Sam's for the Hills

After four long weeks of talking the talk, it is now finally time for Donegal and Mayo to walk the walk. The All-Ireland final is finally upon us, and both sides go into it confident of seeing their team lift the Sam Maguire. It has been billed as a novel final and it is certainly the most talked about final in recent years. Donegal go into the match as favourites, however, support for Mayo has grown throughout the week, with numerous pundits tipping them for glory.

In Dara O’Se’s preview, he predicted a Mayo win because their forwards are not luxuries, and not solely on the pitch to kick scores. He believes they will be prepared to track Donegal’s defenders when they drive out of defence. This is an interesting point, but at what stage do you start telling your forwards to stop worrying about your opponent, and start concentrating on yourself? Mayo’s forwards ultimate job is to kick them to an All-Ireland title. They can’t do that if they’re back in the right-half back position.

Against Dublin, Mayo worked the ball up the flanks, and kicked the ball into the corners. This proved successful and they will need to do that again, because Donegal will not allow them through the middle. They were also able to kick lots of impressive scores from distance. They will beat Donegal if they can repeat that performance on Sunday. But will Donegal allow Mayo the same kind of space that Dublin gave them? I doubt it. It will be a different story when they have three or four men closing them down.

In the final twenty minutes of that game, Mayo collapsed. They looked unfit, and Dublin almost beat them despite being ten points down at one stage. Kevin McManamon caused Mayo a lot of problems when he ran at them, and Donegal must get Ryan Bradley, Mark McHugh and Rory Kavanagh to do a similar role, and run at their defence. If they do so, they will win frees and kick points. From the 53^rd minute of their semi-final victory, Mayo players started to go down with cramp. It is usually around this time, that Donegal start to turn the screw on their opposition.

Mayo also had a poor start against Dublin, and Cillian O’Connor showed great nerve to land two ‘45’s and help them settle into the match. O’Connor has received rave reviews since that game for his free-taking exploits. People are quick to point out that Donegal only gave away one scoreable free against Cork. But I think they will be doing really well to repeat that feat. They will have to be extra disciplined, especially early in the match, as the referee, Maurice Deegan, will be trying to put his stamp on the game, and may award some soft frees. It is important that Donegal reduce the amount of opportunities O’Connor gets, because if he gets his confidence up, he will be very hard to stop.

National pundits have talked about how Donegal might suffer as a result of all the hype that has been built around them. I agree that some of the build –up has been ridiculous, but people are excited about the GAA and as far as I am concerned, that’s a good thing. Jim McGuinness can’t do anything about the hype. He’s not out painting sheep or arguing about the homecoming. He and James Horan will have their players totally focussed on the game, and I don’t think the hype will have any bearing on the match whatsoever.

The battle between Karl Lacey and Alan Dillon will be fascinating to watch. Dillon is the conductor of the Mayo attack, he’s the man that makes them tick, and Donegal will surely target him as the man to stop. Lacey has a good record at eliminating the threat of the opposition’s playmaker, and he will have to be at the top of his game to that against Dillon. I also expect both goalkeepers, David Clarke and Paul Durcan, to have a big say on the result. They are competing against each other for an All-Star and both have had impressive years. Neither man gives away goals easily, and both will know that if they keep clean sheets, they will have put their team in a great position.

Ger Cafferky has probably been the stand-out full-back this year, but he will have his hands full against Michael Murphy. Murphy has had the upper hand on Cafferky in previous games, and he certainly won’t fear the Mayo man. Whether the Glenswily man is at the height of his fitness is another question. However, Murphy really is a man that stands up when it really counts. Against Derry in last year’s Ulster final and then for Glenswilly in the Donegal County Final, when the big day came, he was not found wanting.

Colm McFadden against Keith Higgins will be another intriguing battle. Higgins had a great semi-final, yet he had a tendency to roam up the field and lose Diarmuid Connolly, his direct opponent. McFadden will not follow Higgins if he marauds up the field, and will be looking to get in space instead, in the hope that Donegal will turnover the ball. I’d imaging Frank McGlynn will follow Kevin McLoughlin, and Donegal will need to curb his influence. It was no coincidence that Mayo played poorly when he went off against Dublin, and Donegal must stop him from getting on the ball.

I would worry about the midfield battle. Neil Gallagher was exceptional against Cork, but that was the only game this year in which Donegal have dominated the middle sector. On the other hand, Aidan O’Shea and Barry Moran have been in superb form all year. They win a lot of clean possession and they also put a lot of work in around the field. There are rumours that O’Shea has a tweaked hamstring, so I’d imagine that Donegal will test him out at the start of the match.

The one thing that can’t be forecasted is who will want to win the match the most. Who will have the hunger? That’s why playing Dublin would have been more favourable for Donegal. They won their All-Ireland last year, and hadn’t the same drive this year. Donegal and Mayo players have never tasted All-Ireland success and they will be determined to be climbing the Hogan Stand steps at the end of the game. The one thing that seems certain, is that if Donegal are to be victorious they will at least have to match Mayo in terms of fight and desire to win.

I think the game will follow a similar pattern to the Ulster semi-final against Tyrone. The first half will be a tight, tense affair, with not much between the sides. I’d then expect Donegal’s superior fitness to put them into the lead, before Mayo stage a late fight-back, with Donegal clinging on to victory by two points. I predict scenes of jubilation, as Michael Murphy becomes only the second man to bring Sam to the hills.

Where the Final will be won and lost

With the All-Ireland final only days away, I look at the key areas which may decide the destination of the Sam Maguire Cup.

 

The Midfield battle.

The battle for dominance in the middle of the park will be one of the most intriguing clashes on Sunday. Barry Moran has been on the periphery of the Mayo panel since 2005, but his inter-county career has been plagued with injuries. This year, he has finally been able to establish himself in the team and get a consistent run of games, and he has rewarded James Horan with some stellar performances. Aidan O’Shea has long been identified as one for the future since his hugely impressive performance in the 2008 All-Ireland minor final. However, it took him a while to become accustomed to the demands of senior football. His arrival as a substitute in the Connacht final proved to be the catalyst for their victory, and he was particularly impressive in the semi-final, where his industry and hunger for work caused lots of problem for Dublin.

Neil Gallagher gave one of the best midfield performances ever for Donegal in the semi-final victory over Cork. He dominated the aerial exchanges, making several wonderful high catches. He has been in great form this year, and he will hope to provide Donegal with a stranglehold in the middle of the field. Rory Kavanagh has also had an impressive year, and he has formed a strong partnership with Gallagher. They had no problems with the Cork midfield, who were regarded as the best in the country, so they certainly won’t fear the Mayo midfield. The partnership who can win the most possession in this sector, will give their team a great chance of winning the final.

Karl Lacey v Alan Dillon.

In the aftermath of Mayo’s victory over Dublin, Monaghan midfielder Dick Clerkin suggested that this match-up may not just decide the destination of the Sam Maguire cup, but also the winner of this year’s Footballer of the Year. Both players have been on the top of their game throughout the Championship, and it appears likely that they will pair up against each other on September 23.

Dillon has been one of the top players in the country over the last decade, but an All-Ireland medal has eluded him so far. He played in the 2004 and 2006 finals, but Mayo and Dillon crashed and burned in both those finals, so he will be hoping it will be third time lucky this year. He has been man of the match in their last two games against Down and Dublin, and he is very much the conductor of the Mayo forward line. He is also renowned for his ability to kick long range points, and this will be crucial to Mayo’s game plan.

Lacey had an excellent game in the semi-final against Cork, where he added two points to a superb defensive display. His shoulder on Pearse O’Neill, a man almost twice his size, showed how strong he is, and no one gets past the Four Masters man easily. He will need to be at his best again in the final if he is to curb the influence of Dillon. Lacey will know that if he can prevent Dillon from having a big impact, he will have played a huge role in helping Donegal beat the men from the West.

