Don't fancy our chances here even though we're at home!!!!
A lot riding on midfield, especially if Dan Gordon is fit and playing well. How many men have we tried alongside Neil Gallagher now over the past five years? If we can get somewhere close to breaking even (big if, no Roper or Ciaran Bonner either to gather breaks and run at the backs) and the forwards are shooting reasonably well, I'd give us a decent chance. Hopefully Toye and Kavanagh will be fully fit and playing well by that time. A lot has to go right though. Eighteen wides, as against Antrim last year, won't cut it.
Team along the lines of...
Durkan/Boyle
McGlynn
McGee
Lacey
Maguire
Cassidy
Dunnion
N. Gallagher
Toye
Kavanagh
Dunne
McLoone
McFadden
Murphy
Walsh
The only sure starters, if fit, are Lacey, Neil McGee, Cassidy, Dunnion, Gallagher, Toye, Kavanagh, McFadden, Murphy and probably McGlynn and Walsh. I'd imagine McLoone should be fairly certain after his U-21 campaign. Will any of the other U-21s be brought into the squad?
would like to see kavanagh in midfield instead of Gallagher, I know Gallagher wins a lot of ball but we need some who can give quick ball into the forwards, Gallagher just doesn't give us that option. I would prefer Boyle in goals, durkan prone to make mistakes.
Dan Gordon played full back today against our lads in A pitch opening and looked fit and very sharp there.
Hi Mattockranger, did anyone else play well for Down, and who won the game?
Down won by 6......2-18 to 1-15 and really it could have been more
two clarkes and benny didn't play
.....comiskey and maginn got the goals early in the first half
comiskey was excellent, Aidan carr started in the corner and came off injured early on
conor poland was brillant in linking the play upon the forty and doran at RHF was driving up the field very well
peter fitzpatrick was solid in the middle of the field an unusual but very high leap for a ball!
Thats all really louth wasn't much of a test to be far but you guys look to have good panel and a few nice options up front...oh mutagh and hughes came on in 2nd half and looked good!
what Date is this match on & didn't Donegal lose to Antrim in there 1st match last year?
Game is in Ballybofey on 30th May & I do believe Antrim beat Donegal last year at the same venue if i'm not mistaken
Quote from: mattockranger on April 19, 2010, 06:44:01 PM
Down won by 6......2-18 to 1-15 and really it could have been more
two clarkes and benny didn't play
.....comiskey and maginn got the goals early in the first half
comiskey was excellent, Aidan carr started in the corner and came off injured early on
conor poland was brillant in linking the play upon the forty and doran at RHF was driving up the field very well
peter fitzpatrick was solid in the middle of the field an unusual but very high leap for a ball!
Thats all really louth wasn't much of a test to be far but you guys look to have good panel and a few nice options up front...oh mutagh and hughes came on in 2nd half and looked good!
It was Mark Poland on the 40.
Monaghan, McGee and Toye return for the Championship
By Tom Comack
Donegal's championship preparations got a shot in the arm this week with the return to the county squad of Barry Monaghan, Eamonn McGee and Christy Toye.
Both Monaghan and McGee trained with the squad on Monday night in Castlefin while Toye is due to return to training tonight (Thursday). Also called up to the squad having been given a number of runs before during Brian McIver's term is Toye's St Michael's club colleague, Martin McElhinney.
Experienced defender Monaghan was a member of the team for much of the league and just opted to take a break a couple of weeks ago to recharge the batteries and shake off the effects of a virus that ruled him out of much of the Dr. McKenna Cup campaign.
McGee, who has been ever present in the starting 15 in recent seasons, played for London in Division Four of the Allianz National League having transferred to Tir Chonaill Gaels.
However, he returned home in recent weeks and had resumed with Gaoth Dobhair at the weekend in their against Four Masters in Donegal Town and is available once again to play for Donegal.
Toye picked up a straight red card in a club game at the weekend and only recently returned to club action after a lengthy lay off with an achilles injury suffered last July playing for Donegal against Clare in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Likewise, his club colleague McElhinney spent much of the last 12 month in rehab following treatment on a groin injury. He only returned to action earlier in the year in the latter stages of St. Michael's all conquering U-21 championship run.
"It is good to have the boys back. They are all quality players and they do strengthen our options. Barry (Monaghan) took a short break to do a bit of work on his own and recharge the battery while Eamonn (McGee) is back from London and playing with Gaoth Dobhair again. I watched him at the weekend in the league against Four Masters and he played very well and is most definitely and option," said Doherty.
"As for Christy (Toye), he was always in our plans once he recovered and got a few games with the club. Unfortunately he got a red card at the weekend and is going to miss a number of games but he is in good shape and seems to have a good appetite for the game again while Martin (McElhinney) is a good a footballer and has been playing well for St. Michael's since his return."
Doherty also has made no secret that he plans to draft in a number of the U-21s into the squad but has insisted this week that he will not be doing anything on that front until after Saturday week's All-Ireland final with Dublin and as a consequence will not be finalising his championship panel until after the U-21 final.
"The U-21s have done very well and have given football in the county a big lift. A number of the lads are in my plans but I don't think it would be fair to call them up at this stage.
It doesn't matter how Donegal bring back. Could they bring back the team that won the All Ireland and they still would get hammered come the 30TH May.
Quote from: done and dusted on April 17, 2010, 11:33:26 PM
Don't fancy our chances here even though we're at home!!!!
I thought all the cute hoors were in the bottom left hand corner of the island...I see there's a few in the top left hand corner as well.....
Did everyone really think that was the real donegal playing against armagh a few weeks ago, donegal to surprise a few this year i think if we sort midfield out!!
Quote from: done and dusted on April 22, 2010, 04:44:00 PM
Did everyone really think that was the real donegal playing against armagh a few weeks ago, donegal to surprise a few this year i think if we sort midfield out!!
We've been trying to sort our midfield out since John Gildea and Jim McGuinness retired! :D
I'm not expecting much from the side this season and would consider it a great success if we made the 1/4 finals again! That said, we've been listening to hype about Down before the start of the season for the past four or five years! In 2006, we were gravely warned by some of the Down ones on the board that we might as well not turn up in Ballybofey, although, to be fair, I wasn't too optimistic myself, with McFadden and Devenney missing that summer and a new, inexperienced full-forward line of Michael Doherty and Conal Dunne. Rory Kavanagh took his chance though and inspired us to unexpected wins over Down AND Derry! Not saying we're going to have as good a year this year or that we're even going to beat them, but I'll believe the hype about Down when it happens.
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2010, 03:20:34 AM
I'm not expecting much from the side this season and would consider it a great success if we made the 1/4 finals again!
Donegal v Down is a Quarter Final game.
Derry play Armagh in the Preliminary Round this year.
Quote from: drici on April 23, 2010, 09:47:14 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2010, 03:20:34 AM
I'm not expecting much from the side this season and would consider it a great success if we made the 1/4 finals again!
Donegal v Down is a Quarter Final game.
Derry play Armagh in the Preliminary Round this year.
(http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee346/ddiamonddc/not-sure-if-serious.jpg)
Quote from: hardstation on April 24, 2010, 12:47:59 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 24, 2010, 12:43:36 AM
Quote from: drici on April 23, 2010, 09:47:14 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 23, 2010, 03:20:34 AM
I'm not expecting much from the side this season and would consider it a great success if we made the 1/4 finals again!
Donegal v Down is a Quarter Final game.
Derry play Armagh in the Preliminary Round this year.
(http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee346/ddiamonddc/not-sure-if-serious.jpg)
No, he's right. Donegal are already in the Quarter Final.
;D
Think Donegal have a chance but you never know. Both Toye and Kavanagh are a help but both sent off on straight reds in recent club games and will now miss some much needed game time before the Down game. Not sure about Gallagher at Midfield, we played much better last year without him.Eamonn Mc Gee will help things and Michael Boyle should be in goals but our Manager will stick with Durcan who is simply hopeless, letting Stevie Mc Donnell jump against him and punch the ball into the net in Letterkenny was simply unforgivable for someone his height.
If Down are thinking about playing Dan Gordon at full back then they are worried about Murphy and must be going for a big man to compete against Murphy. The facts are that Tipp beat Down in Div 2 final last year and Wicklow put them out of the championship. I know they are improved under wee James but still not convinced and although i have no serious confidence in Donegal i think we have a 50/50 chance.
Quote from: 5 Sams on April 22, 2010, 04:11:58 PM
Quote from: done and dusted on April 17, 2010, 11:33:26 PM
Don't fancy our chances here even though we're at home!!!!
I thought all the cute hoors were in the bottom left hand corner of the island...I see there's a few in the top left hand corner as well.....
I was thinking the same thing myself.
This game hinges on which Donegal shows up, if the apathetic, disinterested side shows up like they did against Armagh Down will hammer them, if it is a motivated Donegal bolstered by the return of some oldies but goodies they might make it interesting however I think Down are too good for Donegal and have them winning by four or more points.
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Challenge game:
Meath Vs Down, Oldcastle, Monday, 3rd May (Bank Holiday), 4pm.
Quote from: Logan on April 26, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Its in Ballybofey, but we've lost to Derry, Monaghan and Antrim there in the championship over the past two seasons (albeit by a single point in two of those - think the Derry was three).
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why Down would be going to any venue to play Donegal in an overconfident mood. They'll start favourites all right, but I just don't see what they've done to merit such talking up, especially as they seem to have been talked up for the past few seasons, only to fall flat, like Derry. I especially do not fear a hammering, although that is always an accepted possibility with Donegal!
Quote from: J70 on April 30, 2010, 03:18:20 AM
Quote from: Logan on April 26, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Its in Ballybofey, but we've lost to Derry, Monaghan and Antrim there in the championship over the past two seasons (albeit by a single point in two of those - think the Derry was three).
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why Down would be going to any venue to play Donegal in an overconfident mood. They'll start favourites all right, but I just don't see what they've done to merit such talking up, especially as they seem to have been talked up for the past few seasons, only to fall flat, like Derry. I especially do not fear a hammering, although that is always an accepted possibility with Donegal!
J70 they (Down fans) will have taken alot of confidence from a good league campaign, add to this their inherent cockiness and everyone ability to underestimate Donegal (including the team themselves! ;)), Down will be favourites, but I believe that we can beat them, though I think it will be tight.
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on May 04, 2010, 11:01:17 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 30, 2010, 03:18:20 AM
Quote from: Logan on April 26, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Its in Ballybofey, but we've lost to Derry, Monaghan and Antrim there in the championship over the past two seasons (albeit by a single point in two of those - think the Derry was three).
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why Down would be going to any venue to play Donegal in an overconfident mood. They'll start favourites all right, but I just don't see what they've done to merit such talking up, especially as they seem to have been talked up for the past few seasons, only to fall flat, like Derry. I especially do not fear a hammering, although that is always an accepted possibility with Donegal!
J70 they (Down fans) will have taken alot of confidence from a good league campaign, add to this their inherent cockiness and everyone ability to underestimate Donegal (including the team themselves! ;)), Down will be favourites, but I believe that we can beat them, though I think it will be tight.
now, now, J70 and Gaoth Dobhair Abu ::) That is just lazy analysis!
Paddy Power currently have Down at evens and Donegal at 11/10. Not much in it!
But even if Down are to be favorites, that does not automatically equate to Down being "overconfident" ???
Not once has a Down poster seriously expressed on this thread that they will be overconfident. You just made that up J70!
But you are correct, Gaoth Dobhair Abu, Down fans will have taken a lot of confidence from a good league campaign. Nothing wrong with that, is there? No need for the "inherent cockiness" comment :-\
There is just under 4 weeks until the game, so let us try to keep it real ;)
I would like to offer my support for Donegal in their upcoming Championship match with Down, the Downmen are fresh of a humiliating defeat at the hands of hated rivals Armagh at HQ and their are said to be depressed and pointing fingers at one another.
