Mac's View: Difficult day on Sunday for Donegal but we are in the Ulster final

It was a difficult day for Donegal on Sunday in Celtic Park against Tyrone and I have to say we were flat in the first half, particularly. It was never going to be an easy game but we just didn’t get to the pitch in the opening half.

Indeed, it was worrisome as we talked about the game at half-time. We had only scored five points and had some bad wides. It was refreshing the game that Tyrone were playing and they were dominating possession.

But we came out in the second half refreshed and and the longer the game went on the stronger we got. But it took us quite a while to get on terms and you would have to say that Tyrone faded and the extra-time that they played against Cavan the previous week seemed to take its toll on them.

We got back  on terms when their ‘keeper Niall Morgan spilled a ball and our full-back, Brendan McCole was in the right position to tap over. Fair play to him for being there and also to corner-back Mark Curran for his part in the score as he was the man that contested for the ball.

A win is a win and it was nice to win without playing well. It is a good wake-up call for the Ulster final on Sunday week. We were on a high after the win over Derry the previous week and the manner of the victory. Maybe we were reading too much into that game.

Tyrone were always going to be a tough game and remember it is only a few years since they won an All-Ireland. They might have a few new faces but they also have some great experience and Mattie Donnelly and their ‘keeper Niall Morgan were outstanding. They drove the whole Tyrone team.

But overall as the game progressed we came more and more into it. Ryan McHugh had a fine second half and the big Cloughaneely man Jason McGee hit two quick points. He has come on a power and is a lot fitter. He is a huge man and is now a real leader too.

We had to play without our goalkeeper Shaun Patton, which was a huge loss. Gavin Mulreany came in and he is a very steady player. But we know the value of Patton’s long kick-outs. You had to enjoy some of the kicking which the Tyrone ‘keeper, Niall Morgan, did during the game with frees and one pass to the No 10 was the highlight of the game.

Big Jason McGee is getting better and better for Donegal - McEniff

But what is exciting is that there is more in the team and Jim will take more out of them for the Ulster final. And he will have to because Armagh will be a different kettle of fish altogether. This is do or die for Kieran McGeeney.

What was pleasing about the day was that there was a great Donegal crowd at the game. That was evident on the roads going to the game and afterwards. We decided to come home by Strabane and we got a fairly straight run as there weren't that many Tyrone people there.

It was nice to go down on the pitch afterwards and I met Jim. The supporters also enjoyed that atmosphere. I couldn’t say I enjoyed the day, but I did enjoy the win.

ALL-IRELAND SERIES DRAW

The draw for the All-Ireland series was made on Tuesday and you have to say it is not fair on the provincial finalists that the draw is made before those four finals are played.

There will be 24 games to reduce the last 16 down to 12. We have said it before that this has to be looked at. The four teams that will be eliminated, you could nearly pick the four before a ball is kicked. If you win one game you will more than likely remain in the hunt.

It is taking a wee bit of bite out of what should be championship. There is no reward for winning your provincial title and it smacks of just gathering revenue with more games.

Donegal, after beating Derry and Tyrone, will have to meet one of them again - Tyrone in Ballybofey if they win Ulster or Derry in Celtic Park if they finish runners-up.

If you look at the Connacht final, and the way the draw has panned out, you would be seriously thinking of finishing as runners-up.

But it is what it is and we have to run with it for now. But I would suggest that it be looked at going forward.

Last weekend was another good weekend for Mickey  McCann and the hurlers in the Nickey Rackard Cup with a big win over Monaghan, which sets them up nicely for the final two games away to Roscommon and Louth.

Our minors, however, suffered a setback in Newry against Down but hopefully they can get back on track on Saturday in Fr Tierney Park when they host Monaghan. I remember we beat Monaghan at that venue back in 1959.

Finally this week, my sympathies go to Maxi and Barney Curran and the Curran family in Glen, Carrigart on the death of their father. May he rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell