Mayo are raging hot favourites. Not a chance can Donegal win this game

withdraw (Donegal) - Posts: 94 - 29/07/2013 16:23:43    1446553

ExiledinDublin
County: Mayo
Posts: 20

1446521 An Ulster ref for this game is a crazy decision. Same applies for the ref in the Dublin Cork game. how difficult would it have been to swap the refs in these 2 games?

Have to agree. Although I wouldnt have Coldrick again after the ulster final. But yeah an ulster ref is a strange decision!!!

DLlegends (Donegal) - Posts: 503 - 29/07/2013 16:23:44    1446554

Delighted mayo and donegal facing off , as one of our big threats will be gone , hard call , really hard to call , the start will be crucial who ever starts best win,s , complete 50 _ 50 call , hardest game to call in my opinion .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 29/07/2013 16:30:44    1446571

The more I think of it, and as much as it pains me to say it, I can only see Mayo winning this game. For Donegal's system to work as it should, Lacey and McHugh are absolutely vital. Neither are going to be available to us on Sunday. Karl might make an appearance from the bench but he won't start. Without the two lads involved our counter-attacking play is slowed down by at least 20%. Aswell as that deficit in pace, you lose a more important dimension: namely innate footballing nous. No harm to the two lads who will most likely replace them, Declan Walsh and Ryan McHugh. Walsh is a solid, dependable sort, but he lacks the vision that Lacey offers. Ryan McHugh is an able deputy for his older brother but he is probably a year or two early for this level.

We saw what happened when we were suddenly without both. Monaghan blew us out of the water with their intensity and defensive plan. Without that quick and ruthless counter attacking option, we looked laborious and ponderous in attack. Monaghan simply waited and waited for the right moment, then swarmed us in droves meaning many of our attacks frustratingly petered out. Laois adopted a similar plan but weren't able to successfully execute it as well as Monaghan. It was only in the last 10 minutes or so, when Laois had to come up and chase the game that we were able to find the space and seal the win.

This weekend will be an intriguing encounter. Our lads will give their all as usual. But I just think that Mayo's experience, hunger and game plan will prove too much for us. I think I posted it on another thread - my prediction is a fairly low scoring game with Mayo to win.

Mayo 0-14 - 0-09 Donegal.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9788 - 30/07/2013 09:49:01    1447199

I wonder will Mayo resort to the cynicism that they displayed in the final last year.

Break_er (Donegal) - Posts: 798 - 30/07/2013 10:17:01    1447230

Break_er
County: Donegal
Posts: 782

1447230 I wonder will Mayo resort to the cynicism that they displayed in the final last year.
____________

That's how they play under Horan... you'll def see it

But then again...many people had called them too soft for years... so they did have to bring in a certain amount of grit.

There will be plenty of controversial moments I'm sure...but a strong ref can sort that out very quickly

As per the AI final last year

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 30/07/2013 10:21:00    1447237

I dont think it is that clean cut lockjaw. Yes those lads were a factor, but I would say that the loss had more to do with the guys still on the pitch than the ones off it. I would say those lads will up the ante considerably for this game and that donegal will produce a good performance. I think we should aswell, so really and truely, this game could go either way. It could be as simple as whoever gets the bit of luck they need will win.

What I will say is, mcguinness has had his say and horan has had his say back, let's hope that is the end of that stuff and the rest of the week passes without things getting over the top.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 30/07/2013 10:24:34    1447241

Because of the Donegal players missing at the minute they cant really play the 2012 style

As you could be seen against Laois they went back to the 2011 model

Expect to see the same again Mayo

This will ba a very low scoring game.... think the 2011 semi-final versus Dublin

Both in score line and tactics

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 30/07/2013 10:27:14    1447244

jimbodub
That's how they play under Horan... you'll def see it
But then again...many people had called them too soft for years... so they did have to bring in a certain amount of grit.
There will be plenty of controversial moments I'm sure...but a strong ref can sort that out very quickly
As per the AI final last year

That is fine by me. Just as long it is applied to both teams this time. If that happens then I believe we can win the game.
If the ref takes issue with 1 team only, when it is both teams that play with a cynical element on occasion, then he will spoil the game. But then the same applies to the monaghan-tyrone and dublin-cork games...

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 30/07/2013 10:37:07    1447261

Donegal had to peak way back for their game v Tyrone. they've been struggling ever since and look like a tired team.

Mayo had to peak for Galway, but due to the easy win against the tribesmen and subsequently v Roscommon and London they are a lot fresher.

