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Just when I thought the sideshows were being forgotten about, Rory comes out with this nonsense.

When I saw the headline first on Hoganstand I thought they were just shit stirring but when I got to the end of the article I couldn't stop laughing, unbelievable stuff! Should it not be James Horan and Jimmy Nallen coming out with this kind if bitter tripe, as we were the ones who lost last year.

How the hell does he know that Keegan winked at a player and even if he did see it with his mighty eyesight, how does he know what he was winking about.

However, I do actually agree with him about Kieran Shannon to an extent, I actually said it on here last year. What business is it of Rory's if he giving him some advise. But to say that Shannon is behind all of Horan's comments is too far.

Like others I've never been looking forward to game more in my life (outside AIF). And to make it worse the week seems to be dragging on.

Did ye not hear about James new game plan to spook Jimmy out? Playing with 14 men is the only way to go now days!!!
Ah no only messing, don't know how I forgot Higgins!

I would like to see McLoughlin or Feeney playing the sweeper role if we go down that road, doesn't really bother me which one does the job as I feel they would be able to fill the role without must hassle.
Agree Moy, Clarke is a big loss. Especially in terms of leadership. Always encouraging and organising the backs. But Hennelly isn't too shabby either.

Just listened to the Mayo News podcast for the game and they said that Higgins has been playing the role of a sweepers in A V B games. However I would be really surprised if Horan decided to play him as sweeper as in the three years of his management he has been mostly conservative when it comes to team selection.

The team that I think will line out for Sunday will be- Hennelly, Cunniffe, Cafferkey, Keegan, Vaughan, Boyle, AOS, SOS, McLoughlin, O'Connor, Feeney, A. Moran, Freeman Dillon.

Like other people would like to see McHale starting as his physicality may be needed in the backs. However I can't see Horan throwing him in the deep end. Other than that I would be pretty happy with the team I think Horan will go for.

I would worry about O'Connor as I think, like last years final, Donegal will target him and in particular his shoulder injury.

The Donegal lads will be trying to rise all of the Mayo players and its very important that they don't rise to it as a sending off could be crucial.

Would also like to see us having a sweeper in the first 15-20mins at least as I'm sure Donegal will target the full back line with high balls again.

Surely 4 concussions in 3 games is too many for any team to face? Should he not mention this at all? As has been said he didn't know they were playing Mayo at the time so why are the bottlers so up in arms about it?

maybe he didn't need the tactic against Laois as their poor performance against monaghan was enough to get the players past lowly Laois ( no offence intended)
Before the draw Donegal were in line to get Dublin Kerry or as it turned out Mayo , bigger better teams and psychological gloves come off.
Why didn't he come out with it before the Laois game?

Very simple, he wasn't asked.

As a matter of interest, what question was he asked when he came out with that ball of shite of an answer

When he was going on about what happened Mark McHugh in the Monaghan game they don't actually show the question he was asked on the Sunday Game.
Then he was asked about the incident on the sideline with McNulty and he started on a rant about third man tackles and his players being targeted.

The question he was asked was "Do you feel that your key players are being targetted?".
As for the incident with McNulty, The Sunday Game clearly showed Murphy being third man tackled miles from the action & McGuinness went off on one. Brian Cody did exactly the same thing over the weekend when a decision went against him but no one dares bring that up.

As previous posters have said you are full of bullshit. Have you even listened to the clip? He was asked about the incident on the sideline with McNulty. Then hes goes on about his players being targeted, the interviewer never mentioned anything about his players being targeted.
And why would I bring Cody up? This is the football discussion section.

Speaking of questions you still haven't answered mine from yesterday!

Surely 4 concussions in 3 games is too many for any team to face? Should he not mention this at all? As has been said he didn't know they were playing Mayo at the time so why are the bottlers so up in arms about it?

maybe he didn't need the tactic against Laois as their poor performance against monaghan was enough to get the players past lowly Laois ( no offence intended)
Before the draw Donegal were in line to get Dublin Kerry or as it turned out Mayo , bigger better teams and psychological gloves come off.
Why didn't he come out with it before the Laois game?