C'mon Donegal, ye can win this game.
A few opening game predictions - a little early, but with a fairly good reason
http://www.u.tv/Blogs/Colm-McAlinden/Wedding-Daze/7a849066-b018-45ea-9ae1-c2de53bb6dfa
Quote from: western exile on May 04, 2010, 02:22:23 PM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on May 04, 2010, 11:01:17 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 30, 2010, 03:18:20 AM
Quote from: Logan on April 26, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Its in Ballybofey, but we've lost to Derry, Monaghan and Antrim there in the championship over the past two seasons (albeit by a single point in two of those - think the Derry was three).
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why Down would be going to any venue to play Donegal in an overconfident mood. They'll start favourites all right, but I just don't see what they've done to merit such talking up, especially as they seem to have been talked up for the past few seasons, only to fall flat, like Derry. I especially do not fear a hammering, although that is always an accepted possibility with Donegal!
J70 they (Down fans) will have taken alot of confidence from a good league campaign, add to this their inherent cockiness and everyone ability to underestimate Donegal (including the team themselves! ;)), Down will be favourites, but I believe that we can beat them, though I think it will be tight.
now, now, J70 and Gaoth Dobhair Abu ::) That is just lazy analysis!
Paddy Power currently have Down at evens and Donegal at 11/10. Not much in it!
But even if Down are to be favorites, that does not automatically equate to Down being "overconfident" ???
Not once has a Down poster seriously expressed on this thread that they will be overconfident. You just made that up J70!
But you are correct, Gaoth Dobhair Abu, Down fans will have taken a lot of confidence from a good league campaign. Nothing wrong with that, is there? No need for the "inherent cockiness" comment :-\
There is just under 4 weeks until the game, so let us try to keep it real ;)
The "inherent cockiness" is more a comment on their self appointed kings of Ulster title ;). Anyway the in-laws are Down people and my head was tortured after the league game!!
I think Paddy Power is being generous to Donegal with those odds and its only at that price due to our being the home team. Imo Down 10/11, Donegal at least 2/1.
Quote from: western exile on May 04, 2010, 02:22:23 PM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on May 04, 2010, 11:01:17 AM
Quote from: J70 on April 30, 2010, 03:18:20 AM
Quote from: Logan on April 26, 2010, 07:17:36 PM
I think Donegal will struggle with this one.
The fact Down lost yesterday should ensure an absence of over-confidence going to play Donegal, which might have been a danger I suspect.
Where is it?
If it's Donegal I'd shorten the odds slightly - but not much.
Its in Ballybofey, but we've lost to Derry, Monaghan and Antrim there in the championship over the past two seasons (albeit by a single point in two of those - think the Derry was three).
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see why Down would be going to any venue to play Donegal in an overconfident mood. They'll start favourites all right, but I just don't see what they've done to merit such talking up, especially as they seem to have been talked up for the past few seasons, only to fall flat, like Derry. I especially do not fear a hammering, although that is always an accepted possibility with Donegal!
J70 they (Down fans) will have taken alot of confidence from a good league campaign, add to this their inherent cockiness and everyone ability to underestimate Donegal (including the team themselves! ;)), Down will be favourites, but I believe that we can beat them, though I think it will be tight.
now, now, J70 and Gaoth Dobhair Abu ::) That is just lazy analysis!
Paddy Power currently have Down at evens and Donegal at 11/10. Not much in it!
But even if Down are to be favorites, that does not automatically equate to Down being "overconfident" ???
Not once has a Down poster seriously expressed on this thread that they will be overconfident. You just made that up J70!
But you are correct, Gaoth Dobhair Abu, Down fans will have taken a lot of confidence from a good league campaign. Nothing wrong with that, is there? No need for the "inherent cockiness" comment :-\
There is just under 4 weeks until the game, so let us try to keep it real ;)
You included Logan's quote in your post. Perhaps you should read it again and then read my post... in context.
Duly noted... 8)
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on May 06, 2010, 02:29:40 PM
The "inherent cockiness" is more a comment on their self appointed kings of Ulster title ;). Anyway the in-laws are Down people and my head was tortured after the league game!!
I think Paddy Power is being generous to Donegal with those odds and its only at that price due to our being the home team. Imo Down 10/11, Donegal at least 2/1.
Can I have 5,000 on Down and 3,000 on Donegal then so please. Ill cover the draw with someone else
Quote from: shaund10 on May 07, 2010, 02:49:03 PM
Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on May 06, 2010, 02:29:40 PM
The "inherent cockiness" is more a comment on their self appointed kings of Ulster title ;). Anyway the in-laws are Down people and my head was tortured after the league game!!
I think Paddy Power is being generous to Donegal with those odds and its only at that price due to our being the home team. Imo Down 10/11, Donegal at least 2/1.
Can I have 5,000 on Down and 3,000 on Donegal then so please. Ill cover the draw with someone else
Very good reason I'm not a bookie by trade! :-*
Good to see Christy Toye back in action on Friday night in the challenge against Mayo scoring 3 points. Hopefully he'll bring a much-needed scoring threat to the HF line.
SF challenge: 08 May 2010
Mayo 1-12
Donegal 1-10
Scorers -
Mayo: Barry Moran 1-4, Conor Mortimer 0-2 (1f), Alan Freeman 0-2, Aidan Kilcoyne, Billy Joe Padden, Chris Barrett, N Douglas 0-1 each.
Donegal: Colm McFadden 1-3 (2f), Michael Murphy 0-3 (1f), Christy Toye 0-3, Rory Kavanagh 0-1.
Mayo: K O'Malley; L O'Malley, G Cafferkey, T Howley; C Barrett, D Vaughan, S Nally; R McGarrity, P Harte; A Moran, BJ Padden, M Ronaldson; A Kilcoyne, A Freeman, B Moran. Subs: C Mortimer, N Douglas, P Gardiner, K McLaughlin, K Conroy, A Dillon.
Donegal: P Durcan; F McGlynn, N McGee, K Lacey; B Dunnion, B Monaghan, C Greene; K Cassidy, R Kavanagh, F McNulty, C Toye, M McElhinney; D Walsh, M Murphy, C Dunne.
Subs: C McFadden, E McGee, J Keaney, S Griffin.
Referee: F Flynn (Leitim).
Is that the most likely starting lineup for Donegal v. Down? Surely Colm McFadden will start ???
Quote from: western exile on May 12, 2010, 03:09:56 PM
SF challenge: 08 May 2010
Mayo 1-12
Donegal 1-10
Scorers -
Mayo: Barry Moran 1-4, Conor Mortimer 0-2 (1f), Alan Freeman 0-2, Aidan Kilcoyne, Billy Joe Padden, Chris Barrett, N Douglas 0-1 each.
Donegal: Colm McFadden 1-3 (2f), Michael Murphy 0-3 (1f), Christy Toye 0-3, Rory Kavanagh 0-1.
Mayo: K O'Malley; L O'Malley, G Cafferkey, T Howley; C Barrett, D Vaughan, S Nally; R McGarrity, P Harte; A Moran, BJ Padden, M Ronaldson; A Kilcoyne, A Freeman, B Moran. Subs: C Mortimer, N Douglas, P Gardiner, K McLaughlin, K Conroy, A Dillon.
Donegal: P Durcan; F McGlynn, N McGee, K Lacey; B Dunnion, B Monaghan, C Greene; K Cassidy, R Kavanagh, F McNulty, C Toye, M McElhinney; D Walsh, M Murphy, C Dunne.
Subs: C McFadden, E McGee, J Keaney, S Griffin.
Referee: F Flynn (Leitim).
Is that the most likely starting lineup for Donegal v. Down? Surely Colm McFadden will start ???
Leo McLoone, McFadden and Neil Gallagher will all start. You can probably throw in Eamon McGee and maybe even one or two more from the U-21s such as McHugh junior, Paddy McGrath and Dermot Molloy might get a run. Adrian Hanlon is a possibility, but he may be suspended. Goalkeeper will probably be Durcan, but you never know.
As a neutral, I think Donegal will win this. Down seem very confident after winning a very mediocre Div 2. A lot of unncessary pressure on Martin Clark, I can't see down turning in to a great team overnight.
Down have an average defence and Donegal have a better fwd. line.
as jmck would say 2 bad teams :D
Is it possible to win a Championship game with four of your first-choice defenders and your first-choice midfielder absent?
I know Down have the forwards - and the goalscorers - to do some serious damage at the other end, but they'll need to do just that unless Down obliterate the home team at midfield.
I hate to say it but Donegal at 11/10 is looking an attractive bet.
Quote from: thewanderer on May 13, 2010, 03:53:07 PM
as jmck would say 2 bad teams :D
What illustrious environs do you hail from that you can sneer at us Donegal/Down folk?
i take it this game wont be an all ticket.
PAy at the turnstiles ;D
The more I look at this game the more I start to fancy Donegal. Down are in diffs with lots and lots of injury problems and even the fellas just back from injury are in trouble - you cant miss 3/4 weeks training then walk back into an ulster championship match and expect to be up to speed. The much maligned defence/full back line is where the problems lie. I am also hearing lots of problems with fringe players not getting a sniff and some have walked as a result....this doesnt bode well.
Donegal have come in with a decent div2 campaign behind them, and absolutely no word from them - all nice and quiet, no noise makes a good build up....
I fancy Donegal by 3
Quote from: goldenyears on May 25, 2010, 10:39:09 AM
The more I look at this game the more I start to fancy Donegal. Down are in diffs with lots and lots of injury problems and even the fellas just back from injury are in trouble - you cant miss 3/4 weeks training then walk back into an ulster championship match and expect to be up to speed. The much maligned defence/full back line is where the problems lie. I am also hearing lots of problems with fringe players not getting a sniff and some have walked as a result....this doesnt bode well.
Donegal have come in with a decent div2 campaign behind them, and absolutely no word from them - all nice and quiet, no noise makes a good build up....
I fancy Donegal by 3
The injury problems at the back are good reasons to back Donegal, as is the unavailability of Rodgers, but I have faith in McIvor and McCartan to make the best of a bad situation. IMO the management have to date made the right decisions as regards tactics and team selection, and in doing so Down achieved the best defensive record in NFL. Down will be well prepared for the difficult task in Ballybofey and the team now have the confidence and ability to grind out results. Coulter is captain, and I expect Lacey to pick him up which will prove to be a fascinating battle. Key to stopping Donegal is stopping Murphy, and if big Dan does end up marking him, that leaves Fitzpatrick and King in midfield. King has earned his placed at centre field through solid performances but I haven't been overly impressed with Fitzpatrick so far this year, though he does possess real talent. It goes without saying that Marty Clarke's free taking capability will be vital to Down's chances, and it will be great to see him on his championship debut. By their own high standards, McComiskey and John Clarke could arguably be disappointed with their performances in Croker and I have a feeling that we will see big performances from these two. While Donegal are coming into this match with little noise, I think that the defeat to Armagh will have helped Down in this respect.
Down by 2
If being beaten by Armagh is helpful to your preparations then Donegal have had more help than Down. It is very difficult to know what Donegal will turn up to this one, a Donegal who wants to show that the tame end to the league was not their real form or the Donegal that played in the earlier rounds of the chamionship last year. Donegal must be very frustrating to support!
Will James name his team soon? I would imagine Dan Gordon will fearure from the start
Quote from: armaghniac on May 26, 2010, 12:18:31 AM
If being beaten by Armagh is helpful to your preparations then Donegal have had more help than Down. It is very difficult to know what Donegal will turn up to this one, a Donegal who wants to show that the tame end to the league was not their real form or the Donegal that played in the earlier rounds of the chamionship last year. Donegal must be very frustrating to support!
cant be anymore frustrating watching Donegal than it is Down. Poor management over the last 7 or 8 years have left Down as total no hopers in Championship football for a long time. Donegal have had a few quarter final appearances. Lets hope wee James will bring us some hope for the future. Getting beat on sunday is not the end of the world, we could give the qualifiers a good shot.
