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Replying To Lockjaw: "It's fair to say that we probably are a rung or two down the ladder yet from the level Derry are currently operating at. They are a slick outfit who are probably thinking now is their time. But in saying that, we are a lot fitter and playing with greater intensity than we were in 2023. Who knows, with a full deck and a fair wind we might trouble them. Donegal beating Derry in a Championship match wouldn't exactly be a massive shock, but understandably the bookies will rightly have Derry as strong favourites. We were probably saying the same things to ourselves around this time in 2011...." We can definitely beat Derry, but based on watching Dublin beat them recently, it will really come down to who wins the midfield battle and dominates possession and takes their scores. Recently when Derry played Dublin at Celtic park, - Derry won 15/22 (77%) of their own kickouts, while Dublin won 13/15 (87%) of their own kickouts. - Dublin had the balance of possession @ 60%, while Derry's was quite low @ 40%. It can be argued that this figure is misleading, as Conor Glass and Gareth McKindless were both missing. But It still shows that dominating midfield and winning primary possession is vital, otherwise we will get cleaned out like in the McKenna Cup final. My feeling is that someone as meticulous in preparation as Jim McGuinness will have us well prepared to give Derry the fight of their lives. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1115 - 21/03/2024 13:59:29 2532501 Link
Replying To Commodore: "We can definitely beat Derry, but based on watching Dublin beat them recently, it will really come down to who wins the midfield battle and dominates possession and takes their scores. Recently when Derry played Dublin at Celtic park, - Derry won 15/22 (77%) of their own kickouts, while Dublin won 13/15 (87%) of their own kickouts. - Dublin had the balance of possession @ 60%, while Derry's was quite low @ 40%. It can be argued that this figure is misleading, as Conor Glass and Gareth McKindless were both missing. But It still shows that dominating midfield and winning primary possession is vital, otherwise we will get cleaned out like in the McKenna Cup final. My feeling is that someone as meticulous in preparation as Jim McGuinness will have us well prepared to give Derry the fight of their lives." I certainly hope so. Like yourself, I believe that Donegal have a lot of talent within their ranks. But for reasons there's no point in rehashing, we weren't maximising the potential of that talent in recent times. There has been an undoubted shift in mentality & enthusiasm since Jim returned and it's definitely been a case of so-far-so-good with promotion to Div 1 wrapped up with a game to spare. League results can be deceiving however. Championship performances and results will truly dictate where we are in the pecking order. Until then it's educated guess-work really. It's going to be exciting findout out anyway. I imagine Celtic Park will be bouncing in a few weeks. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 21/03/2024 16:11:56 2532522 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "I certainly hope so. Like yourself, I believe that Donegal have a lot of talent within their ranks. But for reasons there's no point in rehashing, we weren't maximising the potential of that talent in recent times. There has been an undoubted shift in mentality & enthusiasm since Jim returned and it's definitely been a case of so-far-so-good with promotion to Div 1 wrapped up with a game to spare. League results can be deceiving however. Championship performances and results will truly dictate where we are in the pecking order. Until then it's educated guess-work really. It's going to be exciting findout out anyway. I imagine Celtic Park will be bouncing in a few weeks." 100% agree regarding Championship being the real acid test, unfortunately for us we have Derry in the opening round of Ulster, who are back to back Ulster champs going for an All Ireland. There is no opportunity this time for Donegal to build traction or momentum ahead of an Ulster final, its straight into the Lions den. This makes the Division 2 final a strange fixture, as I am certain that while Donegal will want to beat Armagh and win it, they also won't want to be showing their hand to Derry 3 weeks before Celtic Park. I think we can win it and beat Derry, but a lot of things need to go our way. If we do win the Division 2 final and then beat Derry, it would be some boost in the development of this team, they would then be facing Tyrone, Monaghan or Cavan in a Ulster SF and likely Armagh in an Ulster final again. Id sacrifice a Division 2 final and take an Ulster Championship anyday. But getting by Derry will be no easy feat. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1115 - 22/03/2024 07:59:17 2532589 Link
