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Donegal GAA thread

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Replying To Lockjaw: "I think McCahill definitely has the potential to make an impact very soon. He showed glimpses last year in the league before his injury. I watched him in the u20 championship recently, and he looked a cut above everyone on the pitch. A big step up to senior county I know, but what I like about him is his speed and directness inside. Exactly the kind of player teams need with the new rules." I would just be worried about the hamstring injury though. That will definitely slow him down and could be a recurring issue as is with players of that explosiveness Beolive92 (Donegal) - Posts: 27 - 14/11/2026 10:21:17 2700322 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "That Tyrone game was one of the most frustrating matches I think I ever saw. We were so dominant in the first half. With more composure, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say we could have been 10 or 12 points up at half time. Reading the stats, we had 16 wides and 5 shots which dropped short. It was interesting to hear Paddy McBrearty on the Monday Club podcast this week. I'm paraphrasing here a little, but he seemed to suggest that on the big stage, certain players in his era just didn't have the edge to drive things on. The period between 2014 and 2024 when we couldn't get beyond a quarter final. Whilst we're always competitive enough at underage, do we lack that bit of fire and steel to win titles?" Bateman was definitely interesting to listen to. That seemed to be his view alright There were probably a few other factors at play as well, though. They should certainly have won at least one of the Ulster titles in 2015 or 2016, regardless of anything else. In Bonner's first year in 2018, he was flying himself, and I still think the biggest factor was McBrearty's ACL injury in the Ulster final. The ridiculous Super 8 structure didn't help either, giving arguably the best team there had ever been two home games. I don't think McBrearty was ever quite the same player after that. Getting beaten by Mayo in 2019 was a poor day's work, and the Cavan defeat in 2020 was hugely disappointing too. Then Murphy was probably a little stubborn in insisting on playing against Down in Newry in 2021, and that came home to roost against Tyrone. Covid was another unusual factor during that period. Perhaps McGuinness is capable of getting a tune out of a team and bringing them to a level above what others can achieve. Very few, if any, managers can do that. it has a shelf life though. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 14/11/2026 10:29:48 2700323 Link
Replying To greenfan: "Apart from Roarty and maybe Campbell, the players you have listed have made no impact so far in intercounty football." It as Mccahills first year of eligibility at senior and he got a really bad hamstring injury in the 20s and lost out on the whole year. Martin played a little this year. He had a very good club championship and will likely get a good rattle next year. Thomas carr could not play last year as he was too young and it was turlough carrs first year and Muldoon might just a little sharpening up as Gaelic footballer. Maybe these chaps will not all come through but that's something that just happen. A player like roarty having such an impact is very much the exception. It usually takes players a number of years to settle in and it's overall just a bit silly to be calling out a group of young lads who haven't made an impact at senior level yet. Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 14/11/2026 11:22:17 2700327 Link
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "Exactly." It might be better to give lads a chance to develop before judging them after a year or two at senior inter county level. themaddog (Wicklow) - Posts: 196 - 14/11/2026 13:20:30 2700335 Link
Replying To Beolive92: "I would just be worried about the hamstring injury though. That will definitely slow him down and could be a recurring issue as is with players of that explosiveness" Yeah his training/games load would need to be carefully monitored. You'd hope with the emphasis placed on S&C these days they'll be able to manage that well. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10548 - 14/11/2026 13:56:52 2700339 Link
Replying To themaddog: "It might be better to give lads a chance to develop before judging them after a year or two at senior inter county level." 100%. We're very quick writing players off at times, even at the other end of the scale. Hugh McFadden was prematurely retired by many people on these boards on a number of occasions. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10548 - 14/11/2026 13:59:41 2700340 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "Yeah his training/games load would need to be carefully monitored. You'd hope with the emphasis placed on S&C these days they'll be able to manage that well." New S&C coach in too been told he's thought of very highly was with the ladies and few club teams. Be a new dynamic there now though without antoin. Him and Jim knew each other well and he would have understood what he wanted. How much control does the new man get Beolive92 (Donegal) - Posts: 27 - 14/11/2026 14:10:28 2700343 Link
Replying To themaddog: "It might be better to give lads a chance to develop before judging them after a year or two at senior inter county level." True but we've been here before with good underage players that did nothing at senior. Big year ahead for them considering the vacant spots in the panel and a few older players likely into their last season or two of their career eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 505 - 14/11/2026 16:54:13 2700360 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "100%. We're very quick writing players off at times, even at the other end of the scale. Hugh McFadden was prematurely retired by many people on these boards on a number of occasions." I don't believe it's a particularly fair comparison. Hugh may have been written off at times, but even though he struggled to look the part in his rookie seasons he was a visible standout at club level and in county underage setups for a number of seasons before his senior call up. 18-20 year olds might be better served to prove themselves at senior club level rather than learn the senior game behind closed doors in Convoy. SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 538 - 14/11/2026 17:12:26 2700362 Link
Replying To SurelyToGod: "I don't believe it's a particularly fair comparison. Hugh may have been written off at times, but even though he struggled to look the part in his rookie seasons he was a visible standout at club level and in county underage setups for a number of seasons before his senior call up. 18-20 year olds might be better served to prove themselves at senior club level rather than learn the senior game behind closed doors in Convoy." I don't think a one size fits all approach is right either though. We've been lucky to produce a few footballers who could take to senior county football like a duck to water thanks to their ability and physical prowess, (e.g. Murphy, McBrearty, Roarty). Some are just ready, others need a bit of nurturing and experience. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10548 - 14/11/2026 19:05:32 2700375 Link
Replying To Beolive92: "New S&C coach in too been told he's thought of very highly was with the ladies and few club teams. Be a new dynamic there now though without antoin. Him and Jim knew each other well and he would have understood what he wanted. How much control does the new man get" Think Simpson is overseeing the whole programme with Sean Gallagher on the ground implementing it. Simpson was involved in 2012 and is one of the best in the business. Sean Gallagher is also highly thought of throughout the county so should be a good fit. Big season for some of the lads who were on the fringes and will now be expected to step up. ballboy101 (Donegal) - Posts: 261 - 14/11/2026 21:51:13 2700397 Link