I would still maintain that Down were basically Championship fit throughout the league and their league form could give a slightly false impression of where they are really at. There is a lot of talent in the forward line and with a decent MF and it could be enough to get past Donegal, but who could predict what Donegal could do with any confidence??
Even without injuries Down's defence is still ropey, and for the 100th time - I really dont rate James Colgan, an unbelievably weak link. It'll probably be horrible stuff again this weekend, with Down's injury worries in defence they'll have to play at least 1 sweeper if not 2.
I suppose after the fantastic start to the Ulster chapmionship it could only really go downhill fromm there. ::) Donegal by 2.
Word is that the following is going to be the Donegal team on Sunday.
Durcan, Lacey, Mc Gee, P Mc Grath, A Thompson, B Monaghan, K Cassidy, R Kavanagh, N Gallagher,B Dunnion, C Toye, D Walsh,C Dunne, M Murphy, D Molloy.
Big calls with young Molloy and Mc Grath starting from the U 21s. Dunnion will probably drop deep with Dunne coming out the field a bit.Personally don't think B Monaghan is up to it, i would have E Mc Gee instead. No place for Frank Mc Glynn but i might be wrong so we will have to wait and see. Donegal will win mark my words. This Down team are frauds.
Colm Anthony is going to be dropped?!! :o First time in six or seven years he won't be an automatic selection when available!
Fair fucks to John Joe for giving Molloy and McGrath a run if this is true (I'm not convinced it is!!). We need some competition for places. I hope they're up to the quick transition from U-21s. And I take it McGrath has fully recovered from the jaw injury?
While I share Donegal Danny's skepticism about Down, I am equally skeptical about our boys! I do think we can win this though. Won't be much in it either way.
Quote from: bennydorano on May 26, 2010, 09:30:22 PM
I would still maintain that Down were basically Championship fit throughout the league and their league form could give a slightly false impression of where they are really at. There is a lot of talent in the forward line and with a decent MF and it could be enough to get past Donegal, but who could predict what Donegal could do with any confidence??
Even without injuries Down's defence is still ropey, and for the 100th time - I really dont rate James Colgan, an unbelievably weak link. It'll probably be horrible stuff again this weekend, with Down's injury worries in defence they'll have to play at least 1 sweeper if not 2.
Its a few years now since we met, but Donegal v Down games have tended to be decent, open games. I'd be optimistic enough, as long as it doesn't get bogged down in endless frees and turnover of possession for hand-pass fouls. But if both sides fall back to counter Coulter and Murphy, it could be grim enough.
Quote from: bennydorano on May 26, 2010, 09:30:22 PM
I would still maintain that Down were basically Championship fit throughout the league and their league form could give a slightly false impression of where they are really at. There is a lot of talent in the forward line and with a decent MF and it could be enough to get past Donegal, but who could predict what Donegal could do with any confidence??
Even without injuries Down's defence is still ropey, and for the 100th time - I really dont rate James Colgan, an unbelievably weak link. It'll probably be horrible stuff again this weekend, with Down's injury worries in defence they'll have to play at least 1 sweeper if not 2.
I was never a big fan of Colgan myself, having seen him play well underage and for UUJ then never bringing it to the county. This year in the league was a different matter, he relished his new role playing sweeper in the couple of games I saw him play. All his match reports were positive as well, as much as I was hoping they wouldn't they seem to have sorted their No. 6 for the foreseeabel future.
Quote from: Wee Shea on May 27, 2010, 10:02:25 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on May 26, 2010, 09:30:22 PM
I would still maintain that Down were basically Championship fit throughout the league and their league form could give a slightly false impression of where they are really at. There is a lot of talent in the forward line and with a decent MF and it could be enough to get past Donegal, but who could predict what Donegal could do with any confidence??
Even without injuries Down's defence is still ropey, and for the 100th time - I really dont rate James Colgan, an unbelievably weak link. It'll probably be horrible stuff again this weekend, with Down's injury worries in defence they'll have to play at least 1 sweeper if not 2.
I was never a big fan of Colgan myself, having seen him play well underage and for UUJ then never bringing it to the county. This year in the league was a different matter, he relished his new role playing sweeper in the couple of games I saw him play. All his match reports were positive as well, as much as I was hoping they wouldn't they seem to have sorted their No. 6 for the foreseeabel future.
Aye rite :-X
Quote from: Wee Shea on May 27, 2010, 10:02:25 AM
Quote from: bennydorano on May 26, 2010, 09:30:22 PM
I would still maintain that Down were basically Championship fit throughout the league and their league form could give a slightly false impression of where they are really at. There is a lot of talent in the forward line and with a decent MF and it could be enough to get past Donegal, but who could predict what Donegal could do with any confidence??
Even without injuries Down's defence is still ropey, and for the 100th time - I really dont rate James Colgan, an unbelievably weak link. It'll probably be horrible stuff again this weekend, with Down's injury worries in defence they'll have to play at least 1 sweeper if not 2.
I was never a big fan of Colgan myself, having seen him play well underage and for UUJ then never bringing it to the county. This year in the league was a different matter, he relished his new role playing sweeper in the couple of games I saw him play. All his match reports were positive as well, as much as I was hoping they wouldn't they seem to have sorted their No. 6 for the foreseeabel future.
Bennydorano, just because you've said it 100 times doesn't make it right.James Colgan had an oustanding league campaign despite it being his first.Playing in his natural position, he has brought a calmness and assurance to the HB line.He's a natural leader and clearly a future captain. He's a good lad and Down people are 100% behind him.The only horrible stuff we were involved in this year was the league final.
His natural position? Sweeping with no marking responsibilities, nice work if you can get it.
I've watched thon fella from McRory, through Sigerson (when he could get a game) to Senior. I dont rate him, you could count the number of kick passes he makes on one hand, he's a master of the 3 yard fist pass thou.
Why would you see him as a future captain - because he talks shite during games?? There's more to leadership than that, especially when people see through you.
I thought all ye Ulster boys were all talk on this thing! This thread started BEFORE the Mayo Sligo one and less pages! :o Or else we talk too much in Mayo! :P
I've also watched him through the competitions you mentioned so we all can have different opinions.You did however miss out on one competition-when he captained Down minors to an All-Ireland win. Unlike yourself of course, I wouldn't know what he talks during games but I saw enough in 7 league games this year to know he is a commanding centre half back.
As for the game, I'm pleased there hasn't been too much talk or leaks of the team but looking forward to an open and hard encounter.Dodgy Umpire's preview is pretty good but even though the rumours are strong I would be surprised to see Dan at FB.Kearney or Mc Ardle are more likely to mark Murphy and that encounter will probably determine the outcome.
Benydorano, if you had referred to a 30 yard, rather than a three yard, hand pass, it might have indicated that you had seen James Colgan fairly regularly. It is one of his great assets, and he is fully entitled to use it instead of a riskier thump up the field.
In terms of his leadership, he captained a tiny school to its first MacRory Cup final, which it lost after a replay, and also lifted AI minor and Ulster u21 cups, so he's not doing too badly there either.
He has his strengths and weaknesses, like most other players, but he did consistently well against some decent teams in the NFL D2. He has only started a single USC match in his career, so it might be an idea to judge him at the end of his first proper season at senior level.
Quote from: southdown on May 26, 2010, 01:52:58 PM
Hughes never plays 2 good games in a row, he had a stinker in Croke Park.
He is having another stinker today.
Down have to go 14 against 14, the Donegal free man is having an wasy day at the office.
Anybody hear what the weather prediction is for Sunday???
Two changes on the Donegal team i picked two days ago. Frank Mc Glynn in instead of Paddy Mc Grath and Michael Maguire in for A Thomson. Fair enough with Mc Glynn but don't rate Maguire, a club mate of John Joe's. Still no place for Colm Mc Fadden.
Quote from: Donegal Danny on May 28, 2010, 09:41:12 AM
Two changes on the Donegal team i picked two days ago. Frank Mc Glynn in instead of Paddy Mc Grath and Michael Maguire in for A Thomson. Fair enough with Mc Glynn but don't rate Maguire, a club mate of John Joe's. Still no place for Colm Mc Fadden.
I'm happy enough with that team. I think that McGrath will feel unlucky but he's maybe a wee bit light yet to be going up against a strong FF line. Brick deserves his chance and Colm Anthony has done very little to suggest that he is more deserving of a place. I agree with you on Maguire though. A good enough footballer but hasn't really impressed me.
Really looking forward to this game now.
The year going well for Brick Molloy.
December 5th 2009
Ulster Minor Football Club Championship at St Pauls
Kilcoo Owen Roes 1-16 Naomh Conaill 1-12 (A.E.T.)
(Full Time: Owen Roes 1-12 Naomh Conaill 1-12)
Owen Roes 1-16 (D O'Hanlon 0-2(2 frees), S O'Hanlon 0-1, R Johnston 0-2, N Smith 0-1, M Kelly 1-1, O McClean 0-2, C Laverty 0-2, J Johnston 0-4(1 free), Martin Devlin 0-1)
Naomh Conaill 1-12 (J Doherty 0-1, S Quinn 0-1, S Gallagher 0-1, S O'Malley 0-1, S Ellis 0-1, M Gallagher 1-0, D Molloy 0-7(4 frees) - some deadly points from Diarmuid)
January 24th 2010
Ulster Under 21 Football Club Championship at Creggan
NAOMH CONAILL 1-08
O'BRIENS, FOREGLEN 0-10
A GOAL five minutes from time by substitute AJ Gallagher was the key score as Naomh Conaill booked their place in the semi finals of the inaugural Ulster U21 Club Championship by eking out a win over Foreglen from Derry in yesterday's quarter-final at Randalstown.
With the Glenties men leading by the narrowest of margins (0-8 to 0-7) as the game entered its final five minutes, Leo McLoone senior's team bagged the killer goal.
Leo McLoone fed captain and Man of the Match Eoin Waide with a clever diagonal ball that opened up the Foreglen defence. Waide, who played for Donegal on Saturday night, would have backed defender Martin Bradley to cut out his delivery, but the ball slipped through his fingers into the path of Gallagher, who drilled home from the edge of the square.
While points from Martin Farrell, Eoghan McFeely and Nigel Bradley brought Foreglen back into the contest, it was too little, too late as Naomh Conaill had done enough to come through a hard-fought encounter.
They have yet to complete their 2009 Donegal U21 Championship, indeed they are only at the quarter-final stage of that competition, but Naomh Conaill, having won the last three Donegal titles, were put up as the county's representatives in the first ever U21 Club Championship, held at the mightily impressive Kickhams Creggan club outside Randalstown.
Though young in years, it was a vastly experienced Naomh Conaill team that lined out yesterday, with a number of members of the club's senior team, which contested the senior county final in October, included.
Dara Gallagher and Eoin Waide came through Donegal's McKenna Cup match with St Mary's the previous evening and were included from the off.
With less than two minutes played, Naomh Conaill penetrated the Foreglen defence when Gallagher's ingenuity put midfielder Leo McLoone in the clear, but his attempt at goal was parried to safety by Joseph Ashford.
Dermot Molloy raised the game's first white flag on ten minutes when he got on the end of a McLoone pass to fire over. Gallagher doubled that advantage on the quarter-hour mark when he delivered a fine point off his left foot having collected a sublime cross-field ball by Molloy.
It took Foreglen 24 minutes to score their first point of the game, registered from a free by Nigel Bradley after Eoin Waide was penalised for a foul on Eunan McFeely.
