Talking to a chap here today and asked him did he see the Ulster final ??
First thing he said to me was Donegal should be banned for 5 years from the GAA (don't know how he came up with five years) Then he said the game was an insult to Gaelic football. Could not understand how JMcG could send a team out to play like that and said Monaghan were no better. He said he would like to see the game going forward but backwards we are sending it On about the great football Dublin/Kerry play and if Donegal continue down the road their going there will be nobody watching GAA games anymore and it will be the death of Gaelic football
Now this man is from Sligo , a county that has not much success What do all you posters think ? Has he a point or as I think he is , as Dara o Shea said in the Irish times ignorant of Donegal's system. Or is he anti Ulster when he includes Monaghan but after last night , I should think he wishes Sligo had some of the Monaghan/Donegal players or that they could play like Monaghan/Donegal. What do you all think ??

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 27/07/2014 20:52:09    1626830

I like watching Donegal I have to say. Did stats on some of their games in 2011 and 2012 and was impressed with how few frees they gave away. It is defensive but not dirty and indeed they would not get away with it with black card. I prefer watching Dubs obviously but a Dubs/Donegal semi final be some game.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 27/07/2014 21:03:10    1626841

ignorant of tactics....donegal have been turned from a bunch of talented yet underachieving players to regular ulster and all ireland champions..monaghan also have turned into a very good side and have to 2 ulster finals playing this way..i suggest the man should rewatch a game from the 70s and see how truly good it was..hoofing and kicking aimlessly

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 27/07/2014 21:05:26    1626845

There are a lot of people out there who really don't understand how Gaelic football is being played at the moment & are only happy when they see people running round the place with no defending of any note taking place.

Such simple minded individuals are more to be pitied than anything else.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 27/07/2014 21:11:00    1626855

This thread is a delayed reaction...

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 27/07/2014 21:16:58    1626868

Who cares what people think, it is within the rules, and it is all about winning despite what people say outwardly. Inwardly it is all about winning, and the critics are usually from places that never achieve anything so it makes them feel slightly better by belittling the achievements of other counties.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 27/07/2014 21:24:12    1626877

yes muckross it is sad to see that there are so many 'kick the ball in' types out there who just cant accept something different...the idea of donegal winning the all ireland is quite terrifying i imagine for these types

fabio8 (USA) - Posts: 2182 - 27/07/2014 21:24:37    1626878

I thought Spillane was going to kick off at half time but after the final whistle he ended up complimenting Donegal!
Can't say I enjoyed the game but Donegal certainly have set up to worry any team.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8589 - 27/07/2014 21:24:42    1626879

Pericles
Only met the man today, after the Limerick, vWexford game so how could I post it any sooner.

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 27/07/2014 21:30:34    1626887

Luckily for the HS posters Muck you are here to educate us all on what we should and shouldn't enjoy, lets hope that Sligo man gets a chance to meet you and he can be set straight as well. I like your insinuation that there was no such thing as defending in football until Jimmy came along with his 13 men inside the 45 yard line, saving us all from the hoorible nonsense of men just running around the field that we had to endure up until 2011.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 27/07/2014 21:34:19    1626897

MuckrossHead
County: Donegal
Posts: 2935

1626855
There are a lot of people out there who really don't understand how Gaelic football is being played at the moment & are only happy when they see people running round the place with no defending of any note taking place.

Such simple minded individuals are more to be pitied than anything else.


That's because a lot of the crap being played at the minute doesn't resemble Gaelic football, defending was in existence a long time before Armagh, Tyrone & Donegal came along and it was a damn sight better to look at and more exciting too, pity me if you want but I pity the individuals that see some of the tripe on display on footba fields at the minute as being "Gaelic football"

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 27/07/2014 21:41:17    1626907

Exactly, you must play within the rules but after that anything goes. Man for man is good to watch but not much good when you are getting hammered. It is a duty of every county manager to try and give his team the best chance of winning and if that means 15 men behind the ball then so be it. You must play to your strengths not to the traditionalists.

The traditional side of football had very little tactics and football evolves. If Donegal took on Kerry man for man Kerry would probably win but with tactics and playing defensive Donegal would probably win so its obvious why Donegal play the way they do. Then people say it doesn't promote football, well if Limerick won a Munster title playing defensively it would definitely promote football in Limerick. Successful county teams always promote football.

Donegal & Monaghan are giving themselves their best chance of winning playing the way they do, end of.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1102 - 27/07/2014 21:42:43    1626911

After the leinster final a few meath lads told me they "wouldn't watch that sh**e" so yes there is a sizeable element of gaa fans that don't enjoy that style of play but sure we all knew this.
I can't imagine those same meath lads supporting Dublin if they were playing donegal though

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 27/07/2014 21:44:04    1626914

Soma
Do you remember once upon a time in Gaelic football matches when the full back/full forward line would just stand there and without seeing the ball for something in the region of say 10 minutes as one team dominated Indeed the half back/half forward line could be fairly idle as well Players used tend to stay in their positions in those days Is it not better today where most players move around and as a result get on the ball more. One time you would never see the full back leave the 14 yard line , think Neill McGee last Sunday bearing down on the Monaghan 21 yard line

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 27/07/2014 21:48:45    1626922

I often think the defensive game in vogue with some counties is like modern art. Some people stare at it and see a deeper meaning which satisfies them that they are of a higher intellect, others just see Tracy Emins unmade, bloodstained bed.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 27/07/2014 21:55:47    1626930

If the positive attacking approach is best and the way forward, it's up to those counties to get the better of the negative tactics. If negative tactics prevail, there are no grounds for complaints. I don't agree with the negative approach but who am I to say? All teams have to use the resources at their disposal. Certain counties in fairness won't accept a negative approach.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7840 - 27/07/2014 22:01:53    1626937

Look, Donegal are using a method that cuts risk, playing to their strengths and would not be successful without it, they're doing what they have to do to win, I have to respect that!

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8589 - 27/07/2014 22:03:14    1626940

Perhaps Kerry might consider a more defensive strategy legend? Can't see any other way you might beat us :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 28/07/2014 08:14:54    1626944

Soma
County: UK
Posts: 505

1626930
I often think the defensive game in vogue with some counties is like modern art. Some people stare at it and see a deeper meaning which satisfies them that they are of a higher intellect, others just see Tracy Emins unmade, bloodstained bed.

Who the hell is Tracy Emin? Does she play for the Mayo ladies? Where did the blood come from? Do we want to know?

So many questions, so few answers. Soma, enlighten us simple GAA folk.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 28/07/2014 12:40:25    1627199

legendzxix
County: Kerry
Posts: 3471

1626937
If the positive attacking approach is best and the way forward, it's up to those counties to get the better of the negative tactics. If negative tactics prevail, there are no grounds for complaints. I don't agree with the negative approach but who am I to say? All teams have to use the resources at their disposal. Certain counties in fairness won't accept a negative approach.

Can't agree with the use of the word "negative" to describe Donegal here.

Up here we prefer to talk about "positive" defence where the idea is to get the ball back, no stand around going "After you Cecil" to every forward in the country, give them a free shot at goal & hope they miss. Nothing very positive about that.

Surely the best thing to do when you don't have the ball is to do everything in your power to get it back or at least don't present the opposition with acres of wide open space in which to operate.

Basic really when you think about it.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 28/07/2014 12:49:13    1627211