This could be a short thread, but sticking it up anyway, although I'm not sure how much appetite there is for it, at least from our perspective!
Am I correct in that 2010 is the only championship win Down have against us since 1996? I believe otherwise we won mostly fairly handily in 2002, 2003 (qualifier), 2012, 2013 and 2018. Not sure if I've missed any.
Donegal are down Murphy (retired), McBrearty (injured), Gallen (injured), and the St. Eunan's O'Donnell brothers (opted out) from players who would have first choice or close in the starting front six last year. Ryan McHugh is also out injured for the season. Hard to see where our scores are going to come from. Thompson and Langan can knock over a few long ones, but otherwise it's just Jamie Brennan, who hasn't been setting the world alight, and Conor O'Donnell, who's still fairly new at this level. I'm not even sure if Peadar Mogan will be back for this.
Throw in the absolute chaos behind the scenes, the subsequent treatment of Paddy Carr, the thrusting of Aidan O'Rourke into the hot seat with a few weeks to prepare, the overall disillusionment with the county set up and the negative play which was evident in attendances last year, and I don't see too many Donegal ones making the trip.
Big chance for Down here, assuming they're in somewhat decent shape.
I still think it's a Division 1 team (well Div 2 now I guess) against a team that couldn't get out of Division 3 you'd have to think that Donegal could put 15 players out there that would beat Down.
Donegal are in chaos. Down have home advantage and looked to have improved a bit this season and with the assistance of Jimmy McGuinness for insider insight added to the Kilcoo blueprint, you know that they will set up ultra defensively. They will at the very least be organised and defensively well structured. I'm not a betting man but Down are a great bet to win this match and should be favourites in my opinion.
As 10th ranked team from the league, Donegal also have the safety net of the qualifiers. Down need to beat Donegal and Armagh / Cavan to avoid the Tailteann cup so they have a lot more incentive.
Down are division 3 for a reason. It's Donegals to lose. Regardless of th mess theyre supposedly in they've played the top teams all through the league. Down are a way off competing with that level.
Quote from: snoopdog on April 17, 2023, 01:14:28 PM
Down are division 3 for a reason. It's Donegals to lose. Regardless of th mess theyre supposedly in they've played the top teams all through the league. Down are a way off competing with that level.
Ordinarily I would agree but Donegal looked more and more demoralised as the League wore on and were not playing anywhere remotely like a division one outfit by the end. It's not possible to turn that around in a month, they will need a complete reset next year. Down are no world beaters and won't be pretty to watch but they have definitely improved a bit and could have got promotion but for a late Fermanagh goal against them.
I think Down have improved massively this year and it was surprising they didnt earn promotion.
I fancy them in this tbh.
However, if Down do finish up in the TC, it wouldnt be the worst thing for their development.
They'd be in with a real shout at winning it.
Quote from: snoopdog on April 17, 2023, 01:14:28 PM
Down are division 3 for a reason. It's Donegals to lose. Regardless of th mess theyre supposedly in they've played the top teams all through the league. Down are a way off competing with that level.
But Donegal didn't compete at that level. They may have played in Division 1, but they were out of their depth this year, for a number of reasons.
It's a bit of a puzzler - the big question is what sort of Donegal turn up.
Really had the feel of a team that had thrown in the towel at the end of the league.
Down had an ok but not a great league - when you look at their results against the sides they've played in the league who have already been in action in the championship, it's hard to have much faith in them getting a result unless Donegal are just abysmal.
Beat Tipp by a goal in the league - Tipp beat Waterford by 4 points
Beat Antrim by a point - Antrim lost by 9 points to Armagh
Beaten by Fermanagh by a point - Fermanagh lost by 1-9 to Derry
Beat Longford by 5 points - Longford lost by a point to Offaly
Beat Offaly by 12 points - Longford lost by a point to Offaly
I think Division 3,teams been shown up in recent weeks, this weekend with Down and Cavan I suspect no difference.
Donegal were very poor for large parts of the league and have all sorts of problems. I expect Down to be very fit and well set up. Their u20's already showed this under Laverty. Definitely a potential upset on the cards.
I wouldn't totally rule out Cavan v Armagh either. Graham has a habit of pulling of big results and Armagh's record in Ulster has been very very poor since 2008. Cavan would have won more games than them in that time I'd imagine.