Replying To Commodore: "100% agree regarding Championship being the real acid test, unfortunately for us we have Derry in the opening round of Ulster, who are back to back Ulster champs going for an All Ireland. There is no opportunity this time for Donegal to build traction or momentum ahead of an Ulster final, its straight into the Lions den. This makes the Division 2 final a strange fixture, as I am certain that while Donegal will want to beat Armagh and win it, they also won't want to be showing their hand to Derry 3 weeks before Celtic Park. I think we can win it and beat Derry, but a lot of things need to go our way. If we do win the Division 2 final and then beat Derry, it would be some boost in the development of this team, they would then be facing Tyrone, Monaghan or Cavan in a Ulster SF and likely Armagh in an Ulster final again. Id sacrifice a Division 2 final and take an Ulster Championship anyday. But getting by Derry will be no easy feat." As an outsider, I have a feeling the Derry Donegal game is going to be very close. I think Jim is holding a lot of things back that he will unleash against Derry. Just get the feeling this Donegal side are doing enough to get promoted without showing their hand too much. But time will tell. drumalee11 (USA) - Posts: 291 - 22/03/2024 09:45:18 2532609 Link
10 minutes to go against Derry in the first round. we are losing. Conor O'Donnell warms up and gets ready to come on the field. We haven't seen him all season. He's electric. Scores 1-2 in 10 minutes. Donegal win by a point. Celtic park is awash with green and gold. Sorry... dreaming... High_and_wide (Donegal) - Posts: 74 - 22/03/2024 10:42:39 2532620 Link
Replying To drumalee11: "As an outsider, I have a feeling the Derry Donegal game is going to be very close. I think Jim is holding a lot of things back that he will unleash against Derry. Just get the feeling this Donegal side are doing enough to get promoted without showing their hand too much. But time will tell." The problem is that Derry are significantly further along in their development cycle in comparison to Donegal, in reality this Derry side are now in their prime and are gearing up for a serious tilt at an All Ireland title, they aren't on the decline like that Tyrone side of 2011 that we beat to springboard us during Jim's previous tenure. Now in fairness most of this Donegal side have won back to back Ulster titles in 2018 & 2019, so bridging that gap might not be as big as some people think or believe, the bulk of this Donegal side showed in 2021, 2022 and 2023 that there isn't much between the sides without Jim McGuinness factor, so its not beyond reason that we could shock people and make stunning return to Top tier by the end of this season. But a lot of things need to go right for us. Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1115 - 22/03/2024 10:52:47 2532623 Link
Replying To Commodore: "The problem is that Derry are significantly further along in their development cycle in comparison to Donegal, in reality this Derry side are now in their prime and are gearing up for a serious tilt at an All Ireland title, they aren't on the decline like that Tyrone side of 2011 that we beat to springboard us during Jim's previous tenure. Now in fairness most of this Donegal side have won back to back Ulster titles in 2018 & 2019, so bridging that gap might not be as big as some people think or believe, the bulk of this Donegal side showed in 2021, 2022 and 2023 that there isn't much between the sides without Jim McGuinness factor, so its not beyond reason that we could shock people and make stunning return to Top tier by the end of this season. But a lot of things need to go right for us." Sorry but I actually disagree..we had this Derry on the ropes and 2 points up in an ulster final just 2 years ago with almost the same panel of players and only lost in extra time..I'll will ask you this..going back to that situation exactly but this time Jim is the manager..would we have lost it??? RoryGall35 (Donegal) - Posts: 167 - 22/03/2024 12:13:10 2532631 Link
The narrative that we are young team facing a Derry team that is"much further down the road" doesn't stand up to scrutiny.When we lost the Ulster Final to Derry in 2022 after extra time we were carrying players that were not 100% fit..Derry were the surprise team of the year having hammered Tyrone.We were the team that was mostly made up of double Ulster Championship winners.Derry really grew from that victory.Derry could have easily lost that game and we might not have heard much about them afterwards.The teams that will face up in Celtic Park will not differ too much from that day.That day was a big blow for Donegal along with the Tyrone defeat the year before and failures in previous big Super 8 games plus the Cavan game which I would put down as a freak result.The big question is was there too much phycological damage done with those defeats or are they just lacking that little bit in big games.If we are good enough as footballers I am sure McGuinness will have them tactically and phycologicaly well prepared.The big danger is that Derry have some fantastic footballers with a lot of belief.It is all vey interesting and I hope we don't put all our eggs in that basket as there will be far more important games ahead in the group stages. gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1057 - 22/03/2024 12:31:45 2532633 Link
