|
From reading between the lines of Jim's article in todays IT, it seems unlikely that he will grace any inter county dugout in the near future as he is intent on carving out a successful managerial career for himself in soccer. Best of luck to him in that as he owes the county nothing.
What an asset he is to St. Michaels he is though now that he is lively down there - the envy of every other club in the county! They should have a strong under age down the line with a few little mini McGuinness, McFaddens, Toyes and McElhinneys running about!
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 800 - 11/11/2021 12:14:47
2389108
Link
1
|
|
Replying To jacktheboy: "Jim got one All Ireland with Donegal, should have got more with that team. Since then he has not achieved much with any team he was with, at present he is part of Derry City under 19 team,bot a very big job . Think his best days are behind him." Why are you pretending to be from Donegal? we all know you are from Mayo.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2747 - 11/11/2021 14:03:08
2389127
Link
1
|
|
Now that the dust has settled on last weekend's county final and I've had time to reflect, I want to say the following. Thanks to Rory and the lads for delivering what was one of the best days supporting the black and amber. We were totally written off in most quarters before the game, but brought a gameplan, a stern resolve, a fantastic skill level and a composure on the ball from 1 to 15, which overwhelmed and took Naomh Conaill by surprise on the day.
It was a fantastic all round team performance and its clear now that Eunan's were planning all year for facing a defensive minded team like NC. It wasn't pretty, especially in the first quarter, but our lads done the right thing time and time again by retaining possession, not taking the ball into contact, and forcing NC to chase shadows. The young players really stepped up and came of age, but I'd like to reserve a special mention for Peter Devine and Seán McVeigh, both of whom played yesterday and 9 years ago in 2012 when we last beat NC in a county final. I thought they were both superb and were always available to link up play, win dirty ball and do the less glamourous stuff.
Commiserations to NC, it was one of those days where very little went right for them, however they will be back next year and for the foreseeable future too. Finally, best of luck to our men against Glen in the Ulster Championship next week, we have the ability, now have the belief. Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill have both shown the way for Donegal clubs in Ulster in recent years and it would be great for our club to make inroads in the province.
LetterkennyMan (Donegal) - Posts: 393 - 12/11/2021 11:57:21
2389189
Link
5
|
|
Replying To LetterkennyMan: "Now that the dust has settled on last weekend's county final and I've had time to reflect, I want to say the following. Thanks to Rory and the lads for delivering what was one of the best days supporting the black and amber. We were totally written off in most quarters before the game, but brought a gameplan, a stern resolve, a fantastic skill level and a composure on the ball from 1 to 15, which overwhelmed and took Naomh Conaill by surprise on the day.
It was a fantastic all round team performance and its clear now that Eunan's were planning all year for facing a defensive minded team like NC. It wasn't pretty, especially in the first quarter, but our lads done the right thing time and time again by retaining possession, not taking the ball into contact, and forcing NC to chase shadows. The young players really stepped up and came of age, but I'd like to reserve a special mention for Peter Devine and Seán McVeigh, both of whom played yesterday and 9 years ago in 2012 when we last beat NC in a county final. I thought they were both superb and were always available to link up play, win dirty ball and do the less glamourous stuff.
Commiserations to NC, it was one of those days where very little went right for them, however they will be back next year and for the foreseeable future too. Finally, best of luck to our men against Glen in the Ulster Championship next week, we have the ability, now have the belief. Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill have both shown the way for Donegal clubs in Ulster in recent years and it would be great for our club to make inroads in the province." Gaoth Dobhair showed the way anyway, many try only the best succeed, best of luck to St. Eunans. I'd love to see them win the Ulster Club Championship as well.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2747 - 12/11/2021 18:33:06
2389227
Link
0
|
|
Replying To ahsure.: "Poor game this. If this is the standard of the best 2 teams in Donegal then I'd not like to see the rest." First quarter was cautious and uneventful but it opened up a good bit after McGeehin's well taken goal. St Eunans had a very good third quarter and were in their comfort zone with a good lead and numerical advantage for the final quarter.
Naomi Conaill didn't play their usual high energy game at the end of a tough season involving two finals 12 weeks apart and having to peak for quarter and semi finals against recent winners.
Very impressed with how St Eunans kept it open with players in constant motion and accurate passing. Shaun Patton's decision making always seemed to be spot on , his regular involvement always gave defenders an option and was the launching pad for many attacks. The O'Donnell brothers were good to watch as well. Hoping that their young skilful team are physically strong enough to be competitive in Ulster.
Think we often mistakenly associate low scoring defensive games with the two teams being of low standard. The Leitrim football final and the Laois hurling final were probably the most enjoyable so far this year, doesn't mean that the standard of both winners are good enough to make them provincial winner contenders.
Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 506 - 12/11/2021 20:58:31
2389235
Link
2
|
|
Great performance by Cloughaneely today to finally get over the line. Jason McGee was majestic, showing the ability we all know he has.
The comments from John Haran over the last week or two, about this team, have been disgraceful. Two years ago these lads buried their brother, captain, cousins and friends. They came back and were shafted by the county board that year. An individual mistake cost them last year. Last week they got out of jail. However they persevered and got their reward today. As a team they could have folded after the tragedy but they got their reward today.
John Haran should recognise bottlers, he played with enough of them. They are not to be found in this Cloughaneely team.
themaddog (Wicklow) - Posts: 130 - 13/11/2021 16:22:03
2389289
Link
1
|
|
Replying To The keeper: "Naomh conaill only look forward, as we will do after sunday. We will look to bring in some young players from our great underage system. And look forward to watching our great club in 2022.
Thats what big clubs do, rather than looking back, we look forward, and thats the reason we are competing at the level we have done for a number of years.
Maybe other posters could learn from that, and then maybe you will understand why naomh conaill are such a great club with great community spirit.
Roll on 2022, hopefully Donegal get the act together and start competing again.
And looking forward to watching naomh conaill and some of the younn talent mixed in with the older lads" Can I take it then that being such a great club & an inspiration to the rest of us, not lucky enough to be from Glenties, Naomh Conaill will be withdrawing their appeal against the Donegal County Board decision to overturn the result of the 2020 final?
All in the name of looking forward and not back of course.............
MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 13/11/2021 16:30:31
2389291
Link
1
|
|
Cloughaneely were excellent today and full value for the wine. Their whole team was much better and a few hum dinger of points in the second half. Mcgavey also took the goal great. Mcgee was super in the first half. Everything he did was real quality, the points from play the ball inside and the frees. He wasn't as conspicuous in the second half but damage was done. Dungloe never got into the game at all unfortunately for them.
Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 692 - 13/11/2021 18:04:02
2389304
Link
0
|
|
Replying To themaddog: "Great performance by Cloughaneely today to finally get over the line. Jason McGee was majestic, showing the ability we all know he has.
The comments from John Haran over the last week or two, about this team, have been disgraceful. Two years ago these lads buried their brother, captain, cousins and friends. They came back and were shafted by the county board that year. An individual mistake cost them last year. Last week they got out of jail. However they persevered and got their reward today. As a team they could have folded after the tragedy but they got their reward today.
