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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Good result at the weekend against an under-strength Kerry. They're tight bucks. At one stage it looked like a hammering was on the cards when we went 8 or 9 points up I think it was. It would have been easy for an inexperienced team to just fold at that point. But Seanie O'Shea is some bit of stuff. His free-taking and leadership was superb, and they were dangerously close to ekeing out a draw.

The lads look in good shape. If we can get a win against Mayo in 2 weeks time that'd be us more or less safe I reckon. Could be a chance to rotate then, and re-integrate some of the injured lads. I'm just wondering thoygh with the four week gap to the Down game, might Jim be tempted to go for the league? Get a game in Croke park and possibly a bit of national silverware.

One small thing I took from Sunday's game is that we might be lacking a natural left-footed free-taker? I know Conor O'Donnell is a good two-footed player, and is probably a decent option for closer-range left-footed frees. But for the longer distance we only really have Ciaran Thompson now that Paddy has stepped away?"
I think the lack of a left footer freetaker can be a little exaggerated. To me it's more important to have a very reliable freetaker. Dublin in their pomp had dean Rock hitting all their frees and he was only right footed. Kerry are blessed to have o'se and Clifford and even then for the further out ones, they'll go to o'se from the ground regardless of side. Hitting the two pointers like o'se did the last day is absolutely invaluable. It kept them in a game they shouldn't really have been in.

Murphy is a good freetaker but would not be as good as o'se. Murphy also has to have a lot of wear and tear having hit frees for so long.. It is another string that mulreanny has that has to be considered

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 966 - 03/02/2026 18:03:00    2654848

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Thompson is one of the first names on the sheet if fit and firing. Only thing that would hold him back is his rehab. He is a fantastic player who was in brilliant form last year, one of our best performers and a huge loss when he went off in the final.

Who would keep him out? With everyone fit I would want Hughie, Langan, McGee and Thompson all starting.

CCFabu (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 03/02/2026 18:30:07    2654851

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Was Ryan McHugh dropped on Sunday or was it a tactical move?

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1433 - 03/02/2026 20:35:44    2654869

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Was Ryan McHugh dropped on Sunday or was it a tactical move?"
Most likely tactical selection, we will probably see more of that this year depending on the opposition. If we are facing a team with a lot of height and physicality, Ryan might be kept back as a sub, come on to steady things. Its not a case of getting dropped due to not performing etc, its more about tactics.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1598 - 03/02/2026 21:14:48    2654872

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Replying To gunman:  "I always think O'Baoill gets a raw deal.He is always the first dropped or hooked if he is not shooting the lights out.Something similar with big Hughie.As regards Thompson he might be important for left footed frees with McBrearty gone,otherwise with a fully fit squad does he get in the first 15."
He doesn't get a raw deal. Like another poster said, he often drifts in and out of games. Can be hit or miss. And Hugh is 32 or close to it. When we are chasing games or need to freshen up of course you'd take him off for someone faster and who offers a scoring threat.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 278 - 03/02/2026 23:31:26    2654889

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