Donegal have an opportunity to be braver - Brendan Devenney

Brendan Devenney says the new Donegal management team need to be brave as they attempt to steer the side a new direction in 2023.

Paddy Carr’s men open their NFL account with a bang, at home in Ballybofey, with All-Ireland champions Kerry the guests on Sunday. At this moment, Devenney says it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from Donegal under the new regime.

But, he believes, things will become a little clearer after the weekend’s Kingdom test.

“With Michael Murphy’s retirement and how last season finished, you’re kinda wondering where exactly are Donegal at? New management has come in, in the meantime. So there are just so many question marks here.

“Kerry - you never want to be going down there. But first game after the All-Ireland, to have them at home, it’s a bit of a free shot for us really. They’ll obviously be missing lads but you can be sure they’ll be giving others a chance. And they’ll still provide serious opposition.

“It’s going to be really interesting to see what XV Paddy goes with from the start. It’ll also be good to see what kind of style we’re going to implement”.

Devenney explains that the approach to the NFL is still very different to that of championship when it comes to playing style. He calls it “looser”. And if Donegal are going to veer a different direction tactically, then certain gambles are going to have to be taken in the next few months.

“It’s going to come at them pretty fast,” he added. “Division 1 is unforgiving, in terms of quality all the best sides are involved. But the league still does give you that little bit more room for manoeuvre than championship.

“It might give us the chance to be a little bit more expansive. I love the league - it’s a great competition. We’re having this constant debate about rule changes and things that might make our games easier on the eye.

“But you rarely, if ever, hear that kind of talk during the league. It’s championship when that more cautious element of coaching becomes prevalent. So for a new Donegal team, we probably are going to have to be patient. The aim has to be to stay in Division 1. That would boost confidence across the board.

“I’d like to see us be that little bit more ambitious - mix it up. We can run it but let’s see can we add a direct element to things as well? You aren’t smothered in the league like you often are in championship so there is a chance for the management to put their own sort of stamp on things”.