The Free-takers.

The role of the free-takers on Sunday’s final cannot be understated. Last year’s decider was won by a late free from Stephen Cluxton, while the man of the match in the 2010 All-Ireland final was Daniel Goulding of Cork, who kicked seven points from placed balls. Both sides will be depending on their free-takers to keep their nerve in the most pressurised situations of their career.

Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor showed that he could handle the pressure in the semi-final against Dublin. Mayo got off to a bad start, but he landed two ‘45’s into a sea of blue in Hill 16. If he hadn’t  landed those crucial scores, Mayo may have struggled to settle into the game. O’Connor is only twenty years old, but he showed maturity in last year’s Connacht final with a master class of free taking, despite blustery conditions. Donegal will be wary of O’Connor’s ability and will try and limit the amount of opportunities he gets.

Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden have been very reliable with their frees this year. The only blemish on Murphy’s record was against Kerry, when he dragged some of his placed balls wide. McFadden is joint top scorer in the Championship this year with 3-28, with fourteen of those points coming from frees and one ‘45’. Both players will be hoping to get some easy frees at the start of the match to ease their way into the contest.

Donegal’s Full-Forward line v Mayo’s Full back line.

In the semi-final, Mayo’s Full-back line performed superbly against Dublin’s much feared forward line. Ger Cafferky won his duel with Bernard Brogan, Kevin Keane had an influential game, and Keith Higgins gave a typically ferocious corner back display, culminating in him clearing the ball off the line in the dying seconds.

Colm Mcfadden has received the most plaudits of the Donegal forwards this year, but Murphy and Paddy McBrearty have assisted him greatly. They may not have had the same kind of scoring tally, but their selfless running and work-rate, has been a key factor in Donegal’s success. Murphy is one of the best ball winning full forwards in the country, but Donegal will need to get better service into him in the final. Likewise, McBrearty was causing havoc to Noel O’Leary in the first half against Cork, but he was not utilised enough.

This area will prove crucial on Sunday. Mayo will be desperate to stop Donegal scoring goals, and they will be hoping that they will get plenty of protection from their half-back line. In the league game in March, McFadden scored seven points and Murphy got five points, while Cafferky was sent off. The Mayo full-back line has improved significantly since then, but they will need to have their best performance of the year to stop the Donegal forwards.

The Sideline.

The battle on the sideline will be just as fascinating as the battle on the field. Jim McGuinness and James Horan are the two most highly regarded young managers in the country and they will put their rising reputations on the line against each other on Sunday. Both their managerial tenures have followed similar paths. They both took over their teams when they were at a low ebb, led them to provincial titles in their first year, and have followed this up by taking them to the All-Ireland final in their second year.

McGuinness’ decision to introduce David Walsh against Cork proved to be one of the turning points in the match, and he has been praised for making effective substitutions this season. He has won the tactical battle in each of the games he has played, leaving managers of the calibre of Mickey Harte and Jack O’Connor in his wake. McGuinness was criticised for not changing his tactics as the game drifted away from Donegal in last year’s semi-final, and it would be interesting to see how he would respond if he found himself in that position again.

James Horan’s tactical moves helped Mayo win the Connacht title and he also masterminded a historic victory last year over the reigning All-Ireland champions Cork. He also impressed against Dublin when they started to claw back into mayo’s lead in the semi-final and he made good substitutions which helped to kill their momentum.

Horan showed he was not afraid to make tough decisions and this was seen when he left out Mayo’s record point scorer, Conor Mortimor for the Championship. Likewise, McGuinness made a big decision to drop All-Star Kevin Cassidy. Both managers will have to be prepared to make more big decisions in the final if they are to guide their team to Sam.

Jimmy's winning matches

Jimmy’s winning matches and big Neil’s making super catches!

The 26^th of August 2012 is a day that will live long in the memory of all Donegal supporters. An excellent performance by Donegal helped them reach the All-Ireland final for only the second time. The satisfaction when David Coldrick blew the full-time whistle was unbelievable and the team is now just one big game away from Gaelic football greatness.

My thoughts raced back to dark days for Donegal in recent years. Armagh defeating us in Ulster finals and Brendan Devenney missing a penalty in the last minute, as Donegal failed to defeat a terrible Cavan side. We couldn’t beat an average Monaghan team, even though our players were far more talented. Yesterday was a special day, and the sight of a sea of green and gold in a jubilant mood is something that I will cherish for the rest of my days.

Yeah, there was a lot of bandwagon supporters there, but who cares? They’re supporting their county and they’re entitled to do that. I’d rather see people come out and support Donegal, than cheering on Liverpool, or Man United, or some other foreign team that they have no connection to. This is our team. The players are born and raised in Donegal, and have been sculpted into fantastic GAA players by hard-working Donegal gaels. They are a credit to the county and deserve every plaudit they are given.

The game really couldn’t have gone any better for Donegal. They got huge performances from their big players and they now go into the final in a confident manner. Cork played well and really put it up to Donegal, but they were still able to repel them. Even the late concession of a goal is good for Donegal. It will ensure they don’t get complacent, and they will work hard to make sure the full-back line is not exposed so badly again.

Cork impressed in the first half, and Donegal did well to stay with them when they were having their good spell. Their movement and link up play was impressive, and they kicked some sublime points. But they were made to work very hard for their scores, and Donegal eventually wore them down. They forced them wide, and Cork hadn’t the composure to kick points when they were put under pressure.

Donegal only conceded one point from a free in the entire match. This is hugely impressive, and a key factor in their victory. Cork have some wonderful free takers, but Donegal’s disciplined defending ensured they didn’t get an opportunity to showcase their talents. Both Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy did well with their placed balls and they will have to continue this in the All-Ireland final, if we are to take the Sam Maguire back to the hills.

Neil Gallagher was immense at midfield. He gave an exhibition of high-fielding and dominated the renowned Cork midfield partnership. He made some superb catches, and his speed at releasing the ball was crucial. He let the ball go immediately and didn’t allow Cork to bottle him up and force him to over-carry the ball. His performance will be remembered as one of the greatest displays ever from a Donegal midfielder.

I also felt Karl Lacey was magnificent. He had a relatively quiet start to the season, by his high standards, but he was back to his best yesterday. His tackling was tenacious, his composure on the ball was fantastic, and he kicked two vital scores. Every time the ball came towards him, he seemed to come out with it again. Leo McLoone was awesome throughout the game, and charged through the Rebels at every opportunity.

I was browsing through the internet forums, and was shocked to see one poster claim that Michael Murphy was ‘anonymous’. I thought he had a great game and led by example throughout. Sure, full-forwards are meant to be the top scorers for most teams, but Donegal are not like most teams. They need a target man, someone to win the ball, and lay it off to the runners coming through. He had a good start to the game, but the quality of passes into him was poor for the rest of the first-half. In the second half, he won nearly every ball that came into him.

The team has improved significantly since last year’s defeat in the semi-final and they have added a new dimension to their game with their excellent counter attacks. They looked unstoppable when they ran at Cork with pace, and looked like scoring every time they went up the field. It’s worth remembering that this is only year two of  Jim McGuinness’ five year plan. It’s hard to contain the excitement at the thought of more improvements to McGuinness’ blueprint.

The next four weeks will be incredible, but we look forward to it safe in the knowledge that the management will have the panel focused and prepared meticulously. I wouldn’t have any preference about who we meet in the final. People are quick to dismiss Mayo, but as Donegal showed in Croke Park, a team with hunger will always be hard to beat. Regardless of who we meet, we will go into the game as favourites, and I think it is worth pointing out that we have a 100% record in All-Ireland finals!

Donegal to put a cork in the Rebels

It was a performance which would give Jim McGuinness nightmares. Donegal conceded 28 scores, as Cork strolled through their defence without being touched, heaping on more misery with every attack.