That would be the County Derry team's only point of the opening half.
Meantime, Dermot Molloy took receipt of another McLoone pass to hit his second of the day and in stoppage time at the end of the half he knocked over his third - from a free, after a late hit on Dara Gallagher by Oisin Duffy.
Naomh Conaill hit six wides in the first 30 minutes and in the opening minutes of the second-half the sizeable following who made their way from Glenties must have been worried that their missed chances could return to haunt them.
Inside the first seven minutes after the re-start Nigel Bradley converted a pair of frees to move Foreglen to within a point, but Molloy responded with a free. Eoghan McFeely kept Foreglen within touching distance, as he popped over a majestic point from 45 metres, while a free by Martin Farrell came just a minute after Dara Gallagher pointed at the other end.
Naomh Conaill were finding the gears again, with Eoin Waide and Leo McLoone pulling the strings. Skipper Waide was fed by Dermot Molloy, whose power saw him regain possession, and the wing-back split the sticks from 30 metres.
Molloy defied the laws of trigonometry when he perfected his angles from the tightest of positions out the left, after a surging run from inside his own half by McLoone opened up the chance.
But Foreglen weren't going down without a stern fight and points by McFeely and Bradley pulled them from the brink again, only for them to be rocked by the concession of AJ Gallagher's goal on 55 minutes.
Despite Foreglen applying a good deal of pressure late on, Naomh Conaill held on.
For the winners, Cathal Ellis, Stephen Molloy, Dermot Molloy, Leo McLoone and Eoin Waide were on song, with the latter being named the Man of the Match.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Martin Gallagher, Ciaran Boyle, Stephen Molloy; Jamie McHugh, Cathal Ellis, Eoin Waide (0-1); Callan Waide, Leo McLoone; Dermot Molloy (0-5, 2f), Seamus Corcoran, Dara Gallagher (0-2, 1f); Christopher Molloy, Joe Kennedy, Brian Quinn. SUBS: Jamie Molloy for C.Waide (36 mins); AJ Gallagher (1-0) for McHugh (41 mins); David Gallagher for C.Molloy (57 mins); John Molloy for Kennedy (60 mins).
Foreglen: Joseph Ashford; Ruairi Duffy, Shane Duffy, Kevin O'Neill; Paul Kealey, Oisin Duffy, Darren O'Kane; Ciaran McFeely, Mark McCormick; Cathal O'Hara, Nigel Bradley (0-5, 3f), Martin Farrell (0-2, 2f); Eoghan McFeely (0-3), Sean Campbell, Eunan McFeely. SUB: Martin Bradley for Kealey (half-time);
Referee: Owen Quinn (Antrim).
May 1st 2010
All Ireland Under 21 Football Final at Breffni Park
Dublin: V Whelan, E Culligan, R O'Carroll, D Nelson, J Cooper, J McCarthy, N Devereux (0-1), S Murray, C Mullins, M Coughlan (0-1), T Furman, G Sweeney (1-1), R McCarthy (0-1), D Rock (0-4, 2f, 1 '45), C Dorney (0-1).
Substitutes: D Quinn for McCarthy (h-t), C Redddin for McCarthy (42), B O'Rourke (0-1) for Furman (48), S McGuinness for Nelson (50), N Brogan for Dorney (73)
Donegal: P Boyle, E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath, D Walsh, T McKinley, C Classon, K Mulhern, D Curran, M McHugh, M Murphy (1-2, 1f), D Molloy (0-5, 4f), J Carroll, L McLoone, A McFadden.
Substitutes: C Morrison (0-1) for McFadden (28), D Murphy for McKinley (28), C McGinley for Carroll (63), S O'Kennedy for Curran (67)
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
Down South, Maginn should get the nod ahead of Kearney
Quote from: dodgy umpire on May 28, 2010, 11:41:18 AM
Down South, Maginn should get the nod ahead of Kearney
I think Poland will start ahead off both.
Quote from: Banana Man on May 28, 2010, 09:15:38 AM
Anybody hear what the weather prediction is for Sunday???
17 degrees with sunny intervals, pretty much perfect!
Ive heard Gordon has faired well in training at full back so why not give it a shot? The only thing that concerns me is that if it fails! Who else is there to full the gap if Mc Ardle and Rafferty dont pull through?
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on May 28, 2010, 03:45:49 PM
Quote from: dodgy umpire on May 28, 2010, 11:41:18 AM
Down South, Maginn should get the nod ahead of Kearney
I think Poland will start ahead off both.
I would go with Kearney, if he has a good day.
Quote from: swagger on May 28, 2010, 04:36:13 PM
Ive heard Gordon has faired well in training at full back so why not give it a shot? The only thing that concerns me is that if it fails! Who else is there to full the gap if Mc Ardle and Rafferty dont pull through?
D. Raff will start.
Quote from: Mourne Rover on May 27, 2010, 11:10:39 PM
Benydorano, if you had referred to a 30 yard, rather than a three yard, hand pass, it might have indicated that you had seen James Colgan fairly regularly. It is one of his great assets, and he is fully entitled to use it instead of a riskier thump up the field.
In terms of his leadership, he captained a tiny school to its first MacRory Cup final, which it lost after a replay, and also lifted AI minor and Ulster u21 cups, so he's not doing too badly there either.
He has his strengths and weaknesses, like most other players, but he did consistently well against some decent teams in the NFL D2. He has only started a single USC match in his career, so it might be an idea to judge him at the end of his first proper season at senior level.
Very true, i wouldn't write anybody off at such a young age.
Down Team for Sunday
1 Brendan McVeigh An Ríocht
2 Brendan McArdle Eanach Chluáin
3 Declan Rooney Boireann
4 Damian Rafferty Seamrogaí an Íuir
5 Kevin McKernan Boireann
6 James Colgan An Ríocht
7 Conor Garvey Droichead Mhaigh Éo
8 Dan Gordon Loch an Oileáin
9 Kalum King Áth Bhriain
10 Daniel Hughes Sabhaill
11 Mark Poland Cloch Fhada
12 Paul McComiskey Dún Droma
13 Brendan Coulter Droichead Mhaigh Éo
14 John Clarke An Ríocht
15 Martin Clarke An Ríocht
16 Declan Alder Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh
17 Conor Maginn Áth Bhriain
18 Ambrose Rogers Cloch Fhada
19 Conor Laverty Cill Chua
20 Ronan Murtagh Baile Cholmáin
21 Stephen Kearney Sabhaill
22 Gerard McCartan Boireann
23 Mark Doran Cloch Fhada
24 Ciarán McGovern Boireann
25 Peter Fitzpatrick Baile Mhairtín
26 Liam Lennon Caisleán Uidhlinn
27 Michéal McCartan Liatroim
28 Darren O'Hagan Cluain Daimh
29 Aidan Carr Cluain Dáimh
30 Kevin Duffin Caisleán Uidhlinn
Has Declan Rooney kicked a ball his year? Disappointed that McVeigh is starting, Alder has been the better keeper this year and deserves his chance. Dan in midfield, cant complain about that and Martin Clarke at corner forward is a bit of codology.
Quote from: Down South on May 28, 2010, 05:11:09 PM
Quote from: Mid Down Gael on May 28, 2010, 03:45:49 PM
Quote from: dodgy umpire on May 28, 2010, 11:41:18 AM
Down South, Maginn should get the nod ahead of Kearney
I think Poland will start ahead off both.
I would go with Kearney, if he has a good day.
Quote from: swagger on May 28, 2010, 04:36:13 PM
Ive heard Gordon has faired well in training at full back so why not give it a shot? The only thing that concerns me is that if it fails! Who else is there to full the gap if Mc Ardle and Rafferty dont pull through?
D. Raff will start.
Best defender we have bar none..reminds me of Brendy McGovern
Murtagh has to feature at some stage...he's wreaking havoc in Div 2...OK I'm biased but he's in some shape...
Quote from: 5 Sams on May 28, 2010, 09:45:22 PM
Quote from: Down South on May 28, 2010, 05:11:09 PM
D. Raff will start.
Best defender we have bar none..reminds me of Brendy McGovern
Didnt think you would praise a Shamrocks man.
Quote from: Down South on May 28, 2010, 09:57:44 PM
Quote from: 5 Sams on May 28, 2010, 09:45:22 PM
Quote from: Down South on May 28, 2010, 05:11:09 PM
D. Raff will start.
Best defender we have bar none..reminds me of Brendy McGovern
Didnt think you would praise a Shamrocks man.
He's an exception :P
Great player...believe it or not I have a few very good friends down there....until the white line is crossed that is ;)
Fair enough Down team. Declan Rooney is a quality player and I don't see James or Mc Iver selecting him in a key role if they weren't confident- he has played there before and is a former captain. The rest of the defence is sound. MF picks itself and I'm happy to see Poland in as he uses his brain and will link well with Benny and John Clarke.He and MC will pull the strings, I expect to see Mc Comiskey shooting on sight and if the first few go over, he'll have a field day. As someone said, Daniel Hughes is due a big game so here's hoping. Donegal will have a physical edge with a mixture of big broad men and big rangy men.Lacey is class, Cassidy is a bull, Toye and Kavanagh have done us damage in the past and Murphy the real deal.Glad to see a dry sod but not glad to see Marty 'small man syndrome' Duffy Still, 9am start and hope springs eternal
Real Down Team for Sunday ( if ambrose out)
1 Brendan McVeigh An Ríocht
2 Brendan McArdle Eanach Chluáin
3 Dan Gordon Loch an Oileáin
4 Damian Rafferty Seamrogaí an Íuir
5 Kevin McKernan Boireann
6 James Colgan An Ríocht
7 Conor Garvey Droichead Mhaigh Éo
8 Peter Fitzpatrick Baile Mhairtín
9 Kalum King Áth Bhriain
10 Daniel Hughes Sabhaill
11 Martin Clarke An Ríocht
12 Mark Poland Cloch Fhada
13 Brendan Coulter Droichead Mhaigh Éo
14 John Clarke An Ríocht
15 Paul McComiskey Dún Droma
16 Declan Alder Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh
17 Conor Maginn Áth Bhriain
18 Ambrose Rogers Cloch Fhada
19 Conor Laverty Cill Chua
20 Ronan Murtagh Baile Cholmáin
21 Stephen Kearney Sabhaill
22 Gerard McCartan Boireann
23 Mark Doran Cloch Fhada
24 Ciarán McGovern Boireann
25
26 Liam Lennon Caisleán Uidhlinn
27 Michéal McCartan Liatroim
28 Darren O'Hagan Cluain Daimh
29 Aidan Carr Cluain Dáimh
30 Kevin Duffin Caisleán Uidhlinn
Marty Duffy was named as the ref on one website, but according to <gaa.ie> Joe McQuillan of Cavan is the man in charge on Sunday. Hopefully, he will do as well as Pat McEnaney did last Sunday.
Declan Rooney started the 07 championship at full back and did well against Cavan, but is probably a more natural half back, which he where he played against Fermanagh last year, before getting injured. It is a gamble bringing him back, as I don't remember him starting a competitive game since then, but our options were limited. He is at least a big strong defender, so, with Colgan providing a further physical presence in front of him, we can only hope for the best.
real concerns aboutneil gallagher in midfield and paul durcan in goals ??? :-[ we've certainly gifted down a goal or two here, surely micheal boyle should be playing!!!! and as for maguire.... its all politics the usual in donegal football!!! :(
Tempted to back Down tomorrow, purely based on the league form. The donegal team that was mauled by Armagh is pretty close to the one lining out tomorrow, especially after factoring in subs. Can Donegal improve that dramatically in such a short period of time.
Down looked sharp when playing Armagh in league final, then Armagh turned over Derry.
Quote from: done and dusted on May 29, 2010, 10:13:53 AM
real concerns aboutneil gallagher in midfield and paul durcan in goals ??? :-[ we've certainly gifted down a goal or two here, surely micheal boyle should be playing!!!! and as for maguire.... its all politics the usual in donegal football!!! :(
What concerns about big Neil? That he lacks mobility? Sure what other options do we have? Play Toye and Kavanagh there and give up loads in physicality? Big Neil isn't the problem IMO.
My criticism of Durhan has always been his kick-outs. They are not accurate enough but I think he has improved in this area somewhat this year. It's a close call between him and Boyle but I would go with Boyle also.
I'd worry about Maguire too. I don't think politics has anything to do with it (that accusation will always come up whenever a manager picks someone from his own club) but he has always looked a bit at sea whenever I've seen him play.
I expect Clark to play in his normal CHF position and Cass to pick him up. Monaghan will drop to the HB line and Kavanagh or Toye will play alongside Big Neil.
Quote from: joemamas on May 29, 2010, 05:54:48 PM
Down looked sharp when playing Armagh in league final.
Down were very flat in the league final, they just didnt seem up for it at all. It was their worst performance of the league by far. If they play like that tomorrow Donegal will beat them out the gate. Donegal are much better than their last outing suggests.
Head says Donegal, heart says Down.
Quote from: Down South on May 28, 2010, 09:28:26 PM
Has Declan Rooney kicked a ball his year? Disappointed that McVeigh is starting, Alder has been the better keeper this year and deserves his chance. Dan in midfield, cant complain about that and Martin Clarke at corner forward is a bit of codology.
not much though - noone thinks hes gonna play there. Pulled out in free role it looks like. should be perfect for him
Both teams line out as named. Clarke is expected to play closer to goal, but I think that will depend on how Poland fares out.
McArdle picking up Murphy
Very inconsistent refereeing. Murphy gets away scot free for his challenge on McKernan, King booked for an innocuous challenge on the Donegal number 7.
McVeigh nowhere for the goal. Alder would have put him into the Atlantic. Route one football beats the down defence again. Down look dire at the minute.
Coulter with Downs first on 14 minutes.
Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final
Donegal 1-01 0-01 Down, Ballybofey, 2.00pm
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/05/30/gaa-sunday-live-scores-results-sunday-30th-may/
John Clarke with a point when a goal was the easier option.
Have Donegal been sent out to get "stuck in". The only Donegal scorer should be on the line, cowardly tackle.
Poland with Downs first from a free. Donegal 1-01 0-03 Down.
Ball watching again. Down may go home now.
Marty Clarke point from play. Is Dan Gordon even on the pitch?
is the same down team thats gonna win ulster....and serious contenders for Sam? ;D
Donegal 2-01 0-04 Down, Ballybofey, 2.00pm
Donegal two chances and two goals - Still think donegal have a great chance
Danny Hughes point. McComiskey hiding behind Dan Gordon in Jacksons Hotel?
Coulter with the wrong option. Man free inside.
Donegal looking like a one trick pony (long ball to Murphy). Down more purposeful but silly mistakes and poor handling. Fancy Down to take this one.
Poland with a good point from play. 2 in it. Donegal 2-02 0-06 Down
Just in. Did murphy get any scores today. Need a few from him for the gl comp
Down have to stop double marking Murphy in the second half and go 14 on 14. Free man gettin a lot of handy ball.
Danny Hughes with his second of the day. 2 in it at half time. Ref giving a lot to Donegal or am I biased?
The two goals have masked how poor Donegal have been. Not a bad game. Down's full back line is the weak link again.
How strong is the wind there today?
Feck this double marking shit. Does down management not know he my forward on gl and he not getting me any scores.
Down looks like the best team. Some of the point taking has been impressive. Murphy may be better coming out the field a bit seeing Down have big numbers in front of him. Brick has had an impressive debut.
Down need to make changes at half time. Laverty for McComiskey. Take Colgan out to the half back line and put Fitzpatrick on in place of Gordon. Dan isnt at the game today. Leave Ambi for today, hopefully he will be needed in a few weeks.
Poor from Donegal so far, although it is good that once again we can get goals when Murphy does manage to win the ball against the odds! Crowd is very flat - you can tell they are worried! We need to start breaking at speed and knocking over a few points from out the field like the Down lads are doing, but then we're going to be playing against the breeze in the second half. But at least John Joe has made the change on Coulter - Lacey was being taken to the cleaners by Coulter, but McGee has, at least in the few minutes since the switch, done a lot better.
Another soft free for Donegal. Down getting cleaned in the middle.
Yes first score for murphy
dunnion walking a tightrope
Down point from Poland free 2-04 0-08
Jesus this is a terrible match. No atmosphere at all
Quote from: JimStynes on May 30, 2010, 03:11:07 PM
Jesus this is a terrible match. No atmosphere at all
Thats cos Im not there. :D
Maginn for Clarke, Maginn playing around CHF
not clarkes day
Martin clarke having a stinker, he'll be away back to oz in november.
Donegal want this more. Down look very very flat. Down need someone in the middle to help King. Still only 2 in it though, a Down goal would make a game of it.
hes back!! lol
Down need to up it. Two sluggish midfields-Tyrone will be licking their lips
mccomiskey off. dan full forward.
Some score by clarke, he's some player. Having a stormer. He won't want to go near australia ever again.
Donegal going to lose this with their poor play
Clarke with a cracker. Pete Fitzpatrick about to come in. Dan away to Full Forward ::)
score of the championship from coulter.
any aussies scouts watching this game? :)
Made by Coulter, scored by Coulter. Game on
Draw?
Quote from: gerry on May 30, 2010, 03:21:10 PM
Donegal going to lose this with their poor play
[/quote
Shocking stuff - Down scores coming from Donegal mistakes.
Who came on for McKernan?
longs left?
Quote from: hardstation on May 30, 2010, 03:25:17 PM
How could you be a Donegal supporter? They'd break your feckin heart the way they play.
Poor match but decent entertainment.
Come on donegal
get the ball to bennnyyyyy
Deadly point benny
Some point alright and he yet to get his goal.
Jesus benny is some player. Unreal that he's never had all star. Clarke scores when it matters.
the benny and marty show
Marvellous ;D
another 20mins!
exciting finish
Down too reliant on Donegal.
Donegal too reliant on Coulter.
We'd want to get the finger out. Totally lost it in the last 15 minutes - some of those fisted turnovers on the 40 that led to Down points were just disgraceful. Lucky to make extra time, but it doesn't say much for Down so far either!
Doesextra time count in gl fantasy football?
Donegal are up there with Derry in terms of being terrified of playing football.
Great finish but why did Donegal make changes in the middle? It was the only part of the field were they were having sucess.
Great score from Coulter. Donegal forwards all afraid to shoot apart from Hanlon that came on. Should be a bit more space now with the legs getting tired.
Quote from: Mickeys beard on May 30, 2010, 03:39:00 PM
Doesextra time count in gl fantasy football?
70 minutes i think but could be wrong
Quote from: Carmen Stateside on May 30, 2010, 03:42:10 PM
Should be a bit more space now with the legs getting tired.
Teams allowed another 3 subs each.
Mcfadden fresh legs should help. Has to step up and claim his place if he wants it for the next game
Coulter with another
f**k Off Premium Sports you bastards. Pay $20 and the f**kers dont show extra time!
Wides to cost donegal 13 so far
Setanta are a joke
Down living dangerously
Why is Mc Fadden now know as Colm Anthony?
Setanta are utter pricks.
Lavery coming on for Poland
Danny Hughes puts Down 2 up
Setanta is back
So it is, Still bastards :D
The question is will my phone battery last another 10 minutes to post on here
Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final
Donegal 2-07 0-15 Down, Ballybofey
HT of extra time
http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/2010/05/30/gaa-sunday-live-scores-results-sunday-30th-may/
Wasteful from Danny Hughes.
Too much f*cking about from Down. Ref give Donegal a very dubious free.
All square. Donegals to lose.
What a miss
all over? coulter goal
That should be it now - 2 point lead 3 left.
2 in it. Great goal from Coulter.
Well done Down.
Great win in Ballybofey.
Coulter man of the match. Contender for score of the championship. Lot of work to do, but its great to get a win in Ballybofey. Stick that up yer hole Oisin.
One of the great performances in Ulster by Coulter. Was everywhere in the last five minutes.
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 04:10:08 PM
Coulter man of the match. Contender for score of the championship. Lot of work to do, but its great to get a win in Ballybofey. Stick that up yer hole Oisin.
:D
Quote from: Mickeys beard on May 30, 2010, 04:10:44 PM
One of the great performances in Ulster by Coulter. Was everywhere in the last five minutes.
Coulter always was a class act.
Man for the big day.
Danny Hughes had a good one as well.
Anybody else watching the game on bbc think that mc conville keeps copying what mc hughs is saying? :D
f**k that anyway. We were shite, but we still should have saved that at the end. John Joe won't be around for next season if things don't improve dramatically in the qualifiers. Far too many basic errors, turnovers and lads refusing to take the responsibility of shooting. Stupid changes at midfield swung the game Down's way in the last fifteen minutes of normal time. Two tactics - hit it long and aimlessly towards Murphy or pass it back and forth across the 45, both done while taking far too long to break out of defense. I don't expect us to be challenging, but you should at least be making the best of what you have.
Well done to Down. Think you'll have to seriously step it up to win an Ulster though.
Quote from: anportmorforjfc on May 30, 2010, 04:16:23 PM
Anybody else watching the game on bbc think that mc conville keeps copying what mc hughs is saying? :D
mumble mumble mumble mumble. At least McHugh is understandable (ish)
Great to get a win!! Tyrone will be a much tougher test out the next day!
McVeigh - Good kick outs & great hands when it counted. No chance with either goals
McArdle - Caught badly for the first goal but recovered well & shackled Murphy well
Rooney - Quiet day on his return but went about his business well
Rafferty - Down's best defender consistently this year. Another massive performance.
McKernan - Very poor in my opinion again. Lucky to remain on field as frustration boiled over again.
Colgan - His serious lack of pace invites opponents onto our defence & even in the sweeper role though he was poor.
Garvey - Average day, but always sticks to his task & tries to recover from his mistakes
Gordon - Definitely not back to his best & anyone claiming he is is foolish. Overshadowed by his midfield partner & struggled with Cassidy.
King - Massive preformance. Close runner to Benny in MOM. Dominated the middle & brute strength forced Donegal to rethink around the middle.
Hughes - Works himself into the ground on regular basis whether he is having a good game or not. Some great scores.
Poland - Tries very hard but at times he went missing. Need more of a scoring threat but should start against Tyrone.
McComiskey - Shockingly poor no matter what RTE said! Living off good performances against poorer teams like London. Didnt have any impact in forward line in my opinion & shouldve been replaced earlier.
Coulter - MOM. How he hasnt bagged an All Star yeat when his opposite number Lacey has 2?? Destroyed Donegal & looked sharper than ever.
Clarke - John had a hard day at the edge of the square. Always tries his hardest but just didnt go for him today.
Clarke - Media have hyped serious pressure on him & at the minute I think it weighs heavy on him. Kicked some sublime scores from tight angles but overall think he needs to have a greater influence on games in the future.
On the ref I thought he was very poor in the opening stages. How 3 Down players managed to get booked while Donegal in guys like Molloy managed to not even get ticked was very frustrating. Sense prevailed with the "Hand Pass" rule & think refs are now using their own common sense as opposed to the GAA's directive.
Guevara I would agree with all of your summary except for the keeper. It is a goalkeepers job to make himself as BIG as possible in a one on one situation. McVeigh failed to do this on both occasions, but he improved greatly as th game went on and took a great ball out of the sky when a point looked certain. Alder is the better keeper.
Quote from: guevara on May 30, 2010, 04:29:53 PM
Great to get a win!! Tyrone will be a much tougher test out the next day!
