Poor enough alright that. I felt with about 10 minutes or so left in the first half we had given up and it was over. At no point after that did it look like we were getting back in.
Soupy was unbelievably poor today which was so disappointing as he really stepped it up this year.
Was there an issue with the team? The body language even during what you could see of the warm up before the game didn't inspire confidence.
Coldrick is a ref that tends not to favour one team and other than a few baffling decisions (and we can't be inside his head and see what he sees or hears from his officials) I don't believe he was overly bad. Certainly didn't cost us the game. If I remember right from the Twitter graphic, we got about the same amount of frees.
Hate to do this, but Blaine was to blame directly for several of their scores. Don't remember exactly, but I know he drove the ball straight to Donegal on at least 3 occasions [that I can think of] and they scored almost instantly. No player gave him options either which didn't help, but Donegal pushed up on us all the time and they knew we would struggle and boy did we struggle.
Our midfield was woeful. Either that or they were non existent.
Rory Grugan had a seriously off day. Rian had a seriously off day. Oisin actually was really hard working by the look of things.
Was there an issue with the team? (yes I have put that down twice)
I thought Aidan Forker was just about the best player we had on show, and gave Murphy no respect at all. He certainly wasn't intimidated by him. Yes he was rugby tackled by Murphy early on and Murphy knew he was wrong as he started shouting immediately at the ref to distract him - clever as it worked! Didn't notice the ball throwing at the end, but they did both shake hands with Barry Cassidy talking to both and Aidan obviously didn't take kindly to what he said.
I'll now concede and join the voices that Geezer has maybe done as much as he can with this team. Not for the reasons others have said, but simply because he's tried [hard] and seems to be static. Whilst acknowledging he has taken us to division 1 which will most likely see him given another extension, at the very least his backroom needs a shake up - real good one. Jim McCorry should maybe stay for his experience, but Denis?? Not sure what he contributes although he's a likeable guy and a county employee, so most likely will stay too! What has Paddy McKeever added? What high level experience has he brought to the table? Same thing with John Toal. These were all great servants to our county and still are, but other than the promotions, we are still hurting today. We always seem to have have a lot of stats people and GPS stuff. What exactly do those people and the equipment add? I know almost all counties use this with similar personnel, but is that what brings the like of Dublin success or is it simply just the players.
Strength and conditioning gets a regular mention, but I think I'm right in saying it's the yoga professional that looks after that. The same lass that was around in '02. Is that a weakness? I'm sure she's good at her job, but is it another area to improve?
Someone from outside the county is the call, but there are some within that know success or at least relative success. Yes the McEntees are great lads and I believe they have something to give. Still not convinced that they would take it on though - at any price! What about the McGilly lad from Annaghmore? He's been successful at Sigerson and also got Moy an All Ireland title. I know he's with Down at the minute, but has he ever been approached?
I don't think Geezer should be run out of town. I'd prefer continuity, but maybe a different voice inside the head, can ignite a spark. Then again, maybe it's a complete emptying of the cupboard and a few new brooms is what is called for. No answers to that, just hurting with disappointment this evening and not because I really thought we would win, but more I thought we'd give a better account of ourselves. A more passionate account. A more proud account. We're a proud, passionate county, but looking at the tanking today and compare that to the last result Donegal got against the neighbours, makes you wonder where the passion and pride was today.
Ah well, we breathe and go again next term! Merry Christmas everyone, wherever you are!
