Seven things we've learned from Donegal's National League approach so far

Jason McGee is crucial to Donegal’s cause

For the third time in a row, the importance of keeping Jason McGee fit makes our ‘Seven things…’ list. McGee showed against Kerry and, Joe O’Connor in particular, that he can hang with the Kingdom’s main middle man.

McGee won both throw-ins in Ballyshannon and it just makes you wonder, could July’s All-Ireland final have been pushed a different direction early on had the big Falcarragh man been available from the very off?

Forget about zonal and man-to-man systems, too much has been made of that. Donegal’s inability to get a hand on both primary possession and breaking ball in that disastrous first half at Croke Park hurt them badly.

But the sight of McGee back in the mix and with Hugh McFadden looking like he wants to raise the bar once more after a brilliant 2025, Donegal look very well-equipped around that middle third.

All-Star midfielder Michael Langan will also be there as will Caolan McGonagle, stepping up on restarts.

But those around them will also need to be prepared, on occasion, to put their heads in where it might hurt on breaking ball.

If Donegal are on top around the middle, under the new rules, they’ll be able to play most games on their terms.

That crucial foothold just wasn’t present for quite a while in the All-Ireland final. By the time it was, after the introduction of McGee and McFadden, it was just too big an ask.