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’.