Donegal manager Mickey McCann: 'We did enough to win so I am happy about that'

Donegal boss Mickey McCann had some pretty direct words to his charges after this less-than-impressive victory over Armagh in the Nickey Rackard Cup.

Donegal were the better team for long periods but were unable to pull away from their sticky opponents, who relished the swirling winds and heavy conditions before McCann’s team eventually won by 0-22 to 1-12.

“It was a scrappy game, and we were just not able to pull away from Armagh until near the end,” McCann said afterwards. “We would not be happy with our display at all, and they had a very good sweeper in Kieran McKernan. He had a great game and was very effective for them throughout. We tried a few different things, but he was able for them.”

McCann pointed to a “bad goal” as a key factor in the game, which was scored early on by Alex O’Boyle, which proved to be a lifesaver for the home side and helped keep them in touch.

“We did give away a pretty bad goal which gave them a bit of a platform and it stood to them for long periods and that goal came from a short puck out,” McCann added.

McCann acknowledged that the Armagh sending-off was probably worth a “ few points” after Orchard County sub Connor Renaghan rashly tugged at Conor Gartland’s visor.

“The sending-off did not help them but Liam McKinney was very good for us, and I believe that there is even more in him with his power, pace and accuracy,” McCann added. “And he kept the scoreboard ticking over when the likes of Gerard Gilmore and them were more quiet from play and we need to work on them as a lot of them were scorable. We did not score a goal again and Josh Cronolly McGee had a chance but it was saved.

“We did enough to win so I am happy about that but we knew that Armagh were going to give us a tough test on their home sod.”

McCann added that this game could be a wake-up call ahead of Mayo’s visit to O’Donnell Park next weekend.

“Maybe that is what we need going into a tough game with Mayo as it would be very difficult if we had lost here,” he added. “If we had lost today and lost to Mayo our Nickey Rackard campaign would be over so it was vital to get the points here.”