Mickey McCann lauds Donegal players’ efforts after impressively taking Rossies’ scalp 

It was a much happier Donegal boss Mickey McCann as he looks forward to promotion to Division Two and an NHL final with Wicklow next Saturday in Aughrim.

For this was a thoroughly deserved Donegal win on a score of 3-20 to 0-19 and the margin of victory could have been much greater, but for fourteen wides and four shots at goal brilliantly denied by Roscommon keeper Enda Lawless.

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But McCann was happy his side banished the blues of a lethargic display against Wicklow a few weeks ago.

“We could have won by a lot more,” he told DonegalLive. “The first half goals won the game for us really and the last one killed off a Roscommon purple patch coming up to half time.”

And McCann lauded the new look combination of Josh Cronolly McGee and Richie Ryan inside. The two lads cause Roscommon a lot of problems, even apart from the goals.

“They are two big men and it is a new tactic for us and we went route one a lot today and we got three goals and with a bit of luck, could have had a few more.

“We put a lot of pressure on them and they had a sweeper, but Danny Cullen really countered that for us.

“Brian MacIntyre has a super game and Liam McKinney was moving well and Declan Coulter showed all his experience.”

Asked about ace scorer-getter Gerry Gilmore’s injury, he said: “Gerry is away for stitches in the hand.

“It was a reopened wound and his chances of making the Wicklow match next weekend are not good.

“But we are promoted now and that was the objective and there will be no risks taken in next week’s League final.”

And while McCann would like to win a NHL title the main objective has been achieved and his main concern at the time of talking was Gilmore. 

“Yes I would but if I had a choice of Gerry Gilmore for the League final or the first round of the Christy Ring Cup, it is a no-brainer.

“So it will take a week and if there is any hope he will be on but we are taking no chances.”

But, in Gilmore’s absence, the uber versatile Liam McKinney really revelled on the frees.

“He is a serious man and nothing fazes him as he missed an easy free and then went to nail all the rest and that shows his real quality.

“We are happy today. We performed poorly against Wicklow and they had good match-ups for us.

“Their full back kept tight on Richie Ryan in the match-ups so we will just have to re-think that for next Saturday.

“We create a serious amount of chances and they have a great keeper.”

But the news about Conor Gartland is not as good.

“He has a broken finger and thumb and will be out for a few months. Conor looks like he will be out for the Christy Ring Cup too and he is a massive loss.”

But the return of Stephen McBride is a huge plus for Donegal. He is available at present and he might not get back overseas with the army, given the current global situation and the war in the Middle East.

“Sean Ward is a different situation as he can’t get home and it would be great to have both of them.”

McCann added that he was now looking forward to be back up in Division Two.

“The Christy Ring Cup is our target and we owe Wicklow one and we will see how that game goes.”