Donegal v Galway

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

Both teams far more composed than yesterday when there was a lot of wild shooting and very questionable decision making, albeit that made the closing stages of normal time and the extra time more excitement than today was. Was only towards the very end that we really saw mistakes come into it this afternoon.
Very little in it overall and the goal obviously crucial. I'd say Galway are capable of playing better than that but Donegal's defence get a fair bit of credit for that. Some job by McGuinness given the mess he inherited and will be interesting to see how it develops.

It hasn't been a vintage Championship but there is a lot to like about this final and it should be a terrific occasion.

[Blowitupref]

Shooting accuracy of the four semi finalists.  Donegal and Galway both 55% today and yesterday Armagh 56% and Kerry 47%

[yellowcard]

The Jimmy McGuinness style of management has a certain lifespan and they missed a huge opportunity today. There is a general assumption that they will improve and will challenge again but equally it will be hard for them to sustain that level of intensity and commitment.

[Armagh18]

The Jimmy McGuinness style of management has a certain lifespan and they missed a huge opportunity today. There is a general assumption that they will improve and will challenge again but equally it will be hard for them to sustain that level of intensity and commitment.

What commitment would they be giving that Joyce isn't getting from Galway, or McGeeney isn't getting from Armagh?

[Captain Obvious]

The Jimmy McGuinness style of management has a certain lifespan and they missed a huge opportunity today. There is a general assumption that they will improve and will challenge again but equally it will be hard for them to sustain that level of intensity and commitment.

What commitment would they be giving that Joyce isn't getting from Galway, or McGeeney isn't getting from Armagh?

Very little and Donegal will be in a good place to challenge for the All Ireland again in 2025. 

Galway made Donegal look worn out for the last 15 minutes of the 2nd half today Armagh need to make sure the same doesn't happen in this final. On the evidence of this year so far they shouldn't as conditioning and strong bench has been among Armagh's main strengths.

[imtommygunn]

Thing is a lot can change in a year. Look at Derry last year and the limbo they find themselves in now. You need to take these chances while you can. Group draws, more competition in ulster assuming Derry get better and you would have to think Tyrone at some stage soon will get their house in order would mean that draws to get you this far can be tough.

[ONeill]

That last attack was so frustrating by Donegal. 2 points down with 60 secs on the clock and passing, passing, passing, passing.

[Main Street]

Where did the Ref get the time from to give Donegal one last chance?

I'd say its from the subs made during injury time, plus the time take to hit that '45. Happy to see refs add on that time at the end of injury time when that happens.

Is there such a thing as time wasting taking a free?
I would've thought that refs allot a specific time slot to take a free and should it take longer the ref is required to call for the ball to be thrown in. Has something changed?

[omagh_gael]

That last attack was so frustrating by Donegal. 2 points down with 60 secs on the clock and passing, passing, passing, passing.

Think their shooting went off the boil in last quarter and their confidence was shot. I was at the game and as a neutral Gallen's missed free was a huge momentum swing.

Doengal camp will feel crap tonight, nothing worse than coming up the road with a load of what ifs, they had the final within their grasp and lost all composure in final quarter.

[StephenC]

Well done Galway, and the best of luck in the final (and to Armagh). It's easy to say that we'd have taken it before the start of the year, but I still left Croke Park very disappointed yesterday. 1 point in the last 25 minutes is the very simple, but very true analysis. Galway's adjustments at half time made a big impact and the little pockets of space that were there for us in the 1st half, practically disappeared in the 2nd. Taking off Paddy was a mistake given how much we needed some leadership in the last couple of minutes. Our press that's not a press has been ineffective all year and Galway made a mockery of it in the first half. Ryan McHugh wasn't picked up yet still had one of his poorest games all year; likewise Mogan was unable to get involved. McCole did well on Comer. You need luck in games and Galway got it with their goal.

Thought the ref did fine. There was a bad over-carrying call against McHugh right at the start and a double hop as Galway were coming out of defence, but it looked like Thompson clearly touched the ball on the ground.

Reckon Joyce will be happy enough in that there's plenty of stuff for Galway to improve on. Hoping for a good final and it'll be great to see a different name on Sam this year.

[Mario]

How good has Ryan McHugh been this year. He's definitely been talking of as an all star contender but since the Derry game where he was motm he was well marshalled v Tyrone, had a quiet Ulster final, got turned over v Cork for one of the goals and didn't have his best game yesterday.

[grounded]

That last attack was so frustrating by Donegal. 2 points down with 60 secs on the clock and passing, passing, passing, passing.

In all the games this weekend that long ball into the square caused severe difficulties for defences and yielded goals or goal chances. I couldnt understand why they just didn't lump it in?

[yellowcard]

The Jimmy McGuinness style of management has a certain lifespan and they missed a huge opportunity today. There is a general assumption that they will improve and will challenge again but equally it will be hard for them to sustain that level of intensity and commitment.

What commitment would they be giving that Joyce isn't getting from Galway, or McGeeney isn't getting from Armagh?

They had a week long training camp in Tenerife last December. Had a ridiculous number of training sessions prior to the League starting. That type of commitment has a shelf life. There will be an expectation that Donegal will go further in the next few years and win an AI title but 6 or 7 other teams will have the same idea since there is no longer one dominant side. 

[MC]

Donegal had to put on a scramble defence quite a few times in the first half.
That takes its toll over 70 minutes regardless of fitness levels.
Galway were probably slightly better/ wiser with their defence tactics.
Donegal had to score some fantastic points from distance but it's hard to sustain that for 70 minutes.
When you are suffering with fatigue and the hits late on in the game those points get harder and harder.
Donegal did something similar to Dublin in 2012 - Dublin kicked some fantastic points but couldn't sustain it either.

[MC]

That last attack was so frustrating by Donegal. 2 points down with 60 secs on the clock and passing, passing, passing, passing.

In all the games this weekend that long ball into the square caused severe difficulties for defences and yielded goals or goal chances. I couldnt understand why they just didn't lump it in?

The long ball in can causes problems because it's random - and a lot of ball in is harmless.
If its done more regularly teams can adjust very easily and I think defenders always have an advantage - in numbers, goalkeeper and direction of play!
Possibly more effective it is kept for suitable opportunities and mixed up with the running?