Mayo v Donegal all ireland quarter final Sunday Aug 4 4.00pm

[BluestackBoy]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

[larryin89]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

Apparently Jim read the medical notes wrong, it was in fact a 5mm tear.

[rosnarun]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

Apparently Jim read the medical notes wrong, it was in fact a 5mm tear.

I think horan is going the only sensible route,
Believe nothing from the donegal camp and watch Jimmy tie himself up in Knots.

[BluestackBoy]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

Apparently Jim read the medical notes wrong, it was in fact a 5mm tear.

First I've heard of that Larry!!  Where did you get your info?

[larryin89]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

Apparently Jim read the medical notes wrong, it was in fact a 5mm tear.

First I've heard of that Larry!!  Where did you get your info?

I got the shift off this nurse last night from letterkenny general, she was in coppers, up in the big smoke for a hen do, she was loaded drunk, she gave me the run down on mcHugh.

[BluestackBoy]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

Apparently Jim read the medical notes wrong, it was in fact a 5mm tear.

First I've heard of that Larry!!  Where did you get your info?

I got the shift off this nurse last night from letterkenny general, she was in coppers, up in the big smoke for a hen do, she was loaded drunk, she gave me the run down on mcHugh.

As reliable a source as you're likely to find!!! I would give her more credence than most of what I read in the papers or gaaboard.ie

[Lar Naparka]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

You may well be right but I'd wait until the ref throws the ball in before I'd bet on either not starting.
Jimmy could be playing mind games as he often does and for that matter, James has been known to do the same. All managers do this; some with more success than others.

I don't expect either team to line out as selected.

[BluestackBoy]

The Irish Times are reporting that Mark McHugh is cleared of concussion and could play on Sunday - the quad muscle is the only thing that might keep him on the bench. Lacey also in line to play. Big, big boosts for Donegal if they both can play.

I don't believe a word of it. Lacey was supposed to be fit for the Ulster final and look how that turned out. He only played 15 minutes last Sunday , so even if he starts it would be more in hope than confidence.
As for McHugh, I doubt he's fit. I don't know about the muscle tear but a 5cm tear would hardly be right in 2 weeks not to mention the perforated ear drum. Again hardly likely to be 100% or near it.
If they do start it will be out of desperation & a sign that our goose is really cooked.

You may well be right but I'd wait until the ref throws the ball in before I'd bet on either not starting.
Jimmy could be playing mind games as he often does and for that matter, James has been known to do the same. All managers do this; some with more success than others.

I don't expect either team to line out as selected.

I agree 100% but think that if either do start then we are in real trouble as they are not 100% or near it & only 100% will do on Sunday.
I hope I am not watching this game from under the seat on Sunday but I am starting to get a bad feeling

[yellowcard]

I reckon this will be a horrible game to watch but neither side will care one jot if they come out with a win. Both sides epitomise the the state of gaelic football at the minute. Massive backroom teams, carefully programmed gameplans, functional pre-programmed players, teams built on solid defence, do whatever it takes to win attitude. I think the winners of this match may well go on to win the AI title but this is the game I am least looking forward to over the weekend, it will be grinding.

[StephenC]

It's something that has mystified me tbh. If Lacey was fit enough to start the Ulster final, why wan't he fit enough to start against Laois? Seems to me that Jim made a bad call for the Ulster final - you could see that Karl wasn't fit. Given that he didn't start against Laois, I'd bet that he won't this weekend either.

[BluestackBoy]

I reckon this will be a horrible game to watch but neither side will care one jot if they come out with a win. Both sides epitomise the the state of gaelic football at the minute. Massive backroom teams, carefully programmed gameplans, functional pre-programmed players, teams built on solid defence, do whatever it takes to win attitude. I think the winners of this match may well go on to win the AI title but this is the game I am least looking forward to over the weekend, it will be grinding.

Can't argue with that. Mind you It is the game that everyone will tune into though. It will be a bit like a car crash , you know you shouldn't watch but can't help yourself.

[AMayoFan]

Hi guys,

Tactical preview of Mayo vs Donegal up here
http://action81.com/blog/?p=7492

Emmet

Uplifting verdict for Mayo, maybe calm our nerves a little! 

Emmett focus on where Mayo will get the scores and how Donegal will defend.  He has an interesting take on Monaghan win Monaghan didn't break the system, they beat the players. .  I'm not trying to reignite Jimmy is getting worried debate on this thread, but possible this may well be his main grip with the physicality Donegal received.

[Syferus]

It's something that has mystified me tbh. If Lacey was fit enough to start the Ulster final, why wan't he fit enough to start against Laois? Seems to me that Jim made a bad call for the Ulster final - you could see that Karl wasn't fit. Given that he didn't start against Laois, I'd bet that he won't this weekend either.

I fully expect he'll start Sunday. Looked ok, maybe not 100%, against Laois and the game is too important and Lacey too essential with the question marks surrounding McHugh, the other main playmaker on the team.

With all due respect to Laois, playing them on a small pitch where you can elimate space so easily gave McGuinness latitude to only need to use the game as a way of getting a few minutes into Lacey.

[blast05]

I reckon this will be a horrible game to watch but neither side will care one jot if they come out with a win. Both sides epitomise the the state of gaelic football at the minute. Massive backroom teams, carefully programmed gameplans, functional pre-programmed players, teams built on solid defence, do whatever it takes to win attitude. I think the winners of this match may well go on to win the AI title but this is the game I am least looking forward to over the weekend, it will be grinding.

Can you define what the Mayo gameplan is ..... cos i struggle with that one.
Mayo are a team 'built on solid defence' ..... strange statement for a team who have won all their games to date by well into double digits
Functional pre-programmed players ..... i think its more a case of 'i wish we actually had a few of those'. Give me a name or 2 of a Mayo player who you feel ticks this box.

[larryin89]

Anyways tis good to hear about McHugh, he was seen in knock yesterday, obviously miracles do happen.