The only thing Donegal have proven today is that a team with good execution will put them away. Its only a matter of time

__________

I'd very much agree with that.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 23/06/2013 15:28:24    1413286

Won or lose, Down have shown a great account of
themselves during this game, they took on the
'system' with their own version, fair play to
wee james, jimmy wasnt expecting that!
Donegal are not that special!

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 23/06/2013 15:28:58    1413287

If Down could only believe they can do it. they would win this game. The dirt I mentioned on Friday is very obvious today.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 906 - 23/06/2013 15:33:59    1413290

Benny keeps over doing it in possession, Down could be only 1 behind now.

Bennys isolated and his options severely limited due to the defensive tactics that Down have employed for this game. Shame really as Benny could well have asked some serious questions of this Donegal side.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 23/06/2013 15:34:29    1413291

Down are killing themselves here, so many easy chances being missed.

CaisleanCnucha (Dublin) - Posts: 1379 - 23/06/2013 15:35:34    1413293

McFadden is saving their bacon today hes their talisman every match.

seanie08 (Monaghan) - Posts: 1881 - 23/06/2013 15:36:16    1413295

Three things:
1. Donegal don't like it put to them the same way they play.
2. Down will beat most teams if they play like they have today.
3. This ref won't get another game this summer.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2573 - 23/06/2013 15:37:07    1413296

Karl Lacey is so important to this Donegal team and when he isn't playing Donegal are not the same team. Colm McFadden is a cracking player and is keeping Donegal ahead. Down are unlucky, they are just not getting the breaks. There's still more excitement, passion and spectacle in the Ulster Championship than the other 3 snorefest provinces put together.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 23/06/2013 15:37:44    1413297

A few more observations :

- Conor Laverty receives a ridiculous amount of high tackles in almost every game. He is a small player, but the second you wrap your hand and arm around a players head or neck, there is a risk of serious injury

- Donegal's aura of invincibility has been shattered in this game. Down have adapted well to this new 'system' but have lacked cuteness and killer instinct. Teams like Dublin will feel confident that they can beat this Donegal side with a bit of organisation and clinical attitude.

- Down have been sinfully wasteful. They have been excellent in the second half in almost every area except the one they are renowned for ... scoring. They actually could be winning this game, but their execution in the final third has swayed between unlucky and abysmal.

MCMLX (Down) - Posts: 16 - 23/06/2013 15:40:15    1413298

Donegal will be in big trouble when the black card comes in.

Would love to see their defenders actually having to mark a forward one on one.

ClassApart (Meath) - Posts: 1200 - 23/06/2013 15:41:00    1413299

Its very hard to like this Donegal team, getting sick of this cynical fouling.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1668 - 23/06/2013 15:41:30    1413300

refereeing a scandal.yer man ran 12 steps

kavvie (Clare) - Posts: 505 - 23/06/2013 15:42:09    1413302

the ref is giving everything to the A I champions.
Its sad that theres not a ref with a mind of his own out there. Bring back mc Enaney.

border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 906 - 23/06/2013 15:43:50    1413303

And people say that Sludden had a howler....

Down shots themselves here today. If they took shots on they would have won

Donegal .... Nothing great there.

Royalio11 (Meath) - Posts: 789 - 23/06/2013 15:45:26    1413305

ClassApart
County: Meath
Donegal will be in big trouble when the black card comes in.
Would love to see their defenders actually having to mark a forward one on one.



+1

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 23/06/2013 15:46:15    1413306

i doubt that ref will be on McCartan's xmas card list

bladecx (Monaghan) - Posts: 147 - 23/06/2013 15:47:24    1413307

A game that ultimately Down managed to beat themselves in. Donegal where average. The problem is teams have this block against them I reckon. They don't have the confidence to beat them. I reckon if you put a team with belief in their ability and a calmness to their approach they would beat Donegal. Dublin are still the only team Donegal have yet to beat under McGuinness in competitive football. I'd have total confidence that Dublin would beat Donegal if they played them this year. Obviously we have to worry about Kildare and that's all we are looking at at the moment. But if we do come up against Donegal. I reckon we would beat them.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 23/06/2013 15:48:43    1413309

If ever the odious term "puck football" was to be used for a game of football this is it. Shocking, if Down had a single kicker upfront they'd have one easy. This Donegal team won't beat anyone outside of Ulster.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4953 - 23/06/2013 15:49:17    1413310

ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 846

1413300 Its very hard to like this Donegal team, getting sick of this cynical fouling.

No one likes them only if your a Donegal man....they have done extreme damage to Gaelic football.

Here all we can do is hope that his black card system will stop their cynical progress....

Game2Halves (Tyrone) - Posts: 265 - 23/06/2013 15:49:56    1413311

it's a sad state of affairs that our great game has been reduced to this.it's cheating! and it's winning all-Irelands the sooner the black card comes in the better.

bladecx (Monaghan) - Posts: 147 - 23/06/2013 15:50:16    1413312