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NFL Division 2 - 8 Like(s)

Replying To waynoI:  "some serious brown tongue-ing goin down on this thread by the way between Donegal and Meath fans :)

Whats that all about ?"
Perhaps it stems from a wee gesture from Meath County secretary Mairead Delaney before the league match in Ballybofey, only days after a terrible tragedy which directly impacted players on the Donegal panel and many fans.

Commodore (National) - 25/03/2019 21:26:51

NFL Division 2 - 6 Like(s)

Replying To lilypad:  "Embarrassed? Get over your snowflake self. At least im honest no patronising pats on the back from me, we were awful against you up there, ive no problem admitting that, but id rather watch us than yous and from a neutral point of view id say if peiple were honest enough theyd agree."
I'd agree with that, Kildare are generally excellent to watch.

Commodore (National) - 26/02/2019 23:12:36

Donegal GAA thread - 6 Like(s)

Replying To rorysboys:  "We don't have the players to play all out attacking football we may have the forwards and midfielders but we do not have man marking defenders. If we had Tyrone's defence I would be confident of Winning the all Ireland. But we don't and from being at the games we seem to have more bodies back this year. No point in kidding ourselves that we have these players when we don't. I'm hearing this on the forum this last few years but nobody seems to have an answer to our defensive problems. The way I see it is if we commit. A lot of players attacking were leaving ourselves very exposed at the back.."
Of course we have the answer to our defensive problems, stop playing Ryan McHugh and Peadar Mogan as wing backs, leaving our full back line exposed.

In fairness Declan Bonner has worked on this and despite the poor quality punditry on League Sunday, I think we aren't actually that bad defensively, last season I thought we looked fine and it was injury and sending off against Tyrone that really cost us.

This is round 2 of the National League, we have conceded an average of 11.5 points so far, scoring 1-11 on average. Yes significant improvement is needed, but I would expect us to improve as we move towards Championship.

Commodore (National) - 06/02/2022 21:11:53

Mayo V Tyrone All-Ireland Football Final - 5 Like(s)

Replying To Curlew66:  "Nothing wrong with any of us putting local rivalries aside and getting behind our provincial winners in the All Ireland series. Galway gave the rest of us hope in '98 and '01 and remain the only team to bring Sam to Connacht in the past 55 years. Tyrone will be boosted by this impressive victory and may well become more formidable in Ulster. Looking at the four semi finalists Tyrone will have the toughest pathway to replicate their provincial win. Odds are that Dublin and Kerry will come through and probably Mayo again unless Galway can maintain their first half performance in the Connacht final for 70 mins . In this century one team from Connacht and Leinster , two from Munster but three from Ulster have won an All Ireland title so our Ulster friends aren't doing too bad at all."
Yeah usually if an Ulster team is contesting an All Ireland final, most fans in the other Ulster counties will be cheering them on (Even if its Tyrone), and 24 hours later immediately looking at how best to take lumps out of them next season.

Commodore (National) - 14/09/2021 13:08:11

Poor Donegal being made to travel to the Hyde - 5 Like(s)

Replying To sponger:  "I wish to pass on my sympathies for the injustices that were bestowed upon your small and impoverished county over the weekend.

Would you like me to set up a Go Fund Me for you, so the next time your team can travel by private jet, with prawn sandwiches on arrival ?

All the best,

Sponger."
That's a mighty kind offer from you Sponger, a private jet would definitely help us overcome the lack of road/rail infrastructure due to decades of neglect by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties, as GAA CCCC venue selection for neutral group games certainly doesn't make it easy for us.

Commodore (National) - 16/06/2025 12:54:38

Tyrone Vs Donegal - 4 Like(s)

Replying To Offtheball10:  "The talk of Donegal as a top 3/4 team needs to stop at this stage. Massively overhyped!

When push comes to shove and it's a winner takes all championship game against a good side they far more often than not fall short.

I get the point Ulster is competitive but they haven't won these type of games against non ulster sides either since 2014. No Semi Final performance since 2014 either in all of the different championship formats that have been played in recent years. (back door, super 8's, now back to traditional provincial format)"
I accept Donegal have not reached the All Ireland SF's and have not beaten the likes of Dublin, Mayo or Kerry since 2014, but there have been significant factors that have played into this, so be fair in your analysis.

1. Rory Gallaghers era 2015 - 2017 was the start of a major transition phase, many 2012 All Ireland winners were in their 30's and retiring and he was trying to bleed in new talent, and while I felt it wasn't handled as well as it could have been, it definitely impacted Rory's tenure.

2. Declan Bonner took over in 2018 and he won back to back Ulster titles with a really young side (Avg age 21/22), but just couldn't get us to the next level. Injuries since 2019, particularly defensive injuries have taken a toll on us entering those key games which cost us a place in the All Ireland SF. Team selection has been a big part of it too, but in fairness this was quite often due to injuries.

