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It's all gone quiet here since that little positive flurry from Donegal.

The Clash of Ulster titans Part 3.

1 all.  tic toc...

[millions of euro]

Terry Hyland reminds me of what Banty McEneaney did for Monaghan. A local man with fierce pride in the jersey who re-invigorates the team and raised expectations but ultimately fell short. Hyland did raise the bar albeit it was very low in the first place. That success Mal O'Rourke brought to Monaghan was fused together by the memories of bitter defeats and the renewed sense of optimism which a he brought to the squad. Cavan have the playing talent available but require a new manager to pull them all in the same direction. Under 21 success doesn't usually translate to senior success that quickly. There needs to be a core of older more experienced players, leaders to be there too.

they don't have the forwards to win anything

True. They don't have millions of euro donated for free and the ability to play all their games at home either which would also be a big help.

Have you not noticed Cavans home form this year compared to away.

Do you actually thing it would be a help?

Fair point but millions of euro would certainly help

Corrected already on the home advantage.
Where are you getting the millions of euro from?
Are Kingspan not stumping up, or wha?

Interesting meeting of two teams looking to break into the upper echelons. Even with Fermanagh's home advantage, I'd have to go for a Roscommon win. They'll have learnt more from the defeat to Sligo and they've better scoring ability.

Two defeats at home in the Championship = annus horriblus

There'll not be much noise from our neighbours for a while.

At least the 80+ year olds still have the memories.

Didn't get to see Roscommon play since League final Croke Pk against Down. They looked very good.

Surely they haven't gone so far downhill since, that they can't get a win against Cavan.

Massive interest in this already round Monaghan. Real sense that this is a massive test of where this team is as many feel they are in a better place than previous years. 2013 was a case of real underdogs with nothing to lose, 2014 was still a strange one, was nearly overconfidence in some quarters but team had injuries.

This year it is closer to 2013 following Donegals performances to date and Monaghan struggling over the line rather than blowing anyone away, so they will be viewed as underdog. But its a better and fresher team than last year - Lennon and McAdam give them more physical options. McManus is better than ever and can handle the attention he gets. Kieran Hughes in great form and they can match Donegal for fitness levels but maybe not physicality, yet not a mile off them.

Should be a very interesting build up and I think it will be very close on the day once both teams get there in one piece.

Good upbeat preview there Bingo. I hear the Doogan is available too, an extra experienced option in midfield. Neil Gallagher is playing great stuff, and they're scooping up a lot of breaking ball, so we've really got to up it in midfield.

I'd like to see K Hughes press forward. He and Darren are motoring well. It's important we vary and up the supply with runs from Kelly, Mone and O'Connell, with Duffy coming in later. Derry gave us a good pointers in this.

Collie Walsh will hopefully be back to himself. Pity to lose Drew, but it's a strong defense.

Looking forward to this one.

We're playing our reflection

M McHugh needs to be allowed wear shouler pads & a crash helmet ..it's only fair

You'll be chasing shadows 

Donegal need to cut out the histrionics. Some of the playacting against Derry wasn't nice. Refs took note I'd say.

The first two games, against Tyrone & Armagh, were seen by everyone as being big hurdles to get over...
Let's not forget that Monaghan weren't brilliant against Fermanagh, for the same reasons, but I suspect that both side will be at full tilt for the final.

Donegal's performances so far in the championship make them obvious favourites, as they've put away decent sides convincingly. Derry were always going to up their game. Had Bradley put over a fairly easy free it would have been a lot tighter. Derry lost the momentum they'd gained, Donegal capitalised.

Monaghan know they can't spurn easy chances that come along and they won't. Donegal's midfield is probably the difference on paper. Apart from last year's Ulster Final, I haven't witnessed a flat performance against our friends from the north west.

No upsets in Ulster so far. This would be a mighty one.

Derry play to their potential and Donegal misfire, ye never know.

Hard to see it, Donegal by 6-7 I reckon

Derry's confidence took a hammer blow against Dublin in the League final. They haven't played to the standard they're capable of since. This game is make or break for Derry footballers, some capable of really going for the win.

Expect Derry to play beyond putting it up to them.

No upsets in Ulster so far. This would be a mighty one.

Derry play to their potential and Donegal misfire, ye never know.

Lads, grow up.

Ye can always rely on a Royal to stand up for good manners.

BBC coverage was a bit of a laugh. Sidebottom and McConville said the red was unjust, it should have been yellow, then agreed they were both "fair and objective".

RTE analysts showed in slowed down REPLAY, it should have been two reds - a deliberate stamp. Less of the whatabout Clerkin guff. Fermanagh lost their discipline because Monaghan went up a gear and the writing was on the wall.

Does anyone know who was that northern girl on TSG hosting the camogie coverage.
Where is she from?

Fionnuala Carr - Clonduff

Impressive performances by the Hughes's, Dessie and O'Connell, and the bench with Duffy in particular standing out. I'd have him ahead of Carey any day, but maybe Malachy prefers to have him sprung from the bench. He certainly put his case forward for selection today, and I don't think we can afford to leave a half-forward scoring option like that on the bench in the final.

I agree. Duffy had a find game and deserves his place. O'Connell has now put in two really good performances in row, which is heartening. We're motoring well enough. While it was good to see Lennon and Walsh involved, they'll be a lot better next time out.

Don't really understand all the furore about the red card. He kicked him on the ground, umpire rightly reported it - automatic red.

No disrespect to Fermanagh, but that was good preparation for the Ulster Final.

No disrespect to Derry, but we'll have to improve the passing quality in the final quarter, if we're going to win the final against Donegal.