Seven things to consider as Donegal look to book NFL Division 1 final spot

3. Goals are becoming an even more important part of Donegal’s arsenal

By round five of the Division 1 campaign last year, Donegal had just hit their first major as Shane O’Donnell found the net against Derry in Ballyshannon. Jim McGuinness’ men upped it a bit in the Ulster and All-Ireland campaigns (13 goals in 11 games), and they have since been a vital part of how they have won games. Every match so far, apart from the win over Mayo, has been decided by four points or less. And the win over Kerry is the only game in which Donegal haven’t scored more goals than their opponents. The defensive aspect of it has been equally as important, with the Kingdom the only side to break the Donegal rearguard and find the net past Gavin Mulreany. Roscommon are the runaway leaders for goals so far in Division 1, with eleven in their five games so far, and it will give a real test to the Donegal backline, who have defended with bodies on the line at times to keep their opponents out. Teams have been able to penetrate the Donegal defence, with Armagh and Galway both having multiple goal chances, but last-ditch defending and some great stops from St Naul’s man Mulreany have been able to keep them out, and Donegal will be hopeful of keeping that going this Sunday.