A case to be made for the Donegal defence - Joyce McMullin

Donegal’s start to the year under Jim McGuinness, both in the Dr McKenna Cup and the Allianz League Division 2 has impressed former Donegal star Joyce McMullin, but he has a slight worry about the defence.

McMullin is looking forward to the challenge that will be presented on Sunday in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon (2.00 pm) when Donegal entertain Louth, a team that seems to have a penchant for scoring goals.

Louth come to the county for round five of the league with much to play for. They might have only one win from their four games to date, but they have been competitive in all their games, running Armagh to a point in the Athletic Grounds; Cavan to two points last weekend and Meath to two points in Navan. Their only win came at home to Cork in Ardee beating Cork 2-9 to 0-13.

Donegal have won three and drawn last weekend against Armagh so far and according to the former Donegal All-Star, Joyce McMullin “are in a strong position.”

“We have been really good so far and promotion is almost within reach with a couple of home games to come.

“We should have won in Armagh on Sunday last, we had our chances, but in the end a draw was probably a fair result. It is probably better that we didn’t win as we know now that we can do it if we meet them later in the summer.

“We will likely qualify with Armagh for promotion and a Division 2 final but the championship is a long way off and we have to get a lot of ducks in a row before that,” said McMullin.

But while the Four Masters man has been impressed with performances so far, he has a concern about the Donegal defending.

“The team is very hungry and keen and they are playing a good brand of football, playing well within themselves. Up front has been particularly good, but from a defensive point of view I would be a wee bit concerned. We are being pierced a little easy and it has happened against Cork and again in Armagh on Sunday. Sometimes we are too easily gotten at.”

But overall, McMullin can see that the ‘McGuinness factor’ is very positive. The position that they are in now, seven points from four games, with two home games to come, gives the manager the chance to keep trying things.

“It is an ideal situation for Jim McGuinness. He is able to rest the injured players and give them time to get those injured sorted and at the same time give squad members a great chance to put their hand up. McGuinness is the master of keeping all interested and keen. And when they do get out on the pitch they are ready and concentrated. That is the essence of good management,” said McMullin.
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1434819/mcguinness-eoghan-ban-gallagher-has-a-bit-to-do-to-make-latter-stages-of-league.html

One concern at the moment centres on the recent injury to Eoghan Bán Gallagher, picked up in the game against Cavan in Breffni Park. It looks as if the Killybegs man may not be ready for a number of weeks yet.

“A groin injury can be tricky and it is one of those injuries, it is hard to know when you are ready  to go. Eoghan Bán Gallagher is not a three-quarter pace man, it is full tilt with him.

“H’s getting the chance to get rested and prepared because Donegal are comfortable in the league and if you have him for the championship, that would be good

“He may have to write off the league at this stage and I don’t think McGuinness will be overly disappointed in that. He will give him time to be back 100 percent.”

McMullin thinks Sunday’s game will be a good test for the Donegal defence as they have got goals in recent games and it will be interesting to see if our rearguard can stop them.

“Caolan McGonagle is good at centre-back and is particularly good at going forward and that’s his game. But he probably has to be more dominant as a defender.

“I know it’s not six against six nowadays but it is important to have players who defend as well. Ryan McHugh is a really good player but not a really big hitter and even Eoghan Bán Gallagher, when he comes back, is more of a go-forward player.

“We have not been producing those sticky defenders in the past, the likes of the McGees, and that would be my only concern for the team.”

On the plus side McMullin, a dashing forward himself, is really enjoying the forward play of the new-look side.

“It is a joy to watch the boys up front. Patrick McBrearty doesn’t want to stand still and we’re not used to him playing like this. He was always putting the ball over the bar but now he has a new dimension, drifting out the field and he’s good at it.

“That’s what Jim McGuinness does, he gets the best out of players. He probably said to Paddy ‘you can’t stand in the corner, you have to get on the ball’.

“You have Oisin Gallen as the target man and Jamie Brennan is really keen and working hard. You need everyone working.

“But overall, it is nice to see the team in the position they are in and you would feel that they are not going full tilt yet.

“You would expect them to get the points at home to Louth on Sunday, but thinking like that can be dangerous. We are much better than Louth, but I’m sure McGuinness will not take them lightly,” said McMullin.
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1435295/donegal-minors-begin-their-ulster-minor-league-campaign-in-cavan-on-saturday.html

The Donegal Town man had a few outings against the Wee County but remembers one particular game in Dundalk in the 1980s when he was  only coming onto the team.

“There was a famous game in Dundalk which was rough and there was trouble every couple of minutes. There should have been a heap of players sent off but none were.

“I remember it was very intimidating for a young player but we had Martin Griffin, Michael Lafferty and Seamus Bonar looking after us.”