Happy with promotion but performances could be better - Shaun Patton

Donegal won promotion back to Division 1 with a six point victory over Kildare on Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow but goalkeeper Shaun Patton feels there is still plenty to work on.

Patton wasn’t quite sure whether the win was convincing or not.

“A convincing win, maybe, tough to say. It wasn't an easy game for us. We didn’t perform as well as we would have hoped but at the end of the day our aim was to get back into Division 1 and we done that today. Happy with the result but again the performance could have been a bit better,” said the St Eunan’s man when speaking after the game.

There was plenty of rain during the game but Patton didn’t feel that conditions were that bad during the game.

“To be fair it wasn’t too bad. The pitch was in good enough shape, maybe a wee bit slippy. Again, back into Division 1 was the main one for us. We have ticked that box and we will look back over the performance to see where we can improve moving forward.”

For the last few games the Donegal ‘keeper has been operating behind a new-look full-back line with Ciaran Moore and Peadar Mogan moving back to cover injuries.

“All I can say is fair play to the boys in there; they have been rotating in and out. They have performed very, very well. I haven’t been put under too much pressure with the help of them boys. And it’s been brilliant to see that and again, the kick-outs, they have been going okay. We’re getting them away, but there’s plenty to work on, plenty more to do.”

With Meath next up on Saturday, could Donegal use more of the fringe players in a game that has no bearing on the table for either team.

“I can’t answer what Jim’s going to do. I’d say we will put the head down and work hard again as we have been trying to do all the time. We will look forward to  the Meath game and then the league final down in Croke Park,  which will be a nice day out.

“Listen, any day you get to play in Croke Park, it’s exciting. It’s fantastic and all I can say is we will put the head down and work hard.”
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1454109/mcguinness-teams-should-have-breathing-space-to-really-go-after-a-league-final.html

Asked about the year so far under new management, Patton says it hasn’t changed much.

“It’s been enjoyable, not much different than what we’re used to. We’re used to working hard, it is part and parcel of the game now. Every other team in the country is doing a lot of hard work as well. That’s just the way it is.

“Division 2 is not an easy division. Thankfully we got results. Maybe performances did not go our way but we dug out and got over the line. That’s the standard of intercounty football now.”

Asked if it has been easier to build momentum in Division 2, the ‘keeper again feels that is not an issue for him.

“To be honest I can’t answer that. That’s for management to look at. We’re given our job to  go out to play and enjoy the football when we can. I don’t focus on that; I leave that to the management to decide on, on what we need to build and on what we need to work towards.”

Patton missed out on the first game of the league due to a suspension picked up in last year’s championship and it gave Gavin Mulreany the chance to impress.

“Look, that’s just the cut throat business of intercounty football. I have Gavin (Mulreany) pushing me to the tilt every week. My own stupidity last year (red card) cost me the start against Cork. Gavin came in and did well and we won the game. There was no guarantee that I would get back in. And I couldn’t argue.

“Thankfully, I was given the game again the following week and I haven’t looked back. The hard work goes on behind the scenes between me and Gavin. Gavin is pushing me all the way in every session and hopefully it brings out the best in me.”