.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 17/04/2014 19:51:44    1576531

Yeh going to head in for this myself, we'll certainly get a good look at what shape Ulster football is in going into the championship between the two finals.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8585 - 17/04/2014 20:02:56    1576533

Division 2 finalists have been known to go well in championship. Some are dismissive of lower league finals when both have already been promoted but winners go on and win these games. That attitude can't be turned on and off. At the same time both have won trophies in recent years. There's no doubting both have a winning mentality.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7822 - 17/04/2014 21:33:41    1576583

two good Ulster teams, hard to call, first day a draw.

mchugh11 (Donegal) - Posts: 242 - 17/04/2014 21:57:00    1576601

Tough one, in every sense of the meaning. An interesting battle, to lay down a marker for the Ulster & All-Ireland championships.

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 18/04/2014 09:16:04    1576615

A very tough one to call. Monaghan have a hoodoo over us in Championship football & I wouldn'r read anything into the league game earlier in the spring. As previously mentioned it's an ideal Ulster Ulster match in preparation for Derry. I'll hold off on a prediction until I see the starting line ups.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9115 - 18/04/2014 10:32:40    1576634

We all know this is going to be the game of the whole league Monaghan to just shade it 4-36 to 3-38 :)

Pukefootball (Monaghan) - Posts: 377 - 18/04/2014 10:34:18    1576636

Jim will be happy with promotion and now will be focusing on the Ulster Championship.

Monaghan on the other hand will see this as a great opportunity to get another competitive game in croker under championship conditions where they have a great chance to put back to back league titles and more silverware in the cabinet.

For this reason I think Monaghan will take this game more seriously and win this match by less than five points

muckla (UK) - Posts: 365 - 18/04/2014 11:49:30    1576669

Bit surprised at those saying Donegal will not want to show their full hand and are only looking at the Derry game. Not that that's not true for Donegal, but imo it's equally true of Monaghan. Make no mistake, promotion to division 1 was the primary objective from the league(as I'm sure it was for Donegal), and the main thing in mind for Monaghan is also a tough opening game in Ulster against Tyrone or Down. I'm sure both teams would like to win another trophy but there's no doubt the championship is where the focus is for both these teams, and a good competitive run out in Croker against another good team will be good preparation for both teams ahead of the Ulster campaign.

As for the game itself, it's very tough to call imo, really could go either way. Naturally I hope that we win, a league final win in Croke Park last year set us up well for Ulster, but it's not the end of the world if we don't. Doogan will be a loss for us as he's had a solid league. Hopefully Darren Hughes will be able to play a bigger part, but as he says himself today he's a bit off playing a full game yet.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 18/04/2014 13:17:19    1576701

I would agree that a Div 2 title is not top of either team's list of priorities but neither will either team want to lose against Ulster opposition & in Croke Park.
I could see Jim giving some squad players a good run out to give them experience of HQ. Fellas like Ryan McHugh & McNiallis have performed well up to now & might well get a starting place. Paddy McGrath is the last piece of the jigsaw & I hear he is doing well & might also get game time.
Looking forward to a good game, Monaghan won on their patch against a weakened Donegal & Donegal returned the favour against a weak Monaghan team in Letterkenny. Neutral ground & two relatively fit teams should make for a good close game.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 18/04/2014 14:20:09    1576732

18/04/2014 14:20:09
MuckrossHead
County: Donegal
Posts: 2408


Looking forward to a good game, Monaghan won on their patch against a weakened Donegal & Donegal returned the favour against a weak Monaghan team in Letterkenny. Neutral ground & two relatively fit teams should make for a good close game.

Are you talking about the Ulster Final?

hardcore (Monaghan) - Posts: 1366 - 18/04/2014 21:02:03    1576861

Ha-ha hardcore...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 18/04/2014 21:13:18    1576865

The cheek of it jimbo:)

hardcore (Monaghan) - Posts: 1366 - 18/04/2014 21:24:42    1576868

Hope its not a warm day, might have to lose those blankets :)

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 18/04/2014 21:29:25    1576869

patk
County: Monaghan
Posts: 101

1576701
Bit surprised at those saying Donegal will not want to show their full hand and are only looking at the Derry game. Not that that's not true for Donegal, but imo it's equally true of Monaghan. Make no mistake, promotion to division 1 was the primary objective from the league(as I'm sure it was for Donegal), and the main thing in mind for Monaghan is also a tough opening game in Ulster against Tyrone or Down.

Make no mistake, both teams will want to win this game.

However Donegal will know they have a mammoth task in the form of Derry waiting for them in Celtic Park on May 25th, and Derry will be taking notes at how Donegal line up against Monaghan. Derry too know that Jim McGuinness and his coaching staff will be getting a good look at a full strength Derry in action against Dublin. Both Derry and Donegal will be fully focused on each other after these League Final's are played, while Tyrone and Down can't focus on Monaghan just yet.

I

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 20/04/2014 15:03:53    1577630

hardcore
County: Monaghan
Posts: 918

1576861
18/04/2014 14:20:09
MuckrossHead
County: Donegal
Posts: 2408


Looking forward to a good game, Monaghan won on their patch against a weakened Donegal & Donegal returned the favour against a weak Monaghan team in Letterkenny. Neutral ground & two relatively fit teams should make for a good close game.

Are you talking about the Ulster Final?

Good man hardcore, you don't miss much!!!!!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 20/04/2014 15:53:26    1577655

Ah yeah, both teams will of course want to win, I just mean there are bigger games ahead. I was just emphasising that Monaghan too are focused on Ulster but I do get what you mean when there's a bit of a difference with the Derry and Donegal match. That game is looking like the biggest first round game in the country this year.

patk (Monaghan) - Posts: 936 - 20/04/2014 15:58:36    1577657