McShea's Say: McKenna Cup lessons can be carried into NFL test against Cork

This weekend sees Donegal footballers begin their quest to regain their NFL Division 1 status when they welcome Cork to Ballybofey for their opening game in the National football league. 

I was in Omagh on Saturday evening for our McKenna Cup fijnal defeat to Derry, and while the result was disappointing there was still a degree of encouragement in the display. 

Derry were pretty close to full strength apart from Conor Glass who confirmed his class in the All-Ireland club final in Croke Park on Sunday with yet another man-of-the-match display. 

Scoring just six points didn’t do much to remove questions about Donegal’s potency, but playing conditions were dreadful in Healy Park. 

Donegal played against what could best be termed as a mini blizzard in the opening half, and the consensus among the good Donegal numbers that travelled to support the team was that the young side was still very much in this game at the interval. 

Although we started the second half with the breeze, Derry seemed to be playing better against it. They drove on. In the end, they dug out a deserving win at 0-12 to 0-6.

However, there is always learning in these situations something Donegal boss Jim McGuinness alluded to after - Donegal now know where they are at. 

And this defeat to Derry is by no means a crisis point. But Donegal know that they need to push on as a group. No one in the Donegal camp is trying to pretend that things are great. 

I’m sure after Saturday, in Omagh, that there was much talk about taking responsibility and self-improvement. Those players who get a jersey against Cork will be asked to stretch themselves to new heights. 

Jim McGuinness obviously played a serious role in getting his players through the psychological challenge of preparing for the All-Ireland final back in 2012.

Today’s players now have direct access to him. They need to develop an observing self and, in doing so, step back and solve problems more creatively and objectively. 

McGuinness will dig deep to find ways of improving their outlook on their game, to get them thinking about their personal role and how they will improve.

Derry are a very good side, they are creative and very athletic and on Saturday they did a fine job of pressing new Donegal ‘keeper Gavin Mulreany’s goal kicks. 

The St. Nauls man had a very good match in the Donegal net and he kicked two top-class points from distance with his unorthodox but very effective kicking style. 

With Gavin and Shaun Patton vying for the one spot, Donegal are now very well served in the number one position. After Glen winning their club All Ireland on Sunday and Derry going well, there will be great pressure on The Oak Leafers to achieve this year. 

And the real validation of them will be measured by nothing less than an elusive second All-Ireland title So when Donegal head to Celtic Park for their opening Ulster championship game in three months’ time, the real pressure will be on Derry. 

A good league campaign with a return to Division 1 would be just the tonic that Donegal need in preparing for the championship, and it is imperative to win home fixtures if promotion is to be achieved. 

Rebel test 

Cork had a good win in the McGrath Cup on Sunday when they beat a Kerry side that had about half of their All-Ireland final team on board.

I have no doubt about Donegal’s ability to make progress this year. The vibe in the county is good. 

Donegal do have the players with the ability to play in the league’s top division, but the second tier is also speckled with quality sides and the importance of a winning start against Cork cannot be overstated. 

With a good home support, the excellent record in Ballybofey will, I believe, be extended and I see Donegal picking up two precious opening points against Cork.

Sympathy

It was with much regret that I learned of the death of Dungloe’s Fred Sweeney at the weekend. Fred was a member of Dungloe’s championship sides in 1957 and 1958 and, after he retired from playing, he became one of the top referees in the county. 

He was also a wonderful supporter of Donegal and he was excellent company. He always enjoyed a discussion about football. One of nature’s gentlemen, Fred was predeceased by his wife Nora and to his family I extend my sincere sympathy.