National Forum

Jimmy's Winning Matches

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Replying To essmac:  "Down snobbery : ). They're above defending in Down lol. Something is needed though. Down nowhere near where they ought to be. Jim has a first class football brain and great intensity and doesn't tolerate anyone being half-hearted. If true, I reckon it'd be a good move for Down. We need to have Down back at the top table"
Not above defending as Paddy worked on that a lot, we just struggled on getting balance right and with not having 2 domiment midfielders teams really pressed high on us and Paddys kickouts everybody knew were ball was been kicked and to who.

The talent is in Down we just need the right management to get the buy in and by god if lads don't want to play under these 3 men then Down football is dead.

I can't wait UP Down.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 706 - 10/11/2021 10:16:00    2388983

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Replying To Donegal_abroad:  "Wouldn't agree. Conor Laverty and Marty Clarke offer a nice counter-balance. To see Jim as solely defensive is to miss the point. Think about what he brings in a holistic way to a setup. Fitness, tactics, psychology, soccer experience, Sam Maguire winning experience. Would have him back in 5 seconds in Donegal. Our loss."
Ya just read there that he's in as a coach with Clarke and Laverty so that makes more sense, I take it Jim will work on the defensive side of things so it could be a good mix and I hope it works out for all involved.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 10/11/2021 10:41:04    2388987

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I'd be shocked if Jim McGuinness would play in a similar manner with Down now as he did with Donegal in the past.

The guy's smart enough to know that the games moved on over the last 5-10 years.

I also think that outside of the 2011 semifinals Jim's Donegal team weren't as super defensive as people make out.

Rory Gallagher's Donegal had more of the defensive aspects of the McGuinness style with poorer quality transitions and attacking game plans.

Imitators of the Donegal defensive system from weaker counties were then very poor in attack.

Jim McGuinness was the inspiration for some bad football but I don't think his own team is remembered unfairly.

Jim's brand with Donegal was building on their own traditions. He may look at Down's traditional style as being a good foundation for a relevant current gameplan.

Feels like a good appointment to me. A good coach is a good coach.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4235 - 10/11/2021 10:54:52    2388991

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Replying To FootballGuy:  "Did people not watch the later years Jim was in charge of Donegal? Yes, he started as defensive but he evolved as he went along and at the end played as attacking as anyone in the country.

Down should be delighted if he steps in, in any capacity. I would love him back in Donegal."
The 2014 final was Jim's last game in charge and that was the most dour defensive final in a long time. Jim's teams looked attack minded against a gung-ho Dublin in the semi final, when there was loads of space to counter attack into.

I'm sure McGuiness is smart enough to know down will need a different approach to his old Donegal side.

MayoDan (Mayo) - Posts: 420 - 10/11/2021 11:38:23    2388994

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Anybody seen rorysboys lately? be interesting to hear his opinion now. What a disaster from Donegal CB if this is true. Jim would have lifted the whole county if he had come back in to manage us."
Can you honestly tell me that Jim wasn't approached by bonner or the county board, I don't know if he was or wasn't. So what if he goes to down im only worried about my own county. Good luck to Jim if the story is true a man I have huge respect for. But I don't know about you but I'm not one for looking back. It's time to look forward surprised bonner didn't name his coach yet must be a reason. Watched a lot of club games this year not many catching the eye who could make the step up to county football what you think tirchonal 1. Would be very interested in your views on this.. finally the gaa I was brought up with was a totally amateur organisation but it saddens me the way it's going, the big money men are ruining it for everybody. The only people I want managing Donegal are Donegal people not mercenaries who go from county to county making big money. I'm sure every other county fans feel the same.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 10/11/2021 11:48:19    2388997

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Replying To bloodyban:  "He was a disaster with the soccer coaching. For me he did good work with Donegal for a few years and has been living off that ever since. He hasn't evolved his coaching to any extent. He's a bit like Davy Fitz. He ll gee em up for a year and then he's spent. Similar style of play to Davy too. Packing defences..and a limited short passing game that ultimately fails in the white heat"
This is a ridiculous take.

"He hasn't evolved his coaching to any extent" ?

How would you, or any of us know? He hasn't managed a GAA team since 2014.

"He'll gee them up for a year and then he's spent"

Jim himself maintains that his style can maybe only work in 4 year cycles. If Down win 3 Ulsters & an All Ireland in the next 4 years from nowhere then I'm sure they won't complain about that.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9151 - 10/11/2021 12:37:24    2389005

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Replying To MayoDan:  "The 2014 final was Jim's last game in charge and that was the most dour defensive final in a long time. Jim's teams looked attack minded against a gung-ho Dublin in the semi final, when there was loads of space to counter attack into.

I'm sure McGuiness is smart enough to know down will need a different approach to his old Donegal side."
You're probably just sour about 2012 in fairness

Donaldtrump (Galway) - Posts: 252 - 10/11/2021 12:40:58    2389006

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Replying To Tirchonaill1:  "Anybody seen rorysboys lately? be interesting to hear his opinion now. What a disaster from Donegal CB if this is true. Jim would have lifted the whole county if he had come back in to manage us."
Jim is not interested in going back to gaa. The man himself has said it. Don't believe everything you read.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2410 - 10/11/2021 13:26:40    2389014

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Replying To FiorDunach:  "If the rumour is true and Jim McGuiness is coming to Down we might as well pack it in. After having never missed a Down game ( apart from during the pandemic closure) home or away, Championship, League or McKenna Cup in good times and bad for the last 46 years, that's me done. Finito"
Glad to see Jim seen sense, who in their right mind would get involved with a a AFL scout and a team that's been Finitoed for years.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2016 - 10/11/2021 13:51:04    2389020

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Ah well it's all been something of nothing in the end, pity as I'd love to see the big man back in football.

