Westmeath v Donegal

J70 · July 08, 2007, 05:59:28 PM

Tough draw for Donegal. Westmeath aren't easily beaten in Mullingar, and Donegal may be selecting from a weakened group again (there were five championship debuts last night!). We'll do well to come out of this with a win.

orangeman · July 08, 2007, 10:11:40 PM

In my opinion Donegal will kick on and win this comfortably - they're a quality side.

J70 · July 08, 2007, 10:19:30 PM

...who are missing important players.

If we can get a grip at midfield, and if Karl Lacey can do the job on Dessie Dolan, we've a chance.

aodhruadh · July 08, 2007, 10:34:34 PM

tricky draw but could have been a lot worse

After three less than impressive showings, they are still in the Championship, and if they could start playing with confidence again, who knows what's possible.

If Donegal get through this one, will McFadden be available for the next round?

J70 · July 08, 2007, 10:47:56 PM

He played last week for St Michael's which means his suspension started last Sunday at the earliest. Four weeks minimum, assuming that's what he got, means he won't be available until the quarter-finals, at the earliest.

From the Bunker · July 09, 2007, 12:18:47 AM

Donegal peaked early this year, and are presently running on reserve. If they have any aspirations they should take care of a volitile WM outfit! Like Mayo, Galway, Cork and possibly Dublin they have a level of quality but you just expect them to implode when they meet a half quality team and questions are asked!

Maroon Heaven · July 09, 2007, 12:36:54 PM

Great Result on Sat by Iarmhi, looked a whole new team compared to First Longford game. Dashings of hunger throughout the park which went missing at Peace stadium.

Donegal will be a tough match but we have faced similar quality opposition at similar times in qualifying and done very well. Glad we stayed away from our bogey teams of Meath & Derry.

J70 · July 09, 2007, 01:07:18 PM

According to the Donegal News, if the match is played on Sunday, Colm McFadden will be back as his one month suspension will be up. I thought county suspensions applied to club games?

aodhruadh · July 09, 2007, 01:27:22 PM

So did I... not only that, I've seen nowhere in any media report outlining what suspension he got, and furthermore whether that suspension would be extended after his sending off in the Club Championship.

Only for the fact he didnt play on Sat evening I'd wonder if he was suspended at all.

Gaoth Dobhair Abu · July 09, 2007, 01:43:24 PM

Is the match definately on Sunday, am heading down and was hoping for a Saturday throw-in, would have been able to go to the Ulster final on Sunday then!

Mentalman · July 09, 2007, 05:31:22 PM

Quote from: Gaoth Dobhair Abu on July 09, 2007, 01:43:24 PM
Is the match definately on Sunday, am heading down and was hoping for a Saturday throw-in, would have been able to go to the Ulster final on Sunday then!

From Hoganstand:

Quote
Qualifier, Murphy and Rackard fixtures
09 July 2007

The fixtures for the second round of football qualifers, the semi-finals of the Tommy Murphy Cup and quarter-finals of the Nicky Rackard Cup have been announced, as well as the line up for the knockout stages of the MHC.

Fixtures for Saturday 14 July

All-Ireland SFC Qualifers - Round 2

Derry v Mayo, Celtic Park, Derry 3.30pm

Westmeath v Donegal, Cusack Park, Mullingar 7pm

Kildare v Louth, Newbridge 7pm

Meath v Fermanagh, Navan 7pm

Tommy Murphy Cup semi-finals

Clare v Antrim, Ennis, 7.00

Wicklow v Waterford, Aughrim, 7.00

The draw for the Nicky Rackard Cup quarter finals was also made today. The quarter finals, to be played next Saturday, will see Roscommon play Monaghan, Louth play Warwickshire, Armagh against Tyrone and Donegal against Longford.

The draw for the quarter and semi-finals of the ESB All-Ireland MHC was also made today (dates and times to be confirmed). In the quarter-finals Antrim will play Kilkenny and Cork will play Galway. The semi-final pairings are Tipperary v Antrim or Kilkenny and Dublin v Cork or Galway.

MrC · July 10, 2007, 09:09:30 AM

Anyone got good directions to Cusack Park for anyone heading from Donegal?

rosnarun · July 10, 2007, 10:45:50 AM

far as i know county suspensions only apply to club if its for over a month suspension. thats the way it was acouple of years bck anyway

Croí na hÉireann · July 10, 2007, 04:05:52 PM

QuoteDonegal will be a tough match but we have faced similar quality opposition at similar times in qualifying and done very well. Glad we stayed away from our bogey teams of Meath & Derry.

Wouldn't have minded a home draw against Eastmeath at all, bit of momentum behind us now and getting that monkey off our backs could bring God knows what. Glad we avoided Derry though after what we did to them in the league, they showed on Sunday that they're not a bad aul team when they put their minds to it. Would have liked to have avoided Donegal as well but could have been worse, could have been Mayo, at least we're at home. An aul weekend away wouldn't have been too bad but if we have any aspirations of progressing a home draw is crucial. Donegal will give us an excellent barometer of where this team is at. We competed well in the league apart from the Louth match and were unlucky to emerge second best in the tight finishes.

Quote from: MrC on July 10, 2007, 09:09:30 AMAnyone got good directions to Cusack Park for anyone heading from Donegal?

Come in the Delvin Road from the bypass, pass by St. Lomans Hospital on your right hand side and then take the fourth road (I think) into the housing estate on your right. Springfield (the housing estate) is working class but should be grand, maybe park near the main road if you're bring the Beamer... Keep going straight until the end of the road and turn left. This should bring you to a cul de sac and at the end you should see a tunnel under the canal. (Aim for the A in Acueduct on the map below). Ditch the car wherever looks safe enough, take the tunnel and you're right outside the ground. Maybe Shamrock Shore can verify these directions as he used them on Saturday with no complications or hassle.
Else you could come in via Robinstown and park in Dunnes. Just be prepared to spend all night getting out of the God forsaken place after...

navaniarmhi · July 10, 2007, 08:51:34 PM

Match brought forward to 5pm.....same as last week. Probably on the advice of the Gardai again. This means that the hurling (Westmeath v. Kerry in the Christy Ring) will be at 3pm. Rough on Donegal boys who will now have to leave home or work that much earlier...might make them less anxious to come. The huge Kerry support, of course, will have to book into the Greville for the Friday evening.