Very simple, he wasn't asked.

As a matter of interest, what question was he asked when he came out with that ball of shite of an answer

When he was going on about what happened Mark McHugh in the Monaghan game they don't actually show the question he was asked on the Sunday Game.
Then he was asked about the incident on the sideline with McNulty and he started on a rant about third man tackles and his players being targeted.

Joe McQuillan will be the ref.

[The interview was before the draw, I know that. But as larryin89 said, regardless of the opposition McGuinness agenda was still the same.You still have failed to answer my question as to if McGuinness did not raise the McHugh incident in the media, then you would have no issue with it.]

The interview was before the draw, I know that. But as larryin89 said, regardless of the opposition McGuinness agenda was still the same.
You still have failed to answer my question as to if McGuinness did not raise the McHugh incident in the media, then you would have no issue with it.

So we have now finally established that McGuinness wasn't referring to the Mayo game in particular?  Good stuff.

What agenda are you talking about? If you are talking about McGuinness wanting protection from late blindside hits then I have no problem with that.

How fo you come to the conclusion that I "have no problem" with the McHugh "incident" as you so delicately put it. I would have thought that the last 20 posts or so wouls show different. What I would ask is if a differendt manager had raised these same points would he be getting the same abuse, I don't think so.

Yes I established that a few posts ago if you cared to read them more carefully.
The agenda I am referring to is Jimmy's attempt to influence to ref for the next game.
Yes I get the message that you are wound up about the McHugh incident.
But you conveyed in response to the Thompson and McLoughlin incident I raised, that if the management team or players do not raise a serious incident in a game then everything is ok.
So once again if McGuinness did not raise the McHugh incident you would have let it pass over your head as the Donegal management team and players didn't say anything about it.

The only reason why I am challenging McGuinnesses comments are because they may influence the game on Sunday. As long Jimmy is not talking about Mayo or saying things that may influence games against Mayo I couldn't give two fucks about what he is saying.
And yes I believe if Mickey Harte came out with similar comments I believe he would get the same reaction.

In my opinion Jimmys acquisitions were wild considering that him own team have been just as physical as what they have encountered so far. I am judging his comments, not him on a personal level.
To make this clear to you the two points I was making about the interview were:
1) It was rich of McGuinness when to be making a statement about the physicality of the game when his own players dish out the same thing. For example, Thompson sticking his finger in Kevin McLoughlin's eye in the league game this year.
2) His reference to last years final was irrelevant to the interview. The only reason he mentioned that game was to drop a message to the ref for Sundays game, in my view.

I'm not encouraging this behaviour at all but it is part of the modern game.

Thompson "sticking" his finger in McLoughlin's eye is your version. My version is no injury to player, no complaint from player, no complaint from Mayo management. Enough said.
Dropping a mesage to the ref for Sunday's game would be difficult as it now appears that the interview was carried out before the draw was made. Enough said.

If you don't encourage this behaviour the why give McGuinness stick for raising it? To say that it is part of the modern game is not nearly good enough. Will we have to wait until someone ends up in a wheelchair till something is done?

So just because a player or manager doesn't make an issue out of a serious accident in a game its fine. Seeing as that seems to be your opinion tell me this. If McGuinness or McHugh did not highlight the challenge imposed on McHugh in the Monaghan game you would be totally fine with the incident?? Yeah??

Yes I watched the Sunday game and I saw the interview. That however still does not stop me believing that the fact that McGuinness was still not dropping a hint to the ref for the next game.

Me giving out about Jimmy and me not encouraging the behaviour are to different things.
I was giving out about Jimmy because his own team have carried out the same actions.