John Haran should recognise bottlers, he played with enough of them. They are not to be found in this Cloughaneely team." Fantastic performance and win today from Cloughaneely. Like you say Jason was fantastic and in this form should be an automatic for the county. He just needs a run without injuries as was exposed to too much too soon. It wasn't a one man show. Lee O'Brien was excellent sweeping up. Blake McGarvey showed great maturity for one so young. Another young player Conor Coyle got a couple of great scores in the second half. The two changes made a massive difference in John Fitzgerald and Ciaran McGeady. Fitzgerald is a class act just very injury prone. McGeady as always brought his usual pace and drive always putting Cloughaneely on the front foot. Plus of course special mention to the captain Mark Harley who led the team like a captain should and done his brother and the Harley family very proud. I didn't read Haran's comments and won't be either. Really ill judged given all the club has gone through over the last couple of years including the fixture shambles and the tragedy of the accident that took away 4 young lives.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 13/11/2021 18:11:45
2389305
Link
2
|
|
Replying To panamasam: "Fantastic performance and win today from Cloughaneely. Like you say Jason was fantastic and in this form should be an automatic for the county. He just needs a run without injuries as was exposed to too much too soon. It wasn't a one man show. Lee O'Brien was excellent sweeping up. Blake McGarvey showed great maturity for one so young. Another young player Conor Coyle got a couple of great scores in the second half. The two changes made a massive difference in John Fitzgerald and Ciaran McGeady. Fitzgerald is a class act just very injury prone. McGeady as always brought his usual pace and drive always putting Cloughaneely on the front foot. Plus of course special mention to the captain Mark Harley who led the team like a captain should and done his brother and the Harley family very proud. I didn't read Haran's comments and won't be either. Really ill judged given all the club has gone through over the last couple of years including the fixture shambles and the tragedy of the accident that took away 4 young lives." Congrats to Cloughaneely, really delighted for you. They have been knocking on the door for a few years and finally have done it. Great to hear Jason McGee is back to his best, the county team really need him, fantastic player blighted with injuries. Hard luck to Dungloe, great club as well.
How do you think Cloughaneely will fair next year in the senior championship? I know it's a huge step up but think they could do well.
Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1874 - 13/11/2021 19:37:23
2389314
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Green_Gold: "Congrats to Cloughaneely, really delighted for you. They have been knocking on the door for a few years and finally have done it. Great to hear Jason McGee is back to his best, the county team really need him, fantastic player blighted with injuries. Hard luck to Dungloe, great club as well.
How do you think Cloughaneely will fair next year in the senior championship? I know it's a huge step up but think they could do well." Thank G_G. Despite me not hearing about Haran seemingly using the term 'bottlers' it didn't go unnoticed by the players and management. Indeed the chairman Joe McGarvey mentioned it last night at the homecoming. Jason was excellent yesterday. He has had alot of pressure and expectation put on his young shoulders as Cloughaneely haven't always had many county players in the past. He is a class act and in my opinion when fully fit would be an automatic for nearly any inter county side in the country. I would love to see him and Michael Langan be the county's starting midfield.
As for next year there is a small matter of an intermediate provincial game next weekend. Really hard to weigh up but hopefully the club will represent the county with distinction. I think they'll hold their own in the senior championship next year and hopefully establish themselves at that level like they have in division one in the league. Some of the younger lads will be a year older and hopefully the likes of John Fitzgerald and Jason can stay injury free.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2781 - 14/11/2021 12:40:39
2389359
Link
1
|
|
I know its not strictly championship but a big shout out to Na Rossa who won promotion from Division 4 yesterday with a goal and a point in injury time securing a one point win.
There is a lot of talk here sometimes about the "big four" and "great clubs" and it is easy to forget about the massive work put in by Gaels the length and breadth of the county, many of whom will never play in senior championship let alone win a final.
So to all those in Leitir, who partied late into the night by all accounts, I say comhghairdeas!!!
MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 14/11/2021 21:09:30
2389445
Link
2
|
|
Replying To MuckrossHead: "I know its not strictly championship but a big shout out to Na Rossa who won promotion from Division 4 yesterday with a goal and a point in injury time securing a one point win.
There is a lot of talk here sometimes about the "big four" and "great clubs" and it is easy to forget about the massive work put in by Gaels the length and breadth of the county, many of whom will never play in senior championship let alone win a final.
So to all those in Leitir, who partied late into the night by all accounts, I say comhghairdeas!!!" I'll second that Muckcross, work down the leagues and championships seems to go unnoticed in this county. Maybe to the detriment of the county team when you see the amount of players Kerry take from junior level.
