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

[criostlinn]

I'd be pretty sure he'll put Higgans back in the corner , the London experiment did not work and surprisingly for me anyways he seem to get forward less than usual and he ended up on h/f line too.

I can't fault Cunnife or Barret tbh which makes it difficult for me to argue the case for starting Shane McHale in the other corner but i just have that feeling that his size would be of benefit.

Look at the end of the day the all Ireland final is still fresh in the memory and i have every faith in Horan and this team that the horror start will not occur again .

Its going to be such an interesting game on so many levels.

I think its time to start talking about the team again. To much about Jimmy on this and the other thread.

What were you expecting from Higgins the last day. For me the experiment was to give Higgins game time as a sweeper in full anticipation of playing Donegal down the road. Id be shocked if both Cunnife and Barrett didn't start with Higgins again named further up the pitch. I expect Vaughan to start so therefore Higgins as a half forward. If we are to avoid the horror show of last years first 10 minutes then it must be kept tight at the back and the fact that Down and Monaghan have shown this as a way of playing Donegal, Horan will hardly be foolish enough to ignore it

[donegal lad]

Was talking to mark mchugh yesterday in letterkenny and would be extremely confident of him playin no part on Sunday. Don't think Lacey will start either was clearly not fit enough in ulster final and would keep him in reserve for the 2nd half would give everyone a lift him coming on

[larryin89]

I'd be pretty sure he'll put Higgans back in the corner , the London experiment did not work and surprisingly for me anyways he seem to get forward less than usual and he ended up on h/f line too.

I can't fault Cunnife or Barret tbh which makes it difficult for me to argue the case for starting Shane McHale in the other corner but i just have that feeling that his size would be of benefit.

Look at the end of the day the all Ireland final is still fresh in the memory and i have every faith in Horan and this team that the horror start will not occur again .

Its going to be such an interesting game on so many levels.

I think its time to start talking about the team again. To much about Jimmy on this and the other thread.

What were you expecting from Higgins the last day. For me the experiment was to give Higgins game time as a sweeper in full anticipation of playing Donegal down the road. Id be shocked if both Cunnife and Barrett didn't start with Higgins again named further up the pitch. I expect Vaughan to start so therefore Higgins as a half forward. If we are to avoid the horror show of last years first 10 minutes then it must be kept tight at the back and the fact that Down and Monaghan have shown this as a way of playing Donegal, Horan will hardly be foolish enough to ignore it

The sweeper role thing has me confused, an aul simpleton i am , so if you could do me the courtesy of telling me what a sweeper is in gaelic football?

[criostlinn]

Ok, Sweeper, extra man back with a licence to attack, what ever you want to call it. The full back line was left exposed last year, this cannot happen again the next day.

Just as a matter of interest, what would you call Mark McHugh's position on the pitch. I know he's a forward but what would you call his role

[emmetryan]

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.

And I have yet to receive any death threats from Monaghan

[StephenC]

I would worry a lot about some of our 'role players'. Ryan Bradley appears to me to have lost all of his confidence. He was one of the top players in the Ulster championship last year, but this year he seems to prone to silly turnovers and bad passes. His effort at a point in Carrick summed it up for me - he's a man who has lost the spark and confidence that he had before.
Tony Thompson is another man who hasn't reached the heights of last year. He's has still been solid but I believe he is carrying a knock that is hampering him. Rory Kavanagh has been poor enough as well apart from his 2nd half against Tyrone. Again I believe he is hampered by a niggling injury.
Leo McLoone didn't start in Carrick and is another player who seems stuck in a slump.
So while all the talk is about Lacey and McHugh, if we don't get improved performances from these lads that I have mentioned (and others) then we won't have a hope of beating the Mayo men.

[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.

And I have yet to receive any death threats from Monaghan

You also couldn't have gave them higher praise in their victory and they did outperform Donegal that day! 

[BluestackBoy]

Ok, Sweeper, extra man back with a licence to attack, what ever you want to call it. The full back line was left exposed last year, this cannot happen again the next day.

Just as a matter of interest, what would you call Mark McHugh's position on the pitch. I know he's a forward but what would you call his role

Sweepers play different roles in different situations. Mostly they provide cover for the full back line to make sure that breaking ball is collected & that dangerous full forwards don't get one on ones like Murphy got on Keane last year.
As for McHugh he is mostly a link player whose job is to be on hand to take possesion in the backline & transfer it up the field as quickly as possible without the risk of hoofing it. In Mark's absence his younger brother Ryan took on the role against Laois.

[Syferus]

Ok, Sweeper, extra man back with a licence to attack, what ever you want to call it. The full back line was left exposed last year, this cannot happen again the next day.

Just as a matter of interest, what would you call Mark McHugh's position on the pitch. I know he's a forward but what would you call his role

Sweepers play different roles in different situations. Mostly they provide cover for the full back line to make sure that breaking ball is collected & that dangerous full forwards don't get one on ones like Murphy got on Keane last year.
As for McHugh he is mostly a link player whose job is to be on hand to take possesion in the backline & transfer it up the field as quickly as possible without the risk of hoofing it. In Mark's absence his younger brother Ryan took on the role against Laois.

I think it mostly ran through Ryan Bradley, honestly. Bradley had a 'mare passing up the field, though.

[StephenC]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

[Syferus]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

Zero surprises. I'd expect them to line-up as selected unless Mark McHugh makes a miraculous recovery by Sunday.

[ballinaman]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

Wow, that's some injury crisis right there.....#Pray4Donegal

[StephenC]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

Wow, that's some injury crisis right there.....#Pray4Donegal

We'll take all the prayers we can get. Who ever mentioned an injury crisis BTW? McHugh is out as expected and Lacey will start even though he's not fully fit.

[BluestackBoy]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

Wow, that's some injury crisis right there.....#Pray4Donegal

A lot of walking wounded there though ballinaman & I wouldn't be convinced that we'll see Lacey lining out.

[Syferus]

Donegal team for Sunday:

Durkan
McGrath, N McGee, E McGee
McGlynn, Lacey, Thompson
Gallagher, Kavanagh
Bradley, R McHugh, David Walsh
McBrearty, Murphy, McFadden

Wow, that's some injury crisis right there.....#Pray4Donegal

A lot of walking wounded there though ballinaman & I wouldn't be convinced that we'll see Lacey lining out.

Unless his situation has worsened from Saturday I don't see him not starting.