Maybe I wasn't being clear enough about the "eye gouging". There was no eye gouging.
If McGuinness was "dropping a hint" that he wants dangerous tackling taken out of Gaelic football then I am with him all the way. I'll put it as clear as this. Any player who lines up & slams into another who doesn't see him coming & therefore can't defend himself should get a red card. I would even extend it to shoulder to shoulder tackles which are often no such thing. This is all about safety & protecting our players.
What McGuinness wants is this to be cut from the game full stop. Yes he has a track record at protecting his own. He laid into Pat Spillane a few years ago for comments he made on the Sunday game, he also stood up for McBrearty during "bitegate" and he is looking out for them here now. But the point he makes goes beyond Donegal and players in Mayo, Dublin, Carlow & London should be able to go on the field with protection from kamakaze tackles.

There was an attempt at eye gouging full stop. You still did not answer my question by the way.
Look I don't want to get into this debate about the McHugh incident. It has nothing to do with me and is irrevelant to Sundays game.
Please don't be so naive as to think that McGuinness was only making a point about the physicality of the game. Everyone on here and journalists on twitter have noticed this was a hint to the ref.
I was just strolling through twitter there and I saw this tweet from Ewan MacKenna (journalist) ''In fact remember two years ago, McGuinness saying Kieran McGeeney made cynical attempts to influence referee. So he's a hypocrite?'' Oh the irony, poor Jimmy has been caught out.

James Horan also said at the press conference tonight that Donegal will take every advantage they get.

Oh its going to be an interesting week!!

There is still the question of the interview taking place before the draw. I think it was Mrs Green in the library with a poker.

The interview was before the draw, I know that. But as larryin89 said, regardless of the opposition McGuinness agenda was still the same.
You still have failed to answer my question as to if McGuinness did not raise the McHugh incident in the media, then you would have no issue with it.

In my opinion Jimmys acquisitions were wild considering that him own team have been just as physical as what they have encountered so far. I am judging his comments, not him on a personal level.
To make this clear to you the two points I was making about the interview were:
1) It was rich of McGuinness when to be making a statement about the physicality of the game when his own players dish out the same thing. For example, Thompson sticking his finger in Kevin McLoughlin's eye in the league game this year.
2) His reference to last years final was irrelevant to the interview. The only reason he mentioned that game was to drop a message to the ref for Sundays game, in my view.

I'm not encouraging this behaviour at all but it is part of the modern game.

Thompson "sticking" his finger in McLoughlin's eye is your version. My version is no injury to player, no complaint from player, no complaint from Mayo management. Enough said.
Dropping a mesage to the ref for Sunday's game would be difficult as it now appears that the interview was carried out before the draw was made. Enough said.

If you don't encourage this behaviour the why give McGuinness stick for raising it? To say that it is part of the modern game is not nearly good enough. Will we have to wait until someone ends up in a wheelchair till something is done?

So just because a player or manager doesn't make an issue out of a serious accident in a game its fine. Seeing as that seems to be your opinion tell me this. If McGuinness or McHugh did not highlight the challenge imposed on McHugh in the Monaghan game you would be totally fine with the incident?? Yeah??

Yes I watched the Sunday game and I saw the interview. That however still does not stop me believing that the fact that McGuinness was still not dropping a hint to the ref for the next game.

Me giving out about Jimmy and me not encouraging the behaviour are to different things.
I was giving out about Jimmy because his own team have carried out the same actions.

Maybe I wasn't being clear enough about the "eye gouging". There was no eye gouging.
If McGuinness was "dropping a hint" that he wants dangerous tackling taken out of Gaelic football then I am with him all the way. I'll put it as clear as this. Any player who lines up & slams into another who doesn't see him coming & therefore can't defend himself should get a red card. I would even extend it to shoulder to shoulder tackles which are often no such thing. This is all about safety & protecting our players.
What McGuinness wants is this to be cut from the game full stop. Yes he has a track record at protecting his own. He laid into Pat Spillane a few years ago for comments he made on the Sunday game, he also stood up for McBrearty during "bitegate" and he is looking out for them here now. But the point he makes goes beyond Donegal and players in Mayo, Dublin, Carlow & London should be able to go on the field with protection from kamakaze tackles.