Neil McGee's injury in the 4th minute against Tyrone, forced us to use a sub at the beginning of the match, meaning we had one less impact sub in the second half in that horrible heat. Michael Murphy's sending off before half time ensured Tyrone's kick-out in the 2nd half would be uncontested, and Tyrone could still put the full press on the Donegal kickout, meaning the percentages would be in Tyrone's favour and they would most like pull away in the 2nd half. Before Murphy was sent off, I actually felt it was an arm wrestle match we would win.

Commodore (National) - 20/07/2021 13:40:34

Non-Gaa Forum - 4 Like(s)

Replying To Freethinker:  "Come on Barney. This immigration seems to be a hobby horse of yours. Tell us your solution. Ban them all? Time to nail your colours to the mast. I was in for treatment yesterday. The ward I was in had probably 12 to 15 staff. Possibly 3 "native Irish" as the hard right would say. What kind of health service would we have without them. And these are just healthcare workers. Go look at the staffing numbers in the nursing homes. Other walks of life they are doing works that the hard right wouldn't dirty their hands with. That is if many of them work at all as the same people seem to be able to attend every dinner and dogfight of a parade going. Then, hey presto, the aristocratic Englishman who changed his name to a commoner seems to be able to turn up at a moments notice to fire things up. Not that I am aligning you with these people for a moment, far from it, as I reckon you are on the left of our politics, as indeed I was once, still am but probably more left of centre nowadays. But there is a fine line to be drawn."
Do you personally think there is a immigration problem in Ireland and in Europe?

I'm not anti-Immigration, but seeing the problems caused by excessive immigration over the last 50 years in places like England, Europe and the US, I think there is strong evidence to support the need to control the annual Immigration flow in our Country and indeed other Countries.

Immigration numbers should not exceed 5% of the current total population in total over 20 years, so our population is ~5.3 million at the moment, 5% of that would allow 265,000 people in over 20 years. This would allow the Irish state time to absorb them and adapt infrastructure to accommodate them, also enable incoming people to integrate to their new communities too.

Otherwise you end up with divided Countries and divided Cities like Leicester in England.

Commodore (National) - 18/04/2026 22:14:59

Non-Gaa Forum - 4 Like(s)

Replying To Seanfan:  "Quite a lot of people in the "South" will be happy ye lost.
Especially the families of Séamus Quaid, Gerry McCabe, Patrick Kelly, Gary Sheehan, Frank Hand, Michael Clerkin, Tom Oliver, Eamon Ryan.... ...."
The Republican movement didn't actually lose, they just couldn't achieve immediate victory through an armed campaign.

If a United 32 County Ireland that is free from British rule is achieved in the coming years stemming from the GFA, then the Republican movement did win, just not in the way first envisaged. And based on recent census data trends in the North, we are currently on a trajectory for a clear majority in the North who politically woulds support a United 32 County Ireland in the next 10 -15 years.

The body count attributed to the British rule in Ireland from Plantation, to Oliver Cromwell campaign and the famine is close to 2 million Irish deaths, a lot of families in both the North and South will be happy to see the back of their rule.

Commodore (National) - 28/11/2025 17:56:41

Move To National Forum Only Model - 4 Like(s)
Not liking the new move, It's going to be off-putting and while I understand some County forums get very little traffic, just looking at the main forum, it's a mess.

Commodore (National) - 30/09/2021 20:43:10

3V1 After Galway Red/Black Card(S) - 4 Like(s)

Replying To PressureKick:  "If it was really 3v1 at all times, as Jim was claiming, then on the numerous occasions that Donegal dispossessed Galway, why didn't they simply launch the ball down the field with a gale at their back? It would've been 3v1 and an almost guaranteed goal

In reality, it was never actually 3v1 up there as Galway kept players back, meaning that Galway had to attack with 9 players most of the time. So exactly as the rule intends

We won't mention that two of the decisions we're at best questionable"
Because it wasn't 3v1 at the Galway end, that was what Jim highlighted.

When Galway went a man down, they played with 2 forwards, Donegal still had to keep 3 back. But when Donegal attacked into Galways half of the field, it was 12 v 12.

When Galway went 2 men down, Galway players with 1 forwards, Donegal still had to keep 3 back. So again when the attacked into Galways half of the field, it was 12 v 12.

Losing two men hampered Galways attack, but defensively they could still protect their huge lead, because defensively they could always maintain the numbers and Donegal could not push an extra man up.

Commodore (National) - 24/02/2025 15:41:39

Donegal GAA thread - 4 Like(s)

Replying To TheFlaker:  "I only have one account here. Hope that's ok with you."
Your on here with a Mayo account and I suspect at least one Donegal account spouting Donegal GAA internal business, what does that make you?

