I was the same and when I heard that I knew we wouldnt win. Absolutely nothing against McElroy as I am a fan of his
National Football League 2024
- Thread starter Big Jim
- Start date
I don't fancy our chances on Sunday at all. One thing for sure is Donegal will be extremely fit (for February) and be very well drilled. I am thinking they could be a little ahead of us at this stage of the year.
One thing for sure, Donegals improvement wont come as a surprise to the players. I would expect them to be ready and to raise their game accordingly.
Either way I wouldnt be overly worried about the result.
There is bigger fish to fry later in the year. A div 2 meeting with Donegal will be long forgot come May / June
Either way I wouldnt be overly worried about the result.
There is bigger fish to fry later in the year. A div 2 meeting with Donegal will be long forgot come May / June
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
its pretty close to a 50/50 game. Hard to really say where either team are at given how bad the other teams have been. Donegal will be flying fit but overall we have better players. Home advantage will be a big thing for us too if it’s tight.
Either way as wee man says it’ll be long forgot about by the end of the year. Be great to win it but alarm bells won’t be going off if we don’t. (Among the reasonable supporters anyway)
Either way as wee man says it’ll be long forgot about by the end of the year. Be great to win it but alarm bells won’t be going off if we don’t. (Among the reasonable supporters anyway)
It’s not a must win game in my opinion. A good strong performance with the right attitude and mentality would do me. BUT the league final in 5/6 weeks (hopefully we get there) that will definitely be a must win game with Our full panel biting at the bit for their starting spots for the championship.
We haven’t really been tested yet had we taken our goals against Louth we probably would’ve run out easy winners like the other two matches. But maybe we’re too strong for the division I don’t know but Sunday will give us a very good idea of where we are at
We haven’t really been tested yet had we taken our goals against Louth we probably would’ve run out easy winners like the other two matches. But maybe we’re too strong for the division I don’t know but Sunday will give us a very good idea of where we are at
Donegal are nor at full strength as they have players out or only being eased back - Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Langan, McColgan, 2 O'Donnells etc. But like Armagh, they have a big squad and have been using many of that squad and still getting good results - just like we have!
I see Sunday's game as being very close. A big test for our kick out strategy as they are big and strong around the middle as well as putting a full press on. Big test here for Crealey if fit - any sign of Grimley being fit yet? Will Oisin play from start / will Rian come on?
Gallen is their main scorer nowadays but as we saw last week, their half backs like O'Baoil and McHugh will bomb forward.
Good test in prospect.
I see Sunday's game as being very close. A big test for our kick out strategy as they are big and strong around the middle as well as putting a full press on. Big test here for Crealey if fit - any sign of Grimley being fit yet? Will Oisin play from start / will Rian come on?
Gallen is their main scorer nowadays but as we saw last week, their half backs like O'Baoil and McHugh will bomb forward.
Good test in prospect.
ragingbull
Well-Known Member
Donegal team against Fermanagh
Shaun Patton; Kevin McGettigan, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin; Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Moore, Daire O Baoill; Ciaran Thompson, Caolan McGonagle; Peadar Mogan, Odhran Doherty, Michael Langan; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Mark Curran for McGettigan (HT), Aaron Doherty for Brennan (HT), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui for Thompson (38), Hugh McFadden for Moore (54), Luke McGlynn for O.Doherty (57), Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for Langan (63).
Shaun Patton; Kevin McGettigan, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin; Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Moore, Daire O Baoill; Ciaran Thompson, Caolan McGonagle; Peadar Mogan, Odhran Doherty, Michael Langan; Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan.
Subs: Mark Curran for McGettigan (HT), Aaron Doherty for Brennan (HT), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui for Thompson (38), Hugh McFadden for Moore (54), Luke McGlynn for O.Doherty (57), Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride for Langan (63).
armaghtimmy
Well-Known Member
As Geezer is the longest serving manager, we will waltz the All Ireland based on that theory.
(Not directed at Naka personally) But cant help but feel after two days of general positivity, the management knockers and bed wetters have regrouped and there's an undertone of begrudgery now and some would be happy to see us beat on Sunday so they can say told you so, played nobody to date, getting carried away etc etc etc.... Lets hope for another improved performance to build on what's been to date so we can keep them quiet for another week.
I personally think this will be a big test, this Donegal team is flying at the moment seems like they are fitter than most teams so far, If they squeeze are kick out we could be in trouble like we where in Ulster a few years back but if we have some more of the bigger middle 8 players in we should be able to cope with their press, and if we look at the Cavan match I'd see some joy our forwards can get
Not really. I think it would be very fair to say Donegal are fancied on Sunday based on all the aforementioned points (new manager buzz, fitness, stronger team). The same way you could argue armagh are fancied on sunday (working on system longer, beating dgal last year, new players to the fore, home crowd). It boils down to perspective and there is nothing wrong with looking at a game differently to someone else (as long as your are within reason)
Armaghabroad22
Active Member
There's a high chance both Armagh and Donegal will end up in the division 2 final irrespective of the outcome of Sundays game, so as controversial as this may be, there maybe an argument for not showing our full hand this weekend.
Personally I'd be frustrated if we empty the tank on Sunday and win, only to then reach the division 2 final and come up short again in another final.
Its all well and good winning games and adopting that winner mentality, but it's also about giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over the line on the big occasions where over the last two seasons we have fallen short of the finish line despite plenty of good performances against top 6 sides.
Personally I'd be frustrated if we empty the tank on Sunday and win, only to then reach the division 2 final and come up short again in another final.
Its all well and good winning games and adopting that winner mentality, but it's also about giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over the line on the big occasions where over the last two seasons we have fallen short of the finish line despite plenty of good performances against top 6 sides.
Winning a Division 2 final doesn't matter - it is getting promoted that counts. I would bet that if we got to such a final, we would not play our strongest team (main objective of getting promotion already achieved).
The more I think of it, I don't think Geezer would be too worried if we lose on Sunday. If we played a really strong team and got beaten, that would be a bit demoralising- but if we play a much weaker team and lose, then that can be explained away (and if that 'weaker' teams wins, then all and good).
Promotion could still be achieved with 2 wins against Fermanagh, Cavan and Cork.
Armaghball
Well-Known Member
Disagree- theres only 3 trophies available at the start of the year. Very few members of the squad have won anything at county level- think the older lads have a division 3 medal but thats the height of it.
Winning the league not as big obviously as Ulster or Sam but would still be great to win it.
Peter grimes
Well-Known Member
The Donegal match is not a “must win”. Arguably the Cavan game is or will become one. If we beat Cavan we really should finish in the top 2, get promoted and get a another shot at Donegal in Croke Park.
That said the Donegal match is likely to be a proper test of where we are at. I don’t know what to expect as I feel Donegal will be a significant step up from what we have faced to date. Donegal probably feel similarly. The only difference is that they have shown more of their hand to date.
That said the Donegal match is likely to be a proper test of where we are at. I don’t know what to expect as I feel Donegal will be a significant step up from what we have faced to date. Donegal probably feel similarly. The only difference is that they have shown more of their hand to date.
