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Ulster Championship 2021

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Down were lucky it wasn't a bigger score - they were terrible.

McGo72 (Donegal) - Posts: 68 - 27/06/2021 15:24:01    2353762

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "Donegal have had a lot of scores directly off their own ball today. That's pretty attacking in my book. 6 towards scoring from play and 2-25 is very attack minded. I get your point about counter attacking but all teams do it. It's still attack and only good teams do it well. Point is we have the attacking flair. Hugh McFadden drove up the pitch regularly today and initiated scores."
My point is the media like Wholly Parkinson and Joe Brolly claiming Tyrone and Donegal play this long ball attacking style.

We don't. We are a counter attacking teams. We rack up huge scores against the weaker teams.

Anyway Donegal we very good today. I expect the same score at home against Derry. The difference between the top 5 teams and the rest is massive.

Playing Murphy was absolutely crazy. One that could come back to haunt Donegal. I wouldn't have played him against Down at all. I would have brought him on agai st Derry in second half to get him minutes and then start him against Tyrone (if Tyrone win). Surely Bonner regrets this decision

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2093 - 27/06/2021 15:34:31    2353766

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Replying To s goldrick:  "why did Paddy Tallly take off Liam Kerr ?"
Probably injured. He was one of the better down players

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2093 - 27/06/2021 15:35:19    2353767

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Replying To thegadfly:  "The delusion that they are somehow going to challenge the Dubs. Nowhere near it I'm afraid. No disrespect intended. Murphy off. Big talking point. Hy did they even start him him against a poor Down outfit. How did the ref let Brennan take 13 steps to score that goal? Disgraceful refereeing. Declan bonner is very naive sometimes"
Don't think many expect us to challenge the Dubs

joeteor (Donegal) - Posts: 230 - 27/06/2021 15:47:49    2353774

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Replying To joeteor:  "Don't think many expect us to challenge the Dubs"
It's moreso the Media than anything else. They pedal that narrative every year. Great stuff today though albeit against a poor Down outfit. McBrearty looking in great shape and form. Derry will be a much more formidable challenge imo.
It's win or bust for Bonner this year. He makes some atrocious errors of judgement at times. I'd say he'll get gate after this championship barring an all Ireland final appearance which I can't see.

thegadfly (Cavan) - Posts: 290 - 27/06/2021 16:27:36    2353793

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "My point is the media like Wholly Parkinson and Joe Brolly claiming Tyrone and Donegal play this long ball attacking style.

We don't. We are a counter attacking teams. We rack up huge scores against the weaker teams.

Anyway Donegal we very good today. I expect the same score at home against Derry. The difference between the top 5 teams and the rest is massive.

Playing Murphy was absolutely crazy. One that could come back to haunt Donegal. I wouldn't have played him against Down at all. I would have brought him on agai st Derry in second half to get him minutes and then start him against Tyrone (if Tyrone win). Surely Bonner regrets this decision"
Agree with more or less everything you say here. I don't think there is much difference in how we see Donegal or Tyrone. Attacking/Counter attacking; it's much of a muchness when you have class players in attack. Dublin do it too and Kerry also. Forwards win All Irelands at the end of the day and I feel we won't be a million miles away because we have natural kickers. I'm not sure Tyrone are yet there. Maybe they are and we will know if we beat Derry. We have a keeper on Dublin's level I feel and that makes us well able to attack from the kickout too which has to be acknowledged. And big men around the middle to win primary ball. So many of our scores are natural attacks. We definitely don't counter attack the way we used to in my view under McGuinness because we don't turn enough ball over now to do so. Usually we rely on opposition mistakes to counter attack. Problem is the top teams don't do that very often.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1416 - 27/06/2021 17:22:34    2353816

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Replying To The_Fridge:  "My point is the media like Wholly Parkinson and Joe Brolly claiming Tyrone and Donegal play this long ball attacking style.

We don't. We are a counter attacking teams. We rack up huge scores against the weaker teams.

Anyway Donegal we very good today. I expect the same score at home against Derry. The difference between the top 5 teams and the rest is massive.