Quote from: tbrick18 on April 17, 2023, 01:31:21 PM
I think Down have improved massively this year and it was surprising they didnt earn promotion.
I fancy them in this tbh.
However, if Down do finish up in the TC, it wouldnt be the worst thing for their development.
They'd be in with a real shout at winning it.
Down lost out to Cavan and er Fermanagh for promotion. Donegal , chaos notwithstanding, should have too much for them.
Quote from: Redhand Santa on April 17, 2023, 01:58:28 PM
Donegal were very poor for large parts of the league and have all sorts of problems. I expect Down to be very fit and well set up. Their u20's already showed this under Laverty. Definitely a potential upset on the cards.
I wouldn't totally rule out Cavan v Armagh either. Graham has a habit of pulling of big results and Armagh's record in Ulster has been very very poor since 2008. Cavan would have won more games than them in that time I'd imagine.
No ones ruling out Cavan. 2 evenly matched teams and Cavan are a different animal in championship compared to the league. That being said if we want to go anywhere this yesf we need to be beating them
Quote from: seafoid on April 17, 2023, 03:37:22 PM
Quote from: tbrick18 on April 17, 2023, 01:31:21 PM
I think Down have improved massively this year and it was surprising they didnt earn promotion.
I fancy them in this tbh.
However, if Down do finish up in the TC, it wouldnt be the worst thing for their development.
They'd be in with a real shout at winning it.
Down lost out to Cavan and er Fermanagh for promotion. Donegal , chaos notwithstanding, should have too much for them.
The bookies seem to have it much tighter in the Down vs Donegal game. +1 Down evs.
For me there is more value in 9/4 Cavan outright.
Cavan are a good team - Down are probably not in the realm of good team (for now at least) however Donegal are not good so they have a very good chance here. I would say as many expect down to win as donegal to win.
Cavan Armagh is likewise. It remains to be seen how good Armagh actually are and Cavan have some very good footballers.
Both very interesting games as Armagh / Donegal beating the opposition well wouldn't shock me but at the same time both of them being turned over wouldn't shock me either.
Monaghan and Roscommon have beat the bookies with passion and good football. No reason why Cavan can't do the same, especially in Breffni. This is a very dangerous fixture for Armagh.
Quote from: Sportacus on April 17, 2023, 05:23:31 PM
Monaghan and Roscommon have beat the bookies with passion and good football. No reason why Cavan can't do the same, especially in Breffni. This is a very dangerous fixture for Armagh.
The analogy lasts as far as Division 3 (promoted) . Monaghan and Roscommon are both D1 teams and both beat D1 teams
Down seem to be on up... and donegal seem to be on the downwards slope but I think down are currently not far enough up the slope and donegal are not far enough down the slope. I would expect donegal to win it as they have competed at a higher level in the league but I expect down to be competitive and ...who knows
Did the Fermanagh Derry result tell us what level Down are operating on?? No doubt they'll be fitter and better organized but if you track the runners (Kilcoo) style they don't have the marquee forwards. Donegal by 4 for me. They've still a core of excellent players despite the mess.
Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.
Quote from: ck on April 17, 2023, 10:48:04 PM
Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.
Has Mickey Harte broke the habit of a lifetime and begun playing challenge matches?
Quote from: yellowcard on April 17, 2023, 11:23:56 PM
Quote from: ck on April 17, 2023, 10:48:04 PM
Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.
Has Mickey Harte broke the habit of a lifetime and begun playing challenge matches?
Yes apparently so. Even played challenge games pre Christmas when they were not supposed to - wearing non DKIT jerseys in disguise.
I think Down are a team on the up but we'll know more next year. Donegal are not in a good place. Down winning this wouldn't be a massive shock for me. But like the Cavan Armagh game, the gap between top division and third division may be too wide.
Looking at the 2 teams named. Donegal look to have an advantage at midfield, but I think Down have the stronger bench.
I'm hoping this is the game Liam Kerr shows the rest of the country what he can do.
Home advantage to edge it for Down.
Oisin Gallen is supposed to be injured, so doubt if that team is accurate. If it is, it would be the first time in a decade that Donegal named an accurate 15 before any players set foot on the pitch on match day.