Na Rossa can never be faulted for hard work and they got their just rewards on Saturday. A few battle hardened 40 year olds in that team and very impressive that one of them stepped up last kick of the game and had the legs to send over a 45m free. Great work by a team from a small area.
Compare them to a club the size of Lifford dropping down to Junior B to pick up what they would see as a handy title. Kudos Na Rossa.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 800 - 15/11/2021 08:04:55
2389462
Link
1
|
|
Replying To MuckrossHead: "I know its not strictly championship but a big shout out to Na Rossa who won promotion from Division 4 yesterday with a goal and a point in injury time securing a one point win.
There is a lot of talk here sometimes about the "big four" and "great clubs" and it is easy to forget about the massive work put in by Gaels the length and breadth of the county, many of whom will never play in senior championship let alone win a final.
So to all those in Leitir, who partied late into the night by all accounts, I say comhghairdeas!!!" we all know the Big Four , but the Great Clubs are the likes of Na Rossa, Fanad Gaels and MIlford , Pettigo , Lifford to name but a few ,who have in the last 20 years kept Gaelic Football alive in these areas with no great tradition of the games in these areas.
jacktheboy (Donegal) - Posts: 405 - 15/11/2021 09:44:59
2389477
Link
1
|
|
Replying To peiledoir20: "I'll second that Muckcross, work down the leagues and championships seems to go unnoticed in this county. Maybe to the detriment of the county team when you see the amount of players Kerry take from junior level.
Na Rossa can never be faulted for hard work and they got their just rewards on Saturday. A few battle hardened 40 year olds in that team and very impressive that one of them stepped up last kick of the game and had the legs to send over a 45m free. Great work by a team from a small area.
Compare them to a club the size of Lifford dropping down to Junior B to pick up what they would see as a handy title. Kudos Na Rossa." @peiledoir20 - your comment about Lifford dropping down to Junior B to win a "handy trophy" is lazy and uninformed.
Lifford has just about stayed afloat at adult level over the last 5 or 6 years. You can count on one hand the number of games they have won in the league and championship during this time. They even competed in Division 5 of the league back in 2018 - against a lot of senior club's third-string - where they failed to win a single game. They played Buncrana in the Junior A championship in 2019 and were beaten by more than 20 points. They entered the Junior B championship last year but the competition was abandoned due to C19.
Rather than accuse a club that is simply trying to survive (and rebuild) of trying to win a "handy trophy", maybe ask yourself are the competition structures in Donegal fit for purpose? The separation of the leagues and championships has resulted in a lot of imbalance within the county. Take Termon over the last two weeks: relegated from the Senior Championship one weekend, promoted to Division One of the league the next. Are you going to accuse them of trying to win a handy Intermediate championship next year? I doubt it. And for clarity, I'm not accusing Termon of doing so either.
There are a handful of very talented players in Lifford who are more than capable of playing at a higher level, but they don't have 20 players capable of being competitive in Division 4 of the league or in the Junior A championship at present. They are trying to rebuild at adult level by playing in the Junior B championship and it is obviously the right level for them after being defeated by Letterkenny Gaels on Sunday. Pettigo did the exact same thing a few years ago after going through a similar spell. As @jacktheboy says, Lifford has little or no history when it comes to Gaelic games. While Lifford is a big town in size, it has always had very small playing numbers at all levels and the GAA has been kept going in the area by a small number of dedicated volunteers. It has always been viewed as a "soccer town", but even soccer in the area is under threat now with the Lifford Celtic adult team withdrawing from the Donegal League for the current season.
hashtag (Donegal) - Posts: 37 - 16/11/2021 10:58:01
2389614
Link
0
|
|
Replying To hashtag: "@peiledoir20 - your comment about Lifford dropping down to Junior B to win a "handy trophy" is lazy and uninformed.
