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Donegal GAA thread

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Paul Fallon from Down the same referee as the Mayo game is in charge for the Meath game.
Let's hope he does a better job this time!!!! That's as nice as I can put it....

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 03/07/2025 16:42:48    2623477

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Replying To letterkennyGuy:  "Paul Fallon from Down the same referee as the Mayo game is in charge for the Meath game.
Let's hope he does a better job this time!!!! That's as nice as I can put it...."
Yeah he was very inconsistent that day.
Watching Meath Galway on Sunday, McNally let a fair bit go. That's grand because he was consistent with it. Meath seemed to work it out quicker than Galway did. And over the years, no better team than Meath to go at it hard in the physical stakes if the ref is giving a bit of leeway.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9869 - 03/07/2025 16:58:34    2623481

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I wouldn't be worrying about Referees, we can only focus in ourselves.

Ulsterchamps72 (Donegal) - Posts: 156 - 03/07/2025 17:10:53    2623484

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Replying To Ulsterchamps72:  "I wouldn't be worrying about Referees, we can only focus in ourselves."
Ah yeah that's all any team can do.

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 03/07/2025 17:14:16    2623485

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Fella just stop, you were the same in the Galway thread before that game too talking nonsense.

Now you're telling Donegal fans in here how their team play. Give it a rest"
Sorry but if you disagree with a point please explain rather than just saying something is nonsense. What did u say about Galway that you disagreed with also or perhaps lets forget about Galway. I did a list of rankings with Galway down pecking order which some disagreed with but I stand by. Have you an opinion on Donegal yourself or why criticise my opinions without having one yourself? Donegal are an extremely strong team along with Kerry are favourites for All-Ireland but have weaknesses too.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 726 - 03/07/2025 22:58:26    2623530

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Replying To letterkennyGuy:  "Paul Fallon from Down the same referee as the Mayo game is in charge for the Meath game.
Let's hope he does a better job this time!!!! That's as nice as I can put it...."
Did he also ref the Kildare v Donegal last season which was in Dr Cullen Park in Carlow? I think that ref was County Down man, I don't think we got one decision in the first half of that game, first half against Mayo wasn't great either.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1405 - 04/07/2025 10:12:02    2623555

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I wouldn't worry too much about refs. You had the ref on your side in the 2020 Ulster final and still lost. The best team will always win

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12440 - 04/07/2025 11:01:40    2623564

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Replying To Commodore:  "Did he also ref the Kildare v Donegal last season which was in Dr Cullen Park in Carlow? I think that ref was County Down man, I don't think we got one decision in the first half of that game, first half against Mayo wasn't great either."
Not too sure tbh about that match.
I do know we have to do our talking on the pitch and don't mean to be starting on about the referee before the match but his appointments for such a big game is certainly concerning.

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 04/07/2025 11:20:29    2623566

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Replying To Breffni40:  "I wouldn't worry too much about refs. You had the ref on your side in the 2020 Ulster final and still lost. The best team will always win"
That's irrelevant to this game.
Games can be swayed by referring you should know that. Hope this won't be one of them.
Meath are a serious outfit so hopefully the ref will be consistent to both teams...

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 04/07/2025 11:23:36    2623567

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Replying To letterkennyGuy:  "That's irrelevant to this game.
Games can be swayed by referring you should know that. Hope this won't be one of them.
Meath are a serious outfit so hopefully the ref will be consistent to both teams..."
Meath are indeed a serious outfit but so are Donegal. Good enough not to not need to make excuses before games in my opinion.

May the best team win and hopefully the referee isn't pressured by outside influences on either side

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12440 - 04/07/2025 12:14:50    2623577

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Replying To Breffni40:  "I wouldn't worry too much about refs. You had the ref on your side in the 2020 Ulster final and still lost. The best team will always win"
That's not actually true refs can affect the game bug time .

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 273 - 04/07/2025 12:41:01    2623582

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I think it is not just the Tyrone game. Armagh have proven versus Dublin and Kerry to have had an inadequate midfield yet proved to be more than a match for Donegal. Dublin if anything also were strong in that sector versus Tyrone. I think the big thing with Donegal is their shooting accuracy. They tend to get shots away and are generally accurate but will they get enough ball if the short option is not there. Also by running the ball all the time, it does give teams a chance to get back. winatallcost (Meath)
I agree that our mid-field, with arguably our best midfielder Jason McGee injured for most of the year, he missed the entire National league and Ulster Championship, and Caolan McGonigle also out injured since the Ulster QF, we have definitely been weaker around the middle this season. Its amazing how far we got despite this, credit to the team.


With Murphy back it is huge pressure to get over the line for an All-Ireland as perhaps he may not be in a position to return again. No doubt he is putting all into this year. I was hearing he was a full time footballer which for an amature game is hard to understand. Jim Mcguinness coming back when being involved in professional sport is also unique and unheard of but I'm sure they are both well looked after and do it for the love of Donegal.
That is incorrect about Michael Murphy, he is head of Sport at ATU and also has business in Letterkenny, he stepped down for 2 years because he is extremely busy in his professional life and recently got married, but decided to give it another go this year.

