McShea’s Say: Donegal should underestimate Fermanagh at their peril 

I always considered Fermanagh footballers to be flattered and proud to be considered someone who had the capabilities to represent their county and their community. 

They always saw wearing the green jersey as something to relish and, because they are our neighbours, the colour of the Donegal jersey always saw them give absolutely everything when the sides met. 

When the sides meet once again on Sunday, in Letterkenny, it will be no different and Donegal will need to be very well prepared for what will be quite a battle for two crucial points. 

The fact that both sides are unbeaten after the opening two rounds of the league will add additional spice to this game. 

Fermanagh had a very good win against Kildare, scoring 2-10 to their 0-12 while their first game saw them draw with Colm O’Rourke’s Meath on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-12.

There are several qualities in this Fermanagh group that make them very dangerous opponents. 

The first is competitiveness, the inbuilt capacity, whether through nurture or nature, that makes them go the extra mile. 

The second key ingredient is confidence. Confidence can be a fragile item, easily affected by managers, supporters and the media. The positive start to this campaign will only have enhanced the Erne County side. 

But confidence was never an issue when Donegal are the opposition. Composure is another key ingredient that this visiting team have in abundance. 

When the chips were down late in both the Meath and Kildare games, Fermanagh showed a resilience which was admirable. All these qualities add up to the key quality, focus. 

This can be the hardest one of all especially if things are not going well, but Fermanagh this year have focussed on their goal with a dispassionate eye, as they are playing as if they believe that their limits are whatever they want them to be. 

I spoke to Patsy Treacy this week, who has the distinction of sponsoring Fermanagh for the last 35 years, the longest sponsorship in Gaelic Games. 

Patsy is quite simply a football addict and when his beloved Fermanagh are not involved, he throws his support behind Donegal. 

He has a photographic memory for all things Gaelic and he told me a story about my good friend, the late Cormac McGill, better known as ‘The Follower’. 

Before a Donegal and Fermanagh game some years ago Cormac, in his preview, said that he would eat his hat if Fermanagh were to win that match. 

They did win the game and Patsy rang Cormac on the Monday to tell him that he would give him the choice of ten different hats and he could pick any one of them  to devour! 

As a result of this Patsy and Cormac became very good friends. My discussion with Patsy confirmed my opinion that this will be a difficult game. 

He was quietly confident about his team’s ability to win in Letterkenny and believed only for kicking several wides they would have beaten Meath with a bit to spare. 

Donegal, at home, will understandably go into this match as favourites but that kind of expectation places additional pressure on the players. 

But the return of Jim McGuinness has galvanised the team and seen them get into the rhythm of county football. 

Kieran Donnelly, the Fermanagh manager, has his team playing a very direct brand of football. They are moving the ball at pace and, in Ultan Kelm, they have an elusive forward who will be quick to take up any slips that might occur in the Donegal defence. 

The two Cullens, Lee and Che, in the visiting defence, are both quality players and teak tough tacklers. No doubt Donegal can expect Fermanagh’s game to combine a spicy cocktail of intense passion and bone-crushing commitment. 

So it will be interesting to see the home team’s line out. In their games against Cork and Cavan, Donegal prevailed while playing a few newcomers in each match. This was particularly gratifying and has shown that players have already shown that they can perform on the big stage. 

No doubt McGuinness will again shuffle the pack in Letterkenny but in the belief that Donegal have the stronger squad at their disposal, I expect a home win in what has the potential to be a tough examination of Donegal’s credentials. 

Because of the extended Donegal panel, it is going to be a real fight and struggle to get places on the team and keep those same places. 

That, apart from a desire to return to the top division of league football, is significant motivation for every Donegal player but getting a county jersey should be more than enough motivation.

Ambran na Bhfiann 

I was delighted to see the Ulster Council decide to initiate a course for those people who will be charged with singing the national anthem at our matches. 

Watching eight-year-old Stevie Mulrooney singing the anthem before the rugby international on Sunday was an uplifting experience. 

He was simply brilliant and could be used by the Ulster Council to coach their singers. This youngster is an incredible talent and well done to the Rugby authorities for giving him the honour of showcasing his beautiful voice on such a big stage.