Haven't seen a thread on Sunday's game in Ballyshannon...
Donegal team (John Joe seems to have dispensed with McIvor's practise of waiting until the day before the game to announce it)
Donegal (NFL v Dublin) - Michael Boyle, Eamon McGee, Neil McGee, Paddy McDaid, Eoin Wade, Raymond Sweeney, Kevin Cassidy, Ciaran Bonner, Christy Toye, Brendan Boyle, Conall Dunne, Rory Kavanagh, Michael Murphy, Stephen Griffin, David Walsh.
Starting debut for Eoin Wade, Raymond Sweeney in at centre back for the first time in years, Cassidy making his first appearance of the year. It will be interesting to see how the three young fellas do up front. Presumably McFadden will be available off the bench if needed. Bonner and Toye in a very experimental midfield pairing (both normally half-forwards at this level) - Neil Gallagher is out for the league.
Donegal need a win here badly, or it will be very difficult to see them staying up.
Yes, loser staring relegation in the face.
Dublin team named:
Stephen Cluxton
Paddy Andrews, Denis Bastick, Alan Hubbard
James Brogan, Ger Brennan, Barry Cahill
Ciarán Whelan, Ross McConnell
Diarmuid Connolly, Conal Keaney, David Henry
Blaine Kelly, Kevin Bonner, Bernard Brogan
Cullen, Sherlock and Diamond dropped. Probably the first time Cullen's been dropped since he joined the panel just out of minor, but he had it coming. Flynn injured. Alan Brogan is back training, so may be on the bench. The younger brother Paul has suffered what seems a recurrance of his cruciate injury so looks like another season gone before its started. Paddy Andrews is due to play for the U21s on Saturday also.
Dublin beat a pretty much 2nd string Monaghan side comfortably and Laois by a point in challenges over the last week. Blaine Kelly kicked 5 points in the first game, hence he gets his chance on Sunday. The Laois game was supposed to be "heated" - did anyone see it to shed any light?
Lally and Sheehan sent off before the game started both punching the chops off each other. Casey late tackled one of the Laois players causing another punch up. Various other skirmishes as well. As you can tell wasn't a great football game. Laois though the better team over the hour. Both teams pretty experimental and I'd say Laois will be hard to beat this year Dempsey seems to have them motoring well.
We were ok over the hour and narrowly won, both teams guilty of poor wides though. I think both Dublin and Donegal will near cancel each other out. It inevitably will be a soft pitch with a partisan crowd and we've an awful record up there. I have to say though I like the balance of the Donegal team bettter than ours. We still have an awfully inexperienced backline and I don't rate some of the players playing for us I really don't.
Midfield is an area Dublin could exploit but I think it'll be very tight. Loser goes down in my view.
Personally happy to see Kevin Bonnar back......hope he is given an extended run in the team as I think he is the type of burly but skilful player we need up front. Usually play Donegal away in awful weather conditions with the grass up over the ankles. Donegal at home v the Dubs are imo men possessed and we have failed the tests miserably in the past....... with the usual catastrophic results in character evident later on in the Summer. Very big game for Dublin.
Still not happy with our full back line , would like to see some more lads tried out. Liked the cut of Niall O'Shea in the Sigerson final last week......Both Barry Cahill and Peadar Andrews were both "rehabilated" after stinkers early on in their careers and I hope NOS gets another chance. Believe he has been injured for a while.
Quote from: Canalman on March 05, 2009, 11:36:12 AM
Liked the cut of Niall O'Shea in the Sigerson final last week......Both Barry Cahill and Peadar Andrews were both "rehabilated" after stinkers early on in their careers and I hope NOS gets another chance. Believe he has been injured for a while.
Whilst O'Shea is an honest, hardworking player - he's been skint for pace in virtually every Dublin league or O'Byrne cup game he's played in on soft pitches - he's a mile short of the pace for the full back line in Croker
Heffo, can only go on what i saw on the box last Saturday and he looked sharp to me. As a county we are criminally short of the gritty type of "Stopper" needed at corner back/full back. Plenty of "nice" footballers supposedly with pace at the moment filling those positions to imo calamitous effect.
Ross mcConnell needs a very big game to justify some people's (not mine) high opinion of him. Hope he proves me wrong.
McConnell has all the tools to be a top class midfielder. A super all rounder. Fielding, defence, strength, running with the ball, scoring - he can do it all. The big question is can he do it all at inter-county level. Maybe he can't, but I personally think he deserves a run in the side at midfield to prove it one way or the other.
