Jim McGuinness unperturbed in relation to Donegal’s league final hopes 

Jim McGuinness says Donegal will approach next Sunday’s final NFL outing away to Monaghan in the exact same manner they’ve gone into the previous six. 

If Donegal see off already relegated Monaghan in Clones, they’ll make the Division 1 showpiece at Croke Park. 

READ NEXT: How the Donegal players rated in their NFL loss to Roscommon

Kerry now lead the way in the top tier on score difference, locked on nine points with Donegal. Behind that, Mayo and Roscommon sit on eight each. 

So, as usual, there is still scope for real movement at the top of the pile ahead of the last round of action. 

Donegal’s fate remains in their own hands. Still, when pressed on that, McGuinness says his and his side’s ambitions at St Tiernach’s Park are the exact same as they have been throughout the campaign to date. 

“There’s a good few permutations,” he explained. “Kerry and Armagh that’s a big one. If Roscommon win the next day they have a chance of being in the final as well. 

“We’re not bothered either way. If we win the game we get there, if we don’t it just gives us an extra week to prepare for Down. We’re getting a lot out of the league and we want to keep that going”.

Meanwhile, the manager says the likes of Oisin Gallen, Shane O’Donnell and Ciaran Moore are currently sidelined with “soft tissue” complaints but could be back in contention for next weekend. 

“They aren’t far away. They are soft tissue complaints so we’ll just see where they’re at this week. We’d four half-forwards missing today. 

“But the knocks aren’t too serious and they’ll be back very shortly”.