Donegal V Derry, June 1st

[Maguire01]

I suppose with Donegal out and Armagh and Tyrone only able to meet in the semi, the final will be back in Clones again this year.

[Rav67]

Paddy was getting fouled for his frees, but overall the referee was giving frees for anything, which was why I was happy anytime Diver got on the ball as you know he will run at the defence and inevitably win one, and Lynch drew a couple in the first half too.  Thought PB looked a wee bit off the boil after he went down injured for the rest of the first half, but he showed what a class act he is the second period.  His frees are a lot more consistent at the minute than they were in the past as well.

Was very impressed with Derry's ability to win primary possession, particularly given that a lot of the kickouts that Donegal did win were due to the accuracy of Durcan who landed a few on Kavanagh in the first half.  I hope Doc doesn't get suspended, but despite the huge influence he has on games I'd still fancy us to beat Fermanagh without him.  Conway looked good when he came on and took 2 catches, and Diver done well too so they'd be able to step up to the plate.  McCloy was very poor again, got cleaned out by both men and has been getting sold very obvious dummies all year so far.  If he doesn't get back his sharpness quick I think Crozier has a big call to make whether to drop him for the semi-final, I know he's the captain but Mickey McGoldrick and Sean Marty Lockhart are coming back so there's very capable replacements there.

[ONeill]

I was mightily impressed with Derry in most facets of the game, apart from hitting the target in the first half but it was just one of those days for them in the first 35. There is definitely a mental toughness about them now to match the undoubted talent. People say they're too reliant on Bradley, but so what. Tyrone were the same with O'Neill in 2005, Kerry on the Gooch. I can see Derry being thereabouts late August. They don't look like imploding this year.

[unforgiven]

Forget aboout the Doherty incident, it was Kavanagh's fault for messing with the wrong man.  These things are part of the game, I feel and he shouldn't have went down like Jenna Jamieson.  What's more worrying was the number of soft frees given by the ref.  Felt Diver got lots of frees by simply charging into donegal defenders and should have been given the other way.  Thought when Bradley was given frees though most were genuine frees.  I think his shorts and shirt can testify to that.

Biased? Binkered?

So it's fine for Doherty to do what he did because he's a big man and the opposition should know better than to challenge him? It's one thing going down easy when there's a bit of shoving and pushing, but in the case of a strike, i'm not so sure it's as OTT. Either way, Doherty was wrong and his actions have no place on the field.

And Donegal's frees were handy, but Derry's were fair enough? Cop yourself on. The referee was poor throughout, but it was the Derry frees near the end that were most dubious.

Reread my post please.  i think it's yourself that is blinkered.

Sorry, yes, i missed your contribution re Diver - well called. But there's no need to defend Doherty's actions (hence my charge of bias), and i stand by my view that Bradley won some handy enough frees.

you're entitled to your opinion indeed.  As am I.  Not defending Doc cause i don't think there is much to defend.  If Kavanagh hadn't have thrown himself on the ground I don't think there would be too much talk about the incident.  If you were to send everyone off for that sort of thing there would be noone left on the pitch.  Think the GAA would be a better game if they could stamp out that Barry McGuigan lookalike than bother investigating minor indiscretions like Doherty's.

[Maguire01]

But regardless of the Kavanagh's response (OTT or not), it was a strike - i'm not sure many would call it a 'minor indiscretion'.

I fully take and accept your comment re the ref, but i'm assuming it's a problem for the GAA because there simply aren't enough referees willing and able to take on the role. I wouldn't so it - would anyone on here?

[Doire abú]

Jesus what poor shooting in the first half. Watchin the tape off her here, what are people on about Bradley diving? I admit he got a couple of soft ones, but what ones do youse think he "dived" for?

[DUBSFORSAM1]

Forget aboout the Doherty incident, it was Kavanagh's fault for messing with the wrong man.  These things are part of the game, I feel and he shouldn't have went down like Jenna Jamieson.  What's more worrying was the number of soft frees given by the ref.  Felt Diver got lots of frees by simply charging into donegal defenders and should have been given the other way.  Thought when Bradley was given frees though most were genuine frees.  I think his shorts and shirt can testify to that.

Biased? Binkered?

So it's fine for Doherty to do what he did because he's a big man and the opposition should know better than to challenge him? It's one thing going down easy when there's a bit of shoving and pushing, but in the case of a strike, i'm not so sure it's as OTT. Either way, Doherty was wrong and his actions have no place on the field.

And Donegal's frees were handy, but Derry's were fair enough? Cop yourself on. The referee was poor throughout, but it was the Derry frees near the end that were most dubious.

Reread my post please.  i think it's yourself that is blinkered.

Sorry, yes, i missed your contribution re Diver - well called. But there's no need to defend Doherty's actions (hence my charge of bias), and i stand by my view that Bradley won some handy enough frees.

you're entitled to your opinion indeed.  As am I.  Not defending Doc cause i don't think there is much to defend.  If Kavanagh hadn't have thrown himself on the ground I don't think there would be too much talk about the incident.  If you were to send everyone off for that sort of thing there would be noone left on the pitch.  Think the GAA would be a better game if they could stamp out that Barry McGuigan lookalike than bother investigating minor indiscretions like Doherty's.