McVeigh - Good kick outs & great hands when it counted. No chance with either goals
McArdle - Caught badly for the first goal but recovered well & shackled Murphy well
Rooney - Quiet day on his return but went about his business well
Rafferty - Down's best defender consistently this year. Another massive performance.
McKernan - Very poor in my opinion again. Lucky to remain on field as frustration boiled over again.
Colgan - His serious lack of pace invites opponents onto our defence & even in the sweeper role though he was poor.
Garvey - Average day, but always sticks to his task & tries to recover from his mistakes
Gordon - Definitely not back to his best & anyone claiming he is is foolish. Overshadowed by his midfield partner & struggled with Cassidy.
King - Massive preformance. Close runner to Benny in MOM. Dominated the middle & brute strength forced Donegal to rethink around the middle.
Hughes - Works himself into the ground on regular basis whether he is having a good game or not. Some great scores.
Poland - Tries very hard but at times he went missing. Need more of a scoring threat but should start against Tyrone.
McComiskey - Shockingly poor no matter what RTE said! Living off good performances against poorer teams like London. Didnt have any impact in forward line in my opinion & shouldve been replaced earlier.
Coulter - MOM. How he hasnt bagged an All Star yeat when his opposite number Lacey has 2?? Destroyed Donegal & looked sharper than ever.
Clarke - John had a hard day at the edge of the square. Always tries his hardest but just didnt go for him today.
Clarke - Media have hyped serious pressure on him & at the minute I think it weighs heavy on him. Kicked some sublime scores from tight angles but overall think he needs to have a greater influence on games in the future.
On the ref I thought he was very poor in the opening stages. How 3 Down players managed to get booked while Donegal in guys like Molloy managed to not even get ticked was very frustrating. Sense prevailed with the "Hand Pass" rule & think refs are now using their own common sense as opposed to the GAA's directive.
The ref obviously didn't see the Molloy elbow, which happened just after the ball had been released and in the middle of a bunch of players. Very unfair to dismiss his performance in the early part of the game as poor based on that. Molloy was very lucky though.
As for Lacey, his All Stars were thoroughly deserved, and bar top class performances in late August/September, they are not given out just because a player happens to give a previous All Star the runaround in one game. Perhaps Coulter has merited one in the past, but there are numerous players in the running in any particular season. Who should he have replaced?
I think that i would put big Dan at FF v Tyrone, and maybe Benny at CHF i thought he played very well when he moved out there. Thats assuming Ambrose is back, do think that we have to have a serious look at Howard and A Carr once we can get them fit.
Overall i am happy that we got the win, we dont normally see to do well in these type of tight games anymore, and to come out of Ballybofey with a win is good. A lot more to do but i do think the team seems alot more organised. I thought Marty seemed off his game today but still scorced some great points, i dont know was it the presure or was he not feeling well but he did not look as sharp as normal especially with his free's.
Ruairi Kavanagh is well able to kick a score.
Why would he not shoot today?
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 04:53:12 PM
Ruairi Kavanagh is well able to kick a score.
Why would he not shoot today?
[/b]
He wasn't on his own !
If the Ref was unable to see the Molly hit then the Umpire should've! It was blatant & the sort of nonsense that tends to be let go at the opening stages of games. King was booked for leaving his hand in the tackle & any justification of it being a high tackle is way off the mark as the replay showed.
This is the problem, inconsistency in decisions. I understand its a very fast game & its impossible for a ref to see every little incident. But he has 6 other officails at his disposal in order to ensure that the game is done as impartially as possible.
But dont get me wrong I thought McQuillan was a big improvement on some of the performances from officials earlier in the Championship!
On the McVeigh performance Down South, the first one was a complete mix up between McArdle & Colgan that left Molloy free a few yards out & the Second was again after Colgan had been dragged out of position & a fortunate rebound off a post left Dunne with a simple chance. McVeigh is Down's best keeper by some distance in my opinion.
Quote from: J70 on May 30, 2010, 04:44:10 PM
Quote from: guevara on May 30, 2010, 04:29:53 PM
Great to get a win!! Tyrone will be a much tougher test out the next day!
McVeigh - Good kick outs & great hands when it counted. No chance with either goals
McArdle - Caught badly for the first goal but recovered well & shackled Murphy well
Rooney - Quiet day on his return but went about his business well
Rafferty - Down's best defender consistently this year. Another massive performance.
McKernan - Very poor in my opinion again. Lucky to remain on field as frustration boiled over again.
Colgan - His serious lack of pace invites opponents onto our defence & even in the sweeper role though he was poor.
Garvey - Average day, but always sticks to his task & tries to recover from his mistakes
Gordon - Definitely not back to his best & anyone claiming he is is foolish. Overshadowed by his midfield partner & struggled with Cassidy.
King - Massive preformance. Close runner to Benny in MOM. Dominated the middle & brute strength forced Donegal to rethink around the middle.
Hughes - Works himself into the ground on regular basis whether he is having a good game or not. Some great scores.
Poland - Tries very hard but at times he went missing. Need more of a scoring threat but should start against Tyrone.
McComiskey - Shockingly poor no matter what RTE said! Living off good performances against poorer teams like London. Didnt have any impact in forward line in my opinion & shouldve been replaced earlier.
Coulter - MOM. How he hasnt bagged an All Star yeat when his opposite number Lacey has 2?? Destroyed Donegal & looked sharper than ever.
Clarke - John had a hard day at the edge of the square. Always tries his hardest but just didnt go for him today.
Clarke - Media have hyped serious pressure on him & at the minute I think it weighs heavy on him. Kicked some sublime scores from tight angles but overall think he needs to have a greater influence on games in the future.
On the ref I thought he was very poor in the opening stages. How 3 Down players managed to get booked while Donegal in guys like Molloy managed to not even get ticked was very frustrating. Sense prevailed with the "Hand Pass" rule & think refs are now using their own common sense as opposed to the GAA's directive.
The ref obviously didn't see the Molloy elbow, which happened just after the ball had been released and in the middle of a bunch of players. Very unfair to dismiss his performance in the early part of the game as poor based on that. Molloy was very lucky though.
As for Lacey, his All Stars were thoroughly deserved, and bar top class performances in late August/September, they are not given out just because a player happens to give a previous All Star the runaround in one game. Perhaps Coulter has merited one in the past, but there are numerous players in the running in any particular season. Who should he have replaced?
Agree on the ref. McQuillan can be annoying sometimes but I thought he had a very good game, call the "new" handpass rule correct (and god knows there were a lot of handpasses). He missed Molloys challenge but so did 2 umpires and linesmen who you think would have seen it.
Down finally showed a bit of balls for a change and won a hard match. Still don't think they'll win the next day out but you never know. Donegal need to stop this slow hand pass crap, its putrid to watch and thankfully they are not winning games playing that way.
Guevara player assessments is spot on. First Championship game this year, a win is a win gratefully accepted, but big improvement required. At least we are still there
A pleasure watching Coulter on that form. Some great fielding in the last 20 minutes.
Im sure he will be dissappointed himself when he sees the chance in first half when he should have passed across the square instead of going himself, was some turn but. He was head and shoulders above anyone else on the field today.
Which one of the Down defenders has the mullet?
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 06:22:55 PM
Which one of the Down defenders has the mullet?
Mullet!! ;D Makes me think of Chris Waddle or Pat Sharp from ITV Programme Fun House every time!!
Probably Damien Rafferty your thinking of?
Down's best defender today & has pace to burn
I thought McQuillan had a very good game today, you can't expect him to see every off the ball incident and he can't be blamed for what he is or isn't told by the other officials. He contributed to easily the most entertaining game of the year so far.
Having said that Donegal really are painful to watch at times. They seem obsessed with taking two solos and running 20 yards before even considering kicking the ball. Every move seems to involve two passes more than it needs to, it gets a bit headwrecking after a while. Kevin Cassidy is a good athlete but his style of play will win very little, reminds me of Trevor Mortimer in that regard.
Down have too many average players to challenge for national honours. But what they do have is two excellent forwards who are great to watch. For that reason you'd always consider taking the time to watch a Down game when they're on, even though as a team overall, they're not the best.
Paul Durkans save near the end of normal time was as good a reflex stop as you will see all year in the Championship.
Quote from: guevara on May 30, 2010, 06:48:35 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 06:22:55 PM
Which one of the Down defenders has the mullet?
Mullet!! ;D Makes me think of Chris Waddle or Pat Sharp from ITV Programme Fun House every time!!
Probably Damien Rafferty your thinking of?
Down's best defender today & has pace to burn
He'd be even faster without that mullet weighing him down. :)
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 07:00:12 PM
Quote from: guevara on May 30, 2010, 06:48:35 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 06:22:55 PM
Which one of the Down defenders has the mullet?
Mullet!! ;D Makes me think of Chris Waddle or Pat Sharp from ITV Programme Fun House every time!!
Probably Damien Rafferty your thinking of?
Down's best defender today & has pace to burn
He'd be even faster without that mullet weighing him down. :)
...or being elbowed in the face.
I also thought McQuillan had a good game, he deserves the credit.
I hardly noticed Gordon when he was in midfield, I think Down would need him firing to have a chance in the SF.
Superb display from Coulter.
very disappointed, every time we got to the final third of the pitch we seemed to come to a dead end, a poor donegal performance against a poor down side apart from coulter, gordan and m clarke. John joe has to go now he's just not up to it, time to see what mcguinnes can do!!!.....
Yet again I wasn't impressed with Clarke.
He's terribly one-sided.
Any news on how is Howards recovery going is he playing for Bryansford?, and how badly hurt is Carr
Quote from: Highlander3 on May 30, 2010, 07:44:24 PM
Any news on how is Howards recovery going is he playing for Bryansford?, and how badly hurt is Carr
Luke started Bryansfords last 2 games, came on as a second half sub in the 2 games before that.
Thats great to hear on Luke as i do think we still need to strengthen our back's even thou they played ok today
Quote from: Highlander3 on May 30, 2010, 08:04:07 PM
Thats great to hear on Luke as i do think we still need to strengthen our back's even thou they played ok today
What game were you watching? Down conceeded two of the softest goals you will ever see. Luke Howard if fully fit would be a great addition to the full back line, Dan McCartan will miss the semi as his ban runs out at midnight that night. I think we have to stop dropping Colgan back to cover the full back line.
Still a win is a win and thankfully I wont have to stay at home for the next one.
http://www.youtube.com/user/UlsterGAA// - Benny 'black eye' talking after the game about his goal and stuff.
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 08:08:58 PM
Quote from: Highlander3 on May 30, 2010, 08:04:07 PM
Thats great to hear on Luke as i do think we still need to strengthen our back's even thou they played ok today
What game were you watching? Down conceeded two of the softest goals you will ever see. Luke Howard if fully fit would be a great addition to the full back line, Dan McCartan will miss the semi as his ban runs out at midnight that night. I think we have to stop dropping Colgan back to cover the full back line.
Still a win is a win and thankfully I wont have to stay at home for the next one.
Yea the goals were bad and goals win games, but in normal time Donegal only got 9 scores, coming from we have been defensively the last few years i thought that was not to bad. But totally agree on it would be great to have Luke back, i thought that D McCartan would be back but forgot it was a Sat game. The Colgan strategy does not system to have worked as well the last few games and better teams know how to us the extra men, but i am just not sure if i would trust our FB line being isolated
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 07:43:25 PM
Yet again I wasn't impressed with Clarke.
He's terribly one-sided.
Have to agree...the 45 near the end of normal time was a beaut but otherwise didn't stand out.
Quote from: A Quinn Martin Production on May 30, 2010, 08:40:16 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 30, 2010, 07:43:25 PM
Yet again I wasn't impressed with Clarke.
He's terribly one-sided.
