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Remember Mayo were basically about to exit until a soft red card changed the game v Meath. They came to Croke Park and looked like a new team. They weren't the best team but unquestionably the best team yesterday. Their ferocious performance v both Kerry and Louth in tackles was a joy to watch and went back to the team of a decade ago but the rules, quality and bravery of an excellent full forward line was the deciding difference this time. I hate chat about league and provincials mean nothing but the truth is to win Sam now, it's basically about making sure you are ready to go in a six week blitz, get the rub of the green and avoid the injuries. Another thing Donegal can learn is the set up Andy had. Talent across the back room team including our own Durcan. We could do with a specialist forwards coach and I wouldn't say no to a Paddy Tally type. Jim needs help if we are going to make 2027 the year we end our own 15 year famine :) shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 508 - 27/07/2026 17:28:57 2687602 Link 0 |
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100%. They took some wild shots and missed some but also scored some at important times in the game. I hope Jim looks at what Mayo achieved and comes up with a plan to do the same next year. If we play the same old style we won't do anything.
eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 462 - 27/07/2026 21:26:09 2687644 Link 0 |
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It will be interesting to see how many club teams move away from the defensive, handpassing style this year. Very few, if any of the club teams (in the top 2 divisions) in donegal actually kick pass the ball consistently. I think mayo has finally and thankfully bust the bubble of slow hand passing around the arc. To continue with that old style of playing is a waste of time, because once you meet a team who can kick and press properly, your in trouble. So do the club/ county managers in donegal finally move away from a now defunct tactic? e.g. the old rules!! And embrace the new, fast moving, kicking game? Are these managers able to implement these new tactics? I have my doubts...but I hope im wrong. gaeltacht81 (Donegal) - Posts: 41 - 28/07/2026 09:29:08 2687697 Link 0 |
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I also thought the decision to play man-on-man and press high was very brave. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10438 - 28/07/2026 09:34:08 2687702 Link 0 |
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This is cheap enough talk in fairness. Kerry were noticeably struggling for fitness and didn't have the legs where they needed to be in the final. Referee missed a double bounce for the goal, marginal calls given coming out of defence for mayo tap over frees, and yet Kerry still almost brought that game to extra time despite Mayo clearly being by far the better team on the day and deserved winners. I don't think there is anyone in the country who doesn't think a fully at it Kerry (like they were last year) wouldn't have comfortably beaten Mayo. Mayo high press or no high press. The biggest takeaway from the final isn't anything new, its making sure a team has energy and freshness when it matters. From a donegal perspective, we were gone from a long way out because we were relying on the usual suspects all the way through heavy sod in the national league and don't have a bench. This isn't a style issue, its a personnel issue and a planning issue. That's where Jim and the S&C guys really need to have a hard look at what we have. Mayo pulled a group of super fit, fast players together a bit later in the year and the thing opened up for them with some favourable draws and then they were in better fettle than Kerry when it came to it. That is pure championship football and that is what a county like Donegal has to be ready for because it is going to be rare that we will be the best team in the competition. inthru (Donegal) - Posts: 15 - 28/07/2026 09:47:59 2687703 Link 0 |