It’s hard to believe that it is only three years since Donegal’s infamous quarter-final defeat to Cork in 2009. That day, Donegal were crushed by Cork’s physicality and athleticism. Now, three seasons later, with the majority of players that played that day still involved, Donegal go in search of an All-Ireland final place with a great chance of upsetting the Leesiders.

McGuinness replaced John Joe Doherty at the helm the following year, and Donegal haven’t looked back since. He has changed everything, from mental preparation to their fitness levels, and no stone has been left unturned.

Cork won the All-Ireland in 2010, but to be considered a great team they have to win the Sam Maguire again. It’s not their fault of course, but people will always look upon their All—Ireland victory in 2010 against Down, as a ‘soft’ All-Ireland. To finally get the respect they feel they deserve from the media, they have to defeat Donegal and go on to win the All-Ireland again.

The match will be an enthralling contest. Two different styles clashing, in what will be the most physical semi-final since Armagh and Tyrone in 2005. Donegal’s tactics have been very effective this year, and the big question is will Cork change their playing style to beat Donegal.

Conor Counihan is a shrewd manager. We’ve heard the stories of Cork playing training games with 15 players against 17, with two extra defenders, to try and prepare for the physicality and intensity the Donegal defenders will bring to the game. He always lines Cork out in the traditional manner with six defenders and six forwards. However, this is exactly what Donegal want him to do.

Donegal will have identified the likes of Paudie Kissane and Noel O’Leary as two of their least talented players and Donegal will let them have the ball and allow them to carry the fight to Donegal’s defence. If I was the Cork manager, I’d drop O’Leary and play Ciarán Sheehan at wing-back. He is a strong runner and can kick the ball over the bar from distance. It’s a big call for Counihan to drop one of his most consistent players. But then, All-Ireland final semi-finals are often won by the manager who has the balls to make the big decision.

And that is perhaps where Donegal went wrong in last year’s semi-final against Dublin. When they started to go behind, they didn’t chase the game enough. They had an extra player, but still they kept thirteen players behind the ball. It will be interesting on Sunday if Donegal find themselves three points down with ten minutes remaining, if McGuinness will make the big decision, and toss his game plan aside and chase Cork’s lead.

A lot has been made of Cork’s strong runners and their ability to break Donegal’s tackles. But they haven’t met any team who hit as hard as Donegal yet. They beat Kerry who were a team on the way out, and then they beat a Clare team in the Munster final, who were just happy to get a day out. Kildare were meant to put it up to them but that never materialised either. Any team can look good if the opposition aren’t going to track your runs. Donegal’s victory over Down is a prime example of this.

The sight of Aidan Walsh and Pierce O’Neill marauding down the centre of the pitch is not something we will see on Sunday. Kildare had a soft centre but Donegal don’t. They won’t let you through the middle. They’ll push you out to the wings and try and make you take shots from ridiculous angles. Cork won’t fall for that you might say, but if you only have two points on the scoreboard after twenty minutes, and you start to get desperate for a score, it’s hard to resist the temptation to have a pop at goal. This is exactly what Donegal want to happen.

The battle I’m really looking forward tois Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden against Eoin Cadogan and Michael Shields. For the first time under McGuinness, McFadden is probably the most feared of the two Donegal full-forwards. He has hit an impressive 3-23 already this year, and he really is playing the best football of his life. Cadogan appears to mark the most dangerous forward and as a Donegal fan, I’ll be delighted if I see Michael Shields stroll over to Murphy at 3.29 on Sunday.

Back in 2009, when Cork annihilated Donegal, the only ray of sunshine for Donegal supporters, was Murphy’s performance against Shields. The Cork defender went into the game as the most revered full-back in the country, but Murphy destroyed him with his pace and power. Against Kildare in the quarter-final, Shields was well off the pace against Alan Smith and he kicked four points from play. Smith is a good player, but he is not in the same league as Murphy. We’ve waited a long time on a really big performance from Murphy, and I predict we will see one on Sunday. 

The one area where Cork have a clear advantage is with their bench. With players of the calibre of Daniel Goulding, O’Neill and Sheehan on the sidelines, they have plenty of options if things aren’t going their way. Kerry hadn’t the depth in their squad and the players they called upon in the final twenty minutes were not up to it. But Cork’s subs will not buckle under the pressure. They’ve been there on the big day before, and they will look forward to putting their own stamp on the match.

I’m sceptical about using the league game at the start of the season as a guide to how the match might go, but I think Donegal can take a lot of positives from that game. Donegal had a poor league campaign, but Cork did not. They won the league, however, Donegal still managed to turn over the Rebels in Ballybofey. Cork had ten likely starters playing that day, yet they only managed to score six points. Granted the pitch may have been heavy, and they had probably overused Aidan Walsh in the days preceding the match, but it is still an encouraging sign for Donegal fans.

I’ve read a lot of analysis in the lead up to the match, and the wise men who tip Cork seem to do so mainly because they have the more talented players. Which is a fair point, putting it simply, they have better players than Donegal. But will their more talented players be allowed to have an influence on the game? Kerry’s Colm Cooper was only able to score two points, whilst Declan O’Sullivan was taking off. How many Kerry fans could have predicted that before the match? Cork like to dominate games, but they will play Sunday’s game on Donegal’s terms.

I think Donegal will win in a low scoring game. Cork have great players, but I don’t think they are a great team. They crumbled to Mayo last year, and have often struggled mentally to get over the line against Kerry. Donegal have a lot of momentum behind them at the moment, and they have a desire to reach the All-Ireland final, and I can’t see Cork stopping them on Sunday.

Donegal hold on to beat Kerry

Donegal are through to the All-Ireland semi-final, following a fantastic victory over Kerry on Sunday. A strong second half performance from Donegal put them six points clear, but an inspired Kerry fight-back set up a tantalising finale.

Donegal teams in the past would have crumbled under the pressure, but this side has tremendous character, and they held on to secure the victory.

There has been a lot of talk about how this Kerry team are finished, but this was a crucial victory for Donegal. Despite the progress under Jim McGuiness, there would always be doubts about our ability, until we beat one of the big three. Psychologically, it’s a massive result to beat a team who has won four All-Ireland titles in the last decade.

McGuinness got his tactics right. He identified Donnacha Walsh as the weakest link of the Kerry forward line. Walsh is a hard worker, but he is not as gifted as the other Kerry forwards. They allowed him to roam out the field and pick up lots of possession, knowing that he wouldn’t score himself.

I pointed out in my preview last week, that I would be happy to see Kerry kick long balls into Kieran Donaghy. Eamon McGee monitored him well, and dealt with the long high balls superbly. And even when the Kerry full-forward did win the ball, he was isolated from his teammates. He doesn’t have the class or finesse to kick points, and Donegal would have anticipated this.

It’s worrying that we struggled with our kick-outs again. Kerry pushed up on Donegal and prevented them from taking short kick-outs. This forced Paul Durcan to kick it out long, and Donegal struggled to pick up the breaking ball. Neil Gallagher did make a big difference when introduced and Donegal will need him to be fit against Cork. The Rebels have a strong midfield, and Donegal will need to work hard on this sector in the coming weeks.

Colm McFadden had his best game in a Donegal shirt. In the past, Sunday’s game was the kind of occasion that McFadden would hide and not take responsibility. But he really stood up against Kerry. Despite being marshalled by Mark O’Se, he worked hard and kicked some super scores.  He doesn’t have a lot of pace, but he makes the most of the attributes that he does have.

The long ball tactic into Michael Murphy was not as effective as hoped, and we had more joy when we ran at them. Kerry couldn’t control the waves of attacks, and they repeatedly fouled the Donegal men. Murphy’s lack of form is worrying. He may not be receiving quality ball and he is often double marked, but Donegal really need him to start delivering. He struggled with the frees on Sunday, and he will need to improve this aspect of his game if Donegal are to have any chance in the semi-final.