There was an attempt at eye gouging full stop. You still did not answer my question by the way.
Look I don't want to get into this debate about the McHugh incident. It has nothing to do with me and is irrevelant to Sundays game.
Please don't be so naive as to think that McGuinness was only making a point about the physicality of the game. Everyone on here and journalists on twitter have noticed this was a hint to the ref.
I was just strolling through twitter there and I saw this tweet from Ewan MacKenna (journalist) ''In fact remember two years ago, McGuinness saying Kieran McGeeney made cynical attempts to influence referee. So he's a hypocrite?'' Oh the irony, poor Jimmy has been caught out.

James Horan also said at the press conference tonight that Donegal will take every advantage they get.

Oh its going to be an interesting week!!

In my opinion Jimmys acquisitions were wild considering that him own team have been just as physical as what they have encountered so far. I am judging his comments, not him on a personal level.
To make this clear to you the two points I was making about the interview were:
1) It was rich of McGuinness when to be making a statement about the physicality of the game when his own players dish out the same thing. For example, Thompson sticking his finger in Kevin McLoughlin's eye in the league game this year.
2) His reference to last years final was irrelevant to the interview. The only reason he mentioned that game was to drop a message to the ref for Sundays game, in my view.

I'm not encouraging this behaviour at all but it is part of the modern game.

Thompson "sticking" his finger in McLoughlin's eye is your version. My version is no injury to player, no complaint from player, no complaint from Mayo management. Enough said.
Dropping a mesage to the ref for Sunday's game would be difficult as it now appears that the interview was carried out before the draw was made. Enough said.

If you don't encourage this behaviour the why give McGuinness stick for raising it? To say that it is part of the modern game is not nearly good enough. Will we have to wait until someone ends up in a wheelchair till something is done?

So just because a player or manager doesn't make an issue out of a serious accident in a game its fine. Seeing as that seems to be your opinion tell me this. If McGuinness or McHugh did not highlight the challenge imposed on McHugh in the Monaghan game you would be totally fine with the incident?? Yeah??

Yes I watched the Sunday game and I saw the interview. That however still does not stop me believing that the fact that McGuinness was still not dropping a hint to the ref for the next game.

Me giving out about Jimmy and me not encouraging the behaviour are to different things.
I was giving out about Jimmy because his own team have carried out the same actions.

On a side note, what was Jimmy McGuinness raving about the physicality of the game? I was sitting in the upper Davin in last years all Ireland final and I had a perfect view of how the Mcgees targeted O'Connor. Jim if you can give it out but can't take it then don't give it out.
Trying to influence the ref perhaps?

What raving are you talking about?
He spoke from concern for his players safety having seen four of them suffering from concussion in the last three games & one spend two nights in hospital.
This has nothing to do with the ordinary cut & thrust of a game but is about the bone crunching hits, a lot of them marginally late, that are gong in nowadays. If the tackle Gallogly put in on McHugh happened in a rugby game he would have been sent off as you are not simply allowed to crash into people. Intent doesn't come into it. Every player has a responsibility to himself & his opponent not to to play in a recklessly dangerous manner & the fact that you would call this "raving" says a lot more about you than it does about McGuinness.

Excuse me but you have never met me nor do you know anything about me so leave the personal stuff out good lad. Don't know how you can judge my character by using the word raving on an internet forum.
The thing that annoyed me about this interview was the fact McGuinness was giving out about the physicality of the game when Donegal are one of the most physical teams in the championship.
His reference to the All Ireland final to me suggests that he was trying to send out a message to the ref for the game on Sunday which also annoyed me as last years final had nothing to do with what happened Mchugh in the Monaghan game.

