Mac's View: Different attitude in Donegal’s second half performance against Fermanagh

Donegal are in a good place after their win in O’Donnell Park on Saturday last against Fermanagh. After a difficult enough first half I felt we gave Fermanagh too much respect and let them dictate matters.

But we came out with a much different attitude in the second half and by all accounts we just blew them away because of our much improved work rate.

Dáire Ó Baoill gave an unreal performance. His  three points in the first half were badly needed to keep us in touch.

Then in the second half he worked the turnover on the Fermanagh ‘keeper and the goal more or less killed the game as a contest. I felt sorry for the ‘keeper, but in fairness to Ó Baoill it was not an easy kick to take on with the ‘keeper trying to get back. But it shows the confidence he has at the moment that he took it on and executed it perfectly.

The Gaoth Dobhair man was wearing the No 7 jersey, but he had  great licence to go forward and took full advantage.

The second half was a good half of football from a Donegal point of view. We have to  learn not to give teams the respect that we did in the first half on Saturday. Indeed, we were lucky enough to be a point ahead at half-time.

Then in the second half our attitude changed completely and we tightened up and closed them down. We also went at Fermanagh with much more pace and after the first goal it was game over.

There were some very good performances. We knew how good Dáire Ó Baoill was at club level a few years ago and he seems to have recaptured that form and long may it continue.

Our full-back Brendan McCole also had a fine game. There was much talk about the Belleek man, Ultán Kelm, being a key player for Fermanagh but McCole put the clampers on him.
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1428201/the-alternative-view-bogey-what-bogey-o-baoill-nails-it-for-donegal-against-fermanagh.html

It is a nice situation now for Donegal, sitting joint top of the table with full points after three games and I’m really looking forward to Sunday next and the trip to the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.

That will be the first real test for this team. Armagh are always tough, but at home they will provide a tough game. They are looking good also, winning their three games. But I don’t know if you could read much into their game last weekend against Kildare in Carlow. That Kildare team is a mystery right now. They put up a very poor show and it would seem that all is not right in their camp.

But in saying that this is a good Armagh side who have been there or thereabouts now for a few years.

I noticed from the comments after Donegal’s game that promotion was not something they were considering but it would be nice to get back up to Division 1. But it is probably good that we are in Division 2 this year in that it gives Jim McGuinness a better opportunity to blood players in a slightly less competitive environment.

It was nice to see Michael Langan back in the starting line-up on Sunday and hopefully Eoghan Bán Gallagher will not be out for too long as he is a vital member of the squad.

Ciaran Thompson went off on Sunday but he should be back and that is good news as he also is playing well.

Another aspect of Saturday’s game was the substitutions we made and their impact, which was great to see. They contributed five points and all seemed anxious to push for a starting place. That is what you want as a manager and it makes the overall panel much stronger. The more players we have the better.

That’s what makes Sunday’s game in Armagh so exciting. It will be a great challenge and I think Jim McGuinness said that Donegal will know where they are at on Sunday evening.

The two teams seem to be well ahead of the rest at this stage in the Division. They both had 14 point wins at the weekend and there is only one point between them on score difference.

I would say that Jim McGuinness is happy with the progress made so far. He knows he has a good, committed squad.

The Athletic Grounds is a great pitch but also has an intimidating atmosphere, being housed in a bowl shape, but the playing surface is very good. Hopefully there will be a big Donegal support because you can rest assured Armagh will turn out in big numbers.

Remember it is only two months to the Ulster championship and the trip to Celtic Park to play Derry and that Derry team are unmercifully fit for the time of year. Whether they will be able to sustain that I don’t know.

The game in Armagh is one of four big games in the Division this week with Cork travelling to Ederney to play Fermanagh with three losses so far. Defeat there and they could be looking at playing in the Tailteann Cup.

Kildare play Meath and they could be doomed if they lose in Navan while Louth take on Cavan in Ardee and the winners of that will have a great chance of finishing in the top half of the division.

Cavan got a great result in Cork at the weekend and they would seem to be the biggest challengers to Donegal and Armagh at this stage.

There was a nice touch before the start of Sunday’s game in O’Donnell Park with the Donegal GAA chairperson, Mary Coughlan, making a presentation to Owenie McBride and Sean McCormack, two members of the Donegal team that played Fermanagh at the same venue in 1960.

There was also a great article on our new chairperson in the Sunday Independent on Sunday last. Mary has handled the job well since she took over and is very capable and also has a world of experience. She has a way of taking people with her. Indeed, it was good to see the Co Board freshened up and we now have five ladies on the Executive.

The Donegal Ladies let the win in Monaghan slip from their grasp at the death on Sunday but at least they came home with a draw.

Our hurlers are  back in action this weekend when they travel to Carrickmore to play Tyrone and they are wished well.

As are the boys from the Abbey VS in Donegal Town along with our own Jamie Brennan, who travel to  Sligo to  take on Dunmore CS in the All-Ireland B semi-final. The game is in Kent Park, the home of St Mary’s, and I wish them the best of luck. They are doing the county proud at the moment.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell