McShea’s Say: Donegal can keep momentum going against a Dublin team in transition

I was delighted to see Donegal win the McKenna Cup when they beat Monaghan in comprehensive style in Omagh on Saturday evening. 

There was much to admire about this young team's quality in winning all three games in style against Antrim, Derry, and Monaghan. 

While we acknowledge that the opposition were in experemintal mode, so too were Donegal and it was a major plus to see the young talent introduced by management play so well in difficult weather conditions, with a dark overcast sky, and heavy rain falling, it was not conducive to good football, but both managements were glad of the fixture ahead of the start of the football league next weekend.

The weather and underfoot conditions made things difficult for the players, but they got on with it, serving up a decent competitive game. In a match which Donegal never looked like losing, they were excellent in the closing quarter, driving forward relentlessly, and were so dominant that Monaghan didn’t mount an attack worthy of the name. 

When so many debutants are involved as Donegal played in the last week, it would be a positive if one or two looked ready to make the step up to the inter-county scene.

While I acknowledge that it is early days in the career of the new players, this week they looked as if they don’t do nerves as they looked a confident group who were undaunted at the prospect of playing inter-county football.

The underage managers in Donegal and Glenties have delivered some of the most exciting talent to emerge in the county for some time, and the hope is that many of the new boys will have extended careers in the green and gold. 

And it looks as if there was much emphasis on first touch because these players are very comfortable on the ball.

The other plus in the McKenna Cup was the incredible fitness levels of this Donegal squad. The pace of their ability to transition is most impressive.

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I just hope that level of fitness will be retained until July. Our established players are also going well, with Hugh McFadden a worthy man of the match winner against Monaghan. 

I expect that two or three of the new boys will get an opportunity to make their debut in Croke Park on Saturday when we open our league campaign against Dublin.

With Kerry coming to Ballyshannon a week later, two points from headquarters would be a great start to the league.

Dublin, under new manager Ger Brennan, are always a tough nut to crack at home, but with Dublin in a degree of transition, Donegal should be capable of getting this campaign off to a positive start.

Sympathies

Ballyshannon was a town in shock last Tuesday with the very sad news that one of the town's favourite people, Imelda McLoone passed away during the night, six short weeks after her husband Michael had died.

Imelda, who was a very good personal friend, was known for her good deeds, always carried out in a very private manner, her fine character, and her remarkable unselfishness.

When Imelda walked into a room, the atmosphere instantly became very positive because i never once heard her utter a negative comment. 

Her positive attitude was one thing that made her such excellent company. During Michael's illness, Imelda was just incredible, her care, love and kindness were simply inspirational and little did we believe that he would join her husband after six short weeks.

We are shocked and upset at this very sad news, but we hope that with God's help, her three boys, Michael, David, Philip, and daughter Caroline and the entire family will find the strength to cope with their incredible loss.

Phylis McGrath, who was in her 96th year, was a highly respected Ballyshannon lady who died over the weekend. Phylis, from Corn Hill in Ballyshannon, was widely known for her warm personality and was an exceptionally kind neighbour to those who lived in her area.

Predeceased by her husband, Michael, Phylis was a very talented bridge player who was a prominent member of Ballyshannon Bridge Club for many years.

Her son Michael is the former chairman of the Donegal GAA board, and her great-grandchildren are due to represent Ulster in the All-Ireland Scór finals in Limerick this weekend. To her family, we extend our sincere sympathy.