Messages

Here Comes 6


i know this is no consolation but what I noticed about th Down fans was how gracious you are in defeat ! Over 5 mins before the final whistle the down supports beside me were shaking my hand, congratulation us and wishing us well in the all-ireland championship. and on online forums there is no bitterness. its a credit that even thoguh your county perhaps failed to deliver for you, you are being gracious and not being sore losers. Maith Sibh!

For goodness sake, the majority of them in the Arthurs Stand had already left before the final whistle!  An insult to their own team and Donegal.

Those are the sunshine supporters, not the die hards that stick with the down team throughout the whole year from mckenna cup to league to championship. and anyway who could blame them for leaving that....

Here Comes 6


i know this is no consolation but what I noticed about th Down fans was how gracious you are in defeat ! Over 5 mins before the final whistle the down supports beside me were shaking my hand, congratulation us and wishing us well in the all-ireland championship. and on online forums there is no bitterness. its a credit that even thoguh your county perhaps failed to deliver for you, you are being gracious and not being sore losers. Maith Sibh!

There wasnt going to be any stopping us on Sunday anyway ! Shur about 5 minutes before final whistle blew a few people got on down in th corner and there were hundreds of people lined up ready to go when the whistle did go. Its all part of the fun and running out to congratulate your heroes. i dont see anything wrong with it.

Im glad yous got on, it showed the Gaa for what it is

Exactly it makes the gaa what is it that you can go on and congratulate the players and managment and celebrate with your fellow county people. who wants to watch murphy lift the cup on a screen when ye can be standing below him looking up as he makes history for our county !

There wasnt going to be any stopping us on Sunday anyway ! Shur about 5 minutes before final whistle blew a few people got on down in th corner and there were hundreds of people lined up ready to go when the whistle did go. Its all part of the fun and running out to congratulate your heroes. i dont see anything wrong with it.

was there much craic in the abbey and donegal town last night, i'd say there was plenty of sauce taken, and back to training again 2ngt no doubt

Good craic about. Nice homecoming and town was absoloutly packed despite pouring rain. Back to training tomorrow !

Anyone see the back page of the Irish News supplement today? That's a quare foursome... 

Always had my doubts about lads who wear white boots.

what is it ??

I agree with WhiteGM that team looks completely unrealistic and looks like McCartan is playing a bit of codology hoping McGuinness isn't all that aware of our set up (I'm sure he is in fact very aware - probably knows what boot our players put on first)

What's interesting though is what exactly is James trying to convince McGuinness of? Basically he has named 7 forwards, 2 attacking midfielders, and two attacking half backs. The only defensively minded players are the full back line. Is Jamesy trying to convince McGuinness that Down are planning an all-out assault?

He's just trying the old mind games.. I won't worry too much. Jim is the king of mind games shur 

[but if it is not to be our Day, i would rather lose than play like Donegal.]

Even if Donegal were to beat Down on Sunday, and go on to win the AI, it will not change the fact that they are not a good team. They win ugly, albeit within the rules. Outside of Donegal, who would pay money to watch them. No flair,limited skills and a win at all cost cynicism. If God forbid this proves successful and other Counties hungry for success adopt this model, it will lead to the death of Gaelic Football as a popular spectator sport. Indeed it would also be a very unattractive sport for young people to take up. I believe that Down will win on Sunday, because we have the better footballers, but if it is not to be our Day, i would rather lose than play like Donegal.

In fairness, what lifts  a counties spirits more than always losing ? In donegal we didnt win for 19 years and they were without doubt better then last year when we on ulster again and got to the semi's!!!!! And whats gets children out proud in their county colours better than the senior county team losing??!! And what wud draw a child to something like a gaa camp better than the oppurtunity to meet their hero's who... won nothing compared to the anglo celt to bring to the kids. And without doubt i know every footballer in the county LOVES putting in the hard time and effort they do to get no reward at the end of it. Training 4 times a week, gym sessions everyday, controlled diets and sleep patterns, time away from famillies and partners to go out and lose is the way go lads

Just looking at Donegal team.. it is a massive massive commitment.

Our boys usually train tues, thurs, sat and sun. donegals a huge county, some boys could travel up to 2 hours to training and two hours back. not to mention the 3 hour training session in between that. boys are leaving famillies for such long periods up to 4 nights a week and the cost of fuel is high. then theres the 6 am daily gym sessions, more time away from home. meetings and press nights...games where the team always stays away the night before. and i know some people give out about donegals stays in th slieve russe (presume they´ll be there saturday again) but i think they deserve it tbh. its all they really get for the months commitment, they arent paid so a night away isnt too much to fork out. then jims bonding breaks.. men away from famillies and work for up to 4 days. if you think wud u like to get up and be in th gym at 6 to do wokout, go do a full days work, drive up to 2 hours in donegal  for a 3 hour training and then drive home again ? not many wud be prepared to do so. and i applaude our boys for putting in th time and commitment, caus with jim every man is there is no slackng !!! and all this commitment for what ? a medal.. yes its such an achievvemnt and a lifetime dream for a lot of these guys but it wont pay the bills, mind the children or keep the woman happy at home alone 4 nights a week !!

What is Jim's day job?

i know he was an eternal student for near on 10 years, but surely he's earning a crust now.

he has his own business... m not 100% but i think its sport psychology, motivational speaking that kinda thing !

Just looking at Donegal team.. it is a massive massive commitment.