Most of us here who have direct or indirect connections to the Senior panel or County Board would often hear a lot of these stories, but I wouldn't come on here an repeat it on a public forum. I might discuss player fitness or tactics etc, but I usually wouldn't start talking internal business.

Commodore (National) - 06/03/2025 20:49:58

Non-Gaa Forum - 4 Like(s)

Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm not making any excuse. I simply asked how could any government have planned ahead for an unexpected influx of 80,000 people due to a war thousands of miles away. You haven't answered.

But let's look at the figures in a different way -

Before the first Ukranian arrived, there were 10,000 homeless. Now there are 17,000. That's an increase of 7,000.

Since then, probably somewhere around 100,000 people have needed accommodation - more than 80,000 Ukranians, plus whatever number arrived from other countries, plus whatever number of native Irish people applied for it.

If the rise in homelessness figures is 7,000 then that means that approx. 93,000 people have been accommodated.

Is is not a good result to have been able to accommodate 93% of people who've needed it, particularly when 80,000 of them were never expected in the first place?"
Housing homeless Irish families should have been the priority, and that wasn't the case and thus why people are ****** off at the Government. Irish homeless families waiting lists were navigated by property owners and hotel owners etc, in favour of more lucrative Ukrainian refugee deals with the Government.

Housing 93% of 100,000 people is a great feat, but only if you have Irish citizens getting priority.

Commodore (National) - 17/04/2026 12:00:52

Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To marty234:  "Correct me if I'm wrong but was there not 19 years of failure before the messiah arrived and we haven't been to a semi final since he left so accusing him of leaving the ship is a weird statement. We all know bonner a nice fella but it's not about that. He will get few autographs signed etc which is nice but it's his duty as county manager. But what happened sat night proved us all right.3 of most influential players in Gallen , o Donnell and Jason mcgee left on bench last year v Tyrone. Imagine what might have happened had they been brought on. I know some ppl on here have questioned ability of our players but sat proved me right if they are let play we can mix it with the best. Onwards and upwards hopefully"
Oisin Gallen last year was struggling with injury, and was lucky to be on the bench at all,

Conor O'Donnell has shown glimpses of his abilities in recent games, he is still a work in progress and we haven't seen how he will perform when opposition teams start identifying him as a serious threat now, he won't get such a free run.

Jason McGee is finally going in the right direction, but isn't there yet and is behind Caolan McGonigle in my opinion for midfield starting position. He drifts in and out of games, and I felt he kinda lacks energetic drive of top quality midfielders. However his kick passing is outstanding and his point taking, he is one to watch.

Declan Bonner is finally close to settling on his back six, as injuries are starting to finally clear up, and despite the short sighted analysis of the team so far, I think we could finally be about to see the full potential of this squad unleashed this summer.

Commodore (National) - 02/03/2022 09:42:16

Donegal V Meath - 3 Like(s)

Replying To royaldunne:  "Look it's hard to be by far the better team and get beat. Nothing to do with who donegal brought on, we handed them it on a plate. (Now fair play, they took it) Positives are that fantastic defense we have set up, one of the best in country, mcentee in midfield has eased the pressure there. But up front we still making silly mistakes, should have been out of sight by the last 10 mins."
You clearly weren't the better team by far, at best you were 'marginally' better for 25 mins of 1st half, when you lead by 1 point at half time, and 10-15 mins of 2nd half.

You had a 10 minute purple patch at start of 2nd half, when Meath added 3 points to opened up a 4 point lead, but Donegal quickly re-calibrated and the tide actually turned then and Donegal dominated the last 20 -25 minutes, I should highlight that Meath didn't score for the last 20 minutes.

You're conveniently ignoring the fact you played a very inexperienced Donegal side last night, the majority of which won't make the starting team come Summer. Meath need to be more honest of where they are at, hyping yourselves after your Senior team ran a Donegal 2nd string team close in a league match won't get you anywhere, you need a more honest look at where your at.

Meath have talented players, but considering 2 of our full backs (Brendan McCole & Conor Morrison) are both 21, and debuting in league this year, and our other corner back Caolan Ward wasn't able to make our Championship team last season, should Meath not have ran riot?

Meath should have been better than that.

Commodore (National) - 03/02/2019 14:08:50

Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To obreaslainp:  "According to the Democrat, Stephen Rochford could well be gone now.
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/837809/county-manager-issue-needs-to-be-sorted-before-start-of-club-championship-says-mceniff.html

Who would likely come in to the management team to replace him if Declan Bonner stays on?"
If Declan Bonner stays on and needs to replace Stephen Rochford and others in the backroom team,

1. Michael Boyle would be an ideal candidate, although I think I read that he is in London or abroad these days. He is widely credited as being the mastermind behind Gaobh Dobhair County and Ulster titles in 2018, and is highly regarded. I seen him comment recently about Donegal playing possession football with no intent against Derry, he referenced the 2017 Dublin v Tyrone game as an example of how to attack the mass blanket defence.

