This is the game will all be watching to find out who plays who. I'm convinced Donegal will win but as posters have said you just never know with Cork and how much has that Tyrone defeat hurt Donegal mentally and physically. Thoughts?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 25/07/2016 11:03:32    1889577

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 25/07/2016 12:02:24    1889613

It's hard to say and I'd agree that a lot of neutrals will probably take an interest in this. Cork have some very gifted footballers who on their day can cause any teams trouble. They probably should have beaten Kerry in Killarney in last year's Munster final for example. Everyone knows the quality of their forwards individually. But O'Driscoll (?) and Loughrey are quality wing backs also. Throw Aidan Walsh and the Cadogans into the mix and you have the nucleus of a very decent side. The trouble has always been maximizing all that potential.

It's hard to say where we're at at the moment as well. The Ulster final loss was a sickener but thankfully we've had 2 weeks to recover. I'd have been very wary if we had the dreaded 6 day turnaround. I think they key will be variation in our play. I don't think Cork would be as tactically disciplined as Tyrone were, but still we looked very one dimensional against them. A bit of variety in our attacking play would be nice to see as well as one or two of the younger lads introduced, maybe Ciaran Thompson and Eoghan Ban.

I'd give us a hesitant nod to progress by 2 or 3 points.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9135 - 25/07/2016 12:24:59    1889632

well this is a very interesting game
to see if cork are recovering from their poor form
and reaching some part of their undoubted potential
or are Donegal on the slide with all the milage in those legs
and the negative style they play
can cork beat it
and is the standard in ulster slipping
which looking at results so far seem to indicate

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 25/07/2016 12:33:25    1889640

I have no doubt Dublin will be hoping that Cork win, approaching this game more in hope really, we won't know how the Ulster final loss has impacted on us till the game is in the melting pot,
Think we will just shade it by a point or two.

TirChonaillabu2 (Donegal) - Posts: 344 - 25/07/2016 13:52:25    1889702

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 25/07/2016 14:25:33    1889744

We have a good chance I believe. We are not terrible. We are inconsistent so you don't know. It would be great to win and then play Dublin. In football, you want to play real championship games against Donegal, Dublin, Kerry, Tyrone, Mayo etc (not being intentionally disrespectful to anybody else). You know where you are when you play them. If we get hammered then so be it, it will copper fasten most people's opinion of us. If we show some guts and play to our strengths then we can win and maybe change people's minds. I am excited about at least. This is proper GAA championship so we give it a right bash and I would love it if we won.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 25/07/2016 15:18:54    1889788

mightydubs (Dublin) - Posts: 48 - 25/07/2016 15:23:48    1889792

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 25/07/2016 17:44:17    1889912

Seansy48 (Tyrone) - Posts: 237 - 25/07/2016 18:35:21    1889941

If we play the same rubbish we played in the Ulster Final then Cork will and should beat us. That crap in the second half v Tyrone doesn't warrant any success.
However, if we play to the strengths that this current team have and use the bench properly then we have a great chance of beating Cork. We have some very talented footballers in Ryan Mc Hugh, Odhran Mac Neilis and Frank Mc Glynn. If we can also get the transition to the forward line quicker then Paddy Mc Brearty and Murphy (If allowed up the field) can do damage to even the best of defences.
I really don't have a clue on how it will pan out but when we play Cork it is always an enjoyable game. The 2012 semi final was a clinker of a game and even though we got a pasting against Cork on the day Michael Murphy came of age in 2009 I really enjoyed that game also. At least we have a chance to wipe the despair of the Ulster Final performance from the supporters minds. I hope we take it.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 25/07/2016 19:15:27    1889963

Why would we hope Cork win? If we knew we play Cork next yes I'd agree but if Cork win we could end up playing Mayo and not that we're afraid of anyone id rather play Donegal leave Mayo for Tyrone to deal with. I keep hearing Cork have all these talented players but Hurley is out injured and yes O Neill and Kerrigan are very good players but after that there's no one to really frighten you imo. Again it's Donegal for me by 5 or 6.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 25/07/2016 19:19:38    1889966

I think the two week break can make the difference. If Donegal go for it and make better use of Murphy they should win by two points.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 25/07/2016 20:13:16    1889987

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 25/07/2016 20:30:38    1889994

Cork have a terrible mentality and they are the biggest under-achievers in the country,anything is possible,but Donegal are everything Cork people would wish they would be.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 25/07/2016 20:48:52    1890005

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 25/07/2016 21:47:40    1890042

I thin Donegal will play an ultra conservative game & try to eke out a win. Granted if Cork come at them it will open things out a bit but if they are able to play a tight defensive game then It will be very difficult for Donegal who have traditionally struggled against teams set up the same way as themselves.

I will be very interested to see what team Gallagher puts out. There are calls here to let the young lads have a go but I don't see this happening, it just isn't in Gallagher's make up to take chances.

I remember a programme about the Somme recently which described the soldiers who died as lions led by donkeys. I'm sorry to say that the same applies to Donegal at the moment. I am still not over the second half against Tyrone & will not be travelling this weekend, I simply couldn't take another performance like that & I am afraid that that is what we will get.

I will be delighted to be proved wrong but I have my doubts.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 25/07/2016 23:09:44    1890076

50/50 game

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8591 - 26/07/2016 01:01:18    1890090

Hard to say how this game will pan out,

Cork are really inconsistent, yet have very good players and are still capable of putting in a massive performance that will win this game.
Donegal are very strong, but its difficult to gauge whether or not they can focus sufficiently for this game after losing the Ulster final.

I think Donegal will win it, but it won't be a shock if Cork turn up on the day and win it.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 26/07/2016 02:06:41    1890103

I want Donegal to win.

I want another shot at them.

But i actually think Cork will win.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 26/07/2016 07:38:06    1890119