Have to agree...the 45 near the end of normal time was a beaut but otherwise didn't stand out.
A good portion of his quietness was down an excellent marking job by Barry Dunnion who was giving up a good 4-5 inches in height to Clarke.
Down were the easily the better team and only for the goals would of been out of sight with 20 minutes left. I thought Donegal were very poor and one dimensional in their play and look like a team bereft of confidence.
Down made hard work of it though but the ability to win a tight match (for a change) will stand to them for the rest of the summer. They have nothing to lose against Tyrone next time out as most people think its a foregone conclusion and I can see that game being another tight affair with Down maybe edging it
Well done to Down. A deserved win. The goals allowed us to stay in it for longer than our overall play deserved. The most disappointing thing for me is that amount of times that we gave the ball away cheaply which led directly to Down scores. I'd conservatively say that 4-5 of Down's points came as a direct result of Donegal turnovers.
One positive was that a good few younger lads played today and did well (McHugh, Brick).
Donegal seem to have a habit of doing EXACTLY the wrong thing when faced by a blanket defence. It's not a new fad in football, they really should've caught on it after umpteen defeats to Armagh, very frustrating to watch, feel sorry for their fans watching that crap. Coulter was superb, you have to have sympathy for Martin Clarke, large sections of the Down support and the media are heaping way too much pressure on him.
Finally fair play to the ref, while the quality of play at times was poor, the match not the whistle fest we've had to endure for the past few weeks. Very watchable.
Quote from: hardstation on May 30, 2010, 09:41:15 PM
Not trying to annoy either set of supporters but both teams are shite.
And before the 'What about Antrim' posts come in - I know.
Doubt you're going to get much argument about any of that, at least not from our end! :)
I thought Down won the game because the subs they brought on were better than the guys they replaced. Or maybe it was cause their markers had tired.
Apparently Down warmed up on the field before the match in their club colours. What was that about?
Martin Clarke was not the best player on the field today but he scored three points from half-forward, improved as the match was really in the balance, scored the '45 to put them ahead for the first time and set up the goal that won it.
What do people expect?
No doubt he has more to offer but he's probably coming into a very different game than the one he left at minor level with no room to breathe in his section of the field anymore.
I don't buy the whole he's too left sided thing either, Maradona hardly used his right foot during his whole career and it didn't hamper him a whole pile.
Quote from: ExiledGael on May 30, 2010, 11:12:07 PM
Martin Clarke was not the best player on the field today but he scored three points from half-forward, improved as the match was really in the balance, scored the '45 to put them ahead for the first time and set up the goal that won it.
What do people expect?
No doubt he has more to offer but he's probably coming into a very different game than the one he left at minor level with no room to breathe in his section of the field anymore.
I don't buy the whole he's too left sided thing either, Maradona hardly used his right foot during his whole career and it didn't hamper him a whole pile.
But Maradonna never played in the Ulster Championship
It might not have been a great game, but it was a great occasion and it had a truly great player on show. McVeigh had little chance with the goals and his kick-outs were generally OK. Rafferty was excellent as usual, and is as brave as they come. McArdle did exceptionally well on Murphy, and not many other full backs have kept him scoreless from play. Rooney was reasonable, having not played county football for over a year but the half back line was our main concern. They all had their moments, but they all made individual mistakes which might have cost us dearly. Colgan suits our style of play, but is not looking a natural CHB, Garvey had a mixed day and McKernan competed well but will need to watch his discipline.
Gordon was poor until he moved to FF, but King was immense from start to finish. Hughes had possibly his best ever championship game, and scored some glorious points apart from missing an easy chance at a crucial stage. Poland is a fine player, and did well throughout, but McComiskey was out of position and it showed.
Marty Clarke is capable of much more, but he still kicked two great points from play, put over a pressure 45 and set up the winning goal. That will do for a USC debut. John Clarke will have better days, but what can we say about the main man. It is hard to believe that he could rise in the estimation of Down supporters, but he does it again and again.
Fair play to the management, who improved the side with each substitution. Fitzpatrick was the pick of them, but O'Hagan is a very confident and capable teenager and Maginn give us great balance. With Ambrose, who loves playing against Tyrone, to return, anything is possible in the semi.
Just in, reading some of the posts here reminds me why people are leaving this board.
The ref was fair, Down management was excellent and , in complete contrast to 2006, every decision ( positional/tactics/substitutes) worked. Donegal are a good side but are too focussed on Murphy ( just like Down were on Benny for years) and avoided taking responsibility so went sideways waiting for him to be free. The reason they didn't find him ?Mc Ardles's pace and Colgan's reading.Both were exposed for the first goal but, unbelievably, Murphy did not score from play.So fair play to them, although it seems like a fatima secret on here.Garvey and Mc Kernan will play better, Dan needs much more game time in the new structure whereas Pete Fitz fitted in straight away. King was King.Mc Comiskey didn't do a lot wrong but didn't do a lot and Maginn may hold his pace with an intelligent performance. Credit to Daniel- he was all pace and balls and needs to build in consistency.Poland was like Maginn- almost always takes the right option and his point was majestic.JC was mostly good, no need to talk about Benny but his leadership is exceptional.
And so to Marty. His championship debut. His very presence takes serious pressure off Benny and while some passes went astray, form is temporary and class is permanent.
O'Hagan was outstanding, great day out and bring on Tyrone.
The minors just about made it- with that panel they should have won by a cricket score.
In your opinion. Today was the first game I missed this year and you see very little on telly. Ambrose was Downs best player all year, closely followed by D Raff, then Daniel McCartan and James Colgan. Up front John Clarke was outstanding, Marty was consistent without ever setting the world alight. Hughes had a good game against Armagh, worked hard in others but never puts in 2 consecutive good performances.
Martin Clarke is just finding his feet in gaelic football. He does the simple things well and like all good players makes space for himself. He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
HS, I presume you haven't been to too many Down games this year - you need to see Marty Clarke to understand what he has done to lift an average team to a better than average team
Let's be real here. Marty Clarke has played one game in the USC, did reasonably well and is capable of better. We can judge him when he has played at least one season and not before. Danny Hughes is now a senior member of our team, has had ups and downs, but is starting to look as though he might deiliver. Benny, by any reasonable assessment - check the overall USC goal scoring stats - is already somewhere close to the heroes of the 60s and 90s, and, yet again, imposed himself on a game and turned it in our favour. Anyone who was at the match today knows who was the main man, by a distance.
Hard Station i think that you are being way too hard on m clarke, it was his first USC, i dont think he was at his best today, which was reflected in his frees he only hit one of them right. But still he scored 3 points, a 50 that went a mile over and 2 other points from way out on the wing, this is not only his first year playing championship football, its his first year playing GAA in about 3 years. I really think people are expecting to much to soon, you have to give him at least a year.
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 11:29:02 PM
In your opinion. Today was the first game I missed this year and you see very little on telly. Ambrose was Downs best player all year, closely followed by D Raff, then Daniel McCartan and James Colgan. Up front John Clarke was outstanding, Marty was consistent without ever setting the world alight. Hughes had a good game against Armagh, worked hard in others but never puts in 2 consecutive good performances.
Martin Clarke is just finding his feet in gaelic football. He does the simple things well and like all good players makes space for himself. He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
I dunno, I thought he gave the ball away a good few times.
Quote from: hardstation on May 31, 2010, 12:57:04 AM
Quote from: Highlander3 on May 31, 2010, 12:51:04 AM
Hard Station i think that you are being way to hard on m clarke, it was his first USC, i dont think he was at his best today, which was reflected in his fee's he only hit one of them right. But still he scored 3 points a 50 that when a mile over and 2 other points from way out on the wing, this is not only his first year playing championship football, its his first year playing GAA in about 3 years. I really think people are expecting to much to soon, you have to give him at least a year.
I'm giving him as long as he wants but quotes like this annoy me...
He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
How the feck can anyone tell? This is putting a lot of pressure on him to prove this. FFS let him get on with it without humping this bullshit on to him.
Thats a fair point us Down wans have been hyping him him up a bit to much, there will only be one Greg Blaney in my opinion one of the best players i ever saw, Marty is his own man and it will be at least 5/6 years before he should be mentioned with Blaney.
I still think that what this team misses outside off a few defenders is a real hard ball winner like Blaney was
Hardstation I can see were you are coming from but simple fact is Coulter has been Downs most consistent performer over last 6/7 years. Danny Hughes is a very talented guy but can be frustrating at times in consistency & belief in beating his marker on regular basis to take scores.
Benny is feared by any defender who marks him & for good reason......ask Mallon, McMenamin etc & they will testify he is one of the best. For too long he has been like a one man band, dragging poor Down teams along with him. But James McCartan has brought in guys who have taken some of the workload off his shoulders. Guys like King, Marty Clarke, Mark Poland & John Clarke have all added to the team.
On the Marty Clarke issue, it has to be said that he has been better than average so far, but in no way is he the Messiah that a lot of fellow Down supporters were making him out to be!!
He's a great story for the media who have hyped him up to the point were the young fella is expected to be winning games by himself.
He is still green in terms of Championship experience & today it showed at times. He kicked 2 sideline balls for points that if they had've went over would be all over the media in the morning but in hindsight posession would have been the best option at that stage. I think Marty himself would want to improve in his overall contribution to games, especially after the Armagh game were he was kept very quiet. But overall he's going well & it can only be a bonus for Down that he has chosen to be here in the Summer months & not in Oz!!
Coulter's a freak....cutting in along the line to to set up a score, winning vital possession in his own box, fetching balls in the middle of the field and lumping it over the bar from 60 yards, scoring goals at vital times, outrageous points from equally outrageous angles...if there's a better all round player in the country today I've yet to see him...we spoke, albeit slightly tongue in cheek, on here a few times about him being the best footballer in the country...I do believe he's not far away...
As for Danny Hughes being a better player...as we say down this way...aye right...
I like Danny have saw him play some brilliant games, some times he looks like an all star, but its just that he is so inconsistent
Quote. Benny is feared by any defender who marks him
Coulter is a fine forward but let's not forget the fear was hangin out of him when he played against McKeever. It's like anything else- some defenders have the measure of a forward. McNulty always had a bit of an Indian sign over Canavan for example.
he could do with being a little less selfish too. Open goal fir his team mate at far side of square and he shoots from a ridiculous angle. Poor decision making.
That said I would gladly have him in the Tyrone team and he has caused us no end of bother over the years. :-[
Quote from: hardstation on May 31, 2010, 12:59:51 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 31, 2010, 12:58:04 AM
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 11:29:02 PM
In your opinion. Today was the first game I missed this year and you see very little on telly. Ambrose was Downs best player all year, closely followed by D Raff, then Daniel McCartan and James Colgan. Up front John Clarke was outstanding, Marty was consistent without ever setting the world alight. Hughes had a good game against Armagh, worked hard in others but never puts in 2 consecutive good performances.
Martin Clarke is just finding his feet in gaelic football. He does the simple things well and like all good players makes space for himself. He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
I dunno, I thought he gave the ball away a good few times.
He did, like everyone else and was an also ran imo.
I think people are expecting too much from what is still a young man finding his way in championship football. I have watched Marty since he was in his early teens. I got a phone call from one of our boys who was marking him in a game against the college, he said he had never seen anything like him, he was a freak. I went to the next game just to see this unknown player and I was very very impressed, he was the most complete footballer I had ever seen. I saw most of his big games at schools level and all his minor matches for Down. At underage level he simply had no equals. He was as 5Sams would say, a freak. He had no real position at underage football, Marty played were Marty played, a nightmare for any marker. He won an All Ireland minor in 2005, he was the stand out player on a very good minor team.