2. Frank McGlynn is a smart cookie and someone with a temperament that I can see eventually being a great manager someday, I think it would be good to have his input into player selection and tactical setup, he has done great work with Glenfin.

3. Leo McLoone is another guy who has been involved with underage training for years now, both with Glenties and Donegal U20's, and might be able to contribute positively.

In reality it is unlikely that these guys would be invited in by Declan Bonner, I don't think he has any real connection with any of them, but they are some options.

Commodore (National) - 24/06/2022 09:24:31

Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To panamasam:  "First game of the year after a couple of months away. Great to get to a game. The game felt like a glorified challenge match with Monaghan not offering much resistance but the goals woke them up and in Stephen O'Hanlon they had a player whom we couldn't handle in the first half. Only for Jamie's goal we were looking at a HT deficit which was head scratching to say the least as Donegal generally controlled the game. The Monaghan goals while good finishes seemed to stem from defensive mix ups with poor tracking or players not being where they were supposed to be. This was rectified at HT and the 2 subs made a huge difference. It did take an uncharacteristic slip up from Beggan to reverse the tide but once we did we seem out the game comfortably enough. As already pointed out similar defending next week and it'll be a blow out. Jason was again MOTM and was excellent throughout. Some great scores from Langan too and Shea had a great game. He'd remind you of Brolly in his pomp and it'll be interesting to see how he copes in the heat of championship battle. Interesting to see the approach next week. Will Kerry want to put down a marker? How will Jim approach it? Keep cards close to his chest for down the line or road test a little. It makes for an intriguing game."
To be realistic, I can't see us beating Kerry in this league final, we have too many niggles and injuries at the moment and to beat this Kerry team, you really need a full strength fit squad with a strong bench. There is a chance Gavin Mulreany and Brendan McCole won't feature next week after yesterday, added to Shaun Patton, Ciaran Thompson, Daire O'Baoill, Ciaran Moore and Oisin Gallen.

However it is still an opportunity to learn for later in the year, because we know Kerry will likely field a full strength team and go full tilt at it, so its an opportunity to maybe test other players and really see how they fare against the All Ireland Champions.

Commodore (National) - 23/03/2026 21:08:58

Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To TheFlaker:  "Are you really that naive to think inter county managers from the top teams don't know what training is going on in other counties ? And that they are relying on information that originated on Hoganstand? Lol"
Are you trying to convince yourself or people who don't mind you supplying inside info that you touting inside information on Donegal GAA on here isn't likely to leak into National Media?

After Kerry manager Jack O'Connor made a jibe about Donegal "Having a lot of work done", he was asked how he knew that, "it was in the newspapers". It was actually being posted on here on HS first, then hinted at in National GAA articles.

Commodore (National) - 10/03/2025 21:08:23

Non-Gaa Forum - 3 Like(s)

Replying To Saynothing:  "Ireland joins Migration package, lovely for the rest of us."
Ireland badly needs a Center-Right party as an alternative, as all of the established parties in Dail Eireann are leftist or have moved in that center left direction in recent years to gain popularity and now afraid to rock the boat.

Irish National Debt is on course to be €30 billion higher at the end of this decade than at the start of it.
As said before, there needs to be massive overhaul of the public sector, as its dragging the state under with the levels of inefficiencies tolerated, which in turn is causing mayhem in Health, Justice, education etc.

Commodore (National) - 11/06/2026 18:54:57

Donegal GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To sligo joe:  "John Small got booed for years for one mistimed tackle and some would say it was dangerous in fairness, in Murphy's case calling it a tackle is a bit of a whitewash, firstly you can't tackle with a closed fisted, and you can't target the opponents neck/head."
Michael Murphy did deserve a red card in the League final, I haven't heard anyone in Donegal say otherwise.

David Clifford likewise did deserve a red card for intentionally elbowing Caolan McGonigle, if it hadn't been for Caolans granite jaw, the Buncrana man could have been seriously hurt. Now I won't be soccer fan booing David Clifford or shouting abuse at him at future matches, because I understand he gets a lot of abuse from opposition players and I can understand why he gets frustrated and lashes out.

Jim McGuinness doesn't deserve a ban, far too little in it, hell I didn't think Ger Brennan deserved a ban, especially not a 12 week ban, which was ridiculous.

Commodore (National) - 25/05/2026 15:52:58

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 2023 - 3 Like(s)
Loving this new format, really great and refreshing for Donegal to get away from the confines of Provincial Football, we've already played Derry, Monaghan in the Group stage and now we're playing......er....Tyrone!!!

Commodore (National) - 19/06/2023 09:26:49