Declan Bonnar had Donegal during players for prime ages and while performing well never reached the 2012 levels. Was this down to tactics, commitment, selection issues or just better teams around including the great Dublin team or Kerry team. winatallcost (Meath)
They drew with Kerry in the Super 8's in 2019, mostly the same Kerry team as now, it was a high scoring shoot out and only played Dublin in 2018 Super 8, losing by 5 points I believe.


An aging Kerry team unexpecedly overcame Donegal in 2014 after Donegal took out Dublin in semi. Was this down to complacency?
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 726 - 02/07/2025 21:57:59 262328
Donegal and Kerry age profile in 2014 was identical I think or very close, the final score was Kerry 2-09 v Donegal 0-12. Goals won it, very little between the two teams in the stats in that game.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1405 - 04/07/2025 12:51:31    2623588

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Replying To Breffni40:  "Meath are indeed a serious outfit but so are Donegal. Good enough not to not need to make excuses before games in my opinion.

May the best team win and hopefully the referee isn't pressured by outside influences on either side"
True. I don't know who is making excuses though ?
Simply talking about his past performances is not making excuses....

letterkennyGuy (Donegal) - Posts: 176 - 04/07/2025 13:09:07    2623596

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Replying To Commodore:  "I think it is not just the Tyrone game. Armagh have proven versus Dublin and Kerry to have had an inadequate midfield yet proved to be more than a match for Donegal. Dublin if anything also were strong in that sector versus Tyrone. I think the big thing with Donegal is their shooting accuracy. They tend to get shots away and are generally accurate but will they get enough ball if the short option is not there. Also by running the ball all the time, it does give teams a chance to get back. winatallcost (Meath)
I agree that our mid-field, with arguably our best midfielder Jason McGee injured for most of the year, he missed the entire National league and Ulster Championship, and Caolan McGonigle also out injured since the Ulster QF, we have definitely been weaker around the middle this season. Its amazing how far we got despite this, credit to the team.


With Murphy back it is huge pressure to get over the line for an All-Ireland as perhaps he may not be in a position to return again. No doubt he is putting all into this year. I was hearing he was a full time footballer which for an amature game is hard to understand. Jim Mcguinness coming back when being involved in professional sport is also unique and unheard of but I'm sure they are both well looked after and do it for the love of Donegal.
That is incorrect about Michael Murphy, he is head of Sport at ATU and also has business in Letterkenny, he stepped down for 2 years because he is extremely busy in his professional life and recently got married, but decided to give it another go this year.

Declan Bonnar had Donegal during players for prime ages and while performing well never reached the 2012 levels. Was this down to tactics, commitment, selection issues or just better teams around including the great Dublin team or Kerry team. winatallcost (Meath)
They drew with Kerry in the Super 8's in 2019, mostly the same Kerry team as now, it was a high scoring shoot out and only played Dublin in 2018 Super 8, losing by 5 points I believe.


An aging Kerry team unexpecedly overcame Donegal in 2014 after Donegal took out Dublin in semi. Was this down to complacency?
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 726 - 02/07/2025 21:57:59 262328
Donegal and Kerry age profile in 2014 was identical I think or very close, the final score was Kerry 2-09 v Donegal 0-12. Goals won it, very little between the two teams in the stats in that game."
That game was decided by a fortunate goal, and then an upright being between Donegal and a levelling goal at the death. That 11 to 14 team should have had a second All Ireland. Very unlucky in 2011, probably lacked a little extra self belief. Fine margins in 2014. Hope they go on and do it this year. As for Murphy, he the best all round player of the past 25 year.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 685 - 04/07/2025 13:47:06    2623605

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Replying To letterkennyGuy:  "True. I don't know who is making excuses though ?
Simply talking about his past performances is not making excuses...."
It 100% is. Do you think if you lose you won't mention it?

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12440 - 04/07/2025 14:08:54    2623608

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Haven't looked in here in a few days and it's just as I expected, same low life wums from whatever imaginary county they decide to hide behind spouting nonsense at every opportunity.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3311 - 04/07/2025 14:18:00    2623611

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Replying To Breffni40:  "I wouldn't worry too much about refs. You had the ref on your side in the 2020 Ulster final and still lost. The best team will always win"
Imagine whinging about the ref in a game you won 5 years ago.

greatpoint (USA) - Posts: 454 - 04/07/2025 14:46:40    2623620

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Replying To greatpoint:  "Imagine whinging about the ref in a game you won 5 years ago."
Wasn't whinging just saying the best way to combat a succession of bad calls against your team (according to neutrals) is to get the head down and outscore your opponents.

I think this is reasonable advice but maybe I'm wrong and there are other better strategies

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12440 - 04/07/2025 15:17:39    2623624

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If there's one thing we can all agree on, is that hopefully the weather will be better next weekend. Christ Almighty it's depressing for July! :(

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9869 - 04/07/2025 15:46:07    2623629

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