From what I've read, Down are a quick, running team. Donegal are wide open at the back with runners repeatedly slicing through at will the past few years. There'll be goals there for Down if they can turn Donegal over.
One stat.
Donegal haven't lost their first championship game of the season since 2010 when Down beat them by 1-15 to 2-10 after extra-time in an Ulster quarter-final in Ballybofey. Since then Donegal have won twelve times, beating Tyrone three times, Fermanagh (2), Cavan (2), Antrim (2), Down (1), Derry (1), Armagh (1).
Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.
Quote from: ardtole on April 23, 2023, 11:58:19 AM
Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.
Not sure how anyone could fancy Donegal today. It's an ideal draw for Down being at home to a Donegal side in chaos. I'm not actually sure how good Down are but I'd be fairly certain they'll at least be organised and difficult to break down. That could be enough against Donegal and I don't expect this to be one for the purist.
Quote from: ardtole on April 23, 2023, 11:58:19 AM
Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.
Wishing the mourne neighbours all the best
Looking forward to getting a rattle at you next week
It's been a while!!!
Is Murdock going to feature or is saved for Weds night?
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 23, 2023, 01:49:16 PM
Is Murdock going to feature or is saved for Weds night?
No. Playing on wednesday
Poor defending and goalkeeping by Down for that McGee goal.
Pace of this game seems very slow.
f**k, I hate that petting on a man's head after he misses a shot,
You could hear a pin drop at this match, there's not much to get excited by.
How many men missing for Donegal from last Year ulster final, they seem thin on cover.
Down number 2 very lucky not to see black there.
This is brutal
Any chance that plane piss off, only noise u hear at this game.
Rocket
Great goal that by Kerr a rare piece of quality in a drab game.
If this game was a dog, would you shoot it?
Surely somebody in Newry has a surface to air missile lying about the garage?
Armagh nothing to worry about here. Nyc Sligo was better.
Awful commentary Gilligan and Langan talking to much.3
McBearty, McHugh, and Langan who was injured big losses for Donegal. No scoring threat. While Down well structured they not physical big enough.
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on April 23, 2023, 02:29:55 PM
If this game was a dog, would you shoot it?
I would shoot the plane first
Awful game of football. Walking pace.
The twat in the plane could do with understanding that once a point is made, if you keep making it over and over again, people get annoyed at you and whatever the f**k point it is you're trying to make.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 02:35:57 PM
McBearty, McHugh, and Langan who was injured big losses for Donegal. No scoring threat. While Down well structured they not physical big enough.
They're well structured but their defence looks very vulnerable one on one. Donegal should've had a second goal, Down wide open again.
Quote from: thewobbler on April 23, 2023, 02:37:48 PM
Awful game of football. Walking pace.
The twat in the plane could do with understanding that once a point is made, if you keep making it over and over again, people get annoyed at you and whatever the f**k point it is you're trying to make.
Is it a protest of some sort, it looks like we're going to have to wait for it to run out of fuel for it to stop.
Quote from: shantygael on April 23, 2023, 02:37:27 PM
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on April 23, 2023, 02:29:55 PM
If this game was a dog, would you shoot it?
I would shoot the plane first
Christ but that plane is doing my head in
Least over in the hurling, they physically beating the shit out of each other.
Half time Down 1-4 Donegal 1-3 can't tell the difference between which side played Division 3 football this spring.
Sunny day. Large crowd. On paper an attacking line up for Down.
All the ingredients for a great day out.
I've been to livelier funerals.
Everyone enjoying it? ;D
Two very poor teams. Armagh must be rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Can't really fault the effort, but both sides clearly devoid of confidence and have little threat up front.
I think it's there for Down if they have anything; Donegal just don't have the scores in them.
Is Philly getting smaller?
Down are team with the wind behind them.
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2023, 03:01:58 PM
Everyone enjoying it? ;D
Two very poor teams. Armagh must be rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Can't really fault the effort, but both sides clearly devoid of confidence and have little threat up front.
I think it's there for Down if they have anything; Donegal just don't have the scores in them.
Donegal are definitely there for the taking but based on what I've seen in the first half Down are actually not that good either. Dire contest.
Would they not be handier playing Brennan full forward, at least he can score?
Conleth Gilligan.
Good coach by all accounts.
Shit Co commentator.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 02:41:19 PM
Least over in the hurling, they physically beating the shit out of each other.
