Donegal are three, four points better than Tyrone - Dermot Molloy

When it comes to Donegal against Tyrone, Dermot 'Brick' Molloy's name will always be mentioned. During Jim McGuinness's first term, his side met Mickey Harte's Tyrone in the Ulster semi-final in 2011 and Molloy sealed the win with a goal.

The exuberance of youth is sometimes put forward to explain the young Naomh Conaill man going for goal at such a vital time with the sides level, but that would take away from the confidence and sheer nerve displayed by Molloy.

"It gets mentioned every time the sides meet now," says Molloy. "If it didn't go in it might be a different story," he laughs.

Donegal meet Tyrone again this Saturday in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey (7.00) and Molloy is expecting a tight battle for many reasons, not least that Tyrone are now under the stewardship of Malachy O'Rourke, the only manager who has got one over on Jim McGuinness in the Ulster championship.

"Yeah, Malachy was manager of Monaghan when they beat us in the 2013 final. He is a very clever manager.

"We  came up against him when he was in charge of Glen against Naomh Conaill and he is a very, very shrewd operator. He is well tuned in and will have the team well prepared.

"One thing I noticed about those games against Glen, you could see the shape they were in. And you could see that also for Tyrone against Armagh, how well conditioned they were.

"He's going to have all those boxes ticked. That's the type of manager he is. 

"But I'm sure Jim will have his work done as well. It's going to be a fascinating game. There will be lots of plots, player match-ups, kick-out strategy. The first 20 minutes will be interesting to see how it's going to pan out."

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One player who is vital to Donegal on Saturday is Ciaran Thompson and his clubmate knows all about what Thompson can offer. According to Fr Seán's records Thompson will be playing his 47th championship game for Donegal on Saturday, an unbroken run since his debut in 2016.

"He's been fantastic this year. But if you look back on his Donegal career, Ciaran has really played well in all the big games, even in the Ulster final and games they lost. And I think sometimes he doesn't get the recognition he should. 

"Similar to Tony (Anthony) when he was playing. Tony was arguably in our best four or five best players in Donegal at the time but maybe because they stay out of the media, they don't get as much attention.  Anthony Thompson should have had an All-Star for his play with Donegal over the years.

"Ciaran is the same. Them boys don't worry about All-Stars, they just love playing football. Ciaran is a credit to Naomh Conaill. He was the first man down in the dressing room on Sunday when we were playing Kilcar, talking to players, getting water into boys. Not only is a great county man but a magnificent club man as well and he deserves all the plaudits that come his way."

Apart from his general play, Thompson is now vital because of his ability to hit the two pointer under the new rules.

"Teams know that he has this in his locker but Ciaran knows where to be at the right time. In the Ulster final he kicked two great two pointers. And if you look back at that game you wouldn't think he was going for them but Ciaran knows what he can do. He will be targeted heavily on Saturday evening but Ciaran stands up when needed. It's a big asset for Donegal to have him there," said Molloy, who said he also has a great pair of hands even though he is not overly big for a midfielder.

"Donegal will need him on Saturday evening because when you look at Tyrone with Conn Kilpatrick and Brian Kennedy, who are arguably up there among the best five midfield pairings in the country.

"You will need Ciaran alongside Michael Langan. It should be a great battle," said Molloy, who felt that Hugh McFadden had also done well in the area this year.

"He did a mountain of work in the league games. Hugh has a great temperament and he's a good lad too. If there's a game he's not starting he puts the team first and he has a great attitude about him. It was great to see him get such a big score (goal) in the Ulster final. It's great to have a moment like that. He has given a lot to Donegal football over the years and he deserves all the plaudits."

Molloy also feels that the return of other players to make the squad stronger will be vital going forward.

"It was massive to get Caolan (McGonagle) back on the field the last day. I think it shored up the middle and I think Donegal missed that in the first few games of the championship. He's a massive leader in that group and had a massive year last year," said Molloy.

"I think it is great to have Jason McGee back as well and I think he will have a big part to play in this championship. He didn't look out of place and is comfortable with the ball. It's great to have such depth within the squad.

"It's the one thing you have to say about the Donegal squad over the last few years. This is the strongest squad; when you see the likes of Niall (O'Donnell) not starting. Niall would get on most teams around the country and how well he did the last day. Then you have the likes of Stephen McMenamin; there's plenty of ammo on the bench, and you will need that.

"It will be all on the day. I think it will be a tough game and close. I don't think it will be as easy as we got it in Ballybofey last year. I think it will be more along the lines of last year's Ulster semi-final.  Tyrone will be hurting after the Armagh game and there is always a kick in them.

"But they have struggled in Ballybofey over the years too. But they have the likes of Michael McKernan, Conn Kilpatrick, Brian Kennedy in the middle of the park and (Darren) McCurry and the Canavans are playing well and Peter Harte is still there. They also have Mattie Donnelly and Padraig Hampsey. If they can get all of them back, they were leaders when they won the All-Ireland a few years ago.

"But I think Donegal at the minute are on a mission this year. They have to push on and go one better. It starts on Saturday on the All-Ireland journey.  I think at the minute Donegal are that three, four points better than Tyrone but I'm expecting a close game," said Molloy.