Hard to believe both these teams are playing Div 2 football next year, but there you go. Without big Neil Gallagher I reckon at the very least Down will break even at midfield. I think Donegal will have too much up front for them though, Eoin Bradley gave Down all sorts of trouble at the back in the last match, with quality like Paddy McBrearty, McFadden and Murphy Donegal should come through.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 17/06/2013 17:43:46    1409146

this will be a easy win for donegal

castlebar (Mayo) - Posts: 8 - 17/06/2013 18:30:00    1409204

I think that we will win, just because we have the attacking options from 3 sources now. Midfield is a huge weakness for us at the moment, but it is not the end of the world, most of our attacks comes from quick breaks up the field from our own back line rather than from kick out posession. This is a risky game, we are relying on opponents to have off days with free takers, and with scoring in general. Have to say that Down were very impressive against Derry and will pose a serious test. If they win, it wont be a fluke.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 17/06/2013 19:22:32    1409266

I think Donegal are still in number one position to win the All-Ireland and they are determined to win three ulster's in a row. Donegal to win by at least six points.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1792 - 17/06/2013 19:31:52    1409277

It'll be tight enough. Wouldn't rule out a draw.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 17/06/2013 19:59:53    1409316

I think IF down tighten up their defence it'll come down to whoever takes their goal chances, both teams have showed off some very classy goals this year so it'll hopefully come down to that

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 17/06/2013 20:25:07    1409360

Donegal & Mayo humilated Down in 2012..James Mc Cartan has said that He wants to write the wrongs of 2012 and his priorty in 2013 is to prepare for the championship. Niall Moyna has done a lot of hard work to prepare Down mentally and physically for this years championship and I really do not expect Down to falter like they did last year.This game is the first opportunity to address the nightmare of 2012 and we also hope to get another game with Mayo. If Donegal are to win this one I fully expect them to be made to work for it....

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 17/06/2013 20:31:18    1409368

downtothecore
County: Down
Posts: 85

1409368
Donegal & Mayo humilated Down in 2012..James Mc Cartan has said that He wants to write the wrongs of 2012 and his priorty in 2013 is to prepare for the championship. Niall Moyna has done a lot of hard work to prepare Down mentally and physically for this years championship and I really do not expect Down to falter like they did last year.This game is the first opportunity to address the nightmare of 2012 and we also hope to get another game with Mayo. If Donegal are to win this one I fully expect them to be made to work for it....

Down did aswell as anyone against us last year in the first half. Very uncomfortable viewing. We sorted ourselves out at half time and blew you away thereafter but up until that it was by no means plain sailing.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 17/06/2013 21:53:26    1409487

MissDownFanatic
County: Down
Posts: 230

1409360 I think IF down tighten up their defence it'll come down to whoever takes their goal chances, both teams have showed off some very classy goals this year so it'll hopefully come down to that

I think you need to catch yourself on MissFanatic....dont let Down arrogance cloud your logic here. Basically it is Donegal you are playing, the All Ireland Champs who will not be stopped by a team outside the top 6, in fact only one of the top teams have a realistic chance of beating them and this does not include a divison two side. Cork, Kerry, Dublin or Mayo will be the only sides who have a chance of beating the men from the hills...

cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 18/06/2013 08:53:50    1409511

Listen here sour grapes whoops I means cacsmckilly, just because your wonderful homeside couldn't beat Donegal despite numerous broadcasts of confidence and pure arrogance doesn't mean we can't give it a good crack. You may have noticed I used the key words 'if' and 'hopefully' indicating that this is what I hope to happen not what I predict will. For the record, playing all Ireland championships does not scare us we have proved to be able to throw them off their throne before e.g Kerry 2010. If I were you I would concentrate more on good food places to stop on the way to Tullamore

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 18/06/2013 09:40:57    1409547

The outcome of this game will depend on Down taking all their chances & being able to stick the pace for 70 minutes. They could do it but the bookies are rarely wrong & The last two meetings between the sides were comfortable wins for Donegal who have improved since then.
Donegal by 3 - 6

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 18/06/2013 10:03:34    1409570

Burn.

supermon (Monaghan) - Posts: 1073 - 18/06/2013 10:15:35    1409583

God didn't want to come on to this to read the misplaced down arrogance, why did I. Can somebody tell me do they really believe they are that good or are they just putting it on and deep down inside know like the reast of us they are about number 10 in the counrty.

Donegal will dismantle them in a cold a ruthess fashion and finish off whoever makes it to the ulster final and fair play to them. Looking forward to the game

redhanddefender (Tyrone) - Posts: 913 - 18/06/2013 10:29:05    1409593

If I were you I would concentrate more on good food places to stop on the way to Tullamore

Is the game not in Omagh? Anyway this thread is about donegal v down, and the reality is that comments like that will be for the thread next week after one of us joins Tyrone in the back door, heres hoping it wont b us.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 18/06/2013 11:01:52    1409621

18/06/2013 10:29:05
redhanddefender
County: Tyrone
Posts: 446

1409593
God didn't want to come on to this to read the misplaced down arrogance, why did I. Can somebody tell me do they really believe they are that good or are they just putting it on and deep down inside know like the reast of us they are about number 10 in the counrty.

Donegal will dismantle them in a cold a ruthess fashion and finish off whoever makes it to the ulster final and fair play to them. Looking forward to the game


Misplaced Down arrogance? Where? That is just blatant lies. MissDown pointed out Down needed to score goals if they are to win the game, that's just simple logic.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 18/06/2013 11:54:15    1409685

Nope it's in Tullymore county Offaly. I tried to make a comment on the down and Donegal game which you've rightly pointed out this thread is about but as per usual it's hard to make a comment without unwanted back door interjections! Back to the match, if it's as exciting as the Derry game then we're in for a treat! May the best team win

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 18/06/2013 11:57:49    1409690

MissDownFanatic
County: Down
Posts: 232

1409690
Nope it's in Tullymore county Offaly. I tried to make a comment on the down and Donegal game which you've rightly pointed out this thread is about but as per usual it's hard to make a comment without unwanted back door interjections! Back to the match, if it's as exciting as the Derry game then we're in for a treat! May the best team win
__________________________
Allow me to spare your blushes, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 18/06/2013 12:07:47    1409706

Really looking forward to this game between 2 classy
teams, it could be the game of the season! ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 18/06/2013 12:12:26    1409713

18/06/2013 12:12:26
TheGateKeeper
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1857

1409713
Really looking forward to this game between 2 classy
teams, it could be the game of the season! ;)

Regardless of whether you typed this with tongue-in-cheek. It's nice to read something positive about the game from a Tyrone person.

I think we've already seen the game of the season in Ulster, however, Down-Derry. Would be unreal if every game was as fluent and enjoyable. There may be some more enjoyable games ahead in the AI series, we can hope anyway.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 18/06/2013 12:27:22    1409729

The word is that Mark Mc Hugh starts on Sunday in the only change from the starting 15 against Tyrone with Neil Gallagher the man who won't be starting. Ryan Bradley will switch to midfield and Mc Hugh takes his place at half forward. Frank Mc Glynn has fully recovered from his hamstring injury and expects to play a full 70mins. Hoping for a good game on Sunday, dry pitch and a tight encounter with Donegal just to get by!!!
Safe travels to all from both counties....I love championship week!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 18/06/2013 12:36:26    1409740