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Donegal last year compared to this year under Jim McGuinness are prime example to any top 8/10 team how they can improved once it has structure organisation, top level fitness from hard winter training and each and every player buying into a system of play.   With Cork and Clare to come that game yesterday was basically a table topper and the manner and margin of victory yesterday was impressive and it's rarely easy to beat the same Div 1 team twice in a matter of weeks.

Cork could be tricky.They are a decent side. And it's an away fixture on the other side of the country.

The 7 day turn around for Donegal and Cork rested for 14 days is what could make it tricky but I think the confidence Donegal will take from yesterdays win and their fitness/conditioning should be make it alright for them.

Donegal last year compared to this year under Jim McGuinness are prime example to any top 8/10 team how they can improved once it has structure organisation, top level fitness from hard winter training and each and every player buying into a system of play.   With Cork and Clare to come that game yesterday was basically a table topper and the manner and margin of victory yesterday was impressive and it's rarely easy to beat the same Div 1 team twice in a matter of weeks.

 

The team isn't developing though. Terrible on a consistent basis and still no style of play after 2 seasons. United have had injuries but he has spent more than enough to have cover but most of his signings have been bad.

Most of the consistent terrible stuff has been seen this season due to a lot of disruption going on without a settled starting 11 and forced to play 15 different centre back pairings and no natural left back,  it's more survival mode than be able to have a consistent style of play in that situation.  Yesterday especially 1st half and in the majority of the Old Trafford games last season I believe is the style of play Ten Hag wants which is a compact,organised defensively and good on the transition and his signings has played their part in finishing 3rd in the table last season and winning two trophies.

Today showed the old FA Cup still has some charm. Workmanlike performance and deserved win against a City team that was unbeaten in 35 games before today.

Two trophies in two seasons Ten Hag has won for United and before he arrived United hadn't won a trophy since 2017. In his own words "When I took over, it was a mess at United. The team is developing and winning trophies now" This cup win was better than the league cup success last season as both Liverpool and Man City were beaten against the odds.

Lots of pundits and journalists have chosen to ignore the long injury list United have had this season which included patched up back fours with midfielders filling in,  that was the prime reason for such a poor league season and should be taken into account by Jim Ratcliffe and co then they do their end of season review and after it if their decision is to part ways with Ten Hag and replace him with some of the names mentioned in the media it will add another chapter to the decade of incompetence.

IN all honesty, can  anyone see Ten Hag  being still there next season?

I don't think  there's a hope in hell he'll be there come August, fa cup win or not. I would imagine his replacement  has been sorted out weeks ago

Having watched his FA Cup final press conference he doesn't sound like a manager that's departing.  Looking at those touted in the media to replace him none would be much of a upgrade and few would be down grades.   

On McKenna did a decent job as coach when Ole was United manager and has done well with ipswich he'll have plenty of interest from lots of clubs now but might stick with Ipswich for another year and avoiding relegation with them would be another successfully season

Hope we can avoid a tanking....
Lost by 7 in League, the same again best we can hope for.

The way Roscommon have been defending as team this year they'll probably do well to keep it to 7.  Bigger issue is the quick turnaround to next weekend against a rested Mayo. This type of scheduling needed adjustment last year and same goes for the four teams that reaches the last 8 via a play off and not having at least two weeks to prepare for important game.

Was talking to someone who was at the Clare v Cork game. Standard was poor enough from his account.
He said if both Tyrone and Donegal don't manage to beat both of them comfortably they might as well not bothering turning up for the knockout stages.
He didn't give Cork much of a chance in the knockout stages (assuming they pick up the 3rd place spot in the knockouts.

Clare given the huge player turnover and losing a good and long term manager have been more competitive than I expected them to be in the league and championship this year. That was a high stakes game last weekend with both probably knowing the loser could be facing a group stage exit so for matches like that they don't tend to be great in quality.

Kerry's last two championship games against Cork was won by a margin of 2 and 3 points and last year Cork beat two Div 1 teams in Roscommon and Mayo.  With that in mind shouldn't they be able to give Donegal and Tyrone competitive games? and depending on the draw they should be capable of beating a few teams in the play off round to reach what would be their 3rd All Ireland quarter final in a row.

I'm expecting a very tough game for Donegal down in Cork. Could be under serious pressure too if we lose to Tyrone on Saturday.

Donegal v Tyrone should be a real bruising and energy sapping game and what needs to be factored in is it's just a 7 day turnaround for Donegal before they play Cork away who have two weeks to prepare. 

Was talking to someone who was at the Clare v Cork game. Standard was poor enough from his account.
He said if both Tyrone and Donegal don't manage to beat both of them comfortably they might as well not bothering turning up for the knockout stages.
He didn't give Cork much of a chance in the knockout stages (assuming they pick up the 3rd place spot in the knockouts.

Clare given the huge player turnover and losing a good and long term manager have been more competitive than I expected them to be in the league and championship this year. That was a high stakes game last weekend with both probably knowing the loser could be facing a group stage exit so for matches like that they don't tend to be great in quality.

Kerry's last two championship games against Cork was won by a margin of 2 and 3 points and last year Cork beat two Div 1 teams in Roscommon and Mayo.  With that in mind shouldn't they be able to give Donegal and Tyrone competitive games? and depending on the draw they should be capable of beating a few teams in the play off round to reach what would be their 3rd All Ireland quarter final in a row.

Well done Longford the scenes at the end showed how much that title means to their players, management and supporters.  Weathered the 1st half storm to outscored Dublin 0-12 to 0-6 after that.

Awful news for Paddy Durcan hopefully a full recovery for him.  If one to name the top 15 to 20 players in the country at the moment arguably only two Mayo players (Paddy Durcan and Ryan O'Donoghue ) would be in the conversation.

 

Half time Longford 0-3 Dublin 1-4,  Longford manager at the break very honest saying they are lucky to be still in the game and maybe the Leinster final occasion has got to his players.

Can't see these group stages generating any excitement. It's going to be a long slow death for a plethora of teams.

Hard to disagree with that statement.

Depends on what each counties objective is.  How many other Kerry,Dublin at the moment will be aiming to win the All Ireland and see it as bad year if they don't?

I think a view counties will be happy if they reach the last eight and are competitive in that match. Another few and I thinking Donegal,Galway has their eyes set on All Ireland semi final spot at least now.

[Glen players]

Twas always gonna happen that happen that Derry got a few injuries, but that's quite the burst...

All inured at training  not games, heavy training for that. We were in a better position after the league final

And no injuries to the Glen players which was what all the early season fuss was about. Just bad luck.

The break between the Donegal game and today was very much needed for those players.

What's going on with Offaly? 2 really poor results for them

Bit of mystery alright. A number of their 2021 All Ireland U20 winners on that Offaly senior team now and they have the same manager Declan Kelly.

Roscommon 3-5 to 0-7 winners against Galway in Tuam in the Connacht minor semi final tonight.  Roscommon v Mayo Connacht final next Friday in Hyde Park home and away arrangement as with senior level but different to U20 whereby neutral venue was chosen for the final.


Also tonight Sligo beat Leitrim 1-9 to 0-11 in the Shield final.