Playing Murphy was absolutely crazy. One that could come back to haunt Donegal. I wouldn't have played him against Down at all. I would have brought him on agai st Derry in second half to get him minutes and then start him against Tyrone (if Tyrone win). Surely Bonner regrets this decision"
I think like all the top teams Donegal can play it many ways. Obviously the counter attack suits given the pace that Donegal possess. There were facets today were Donegal just held onto the ball waiting for an opening much like the Dubs. You're right in that losing Murphy will be a massive blow. In Bonner's defense I wonder how much of the decision to play Murphy was made by Murphy himself.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2857 - 27/06/2021 17:22:50    2353817

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "Agree with more or less everything you say here. I don't think there is much difference in how we see Donegal or Tyrone. Attacking/Counter attacking; it's much of a muchness when you have class players in attack. Dublin do it too and Kerry also. Forwards win All Irelands at the end of the day and I feel we won't be a million miles away because we have natural kickers. I'm not sure Tyrone are yet there. Maybe they are and we will know if we beat Derry. We have a keeper on Dublin's level I feel and that makes us well able to attack from the kickout too which has to be acknowledged. And big men around the middle to win primary ball. So many of our scores are natural attacks. We definitely don't counter attack the way we used to in my view under McGuinness because we don't turn enough ball over now to do so. Usually we rely on opposition mistakes to counter attack. Problem is the top teams don't do that very often."
I would come back to planet earth asap.

We beat Down, who are and have been a poor version of Down football over the past decade. I can't see us having an easy game v Derry. Don't mention Tyrone or thereafter. We have a complete stinker of a match coming up in Ballybofey.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 27/06/2021 17:37:29    2353826

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I'm disappointed after that display today for a number of reasons. Murphy getting injured is the first one and the the realisation that we aren't going to be an All Ireland contender is the other. We have the midfield and forward options to be a contender but we'll concede too many goals to win against the better teams. Patton is a good keeper but we don't have enough natural defenders to keep out the top forwards. We're good enough to win Ulster and hopefully we do but to win the All Ireland we'd then have to beat Kerry and Dublin. Tough job.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 27/06/2021 17:50:03    2353832

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Replying To Donegalman:  "I would come back to planet earth asap.

We beat Down, who are and have been a poor version of Down football over the past decade. I can't see us having an easy game v Derry. Don't mention Tyrone or thereafter. We have a complete stinker of a match coming up in Ballybofey."
I'm very much on planet earth. As I've said here a number of times, I think we have great potential but we have to prove it. One game at a time for sure as last year proved.

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1416 - 27/06/2021 18:24:57    2353844

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Down are finished and have been for years people needa stop talking about the swagger assiciated with down awful team. Div 2 is a kind place for them div3/4 where they belong

bobo91 (Monaghan) - Posts: 16 - 27/06/2021 19:05:22    2353870

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Replying To panamasam:  "I think like all the top teams Donegal can play it many ways. Obviously the counter attack suits given the pace that Donegal possess. There were facets today were Donegal just held onto the ball waiting for an opening much like the Dubs. You're right in that losing Murphy will be a massive blow. In Bonner's defense I wonder how much of the decision to play Murphy was made by Murphy himself."
How would that be In Bonner defence ???

He's the mgr not Micheal

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1695 - 27/06/2021 19:06:04    2353871

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Replying To Donegalman:  "I would come back to planet earth asap.

We beat Down, who are and have been a poor version of Down football over the past decade. I can't see us having an easy game v Derry. Don't mention Tyrone or thereafter. We have a complete stinker of a match coming up in Ballybofey."
If you genuinely believe that Derry will trouble is in Ballybofey then I feel for u bud

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1695 - 27/06/2021 19:07:45    2353873

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Replying To eunans4ever:  "How would that be In Bonner defence ???

He's the mgr not Micheal"
If you don't think that Murphy has huge influence in everything that happens within the Donegal set up then you're a fool but we knew that already.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2857 - 27/06/2021 20:16:06    2353900

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Crazy decision to play Murphy today in all fairness, could come back to haunt us, also agree with the poster above, we might be good enough to win Ulster but that's it, if we can keep within 5 or 6 points of Kerry we'll have had a very good season, our defence is too easy got through, Clifford and co. would have a field day against us.
Think we need a new management team for next year, also Michael should be left in at FF now for the rest of his career, we have good enough men now around the middle third to supply ball to him, let Patrick and Jamie feed off him. Hope he's back for the Tyrone game if we get that far, we'll def need him that day.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3201 - 27/06/2021 20:18:22    2353906

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I'm a bit surprised to read some negative comments about the performance there today. Game was won at half time. Navigated any brief purple patches from Down well. Gave up a few chances to direct running which has been a problem for a while now but in all honesty I wonder about the intensity levels once the game was wrapped up. O'Hagan was wreaking havoc but was well shackled then in the 2nd half. The goal and then save from Patton was the only shaky moment I felt but I had confidence they would figure it out.

