McShea's Say: The real business starts now for Paddy Carr and Donegal

It is only ten days until All-Ireland champions Kerry come to Ballybofey to begin what, on paper, looks like a NFL campaign that will be a really tough examination of Donegal’s credentials.

The McKenna Cup games against Down and Monaghan were far from ideal preparation for our league matches, the weather on both occasions was simply dreadful and, for a variety of reasons, Paddy Carr had to field teams that were significantly depleted.

It can be argued that the conditions were equally difficult for the opposition, but they both managed to win. And like Donegal, neither Down nor Monaghan were at full strength but they did have more regulars on board that the Tír Chonall men.

One position that Carr seems to have quality options is in goal. Shaun Patton has many good qualities even if he needs some work under the high ball, while Michael Lynch would get his place on many county teams. And St. Naul’s Gavin Mulreany is both a top class shot stopper and an excellent striker of the ball.

While 14 players got the taste of inter county football in those pre-season games, some of them only got fleeting time on the pitch and it was very difficult to access a footballer in such a short period of time.

No doubt by the end of this league we will have a very definite indication of where Donegal stand in the football pecking order going into our championship campaign. No county can have a monopoly on Ulster final appearances as Donegal have enjoyed over the last ten years, it was a golden era in the counties footballing history.

But players have all sorts of reasons for wanting success. First, there is one’s ego, which is not a bad reason if it doesn’t get out of hand. Another reason is to simply get the best out of oneself, to see how far one can go. There is also the honour of wearing your county jersey and the joy on your supporters’ faces if any success is achieved.

The quest for more is always there in any top sportsman, while in any top side there is a mixture of highly talented individuals, some talented but lazy individuals and another group of very committed but ordinary players.

Getting them all to mix into a formidable outfit means everyone giving up a piece of their own individuality for the team. I believe that more important than any one person associated with this Donegal team is the overall mood that prevails.

If morale and team spirit is good, then Donegal can take on anybody. So Paddy Carr and his mentors face many challenges in the coming months and it is to be hoped that most or all of the missing regulars will be togged in MacCumhaill Park for the visit of the Kingdom.

I noticed somewhere that Kerry Manager Jack O’Connor was considering resting the Clifford brothers for a month, which may mean that they might not be in Ballybofey. While watching such incredible talent is a special treat, in Donegal we would happily give them a few weeks off!

New captain
One of Patrick McBrearty’s best games in a Donegal jersey was in Kerry a few years ago when I believe he scored ten points. He simply scorched the Kerry defence that day. So it is appropriate to see him given the honour of leading out Donegal as captain for the first time with Kerry the opposition next weekend.

As captain, he will have to demand the highest standards both from himself and those around him. While it is a great honour to captain one’s county it undoubtedly carries additional pressure. The captain is never expected to play a poor game.
And it is also important not to be too hard on any young player. Having a go at someone can have the effect of making him tense up, especially a younger player who might not perform to his potential as a result.

Paddy McBrearty determined to guide Donegal back to the top

Donegal have named their new skipper and Paddy McBrearty says the aim for the side remains the exact same as they get ready to start their NFL campaign with a bang at home to Kerry