This should be a fantastic game, a great way to kickstart the championship. Predictions? I'd fancy Donegal although bad weather will even it up.

Kerry15 (Kerry) - Posts: 597 - 29/10/2020 15:05:41    2302850

This is where we will miss the crowds. What a potential humdinger, makes it more frustrating personally.
Hard to call, as usual.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 7772 - 29/10/2020 15:20:27    2302857

Getting nervous about this one. Weather looks horrible for weekend. If this rain persists till Sunday we'll be lucky to have a game. What happens then.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 850 - 29/10/2020 16:18:00    2302873

Really looking forward to it. Hope weather OK for sunday. Two big hitters. I've a slight fancy for Donegal but won't be shocked either way. I just think Donegal have a better balance all over and should prevail. Donegal have had no luck the last few years and are due a bit.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 630 - 29/10/2020 17:41:20    2302903

I played in Mac Cumhaill in my time and I hope the drainage is better now than it was back then, I hope the weather doesn't spoil it, this would be some game on a fine summers day, hard to call,
I'm a bit nervous of the form Tyrone showed against Mayo and I think they have plenty more in the tank, our defence isn't as strong as it was years ago,
it's all down to who plays well on the day and copes with the conditions, tough game for the ref too, hoping we can get the result, heart is saying Donegal but the head is saying Tyrone.
what happens if it's a draw? extra time? penalties?

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 1076 - 29/10/2020 18:07:31    2302912

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 1432 - 29/10/2020 18:15:23    2302916

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 630 - 29/10/2020 19:10:53    2302933

timmyhogan (UK) - Posts: 100 - 29/10/2020 19:25:35    2302937

I mentioned on the Donegal page but with this forecast it'll be interesting to see if our lads have learned from Castlebar. Mayo brought a lot of ferocity and intensity that day and the conditions definitely played a part then, lots of slippery ball and 50/50s where the desire really had to be there and unfortunately we were lacking, especially in that first half.

I am always nervous of Tyrone they have some great players and great pace. I think if we are smart in possession and Patton has a good day on the kickouts we should have enough to win the day. But it's championship - a weird championship - but still, who knows once the ball is thrown in

JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1125 - 29/10/2020 20:16:01    2302953

50/50 game. If we can't match their intensity we are in bother. Winter championship will suit Tyrone. More handing errors trying to break them down etc. If we can recycle the ball well, get into scoring opportunities, and do well on our own kick out we win.
If we can't keep their main forwards quiet we don't get the win!
Should be a good win.

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 561 - 29/10/2020 22:10:58    2302975

Tyrone certainly have to be respected but I just think we have a few more attacking options than they do when it comes down to it.

- Who will mark Murphy? They usually assign Hampsey but he is out apparently. One of their other specialist markers Brennan is suspended. Maybe McNamee? But if that happens Murphy is shrewd enough to take him well away from that danger zone in and around the square which McNamee polices so well. The likes of Brennan, Gallen and McBrearty would be licking their lips.

- we have a lot of big men around the middle. McFadden, McGee, Thompson, Langan, Murphy...I don't think Tyrone will challenge us in this area. The kick out battle will be very interesting. We all know how good Patton is, perhaps another area where Donegal can dominate.


- Tyrone certainly have the forwards to cause damage. The question is will Harte go for it or not? They tried going more expansive in last year's Ulster semi final and we cleaned them out. Everyone is talking about McKenna. It has been hugely impressive how he has slotted back in so seamlessly - a super player no doubt. But he's yet to play in a proper ding dong Ulster championship match. Bonner will have plans for him. It will be interesting to see what happens when he has McMenamin or Neil McGee for company and in his ear for 70+ minutes.

Tyrone winning wouldn't be a shock but I just think we'll have too much.

Donegal by 4 points.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 30/10/2020 10:15:52    2303013

Should be a good game between two well matched teams. Tyrone need to tighten up in defence but can hurt Donegal up front and I expect them to win by a couple of points.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1644 - 30/10/2020 13:30:48    2303073

Can see Donegal wining this.

Very strong around the middle. I think they will win enough ball in the middle to control things.

Tyrone missing our 2 main man markers in Hampsey and Brennan. On top of that we are missing one of the best forwards in Ireland in Cathal McShane.

Donegal will defend in numbers, McFadden will be a full time sweeper to stop McKenna, i believe he was man of the match last year, they will counter with marquee forwards in Paddy McB, Brennan, Murphy etc.

Just hoping it's tight.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 1790 - 30/10/2020 14:03:47    2303086

Can't wait for Sunday, Donegal v Tyrone and Limerick v Tipp - all four would have serious aspirations of at least making an All-Ireland final. What a brilliant afternoon of sport it should be!

And come Sunday evening one of the favorites for Sam will have bitten the dust, what a contest this is - even if the nature of what's at stake might mean its relatively cagey and low scoring, at least in the opening half.

As someone already said this is where the crowds will really be missed. Can you imagine if this was being played in a packed out Clones with both sets of supporters baying for blood. Alas that's not to be but it should live up to the billing regardless.

I really wouldn't bet on a winner from what I saw of Donegal two weeks ago and Tyrone last Sunday they both look well capable of coming out on top.

If I was pushed I would slightly favour Donegal given the Murphy factor and the quality of their forwards as a whole. But after seeing young Cavanan and Conor McKenna were like last weekend I might be completely wrong in thinking Donegal have the superior forward unit at the minute.

Everything on the line and no clear favorite what more could you ask for, just sit back and let all hell erupt!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 5828 - 30/10/2020 14:23:52    2303090

Donegal are set up more for summer conditions which is fine as the championship is the only show in town and we always see the best of them come May. Tyrone on the other hand tend to start the pre season competitions, national leagues and sometimes the championship well depending on the opposition before struggling as the summer goes on playing the top 3 or 4 teams.

2020 is unique; it has thrown up a winter championship and make no mistake MH and Tyrone will know how big an opportunity this is to win another Sam. Sunday is such a huge game for both and in many ways is an All Ireland quarter final; the winter conditions are arriving at the right time for Tyrone which will make it a dogfight. We seen some of what Tyrone have planned last week and this intensity will be increased further on Sunday.

For me all the variables point towards a Tyrone win;, this is the perfect time of year for their style; Donegal would win a spring/summer game but Tyrone will win a November challenge on Sunday.

sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 707 - 30/10/2020 15:48:51    2303114

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 561 - 30/10/2020 16:55:29    2303128

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 561 - 30/10/2020 16:58:48    2303129

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 11732 - 30/10/2020 17:00:33    2303130

Pity it wasn't being played today. Perfect conditions for a game.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 7075 - 30/10/2020 17:17:08    2303138

GDL (Galway) - Posts: 438 - 30/10/2020 17:27:29    2303144