You are the one who used the word "raving" when referring to McGuinness. If you can judge McGuinness then you can hardly complain if  it applies to you as well.
The point he was making is that the physicality is now getting to the dangerous stage where concussion & hospital stays are becoming the norm and all you have to do is read some of the contributions here to see that people think it's no big deal. They are wrong, it is a big deal.
Why would he be sending out a message about Mayo? They are no more physical than Tyrone or Monaghan so don't be getting annoyed reading things that are not there.

Where in that piece did I judge McGuinness?
For one last time, In my opinion it is very rich of McGuinness to be giving out about the physicality of the game seeing as Donegal are one of the most physical teams in the country.
Please tell the question about why he is sending out a message about Mayo is a rhetorical question.
I listened to the interview and he clearly references the final, I'm not imagining things thank you.

Read your own post " What was Jimmy McGuinness raving about". I only used the same yardstick to judge you that you used on him.
Donegal have no problems with physicality, it is dangerous reckless hits that they don't like.
As to the All Ireland it was last year's final he referred to, the game where Mayo used head high, clothes line tackles as part of their defensive strategy until Maurice Deegan put a stop to it. I for one have no problem with any steps that prevent a repeat & would be surprised that any self respecting GAA man would either

In my opinion Jimmys acquisitions were wild considering that him own team have been just as physical as what they have encountered so far. I am judging his comments, not him on a personal level.
To make this clear to you the two points I was making about the interview were:
1) It was rich of McGuinness when to be making a statement about the physicality of the game when his own players dish out the same thing. For example, Thompson sticking his finger in Kevin McLoughlin's eye in the league game this year.
2) His reference to last years final was irrelevant to the interview. The only reason he mentioned that game was to drop a message to the ref for Sundays game, in my view.

I'm not encouraging this behaviour at all but it is part of the modern game.

On a side note, what was Jimmy McGuinness raving about the physicality of the game? I was sitting in the upper Davin in last years all Ireland final and I had a perfect view of how the Mcgees targeted O'Connor. Jim if you can give it out but can't take it then don't give it out.
Trying to influence the ref perhaps?

What raving are you talking about?
He spoke from concern for his players safety having seen four of them suffering from concussion in the last three games & one spend two nights in hospital.
This has nothing to do with the ordinary cut & thrust of a game but is about the bone crunching hits, a lot of them marginally late, that are gong in nowadays. If the tackle Gallogly put in on McHugh happened in a rugby game he would have been sent off as you are not simply allowed to crash into people. Intent doesn't come into it. Every player has a responsibility to himself & his opponent not to to play in a recklessly dangerous manner & the fact that you would call this "raving" says a lot more about you than it does about McGuinness.

Excuse me but you have never met me nor do you know anything about me so leave the personal stuff out good lad. Don't know how you can judge my character by using the word raving on an internet forum.
The thing that annoyed me about this interview was the fact McGuinness was giving out about the physicality of the game when Donegal are one of the most physical teams in the championship.
His reference to the All Ireland final to me suggests that he was trying to send out a message to the ref for the game on Sunday which also annoyed me as last years final had nothing to do with what happened Mchugh in the Monaghan game.

You are the one who used the word "raving" when referring to McGuinness. If you can judge McGuinness then you can hardly complain if  it applies to you as well.
The point he was making is that the physicality is now getting to the dangerous stage where concussion & hospital stays are becoming the norm and all you have to do is read some of the contributions here to see that people think it's no big deal. They are wrong, it is a big deal.
Why would he be sending out a message about Mayo? They are no more physical than Tyrone or Monaghan so don't be getting annoyed reading things that are not there.

Where in that piece did I judge McGuinness?
For one last time, In my opinion it is very rich of McGuinness to be giving out about the physicality of the game seeing as Donegal are one of the most physical teams in the country.
Please tell the question about why he is sending out a message about Mayo is a rhetorical question.
I listened to the interview and he clearly references the final, I'm not imagining things thank you.