I said on the Donegal forum that I thought a hamstring injury would be really dodgy to be bringing Murphy back for this, I'd have usually thought 6 weeks minimum for those types of injuries, so it's really disappointing to possibly lose him for championship now. He should not play against Derry in my view. That will be a tricky game to navigate but I think the squad have shown in the league and in today's game that a few lads are finally stepping up as leaders when Michael is not there. McBrearty looks in great nick and Ryan was fantastic there today. The summer weather will suit both.

On to Derry now which as I said I think will be a trickier match than today, however I'd still expect us to have enough to get over the line.

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 27/06/2021 21:21:05    2353932

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Replying To Tir Conaill Abu:  "I'm disappointed after that display today for a number of reasons. Murphy getting injured is the first one and the the realisation that we aren't going to be an All Ireland contender is the other. We have the midfield and forward options to be a contender but we'll concede too many goals to win against the better teams. Patton is a good keeper but we don't have enough natural defenders to keep out the top forwards. We're good enough to win Ulster and hopefully we do but to win the All Ireland we'd then have to beat Kerry and Dublin. Tough job."
Looking vulnerable to a direct , pacey overlapping attack. Not sure if that's poor man marking in the full back line or attack minded wing backs not tracking back enough. Thought you might have given some match time to veteran Paddy McGrath a good man marker who could do a job for 20mins. Caolan Ward is an intelligent player who could release Ryan McHugh from his defensive duties. For some reason you always find a way of introducing Eoin McHugh and Paul Brennan.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 605 - 27/06/2021 21:21:20    2353933

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Crazy decision to play Murphy today in all fairness, could come back to haunt us, also agree with the poster above, we might be good enough to win Ulster but that's it, if we can keep within 5 or 6 points of Kerry we'll have had a very good season, our defence is too easy got through, Clifford and co. would have a field day against us.
Think we need a new management team for next year, also Michael should be left in at FF now for the rest of his career, we have good enough men now around the middle third to supply ball to him, let Patrick and Jamie feed off him. Hope he's back for the Tyrone game if we get that far, we'll def need him that day."
Agree with this no doubt

eunans4ever (Donegal) - Posts: 1695 - 27/06/2021 21:39:45    2353939

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Replying To Curlew66:  "Looking vulnerable to a direct , pacey overlapping attack. Not sure if that's poor man marking in the full back line or attack minded wing backs not tracking back enough. Thought you might have given some match time to veteran Paddy McGrath a good man marker who could do a job for 20mins. Caolan Ward is an intelligent player who could release Ryan McHugh from his defensive duties. For some reason you always find a way of introducing Eoin McHugh and Paul Brennan."
I think its the latter in having attack minded half backs not clued into their defensive duties. I would agree in that I would have liked to have seen Paddy and even Jason McGee get game time. I would disagree regarding Eoin McHugh. Yes his shooting can be frustrating but he is proving to be a very capable man marker. Saying that with the pace he has he is still probably not fulfilling his potential.

panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2857 - 27/06/2021 23:22:38    2353985

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Donegal with a 16 point demolition without Murphy for most of the game is a very good sign going forward.

I fancy us to beat a strong Derry team as it is in Ballybofey although it may be a point or two difference. Next year they may be Ulster challengers.

I predict we will beat Tyrone as usual by about 4/5 points, they seem to have regressed.

It will probably be Monaghan in the final and although they are our bogey team in Ulster, if Murphy is back by then and we do not let Conor McCarthy score 20 goals we should have enough just.

Regarding the other teams, I know the Cavan posters are trying to downplay being relgated to Div 4 but I would be fairly confident that Tyrone will win by 8-10 points. It was a great achievement for you to win Ulster last year against the odds but losing to Wicklow and then beating Tyrone a few weeks later seems unlikely.

Armagh seem a bit overrated and dont think they will do much.

After that, I see Dublin demolishing Galway in a Semi and Kerry outscoring us in a shootout then hopefully Kerry do enough to beat Dublin.

Ronan1989 (Donegal) - Posts: 81 - 28/06/2021 00:45:52    2354007

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