National Forum

Ulster Final Donegal V Cavan

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If I were a betting man I would be putting a few bob on Donegal to reach the All Ireland final. They are the team of the championship so far.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 894 - 15/11/2020 23:37:41    2309734

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Replying To thegadfly:  "Mickey Graham stated after the game on BBC that donegal are an inferior team to Cavan. Great confidence from our manager there. If we could put 70 minutes together we'd have a fighting chance. Congratulations lads."
It was obvious he meant to say "superior" . He was a bit excited after the game

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 16/11/2020 01:02:10    2309747

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I fear for us big time. Donegal are better than last year and we are worse. that is the ttruth.
I want to say well done to our boys for bringing some much needed cheer to these dark days. The games against Monaghan and Down especiially were heart-stopping stuff. So whatever happeens it has been a good year It's a pity there is no back door as I would like to see us have a few more games after the Ulster final. Make no mistake about it, Donegal will hammer us. They play the game at a faster pace and intensity than Cavan. They also possess some fantastic players skillwise and they are ruthlesd. They are setting their sights on Dublin and if they get over that there will be no stopping them.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 16/11/2020 01:16:11    2309749

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my only concern is the injuries we have at the back now, I will be surprised if McMenamin takes any further part in the championship, Paddy McGrath is injured and of course McFadden-ferry is unavailable. We are strting to look a bit thin with both McCole and O'Baoill (who should be pushing for starts) seemingly out of form. We should be too strong for Cavan but games are not won on paper, and we need to treat them with respect.

totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 922 - 16/11/2020 08:22:03    2309774

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This game will be a lot closer than people expect. Cavan played the occasion last year and game was over by half time. Armagh completely underperformed v donegal and I dont think cavan will although they could have done with a weekend off ahead of this one. Cavan have a good bunch of players at the right age and experience playing with a lot of confidence and a lot of them have won underage ulsters so the ambition will be there to land the Anglo celt. Big question for them is coming up with a way to contain the donegal attack which is v impressive with so many different options . Also donegal may take their eye off the ball here maybe looking further ahead to dublin.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1803 - 16/11/2020 09:55:22    2309805

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Replying To greysoil:  "Donegal will win Sam."
They could well do , an extremely talented and focused team, we will know soon enough !!

superbluedub (Dublin) - Posts: 2837 - 16/11/2020 09:56:55    2309807

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Donegal looking very strong so far it has to be said. Cavan have done well to dig themselves out of a hole against both Monaghan and Down but I can't see Donegal wilting under pressure.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 16/11/2020 10:10:45    2309815

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Replying To greysoil:  "Donegal will win Sam."
They probably will - but with the year that is in it, I have a sneaky feeling it will be Mayo's year.
How typical would that be, with no fans there to see it...

Donegal are flying it though and look very formidable.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3738 - 16/11/2020 10:38:25    2309841

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "No he is right, Cavan are a superior team to the div 1team going for 3 Ulsters in a row, sure Cavan are a div 3 team and last won the Anglo Celt in 1997, Mickey Graham is spot on, genius of a man, you can see why he's the manager."
Too much fascination with league. Championship is all that matters. With amatuer players, to expect to be 100% for league and 100% for championship 3 months later is nonsense. Cork division 3 just beat division 1 champions. Cavan division 3 beat Monaghan division 1. Mayo, relegated for the first time, just won their first Connacht in 5 years, beating 2 division 1 teams and are favourites to make the all Ireland final.
Whilst being in division 1 is obviously ideal, so you play top teams, the smart teams do enough to stay there but concentrate on the championship. Otherwise Dublin would have 5 in a row leagues.
That being said, I feel the final of Ulster was probably in the first round when Donegal beat Tyrone. I'd expect Donegal to win. But you never know in a final.

BaldyBadger (Cork) - Posts: 311 - 16/11/2020 10:40:28    2309846

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Donegal look very focused this year. I noticed watching on Saturday Rochford seemed to do a lot of the talking and I thought appeared to be dictating things from the line. I'm sure Bonner is important in the set up but not for the first time I observed Rochford being very vocal and focused; also Donegal are starting to play like his Mayo teams did and look a serious outfit.

The number 2's don't get the credit but in this case imo Rochford's stamp and coaching is all over this Donegal team and a very big reason why they've improved into genuine All Ireland contenders.

In reality they're too professional to get caught in the Ulster Final. Cavan have a good midfield but Donegal will compete there and come up with a plan; long ball into the Donegal full back line is also unlikely to work. One due to the likes of McGee and two if Cavan use that tactic it'll set up transtional attack after attack for Donegal - Cavan need to put the ball dead everytime they attack and set up again for the restart.

The coaching set up, players, style of play, depth and professionalism is too good in Donegal. The Ulster Final will be a run out for them before the big All Ireland semi final.

Donegal by 8 plus

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 16/11/2020 10:48:11    2309857

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Replying To border Gael:  "If I were a betting man I would be putting a few bob on Donegal to reach the All Ireland final. They are the team of the championship so far."
Donegal currently at 4/1
You can get Mayo at 3/1

But odds likely to change again.

