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Replying To Scenicparish: "For starters the league form is irrelevant. Kerry are favourites because they are the fresher team. The first real test they had was the Armagh match and it took them 15 to 20 minutes of the second half to take care of them. Against Tyrone again it was a straightforward victory.
Donegal on the other hand have had to come through a gruelling Ulster campaign and because of their Tyrone loss had a tough match against Mayo. They then had routine victories against Louth and Meath.
If Donegal can contain David Clifford reasonably well they have a great chance but that is easier said than done.
It should be a fascinating battle between 2 great teams with 2 astute managers." I was in the minority who wasn't surprised by the result in Tullamore. Donegal then had little problem in being favourites against Meath last Sunday. A reminder again of why Donegal were favourites after pulling up during the league.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9007 - 18/07/2025 07:45:07
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Kerry are the bookie's favourites because David Clifford is in good form and plenty of casual punters know who he is and think Kerry are the safer bet. They set the odds based on their predicted returns. Neither team on the day will pay a bit of heed to their own odds. Kerry very reliant on David Clifford, Donegal also reliant on Michael Murphy but less reliant on him than Kerry are on David Clifford. I think Donegal have a better balance than Kerry. Jack O'Connor is an astute manager but, for me, not a better manager than Jim McGuinness." That's a very good point. There has been a school of thought regularly discussed as nauseum that Donegal are overly reliant on Murphy. Really? Now don't get me wrong, his return has been quite remarkable and there is no doubt that he has strengthened our case. But our scoring threat is varied and widespread, was it 12 or 13 different scorers the other day against Meath?
So I'd ask this question. Which of the following would negatively impact their team's chances more?
David Clifford being ruled out for Kerry
Michael Murphy being ruled out for Donegal
Are Kerry over reliant on David Clifford? I've never really heard that discussed as much.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9903 - 18/07/2025 11:11:47
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Replying To Scenicparish: "Well you didn't have to spend much money in following Wicklow so your opinion doesn't really matter?" Typical Donegal.Try look down at a county like Wicklow. Im not from Wicklow.Im from Dublin. You know all about us dont you? The team Donegal were so scared of they objected to us playing some games in croke park, Then whiney mc guiness says croke park too long a journey for the wee donegal fans.
brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 217 - 18/07/2025 12:49:23
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Replying To Lockjaw: "That's a very good point. There has been a school of thought regularly discussed as nauseum that Donegal are overly reliant on Murphy. Really? Now don't get me wrong, his return has been quite remarkable and there is no doubt that he has strengthened our case. But our scoring threat is varied and widespread, was it 12 or 13 different scorers the other day against Meath?
So I'd ask this question. Which of the following would negatively impact their team's chances more?
David Clifford being ruled out for Kerry
Michael Murphy being ruled out for Donegal
Are Kerry over reliant on David Clifford? I've never really heard that discussed as much." David is the best finisher in the land. But he won't do what Murphy can do in terms of leadership and 'game management' to get a result. Not saying he's not capable of coming out the field to win kickouts and dirty ball to lift the team but he's more needed inside sniffing out and taking scoring chances. Now Clifford has a massive youth advantage. He could popup with 7 points in the last 10 minutes when Murphy is off the pitch after been run ragged. Can't see McGuinness looking for a high scoring pointsfest. Donegal will be doing everything they can to slow down the Kerry momentum, especially Sèanie O'Sé and Páidí Clifford's influence, and getting ball inside to David Clifford, then breaking at pace. It'll be a fascinating final tactics-wise. The toughest test of 2025 for both teams.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8173 - 18/07/2025 13:04:53
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Replying To brayballer: "Typical Donegal.Try look down at a county like Wicklow. Im not from Wicklow.Im from Dublin. You know all about us dont you? The team Donegal were so scared of they objected to us playing some games in croke park, Then whiney mc guiness says croke park too long a journey for the wee donegal fans." A fair few trips to the Pale this year alright, one more to come.
Can only imagine the bull from Dublin if you had to play all your knockout games 3 or 4 hours away.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9903 - 18/07/2025 13:44:06
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Replying To GreenandRed: "David is the best finisher in the land. But he won't do what Murphy can do in terms of leadership and 'game management' to get a result. Not saying he's not capable of coming out the field to win kickouts and dirty ball to lift the team but he's more needed inside sniffing out and taking scoring chances. Now Clifford has a massive youth advantage. He could popup with 7 points in the last 10 minutes when Murphy is off the pitch after been run ragged. Can't see McGuinness looking for a high scoring pointsfest. Donegal will be doing everything they can to slow down the Kerry momentum, especially Sèanie O'Sé and Páidí Clifford's influence, and getting ball inside to David Clifford, then breaking at pace. It'll be a fascinating final tactics-wise. The toughest test of 2025 for both teams." There are some extra little pressures on DC on Sunday week. Although he's still only 26 this is his 8th championship with Kerry and so far only one All Ireland medal. He'll surely be wondering what if Kerry fail this time was he playing in the wrong era? He'd definitely be the best Kerry forward ever to win only one.
He has played in four finals 2 losses, 1 win and one draw, this might galvanise him but could sow seeds of doubt if things start going wrong.
sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 982 - 18/07/2025 14:16:49
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Replying To Lockjaw: "A fair few trips to the Pale this year alright, one more to come.
Can only imagine the bull from Dublin if you had to play all your knockout games 3 or 4 hours away." Lock I don't know why anyone bothers responding to this troll, that's what trolls want, just ignore him let him type what he likes.