Too right they are, hegarty just got sent off
He's like a Down cheer leader, you never know he was over Kilcoo
Quote from: yellowcard on April 23, 2023, 03:05:37 PM
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2023, 03:01:58 PM
Everyone enjoying it? ;D
Two very poor teams. Armagh must be rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Can't really fault the effort, but both sides clearly devoid of confidence and have little threat up front.
I think it's there for Down if they have anything; Donegal just don't have the scores in them.
Donegal are definitely there for the taking but based on what I've seen in the first half Down are actually not that good either. Dire contest.
I went to mass, from reports I made the correct decision.
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 23, 2023, 03:11:26 PM
Conleth Gilligan.
Good coach by all accounts.
Shit Co commentator.
He's all right.
Think Armagh would beat the pick of both teams.
Branagan and Johnson playing well up front for Down, they have improved a bit this half but Donegal are shocking.
Will Armagh play Derry or Monaghan in the Ulster Final?
Down 2-7 Donegal 1-7 with 20 minutes to play.
Jamie Brennan looks like a shadow of the player he once was.
Throw yourself to the ground, win free. 95% of the time it works everytime! In fairness to the ref, there was one such incident in the 1st half when he didn't fall for it
Quote from: Orior on April 23, 2023, 03:13:46 PM
Quote from: Brick Tamlin on April 23, 2023, 03:11:26 PM
Conleth Gilligan.
Good coach by all accounts.
Shit Co commentator.
He's all right.
He definitely talks too much for a Co commentator and you can sense that he's willing Down on.
Quote from: JoG2 on April 23, 2023, 03:27:34 PM
Throw yourself to the ground, win free. 95% of the time it works everytime! In fairness to the ref, there was one such incident in the 1st half when he didn't fall for it
And that was after running 6 or 7 steps with the ball.
Looking bck over the years I say Donegal would won none of their 5 Ulster titles without Murphy, they barely stay up in Division 2 nxt Yr. Unless alot of players come bck.
Some dive by Kerr for penalty. Ref bought it
Dodgy enough free in.
Very soft free for Down there, Havern just ran out of gas.
Never a free >:(
Quote from: yellowcard on April 23, 2023, 03:34:05 PM
Very soft free for Down there, Havern just ran out of gas.
That must be the 3rd / 4th handy 'free' this half for Down
2 shite teams. Standard in Ulster nowhere near as strong as some would have you believe.
Gilligan should not he commentating on Down. His bias and love for down is hard to listen to.
I have already said on another thread no Ulster team gona be anywhere near it come the last 4.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 03:36:46 PM
I have already said on another thread no Ulster team gona be anywhere near it come the last 4.
May well be the case but this is the soft wide of the draw. Armagh should stroll the semi.
It's great to get insight to these players such as their nicknames and what degree they study at university. Adds so much to the spectacle
Everyone will want Donegal in their Sam Maguire group.
Quote from: SouthDublinBro on April 23, 2023, 03:35:04 PM
2 shite teams. Standard in Ulster nowhere near as strong as some would have you believe.
Who? There's a lot of posters on here from Ulster (like yourself), name 1 who has tipped an Ulster team or 2 to win Sam
One thing that looks obvious here, Donegal don't look fit enough compared to last year.
Good second half from Down. Cottoned on that they'd get more out of an open game of football.
If armagh stop kerr they'll win. And shock bias gilligan giving johnston MOTM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 03:41:10 PM
Anything that looks obvious here, Donegal don't look fit enough compared to last year.
They looked like they couldn't give a shite. Perhaps they can hand over their Sam spot to a county that might try.
Quote from: yellowcard on April 23, 2023, 03:39:14 PM
Everyone will want Donegal in their Sam Maguire group.
I'd say so.
Who knows how long Langan will be out now? Gallen is just back but has played little. Mogan is still out. McBrearty might be back... maybe... but will he be match-fit? St Eunans O'Donnells and Ryan McHugh are out for the season. We can't get enough scores.
Well done Down. Deserved winners overall. Hopefully from their perspective this will give them belief ahead of the semi.
Quote from: Ed Ricketts on April 23, 2023, 03:48:07 PM
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 03:41:10 PM
Anything that looks obvious here, Donegal don't look fit enough compared to last year.
