The rest of the county boards in Leinster still believe that their players are in love with the idea of a day out in Croke Park - and not even a 27 point hammering can contaminate that treat.... Although maybe it's just the money

towngoal (Galway) - Posts: 14 - 21/07/2015 08:14:22    1756737

don't necessarily agree with venue but to suggest it is about money is a bit wide of the mark. they reckon 40,000 is break even when opening croker and i would guess they wont be near that number and they know it.

someone else suggested that the reason is the gaa believe everyone "deserves" a chance to play in croker sort of thing i.e. as if they are dealing with children (sometimes it seems so). that to me sounds more likely.

sligo definitely a non runner as it is too close to donegal. Castlebar prob was best choice but donegal fans may think it is too close to galway

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1920 - 24/07/2015 12:51:31    1758391

Sligo too close to Donegal, don't think so mate, it would take me 2hrs and 45 to get to Sligo....

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 24/07/2015 13:30:57    1758414

Yes Ben but if you were in Bundoran it is 22 miles away whereas the nearest Galway point to Sligo is Milltown 60 miles away.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1973 - 24/07/2015 13:41:42    1758422

most of donegal population in the northern half and west of county. Ballyshannon and bundoran are now gaa backwaters. All irrelevant talk now anyway. I thought that most football was played in north galway?

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 24/07/2015 14:00:36    1758429

Agree Donegalman it is irrelevant now but the point is in terms of neutral it is the most central location to the counties not necessarily to where the football heartlands or the majority of the population. Galway City and west of it had 8 out of the 15 starting against Derry. Micheal Breathneachs in Inverin who had 3 starters is 105 miles from Sligo. Bottom line is Castlebar is definitely not neutral and favours Galway in terms of distance while Sligo slightly more neutral but favours Donegal in terms of distances.

kiloughter (Galway) - Posts: 1973 - 24/07/2015 14:49:45    1758453

In regards to neutral venue it has to be in lenister if its a single game between donegal and galway. if its a double header with tyrone and sligo same applies

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 24/07/2015 14:58:59    1758461

Donegal will win

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 24/07/2015 15:29:35    1758481

I have no difficulty going to croke park. Any excuse really. 2 matches as well.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 24/07/2015 16:51:05    1758519

Will defo wander in to see Donegal v Galway. Donegal will win but be interested to see how Galway are progressing.

SeppBlatter (Dublin) - Posts: 187 - 24/07/2015 16:55:29    1758521

All very quiet on whether Michael Murphy will make it. Does anyone know how serious his injury is or is he injured at all?

mickyrua (Donegal) - Posts: 55 - 24/07/2015 18:15:12    1758548

Murphy is a serious doubt from what I've been hearing all week. Doesn't look like he'll start the game at this stage. Lacey looks like he will miss out too. Two massive losses. Murphy's leadership alone is worth an extra player

HandballRef (Donegal) - Posts: 523 - 24/07/2015 18:59:51    1758562

If murphy doesnt make it we might as well kiss the baby. We are really going to struggle if he is unfit. That is a crazy way to end up going into august, however this happened, at training as far as I am aware, is unacceptable.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3846 - 24/07/2015 19:10:17    1758565

Cheers for that. 2 massive losses surely. Feels like the build up to the Laois game in 2013 all over again. I would love to see Jigger and Eoin McHugh getting a run in the wing half forward line. Those lads are fresh and have serious pace.

mickyrua (Donegal) - Posts: 55 - 24/07/2015 19:16:15    1758568

Massive blow if Murphy out of the game. Again Donegal have been fielding almost the same core players for a couple seasons now. Maybe having Murphy and Lacey out will allow a couple of fresh faces and legs to shake things up.
Do we accept the Championship out of reach and start to build a team for the future.
The current squad looked tired in the Monaghan game. Dont think the current team can continue without freshening it up. They have had a couple of hard seasons. Their annual path to the finals has taken a lot out of them.
Do they have enough in the tank for Galway

Kirkintilloch (Donegal) - Posts: 43 - 25/07/2015 10:18:28    1758645

Sam84
I don't agree with you on Monaghan having the forwards to take on the McGees
For starters where was Kieran Hughes?? On E McGee and tell us what did he do
Fair enough C McManus did cause N McGee trouble and I doubt if Monaghan would have won without C McManus He got great scores on Sunday , not many other forwards would have got them. I have always said CMcM is the best scoring forward in Ireland at present , way better than J o Donoghue
The two McGees have proved themselves over the years, especially Neill and if ( and I expect us) we beat Galway then they are the lads to mark A o Shea /C O Connor when we meet Mayo.
What people don't realise here is how Donegal cleaned up in the second half last Sunday but bad shooting / bad options let them down but we had enough chances to won two games
Other thing is --- Monaghan got three points in the second half, last one Murphy lost possession and indeed his wayward kick lead to Monaghans last point before half time
Another thing how many teams would have beaten Monaghan last Sunday------ their defensive discipline was brilliant ( compared to Derry against Galway) they kept it going right to the end and I doubt if Kerry Mayo or indeed Dublin would have broken down Monaghan last Sunday How many teams would have persisted with their game plan like Monaghan did last Sunday. ??
Times in the first half their kick outs were uncontested by Donegal ( all the Donegal team behind the halfway line ) and Monaghan players carrying the ball to the Donegal wall , then kick sideways , back ways and waiting to create an opening. But they still persisted and lead 8-4 at H/t
Galway next Saturday will come up against a type of game that they have not experienced before , a defensive setup that have conceded 1-9. 0-8 o-10 and 0-11 I four games and I can't see Galway scoring much more to be honest
In saying all that I understand that Donegal have been around a long time , have put in some serious efforts and realise that the players can't go on forever but we will win , maybe ugly but I still think we are good enough as we could have easily won last Sunday's game had we shot a little bit better and I thought we finished out the game fairly well so I think there is still life there

SamOnErrigal (Donegal) - Posts: 1427 - 26/07/2015 10:16:01    1759010

Karl Lacey out but both Murphy & McBrearty passed fit to play.

Not much talk here about this game.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 27/07/2015 19:24:07    1759979

mickyrua
County: Donegal
Posts: 36

1758568
Cheers for that. 2 massive losses surely. Feels like the build up to the Laois game in 2013 all over again. I would love to see Jigger and Eoin McHugh getting a run in the wing half forward line. Those lads are fresh and have serious pace.

I think Darrach O'Connor would be more dangerous further out the field, especially to a team with Donegal's free taking capability. If he was given McFadden's role out the field, he would be near Impossible to stop without fouling. He sometimes gets Isolated Inside, and doesn't get enough ball to pose a genuine threat.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 27/07/2015 19:40:03    1759985

This will be a very tough one for Galway. We are capable of a shock but definite underdogs. It will be interesting to see if shane walsh will start. I can't see it happening personally.

Rocky.Road (Galway) - Posts: 376 - 30/07/2015 14:08:53    1761229

Should be interesting game lads, Galway haven't won a game in Crokepark since 2001 coincidently the last time they won Sam. Kevin Walsh has definetly made them tighter at the back and will go into the game pumped up,, but i feel If Donegal implement their game plan effectively their will only be one winner. Although if Donegal are tired from being on the road a while , Galway certainly have forwards who can hurt them. But Donegal have really good players and the freedom of not facing a tight game against Monaghan or another Ulsterside I think will give them more of a freshness and focus. A change can be as good as a break.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 01/08/2015 08:35:09    1761896