The way to sicken the likes of him is bring Sam back to the hills, beat them on the scoreboard as they always told us when we were kids.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3360 - 18/07/2025 14:22:08
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Replying To Lockjaw: "That's a very good point. There has been a school of thought regularly discussed as nauseum that Donegal are overly reliant on Murphy. Really? Now don't get me wrong, his return has been quite remarkable and there is no doubt that he has strengthened our case. But our scoring threat is varied and widespread, was it 12 or 13 different scorers the other day against Meath?
So I'd ask this question. Which of the following would negatively impact their team's chances more?
David Clifford being ruled out for Kerry
Michael Murphy being ruled out for Donegal
Are Kerry over reliant on David Clifford? I've never really heard that discussed as much." Clifford out would have the bigger impact
I think Donegal were falling into the trap during the Ulster championship of being over reliant on Murphy and players almost waiting for Murphy to do something and not taking responsibility themselves. There has been a noticeable change since Tyrone, and they must have spoke about it. In the Louth game for example it seemed there were times Murphy was deliberately not making himself an option, he stood as one of the 3 back on more than one occassion and seemed he was pointing at and ordering other players to move into the sort of positions he normally takes up.
JimB1991 (Donegal) - Posts: 114 - 18/07/2025 14:26:58
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Replying To Lockjaw: "A fair few trips to the Pale this year alright, one more to come.
Can only imagine the bull from Dublin if you had to play all your knockout games 3 or 4 hours away." He'd never get home in time to do the milking.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 850 - 18/07/2025 14:50:49
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Interesting game a head.
Weather will play a huge part, if it's a warm day Kerry's kicking game will allow them conserve energy and Donegal will have to use their scramble defence a lot. Kerry also keep someone at center back so always having 4 defenders in case of being caught on the counter with a running game.
Donegal probably have the midfield advantage with Langan, McFadden and Murphy who can come out. Mark O Shea will need another big game.
In terms of the Kerry forwards, the over reliance of Clifford is a myth. Armagh thought this and look what O Shea done. In 2014 there was an element of stop O Donoghue and Donaghy and you beat Kerry then up steps Paul Geaney. McGuinness won't make the same mistake twice.
Donegal's forwards are equally as dangerous as the Kerry ones but they don't have a David Clifford who could go to town on you. I could see Jack starting Morley and doing what O Mahony done to Murphy in 2014. Usually I would say Kerry will beat most teams in a shoot out but O Donnell, Gallen, Langan, Moore and McBrearty off the bench are in flying form.
This is a very difficult match to call but I reckon Donegal will shade it in a high scoring encounter.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 427 - 18/07/2025 14:54:00
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Replying To GreenandRed: "David is the best finisher in the land. But he won't do what Murphy can do in terms of leadership and 'game management' to get a result. Not saying he's not capable of coming out the field to win kickouts and dirty ball to lift the team but he's more needed inside sniffing out and taking scoring chances. Now Clifford has a massive youth advantage. He could popup with 7 points in the last 10 minutes when Murphy is off the pitch after been run ragged. Can't see McGuinness looking for a high scoring pointsfest. Donegal will be doing everything they can to slow down the Kerry momentum, especially Sèanie O'Sé and Páidí Clifford's influence, and getting ball inside to David Clifford, then breaking at pace. It'll be a fascinating final tactics-wise. The toughest test of 2025 for both teams." Hmm I'm thinking Kerry will want to slow down our momentum too. Do they really want a helter-skelter match where legs and fitness will be key? On one hand, maybe they do, and would trust that their attacking flair would win out. But if it is a bit gung-ho, and they haven't managed to put Donegal away, they could be in bother. I could be proven way wrong on this, but I think if Donegal are nip and tuck with Kerry with ten or 12 to go, our options off the bench could be decisive.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9903 - 18/07/2025 15:05:13
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Replying To UsernameInvalid: "Interesting game a head.
Weather will play a huge part, if it's a warm day Kerry's kicking game will allow them conserve energy and Donegal will have to use their scramble defence a lot. Kerry also keep someone at center back so always having 4 defenders in case of being caught on the counter with a running game.
Donegal probably have the midfield advantage with Langan, McFadden and Murphy who can come out. Mark O Shea will need another big game.
In terms of the Kerry forwards, the over reliance of Clifford is a myth. Armagh thought this and look what O Shea done. In 2014 there was an element of stop O Donoghue and Donaghy and you beat Kerry then up steps Paul Geaney. McGuinness won't make the same mistake twice.
Donegal's forwards are equally as dangerous as the Kerry ones but they don't have a David Clifford who could go to town on you. I could see Jack starting Morley and doing what O Mahony done to Murphy in 2014. Usually I would say Kerry will beat most teams in a shoot out but O Donnell, Gallen, Langan, Moore and McBrearty off the bench are in flying form.
This is a very difficult match to call but I reckon Donegal will shade it in a high scoring encounter." Hard to disagree with any of that.
SouthOfTheGap (Donegal) - Posts: 850 - 18/07/2025 15:07:43
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Question for the Donegal supporters who is picking up Paudie Clifford and O Shea? If Geaney starts who picks him up?
Who are the 3 back men for Donegal? (McCole will be one of them)
These are probably more important than who picks David Clifford up.
Kerry's 3 up will probably be D. Clifford, P. Geaney (if fit) and then O Shea and P. Clifford swapping so it will require Donegal to have 3 man markers essentially.
Donegal love breaking a pace when they turn the ball over but will that be worth the risk of leaving an O Shea or Geaney up against someone who isn't t a natural man marker like McFadden or McHugh who could be turned inside out.
UsernameInvalid (Meath) - Posts: 427 - 18/07/2025 16:45:53
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