Mac's View: We got over line in Roscommon and that’s all that mattered

It was an up and down game for Donegal against Mayo on Sunday in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon. We had a very good first half but Mayo upped the ante in the second half and we just about responded with Ciaran Moore kicking the winner at the death.

In some ways I felt sorry for Mayo in the heel of the hunt. But looking at the way the draw went on Monday morning, they would have been away to Kerry in Killarney and maybe they dodged a bullet.

It was far from the perfect display from Donegal but we got over the line. Mayo put everything they had into the game in the second half and that’s the sort of side they are, up at it. They went man to man all over the field and showed good spirit. But they were poor in the first half and we should have been more than three points ahead at the break. But then they outscored us in the second half.

We had a very good crowd making the long journey to Roscommon and it is a fine venue for a game. I suppose we will always have to make journeys because of our geographical location.

The main thing from Sunday is that we are progressing in the championship and progressing as a team. And hopefully after Sunday next when we entertain Louth in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey, we will be in the quarter-final draw.

But we must not underestimate the challenge that Louth will bring to Ballybofey. They have, in Sam Mulroy, one hell of a player. I watched him against Meath in the Leinster final and his first four shots went wide. But he stepped up to the plate after that and hauled them over the line. They have plenty of other good players, especially around midfield and in the half-back line.

But in the heel of the hunt we should have enough players all over the field to take care of business. It was good to see Jason McGee back on the pitch on Sunday. He is a powerful big man and there  might be a case for starting him this Sunday.

And what can you say about Michael Murphy. He was man of the match again on Sunday and the football he is playing is unreal. He is the ultimate team player.

Ciaran Moore, too, was exceptional and was very close to being man of the match on the day. Young Caolan McColgan from Muff also did well and did a very good marking job on a much bigger man in Aidan O’Shea. It was good also to see Eoghan Bán (Gallagher) back to his best.

We will need to use the panel wisely now with games coming so fast but hopefully we will be planning for a trip to Croke Park after next weekend for a quarter-final tie.

Sunday’s game was a really entertaining game for the neutrals if not for those supporters of Donegal and Mayo, it being so close up to the final kick.

READ NEXT: The Alternative View: Murphy and Moore inflict more pain on Mayo in The Hyde

But we must not look too far ahead. We have to jump the next ditch in front of us and at the moment that is Louth. We just cannot underestimate the Wee County. They are Leinster champions and even though they may have celebrated a little, football in the county is a real high with their minors and U-20s all performing well this year. The GAA is going from strength to strength there at the moment and they will bring plenty of support on Sunday.

There is a full house expected and even though there may be some traffic issues on Sunday evening with the Donegal Rally also taking place, it will be an attractive outing. There are no back doors left now and it is all to play for. It’s win or bust from now on.

What an exciting weekend of football we had with the final round of games. Football is the new hurling with every group having something to play for. Galway did terribly well to come back from the death and defeat Armagh to stay alive. But they have a lot of good players and will be hard to beat. They have to travel to Down, and while they will be expected to advance, Down are also going well. They have a very good full-forward in Pat Havern.

I have to fancy Galway to come through and I expect Kerry to defeat Cavan and Dublin to get the better of Cork. Although I have been in Cork this week and they are fancying their chances.

One of the big surprises of the weekend was in the Tailteann Cup with Wicklow defeating Westmeath, who had been going well with Mark McHugh coaching this year. Then you had Limerick scoring goals for fun against Wexford while Fermanagh played very well to overcome Sligo.

There are two very attractive semi-final games in Croke Park on Sunday with Fermanagh taking on Kildare and Wicklow facing Limerick. It is a very good double header and the best of luck to our neighbours Fermanagh.

The best of luck to the Donegal Ladies against Tipperary this weekend as they need to win to stay in the championship after suffering a defeat last weekend at home to Galway.

Finally this week sympathies to the Smyth, Granaghan and Buggy families of Bundoran and Ballyshannon on the recent deaths of Marie Smyth (nee Granaghan) and Grainne Buggy, families steeped in the GAA in the two towns. May they rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell