This message has been edited - 13-aug-2012 @ 13:17

Originally posted by JackMurphy:
Well Lads, the count-down begins for what should be one of the most intriguing clashes of the Season.Cork, who still play a traditional style system with forwards attacking and defenders defending square up to the newest proponents of the massed defence system.Donegal were hammered by a poor Armagh in a 2010 qualifier (9 pt margin) with 13 of the present players - they shipped a 14 page hammering from Cork in 2009 with many of the current team also playing.The improvement under McGuinness is remarkable and surely most IC teams will follow suit.Kerry conceded a freak goal and ran Donegal very close despite being a team clearly in decline. Tyrone, another team in steep decline also ran Donegal close.Cork look impressive and despite 'ring-rust' absolutely hammered a Kildare side that were on a par with Donegal in 2011.The bookies favour Cork but it will surely be a close game.Is there an effective way to counter the Donegal System ? Harte & O Connor came up just short with limited resources - Will Counihan, with a stronger hand, be able to succeed ?

Originally posted by thehermit:
If managers of Jack's and Mickey's ability and tactical nous couldn't crack the Donegal defence effectively, I doubt very much a manager like Counihan will be able to. Undoubtedly a good man manager but I personally never considered him all that tactical astute. Still as Dara said in his column last week, Kerry's first couple of points showed how they should have played the match, hit long balls to the corner men and work ball from there into a shooting position. Unfortunately after first few minutes, Kerry didn't seem to do that to much effect for rest of game for some reason. I wouldn't rate the Cork forwards individually to be superior to Kerry, though as a unit they have performed well this year. However, given the way Donegal set themselves up, the oppositions forwards have to do a lot more work on their own to gain space and time to shoot, negating the effectiveness of them as a unit. I think (and hope) Donegal can do win this, if they keep it tight like they did against Kerry. Donegal v Mayo would be some novel final for the neutrals!

This message has been edited - 13-aug-2012 @ 14:22

Originally posted by cerebus:
Cork were exposed badly after the referee/linesman assisted early scoring blitz v Kildare.
Can't see Donegal being intimidated by the Cork back line and the large partizan crowd will ensure there is no cynical play indulged in off the ball.
Having said that if the bois can keep 15 men on the field..... then it's theirs to lose.

Originally posted by cerebus:
Cork were exposed badly after the referee/linesman assisted early scoring blitz v Kildare.
Can't see Donegal being intimidated by the Cork back line and the large partizan crowd will ensure there is no cynical play indulged in off the ball.
Having said that if the bois can keep 15 men on the field..... then it's theirs to lose.

Originally posted by JackMurphy:

- I didn't notice Cork being too badly exposed then

Originally posted by About a Bicycle:
People who should know better are giving Donegal far too much respect. They play awful football, I'm not sure that 'play' is the correct word. In a low scoring, forgettable game, we will win by upwards of 5 points.

Originally posted by glasandbán:
Gas that you say Donegal play awful football. I thought they were very good against Kerry and not at all as defensive as last year, just very very astute tactically and very interesting to watch them play and to watch how other teams attempt to counteract them. Far too many people jumping on the bandwagon thinking its ok to criticise Donegal after the diatribes against them from Spillane et al last year.Cork on the other hand, have a team packed with good to very good footballers, but must surely be the most boring football team to ever lace up a pair of boots. I can't warm to them at all. Biff, bash, bosh, handpass -repeat ad nauseum.I'd prefer to watch Donegal any day.

Originally posted by About a Bicycle:It doesn't break the rules, but it is not what football is about.

Originally posted by glasandbán:
Gas that you say Donegal play awful football. I thought they were very good against Kerry and not at all as defensive as last year, just very very astute tactically and very interesting to watch them play and to watch how other teams attempt to counteract them. Far too many people jumping on the bandwagon thinking its ok to criticise Donegal after the diatribes against them from Spillane et al last year.Cork on the other hand, have a team packed with good to very good footballers, but must surely be the most boring football team to ever lace up a pair of boots. I can't warm to them at all. Biff, bash, bosh, handpass -repeat ad nauseum.I'd prefer to watch Donegal any day.

Originally posted by rebelrebel30:
Everyone to their own but if you find cork boring ...i just feel pity for you.

Originally posted by theblack&amber:
About 5/6 years ago it was Cork who were seen as the negative, tippy-tappy across the field hand-passers. Every year they've refined their gameplan to carry more of a threat going forward. Who's to say the same won't happen with Donegal?

Originally posted by glasandbán:
Straw poll of posters outside of Cork, does anyone root for the Cork football team or admire their stylish football?

Originally posted by glasandbán:
Straw poll of posters outside of Cork, does anyone root for the Cork football team or admire their stylish football?

Originally posted by pogger:
I'd say Jim McGuiness hopes the Cork management has the same opinion of Donegal's ability as some are saying here.They'd be in for a rude awakening.
Cork have very decent footballers but they aren't way out there in front.It'll be tight.

Originally posted by bp:
Stylish isn't an adjective I'd associate with Cork, their attack play is usually fairly ponderous and predictable, lots of sideways handpassing and the occasional boot forward, but hardly ever the defence splitting diagonal so oftenly deployed by their near neighbours.

This message has been edited - 13-aug-2012 @ 17:49

Originally posted by bp:
I'd usually be shouting for Cork ( apart from when they play Clare obviously ) and admire their work ethic, that being said I think they've underachieved over the past few seasons.
Stylish isn't an adjective I'd associate with Cork, their attack play is usually fairly ponderous and predictable, lots of sideways handpassing and the occasional boot forward, but hardly ever the defence splitting diagonal so oftenly deployed by their near neighbours.

Originally posted by About a Bicycle:

Huge style and swagger. Cork are relentless, that's why people get fed up with them.