Mayo to win.

valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1903 - 30/07/2013 10:42:27    1447270

jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 10781

1447244
Because of the Donegal players missing at the minute they cant really play the 2012 style

As you could be seen against Laois they went back to the 2011 model

Expect to see the same again Mayo

This will ba a very low scoring game.... think the 2011 semi-final versus Dublin

Both in score line and tactics

I think you are wide of the mark here Jimbo in that the Laois game was nothing like 2011. If anything it was Laois who parked the bus as they had 2 sweepers at all times. No complaints, just the way it was.
It will I think be an attrirional game though, my hope is that now that we are back in HQ & playing Mayo, the lethargy will dissipate. I do however believe that the Absence of Lacey & McHugh will make the difference, both are pivotal to Donegal without them Mayo's desire & need to win will carry them through.
Mayo have been my pick all year based purely on their need to win. Cillian O'Connor's fitness is the only big question mark on them. Horan is a fine manager & I read this morning that he has done a huge amount of work with them all winter in the tackle. He recognised a weak area & concentrated on it, a good sign.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 30/07/2013 10:46:46    1447278

jimbodub
Donegal didn't play their 2011 system against Laois and I am assuming you are getting that assumption from highlights on the Sunday Game or were you in Carrick On Shannon.

Laois played everyone behind the ball to stifle Donegal and it worked to a certain extent but unlike Donegal against the Dubs in 2011 you have to come out at some stage and try to win the game and when they did Donegal found the gaps to move further ahead. Donegal played the same against Laois as they did in 2012 with a full forward line of 3, one sweeper and the two half forwards playing wide of midfield.

There won't be any change to this on Sunday either unless we are struggling at midfield and then you will see Murphy playing a deeper role.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 30/07/2013 10:50:25    1447282

The Master

I think you raise a valid point about the Monaghan v Tyrone game and this will have a big influence on our game on Sunday. I expect Monaghan v Tyrone to be a war and discipline elements of that game will be fresh in the mind of the ref on Sunday who will be looking out for similar cynical tactics if they occur.

Like yourself I don't mind the ref stampimg his authority on cynical fouling as long as he is consistent!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1677 - 30/07/2013 10:54:16    1447292

I have a sneaking feeling for Mayo by a bigger margin than people will expect.

D'ont ask me why tho.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 2931 - 30/07/2013 11:00:35    1447298

Interesting comments from Horan. I read McGuiness comments regarding injuries and think he may have a point.
Donegal are no shrinking violets and play a high tempo and physical game but as a Down fan I was at both the Down/Donegal Ulster final last year and then the Down/Mayo quarter final. There was no comparison between those two teams as regards off the ball stuff and blatant fouling.
Mayo took the black arts to a level I had never witnessed before and to be honest my attitude to them has changed since that day. Id rather Tyrone won the all-Ireland before they do and for a Down fan to say that shows how much I dislike their method of "playing" football.

Tim_Burr (Down) - Posts: 460 - 30/07/2013 11:04:11    1447304

Sorry lads... I could only go on what I saw and heard...

Looked more like the 2011 model to me but in saying that you boys are in the know and I wouldnt even attempt to say otherwise

So I bow down to your superior knowledge on this one...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 30/07/2013 11:07:41    1447310

The bookies have Mayo favorites to win this game, and on this I am basing that it is Mayos game to lose unless....

Mayo shoot numerous wides, especially from long range, the earlier the worse it will be for them
All 3 of our forwards have an outstanding day at the office
We dont concede a goal

It will be one sided if any of the above 3 factors are missing.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3849 - 30/07/2013 11:16:26    1447329

Damned if we do damned if we don't. For years Mayo were too soft and everybody liked them for this. Honest to God lads that tried to win matches playing a nice brand of football. Now that they we aren't as nice and a soft touch others have an issue. Get over yourselves. These "Black Arts" what are they? Thumping a very poor Down team by 12 points,Yes a Dark Day for you but what were the shocking incidents in that game, so shocking that I don't recall them. The brain sometimes does that, causing amnesia to protest itself from the horror of it all.

peile (Mayo) - Posts: 180 - 30/07/2013 11:21:21    1447335

TheMaster,

True. The fact that some of your key forwards are either missing or not fully match fit might balance out the absence of McHugh and Lacey for us.

As you say it could be that one mistake, that one moment of brilliance which you simply can't plan for, that may decide the outcome of this match. e.g. Murphy's blockbuster goal in last year's final.

What I will say is, mcguinness has had his say and horan has had his say back, let's hope that is the end of that stuff and the rest of the week passes without things getting over the top.

Amen to that.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9788 - 30/07/2013 11:24:47    1447340

jimbodub
County: Dublin
Posts: 10782

1447237
Break_er
County: Donegal
Posts: 782

1447230 I wonder will Mayo resort to the cynicism that they displayed in the final last year.
____________

That's how they play under Horan... you'll def see it

But then again...many people had called them too soft for years... so they did have to bring in a certain amount of grit.

There will be plenty of controversial moments I'm sure...but a strong ref can sort that out very quickly

As per the AI final last yea

You nearly had it all right up until your last point Jimbo. The amount of late third man tackles Mayo got away with in that game was unreal. Not seen on TV, you had to be at the game to see them as they were so late they were off camera. How Donal Vaughan finished the game that day I'll never know.

Break_er (Donegal) - Posts: 798 - 30/07/2013 11:24:53    1447341