Donegal simply have to knuckle down if they're to salvage season - Molloy

Anthony Molloy says Donegal’s players and its management must now park all distractions and “knuckle down” to business.

It’s been a period of unprecedented turbulence on and off the field for Donegal GAA. But with Aidan O’Rourke confirming his intentions to see out the remainder of the 2023 season as interim senior football manager, Molloy says a line in the sand simply has to be drawn.

O’Rourke, who was brought on board as the team’s coach late last year, was thrust into the managerial role last week following Paddy Carr’s resignation as manager. Ex Derry star Paddy Bradley will also remain put as O’Rourke’s assistant.

“Listen, we simply have to knuckle down and start lifting spirits ahead of Down in Newry,” said Donegal’s 1992 All-Ireland winning captain. “We’re the talk of the country for all the wrong reasons.

“And we do have to get that element of it, off the field, in order. But for the sake of Donegal football alone, right now, the players and the management have to get the heads down. We’re less than four weeks out from going to Newry.

“Take a step back, it’s not the end of the world going down to Division 2. Jim McGuinness and Donegal went to Division 2 in 2013 if I’m not mistaken. Now, we have a number of real issues to address behind closed doors.

“And they’re big ones, without a doubt. But get that business done in a professional and dignified manner. What I’m talking about for now is on the field, let’s start from scratch. Supporters are disillusioned and even angry. And I get that.

“But let the team get on with it now. Give them space and leave unhelpful comments, be that social media or wherever, out if it. We’ve had an amazing run since 2011. Bear that in mind. If we’re in the right shape and in the right frame of mind, we can go to Down and get a result.

“But we need to forget all the background noise right now. If we win in Newry our summer would open up for us given the side of the draw we’re on”.