It was disappointing that we let Kerry back into the game in the last five minutes. The goal we conceded was soft, and they struggled to contain Kerry towards the end. There was a naivety about us, and you can’t invite a team like Kerry on to you. However, Donegal showed brilliant battling qualities to respond and get the insurance point. Karl Lacey had a great game, and it was fitting that he would race clear and kick us into the semi-final.

This was a huge victory for Donegal, and we now go into the semi-final full of hope and belief. Donegal will need to improve significantly if they are to beat Cork, and they will need everyone to be at the top of their game.  The Club championship games are off until Donegal’s interest in the championship is over, so the next three weeks will be solely about devising a game plan to beat the Cork men.

Daunting Task for Donegal

It doesn’t get much more daunting than this. The GAA aristocrats, Kerry, in their favourite arena, looking to reach their twelfth All-Ireland semi-final since 2000. If things weren’t tough enough for Jim McGuinness and his Donegal team, throw in the fact, that the Kingdom have been wounded this season by claims that their great team are now yesterday’s men.

Kerry were hurt by these suggestions, and Paul Galvin’s emotion-filled interview after they beat Tyrone, showed that there is plenty of passion left in their ageing bodies. Kerry people are traditionalists, and think that Donegal’s tactics are ruining their sport. They have won the All-Ireland Championship 36 times, so they cannot comprehend Donegal’s need to plays so defensively. They have made their dislike for Ulster football well known in the past, and will take great pleasure in eliminating Donegal from the championship.

GAA folk are notoriously fickle, and it was only two weeks ago that this particular Kerry team were dead and buried. They were well off the pace against Cork in Munster, and then they came from behind to narrowly beat an average Westmeath team. The great Kerry team was finished at that stage, fading away for a while, until the next generation of stars came through. But then they beat their old nemesis Tyrone. A Lazarus-like recovery, the media would have you believe. But was it really that impressive? Tyrone are rebuilding, and in truth didn’t put up much of a fight.

Donegal have also played Tyrone, and were not convincing in beating Mickey Harte’s side. The Red Hands would have reached the Ulster final had it not been for Paul Durcan’s left foot. Tyrone put up a big fight against Donegal, but went out tamely to Kerry. Tyrone’s intensity dropped and they allowed Declan O’Sullivan to run riot. O’Sullivan is their playmaker, and when he plays well, Kerry play well. I’d expect Eamon McGee (if fit) to pick up O’Sullivan. He has the physique to compete with him, and he will also be able to wind him up.

It seems certain that McGuinness will have some plan devised to mark Colm Cooper out of the game. He is the greatest player of his generation, and he will need to be shut out if Donegal are to win. Karl Lacey is the perfect man to mark him, but he’ll probably get a lot of support from Mark McHugh, as Donegal will not want the Gooch to be isolated in one on one situations. A lot of people have claimed recently that Donegal are weak under the high ball, but I would be delighted to see Kerry kicking long high balls into Kieran Donaghy.

Neil McGee has not been at his best this year, but he tends to up his performances against better opposition. He’ll love the physical battle with Donaghy, and Donegal have been very effective at limiting the influence of renowned target men. Tomas O’Connor couldn’t get a ball in last year’s quarter-final, and Paddy Bradley and Benny Coulter were ineffective against Donegal this year also.

It’s worrying that Donegal got truly hammered down in Killarney in the league. Donegal might not have been at full fitness, and they may have not put much importance on the league, but there may be psychological scars from Kerry’s emphatic victory. They won by double scores, 2-16 to 1-8, and showed exactly what can happen when you give them too much respect. That was as much as any team has scored against Donegal under Jim McGuinness, and Donegal will be worried that if Kerry get in their flow, they will race clear.

Kerry have had the upper hand in most of their encounters against Cork in recent years, but despite their dominance they have always struggled when Cork ran at them. Pierce O’Neill, Graham Canty, and Aidan Walsh are all powerful runners, and on many occasions, their speed and fitness allowed them to get in behind Kerry’s rear-guard. Four of Kerry’s defenders are over 30 and they have played a huge amount of football over the last ten years. Sunday’s game may well be decided by how they compete with Donegal’s counter-attacking game.

Joe Brolly has received a lot of criticism since his appearance on the Sunday Game last week, but despite all the waffling, digging and sock scratching, he stumbled upon a very interesting point. When Kerry have really been up against it in recent years, they have crumbled under the pressure.

I’m not taking away from the four All-Ireland titles they have won in the last decade, but the closest margin in any of those finals they won, was four points against Cork in 2009. In those finals, the game was over with twenty minutes left. In contrast, against Armagh in 2002, against Tyrone three times, and Dublin last year, Kerry have been in the game with ten minutes remaining and lost. Doubts remain over whether they have the hunger and drive to close out games when the pressure is on.

The midfield battle will be crucial on Sunday. If Neil Gallagher is not fit, it is hard to see Kerry not dominating the midfield sector. If they do win midfield, this will put the Donegal defence under an incredible amount of pressure. This is the biggest task for Donegal’s defensive system, and they will have to be at the top of their game to stop Kerry’s forwards. If Donegal give the Kingdom too much of a lead, they will not catch them. They need to keep the game tight and low-scoring. If it is still close going into the last 10 minutes, I expect Donegal’s fitness and desire to see them through.

Donegal Retain the Anglo Celt Cup

History was made in Clones yesterday, as Donegal retained the Anglo Celt Cup for the first time in their history. The scoreline may have flattered Donegal in the final, but they are certainly deserving winners of the Ulster championship.

While there were scenes of jubilation on the pitch afterwards, it was interesting that the majority of the players’ reactions were subdued. That may have been due to the comfortable manner of victory, however you get the impression that the panel are thinking bigger than an Ulster title this year.

There was a great buzz after the match with some people suggesting that this could be the year that Sam returns to the hills. Today, www.Hoganstand.com has elevated Donegal to the best team in the country in their rankngs. As a fan, who has encountered years of frustration watching the Tir Chonaill men, it’s great to see them rated so highly. But I don’t think they have earned the right to be put ahead of established teams like Cork, Kerry or Dublin yet.

Tyrone’s dismal showing in Killarney diminishes Donegal’s victory against them slightly. They were not even close to the level Kerry were at, and this raises the question, should Donegal have beaten Tyrone by more? Kerry will still have a huge say on the destination of Sam this year, and the longer Donegal avoid the men from the Kingdom, the better.

The big worry for Donegal from yesterday’s game will be how they struggled at midfield. Ambrose Rogers and Kalum King dominated the middle sector in the first half and the Down players were quicker to the breaking ball. Against a team with better forwards, the game could have been away from Donegal by half-time.

The importance of Neil Gallagher cannot be overstated. It’s remarkable that the Glenswilly man wasn’t even a regular starter in the team before last year’s Ulster final, and now he is one of Donegal’s most important players. He may not be the most athletic, but his competiveness on opposition’s kick-outs is vital. Donegal need him to be fit for the quarter-final.

When things were going against Donegal in the first half, Ryan Bradley was the man who showed the leadership required. He created Leo McLoone’s goal, with a great catch and pass. He drove at the Down defence with pace and vigour and they couldn’t contain his bursts. Despite Donegal’s defensive inclinations, he nearly always tries to move the ball forward, and he is willing to take on the responsibility of bringing Donegal up the field.

Down pierced holes through the Donegal rear-guard and they should have scored two goals in the first half. Rogers caused huge problems running through the middle, much like Tyrone did in the semi-final. If the Donegal defence keep giving away these chances, eventually they will be punished.

It was interesting that Donegal, once again, played with the wind in the second half. Donegal have played at Clones four times under Jim McGuinness and each time they have played towards the town end in the first half. Their policy is containment in the opening period. They don’t have to chase the game, they just have to ensure that they are within a point or two of their opponents at half-time.

The players slow the game down, and stop the opposition building up any momentum. They know that if they are close at half-time then their fantastic fitness levels will help them pull away in the second half and they will be able to take their scores easier as the game opens up more.

