Mac’s View: Donegal are really beginning to take shape

Donegal came through the preliminary quarter-final with little fuss against a disappointing Louth side.

It was a close first half, but Donegal put them to the sword early in the second half and the game was spoiled then with the black card to Peter Lynch. The floodgates opened after this and it became a non-event.

I was disappointed with Louth. I was involved with them in 2010 and they have always had a lot of heart, but  I didn’t think they would throw in the towel the way they did.

But to be fair to Brendan McCole, he played very well, he’s a good tight marker and that took Sam Mulroy away out the pitch, he kicked one good point but overall he was quiet.

The team is looking good right now. McCole is a fine marker, Finnbarr Roarty had a great game on Sunday and Oisin Gallen’s performance was a huge plus for the county. He has always had that in his locker and it’s great that he could show it like he did last year

Croke Park should suit him and Donegal in general, with the wide pitch.

Jason McGee got 35 minutes into his legs and Caolan McGonagle is meant to be close to a return, so things are beginning to take shape for Donegal.

We’ll not get too carried away, but we’re looking good.

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We’re into the real quarter-final now and I’m not happy that the fixtures committee are making us play at 4pm on Saturday. We’ve played more games than anyone else in the country and these are amateur players. They shouldn’t be expected to play so frequently and should have at the very least gotten the extra day.

But be that as it may, I’m sure Jim and the boys will use that as motivation.

But we can’t underestimate Monaghan, they have been a bit of a bogey side for Donegal over the years.

They’ve got pacey forwards, Micheál Bannigan is a great player as is Jack McCarron, sometimes he doesn’t start, but he’s a fine scorer.

Dessie Ward too, they are a gritty side and there was just two points separating the sides in the Ulster championship match but I feel we should have too much for them.

They have had a good break, but maybe they could suffer from a lack of match practice, whereas our run of games could stand to us.

It works both ways, we are playing a lot of matches in a short space of time but the players themselves and Jim will be wary of that, but I think we will be fine.

Getting to play at Croke Park is a special and it’s something for the players and supporters alike to look forward to.

However, with Donegal playing Monaghan, I’m curious as to why two Ulster teams couldn’t have played this game in maybe Omagh.

I think Omagh would have had enough to house the game, but there’s no point arguing about it now when we’re this close to the game, we’ll just get on with it.

I’d support any of the Ulster counties that are playing but when we’re playing one, it’s full steam ahead and there will be no quarter asked or no quarter given.

I have a good feeling about the game and the way Jim has the team set up defensively, the opposition are finding it hard to cope with that.

Monaghan scored 21 points against Donegal and as I mentioned, with their creative players, they will pose a threat but if Donegal can keep a close eye on Bannigan and McCarron, then we should have enough to stop them.

Looking at the other quarter-finals, I was in charge in 2003 when there were three Ulster teams in the semi-finals, ourselves, Tyrone and Armagh, and I wouldn’t be surprised if those three teams make it through to the final four this weekend.

It could all happen, Tyrone will have it tough as they have it all to do going to Croke Park to play Dublin. The Dubs should have the edge and if they have Con O’Callaghan back, then that will be a huge boost.

Galway should have too much for a Meath side who have been blowing hot and cold too frequently. Galway haven’t been as impressive this year compared to last year but they should have too much all around the pitch for Meath.

I fancy Armagh to beat a Kerry side that look to be having an injury problem at the wrong time. Diarmuid O’Connor and Mike Breen picked up knocks at the weekend, added to Paul Geaney, Tony Brosnan and Barry Dan O’Sullivan on the sidelines.

Armagh seem to be a team on a mission once again this year. They are a really good side and I think they should make it through a tough game.