Away from the county scene, is it this weekend that the club leagues start or next weekend? The county website is currently down for maintenance. Hopefully once it's live again it will be a lot more user friendly. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 22/03/2024 14:06:38 2532647 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Away from the county scene, is it this weekend that the club leagues start or next weekend? The county website is currently down for maintenance. Hopefully once it's live again it will be a lot more user friendly." Next weekend as far as I know donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 310 - 22/03/2024 14:44:32 2532662 Link
Replying To donegaldouble: "Next weekend as far as I know" Who knows? ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 724 - 22/03/2024 14:54:34 2532666 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Away from the county scene, is it this weekend that the club leagues start or next weekend? The county website is currently down for maintenance. Hopefully once it's live again it will be a lot more user friendly." League starts next weekend, clubs have the fixtures for a while now. There was a message on Official Donegal Gaa facebook page recently to say they were replacing the website with a new one soon so that's why its down now. Have to say, the new PRO seems to have made a big difference, there's loads more content on social media, team announcements for all teams in both codes are released in good time, loads of photos after games, club notes etc. And everything looks much more professional and modern than the last couple years. greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 471 - 22/03/2024 15:31:18 2532671 Link
New Donegal gaa website is up and running. Definitely easier to find club games on it greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 471 - 23/03/2024 08:36:36 2532765 Link
New website has just been launched and I have to say its a massive upgrade. Massive well done to our PRO who is a doing a fantastic job already NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 40 - 23/03/2024 09:54:37 2532774 Link
Replying To NPadraigAbu: "New website has just been launched and I have to say its a massive upgrade. Massive well done to our PRO who is a doing a fantastic job already" Was expecting a lot better to be honest. Just my opinion rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2404 - 23/03/2024 12:12:04 2532797 Link
New website is a massive improvement. what sort of a crowd are we expecting in Ballybofey this evening? I agree with Peter Canavan and I was saying it before on another thread, the league should not have finals, it should be a straight race to the top. It would end meaningless games like this evenings and be fairer to teams in the relegation dogfight because teams above them who are safe wouldn't be playing weakened teams in dead rubber games. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2748 - 23/03/2024 13:47:14 2532820 Link
Replying To NPadraigAbu: "New website has just been launched and I have to say its a massive upgrade. Massive well done to our PRO who is a doing a fantastic job already" Website looks good and I think it will get better. They have said it will take a while to get everything added and will improve it over the next few months. Things seem to be improving off the pitch as well as on the pitch. greenfan (Donegal) - Posts: 471 - 23/03/2024 15:43:58 2532851 Link
Obviously the main worry after tonight is the injuries to Paddy and Ryan but I have to say it's been encouraging to see a bigger spread of scorers rather than just Farrah and Paddy. Hopefully tonight has been Jamie Brennan kicking into gear as he's been essential in our past ulster titles NPadraigAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 40 - 23/03/2024 23:40:24 2532955 Link
Replying To NPadraigAbu: "Obviously the main worry after tonight is the injuries to Paddy and Ryan but I have to say it's been encouraging to see a bigger spread of scorers rather than just Farrah and Paddy. Hopefully tonight has been Jamie Brennan kicking into gear as he's been essential in our past ulster titles" Any update on injuries? What happened. Missed the match due to a months memory mass I had to attend. GAAmanDNG (Donegal) - Posts: 17 - 24/03/2024 02:56:56 2532962 Link
Well Donegal topped the table in the end with Armaghs draw in Cork. Last night was just about getting the game out of the way without any injuries. Unfortunately that didn't happen but hopefully the Kilcar lads aren't too bad. Whether we win or not next week is irrelevant, the fact we topped the group makes us champions. I'd say Jim will see it like that as well and hope we can get through it unscathed and knuckle down for Derry. Finally, great to see Jamie Brennan get back to a bit to form last night. The more threats we have the more headaches it causes for the opposition. peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 801 - 24/03/2024 09:19:10 2532979 Link