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.