Lifford has just about stayed afloat at adult level over the last 5 or 6 years. You can count on one hand the number of games they have won in the league and championship during this time. They even competed in Division 5 of the league back in 2018 - against a lot of senior club's third-string - where they failed to win a single game. They played Buncrana in the Junior A championship in 2019 and were beaten by more than 20 points. They entered the Junior B championship last year but the competition was abandoned due to C19.
Rather than accuse a club that is simply trying to survive (and rebuild) of trying to win a "handy trophy", maybe ask yourself are the competition structures in Donegal fit for purpose? The separation of the leagues and championships has resulted in a lot of imbalance within the county. Take Termon over the last two weeks: relegated from the Senior Championship one weekend, promoted to Division One of the league the next. Are you going to accuse them of trying to win a handy Intermediate championship next year? I doubt it. And for clarity, I'm not accusing Termon of doing so either.
There are a handful of very talented players in Lifford who are more than capable of playing at a higher level, but they don't have 20 players capable of being competitive in Division 4 of the league or in the Junior A championship at present. They are trying to rebuild at adult level by playing in the Junior B championship and it is obviously the right level for them after being defeated by Letterkenny Gaels on Sunday. Pettigo did the exact same thing a few years ago after going through a similar spell. As @jacktheboy says, Lifford has little or no history when it comes to Gaelic games. While Lifford is a big town in size, it has always had very small playing numbers at all levels and the GAA has been kept going in the area by a small number of dedicated volunteers. It has always been viewed as a "soccer town", but even soccer in the area is under threat now with the Lifford Celtic adult team withdrawing from the Donegal League for the current season." So what do you's do in Lifford then if you don't play Gaelic or soccer, do they just go to the cinema? always struck me as a very boring part of the county. too many planters there I suppose.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2747 - 16/11/2021 12:26:49
2389635
Link
0
|
|
Replying To hashtag: "@peiledoir20 - your comment about Lifford dropping down to Junior B to win a "handy trophy" is lazy and uninformed.
Lifford has just about stayed afloat at adult level over the last 5 or 6 years. You can count on one hand the number of games they have won in the league and championship during this time. They even competed in Division 5 of the league back in 2018 - against a lot of senior club's third-string - where they failed to win a single game. They played Buncrana in the Junior A championship in 2019 and were beaten by more than 20 points. They entered the Junior B championship last year but the competition was abandoned due to C19.
Rather than accuse a club that is simply trying to survive (and rebuild) of trying to win a "handy trophy", maybe ask yourself are the competition structures in Donegal fit for purpose? The separation of the leagues and championships has resulted in a lot of imbalance within the county. Take Termon over the last two weeks: relegated from the Senior Championship one weekend, promoted to Division One of the league the next. Are you going to accuse them of trying to win a handy Intermediate championship next year? I doubt it. And for clarity, I'm not accusing Termon of doing so either.
There are a handful of very talented players in Lifford who are more than capable of playing at a higher level, but they don't have 20 players capable of being competitive in Division 4 of the league or in the Junior A championship at present. They are trying to rebuild at adult level by playing in the Junior B championship and it is obviously the right level for them after being defeated by Letterkenny Gaels on Sunday. Pettigo did the exact same thing a few years ago after going through a similar spell. As @jacktheboy says, Lifford has little or no history when it comes to Gaelic games. While Lifford is a big town in size, it has always had very small playing numbers at all levels and the GAA has been kept going in the area by a small number of dedicated volunteers. It has always been viewed as a "soccer town", but even soccer in the area is under threat now with the Lifford Celtic adult team withdrawing from the Donegal League for the current season." I am not accusing anyone, I am just presenting facts as they were presented by the Lifford management team and captain in the lead up to the final. It was their 'choice' to enter that competition. Your comparison of Termon holds no weight as they have gone down to a lower championship because they were relegated, not by choice.
You say that Lifford were beaten by 20 points by Buncrana in 2019. That is nothing compared to the hiding your near neighbours Castlefinn got in Downings last year. They conceded 11 goals and still entered the appropriate competition this year.