Don't disagree but why break up the best midfield partnership in the country? Can't fathom the thinking here. If there was a transfer market tomorrow, every county would want Shane Ryan. Both Mc Connell and Whelan are very similar. I would see McConnell as Whelan's successor but I'm not sure they'd complement each other as a partnership.
Paddy Andrews is playing for the dublin 21's on saturday, too big an ask to play again on sunday in my view.
Does Shane look right to you this year?
Doesnt look quite as fit or mobile as the last couple of years. Dunno's if he's had an injury or is carrying an injury. 80% of Shane is his engine - if that goes then he's gone. Or maybe I'm imagining it as the couple of runs he's got has been from the bench. I was surprised that he didnt start either of the challenge matches last week, but probably signals at the moment that he's down the pecking order.
Of course he has been down the pecking order before at this stage of a season and regained his place by championship time.
I would write off our chances with him Hound is thats the case.People underestimate how big a factor he is for Dublin and I think he's rated higher outside Dublin then within the county for some reason. We've no-one to complement his engine within the squad. Fennell,Mc Connell etc -all similar to Whelan and have nothing like Ryan's wheels. Hope I'm wrong but I'm beginning to get the impression this is a management thing- if it is its not good.
Quote from: Hound on March 06, 2009, 09:12:34 AM
Does Shane look right to you this year?
Doesnt look quite as fit or mobile as the last couple of years. Dunno's if he's had an injury or is carrying an injury. 80% of Shane is his engine - if that goes then he's gone. Or maybe I'm imagining it as the couple of runs he's got has been from the bench. I was surprised that he didnt start either of the challenge matches last week, but probably signals at the moment that he's down the pecking order.
Of course he has been down the pecking order before at this stage of a season and regained his place by championship time.
He's been carrying a knock all year
Quote from: INDIANA on March 06, 2009, 08:35:06 AM
Don't disagree but why break up the best midfield partnership in the country? Can't fathom the thinking here. If there was a transfer market tomorrow, every county would want Shane Ryan. Both Mc Connell and Whelan are very similar. I would see McConnell as Whelan's successor but I'm not sure they'd complement each other as a partnership.
Paddy Andrews is playing for the dublin 21's on saturday, too big an ask to play again on sunday in my view.
what planet are you on? The best in lenister perhaps. Played a blinder against Tyrone in the 1/4 ...the real test and were wiped out. Give me a Tyrone, Kerry or even a Derry pairing any day.
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on March 06, 2009, 10:31:13 AM
Quote from: INDIANA on March 06, 2009, 08:35:06 AM
Don't disagree but why break up the best midfield partnership in the country? Can't fathom the thinking here. If there was a transfer market tomorrow, every county would want Shane Ryan. Both Mc Connell and Whelan are very similar. I would see McConnell as Whelan's successor but I'm not sure they'd complement each other as a partnership.
Paddy Andrews is playing for the dublin 21's on saturday, too big an ask to play again on sunday in my view.
what planet are you on? The best in lenister perhaps. Played a blinder against Tyrone in the 1/4 ...the real test and were wiped out. Give me a Tyrone, Kerry or even a Derry pairing any day.
They're the best midfield pair in the country - perhaps other counties have a better range of 5/6 players to position in the midfield zone and eventually win the ball..
delusional at best! :o
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on March 06, 2009, 10:49:39 AM
delusional at best! :o
If you were to take midfield play at it's purest and list the required qualities - I don't think there is a better midfield pair in the country - maybe if a county sacrifices a player with the sole purpose of blocking Whelan's runs etc (like a Nordie posted recently) then there are counties that will gain the upper hand..
No disrespect, but i don't see what your seeing
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on March 06, 2009, 10:54:53 AM
No disrespect, but i don't see what your seeing
None taken.
It's only our opinions - I don't believe either of us have been officially appointed as the Oracle.
We never seem to do well up there so wouldn't be overly optimistic. That's tough news on the third Brogan brother
Allow me to help you max. Tyrone break 90% of the ball at midfield because they have no obvious fielders. Its a system they've perfected but even in the 2nd half of the national league this year against dublin, we hemmed them in their half for 20mins because they can't catch aerial ball its the only weakness in the tyrone team. But because of the excellence of the personnel around it they get away with it. Mc Ginley is literally on his own in there. and he's not a natural but he does a teriific job in stopping other midfields catching clean ball.
Kerry have daragh o se and precious little else
Derry have Fergal Doherty and little else
Galway don't have a midfield
Mayo have Mc Garrity and nothing else
If Cork played Nick Murphy and Piaras O Neill togther then they would have an awesome pairing . But they don't which is a mystery.
