McShea’s Say: Worst thing Donegal can do is panic after Tyrone loss

On Sunday, the morning after Tyrone beat Donegal in Ballybofey, I met a GAA friend, and he said that being beaten by Tyrone was probably the best thing that ever happened. 

I disagreed with him, because I simply do not understand how being beaten in any sporting discipline has much, or anything, to recommend it.

Sunday’s win will do much for this Tyrone team’s confidence, because the small support that Tyrone had in Ballybofey was a surprise, as traditionally Tyrone were one of the best-supported sides not only in Ulster but throughout the country. 

The small numbers who did come to support their team were an indication that they expected Donegal to win this match with something to spare.

Of the 16,000 fans at the game on a very wet evening, no doubt most of them were loyal Donegal fans, and it is wonderful to see such support, consistent and surely a real encouragement to the Donegal panel. 

The inclement weather failed to dampen the spirit of Donegal’s support, and there was a carnival atmosphere in Mac Cumhaill Park before the throw-in.

Tyrone teams always seem to up their game at the sight of the green and gold jersey, and this yet again proved to be the case, as they were worthy winners in this encounter and were the better side on this occasion.

Yes, there were one or two strange decisions by the referee, but in Donegal we do not have a history of shifting the blame, and we will not start now.

In defeat, Donegal had some excellent individual performances. Yet again, Michael Murphy was simply superb. Murphy has played throughout his wonderful career as if he needed to feel a siege mentality. 

He plays as if he needs a cause. The only motivation I believe he needs is the feel of pulling his beloved Donegal jersey over those broad shoulders every time he plays.

The other Donegal player to excel against Tyrone was Michael Langan - he was back to his best. Michael had his best game since overcoming some injury problems, and we still look back fondly remembering the spectacular goals he scored in Ulster football a few short years ago. A few more of those scores would be just what the doctor ordered over the coming weeks.

Finnbarr Roarty is playing like a veteran in his first year as a senior inter-county player. Ciaran Moore also did well against Tyrone, while Brendan McCole was excellent against Darragh Canavan. 

To hold the Errigal Ciaran forward scoreless from play is a great evening’s work, while Ryan McHugh was, as usual, positive in possession.

The Ulster Final victory against Armagh provided one of the most glorious chapters in the entire history of Donegal football. The cold statistical detail of the game tells nothing of the display of utter heroism by Donegal, who found themselves trailing as extra time was almost over. What followed was an astonishing recovery, when other teams would have folded when the going got tough.

In trying to get a handle on why this was a far from vintage display against Tyrone, I don’t think I’m clutching at straws when I believe that the mental and physical effort it took to win Ulster this year was very much in evidence in Ballybofey.

I accept that Armagh did prevail against Derry last Sunday, but as champions, Donegal must expect that every side they meet will raise their game by 15 to 20 per cent when the Ulster champions are in the other corner.

Cavan will also have got a boost because of Donegal’s defeat last Saturday, and they will fancy their chances of causing another upset after beating Mayo. 

READ NEXT: Seven things we've learned from Donegal's All-Ireland series loss to Tyrone 

But I am very confident that Donegal will get the points in Breffni. We were pulling games out of the fire before last weekend - that is a great sign of progress - while the experience gained in close championship games is the best character builder of all.

I do believe that fatigue was the reason why so many of the Donegal side were off the pace last week. This energy deficit is a factor in missed chances (Donegal kicked 11 wides against Tyrone), while the vital first touch was also lacking in several of the team.

The other area where we need to be more clinical is close to goal, as we are not converting many of the opportunities to put up a green flag when we do create good chances.

The weather forecast for Cavan at 2pm on Sunday is for light rain, showers, and a temperature of 13 degrees. With another big Donegal following in Cavan, it is reasonable to expect that Donegal and Cavan will be level on points in this championship by 4pm later that same afternoon.