So Dublin and Meath guys get 8 week bans for pushing and shoving and you want Doc to get off for striking a guy in the face? Considering that the contact for that free was an awful lot more than what Bradley was getting frees for then you must be disgusted at how easy Bradley fell over when being tackled...

[Surreal Steve]

Jesus there was me thinking that younse Dublin boys were in this thread as neutrals, not with some vested disciplinary related interest

[SLIGONIAN]

Forget aboout the Doherty incident, it was Kavanagh's fault for messing with the wrong man.  These things are part of the game, I feel and he shouldn't have went down like Jenna Jamieson.  What's more worrying was the number of soft frees given by the ref.  Felt Diver got lots of frees by simply charging into donegal defenders and should have been given the other way.  Thought when Bradley was given frees though most were genuine frees.  I think his shorts and shirt can testify to that.

Biased? Binkered?

So it's fine for Doherty to do what he did because he's a big man and the opposition should know better than to challenge him? It's one thing going down easy when there's a bit of shoving and pushing, but in the case of a strike, i'm not so sure it's as OTT. Either way, Doherty was wrong and his actions have no place on the field.

And Donegal's frees were handy, but Derry's were fair enough? Cop yourself on. The referee was poor throughout, but it was the Derry frees near the end that were most dubious.

Reread my post please.  i think it's yourself that is blinkered.

Sorry, yes, i missed your contribution re Diver - well called. But there's no need to defend Doherty's actions (hence my charge of bias), and i stand by my view that Bradley won some handy enough frees.

you're entitled to your opinion indeed.  As am I.  Not defending Doc cause i don't think there is much to defend.  If Kavanagh hadn't have thrown himself on the ground I don't think there would be too much talk about the incident.  If you were to send everyone off for that sort of thing there would be noone left on the pitch.  Think the GAA would be a better game if they could stamp out that Barry McGuigan lookalike than bother investigating minor indiscretions like Doherty's.

Not defending him then what do you call it. FFS such absolute Bullsh*t. I am sligoman so neutral, kavanagh had every right to react like that. It was a closed fist. You see alot in GAA but with open hand or shrug off but not closed fist. God gave you eyes, maybe you should use them.

[the green man]

And Donegal's frees were handy, but Derry's were fair enough? Cop yourself on. The referee was poor throughout, but it was the Derry frees near the end that were most dubious.

I have yet to see a rule that says its fine to haul a player 180 by the jersey.

The ref had a poor game tes, but I dont think he was biased towards Derry. Just poor all round.

Derry were Brutal in the first half and missed far too many scoring opputunities, likewise the testicle ticklers in the second half. Conway really stedied the ship for our boys when coming on. Far too many Derry players were off colour today. I dont think there was one stand out performance from anyone. Save Diver and Paddy.

As regards Doherty. Probably deserved a red, but no more so than McGee(6) who tried to cut Bradley in two in the first half. Or Kavannagh, who just appeared to be happy to be a kn**ker for most of the game.

McIver will surely be crucified now for not having Brendan on the panel.

[Yes I Would]

Referee spoiled what could have been a very free flowing game. Best team won although Donegal will feel that they let this one slip.
Couldnt keep Derry any any period of sustained pressure in second half. Interesting to see how well Mc Iver can keep them together over next 6 or 7 weeks.
Derry will be happy, into Ulster semi with plenty of room for improvement and competition for places now starting to hotten up. Full back line would be a serious cause for concern!!

Doherty incident was a clear strike, and typical of that clown of a refs performance that he missed it but yet was stopping the game and firing out yellows for totally inoccuous incidents!

[Maguire01]

Not defending him then what do you call it. FFS such absolute Bullsh*t. I am sligoman so neutral, kavanagh had every right to react like that. It was a closed fist. You see alot in GAA but with open hand or shrug off but not closed fist. God gave you eyes, maybe you should use them.

Indeed, and even if Kavanagh hadn't went to ground, it wouldn't have made any difference my take on the incident.

[Armaghtothebone]

the standard in ulster is easily the best in ireland im afraid.

yeah, thats really been shown in the last two years hasn't it.

Mike,
No one in their right mind could question that the last 2 years have belonged to Kerry.They have been head and shoulders above every other county, but Ulster as aprovince is harder/stronger/better than any other since the quallifier system has been introduced.
The munster championship is a joke,even your own players admit as much.

[full back]

As regards Doherty. Probably deserved a red,

What do you mean probably
You are a bit like Tohill
He deserved a red

[Doire abú]

What frees did Bradley dive for? Is someone going to tell me? A couple were soft but I can't see any where he dived or tried to buy it. Enlightened me please someone.

Tell me the minute of the frees he dived for.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0601/donegal_derry2.html?gaa (Video on right hand side)