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Given the raft of retirements and persistent rumours of unease in the camp, are Donegal a real contender in 2017? I have to say I dont think they are. Sure they still have some top class footballers, but the losses of McLoone and MacNiallis in particular do not bode well. Do Donegal have the strength in depth to replace these lads? Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 19/01/2017 12:45:24 1946954 Link 0 |
Wat rumours u referring too??
eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1595 - 19/01/2017 13:36:07 1946972 Link 1 |
First off I think any rumours that are out there have been made up by Donegal supporters unhappy with how the last 2 years panned out. All the retirements weren't exactly unexpected and neither was Leo McCloone leaving the panel as him and RG were never on great terms and Leo didn't fancy another year sitting on the bench. MacNillias taking a year out is disappointing for Donegal supporters as he is a player of great quality but at the end of the day he's 24 years old and like most 24 year olds would probably like to do his own thing for a while and no doubt he'll be back next year raring to go. To answer you query on Donegal being a real contender for 2017 it's hard to know really but I would definitely still have Donegal as 2nd favs for Ulster just behind Tyrone and when they likely meet each other in an Ulster semi final I think that will still be a 50/50 game. In the last 4 or 5 years if Donegal didn't win Ulster the wheels usually came off at the QF stage and I think this was down to relying on a number players aged 30+ which won't be the case this year and if Donegal end up losing to Tyrone, a run in the qualifers might suit the new younger lads but I'm sure the aim is to win Ulster. So overall I expect Donegal to win Ulster or come very close to it. I think they are probably a bit off Kerry, Mayo and Dublin in terms of challenging for the top prize but if the new lads like Michael Carroll, Tony McGlenghan, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Stephen McBreaty and Ciaran Thompson (as well as a few others) get a decent league campaign behind them, we still have the likes of Neil McGee, Paddy McGrath, Frank McGlynn, Ryan McHugh, Neil Gallagher (should be back for championship) Paddy McBrearty and Michael Murphy to help form a formidable team come championship time. Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 19/01/2017 14:15:01 1946988 Link 2 |
There is an Ulster title in them alright but I couldn't see them lifting Sam come September. McNiallis is a big loss as is Leo McLoone who would be a significant addition to any panel, but he was treated very badly last year and his departure was flagged. I hear plenty of Donegal folk being rather downbeat about their chances this year but maybe they're being cute :-) Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 19/01/2017 14:46:37 1946996 Link 1 |
What would Donegals expected championship starting 15 this year be? Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12116 - 19/01/2017 15:50:16 1947027 Link 0 |
Target for the year will be to stay in Division 1 and to win Ulster. We will likely be meeting Tyrone in the Ulster semi final and then Monaghan or Cavan waiting in the final. I think there isn't much to choose between the counties in Ulster and that will be reflected again come championship. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 19/01/2017 16:16:00 1947043 Link 0 |
The simple answer is no. I don't think we're a live contender to win Sam this year. As others have mentioned, I think we'll still be very competitive in Ulster. There is a likely semi-final with Tyrone on the horizon which would be another ding dong battle. I just think Ulster tends to be cyclical. We've had a period of dominance over Tyrone which was ended last summer and my fear is that the Red Hands may be about to embark on a similar run of dominance within the province. That said, and I'm sure Tyrone fans would be the first to admit, we'll be a hard bloody nut to crack. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 19/01/2017 16:30:43 1947050 Link 3 |
This is very much speculation.... 1. Boyle 2. McGrath 3. McGee 4. Gillespie 5. Ban Gallagher 6. McGlynn 7. R McHugh 8. N Gallagher 9. McElhinney 10. E McHugh 11. CThompson 12. O'Reilly 13. P McBrearty 14. Murphy 15. Carroll/S McBrearty Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 19/01/2017 16:36:25 1947054 Link 0 |
Will become clearer after the league but if I was to have a guess at it I would go: 1. McGinley/Boyle 2. McGrath 3. McGee 4. Gillespie 5. Ryan McHugh 6. McGlynn 7. Ban Gallagher 8. Neil Gallagher 9. Michael Carroll 10 Eoin McHugh 11. Marty O'Reilly 12. Ciaran Thompson 13. Paddy McBrearty 14. Michael Murphy 15. Stephen McBrearty Obviously alot of guess work there. Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 19/01/2017 16:46:20 1947059 Link 0 |
Haha, we're not too far apart in our thinking. McElhinney could well start in midfield or even young McGonagle. RG has started McElhinney in the past so that might well continue, I always preferred McElhinney coming off the bench as he can be a very explosive player for about 20 mins but then dies away. I'm looking forward to the league starting in a few weeks!
Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 19/01/2017 17:16:50 1947070 Link 0 |
Thanks lads. Fairly strong team all things considered but yeah not as good as last years so unlikely to be AI contenders in 2017. Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12116 - 19/01/2017 17:21:08 1947073 Link 0 |
That's still a very strong team. Would give most sides a game.
gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 19/01/2017 17:24:23 1947075 Link 0 |
Donegal have a lot of good players with a good mentality.They also have alot of quality young players coming through.The future is fine,but I don't think they are quite All-Ireland contenders this year.They will be competitive and could easily make the last 4. ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 19/01/2017 17:38:49 1947084 Link 0 |
Still some tough cookies in that team.McBreaty is as good as any forward in the country.I would love to see Murphy playing alongside him in the FF line.
ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 19/01/2017 17:41:42 1947085 Link 0 |
New legs don't always become better legs ,is what's coming through better than what's left jury well and truly out on that , as to the question no I don't see Donegal as contenders at all think it will be a frustrating year for Donegal , been wrong before will be again Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 19/01/2017 17:42:22 1947086 Link 0 |
McBrearty was excellent when introduced last night for UUJ. Cavan haven't a forward of his class FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 19/01/2017 17:54:40 1947094 Link 0 |
Alot of counties don't. :)
ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 19/01/2017 18:33:16 1947109 Link 0 |
Smashing potential there among the new players and still with a great blend of experience. Actually, it could make us very dangerous under the right conditions and set-up. Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 19/01/2017 18:33:38 1947111 Link 1 |
I don't think Donegal will be anywhere near contenders for AI glory this year. Yes there is good young talent coming through but it is based on potential rather than substance. While most of the younger players have tasted provincial glory none have achieved intercounty success at national level especially when you compare to Kerry whose recent success at minor level has been phenomenal. Yes Donegal will be very competitive in Ulster but there seems to be a mindset in place where failure to win Ulster means nothing can be achieved beyond that which I have found completely bemusing. panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 19/01/2017 19:26:43 1947130 Link 0 |
Nowhere near being AI contenders in 2017. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 19/01/2017 20:48:04 1947158 Link 0 |