On a side note, what was Jimmy McGuinness raving about the physicality of the game? I was sitting in the upper Davin in last years all Ireland final and I had a perfect view of how the Mcgees targeted O'Connor. Jim if you can give it out but can't take it then don't give it out.
Trying to influence the ref perhaps?

What raving are you talking about?
He spoke from concern for his players safety having seen four of them suffering from concussion in the last three games & one spend two nights in hospital.
This has nothing to do with the ordinary cut & thrust of a game but is about the bone crunching hits, a lot of them marginally late, that are gong in nowadays. If the tackle Gallogly put in on McHugh happened in a rugby game he would have been sent off as you are not simply allowed to crash into people. Intent doesn't come into it. Every player has a responsibility to himself & his opponent not to to play in a recklessly dangerous manner & the fact that you would call this "raving" says a lot more about you than it does about McGuinness.

Excuse me but you have never met me nor do you know anything about me so leave the personal stuff out good lad. Don't know how you can judge my character by using the word raving on an internet forum.
The thing that annoyed me about this interview was the fact McGuinness was giving out about the physicality of the game when Donegal are one of the most physical teams in the championship.
His reference to the All Ireland final to me suggests that he was trying to send out a message to the ref for the game on Sunday which also annoyed me as last years final had nothing to do with what happened Mchugh in the Monaghan game.

In my opinion this game is going to define our season. If we win then the team is going to gain huge belief and momentum. If we loose it will be a major set back and a long way to come back for next year.

I only brought myself to watch the final a few weeks ago and after the first 15mins we dominated the game. And if we notched over a few of those easy scores at the start of the second half..............

The lads should not be lacking motivation and hunger for this one unlike the London game. Some of the younger lads on the team need to step up for this game as Dillon and A. Moran are not 100% match fit. Caff, Vaughan, the O'Sheas, O'Connor and Freeman needs to give some of their best performances to date.
Like many I've had my questions about Freeman and for me this is the game which will tell me whether or not he is up to it or not at this level. He can't let the occasion get to him like he has done before in Croke Park.

As we know all to well match ups will be vital. Caff should take up Murphy, Higgins on McBrearty and Cuniffe on McFadden.
The ideal scenario would be to build up a bit of a lead and force Donegal to come out of their shell. However quick starts are something we've failed to do under James.
One thing I would worry about with Dillon off song is our ability to score long range points as I'm sure Donegal will park their 14 men behind the ball.
We need to bring the same hunger, intensity, fight and ruthlessness we brought to the first half of the Galway game.

Its one thing saying we are untested but you also have to acknowledge that as a result we are fresh. Whereas Donegal have been challenged and now have heavier bodies. Which is more of an advantage, we'll have to wait until Sunday to find out.

Really looking forward to the build up of this one. Mayo have their press night tonight and I'm looking forward to seeing what James has to say, mind you he does seem to have mastered the act of talking without really saying much.

On a side note, what was Jimmy McGuinness raving about the physicality of the game? I was sitting in the upper Davin in last years all Ireland final and I had a perfect view of how the Mcgees targeted O'Connor. Jim if you can give it out but can't take it then don't give it out.
Trying to influence the ref perhaps?

Also anyone know if Lacey will start?

Donegal are not going to give up their crown easily but I expect Mayo's hunger to win it for them it the end.
It will be some battle but bring it on!!

Thought this was a classic from over on WJs blog.

Better the mundane stories of hamstrings and groin strains

Story going that Freeman got caught in a crush with a wild cow during the week and got a fair few belts. Nothing serious but could be fairly bruised.

Its had amazing how stories can get mixed up along the line. It was his father who had the incident. Very lucky to be alive actually.

Anyway, the team I hope to see on Sunday would be the same as the the Roscommon game except with Coen coming in for Varley