Promotion was a major focus for the group - Jim McGuinness

Donegal continued their very good Allianz League Division 2 campaign with a fifth win to clinch promotion back to the top flight with a game in hand.

They powered through the second half in Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow to account for a pointless Kildare  side, who fought hard for three quarters of the game but then faded.

For Donegal manager, Jim McGuinness, it was the first box of the season ticked with promotion clinched. Donegal will now play Meath in the final series of league matches in MacCumhaill Park on Saturday next and then prepare for a Division 2 League final against old rivals, Armagh on Easter Sunday in Croke Park. Armagh were big winners over Cavan in their round 6 game, 2-21 to 0-12.

“We’re delighted. I suppose it’s the first step for the group in many respects. We wanted to get back to Division 1 obviously,” said McGuinness, speaking to the assembled press outside the dressing room afterwards.

“From the very first day it was a major focus for the group and delighted with the attitude, honesty, and the efforts. Still not the finished product but very happy with the second half there, moved the ball very well, kicked some very good scores and some very good scores left behind.

“Overall, a nice progression through the National League, a very positive campaign for us; put an awful lot of scores on the board and our transitional game starting to come to the fore there tonight again. Listen, we’re very happy and obviously nobody got injured and we invited a couple of boys back in tonight as well, it was great.”
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1451992/donegal-too-strong-for-kildare-as-they-clinch-promotion-back-to-division-1.html

The manager was happy with many performances and agreed that his No 7, Peadar Mogan, had an outstanding outing despite starting at corner-back.

“The way things are at the moment, they are playing in every position anyway, interchanging. To be honest it depends on the phase of play. You could have a corner back playing corner forward in a kick-out press and equally they could be man-marking at the other end.

“Very, very happy with him, more than anything his timing. His timing was exceptional coming on to that ball at pace and kicked some beautiful scores.

“Obviously we have three other full-backs that we will be hoping to get back at some stages as well.

“It’s great obviously Bán and Brendan and Stephen McMenamin and Caolan McColgan and all those lads. It gives you a chance to look at other fellas and that’s been great.”

The Donegal final tally included just one point from a placed  ball (a mark from Oisin Gallen) and McGuinness had a smile on his face when answering a question on the statistic.

“That’s probably because we never got any frees,” said McGuinness. “No, listen, a very positive night for us. There is always that wee bit of pressure when you get to the final furlong. Obviously, you want to get over the line. Kildare were here tonight and you knew by them they were fighting for their lives and they brought that intensity and energy.

“We had to ride that out as well and were happy with the second half, “ said McGuinness.