You talk about championship structures in Donegal not being 'fit for purpose', do you see a first team entering a reserve championship as a solution to this? With some of the hammerings Termon got this year should they have entered their first team in the Senior B instead???
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 800 - 16/11/2021 12:42:28
2389639
Link
0
|
|
Replying To peiledoir20: "I am not accusing anyone, I am just presenting facts as they were presented by the Lifford management team and captain in the lead up to the final. It was their 'choice' to enter that competition. Your comparison of Termon holds no weight as they have gone down to a lower championship because they were relegated, not by choice.
You say that Lifford were beaten by 20 points by Buncrana in 2019. That is nothing compared to the hiding your near neighbours Castlefinn got in Downings last year. They conceded 11 goals and still entered the appropriate competition this year.
You talk about championship structures in Donegal not being 'fit for purpose', do you see a first team entering a reserve championship as a solution to this? With some of the hammerings Termon got this year should they have entered their first team in the Senior B instead???" I believe it is incredibly unfair to criticize the Gaels of Lifford. They are obviously a small club and have struggled in the past but they are putting in a lot of work at under age level and have developed a new park which they have been making available to the LGFA for big games in true Gael spirit. I was in Letterkenny on Sunday and to say the atmosphere towards the end of the Junior B final was electric was an understatement. They are a club that is building for the future. It obviously meant a huge amount to both sets of supporters and I very much hope they enter Junior B and win that title next year and then are better equipped to move up to Junior A. You also refer to Kerry junior football but there are 12 divisions in Kerry and you are critical of a team competing in what is in effect our fifth division. Good luck to Lifford in 2022.
MickyMick (Donegal) - Posts: 11 - 16/11/2021 14:36:36
2389656
Link
0
|
|
Replying To MickyMick: "I believe it is incredibly unfair to criticize the Gaels of Lifford. They are obviously a small club and have struggled in the past but they are putting in a lot of work at under age level and have developed a new park which they have been making available to the LGFA for big games in true Gael spirit. I was in Letterkenny on Sunday and to say the atmosphere towards the end of the Junior B final was electric was an understatement. They are a club that is building for the future. It obviously meant a huge amount to both sets of supporters and I very much hope they enter Junior B and win that title next year and then are better equipped to move up to Junior A. You also refer to Kerry junior football but there are 12 divisions in Kerry and you are critical of a team competing in what is in effect our fifth division. Good luck to Lifford in 2022." There are 25 more clubs in Kerry hence the need for extra divisions. 90 clubs in Dublin with the same amount of divisions as Kerry. Number of clubs will differ from county to county but one constant first teams play in a championship with similar teams from other clubs.
peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 800 - 16/11/2021 14:55:18
2389664
Link
0
|
|
Replying To panamasam: "Thank G_G. Despite me not hearing about Haran seemingly using the term 'bottlers' it didn't go unnoticed by the players and management. Indeed the chairman Joe McGarvey mentioned it last night at the homecoming. Jason was excellent yesterday. He has had alot of pressure and expectation put on his young shoulders as Cloughaneely haven't always had many county players in the past. He is a class act and in my opinion when fully fit would be an automatic for nearly any inter county side in the country. I would love to see him and Michael Langan be the county's starting midfield.
As for next year there is a small matter of an intermediate provincial game next weekend. Really hard to weigh up but hopefully the club will represent the county with distinction. I think they'll hold their own in the senior championship next year and hopefully establish themselves at that level like they have in division one in the league. Some of the younger lads will be a year older and hopefully the likes of John Fitzgerald and Jason can stay injury free." A pity one of the most decorated players at club level over the last twenty years let's his mouth let him down again.....but then when the sun rises and sets in letterkenny I wouldn't expect any objective opinions regarding club football in Donegal
totalrecall (Leitrim) - Posts: 916 - 17/11/2021 19:54:43
2389798
Link
2
|