Donegal manager Jim McGuinness gives Shaun Patton injury update

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness expects Shaun Patton to be fit for the Ulster final on Sunday week.

Patton played 55 minutes of the provincial quarter-final, a 4-11 to 0-17 win over Derry at Celtic Park, where he played a part in two Daire Ó Baoill goals having bypassed the home side’s press before withdrawing with a quad injury. The St Eunan’s netminder sat out the 0-18 to 0-16 semi-final victory eight days later over Tyrone at the same venue.

McGuinness praised Patton for holding his hands up against Derry, as any sort of prolonged injury might led to an absence of multiple games due to the condensed nature of the championship. The risk, McGuinness felt, was not worth taking against Tyrone. Donegal take on Armagh at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones on Sunday week.

“Shaun had a niggle and we felt there was no point in risking him,” McGuinness said. “He got injured in the Derry game and now he’s doing good and he trained on Thursday night. He stayed on as long as he could against Derry and made the decision himself.

“We’re happy with that. He’s a very mature lad and a smart boy who knows his own body. He is very professional in how he goes about his training and he made a good decision. That’s the type of culture we’re trying to build in the group - if you feel like you’re endangering yourself, no matter how big the game is, you have to make the right decision.

“He brought us so far in the game and his kick-outs brought such a threat. He didn’t want to put himself in a situation and do himself more damage."

Gavin Mulreany came in against Derry - where his booming kick-out led to a goal by Jamie Brennan - and started against Tyrone and McGuinness said the St Naul’s goalkeeper “did a brilliant job.”

McGuinness said: “Gavin executed things well and one of his balls over the top was delivered by him for a goal by Jamie Brennan. That’s what you’re looking for, is continuity between players and we are very happy with him."