Sam Maguire Group 4 - Derry, Clare, Monaghan, Donegal

[J70]

Thats a decent looking Donegal line up
All of a sudden this game isnt the mismatch it was perceived to be.

Compared to Donegal teams of the last 10 years, its not a great Donegal team on paper. This game isn't a mismatch due to Derry's current form.

Quality-wise, it's a pale shadow of those Donegal teams, and we've little to nothing on the bench to come on to swing it.

And if McBrearty didn't even make the bench two weeks ago, I can't see how he could be an option even for 20 minutes this time coming back from a severe hamstring injury.

[imtommygunn]

Derry's current form is drawing with a division one side and winning the ulster title. Donegal's is one win in a tight enough game against a team Derry annihilated last year and defeat to a division three who then got well beat by a team Derry beat. Derry's form poles apart.

[seafoid]

A good chance for Monaghan to build up the scoring distance.

65 mins Monaghan 0-21 Clare 1-16

[Main Street]

Clones.     Mon.1-23  Clare 1-18
According to the unbiased Northern Sound commentary, Clare put up quite a challenge, efficient return of scores to attacks and great accuracy with shots. Monaghan were wasteful, took a while to get their noses ahead and pull away in the last 15 mins.  motm Jack McC.

[greatpoint]

Derry's current form is drawing with a division one side and winning the ulster title. Donegal's is one win in a tight enough game against a team Derry annihilated last year and defeat to a division three who then got well beat by a team Derry beat. Derry's form poles apart.

Using this kind of logic to predict results has been proven infallible to be fair

[Schkite]

FT Monaghan 1-23 Clare 1-18
With squad management being so important with these group games, seems like Monaghan gave the whole defence the day off today

Jokes aside, sounded like a very enjoyable open game in sweltering conditions. Couldn't make it so had to make do with listening to Northern Sound given that it's one of the only games not available to watch anywhere this weekend (and it could be the best game of the weekend)

Monaghan sounded especially flat in the 1st half. Clare were well up for it all game but especially early on and they came out of the blocks firing, seems like everything they shot in the first half, came off. We improved a good bit in the 2nd half but a goal against the run of play kept it neck and neck again. But down the final stretch we finished very well, scores coming from all over and the squad was used very well. The rotation is working well with Jack putting up a series of (what sounds like) very impressive points, after not starting the last day.

[Main Street]

FT Monaghan 1-23 Clare 1-18
With squad management being so important with these group games, seems like Monaghan gave the whole defence the day off today

Jokes aside, sounded like a very enjoyable open game in sweltering conditions. Couldn't make it so had to make do with listening to Northern Sound given that it's one of the only games not available to watch anywhere this weekend (and it could be the best game of the weekend)

Monaghan sounded especially flat in the 1st half. Clare were well up for it all game but especially early on and they came out of the blocks firing, seems like everything they shot in the first half, came off. We improved a good bit in the 2nd half but a goal against the run of play kept it neck and neck again. But down the final stretch we finished very well, scores coming from all over and the squad was used very well. The rotation is working well with Jack putting up a series of (what sounds like) very impressive points, after not starting the last day.

For a good while in that game the unwelcome ghosts of Longford were lingering    A turning point -  Mohan saved a goal bound shot on the line which had it gone in might well have put the game Clare's way

[Schkite]

FT Monaghan 1-23 Clare 1-18
With squad management being so important with these group games, seems like Monaghan gave the whole defence the day off today

Jokes aside, sounded like a very enjoyable open game in sweltering conditions. Couldn't make it so had to make do with listening to Northern Sound given that it's one of the only games not available to watch anywhere this weekend (and it could be the best game of the weekend)

Monaghan sounded especially flat in the 1st half. Clare were well up for it all game but especially early on and they came out of the blocks firing, seems like everything they shot in the first half, came off. We improved a good bit in the 2nd half but a goal against the run of play kept it neck and neck again. But down the final stretch we finished very well, scores coming from all over and the squad was used very well. The rotation is working well with Jack putting up a series of (what sounds like) very impressive points, after not starting the last day.

For a good while in that game the unwelcome ghosts of Longford were lingering    A turning point -  Mohan saved a goal bound shot on the line which had it gone in might well have put the game Clare's way

Aye it was a bit too close for comfort even when we were really clicking in attack, Clare were matching us score for score alot of the time. Couldn't relax a bit until McCarthy's goal.

[seafoid]

FT Monaghan 1-23 Clare 1-18
With squad management being so important with these group games, seems like Monaghan gave the whole defence the day off today

Jokes aside, sounded like a very enjoyable open game in sweltering conditions. Couldn't make it so had to make do with listening to Northern Sound given that it's one of the only games not available to watch anywhere this weekend (and it could be the best game of the weekend)

Monaghan sounded especially flat in the 1st half. Clare were well up for it all game but especially early on and they came out of the blocks firing, seems like everything they shot in the first half, came off. We improved a good bit in the 2nd half but a goal against the run of play kept it neck and neck again. But down the final stretch we finished very well, scores coming from all over and the squad was used very well. The rotation is working well with Jack putting up a series of (what sounds like) very impressive points, after not starting the last day.

Clare are closer to the equator and this aspect needs to factor in future Monaghan planning.

[screenexile]

Would be nice to get one or 2 frees Derry's side here Jesus!!

[Main Street]

The white spray can is desperately needed in the game today to mark the free kick spot,  considering that most officials just don't give a fck how many steps are stolen.

[screenexile]

I make that the 3rd perfectly good tackle the ref has given against us

[straightred]

Donegal have a chance here

[straightred]

I make that the 3rd perfectly good tackle the ref has given against us

dont know what 1 and 2 was that last free for donegal was a 100% foul... as was the one that derry have now got

[screenexile]

I think we've defended brilliantly and struggled a bit early on up front.

Definitely having trouble with our own kickout and Pattons but he's one of the best operators about so not surprising.

I'm hoping our fitness will get us over the line but we've definitely been the better team in the first half but plenty to improve on!!