Donegal v Down Ulster Semi June 23

[ardtole]

Its hard hitting championship football in wet conditions. Im enjoying it think the ref is riding us though.

[J70]

wouldnt counted the hit on bradley, ball was there to be won, and the bigger man won it in style

He had two off the ball shoulders in the face and two other fouls in the first 10 mins. He hasn't even been booked.

The one on McLoone was an elbow.

[Collins]

Have sympathy for the neutrals here  in fairness this is a god awfull spectacle.

Yep, and as I've said before, this is Donegal's fault. To be successful, this is how you have to play nowadays. They've made sure of that and it's horrible to watch.

[Aaron Boone]

Anyone's game. Donegal not the well-oiled machine today.

[Mac2]

Commentary on this game by Carney and Canning is god awful, eulogising Donegal every time they touch the ball.

[J70]

Have sympathy for the neutrals here  in fairness this is a god awfull spectacle.

Yep, and as I've said before, this is Donegal's fault. To be successful, this is how you have to play nowadays. They've made sure of that and it's horrible to watch.

Its Donegal's fault that Down are playing the exact same way? Are you now going to forgo watching your county given your strong convictions?

[Collins]

It's set up perfectly for Donegal though. Regardless of how they're playing, being ahead at half time is what they want. Eventually their opponents need to open up a bit to get back to level terms and that's when they come into their own.

[Jinxy]

Commentary on this game by Carney and Canning is god awful, eulogising Donegal every time they touch the ball.

Very much so.

[TY14ED]

Jimmy knows that no ref will blow every single foul so he has coached every Donegal player to tackle accordingly. Most tackles are high to the upper body, arms and neck and their superior physical condition spells trouble for most opponents. Then there is the cynical foul, ankle taps, crossing a players path, landing on a player on the ground etc, all have been mastered by Donegal. Refs don't stand a chance with them and furthermore they have to put up with Murphy & co's constant gubbing.

What's the solution if officials continue to allow it?

[Dinny Breen]

I'm enjoying it as a neutral, think Down will be happy with their 1st half performance and will buy-in to the tactical plan even more, a goal could decide this.

[Collins]

Yes J70, it is. You play to win and you can't win at the highest level in the modern game unless you play the nasty, negative, disgustingly cynical, cheating way Donegal do. I've said this before. That's why I had my house on them at 7/1 to win the All Ireland last year.

Having said that J70, there's a level we won't stoop to that Donegal players will as soon as Jimmy gives them the order. And that's the vile mind games and verbal abuse they give opposition players. Reports I've heard of things they've said, especially against Tyrone players, would make you sick to your stomach.

[Tubberman]

Down owning the ball so far in the second half, couple of poor misses.

[Collins]

Boyle killing us with two bad mistakes this 2nd half

[Collins]

Why has the ref moved that ball 26 metres instead of 13?

[Collins]

Deliberate knee in the back of Boyle there after he was fouled.