Agree - I thought we would have seen the likes of these players….I think it's useful for different types of players within a squad. It's a way of getting some first team players, who've been out injured or been away, playing time before the league starts. Players like Niall Grimley, Ciaran O'Hanlon and Oisin O'Neill for example. Players like Oisin Conaty, Shane McPartlan, Can McConville and Barry McCambridge, who got some or limited game time last year and need more to further establish themselves within the first team squad. And then entirely new players to the squad who the management want to look at. If those players get the vast majority of game time, then I don't have problem with it. But if we see the likes of Rian O'Neill, Greg McCabe and Stefan Campbell playing regularly, then it makes a bit of a farce of it. We know what they can do and while you may want to get some minutes into the legs before the league, if they end up playing the bulk of the competition, then there's no point to it.
Does it even count as silverware its a couple of glorified friendlies. Best of luck to the young lads and hopefully a few can put their hands up and be able to offer something to the squad at the business end.We showing a real disrespect to this competition. Sad to see. Not like we are blessed with silverware
Agreed , can’t see why we don’t play the fringe players from last year McConville etc strange one by management.Mixed emotions about this. Great to see young talent getting an opportunity but there’s potential for this to be a disaster.
McGuiness played a fairly strong team against Roscommon before Christmas and if he takes the same approach tomorrow night we could be in for a pasting.
Could be doing with a bit more experience there to help out, few boys on the bench arent fit for senior club football yet never mind inter county.
Not my intention to sound so negative, just how I see it. In fact, I’d be more inclined to purchase it now online to see how the new faces get on
Why is it an insult? If they put out a strong team there would be complaints.That team named to play tomorrow is an insult to fans that travel length and breadth of the country.
I’m all for giving young fellas a run out and trying experimental line ups, but is that not what behind closed doors challenge games are for?
I’m not saying we play our 15 that played against Monaghan in last years QF but regardless, who would complain if we did put out a strong team?Why is it an insult? If they put out a strong team there would be complaints.
These guys would be the next players coming in. Closed door challenges are one thing. A competitive game is something different.
The McKenna cup is a pre season competition - the business starts 27th January.
Good luck to all involved and safe travels
But these players aren’t the next thing coming in. From what I understand of a panel of 40 only 5/6 of these are on the panel/trialling. The rest u20.Why is it an insult? If they put out a strong team there would be complaints.
These guys would be the next players coming in. Closed door challenges are one thing. A competitive game is something different.
The McKenna cup is a pre season competition - the business starts 27th January.
Good luck to all involved and safe travels
I would probably complain if likes of Grugan Soupy Forker Murnin etc were playing. Keep them lads wrapped in cotton wool as we need them fit come business end. Personally I would have liked to see more experience even lads like TK, O’Hanlon, O O’Neill Shields etc who hadnt played much last year through injury and even likes of Cian McConville and Justin Kieran that have been on the panel a couple of years now but not played a whole lot.I’m not saying we play our 15 that played against Monaghan in last years QF but regardless, who would complain if we did put out a strong team?
Having played senior football for the guts of 15 years, it is much easier to blend younger players into a team that has a balance of experience/inexperience, not just throwing 14 debutants into the mix and hope for the best.
For context, Donegal have named their team, 7 out of the 15 are regular starters ..
Look best of luck to them and they’ll go out and give it their all but I’m sure the lads themselves and management aren’t stupid, it’ll be boys against men in most cases and most likely a big win for Donegal.I agree with a few comments here, I don't think it's a disgrace to name that team, but I do fear what this will do to this young teams confidence if they get hammered, this is already a team not winning at under 20 level, but maybe a decent display will build confidence, I would of liked to see more of maybe Ciaran Higgins, conaty, mcconville, a few of the fringe lads, but I am glad to not see the likes of the 09 minor lads and the guys over 30 as these lads have slogged for years and would like to see them saved for championship football, I hope these lads play well and I will be watching
It’s not a competition, it’s a few pre season friendliesWe showing a real disrespect to this competition. Sad to see. Not like we are blessed with silverware