Donegal vs Monaghan 08/03/2015

[GrandMasterFlash]

Two extremely defensive, and similar, systems of play on show. I thought the way Donegal started with quick ball into the forwards was gonna set the template for them; they got 3 pts from it too, albeit with the help of some handy refereeing decisions (he was poor for both teams btw and in his defence, it wasn't the easiest game to referee!). I do agree however that Donegal should have set the agenda and they should have been more positive going forward given home advantage. They were clueless at times when faced with the white and blue wall. Monaghan were the better team in the second half and that was the winning of it; their grit and determination paid off and they were more inclined to run at Donegal than vice versa. It wasn't pretty but personally I'm delighted to get two points on the road after last weeks debacle. The Dublin/Tyrone draw and the clustered format of the mid table may mean 6 points won't be enough for safety..

[J70]

Yeah, if we go down again,  yesterday's game will be looked at as the key. Then again, we could, and should,  gave got something at Croke Park, although given the tightness of many of the games and results,  we are not the only ones who would have such regrets.

[twohands!!!]

Was it a case of a lack of scoring chances or was it a case of kicking wides or what was it that caused the low scoreline?

I have always thought that the blanket defense was more suited to the league where not losing games and especially not conceding a big score can be very useful even if you do lose especially compared to the championship where you have to go out and actively win games to progress.

[J70]

Was it a case of a lack of scoring chances or was it a case of kicking wides or what was it that caused the low scoreline?

I have always thought that the blanket defense was more suited to the league where not losing games and especially not conceding a big score can be very useful even if you do lose especially compared to the championship where you have to go out and actively win games to progress.

Donegal kicked a fair few wides, although they didn't create a huge amount of chances either, doing a lot of passing across the field as Monaghan let them have the ball in those areas. Breeze was a big factor. Monaghan adapted to it. Donegal didn't, although that is also because the frees they were missing were from a fair distance (Monaghan's go ahead free near the end was from about the 45m mark though).

As for the blanket defense in the championship, Donegal have been in two of the last three AI finals, winning one, along with three of last four Ulster titles. The two finals they lost were to Kerry and Monaghan, both playing a similar defensive style. Pulling players back alone doesn't win anything. When in form, Donegal break quickly after turning over possession, most effectively seen against Dublin, Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Derry and Down during the McGuinness years.