McShea’s Say: Donegal brought real fire to Breffni Park as they pummelled Cavan

Jim McGuinness knew that going to play Cavan in Kingspan Breffni Park would not be one of those nights that would leave him thrashing about restlessly into the early hours, whatever the outcome. 

Looking at this Cavan team in the pre-match warm-up, they almost looked daunted. And while they stayed with Donegal for most of the first half, I never had any doubt about the outcome of the game.

Cavan have been stumbling for some time, but after a good victory against Mayo two weeks ago, the Donegal game provided an opportunity to go further than they had gone before - which, of course, brought more pressure and expectation. 

To their credit, Cavan did battle manfully in the first half of this encounter. But a superbly worked Donegal goal on the cusp of half-time saw the Ulster champions head for the tea break leading by 1-12 to 1-5. Even with the wind at their backs in the second half, I could see no way back for the home side.

And so it proved, as a Donegal team with exceptional pace and quality ball control - who traditionally play well against the elements - did so again and won the game with nineteen points to spare, delivering a very impressive second-half display.

After defeat to Tyrone in Ballybofey a week earlier, this was a most positive response to that setback. 

And after a few early nervous moments, there was much to enjoy about this performance for the very big Donegal following who made their way to the hospitable Cavan venue.

Once again, goalkeeper Shaun Patton missed out due to injury, and his replacement Gavin Mulreany did well. 

Finnbarr Roarty showed excellent football maturity in creating and scoring his first championship goal. 

Full-back Brendan McCole was again at his consistent best, while Ciaran Moore added to his growing reputation with a top-class display.

In the middle of the park, Hugh McFadden had yet another good game in what is his best season in the Donegal jersey. 

On his introduction at half-time, Oisín Gallen was back to his best, producing a top-class performance and scoring three excellent points. 

Oisín is without doubt one of Donegal’s six top forwards, and he would be one of the first names on my team sheet every time Donegal play.

It feels almost monotonous to yet again say that Michael Murphy gave another top-class performance, contributing seven points to his team’s total. But there is nothing as sensational as the truth, and the Glenswilly man was again exceptional in Breffni.

From the throw-in, Shane O’Donnell covered every blade of grass in Cavan. He won an abundance of quality ball and used it exceptionally well. 

I have never seen St. Eunan’s forward have a better game in his Donegal jersey. And any day a forward scores 1-4, as Conor O’Donnell did, it represents a significant contribution to his team’s victory.

The scene is now set for our next major fixture with Mayo in ten days’ time. This is what elite sport comes down to - if you are good enough. 

The chance to prove that you are a winner. No off day allowed. You must turn up and deliver. You must deal with the expectations, the heavy legs, and the pressure that puts butterflies in your stomach no matter how many times a team has walked the path to the summit.

The stakes are very high for the Mayo game, in what will be an occasion to look forward to and savour.

Looking at the U-20 final between Tyrone - who were winning their third title in four years when they beat a very good Louth team in a great game of football last week - suggests that the future of Tyrone football could once again be on the cusp of greatness, even if just a few of those young players make the breakthrough to inter-county fare.

Contrast that with our minor team leaking six goals against Meath, which suggests a real cause for concern. But the one thing consistent about minor players is their inconsistency, so let us hope that this was a freak result.