Down were poor, but Donegal’s battling qualities have to be commended. A key moment arrived as Kalum King collided with Frank McGlynn in the first half. King is a cage fighter and is twice the size of the Glenfin man, but his big hit did more damage to himself than McGlynn. The wing back’s response was emphatic. He was straight back on his feet, prepared for any physicality Down provided, and ready to give it back twice as hard.

McGlynn was fantastic again, and he should pick up the Ulster championship player of the year. He showed his class and composure to score the second goal with the outside of his right boot. Two other defenders, Anthony Thompson and Declan Walsh, could also have scored goals, and this emphasises how McGuinness has reformed Donegal. They had 11 different scorers from play, and they are not as reliant on Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden, as they used to be. All the players are expected to be able to take a score.

To score 2-18 in an Ulster final is phenomenal shooting, yet Down’s defence is poor and even though Donegal only scored 1-5 in the first half, they looked like they could cut Down open at any time. The six day turnaround may prove difficult for Down, and I wouldn’t fancy them against an in-form Tipperary.

Ultimately, Donegal can only beat what is in front of them. It is not Jim McGuinness’ fault that the standard in Ulster is not as strong as it was a few years ago. He has done a superb job to transform this panel of players, and we now head for the capital full of optimism and belief. The journey continues.

Donegal to down the Mourne Men

Donegal and Down go into battle next Sunday, with the prestigious Anglo Celt cup the prize for the victor. Down haven’t won an Ulster title since 1994, while Donegal go in search of back-to back titles for the first time.

The sides met in the Ulster Championship in 2010, and after a titanic tussle, Down edged through in extra-time. Down went on to reach the All-Ireland final that year, while Donegal departed in the next round to Armagh. Although many of the players are the same, Donegal are now a different team. They are fitter and faster and they haven’t lost in the Ulster championship since that defeat to Down two years ago.

The Down team is much changed from the side that lost the All-Ireland decider to Cork. In the Ulster semi-final they only had seven of those players starting. The impressive full-forward line of the Clarke brothers, Martin and John, and Benny Coulter led the way in 2010 with a number of highly impressive performances. However, the Clarke brothers are no longer available to James McCartan, while Benny Coulter only entered the fray in the semi-final in the last ten minutes.

Down have been completely written off for this game. The media don’t rate them and Donegal folk have been quick to dismiss Down’s chances. The bookies have placed them at an incredible 4/1 to win the game. However, it is worth remembering that they beat Donegal at the start of the season and finished third overall in the league. They have beaten Fermanagh and have a lot of momentum following their super comeback against Monaghan. With important players to come back into their team, they are not the easy proposition that some people have been making them out to be.

A remarkable aspect of this year’s Ulster Championship is that there hasn’t been one surprise result. Unlike in previous years, the fancied team has come out on top in each tie. Down will take note of Galway’s superb victory over the supposedly untouchable Kilkenny hurling team two weeks ago. Antrim and Tipperary have also recorded shock victories in the qualifiers. Complacency has been the breaking of many good teams in the past, and Donegal must be wary.  One thing for certain, is that Jim McGuinness and the Donegal panel will not underestimate Down.

James McCartan named his team last night, but it is little more than a shadow team. Danny Hughes, one of their best forwards is named in defence, with Kevin McKiernan at midfield and Dan Gordon at number six. Kalum King has been dropped to the bench, which I find particularly surprising. He struggled against Monaghan in the first half, but his second half performance was one of the main factors in their revival. He caught two clean balls and picked up four breaking balls, as Down got to grips with Dick Clerkin and Eoin Lennon. I’d expect him to play and I find it very hard to believe that Down will line out as selected.

Unsurprisingly, Dan Gordon has been picked to start the final. He missed the Monaghan game through injury, but he has been a big player during James McCartan’s reign. His versatility can see him line out in any position. It is at full back that he has played his best football in recent years. He has marked full-forwards of the calibre of Kieran Donaghy in the past and he could be assigned to mark Michael Murphy on Sunday.

Neil Gallagher has been ruled out for Donegal and this weakens the midfield significantly. He has been arguably Donegal’s best player so far this season and his competitiveness on the opposition’s kick-outs will be sorely missed. Down’s midfield partnership of Ambrose Rogers and Kalum King are the best midfield Donegal will have faced this year.

Ryan Bradley is likely to go to midfield alongside Rory Kavanagh with Leo McLoone, coming into the half-forward line. The Glenties clubman was unlucky to lose out against Tyrone. He has played well so far this year, and his ball carrying capabilities will be a big asset against Down. He can also play at full-forward and this may allow Michael Murphy to drift out the field and act as a playmaker.

Down relied heavily on frees against Monaghan, and this will suit Donegal. Significantly, 1-7 of Down’s 1-14 tally against the Farney men came from placed balls. In Donal O’Hare and Aidan Carr they have efficient free-takers who will take advantage of any unnecessary fouling. Down’s forwards are light and have the craft to earn frees. However, this will play into Donegal’s hands. Their tackling is rigid and disciplined, and they will not give away soft frees like Monaghan did.

Much will depend on the fitness of Benny Coulter. Two years ago, when they met in the Ulster Championship, Coulter was immense. He scored four points, despite the close attention of Karl Lacey and Neil McGee. He is a leader for Down and has a knack of scoring crucial goals. When introduced as a second half substitute against Monaghan, he kicked a point immediately and acted as a much needed focal point for the Down attack. He is an integral part of Down’s team, and his inclusion in the starting fifteen is a major boost to their chances.

Monaghan identified some weaknesses in the Down defence and Donegal will try to exploit this. Conor McManus and Kieran Hughes were able to get out in front of their markers and catch clean ball. This will suit Murphy, Paddy McBrearty and Colm McFadden, who should have a physical advantage against their direct opponents.

Donegal should be too powerful for Down. Down will be resilient and won’t simply stand aside. However, doubts remain about how their forward line will function with limited ball and they may grow frustrated with Donegal’s tactics. They are traditionalists and like to play an attacking game. Yet, Donegal will dictate which way the game develops and this will pose many difficulties for Down. I’d expect Donegal to be celebrating two Ulster titles in a row on Sunday and perhaps more importantly, a trip to Croke Park on the August Bank holiday weekend.

Donegal through to another Ulster Final

Donegal are through to an Ulster final against Down, after a hard fought victory over Tyrone in Clones. A strong second half display put them four points up with ten minutes remaining, but a mini Tyrone revival could have seen them win the game at the death.

In last week’s Gaelic Life, Tyrone player Brian McGuigan talked about their need for patience and perseverance against Donegal’s defensive system. Tyrone did this in the first half with their slow, patient build up. Owen Mulligan and Mark Donnelly were getting bottled up when the ball was kicked in, so Tyrone hand-passed the ball at speed from deep, waiting to find a man in space to kick it over the bar.

The wind was strong in the first half, and Tyrone used the elements well. Joe McMahon, Conor Clarke and Sean O’Neill were able to kick long-range points. I was delighted to see us go in at half-time only one point down. The wind was strong and worth more than a one point advantage, and with the Donegal panel’s fitness levels so high, I was confident that we would still be victorious at the final whistle.

It was worrying that we gave away two goal scoring opportunities in the first ten minutes. Mark Donnelly and Joe McMahon both got in behind the defence and could have found the net. Donnelly took his point, while McMahon failed with his goal attempt. Jarlath Burns, on commentary for the BBC, said that McMahon should have gone for a point too. But against Donegal, opposition teams simply have to take goal chances when they arise.

Donegal don’t leak goals. They have only conceded two in the nine championship games under Jim McGuinness. And while there was some nervous moments in the dying seconds of the match, the panic button will almost always be pushed in those circumstances. If Tyrone teach Down anything, it will be that you must score goals when given the opportunity.