They looked like they couldn't give a shite. Perhaps they can hand over their Sam spot to a county that might try.
That's harsh.
You do realize how many are missing?
The players just aren't there at this minute.
Quote from: 5times5times on April 23, 2023, 03:45:57 PM
If armagh stop kerr they'll win. And shock bias gilligan giving johnston MOTM
Kerr scored a very good goal but he also runs up a lot of blind alleys, serious pace though. I think Armagh have far too much up front for that Down defence. I'm glad Down won though as there will be no complacency against our old rivals.
Based on that Donegal will be doing well to stay up in Division 2 next year.
Daniel Guinness the best player on the field by a distance today imho.
Quote from: thewobbler on April 23, 2023, 03:53:37 PM
Daniel Guinness the best player on the field by a distance today imho.
Who was the last representative on the county team from North Down?
Agreed. Guinness and Macaleenan the standout players. But conleth had his black n white knickers on today.
Armagh should tank down but they simply won't because they are so flaky when made favourites.
I thought Danny Magill was the best player on the pitch.
Quote from: 5times5times on April 23, 2023, 03:45:57 PM
If armagh stop kerr they'll win. And shock bias gilligan giving johnston MOTM
Hopefully McCambridge is fit.
Armagh 10pts a better team than Down but as shown last night and in the league they seem to drop off badly in the 2nd Half.
Red headed half back for down was excellent whoever that is? Shaved up the back.
Quote from: Orior on April 23, 2023, 04:00:17 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on April 23, 2023, 03:53:37 PM
Daniel Guinness the best player on the field by a distance today imho.
Who was the last representative on the county team from North Down?
Huh? Carryduff have had at least a dozen county players the past 10-15 players.
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
Donegal a shadow of their former selves, look like a team that want the year to be over. Down obviously have a lot of talent and more coming through, they'll be back at the top table in a couple of seasons. A serious amount of pace and power but missing a few big men.
I'm of an age where I've as much mental scarring from Down teams as Tyrone teams so Im pretty sure Down will not fear Armagh - altho I'd like to think we should have enough for them this year.
Hard to believe that Donegal pushed Derry the whole way to extra time in the Ulster Final last year.
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
That ain't the team that played Derry.
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Aw now!!
In 2009 poor performances were usual for Donegal, but not in the last decade.
Quote from: LC on April 23, 2023, 05:03:38 PM
Hard to believe that Donegal pushed Derry the whole way to extra time in the Ulster Final last year.
Compare the two Donegal line-ups.
And the fact that we had, criticisms notwithstanding, a settled squad and management.
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
Seriously??
A decimated squad, amidst turmoil behind the scenes, an interim management team in place and zero expectation?
That game won't even register in the history of bad Donegal defeats in the Ulster championship.
Off the top of my head from my own experience:
1991 Ulster Final
1995 Monaghan in Ballybofey (hammered a couple of weeks after we dethroned AI champions Down)
2003 Fermanagh in Brewster
2005 Armagh replay
2007 Tyrone hammering
2009 Antrim in Ballybofey
2020 Ulster Final
Every one a far more demoralizing and damaging defeat than today.
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2023, 05:43:59 PM
Quote from: LC on April 23, 2023, 05:03:38 PM
Hard to believe that Donegal pushed Derry the whole way to extra time in the Ulster Final last year.
Compare the two Donegal line-ups.
And the fact that we had, criticisms notwithstanding, a settled squad and management.
The point was to highlight how completely things have went t*ts up in the past 12 months.
Quote from: LC on April 23, 2023, 06:01:18 PM
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2023, 05:43:59 PM
Quote from: LC on April 23, 2023, 05:03:38 PM
Hard to believe that Donegal pushed Derry the whole way to extra time in the Ulster Final last year.
Compare the two Donegal line-ups.
And the fact that we had, criticisms notwithstanding, a settled squad and management.
The point was to highlight how completely things have went t*ts up in the past 12 months.
Fair enough, I misunderstood.
I thought you were expressing amazement that we came so close in that Derry game.
Tits up is a good summation!
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2023, 05:37:10 PM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Aw now!!
Were you not supporting Donegal that day??
Some Antrim man 😉😉
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 23, 2023, 03:33:10 PM
Looking bck over the years I say Donegal would won none of their 5 Ulster titles without Murphy, they barely stay up in Division 2 nxt Yr. Unless alot of players come bck.