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3738 - 16/11/2020 10:51:33    2309863

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Rochford and Bonner won't stand back and allow their goalie to hit the ball down the throat of mc Kiernan and galligan when the going gets tough and that will be the difference.

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 380 - 16/11/2020 10:53:36    2309867

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Replying To sam1884:  "Donegal look very focused this year. I noticed watching on Saturday Rochford seemed to do a lot of the talking and I thought appeared to be dictating things from the line. I'm sure Bonner is important in the set up but not for the first time I observed Rochford being very vocal and focused; also Donegal are starting to play like his Mayo teams did and look a serious outfit.

The number 2's don't get the credit but in this case imo Rochford's stamp and coaching is all over this Donegal team and a very big reason why they've improved into genuine All Ireland contenders.

In reality they're too professional to get caught in the Ulster Final. Cavan have a good midfield but Donegal will compete there and come up with a plan; long ball into the Donegal full back line is also unlikely to work. One due to the likes of McGee and two if Cavan use that tactic it'll set up transtional attack after attack for Donegal - Cavan need to put the ball dead everytime they attack and set up again for the restart.

The coaching set up, players, style of play, depth and professionalism is too good in Donegal. The Ulster Final will be a run out for them before the big All Ireland semi final.

Donegal by 8 plus"
One of the best things about Bonner is how humble he is, it takes a man with little to no ego to bring in a big name like Rochford as your number 2 and with all the chatter that comes with it that Rochford is "the brains" etc. I hear a lot of disrespectful stuff about Bonner in all honesty (not in your post to clarify!) but nothing seems to phase Bonner and that calmness is a great asset in my view.

Rochford is very vocal on the line without a doubt although I think that has been compounded in the two games so far because he has been walking the sideline where the TV microphones are in both matches!

On to Sunday, I have to say that I thought Armagh would put it up to us and we'd be more flat after the big big performance against Tyrone. That didn't happen, we were very focussed and that gives me great confidence going in to Sunday. Cavan are dangerous and will definitely post up a decent score however I don't think they have improved enough from last year. The big worry for us is the fitness of McMenamin, if he is out then I think you'll see Cavan get plenty of success with a long ball in to our full back line and we will be exposed.

However possession is what it's all about and I think we will secure more than enough of our own kickout to get the scores needed.

Jim McGuinness was right on Sky though to just sound a note of caution. 3 in a row doesn't happen in Ulster easily, we caught Tyrone in 2011, we were caught ourselves in 2013. Cavan have a great tradition and plenty of these players broke Donegal hearts at underage level.

That's the note of caution and people may think it's a Donegal version of yerra (arra?) but it's true - we don't have a hole heap of Ulster championships so maybe the traditional winning mentality hasn't filtered down to all the supporters yet, myself definitely included. The reality is we are in a golden period for Donegal football, we've had as many Ulster championships since 2011 as we had in the previous 130 years. So the nerves will always be there going in to an Ulster final no matter who we're facing. But I think this group are laser focussed and will do us proud on Sunday.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 16/11/2020 11:29:43    2309908

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Replying To border Gael:  "If I were a betting man I would be putting a few bob on Donegal to reach the All Ireland final. They are the team of the championship so far."
I am a betting man and I won't be rushing in personally speaking. While Donegal have been impressive we have been here before. The media hyping up our chances deflecting away from the other protagonists including Dublin. Dublin scored 2-23 yesterday after not looking completely convincing in the opening salvos. That is just incredible scoring and with them been far from full strength. I am sure it will suit them fine reading and hearing about the Donegal hype.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 16/11/2020 11:53:10    2309938

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Replying To JoeSoap:  "One of the best things about Bonner is how humble he is, it takes a man with little to no ego to bring in a big name like Rochford as your number 2 and with all the chatter that comes with it that Rochford is "the brains" etc. I hear a lot of disrespectful stuff about Bonner in all honesty (not in your post to clarify!) but nothing seems to phase Bonner and that calmness is a great asset in my view.

Rochford is very vocal on the line without a doubt although I think that has been compounded in the two games so far because he has been walking the sideline where the TV microphones are in both matches!

On to Sunday, I have to say that I thought Armagh would put it up to us and we'd be more flat after the big big performance against Tyrone. That didn't happen, we were very focussed and that gives me great confidence going in to Sunday. Cavan are dangerous and will definitely post up a decent score however I don't think they have improved enough from last year. The big worry for us is the fitness of McMenamin, if he is out then I think you'll see Cavan get plenty of success with a long ball in to our full back line and we will be exposed.

However possession is what it's all about and I think we will secure more than enough of our own kickout to get the scores needed.

Jim McGuinness was right on Sky though to just sound a note of caution. 3 in a row doesn't happen in Ulster easily, we caught Tyrone in 2011, we were caught ourselves in 2013. Cavan have a great tradition and plenty of these players broke Donegal hearts at underage level.

