McShea's Say: No All-Ireland hangover as Donegal look even better than last year

I missed the Dublin, Mayo and Armagh games after spending some time in hospital, but I am back in good form again, and my sincere thanks to everyone who took time out to send me their good wishes. It was very much appreciated.

I did get to watch all the games on TV, and I thought that our display against Mayo was the best football that Donegal have played in the last four years. It was simply outstanding.

Going to Croke Park is always a difficult assignment, and we picked up the points there with a bit to spare, while winning in Armagh is never easy, but this was another impressive performance and, with a potential Ulster semi-final against Armagh, it was very important to keep them in their box.

In very difficult conditions in Ballyshannon on Sunday, with driving rain, Donegal and Galway served up a match of championship intensity and, to Donegal’s credit, having played for almost 40 minutes with 14 men, this was another excellent result. 

When Galway led by six points early in that second half, it did look as if Donegal were in real trouble, but the will to win, battling qualities, and some excellent football saw the spoils divided after a very enjoyable encounter.

The decision of manager Jim McGuinness to let Michael Murphy, Peadar Mogan and Finnbarr Roarty loose on Galway was crucial. All three were quite superb. Michael continues to amaze with the brilliance of his football; one pick-up off the ground was incredibly skilful, while his calming influence on his team is simply unquantifiable. 

Finnbarr Roarty is a human dynamo. An All-Star last year, he is well on his way to another one this year, such is the wonderful football he is playing, while Peadar Mogan showed exceptional determination and class to bang over that wonderful two-pointer in the closing moments of a great battle.

Donegal played in that second half as if, as a team, their self-respect was a personal matter. Their play in that second half, in awful conditions, was flamboyant. It was almost electric. With ten minutes to go, and with the great home support, I felt that we were not going to lose our unbeaten league record.

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Donegal deserve much credit for the excellence of their football since January; there is no question of a psychological hangover since last year’s All-Ireland defeat. 

Because of the introduction of new blood and the quality of football being played, I would be more optimistic about our prospects this year than I was last year.

Apart from the half-time introductions, there was much to admire in many other players’ positive input against Galway. Gavin Mulreany had an excellent game; Brendan McCole was his usual dependable self. Ryan McHugh is playing as well as ever; his assurance in possession is extremely reassuring.

Big Hugh McFadden and Michael Langan battled well, while Conor O’Donnell’s goal has to be a contender for goal of the year — it was a thing of beauty. The young Donegal lads, McCahill, Muldoon and the Carrs, along with Shea Malone and Paul O’Hare, are all players with a great first touch and are possessed with a footballing awareness beyond their years, while Jamie Brennan hit two fine points in the first half.

We are on the cusp of a league final appearance, and it would be excellent preparation for our championship campaign if we are to spend another Sunday back in Croke Park, and I believe we will.

Croke Park on Saturday

While one will acknowledge the right of any group to stage a peaceful protest, and while most or all protests are about very emotional issues, as was Saturday’s, it was not peaceful, and that was a most disappointing development.