Murphy is a legend but Donegal's decline goes way deeper than just missing him. He was well backed up by a very good team who were worth their success. Unfortunately they are a bit of a shambles right now but well done to Down, that's a good win today.
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 07:24:21 PM
Quote from: Milltown Row2 on April 23, 2023, 05:37:10 PM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Aw now!!
Were you not supporting Donegal that day??
Some Antrim man 😉😉
Really? 😂😂
Some boy
Aidan O'Rourke is the greatest charlatan GAA coaching has ever produced. Money for old rope. Great win for Down today, think we'll take Armagh in the long grass next day out.
Quote from: No1 on April 23, 2023, 10:06:22 PM
Aidan O'Rourke is the greatest charlatan GAA coaching has ever produced. Money for old rope. Great win for Down today, think we'll take Armagh in the long grass next day out.
Not even Jesus could raise the corpse of Donegal.
What was the message from the hovering plane? I see Down Gaa released a statement about it.
Quote from: No1 on April 23, 2023, 10:06:22 PM
Aidan O'Rourke is the greatest charlatan GAA coaching has ever produced. Money for old rope. Great win for Down today, think we'll take Armagh in the long grass next day out.
Paddy Bradley as well. Cleaned out an awful lot of clubs at this point.
Poor Paddy Carr carried the can while these bluffers continued to claim their expenses.
Shameless.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2023, 10:59:33 PM
What was the message from the hovering plane? I see Down Gaa released a statement about it.
Watched the highlights on TSG there.
Some rip of a plane was to be heard constantly in the background.
Was annoying but must have been 10 times worse if at the game I'd say.
Quote from: No1 on April 23, 2023, 10:06:22 PM
Aidan O'Rourke is the greatest charlatan GAA coaching has ever produced. Money for old rope. Great win for Down today, think we'll take Armagh in the long grass next day out.
Does this mean the old Down swagger is back? We'll see but if Armagh can't beat that Down side then we have no mission being in an Ulster final anyway.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 23, 2023, 10:59:33 PM
What was the message from the hovering plane? I see Down Gaa released a statement about it.
'sack Sean og'. He's county secretary, was funny for about 10 seconds then annoying as hell for the rest of the time it was in the sky. Whatever people think about the way Down football has been run over the last 20 years this wasn't the time.
The grass need be 3ft high for, Down to take Armagh in the long grass.
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Donegal have really kicked on since the players ousted the management.
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
The quality, or otherwise, of that Antrim squad notwithstanding, the collective angst that broke out in Donegal in the aftermath of that defeat would render it worse IMHO.
Quote from: trailer on April 24, 2023, 09:39:21 AM
Donegal have really kicked on since the players ousted the management.
Exactly. So much for the Patrick mcbrearty words at the end of the league about coming out fighting.
Getting rid of their manager was the worst thing they could have done as they put all the blame at his feet and failed to back that up winning their next game.
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 24, 2023, 09:44:30 AM
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
That was definitely a bad one, but it didn't come out of the blue. Talented or not, that group of players had a track record of extreme inconsistency, while John Joe Doherty's management of the group was not a success (and remember he also got the job in controversial circumstances - the Bonner/Mulgrew joint ticket appeared to have it sorted at one point). He had a couple of decent results the previous year in the qualifiers against Derry and Galway, but he also lost to Antrim in Ballybofey and was given the mother of all hammerings by Cork in the quarter final. By Crossmaglen, the writing was on the wall. That day began with an unbelievably soft goal conceded to a (I'm assuming!) disbelieving Jamie Clark and got worse from there. Everyone by then was just resigned to Doherty being put out of his misery and, assuming the CB didn't f**k it up again, McGuinness, who'd just come within a Murphy penalty off the crossbar in the last minute of an AI U21 title, coming in and whipping the group into shape.
Might be a bit comparable to our current situation I guess in that most people are just waiting for the season to end and the behind the scenes stuff to be sorted so that a new management team can come in and get some kind of organized show back on the road, hopefully with some missing names restored. We've nowhere near the potential we did in 2010, but I don't think we're anywhere near as bad as we are currently exhibiting.