Find me a better partnership today because you won't. Dublin have always had good midfields ranging from the days of Des Foley to Brian Mullins to Brian Stynes to Ciaran Whelan. Its other areas of the park we struggle. You will not find a better midfield pairing in the country at the moment.
Ah I think I understand. In the "purest" form ... if other teams stood back and let midfielders play uncontested in the middle of the field, then some lads think that Dublin would have the best pair of midfielders. I guess we'll never know then.
But if unsubstantiated claims can be bandied about then I'm going for big Neil and Ciaran Bonar as the 2 best "pure" midfielders in the world. ;)
Don't know enough about some of the new Dublin players or their form or training programme to say they will beat Donegal on Sunday What i will say with some certainty is that this Donegal team is very very poor. I strongly feel that Ray Sweeney, or Owen Wade wouldn't get on the St Eunan's senior team. Christy Toye and Ciaran Bonner are simply not midfielders, and Kevin Cassidy can't be fit since he is only back training, but because of all our injuries in defence he gets a game. I strongly feel that the St Eunans team that won last years championship would beat this particular Donegal team for Sundays game. Dublin at 11/10 look like a great bet but as i said before i don't know enough about them to chance a big bet to set me up for Cheltenham next week.
I wouldn't be that negative Danny. Up front Donegal are looking good. Walsh, Griffen and Murpy are all playing well as is Kavanagh. Conal Dunne is always lively and if he can start to get better ball into FF's then he has a big role to play this year. Our problem is in the single digits. I have no confidence in our FB line and I'm worried that Ray Sweeney will not be able to hold that central channel. Cass will likely not have the fitness to make a major impact on Sunday.
If we can break even in midfield and get early ball inside then I'd say we have a good enough chance.
Quote from: Donegal Danny on March 06, 2009, 12:29:47 PM
Don't know enough about some of the new Dublin players or their form or training programme to say they will beat Donegal on Sunday What i will say with some certainty is that this Donegal team is very very poor. I strongly feel that Ray Sweeney, or Owen Wade wouldn't get on the St Eunan's senior team. Christy Toye and Ciaran Bonner are simply not midfielders, and Kevin Cassidy can't be fit since he is only back training, but because of all our injuries in defence he gets a game. I strongly feel that the St Eunans team that won last years championship would beat this particular Donegal team for Sundays game. Dublin at 11/10 look like a great bet but as i said before i don't know enough about them to chance a big bet to set me up for Cheltenham next week.
Why are you so pessimistic? Dublin have a defence with 4 relative newcomers, a debutante up front and a new midfield pairing. All of the guys you named on the donegal team are proven inter county performers. I'd say a point or two either way. I'm travelling in hope, we've a bloody awful record up there.
Quote from: INDIANA on March 06, 2009, 03:29:39 PM
Quote from: Donegal Danny on March 06, 2009, 12:29:47 PM
Don't know enough about some of the new Dublin players or their form or training programme to say they will beat Donegal on Sunday What i will say with some certainty is that this Donegal team is very very poor. I strongly feel that Ray Sweeney, or Owen Wade wouldn't get on the St Eunan's senior team. Christy Toye and Ciaran Bonner are simply not midfielders, and Kevin Cassidy can't be fit since he is only back training, but because of all our injuries in defence he gets a game. I strongly feel that the St Eunans team that won last years championship would beat this particular Donegal team for Sundays game. Dublin at 11/10 look like a great bet but as i said before i don't know enough about them to chance a big bet to set me up for Cheltenham next week.
Why are you so pessimistic? Dublin have a defence with 4 relative newcomers, a debutante up front and a new midfield pairing. All of the guys you named on the donegal team are proven inter county performers. I'd say a point or two either way. I'm travelling in hope, we've a bloody awful record up there.
Just as Danny had cheered me up no end, you go and spoil it! ;)
Saw the deferred coverage on TG4 there. Neither side looked up to much, but Dublin just about shaded it overall. Some nice scores from both sides with the breeze, but Donegal, in particular, struggled big time against it. Indeed, quite a few Dublin scores in the first half came from Donegal attacks breaking down. The lack of pressure on the Dublin forwards was worrying. Tough day for Stephen Griffin from frees, but the conditions were difficult and hopefully he will learn from it. Young Murphy looked very good though and is one of the few really bright spots in the immediate future of this side - took a few nice scores from play. Given that all of the momentum had been with them for the previous 15 minutes, when they cancelled an eight point Dublin lead, Donegal will be very disappointed that they didn't go on to take the points in the last ten. Its going to be a big struggle from here on with only one point from two winnable home games.
They didn't show it on TG4 (at least not that I saw), but, according to the Highland coverage, Sherlock was very lucky to get away with a kick to Ciaran Bonner's head.