He came home from Oz and won a league title for his club, they simply would not have won it without him. Then when he quit Oz to come home for good, he helped them win promotion against Ballyholland. I remember reading this board and people were saying that he didn't play that well, but thewobbler, who was on the line with Ballyholland saying that everything good came through him, every good ball played into the An Riocht forward line came from Marty. He did the simple things well and helped his team win another vital match.
He has played most games for Down this year and it is no coincidence that Down have had a good year, by our standards anyway. He brings out the best in those around him, he plays good quality ball into the forward line, be that a quick ball over the top or pass into the corner, he wasted very few balls over the course of the national league and was deadly accurate from the placed ball, ending up as Downs top scorer.
Sadly I couldn't make it to Ballybofey yesterday, but I didn't see him do a lot wrong. He was involved in everything good that Down done and it was no coincidence that Downs 3 best players on the day were involved in the Down goal, Hughes, Clarke and Coulter. Coulter had one of those days yesterday, it wasn't just a man of the match performance, it was Benny at his best. Benny hogged the limelight yesterday and none of us will begrudge him a bit of it, on that form he is unstoppable.But I think Clarke has a lot to do with Benny's form. For to long Down have been a one man band. Stop Coulter, Stop Down. Donegal had to think of Clarke yesterday as well and this gave Coulter a wee bit more room. Many think Clarke had an off day, he will have another day in the Ulster Championship this year. Michael Murphy wont and no one is saying that Murphy is over rated today.
Marty Calrke didn't look himself yesterday and was puffing fairly heavily early on.
has he been carrying an injury or bug of some sort recently?
Is Liam Doyle anyways back near the team yet?
coulter has given the best performance in the championship to date, hopefully he can maintain this form for the remainder of the season.
donegal will have to go back to the drawing board, their style of play is not playing to their strengths IMO
Quote from: johnneycool on May 31, 2010, 11:12:54 AM
Marty Calrke didn't look himself yesterday and was puffing fairly heavily early on.
has he been carrying an injury or bug of some sort recently?
Is Liam Doyle anyways back near the team yet?
I agree Johnny i think i said the same thing earlier, he just him not look as fresh as normal
Coulter is and has been Down's best player for the last 10 years, no doubt about it
Coulter is a joy to watch. Marty Clarke will do it if he stays longterm.
Down have no reason to fear Tyrone, I'm pretty sure Tyrone would have preferred donegal to come through. Still weak defensively thou and a team as experienced as Tyrone could exploit it bigtime.
[/quote]
The ref obviously didn't see the Molloy elbow, which happened just after the ball had been released and in the middle of a bunch of players.
The ref may not have seen it, and as a result took no action, but it will be interesting to see what action the CCC take. Molloy may be a young and inexperienced player but it they let him off with that elbow then what sort of signal does that send to him and other young players. Derry and Tyrone players received hefty punishments for a lot less. Lets wait and see!!!!!
Quote from: hardstation on May 31, 2010, 12:59:51 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 31, 2010, 12:58:04 AM
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 11:29:02 PM
In your opinion. Today was the first game I missed this year and you see very little on telly. Ambrose was Downs best player all year, closely followed by D Raff, then Daniel McCartan and James Colgan. Up front John Clarke was outstanding, Marty was consistent without ever setting the world alight. Hughes had a good game against Armagh, worked hard in others but never puts in 2 consecutive good performances.
Martin Clarke is just finding his feet in gaelic football. He does the simple things well and like all good players makes space for himself. He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
I dunno, I thought he gave the ball away a good few times.
He did, like everyone else and was an also ran imo.
Some bullshit being talked here about a 22 year old playing his first Championship match give the lad a break FFS. Not the best man in a Down jesery for sure but did make a difference , listen what Coulter said about him after the game !
A great result yesterday setting up a big game with Tyrone .IMO Headquarters should give each Armagh club 10 free tickets so they can experience an exciting Championship game !
Quote from: John o connor on May 31, 2010, 09:29:22 PM
Quote from: hardstation on May 31, 2010, 12:59:51 AM
Quote from: Jinxy on May 31, 2010, 12:58:04 AM
Quote from: Down South on May 30, 2010, 11:29:02 PM
In your opinion. Today was the first game I missed this year and you see very little on telly. Ambrose was Downs best player all year, closely followed by D Raff, then Daniel McCartan and James Colgan. Up front John Clarke was outstanding, Marty was consistent without ever setting the world alight. Hughes had a good game against Armagh, worked hard in others but never puts in 2 consecutive good performances.
Martin Clarke is just finding his feet in gaelic football. He does the simple things well and like all good players makes space for himself. He is potentially the best footballer since Greg Blaney, I would go as far as to say he is potentially the best Down footballer.
I dunno, I thought he gave the ball away a good few times.
He did, like everyone else and was an also ran imo.
Some bullshit being talked here about a 22 year old playing his first Championship match give the lad a break FFS. Not the best man in a Down jesery for sure but did make a difference , listen what Coulter said about him after the game !
A great result yesterday setting up a big game with Tyrone .IMO Headquarters should give each Armagh club 10 free tickets so they can experience an exciting Championship game !
You are obviously still hurting from the league final defeat. :)
Quote from: drici on May 28, 2010, 10:54:48 AM
The year going well for Brick Molloy.
December 5th 2009
Ulster Minor Football Club Championship at St Pauls
Kilcoo Owen Roes 1-16 Naomh Conaill 1-12 (A.E.T.)
(Full Time: Owen Roes 1-12 Naomh Conaill 1-12)
Owen Roes 1-16 (D O'Hanlon 0-2(2 frees), S O'Hanlon 0-1, R Johnston 0-2, N Smith 0-1, M Kelly 1-1, O McClean 0-2, C Laverty 0-2, J Johnston 0-4(1 free), Martin Devlin 0-1)
Naomh Conaill 1-12 (J Doherty 0-1, S Quinn 0-1, S Gallagher 0-1, S O'Malley 0-1, S Ellis 0-1, M Gallagher 1-0, D Molloy 0-7(4 frees) - some deadly points from Diarmuid)
January 24th 2010
Ulster Under 21 Football Club Championship at Creggan
NAOMH CONAILL 1-08
O'BRIENS, FOREGLEN 0-10
A GOAL five minutes from time by substitute AJ Gallagher was the key score as Naomh Conaill booked their place in the semi finals of the inaugural Ulster U21 Club Championship by eking out a win over Foreglen from Derry in yesterday's quarter-final at Randalstown.
With the Glenties men leading by the narrowest of margins (0-8 to 0-7) as the game entered its final five minutes, Leo McLoone senior's team bagged the killer goal.
Leo McLoone fed captain and Man of the Match Eoin Waide with a clever diagonal ball that opened up the Foreglen defence. Waide, who played for Donegal on Saturday night, would have backed defender Martin Bradley to cut out his delivery, but the ball slipped through his fingers into the path of Gallagher, who drilled home from the edge of the square.
While points from Martin Farrell, Eoghan McFeely and Nigel Bradley brought Foreglen back into the contest, it was too little, too late as Naomh Conaill had done enough to come through a hard-fought encounter.
They have yet to complete their 2009 Donegal U21 Championship, indeed they are only at the quarter-final stage of that competition, but Naomh Conaill, having won the last three Donegal titles, were put up as the county's representatives in the first ever U21 Club Championship, held at the mightily impressive Kickhams Creggan club outside Randalstown.
Though young in years, it was a vastly experienced Naomh Conaill team that lined out yesterday, with a number of members of the club's senior team, which contested the senior county final in October, included.
Dara Gallagher and Eoin Waide came through Donegal's McKenna Cup match with St Mary's the previous evening and were included from the off.
With less than two minutes played, Naomh Conaill penetrated the Foreglen defence when Gallagher's ingenuity put midfielder Leo McLoone in the clear, but his attempt at goal was parried to safety by Joseph Ashford.
Dermot Molloy raised the game's first white flag on ten minutes when he got on the end of a McLoone pass to fire over. Gallagher doubled that advantage on the quarter-hour mark when he delivered a fine point off his left foot having collected a sublime cross-field ball by Molloy.
It took Foreglen 24 minutes to score their first point of the game, registered from a free by Nigel Bradley after Eoin Waide was penalised for a foul on Eunan McFeely.
That would be the County Derry team's only point of the opening half.
Meantime, Dermot Molloy took receipt of another McLoone pass to hit his second of the day and in stoppage time at the end of the half he knocked over his third - from a free, after a late hit on Dara Gallagher by Oisin Duffy.
Naomh Conaill hit six wides in the first 30 minutes and in the opening minutes of the second-half the sizeable following who made their way from Glenties must have been worried that their missed chances could return to haunt them.
Inside the first seven minutes after the re-start Nigel Bradley converted a pair of frees to move Foreglen to within a point, but Molloy responded with a free. Eoghan McFeely kept Foreglen within touching distance, as he popped over a majestic point from 45 metres, while a free by Martin Farrell came just a minute after Dara Gallagher pointed at the other end.
Naomh Conaill were finding the gears again, with Eoin Waide and Leo McLoone pulling the strings. Skipper Waide was fed by Dermot Molloy, whose power saw him regain possession, and the wing-back split the sticks from 30 metres.
Molloy defied the laws of trigonometry when he perfected his angles from the tightest of positions out the left, after a surging run from inside his own half by McLoone opened up the chance.
But Foreglen weren't going down without a stern fight and points by McFeely and Bradley pulled them from the brink again, only for them to be rocked by the concession of AJ Gallagher's goal on 55 minutes.
Despite Foreglen applying a good deal of pressure late on, Naomh Conaill held on.
For the winners, Cathal Ellis, Stephen Molloy, Dermot Molloy, Leo McLoone and Eoin Waide were on song, with the latter being named the Man of the Match.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Martin Gallagher, Ciaran Boyle, Stephen Molloy; Jamie McHugh, Cathal Ellis, Eoin Waide (0-1); Callan Waide, Leo McLoone; Dermot Molloy (0-5, 2f), Seamus Corcoran, Dara Gallagher (0-2, 1f); Christopher Molloy, Joe Kennedy, Brian Quinn. SUBS: Jamie Molloy for C.Waide (36 mins); AJ Gallagher (1-0) for McHugh (41 mins); David Gallagher for C.Molloy (57 mins); John Molloy for Kennedy (60 mins).
Foreglen: Joseph Ashford; Ruairi Duffy, Shane Duffy, Kevin O'Neill; Paul Kealey, Oisin Duffy, Darren O'Kane; Ciaran McFeely, Mark McCormick; Cathal O'Hara, Nigel Bradley (0-5, 3f), Martin Farrell (0-2, 2f); Eoghan McFeely (0-3), Sean Campbell, Eunan McFeely. SUB: Martin Bradley for Kealey (half-time);
Referee: Owen Quinn (Antrim).
May 1st 2010
All Ireland Under 21 Football Final at Breffni Park
Dublin: V Whelan, E Culligan, R O'Carroll, D Nelson, J Cooper, J McCarthy, N Devereux (0-1), S Murray, C Mullins, M Coughlan (0-1), T Furman, G Sweeney (1-1), R McCarthy (0-1), D Rock (0-4, 2f, 1 '45), C Dorney (0-1).
Substitutes: D Quinn for McCarthy (h-t), C Redddin for McCarthy (42), B O'Rourke (0-1) for Furman (48), S McGuinness for Nelson (50), N Brogan for Dorney (73)
Donegal: P Boyle, E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath, D Walsh, T McKinley, C Classon, K Mulhern, D Curran, M McHugh, M Murphy (1-2, 1f), D Molloy (0-5, 4f), J Carroll, L McLoone, A McFadden.
Substitutes: C Morrison (0-1) for McFadden (28), D Murphy for McKinley (28), C McGinley for Carroll (63), S O'Kennedy for Curran (67)
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).
A ten year old Brick.
(http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A5burZoCMAAVe5z.jpg:large)