A 20 minute spell in the second half was the catalyst for the victory. Perhaps, it was the extra seven minutes they took at half-time which left them reinvigorated. Rory Kavanagh and Ryan Bradley drove at the Tyrone defence, and Mickey Harte’s side simply couldn’t handle Donegal’s pace and power.

Second half spells of dominance have become a recurring theme under McGuinness. They did it against Derry and Kildare last year, and I get the impression that the Donegal players know that despite their defensive tactics, they can still pull away from the opposition at any moment.

Tyrone looked lacklustre in the second period. Perhaps the intensity of the first half took too much energy from them. Their big players, Penrose, Peter Harte and Stephen O’Neill were subdued, and the Donegal defence coped with them with ease.

I thought Colm McFadden had a good second half. Yes, his petulance and stupidity saw him see red, yet he stood up and was counted when it really mattered. Conor Gormley has in previous years had somewhat of an indian sign over McFadden, but in the second half he really struggled to get to grips with the St Michaels man.

Eamon McGee, in the absence of his brother, impressed me, while Frank McGlynn had another solid outing. Michael Murphy and Karl Lacey did not have brilliant games by their illustrious high standards, but they still do the basics so well. Count how many times they give the ball away in a match. It rarely happens.

Paul Durcan pulled off a fantastic save to deny Penrose at the death. He has taken a lot of unfair criticism over the years, and it is only two years ago since he was hauled off at half time against Clare in the qualifiers. He now appears more confident, and with Donegal’s kick-outs so important to the manner in which they play, he has become a vital player for the green and gold.

Donegal were impressive, although they can still improve significantly. They can look forward to another Ulster final, and now have the opportunity be the first Donegal team ever to retain the Anglo Celt Cup.

Donegal to have too much firepower

Donegal face off against Tyrone on Saturday in an unusual position. Having been heavily criticised last year for their tactics, all of a sudden they have been serenaded with praise, with some pundits even suggesting Donegal could be a contender to win Sam Maguire.

The manner of the Derry victory was emphatic, and has rightly seen us receive plaudits from throughout the country. However, we must tread carefully. Derry were poor, they lacked fitness and had no plan to get ball to their forwards. Tyrone will not lie down so easily. Lest we forget, they are under the guidance of Mickey Harte. He has led Tyrone to three All-Irelands, and will almost certainly have a game plan to curtail Donegal.

In last year’s Ulster semi-final clash with Tyrone, Donegal won the game through a last minute Dermot Molloy goal.  Tyrone raced into a 6-1 lead in the first half as they outplayed Donegal. Sean Cavanagh was immense as he drove at the Donegal defence. Late points before half-time were a synonymous feature of last year’s run, and points by Kevin Rafferty and Kevin Cassidy pegged Tyrone back as the interval approached.

Donegal improved in the second half and drew level thanks to a goal by Colm McFadden, and went on to win via Molloy’s intervention. It’s also worth remembering that the Red hands were harshly reduced to 14 men for the last ten minutes, and if they had their full quantity who knows what way the game would have swayed.

Tyrone’s forward line is one of the best in the country and they pose a huge test. Against Armagh Peter Harte, Owen Mulligan were subdued, yet Martin Penrose and Mark Donnelly were given too much space and they did the damage. Penrose in particular, is a vastly underrated player. He plays the game with a lot of energy and endeavour and always contributes a few points for Tyrone. He is likely to roam out the field and his pace breaking through the defence will be a big worry for Donegal.

Much of Tyrone’s dominance over the last decade came from their half-back line. While other lines were chopped and changed regularly, the half back line of Davy Harte, Ryan McMenamin and Philip Jordan were the cornerstone for many victories over the years. However, injuries have left Harte on the fringes of the panel, Jordan has retired, while McMenamin had to be satisfied with a substitute jersey against Armagh.

Cathal McCarron, Conor Gormley and Sean O’Neill made up the half-back line against the Orchard county, and while they are good, strong players, they don’t possess the athleticism or attacking impetus that their predecessors provided. They are not renowned scorers, which is something that will suit the Donegal defence if they sit back and invite Tyrone on to them.

An interesting point arising from Tyrone’s victory over Armagh was that Armagh scored 1-13 against them. This is most unlike Tyrone teams under Harte, and I am convinced that if Donegal score 1-13 against Tyrone, they will be playing in the Ulster final. This was an Armagh side without the retired Steven McDonnell and in truth only Jamie Clarke would be considered a top class forward.

Paddy McBrearty has blossomed in the full forward line, and with McFadden and Michael Murphy in the forward ranks too, Donegal will fancy their chances of beating Tyrone if they can get quality service.  Kildare posted 16 points against them in the league final, and it’s not that long ago since Dublin destroyed them in Croke Park, scoring 22 points. The Tyrone defence is not the same scary proposition it once was.

Donegal’s defence was impressive against Derry, and the match ups against Tyrone’s forwards may be the deciding factor in Clones. Karl Lacey man marked Paddy Bradley against Derry and it will be interesting to see if he stays in the Full-back line on Saturday. Last year against Tyrone, he picked up their playmaker Brian McGuigan. McGuigan is on the bench this year, and Peter Harte has assumed the playmaker role. He was well marshalled against Armagh, and Lacey may be assigned to do the same in Clones.

I’d expect Neil McGee to pick up Stephen O’Neill, with his brother Eamon following Owen Mulligan. Derry used John McCamley as a sweeper in the quarter-final, and this left Frank McGlynn spare in defence. With Ronan McNabb expected to play a deep role for Tyrone, McGlynn may again be the spare man. This will suit Donegal as he is a good ball carrier and links up will with the forward line.

Tyrone had a good league campaign but injuries have seriously depleted them. Underage stars, Kyle Coney and Ronan O’Neill are out for the season, while 2008 Footballer of the year, Sean Cavanagh is also on the sidelines. They lose his ability to carry the ball forward and kick points from all sorts of angles, along with his leadership qualities. His absence is a massive bonus to Donegal.

Jim McGuinness’ biggest decision will be whether or not to reinstate Rory Kavanagh in the starting team. He may be tempted to stick with the winning formula from the victory over Derry. However, if Kavanagh is fit to play, he brings a wealth of experience to the team, and his know-how would be very important against Tyrone’s seasoned performers.

I think the first half will be a tight tense affair, but Donegal’s physicality and athleticism should wear down Tyrone as the match reaches its conclusion. The Donegal forwards have excelled in their last two outings and if they can get a good supply of possession, they should have too much firepower for the Red Hands.

Donegal defeat dismal Derry

Donegal cruised through to the Ulster semi-final with a comprehensive victory over Derry in Ballybofey, on Saturday. McGuinness’ charges dominated all over the field, and posted an impressive tally of 2-13. Derry were terrible, however ,Donegal can only beat what’s in front of them and they did so with ease.

Derry’s performance reminded me of Donegal’s implosion in Crossmaglen two years ago in the last game of John Joe Doherty’s tenure. That day Donegal were unfit, devoid of a game plan and under the guidance of a limited, old school manager. I’ll certainly never forget the sight of McFadden and co laughing on the bench as Armagh slaughtered us. That day we were humiliated, in a similar manner, to which Derry were on Saturday.

There were stories circulating in the lead-up to Saturday's game about poor attendance at Derry training sessions, yet it was still remarkable to see how far behind they were in the fitness stakes, in comparison with Donegal. They lacked sharpness and tired very early. I couldn’t understand their naivety in playing against Donegal’s blanket defence. Long hopeful balls into Paddy Bradley were always going to be easily mopped up by Donegal, and he was completely suffocated out of the game. The Derry subs didn’t seem too bothered either, laughing as their chances of collecting an Ulster medal drifted further and further away.

John Brennan was lauded in the press last year for his attitude towards the game. He didn’t buy into the need for defensive strategies and played the game in the traditional way. He mentioned a challenge game against Sligo, in which there was a big black box sitting on the sideline. All the Sligo players were connected to heart monitors, and their information was being transferred back to the big black box. Brennan remarked that he thought it was a barbecue, and that he was going to get a burger. Derry didn’t need all this fancy equipment, they were just going out to play the game.

A refreshing outlook in the midst of warm weather training camps and early morning gym sessions, was the general consensus among the GAA correspondents. But this attitude should not be praised. Brennan and Derry are living in the dark ages, in the same way to which Donegal were before McGuinness took control. You can’t just go out to play the game anymore. Everything has to be prepared meticulously. Strategies have to be devised and new training regimes have to be adhered to. Anything that can be done to give the team that extra edge, should be done. Donegal have changed and evolved, while Derry have found themselves going backwards.

Donegal’s defensive system was superb again. No Derry player was allowed time or space in the scoring area, and the tackling was ferocious. It was also interesting to see a new attacking dimension to our play. A three man full-forward line was played almost the whole game, while the speed of that counter-attack was so much faster than last year.

The second goal was the score of the game, and it emphasised both the strong, stubborn defensive system, and the new offensive strategy. Frank McGlynn, Eamon McGee and David Walsh ripped the ball away from Michael Friel, and the speed of the counter attack was frightening. McBrearty superbly ran at the defence and had three players in support, but correctly chose to pass to McFadden and he was never going to pass up the opportunity to bury it to the net.

It was interesting that we saw a lot of joy down the left-hand side of the pitch. Last year, we became accustomed to seeing Anthony Thompson, Mark McHugh and Karl Lacey raid down the right flank, yet the left side was never utilised in the same manner.  On Saturday, the link up play between Frank McGlynn and David Walsh was fantastic, and their opponents had no way of stopping them. McGlynn was an unsung hero in the tem last year, and with two impressive performances under his belt already this year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an All-Star award head to Glenfin this year.

I was impressed with Paddy McBrearty again and he has developed a lot from his debut season. He now poses a far bigger threat to the opposition. His ball-winning skills are vital and he was out in front of his marker all day. He played an integral role in both goals and almost added another goal of his own. With a ball winner inside in the Full-forward line, Murphy can be released to play out the field, where he can link the defence with the attack.

Ryan Bradley had a good outing. He had been criticised in recent weeks, but his physicality around the middle of the field is a very important aspect of Donegal’s play. In the absence of Rory Kavanagh he really lifted his game and he combined well with Neil Gallagher throughout the 70 minutes. His tackling has improved significantly and he doesn’t seem to give away clumsy frees anymore. It was also good to see Neil McGee back to his old form in defence, and he’ll need another big performance against Tyrone.

The big worry coming out of the game is that we haven’t had a stern test before we play the Red Hands. They had a tough game against Armagh and had to dig deep to find the win. On the other hand, we’ve strolled through our two games without ever really being tested. Tyrone won’t be lacking in fitness or match sharpness, and Mickey Harte certainly will have a game plan devised to try and break down Donegal.

Donegal to shade rematch of last year’s Ulster Final

“I want a proper final next year, with us two men back.” That was the message Paddy Bradley delivered to Kevin Cassidy, which he recounted in the infamous ‘This is our year’ book, following the news that Eoin Bradley would be joining his brother in the stands for last year’s Ulster final.

Bradley, who was out with a cruciate knee injury, probably realised that Derry’s chances had gone when his brother Eoin got injured in Ballinascreen on the Sunday before their clash with Donegal. Derry went into the game without their two most potent attackers, and their final tally of eight points shows that the absence of the Bradley brothers was one of the primary reasons that Donegal won the Anglo Celt Cup.

Almost a year later, Cassidy has since departed from the Donegal county panel, but Bradley and Derry now have their chance to get retribution for that defeat in Clones. Albeit, at the earlier stage of the quarter-final.

The Derry management team felt they were hard done by in last year’s final. The controversial awarding of a penalty proved to be the catalyst for Donegal’s victory. Michael Murphy’s penalty was the turning point, given Donegal a lead of three points, a lead they would never relinquish. Derry were also denied a penalty themselves, when Neil McGee’s frontal charge on Emmet McGuckin was not penalised.

The return of Paddy Bradley is a massive boost to Derry. They lacked a focal point in the Ulster final last year, with Neil McGee dominating Cailean O’Boyle. This forced them into hand-passing laterally across the field, which the Donegal defence had no problem in mopping up. Bradley has indicated that this may be his last year in the oak leaf jersey and he will be determined to win that elusive Ulster medal before he hangs up his boots.

There is uncertainty regarding Eoin Bradley’s participation in Ballybofey, with reports circulating that he is not yet match fit. If he does make it, the match-ups on the field will be fascinating. Which Bradley will Neil McGee pick up? Does Declan Walsh have the necessary experience to curtail either of them? Eamon McGee has returned from injury and could be used, while there is always the option of moving Karl Lacey back into full-back line to nullify the danger. However, Donegal will lose his impetus in the half-back line as a result.

Likewise, Donegal go into Saturday’s clash with injury doubts of their own. Rory Kavanagh faces a fitness battle to make it, while Michael Murphy’s preparations have not gone to plan. A lot will depend on the role the Glenswilly man has on Saturday. He has a hugely impressive record against Derry. With Kevin McCloy and Kevin McGuckin recently retired, Derry appear to be lightweight in the full-back position, and this is an area Donegal will be looking to exploit. Even, a second-half cameo role from Murphy may prove to be the difference.

Derry’s league form was poor, winning just two games, and narrowly avoiding relegation. They drew their last game with Louth in Celtic Park, and this would certainly not inspire confidence, following the wee county’s collapse against Dublin two weeks ago.

Much will depend on how much John Brennan’s charges have improved from last year’s defeat to Donegal. On that day, they lost the midfield battle and only converted eight of 22 scoring opportunities. While the Kielt brothers, Charlie and James, kicked some superb scores, the vast majority of their efforts were reckless and pointless. If they are going to beat Donegal’s defensive system on Saturday, they simply have to improve in front of the posts.

Donegal will take very little from the Cavan game. It was over as a contest before half-time, and it will bear no reflection on Saturday’s game. One worry would be over Paddy McBrearty’s lack of match practise in recent weeks, but aside from that, the remainder of the side should be fresh. Neil McGee struggled against Eugene Keating, but in a more competitive and intense game, it is unlikely that the Donegal defence will allow any Derry forward the time and space they afforded Keating.

I foresee Derry having trouble getting the ball to their forwards, and Donegal attack should have too much ability for Derry’s defence. Donegal have been hard to beat in MacCumhaill Park under Jim McGuinness, and I expect them to win by a narrow margin in a low scoring affair.

Nothing learnt

Yesterday's Donegal match reminded me of the first day of the new school term.

You put on the uniform again and you get back into the routine. The teachers lay down the law, but after that early scare, you just ease your way through the day. No surprising tests, no immediate solution to any problems that exist and no real insight into what might lie in wait for the rest of the year. Everyone goes home, puts the feet up, and relaxes. The only thing known for sure, is that the next day is going to be an awful lot tougher.

And those thoughts come racing back to me when I think about yesterday's game . We're back in Championship mode and winning is a good habit to be in. Cavan started the game with speed and intensity, but there was no way they could keep going at that pace. Donegal were just to physical for them, and their superior experience really shown through. The game was over as a contest when Colm McFadden smashed the penalty past James Reilly in the 31st minute. The old problem of centre half-forward is still there, as is the more recent development of one at full-back. Cavan were so poor that the game will have no real long-term benefits.Ultimately, Donegal will have learnt nothing about themselves from beating the Breffni men.