That's the note of caution and people may think it's a Donegal version of yerra (arra?) but it's true - we don't have a hole heap of Ulster championships so maybe the traditional winning mentality hasn't filtered down to all the supporters yet, myself definitely included. The reality is we are in a golden period for Donegal football, we've had as many Ulster championships since 2011 as we had in the previous 130 years. So the nerves will always be there going in to an Ulster final no matter who we're facing. But I think this group are laser focussed and will do us proud on Sunday."
Spot on Joe. I completely agree that Bonner does deserve huge credit for the job he has done. The experience he has had with the underage teams has probably taught him that we were too reliant on one particular style of play which got exposed not just with our senior side but also some of our talented underage teams in recent years. It took an open mind and attitude to bring in someone like Rochford who could present a different view from outside the province which was badly needed. The points about Rochford been clearly vocal is as you say him been on the side of the pitch where the microphones are. You could clearly see Bonner and some of the management team given vocal instruction and encouragement from their side also. It is a team effort between Bonner, Rochford, Lacey, McGonagle and the rest of the backroom team.

Agree with the point regarding McMenamin whom I doubt we will see at the weekend and must be touch and go if we go beyond that. While we might manage without him at the weekend it will be a tough ask beyond that if it comes to it. To lose him and McFadden Ferry really takes away or best 2 dogged physical man markers along with Neil McGee whom has had his own injury issues along with Paddy McGrath. For these reasons I certainly won't be getting sucked into the hyperbole that seems to be building.

As for the weekend I would have no worries about focus or looking ahead. Some of these lads have lost to Cavan teams at underage and certainly won't forget that. Plus as you say Joe winning 3 Ulster titles in a row is not often done.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 16/11/2020 12:11:21    2309961

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Replying To Fionn:  "Donegal currently at 4/1
You can get Mayo at 3/1

But odds likely to change again."
If anything on the short side for Donegal especially if getting over Dublin and then potentially face Mayo. To already be down McFadden Ferry and potentially McMenamin for the remainder of the championship leaves us down 2 of our best dogged man markers who are equally adept at putting the opposition on the back foot is massive. Add to this Conor Morrison who had looked to potentially be also in that bracket with the development and improvements he had shown prior to his serious injury during the club championship. There are also ongoing doubts regarding Paddy McGrath and Neil McGee regarding their niggles and injuries. Plus with players like O'Baoill and Ward struggling for form it leaves Donegal very vulnerable on the defensive side especially when trying to cope with the physical powerful running Dublin or Mayo would present.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 16/11/2020 12:28:44    2309981

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I cant wait for this match-up. Donegal look to me to be the best team to challenge the Dubs for the title this year. They were very dogged against Armagh. I was amazed at their level of dominance. A very good side. I have to admit on a personal level that I find it hard to back them and the supporters give off a vibe I cant get jiggy with, but I appreciate a good side when I see it.

As a traditionalist and a man of the east, Id love to see Cavan win this game. What an amazing boost it would give to the North East of the country; an area that used to lord over the game for decades in the fabled days of the 40s,50s,60s. A strong, competetive Cavan, Meath, Monaghan, Louth, Armagh and Down are important to the game. The area adds a certain spice to affairs, and for that reason Im backing Cavan to upset the odds, tall odds, but not unbeatable.

Young_gael (Meath) - Posts: 589 - 16/11/2020 12:40:51    2309993

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Replying To panamasam:  "If anything on the short side for Donegal especially if getting over Dublin and then potentially face Mayo. To already be down McFadden Ferry and potentially McMenamin for the remainder of the championship leaves us down 2 of our best dogged man markers who are equally adept at putting the opposition on the back foot is massive. Add to this Conor Morrison who had looked to potentially be also in that bracket with the development and improvements he had shown prior to his serious injury during the club championship. There are also ongoing doubts regarding Paddy McGrath and Neil McGee regarding their niggles and injuries. Plus with players like O'Baoill and Ward struggling for form it leaves Donegal very vulnerable on the defensive side especially when trying to cope with the physical powerful running Dublin or Mayo would present."
Is McMenamin definitely gone now.?

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3738 - 16/11/2020 12:58:05    2310011

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Replying To panamasam:  "I am a betting man and I won't be rushing in personally speaking. While Donegal have been impressive we have been here before. The media hyping up our chances deflecting away from the other protagonists including Dublin. Dublin scored 2-23 yesterday after not looking completely convincing in the opening salvos. That is just incredible scoring and with them been far from full strength. I am sure it will suit them fine reading and hearing about the Donegal hype."
Yeah I have to say I've found some of the comments about us quite funny over the past week, I think pundits are scrambling for a challenger to Dublin now Kerry are knocked out. We are the same group of players that lost in Castlebar last year when the going got tough and the media have given us no credit for other performances because of that one result. Now that a narrative is needed for the All-Ireland series we are suddenly a serious outfit that will put it up to the Dubs. The reality is we won't know a thing about how close or far we are to the Dubs unless we get past Cavan and actually get to play Dublin in championship again.

Where are the Tyrone boys, they always let us know that we're no good outside the province - it'd be nice to get that balance at the minute! ;-)

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 16/11/2020 12:59:59    2310012

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Replying To border Gael:  "If I were a betting man I would be putting a few bob on Donegal to reach the All Ireland final. They are the team of the championship so far."
For them to get to final they have to beat Dublin first. Now they are the one team capable of it.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3680 - 16/11/2020 13:04:05    2310017

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