McShea's Say: Cool logic is required off the pitch and on for Donegal to progress

Saturday evening in Ballybofey when Donegal were comprehensively beaten by Tyrone in the championship, will I hope to be a defining evening in the future of Donegal football.

Like all Donegal followers, I was disappointed leaving Mc Cumhaill Park but I was not surprised at the result, with Tyrone winning 1-18 to 0-13. Much must change if we are to witness a revival in Donegal’s fortunes at inter-county level in the medium to long term.

In a year of non-stop controversy, which was largely self-inflicted, it was always going be difficult to make a positive statement on the field of play. After Declan Bonner's decision to stand down as team manager the fact that it took almost 100 days to appoint a new manager was simply incredible and defied logic.

Paddy Carr was the man eventually appointed had his position was terminated within six months after a meeting with some senior players, and then Aiden O Rourke and Paddy Bradley took up the baton after being requested by Carr to do so.

League relegation was all but confirmed by then, before a first-round Ulster SFC exit to Down in Newry on an afternoon full of frustration and disappointment when Donegal completely failed to live up to expectations. This left Donegal followers in a pessimistic mood about the team's prospects in the qualifying rounds of the championship.

Wins against Clare and Monaghan saw some controlled optimism return in Donegal, but with the Red Hands practically led for all of the preliminary quarter-final and after the early minutes of the match they were in total control and went on to secure a relatively comfortable victory.

Tragedy struck Donegal in the second minute of this game when a mistake by Shaun Patton allowed Ruairí Canavan to put the ball in the net, but one would be clutching at straws if this was an excuse to justify Donegal’s demise.

Without an Acadmey for most of the year after Karl Lacey’s resignation followed by his 30-odd coaches, Croke Park came in to do an in-depth study of where things were at in the county.

Donegal are fortunate that in County Chairman Fergal McGee and County Administrator Noreen Doherty they have officials of the highest order, who will ensure the smooth running of our games and who will provide effective leadership in the development of the country’s infrastructure.

More pressing issues need urgent attention like getting the Academy up and running again, and the appointment of a new county team manager.

No Academy and no team manager are the most pressing of issues and Croke Park's blueprint in relation to the managerial appointment should go a long way to ensuring that the issues that evolved last time round will never again be repeated.
Our lack of success at underage level in Donegal is a cause for concern and there is a case to be made for a quick reopening of the Academy and a concerted drive to ensure proper competition for the post-primary schools in the county.

I know that there are several dedicated and enthusiastic teachers in our schools throughout the county who do promote the GAA, but when we look across the border at Derry’s ongoing success in this area, we have a lot of catching up to do.

Tyrone are also well ahead of Donegal when it comes to achievement at second-level schools in the province. There will be much speculation regarding the appointment of a new county team manager.

And as usual many names will be thrown in the ring before the position is filled. It is now more important than ever that the right appointment is made. I believe that time is of the essence regarding this appointment, as the club championship is almost upon us, as the new man at the helm will have to unearth some new blood very quickly.

It would be good to see the interview board for our new manager shop local, as there are some astute football brains in our midst, but if not I would again urge those involved to have a serious look at Malachy O’Rourke, the former Monaghan manager who has a very sharp football brain and who has enjoyed outstanding success at club level with Watty Grahams in Maghera in recent years.

For Donegal, on-the-field defeat against Tyrone - if used correctly - can be a starting block to getting Donegal GAA back to where it was a few short years ago. We have a special tradition of football in the county. It is time to get those players who were “unavailable” this season back on board, it is time to ensure that those players who are out injured back on board also.

Let us resolve the academy issue very quickly whatever that takes. We will look at Tyrone, Derry, Armagh and Monaghan, who are all in Croke Park this weekend, with a tint of envy and decide that we are not that far away.

All four teams would give their right hand for an Oisin Gallen or a Michael Langan. It is time for a unified approach to Donegal football once again. Sport is about grace under pressure. When you see it at the highest level it is something special. We got a real glimpse of that grace on Saturday night in Ballybofey when Darragh Canavan scored arguably the point of the year, early in the second. We are looking forward to seeing wee Darragh at work against Kerry at the weekend. Croke Park should be tailor-made for him.