Derry V Donegal Ulster final 2022

shawshank · May 16, 2022, 02:08:55 PM

After Derry's two brilliants victories against the current All Ireland champions and last seasons defeated Ulster finalists we will go into this game with no fear. My big concern was the poor return on long kickouts. Galway hurt us in the league with a full press. Donegal have to do the same to utilise the height size they have in the middle third. The Derry keeper is going to have to be brave and give more shorts as he definitely was reluctant at times to give balls that were on yesterday. Gallagher is going to know Donegal well, which will help. Can Bonner adapt to Derrys game plan, very McGuiness type with a quick transition. Mc Kindless the new Lacey? Mc Closkey to Brennan, Mc Kaigue to Mc Bearty. Rogers to Murphy, Cassidy to EB Gallagher. Many conversations between now and Sunday week.

clarshack · May 16, 2022, 03:02:45 PM

This game will be a hard watch for the neutral but I think Derry are the real deal now and will win by 2.

J70 · May 16, 2022, 03:24:14 PM

I'm fearful myself. Not that I think we don't have the players to beat Derry, but our system of play is too one-dimensional and predictable. Ban Gallagher, McHugh and Mogan are excellent at punching holes and trying to create opportunities for others, but you can't rely on that 90% of the time, especially when our long range shooters like Langan and Thompson have missed much of the season so far and, in the case of Langan especially, are yet to get anywhere near their best form. And especially when we often go short on the kick outs and spend at least a minute passing across and back, allowing the opposition to flood back into position. I think Derry will eat us alive if we don't vary things and try to get some quicker ball up the field to Murphy and McBrearty. We are reasonably strong in midfield, but so were Monaghan, so we can't rely on possession and pressure on the kick outs to tip it, especially with the likes of Glass in there.

And we definitely can't leave the back line exposed, one-on-one, to quick ball into Derry forwards in space like we did in the first half against Cavan. If I recall correctly, Cassidy did a lot of damage for Derry against us up the right wing of our defense last year. Bonner will have a decision to make with McFadden-Ferry: does he bring him back in and sacrifice Mogan or Ward (who was very good in both of his games so far). Mogan would be a loss, but might have to be held in reserve at least at the start. But, if Bonner decides to go defensive to mirror Derry, maybe you'd need him for those fast breaks when possession is turned over?

Whatever way we line out, I think Derry are on a mission. I'll be very (pleasantly) surprised if we win this.

shawshank · May 16, 2022, 03:46:35 PM

Also Mc Hugh needs tagged, no doubt about that, more so than Brennan, Mc Closkey perhaps with Mc Grogan tagging Brennan.

An Watcher · May 16, 2022, 04:02:43 PM

Absolute snorefest of a final

lenny · May 16, 2022, 04:13:38 PM

I would love to see this young, naive but steadily improving Derry side do it but I think Donegal will be too streetwise and crafty. Donegal by 2 points.

omagh_gael · May 16, 2022, 04:18:42 PM

Derry win this by 4 imo, Donegal don't do well against packed defences and I don't think Bonnar has the nous to unpick it. I can imagine it being a pretty poor spectacle.

Itchy · May 16, 2022, 06:00:18 PM

I'm conflicted, id love Derry to win on one hand but I can't stand Rory Gallagher and especially the carry on he's at on the line. He wants a good kick in the bollox.

Westside · May 16, 2022, 06:28:28 PM

I think Derry are a one trick pony. Donegal will mirror them and it'll come down to who has the better players and that's Donegal.

If any Donegal player/mentor wants to take one for the team and meet Gallagher with a shoulder during one of his sideline fits, he'll be hailed as a hero.

In hiding · May 16, 2022, 07:01:27 PM

Quote from: Westside on May 16, 2022, 06:28:28 PM
I think Derry are a one trick pony. Donegal will mirror them and it'll come down to who has the better players and that's Donegal.

If any Donegal player/mentor wants to take one for the team and meet Gallagher with a shoulder during one of his sideline fits, he'll be hailed as a hero.

I agree with this

ck · May 16, 2022, 09:36:24 PM

This will be 2 teams in a bore fest with 2 teams camped in their defence. Donegal will eventually open it up as they have by far the better set of players.

Captain Obvious · May 16, 2022, 09:40:57 PM

Quote from: Westside on May 16, 2022, 06:28:28 PM
I think Derry are a one trick pony. Donegal will mirror them and it'll come down to who has the better players and that's Donegal.

If any Donegal player/mentor wants to take one for the team and meet Gallagher with a shoulder during one of his sideline fits, he'll be hailed as a hero.

Which is?

restorepride · May 16, 2022, 10:01:10 PM

Quote from: Westside on May 16, 2022, 06:28:28 PM
I think Derry are a one trick pony. Donegal will mirror them and it'll come down to who has the better players and that's Donegal.

If any Donegal player/mentor wants to take one for the team and meet Gallagher with a shoulder during one of his sideline fits, he'll be hailed as a hero.

Did a Tyrone player not try that? Worked well.

Wildweasel74 · May 16, 2022, 10:39:12 PM

Derry be happy to go into the game as underdogs, they a work in progress as can be seen by the age of the subs, def need Loughlin fit, for at least frees alone, but Hamstring Injury hard to clean up within 2weeks.

Westside · May 17, 2022, 12:28:47 AM

Quote from: Captain Obvious on May 16, 2022, 09:40:57 PM
Quote from: Westside on May 16, 2022, 06:28:28 PM
I think Derry are a one trick pony. Donegal will mirror them and it'll come down to who has the better players and that's Donegal.

If any Donegal player/mentor wants to take one for the team and meet Gallagher with a shoulder during one of his sideline fits, he'll be hailed as a hero.

Which is?

Pack the defence and break at pace. They're doing it very well, I just can't see Donegal being as accommodating as Monaghan were.