Replying To papa_pump: "On what basis can you say that Donegal were always going to get a bounce? Murphy was gone, McHugh was seemingly gone, relegation to Div 2 and a beating by down. We were always going to be one of the favourites for division 2, but there was absolutely nothing to suggest that we'd be winning back to back ulsters and within 70 minutes of an All Ireland title. And who cares if Derrys rise impressed you more? I remember you in here a few weeks ago talking us down and Meath up, now you're talking us up when it suits."
2023 seemed to be just a particularly poor year, with many players appearing to down tools. There was perhaps room for a team like Donegal to reinforce Ulster dominance as Derry pretty much collapsed and Tyrone were in transition. It was either going to be Donegal or Armagh but even Armagh were not established in Div 1 over a number of years. The next few weeks and months will be interesting to see who commits or not for next year and that may even include McGuinness and if they genuinely believe they can go one step further. I really don't care whether you agree or disagree with these points to be honest and wasn't looking for your approval.
Replying To Dothesimplethingswell: "Donegals year started early and hard. They were new in Div 1 and survival was paramount. Its a big step up from div 2 league with big games coming thick and fast. With the new redicioulous system the championship almost overlaps the league (so much for player welfare) and Donegal went on to win back to back ulster titles in the only competitive province and in the same breadth its ultra competitive!! A big shift complete before the AI even begun.. Look at Kerry..They always breeze through the league and ended up winning it this year and could have been relegated!!...their munster campaign included extra time with a poor div 2 Cork team. They knew theyd win munster..No ulster team can afford themselves that confidence. If Donegal were playing Cork that day they'd have wiped the floor with them..My point ? Donegal were way ahead in their preparation at that point and had a hell of a lot more work done than Kerry..Why? because they had to. If Kerry were in Ulster they would not be winning it every year or even every 3 years. Kerry were afforded several blunders along the way mainly due to them being in munster and their path to the AI but it allowed them to peak towards the latter end when it was needed most. Donegal nor any other team can not keep up that intensity for the full season and expect to win Sam and they didnt peak as such this season but maintained a high standard throughout except on the day that mattered most. Its hard to make an argument for not competing for 3 in a row Ulsters as this brings its own benefits but combine this with retaining div 1 status and winning an AIl- Ireland? I hope Jim builds rest into next years season and targets a few early league wins, see how Ulster goes and then ramp up for the AI series. The material is there and a lot of lessons learned from the Kerry game."
Kerry breezed past all the Ulster teams by at least 10 pts to spare against the 4 teams. They also won the same league that Donegal were in and maybe I'm wrong but don't all the teams start at the same time. Cork actually beat Ulster champions Donegal last year too so there are a few arguments here that don't stack up!
Replying To winatallcost: "Kerry breezed past all the Ulster teams by at least 10 pts to spare against the 4 teams. They also won the same league that Donegal were in and maybe I'm wrong but don't all the teams start at the same time. Cork actually beat Ulster champions Donegal last year too so there are a few arguments here that don't stack up!"
Meath mens and ladies senior teams lost big games in Croker in the last few weeks by a combined total of 31 points. Maybe that's something you should be delving into more.
I can't see Donegal getting near a final next year if I'm honest. I think this year was the year they simply had to do it with Murphy back and getting himself in great shape, McBrearty clearly past it but offering a bit off the bench and one or two others who father time is catching up on too. I've heard Murphy barely trained for the last 6 weeks of the season such was the toll things were taking on his body. Not sure he will go to the well again and don't think he'd accept being a 15-minute man off the bench. He owes Donegal football absolutely nothing and was genuinely gutted for him after the final. Taking him out of the team for next year and given he was absolutely crucial to Donegal this year then who is going to step up in his place would be the concern.
McGuinness I'd expect to stay on but he needs a freshen up in the backroom team most likely. I heard his pal Declan Bogue floating the idea of a James Horan or similar strong figure to come in and challenge him a bit more than maybe the current lads are doing.
Replying To TrueBlue35: "I can't see Donegal getting near a final next year if I'm honest. I think this year was the year they simply had to do it with Murphy back and getting himself in great shape, McBrearty clearly past it but offering a bit off the bench and one or two others who father time is catching up on too. I've heard Murphy barely trained for the last 6 weeks of the season such was the toll things were taking on his body. Not sure he will go to the well again and don't think he'd accept being a 15-minute man off the bench. He owes Donegal football absolutely nothing and was genuinely gutted for him after the final. Taking him out of the team for next year and given he was absolutely crucial to Donegal this year then who is going to step up in his place would be the concern.
McGuinness I'd expect to stay on but he needs a freshen up in the backroom team most likely. I heard his pal Declan Bogue floating the idea of a James Horan or similar strong figure to come in and challenge him a bit more than maybe the current lads are doing."
I heard someone say, possibly Mark McHugh, that huge huge resources were pumped into Donegal for the 2025 campaign. That well will have to be gone to again not to mention the well that the players will have to go to again. Not an easy thing to do as Galway found out this year. But if there is one person who can manage that it is McGuinness. Possibly needs a fresh voice and ideas in the backroom as you say, a Cian O'Neill type.
Donegal will be back and won't be far away but I do think this was their best chance under Jim. I don't know can players keep going to the well in year 3 and 4 under his training regime. It's not sustainable. Murphy and McBrearty will probably step away. Not sure has Ryan McHugh anything left in the tank.
Jim is a legend and as I said previously on here would have done anything to have had him in Mayo in the past 10 years but that doesn't mean his single minded approach will work in year 3. That's 2 poor performances in the last 2 finals and he would have assured this group of players this was the year. It's a hard one to tell that same group they need to go again even harder.