Cork v Donegal Semi Final

[cadence]

what a player gallagher is. although we had some great performances out there, if he didn't get motm for that whoever did would be embarassed to pick it up instead.

thought we rope-a-doped cork. played the long ball first half in attack, not committing too many players into energy sapping counterattacking runs and let cork run and run into us when they attacked. second half we unleashed the hounds and ran the legs off them. they were gone ten minutes to go and we should have won by a bigger score.

all the top teams use tactics. we never used to and that's why we weren't a top team despite having cracking players and won nothing. now we have the tactics and a good squad of players who all bring something valuable.

 

[cadence]

fairly happy with my 3 point win prediction, really that should have been a 10 point hammering. Very surprised at the amount of pundits tipping cork. Donegal weren't bein written off, they have gone past that stage now, but an awful lot of people couldnt see past cork winning, why? To me it was more a case of finding it hard to see donegal getting beaten, and cork dropped the heads early on today.

Dublin or mayo will give them a hell of a game though

^ agree with this this. and that's not a dig at cork, who are still a fine side despite all their new found critics that hindsight seems to have created.

even when things were tight in the first half we were controlled and able to get our scores by committing a few more players when we needed to. it set us up for that second half performance when we were able to shut down their attack pretty much and got our own running game going.

the shot of counihan double face palming said it all really. the game was up. there wasn'y much he could do. fire more ball into the full forward line and it would more than likely be hoovered up by our lads, throw more players further forward in support of his full forward line and if we turn it over his defence is on the back foot chasing our counterattacks. and so he has to persist with his running game in the main. it was meat and drink to our boys.

[Milltown Row2]

Who was man of the match?

[Hardy]

What a great game it is when played in the right spirit. No difficulty refereeing that and I don't remember one cheat, dive or injury-feigning in the whole game.

[GalwayBayBoy]

Might have been interesting had O'Neill's shot been a couple of inches lower and not rattled off the crossbar that time. Donegal's fitness levels are very impressive though. They were running just as hard in the 70th minute as they were in the 1st.

[cadence]

yeah i'd like to know who won motm too.... + i thought it was good display by the ref. both sides fouled, but there didn't seem to be that much of it going on and i didn't once think who is this boy reffing this game jesus wept etc.

[Canalman]

Well done Donegal. Cringed a bit to hear the oléing at the end from the fans. Historically  does not augur well for the AIF when  this happens in the semis.

Fear a bit for Counihan as regardless of what he has won imvho he never really won over the Cork fans ( a fickle bunch).

[squire_in_navy_slacks]

Hats of to donegal, very well played............................................. pundits and neutrals silly to be so dismissive of a potential challege from mayo or dublin in the final

Spillane applauding donegal was sickening, hes a fickle man that lad

[Craigyhill Terror]

Who got the first yellow card?

Never mind: Aidan Walsh

It was McFadden

[Sidney]

Terrific game of football. Congratulations to Donegal, a richly deserved win and I fancy them to win the final regardless of who their opponents are.

[borderfox]

Absolutely delighted for Donegal. Great county and great people. I'll be rooting for them in the final regardless of who they play.

[From the Bunker]

Dublin might.
Mayo won't.

+1

[heffo]

Dublin might.
Mayo won't.

+1

-1

[Jinxy]

Mark McHugh must be the fittest footballer in the country.
Some engine.

[bucko]

Mark McHugh must be the fittest footballer in the country.
Some engine.

You could pretty say that about the whole Donegal team, the pace they have on the counter is something else.