Donegal boss Jim McGuinness confident Shaun Patton will be ready for championship 

Jim McGuinness says he is confident that first-choice goalkeeper Shaun Patton will be good to go come April 26 and their Ulster SFC opener with Down. 

The St Eunan’s man has yet to make an appearance this season with deputy Gavin Mulreany in superb form in his absence.

READ NEXT: Peadar Mogan hits late two-pointer as 14-man Donegal share points with Galway 

Padraig Mac Giolla Bhríde will be needed for the Donegal U-20s in the coming weeks with Mark Anthony McGinley coming back in as back-up to Mulreany at Fr Tierney Park at the weekend. 

McGuinness was speaking after Sunday’s 1-17 to 0-20 draw with Galway in Ballyshannon where Peadar Mogan’s late two-pointer shared the spoils for the hosts.

And pressed on an exact timeframe for Patton’s return to the fold, the manager explained he simply can’t be rushed. 

But did say that he does expect him to be ready in time for the visit of the Mourne men to Letterkenny.  

“I never try to fudge these questions,” he said. “But Shaun’s going to be another period of time. Mark Anthony McGinley came in today as cover. And we’re grateful to have him. 

“It’s great he’s come in and we just hope we can hold onto him now for another while. 

“Gavin has done really well and that’s been a big positive with the run of games and the confidence it gives you. 

“Shaun had a bit of work done and we’re just trying to get that right now. We definitely won’t rush it”. 

On being ready for Down’s visit to O’Donnell Park, he explained: “We do expect that, we definitely do. But there are markers with these things now that have to be met. 

“The physios, when they see fit, will hand him over to S&C and S&C, when they’re ready,  will hand him over to us. Then there is a period of time where he’ll have to be built up.

“And all of that will be based on numbers. So the most important thing is how he responds to all of that”.