Quote from: J70 on April 24, 2023, 01:46:21 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 24, 2023, 09:44:30 AM
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
That was definitely a bad one, but it didn't come out of the blue. Talented or not, that group of players had a track record of extreme inconsistency, while John Joe Doherty's management of the group was not a success (and remember he also got the job in controversial circumstances - the Bonner/Mulgrew joint ticket appeared to have it sorted at one point). He had a couple of decent results the previous year in the qualifiers against Derry and Galway, but he also lost to Antrim in Ballybofey and was given the mother of all hammerings by Cork in the quarter final. By Crossmaglen, the writing was on the wall. That day began with an unbelievably soft goal conceded to a (I'm assuming!) disbelieving Jamie Clark and got worse from there. Everyone by then was just resigned to Doherty being put out of his misery and, assuming the CB didn't f**k it up again, McGuinness, who'd just come within a Murphy penalty off the crossbar in the last minute of an AI U21 title, coming in and whipping the group into shape.
Might be a bit comparable to our current situation I guess in that most people are just waiting for the season to end and the behind the scenes stuff to be sorted so that a new management team can come in and get some kind of organized show back on the road, hopefully with some missing names restored. We've nowhere near the potential we did in 2010, but I don't think we're anywhere near as bad as we are currently exhibiting.
Donegal are in an unfortunate situation this year with the introduction of the group stages.
There's been a fair few Division 1 teams over the years who've had miserable leagues campaigns and when they got relegated followed it up with miserable championship summers going straight out once they met any sort of decent team. In the old days Donegal could have folded up the tent packed up the show for the summer and effectively taken it off but this year the three group games might well turn into a bit of a lingering torture.
Quote from: twohands!!! on April 24, 2023, 06:38:11 PM
Quote from: J70 on April 24, 2023, 01:46:21 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 24, 2023, 09:44:30 AM
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
That was definitely a bad one, but it didn't come out of the blue. Talented or not, that group of players had a track record of extreme inconsistency, while John Joe Doherty's management of the group was not a success (and remember he also got the job in controversial circumstances - the Bonner/Mulgrew joint ticket appeared to have it sorted at one point). He had a couple of decent results the previous year in the qualifiers against Derry and Galway, but he also lost to Antrim in Ballybofey and was given the mother of all hammerings by Cork in the quarter final. By Crossmaglen, the writing was on the wall. That day began with an unbelievably soft goal conceded to a (I'm assuming!) disbelieving Jamie Clark and got worse from there. Everyone by then was just resigned to Doherty being put out of his misery and, assuming the CB didn't f**k it up again, McGuinness, who'd just come within a Murphy penalty off the crossbar in the last minute of an AI U21 title, coming in and whipping the group into shape.
Might be a bit comparable to our current situation I guess in that most people are just waiting for the season to end and the behind the scenes stuff to be sorted so that a new management team can come in and get some kind of organized show back on the road, hopefully with some missing names restored. We've nowhere near the potential we did in 2010, but I don't think we're anywhere near as bad as we are currently exhibiting.
Donegal are in an unfortunate situation this year with the introduction of the group stages.
There's been a fair few Division 1 teams over the years who've had miserable leagues campaigns and when they got relegated followed it up with miserable championship summers going straight out once they met any sort of decent team. In the old days Donegal could have folded up the tent packed up the show for the summer and effectively taken it off but this year the three group games might well turn into a bit of a lingering torture.
Depending on the draw they could be in a prelim QF can't they? Surely they'll beat Sligo or Westmeath.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 24, 2023, 08:48:37 PM
Quote from: twohands!!! on April 24, 2023, 06:38:11 PM
Quote from: J70 on April 24, 2023, 01:46:21 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 24, 2023, 09:44:30 AM
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
That was definitely a bad one, but it didn't come out of the blue. Talented or not, that group of players had a track record of extreme inconsistency, while John Joe Doherty's management of the group was not a success (and remember he also got the job in controversial circumstances - the Bonner/Mulgrew joint ticket appeared to have it sorted at one point). He had a couple of decent results the previous year in the qualifiers against Derry and Galway, but he also lost to Antrim in Ballybofey and was given the mother of all hammerings by Cork in the quarter final. By Crossmaglen, the writing was on the wall. That day began with an unbelievably soft goal conceded to a (I'm assuming!) disbelieving Jamie Clark and got worse from there. Everyone by then was just resigned to Doherty being put out of his misery and, assuming the CB didn't f**k it up again, McGuinness, who'd just come within a Murphy penalty off the crossbar in the last minute of an AI U21 title, coming in and whipping the group into shape.
Might be a bit comparable to our current situation I guess in that most people are just waiting for the season to end and the behind the scenes stuff to be sorted so that a new management team can come in and get some kind of organized show back on the road, hopefully with some missing names restored. We've nowhere near the potential we did in 2010, but I don't think we're anywhere near as bad as we are currently exhibiting.
Donegal are in an unfortunate situation this year with the introduction of the group stages.
There's been a fair few Division 1 teams over the years who've had miserable leagues campaigns and when they got relegated followed it up with miserable championship summers going straight out once they met any sort of decent team. In the old days Donegal could have folded up the tent packed up the show for the summer and effectively taken it off but this year the three group games might well turn into a bit of a lingering torture.
Depending on the draw they could be in a prelim QF can't they? Surely they'll beat Sligo or Westmeath.
Can't get drawn against Westmeath as both will be in the 4th seed pot.
Given their form of late it's hard to have much confidence in them against any opposition.
Quote from: twohands!!! on April 24, 2023, 09:29:46 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 24, 2023, 08:48:37 PM
Quote from: twohands!!! on April 24, 2023, 06:38:11 PM
Quote from: J70 on April 24, 2023, 01:46:21 PM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on April 24, 2023, 09:44:30 AM
Quote from: ck on April 24, 2023, 09:32:48 AM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on April 23, 2023, 05:10:07 PM
Quote from: screenexile on April 23, 2023, 04:43:01 PM
Is this Donegals worst defeat in Ulster??
No, I'm pretty sure the loss to Antrim in Ballybofey in 2009 would rank higher on that particular scale.
Nonsense. That was a decent Antrim team. Got to Ulster Final and ran Kerry close in the qualifiers.
Down are a poor side and Armagh will easily beat them - this was a very poor result for Donegal, possibly their worst ever.
Would the hiding against Armagh in qualifiers (pre McGuinness) not be their worst? Given the quality of players they had. Yes that Donegal side has talent but post Murphy it was always gonna be a struggle regardless of a good set up or not. Fair played to Down but can see Armagh winning by 5-6.
That was definitely a bad one, but it didn't come out of the blue. Talented or not, that group of players had a track record of extreme inconsistency, while John Joe Doherty's management of the group was not a success (and remember he also got the job in controversial circumstances - the Bonner/Mulgrew joint ticket appeared to have it sorted at one point). He had a couple of decent results the previous year in the qualifiers against Derry and Galway, but he also lost to Antrim in Ballybofey and was given the mother of all hammerings by Cork in the quarter final. By Crossmaglen, the writing was on the wall. That day began with an unbelievably soft goal conceded to a (I'm assuming!) disbelieving Jamie Clark and got worse from there. Everyone by then was just resigned to Doherty being put out of his misery and, assuming the CB didn't f**k it up again, McGuinness, who'd just come within a Murphy penalty off the crossbar in the last minute of an AI U21 title, coming in and whipping the group into shape.
Might be a bit comparable to our current situation I guess in that most people are just waiting for the season to end and the behind the scenes stuff to be sorted so that a new management team can come in and get some kind of organized show back on the road, hopefully with some missing names restored. We've nowhere near the potential we did in 2010, but I don't think we're anywhere near as bad as we are currently exhibiting.
Donegal are in an unfortunate situation this year with the introduction of the group stages.
There's been a fair few Division 1 teams over the years who've had miserable leagues campaigns and when they got relegated followed it up with miserable championship summers going straight out once they met any sort of decent team. In the old days Donegal could have folded up the tent packed up the show for the summer and effectively taken it off but this year the three group games might well turn into a bit of a lingering torture.
Depending on the draw they could be in a prelim QF can't they? Surely they'll beat Sligo or Westmeath.
Can't get drawn against Westmeath as both will be in the 4th seed pot.
Given their form of late it's hard to have much confidence in them against any opposition.
Yeah don't see them beating any of the rest of the teams. Thought they might have had a bit of a kick against Down after roading the manager. Players look like clowns now after that