Neil McGee's dip in form should be of real concern to Donegal fans. Eugene Keating scored five points off him yesterday from a limited supply of posssesion. Fair enough, the points were superbly taken, but McGee, an all star last year, afforded him far too much space. The worrying thing is that this is becoming a regular occurence. Kieran Hughes roasted him in the McKenna Cup, as did Benny Coulter and Padraig Clancy in the league. The common denominator between these full forwards is that they are all big, strong, physical number 14s. The type of player McGee usually thrives on marking. He's had two fantastic seasons at full-back, but he now appears less confident. He'll need to discover his form quickly with the Bradley brothers coming to Ballybofey on June 16th.

We were loose in our passing again, and this does seem to be causing problems. When you play a defensive system like Donegal's, it's essential that you retain possession. Ryan Bradley had an off day, and his replacement Marty O'Reilly didn't fare that much better. Declan Walsh had a good debut in the corner, but he was beat to the ball too often for my liking. Against quality opposition, they'll punish you if you allow them too much room. I'm a little surprised that he has leapfrogged Eamon McGee in the defensive pecking order.

Karl Lacey embodied Donegal's performance. Comfortable, yet slightly sluggish, and with a good few gears to go up yet. I thought our midfield duo were excellent. Kavanagh deservedly picked up man of the match. But it was Gallagher's performance that really impressed me. He is unrecognisable from the player he was three or four seasons ago, when a kick-pass, never mind a point, was considered a bit of a collector's item. His game has evolved and I personally believe he will have a big summer.

Listening to the match on the wireless, Charlie Collins and Declan Bonner said that they thought Paddy McBrearty struggled. However, I thought he had a good game. Yeah, some of his efforts were poor, and at times he loses the ball easily, but as a target man he was excellent. Colm McFadden kicked 1-6 yesterday and got a lot of credit for his performance. It's no secret that I'm not McFadden's biggest fan. I can appreciate what he brings to the side, and he seems to have the frees well mastered now, but I always get the impression that he has a little more left in the tank. He has a touch of JohnTerryitis. You do all the work boys and I'll take the glory. McBrearty, on the other hand, is fast and hungry, and is always showing for the ball. That's why he must retain his position in the starting team, in my opinion.

I also thought Leo McLoone had an impressive outing. As one of the founding members of the Leo McLoone fan club, I have battled hard in recent years to convince others that he's up to the standard required. He does frustrate at times, but he is a super ball carrier and is always good for a few points. His versatility is a huge bonus as well. McGlynn and McGrath were effective as usual, as was Mark 'Samson' McHugh, who seemed to be empowered by his new beard and chipped in with two nice points.

Bonner suggested on Highland that Peter McGee could have been given an appearance. The third McGee brother in the panel, he stands well over six foot tall, and could be an option at midfield or full-forward. But I think McGuinness was right not to play him. He will bring the surprise element when he does get the call, so there is no point in showing your hand in a game that was over before the referee even sounded his half-time whistle.

Yesterday's result was as good as we could have hoped for really. Not that emphatic that we will get complacent, and not that close to cause any sleepless nights. One thing for certain, is that it won't be so comfortable when the Oak leafers roll into Ballybofey in four weeks time.

Second season syndrome

Very few things in sport annoy me in quite the same manner as sporting clichés do.

All Sports produce them and they pop up every year. How often have we heard the term ‘golden generation’ in relation to the current Irish rugby team? The ‘managerial Merry-Go-round’ has just started within soccer circles again. And The GAA has the usual cliché of ‘Kerry are a different team in Croke Park’. But the one that grinds my gears the most is ‘second season syndrome’.

We all use it. Anytime a team or sports star has an impressive first season, but struggles the second year; we throw the label ‘second season syndrome’ at them, faster than Joe Brolly can blow kisses at his adoring public.

Unfortunately, it’s one of the most common phrases used when discussing the Donegal GAA team this year. “They were good last year, but I see them struggling this year; sure everyone knows what they’re up to now” appears to be the common sentiment. I don’t really understand it. Is it ignorance or just a defeatist attitude? Yeah, there are problems; I’m not disputing that fact, but we start the defence of our Ulster crown on Sunday; at a time when our main challengers are not at their best. Tyrone and Armagh are rebuilding, Derry’s form has been indifferent; while the loss of Benny Coulter is a massive blow for Down.

Coulter’s Down suffered form ‘second season syndrome’ last year, apparently. They reached the All-Ireland final in 2010, but struggled in 2011, exiting the championship rather tamely. So, nothing to do with a lack of commitment or Martin Clarke’s impending return to Australia? Javier Hernandez of Manchester United has just been diagnosed with it too. Only a shadow of himself they say, so nothing to do with the number of injuries he picked up during the season, or failing to get a consistent run in the team, because of Danny Welbeck’s form. It’s just pure, and utter laziness in my opinion; a failure to understand the reasons behind why there has been a sudden drop in form, so just labelling it as ‘second season syndrome’. It’s a cliché that sounds great from the bar stool.

Donegal find themselves with the label, mainly due to their mediocre form at the start of the year. But is it simply as easy to say they’re just not the same team as last year? They played the majority of the league without Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy, our two most potent attackers. Strip Mayo of Andy Moran and Alan Dilion, and Cork of Colm O’Neill and Donncha O’Connor, would they have fared so successfully in the league? I doubt it.

Others may point out the absence of Kevin Cassidy, and this does significantly weaken us; but I have always been a supporter of Leo McLoone, and I believe he is an adequate replacement. He has a superb underage record with Donegal and he captained the University of Jordanstown in the Sigerson Cup this year. Adrian McGuckin, the UUJ manager; simply doesn’t give responsibility like that to average players.

Recently on the Irish Examiner’s watercooler blog, John Fogarty rated the favourites for Sam; in order of Kerry, Dublin; Cork, Tyrone; Mayo, Kildare and finally Donegal. Seventh favourite was the unanimous agreement. Now maybe, I’m compromised; but considering we have beaten each of the four sides above us in that list in the last 12 months, is that not a little unfair? It is also worth remembering that we were only a kick of the ball away from an All-Ireland final last year.

On Sunday, we start off Championship 2012 in Breffni Park against Cavan. It’s been a turbulent year. We’ve had the lows of the media coverage of the team’s performances last year, along with Kevin Cassidy’s exclusion; mixed in with the highs of winning Ulster and the sheer ecstasy of the night we beat Kildare. I just hope this year, we can go about our business unnoticed. And with the game not televised on RTE, this might be possible at the early stages of the championship.

Cavan haven’t had an easy start to the year either. Terry Hyland has replaced Val Andrews mid-season, while the Seanie Johnston saga has been an unwelcome distraction for them. They have named five championship debutants, and only six of the team that started in their nine-point defeat to Donegal last year; retain their place this year. Cavan have had a lot of success at underage level recently, and they are a coming force; but realistically, they are a team that Donegal should beat comfortably.

Michael Murphy is a huge loss, but his absence provides Paddy McBrearty with an opportunity to firmly grasp a starting jersey. He had a fantastic game against Cavan last year, but faded away later in the championship. Sunday is the perfect time to show Ulster his undoubted county credentials. The one position that remains a worry for me, is centre half-forward. This position is the fulcrum of the attack, and if Donegal are going to be successful, this position is crucial. Michael Hegarty has retired and I have my doubts on whether or not Ryan Bradley can fill the jersey effectively. Martin O’Reilly is too young to be trusted with the role yet. I hope I am wrong, but I foresee this position causing problems as the summer progresses.

I think we will defeat Cavan (by 5 points) on Sunday, and I also think we can defeat the ‘second season syndrome’ claim too. Newcastle United were labelled with the phrase in the Premier league at the start of the season and finished up with a Europa league spot, which most definitely defeats the argument against them. The same was said of Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare side when they first rose to prominence, and their second syndrome season never materialised either.

So, if Donegal do win on Sunday; please don’t say, ‘we’ll only take it one game at a time’. Or, if we draw; roll out the old classic, ‘they had their chance today, they’ll never beat us the next day”. Or, if the worst was to happen, and we were sent crashing to our Ulster Championship death, please, I’m begging you, don’t blame it on ‘second season syndrome’.