Our boys usually train tues, thurs, sat and sun. donegals a huge county, some boys could travel up to 2 hours to training and two hours back. not to mention the 3 hour training session in between that. boys are leaving famillies for such long periods up to 4 nights a week and the cost of fuel is high. then theres the 6 am daily gym sessions, more time away from home. meetings and press nights...games where the team always stays away the night before. and i know some people give out about donegals stays in th slieve russe (presume they´ll be there saturday again) but i think they deserve it tbh. its all they really get for the months commitment, they arent paid so a night away isnt too much to fork out. then jims bonding breaks.. men away from famillies and work for up to 4 days. if you think wud u like to get up and be in th gym at 6 to do wokout, go do a full days work, drive up to 2 hours in donegal  for a 3 hour training and then drive home again ? not many wud be prepared to do so. and i applaude our boys for putting in th time and commitment, caus with jim every man is there is no slackng !!! and all this commitment for what ? a medal.. yes its such an achievvemnt and a lifetime dream for a lot of these guys but it wont pay the bills, mind the children or keep the woman happy at home alone 4 nights a week !!

I thought Jim had fix'd it that players were not involved in club games?

What is the feeling in Donegal if Gallagher can't play, I have said he was a key component in the overall strategy??

dont talk to me 

Cadence

It wasnt the drink, Neil McGee did score ! And was maiking plenty of burst forward yesterday aswell. Same with McGlynn in the last two games.  alot of rotating going on, neil mcgee and mcglynn making bursts forward and then sometime neil gallgher in watching their place. very promising to have 9 different scoreres yesterday.. not as dependant on murphy and mcfadden... important to have those players that can kick a wee point here and there, cud be crucial in tight game

haha... that's reassuring... i nearly choked on me pint when i saw him score. he can play a bit, and like mcglynn, is as fit as fiddle.... our fitness and physical presence in general looks top notch. we look like we're on a mission. players must be absolutely loving it. i'm hyped up about us and the summer ahead. can't help it. 

the only thing i'm a bit upset about these days is the less mouthin' going on about us. bring back slating donegal!!! more fuel for the fire!!!!!

hahahah He's going forward a lot this year... mad a good few runs yesterday ! Good to see him an d frank scoring!! Bth fit as fiddle and able to force their way through anything.. Neil isn't called the ram for nothing!!! Defo look like we're on amission and the boys are in great shape. so fit, strong and mentally prepared. far ahead of where we were this time last year even. Looking good so far. I know derry and cavan have been 2 poor teams so far but we're looking well so we are!

ahahaha your right there.. i'd say it spurs jim & the lads on even more when we're being slated alright!!! Although I was looking on hoganstand forum.. lot of dubs on slating us... I can smell the fear from here haha;)

i thought we've looked in even better shape physically this year too. and i suppose the players have to be. there's no-one being carried because everyone puts a shift in to make it work. it's more nuanced and varied work now though, but it doesn't look like the work rate has dropped significantly. hopefully, in games that are tighter and more challenging physically, it'll mean we have enough in the tank to play hard right to the end. be tough to beat. even the oul dubs, with their penchants for us in our trackies, will be pleasantly surprised if nothing else i'm imagining.   

Ah i'd say there wud be plenty more in the tank when it's needed. they just look so fit and i have heard from people who atteneded training that what they go through on those nights is mental. so intense. we were extrememly fit last year (Kildare game wouldnt have turned out as it did if we werent) and we're even further ahead this year. every man has obviously been putting in hard work in the gym aswell. we will be very hard to break down, especially now that we are scoring more

Cadence

It wasnt the drink, Neil McGee did score ! And was maiking plenty of burst forward yesterday aswell. Same with McGlynn in the last two games.  alot of rotating going on, neil mcgee and mcglynn making bursts forward and then sometime neil gallgher in watching their place. very promising to have 9 different scoreres yesterday.. not as dependant on murphy and mcfadden... important to have those players that can kick a wee point here and there, cud be crucial in tight game

haha... that's reassuring... i nearly choked on me pint when i saw him score. he can play a bit, and like mcglynn, is as fit as fiddle.... our fitness and physical presence in general looks top notch. we look like we're on a mission. players must be absolutely loving it. i'm hyped up about us and the summer ahead. can't help it. 

the only thing i'm a bit upset about these days is the less mouthin' going on about us. bring back slating donegal!!! more fuel for the fire!!!!!

hahahah He's going forward a lot this year... mad a good few runs yesterday ! Good to see him an d frank scoring!! Bth fit as fiddle and able to force their way through anything.. Neil isn't called the ram for nothing!!! Defo look like we're on amission and the boys are in great shape. so fit, strong and mentally prepared. far ahead of where we were this time last year even. Looking good so far. I know derry and cavan have been 2 poor teams so far but we're looking well so we are!

ahahaha your right there.. i'd say it spurs jim & the lads on even more when we're being slated alright!!! Although I was looking on hoganstand forum.. lot of dubs on slating us... I can smell the fear from here haha;)

Hi guys, I've put together a tactical take on yesterday's game here:
http://action81.com/blog/?p=5888

Brilliant! Thats a true analysis of the game, not a lazy "jump-on-the-bashing-wagon" analysis.

Cadence

It wasnt the drink, Neil McGee did score ! And was maiking plenty of burst forward yesterday aswell. Same with McGlynn in the last two games.  alot of rotating going on, neil mcgee and mcglynn making bursts forward and then sometime neil gallgher in watching their place. very promising to have 9 different scoreres yesterday.. not as dependant on murphy and mcfadden... important to have those players that can kick a wee point here and there, cud be crucial in tight game