Yet another Donegal "disciplinary" issue

tyrone86 · July 02, 2009, 02:59:59 AM

I don't see a thread on Donegal V Carlow otherwise I'd have put it there, but sweet Jesus this is beyond a joke

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/8115247.stm

Ex-Donegal captain Neil Gallagher and Ciaran Bonner have been dropped from the county squad ahead of Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier against Carlow.

Manager John Joe Doherty confirmed to BBC Sport that the decision had been taken for "disciplinary reasons" although he refused to elaborate.

Brendan Boyle, Michael Hegarty and Colm McFadden also lose starting places.

Leo McLoone, Christy Toye, David Walsh, Stephen Griffin and Frank McGlynn all come into the Donegal side.

Donegal have been beset by disciplinary problems in recent years with then managers Mickey Moran, Brian McEniff and Brian McIver all having to take action during championship campaigns.

The difficulties have largely been alcohol-related and there is speculation that Gallagher and Bonner have been punished for similar indiscretions.

Midfielders Gallagher and Boyle lose their midfield roles while Bonner, Hegarty and McFadden drop out of the forward line.

Debutant McLoone, Walsh and Griffin are named in attack.

McGlynn comes in at corner-back with Toye starting at midfield where he will partner Kevin Cassidy.

McLoone earns his starting role at centre half-forward after impressing in the recent challenge hammering of Fermanagh.

The forward changes are no major surprise after Donegal fired 18 wides in the shock Ulster SFC defeat by Antrim on 14 June.

Donegal will be favourites to beat the lowly Leinster county but that was also the case against the Saffrons last month.

That defeat has already put manager Doherty under huge pressure in his first championship campaign at the helm and another shock home reverse would surely see the Glencolmcille man's reign coming to an early end.

Donegal: P Durcan, F McGlynn, N McGee, K Lacey, B Dunnion, E McGee, M McGuire, C Toye, K Cassidy, R Kavanagh (capt), L McLoone, D Walsh, C Dunne, M Murphy, S Griffin.

orangeman · July 02, 2009, 10:36:07 AM

Plus ca change ...........

The GAA · July 02, 2009, 10:36:43 AM

What'd they do?

Doogie Browser · July 02, 2009, 10:57:25 AM

Quote from: The GAA on July 02, 2009, 10:36:43 AM

What'd they do?

Usual Donegal discipline breach apparently.

The GAA · July 02, 2009, 01:11:40 PM

I assume they just run tox tests as standard at donegal training sessions ?

Gaoth Dobhair Abu · July 02, 2009, 01:21:31 PM

Perennial problem in God's county!
Only solution is to drop the players (who it has been proven, have broken the rules), and not reinstate them until the next season.
Also have a two strikes and your out - for good.

Might mean a few poor years for us, but sure can we get much worse atm

As for the Carlow game, should be one we can win, but if for some reason we folded again, then Doherty has to do the right thing and fall on his sword.

rrhf · July 02, 2009, 01:33:56 PM

Why is it the beer always tastes better in Donegal?

Seriously though - I think this could be a GPA isssue
Great Pinters Association, - Surely its more of a breach in Donegal to be the one caught sober at training.

orangeman · July 02, 2009, 02:03:06 PM

Quote from: rrhf on July 02, 2009, 01:33:56 PM
Why is it the beer always tastes better in Donegal?

Seriously though - I think this could be a GPA isssue
Great Pinters Association, - Surely its more of a breach in Donegal to be the one caught sober at training.

There would be a lot of good candidates there alright.

tonesfirstandlast · July 02, 2009, 03:38:55 PM

Whats the big deal about a footballer having a few bevvies if there is still quite a time before the game.

OverThePostsAWide · July 02, 2009, 04:32:28 PM

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 03:38:55 PM
Whats the big deal about a footballer having a few bevvies if there is still quite a time before the game.

According to the IN article today, "the Glenswilly club have supported Doherty's disciplinary action and their executive committee was due to meet last night to discuss the matter and potential disciplinary action they make take themselves."

Sounds like more than a few bevvies! Anybody from God's Own County want to fill in the blanks?

tonesfirstandlast · July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM

You are a tara aul gossip Overthepost. The next thing, they will have mugged to old age pensioners on the way home from a pub in Glenswilly. Far to much idle chat about young lads having a drink. Thought it was great to hear Baker saying that the anttrim boys would have a few pints last saturday night and not like harte and cassidy going around like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Maguire01 · July 02, 2009, 04:51:40 PM

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 03:38:55 PM
Whats the big deal about a footballer having a few bevvies if there is still quite a time before the game.

I'm sure if you examined the relationship between success and discipline you'd see the big deal.

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM
Thought it was great to hear Baker saying that the anttrim boys would have a few pints last saturday night and not like harte and cassidy going around like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Whatever about Cassidy (yet to prove himself), if you're having a go at Harte for his discipline, then you clearly can't get your head around just why Tyrone have 3 All Irelands in the last few years whilst a team like Donegal has continued to underachieve, in the context of the talented footballers available to them.

JMohan · July 02, 2009, 04:55:44 PM

Can't wait for Dessie to organise another strike for this ... is this the GPA re-hydration strategy that McNulty wanted money for?

OverThePostsAWide · July 02, 2009, 05:00:42 PM

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM
You are a tara aul gossip Overthepost.

True, too true

Facts I can get in the library. It's hard to beat a good gossip and t'internet is hard to beat for that

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM
The next thing, they will have mugged to old age pensioners on the way home from a pub in Glenswilly.

You're a tara aul gossip yer sel TFaL!

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM
Far to much idle chat about young lads having a drink. Thought it was great to hear Baker saying that the anttrim boys would have a few pints last saturday night and not like harte and cassidy going around like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Up to a point. A bit of balance is good sometimes.

Tyrone Dreamer · July 02, 2009, 06:49:45 PM

Quote from: tonesfirstandlast on July 02, 2009, 04:45:17 PM
You are a tara aul gossip Overthepost. The next thing, they will have mugged to old age pensioners on the way home from a pub in Glenswilly. Far to much idle chat about young lads having a drink. Thought it was great to hear Baker saying that the anttrim boys would have a few pints last saturday night and not like harte and cassidy going around like a bulldog chewing a wasp.

Harte would be a lot more relaxed about players taking a few drinks than most managers. Dont think there is a drink ban in place for most of the championshop.