Donegal 2011

[donegal_abu]

Well... as a donegal *woman, a good 2012 would be: good league campaign, retain ulster, and maybe go further

[ck]

Well... as a donegal *woman, a good 2012 would be: good league campaign, retain ulster, and maybe go further

Very vague! What is "a good league campaign" ie: Winning the league? Retaining Ulster "and maybe go further"? So basicly what you are saying is that teh same as last year will do. Is anything less a failure for Donegal people?
What Donegal people have now is expectation, they had none last year so everything was a bonus. Lets see how you deal with Div 1 and going out of the Ulster c/ship early. Donegal will be the team to beat in Ulster, and beaten they will be IMO.

[donegal_abu]

Well... as a donegal *woman, a good 2012 would be: good league campaign, retain ulster, and maybe go further

Very vague! What is "a good league campaign" ie: Winning the league? Retaining Ulster "and maybe go further"? So basicly what you are saying is that teh same as last year will do. Is anything less a failure for Donegal people?
What Donegal people have now is expectation, they had none last year so everything was a bonus. Lets see how you deal with Div 1 and going out of the Ulster c/ship early. Donegal will be the team to beat in Ulster, and beaten they will be IMO.

No I dont expect us to win the league... but I wouldnt throw it away either :L Obviously want to retain ulster and hopefully go a step further than last year. Of course we have expectations ? What kind of a supporter would I be if I didnt expect the best from my own team ?! Yes we had no expectations last year.. but either would you if you were me. And I suppose that made this year all the more special because it was sucha shock. however since we did so well this year, a lot more faith has been put back in the team. the supporters will be out in their droves for the league again.... the faith is back
Your right we'll be the team to beat in Ulster, and we have a very hard path to the final. But that can only make us stronger for the road ahead. Division one will be a great start because we'll be playing tough games that will also set us up for the championship.

[ross4life]

Found a 2006 championship review article in the attic the other day, it compared Donegal to Brazil but went on to say the current team are too nice to ever become as successful.

[John79]

I have to agree with Donegal Abu. Despite all the criticism, they won the Anglo Celt and fared well in the All Ireland series. I was at the Ulster final and it was possibly one of the worst games I've ever seen, but credit has to go to Donegal and McGuinness who has developed a limited, defensive team into challengers for Sam. I personally don't like the way that they play, but it works -good luck to them. Tyrone are boring too, but they've done well in recent years too. It's not my favoured choice of the way to play football, but hey, they've done well. Respect has to be given to Donegal for what they have achieved this year. And the gauntlet has been thrown down to other counties to beat them in the league next season and then the championship. I personally think other teams will "suss" Donegal out, but time will only tell

[screenmachine]

Donegal's style of football will be accepted by their fans until they suffer a few defeats in Championship.  It may sound quite an obvious thing to say but if they lose one or two games and are eliminated in the early stages I don't think the fans would be as willing to accept Jim's style of football whereas a team that goes out and gives it a good lash may receive some form of praise in defeat.  A weak referee could also scupper their gameplan if he started dishing out frees for some of there two or three men tackling (which was very good last year to be fair).

Fair play to them for doing what it takes to win and I'm sure they don't really give a fiddler's what way it looked to anyone else.  Hopefully Derry can provide the first stage of their failing next year although Derry's history against the blanket defence has been about successful as a chocolate fireguard.  Time will tell.

[J70]

I honestly enjoyed Donegal's football this year, last fifteen minutes against Dublin, when they were out on their feet, aside. Maybe it was being so jaded by the capitulations and relative lack of effort in the past, but I thought the intensity and will to win were a joy to watch. I understand why, from an aesthetic point of view, neutrals might completely disagree, but opinions often differs with emotional involvement. I have no problem whatsoever with Big Jim using the same approach again. It would be nice to have a bit more of a cutting edge up front, but if the players aren't there, what can he do? And before people start about Murphy, he played full forward for most of the championship, Dublin game excepted.

[donegal_abu]

I honestly enjoyed Donegal's football this year, last fifteen minutes against Dublin, when they were out on their feet, aside. Maybe it was being so jaded by the capitulations and relative lack of effort in the past, but I thought the intensity and will to win were a joy to watch. I understand why, from an aesthetic point of view, neutrals might completely disagree, but opinions often differs with emotional involvement. I have no problem whatsoever with Big Jim using the same approach again. It would be nice to have a bit more of a cutting edge up front, but if the players aren't there, what can he do? And before people start about Murphy, he played full forward for most of the championship, Dublin game excepted.

Yea completely agree. What the other counties dont seem to understand is the feeling we got from finally winning games again Other years the team didnt seem to really want it but this year was completely different. they believed in themselves and we believed in them. They didnt want to disappoint Jim as they said themselves, and they gave it there very all. thats the kind of attitude change that was needed big time in Donegal... the team needed to believe and to really really want it, and to restored pride in the jersey again ... DÚN NA NGALL ABÚ

[ardtole]

I think you will see a more attacking threat from Donegal next year. I have a feeling McGuinness made defence his priority in his first season and went about it in an extreme manner. I feel he will gradually introduce a more attacking policy this season whilst also having the defensive mindset already instilled in his team, something similar to Mancini at Man City. Last season in the bigger games, even at home, City were content with a 0-0. This year they have become more attacking, I think there will be a similar philosophy with McGuinness. I would be suprised if they had the same system next year, I still think they will be a defensive minded team but I would imagine more attacking options to be introduced next season.

[donegal_abu]

I think you will see a more attacking threat from Donegal next year. I have a feeling McGuinness made defence his priority in his first season and went about it in an extreme manner. I feel he will gradually introduce a more attacking policy this season whilst also having the defensive mindset already instilled in his team, something similar to Mancini at Man City. Last season in the bigger games, even at home, City were content with a 0-0. This year they have become more attacking, I think there will be a similar philosophy with McGuinness. I would be suprised if they had the same system next year, I still think they will be a defensive minded team but I would imagine more attacking options to be introduced next season.

Agree completely. McGuinness worked with his srongest part of the team, the defense. They couldnt do it all in one year, I expect a more atacking aspect to the game plan this year, while still witholding the strong defense

[Zulu]

It didnt look like he thought he was working with the strongest part of the team, he set out as if he was covering for the weakest part. I think Donegal do have good defenders, good forwards and a so so midfield, it seems to me that jim has a football philosophy that is uber defensive rather than being a man who evaluates his squad and sets the style accordingly. I'd say he'd play 14 men in his own 21 if he had 15 Peter Canavans.

[armaghniac]

Donegal training session

[sheamy]

I think you will see a more attacking threat from Donegal next year. I have a feeling McGuinness made defence his priority in his first season and went about it in an extreme manner. I feel he will gradually introduce a more attacking policy this season whilst also having the defensive mindset already instilled in his team, something similar to Mancini at Man City. Last season in the bigger games, even at home, City were content with a 0-0. This year they have become more attacking, I think there will be a similar philosophy with McGuinness. I would be suprised if they had the same system next year, I still think they will be a defensive minded team but I would imagine more attacking options to be introduced next season.

Can't wait...now they face same dilemma as every other team. Am sure big Jim has 'er sorted though. Watch out...

Agree completely. McGuinness worked with his srongest part of the team, the defense. They couldnt do it all in one year, I expect a more atacking aspect to the game plan this year, while still witholding the strong defense

[furboot]

for Donegal fans mainly and if you missed it first time round the official DVD of the Donegal v Kildare match is now on sale.

http://www.dvdsales.ie/shop/donegal_v_kildare_all_ireland_qfinal_2011.417.1.10635.sports.html