What Jim did with Donegal bringing them to to the promised land was some achievement.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 10/11/2021 14:03:25    2389021

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Replying To Donaldtrump:  "You're probably just sour about 2012 in fairness"
In fairness he makes a valid point. Football is always evolving and we seem to be back at a more attacking style which is great. Maybe Jim has/will evolve too? The ultra defensive approach won't work anymore. Donegal deservedly beat Mayo in that 2012 final and were awesome that year. Great team and Jim did an amazing job.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11236 - 10/11/2021 14:05:01    2389023

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Jim Mc Guinness likes to be top dog, will be interesting to see how it works out with Laverty and Clarke in charge.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 276 - 10/11/2021 14:31:10    2389027

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Replying To yew_tree:  "In fairness he makes a valid point. Football is always evolving and we seem to be back at a more attacking style which is great. Maybe Jim has/will evolve too? The ultra defensive approach won't work anymore. Donegal deservedly beat Mayo in that 2012 final and were awesome that year. Great team and Jim did an amazing job."
Exactly. Jim is far from stupid. People lazily assuming that IF he did take on another county job whether it be in Down or Donegal or wherever, that'd just play the same card trick again and hope it works? Daft.

Even before talking about tactics and style, one thing you can be sure of is a seismic culture change if Jim is involved. Every squad member will be expected to commit fully and squeeze every last drop of effort out of themselves for the cause. That in itself is the foundation that Jim will insist on. Everything else after that in terms of style, tactics depends on playing personnel available.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9151 - 10/11/2021 14:41:16    2389028

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keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 10/11/2021 14:59:29    2389031

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Phew!! Saved by the skin of our teeth. Onwards and upwards

FiorDunach (Down) - Posts: 72 - 10/11/2021 15:42:58    2389036

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Glad to see Jim seen sense, who in their right mind would get involved with a a AFL scout and a team that's been Finitoed for years."
Reasons why people would want to manage/coach Down:

1. While the modern era has seen Down fall on difficult times, Down is a sleeping giant. As the early 1990s and 2010 show Down is a county capable of awakening from its slumbers to challenge at the top level. If a manager could reestablish Down as a major force his stock as a manager would be greatly enhanced.

2. Moderate/low expectations. A new manager would get time to build his own team as few people would expect Down to be imminent challengers to win titles.

3. Tradition:

Along with Cavan, Down have the most All Ireland titles of any county in Ulster with 5. They have won more national titles at Senior level than any other Ulster county. (9, 5 All Irelands, 4 NFLs). They are the only Ulster County to win the All Ireland and National Football League double more than once (1960 &1968). A 100% winning record against in the Championship. (5-0).Does any other team hold a winning record against Kerry in the Championship??

4. Down Under 20s

The Down Under 20s team are the current Ulster Champions and there are some very talented players in the team. There should be genuine hope that this team can provide a platform for a much more competitive team in the coming years. Teams that win competitions also develop a winning mentality that they bring with them into Senior football.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1617 - 10/11/2021 16:10:43    2389045

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Replying To dickie10:  "Down people wont let Jimmy McGuinness get near that job, they usually go for a Down man as manager, dont know if there ever was an outsider there. Plus they play open attacking football so mcguinness would be a disaster there totally the wrong style of play, mcguinness defensive stuff is gone with the high bike now anyway. surely plenty of Down men with all irrelands to do the job."
Wasn't Paddy Tally, a Tyrone man their last manager? Down people wanted him clearly..

Donegal_abroad (Donegal) - Posts: 1321 - 10/11/2021 16:23:48    2389047

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Glad to see Jim seen sense, who in their right mind would get involved with a a AFL scout and a team that's been Finitoed for years."
Yeah, Jim prefers soccer over Gaelic football.

Speaking to The Irish Times, the 2012 All-Ireland winning manager revealed that he is "very much focused on soccer at the moment"

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2478 - 10/11/2021 16:29:49    2389048

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Replying To yew_tree:  "In fairness he makes a valid point. Football is always evolving and we seem to be back at a more attacking style which is great. Maybe Jim has/will evolve too? The ultra defensive approach won't work anymore. Donegal deservedly beat Mayo in that 2012 final and were awesome that year. Great team and Jim did an amazing job."
Takes two to tango and the 2014 All-Ireland final was very much that as Kerry had a defensive strategy in place themselves. Was a single point between the sides the a goalkeeping error swung the contest.

Yondu (UK) - Posts: 845 - 10/11/2021 16:34:34    2389049

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He probably saw his time with Donegal as an opportunity to launch a career in soccer management, put himself in the shop window so to speak.
Look, more power to him, whenever a young lad leaves the GAA to play Aussie rules the support amongst GAA people is almost universal, this is no different.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1717 - 10/11/2021 19:17:38    2389059

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