What do you Donegal people think of Ballyshannon as a venue? Is there ever a good game of football played there as the weather always seems to be bad i.e. blowly conditions. Players hardly enjoy having to play there as passing, shooting etc is a lottery.
Watched it on TG4 also.
I thought Donegal were awful in the first half, and the Dubs took advantage reasonably well. The Dubs completely went to sleep in the second half (appaling decision making from the players in possession), and Donegal came into it. But we didnt feel at all threatened until the goal (great finish). It gave Donegal a boost and they played well for a while.
The bright side for Dublin was in the last 5/10 minutes when Donegal got level, we upped our game and dominated that period.
Ross McConnell had an interesting game. Some great moments and great scores, but a few silly/poor mistakes also, including one that led to the goal. Overall, given the low quality on offer, he'd still probably just edge man of the match for me.
Quote from: Karl Kennedy on March 08, 2009, 06:50:48 PM
What do you Donegal people think of Ballyshannon as a venue? Is there ever a good game of football played there as the weather always seems to be bad i.e. blowly conditions. Players hardly enjoy having to play there as passing, shooting etc is a lottery.
For late winter/early spring league games, its a dump. The facilities are nothing to write home about and it must be one of the coldest, windiest pitches in the country . Add the fact that anyone coming from Inishowen or the Gweedore/Cloughaneely area has a fifty to seventy mile drive home and back to get there!
Quote from: INDIANA on March 06, 2009, 12:12:27 PM
Galway don't have a midfield
That'll be news to Joe Bergin.
Quote from: J70 on March 08, 2009, 06:35:52 PM
Saw the deferred coverage on TG4 there. Neither side looked up to much, but Dublin just about shaded it overall. Some nice scores from both sides with the breeze, but Donegal, in particular, struggled big time against it. Indeed, quite a few Dublin scores in the first half came from Donegal attacks breaking down. The lack of pressure on the Dublin forwards was worrying. Tough day for Stephen Griffin from frees, but the conditions were difficult and hopefully he will learn from it. Young Murphy looked very good though and is one of the few really bright spots in the immediate future of this side - took a few nice scores from play. Given that all of the momentum had been with them for the previous 15 minutes, when they cancelled an eight point Dublin lead, Donegal will be very disappointed that they didn't go on to take the points in the last ten. Its going to be a big struggle from here on with only one point from two winnable home games.
They didn't show it on TG4 (at least not that I saw), but, according to the Highland coverage, Sherlock was very lucky to get away with a kick to Ciaran Bonner's head.
pretty good analysis. Sums my view up. Only good thing is Dublin showed some bottle.
From what i saw on Tg4 I would have given Barry Cahill MotM, with Kevin Cassidy a close second.....he is some man for getting on the ball.
Seemed to me that both Conal Keaney and Whelo fouled alot during the game, nothing malicious mind, but just bad technique and both could have been in trouble with another ref.
Thought McConnell was quiet in open play but still scored 3 pts........ a full forward maybe??????
Agree about Ballyshannon, was there c10 years ago for a NFL game and near took me a day to thaw out afterwards.
Truth be told, 2 poor teams in comparison with the fare served in Omagh the previous night.
Fair play to Andrews in playing the 2 games at the weekend.
Finally, the TG4 ladds seemed to see (but not catch on camera ) the Jayo "incident", acc to them it would seem both he and a Donegal lad tangled and Jayo slipped the foot back or something to that effect. Donegal players didn't seem to make an issue of it at the time and match continued in a sporting manner. Don't think we will hear any more of it from them. Not the Donegal way to whinge imo.
have to say michaelmurphy is quite a talent. Pity donegal need 5/6 more like him.
Yes 2 very average teams and Dublin did deserve to win. My mates all backed Dublin with 1 lad having 300 on them at 11/10. I will never back against Donegal again after the Kerry Own goal in last year opening NFL game in Ballybofey. When Donegal got level i thought they might go on and win it but the Dubs controlled the last 10 minutes with Ger Brennan in particular having a Great last 10 minutes kicking a score ,being fouled for another and charging forward. Think i was right about Ray Sweeney and Eoghan Waide, although not horrendous they offered nothing at all, they never broke the tackle once or stopped a dub in possession or won a 50/50 ball. I still think a full Donegal Team with Gallagher, Lacey, Dunnion, Mc Glynn, and Mc Fadden involved they can still make an Ulster Final this year and on the day you never know. I also think Michael Boyle had a solid game in goal and i hope he stays there because Durkin is a liability.On The issue of Ballyshannon don't get me started i could go on all day. Ballyshannon is a hole and thats it.