'It was like a boxing match, there was a lot of energy and intensity' - McGuinness

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness praised the resilience of his players to fight strong for the full 70-plus minutes in MacCumhaill Park that saw his side emerge victorious in a 0-21 to 0-14 point win in round one of the All-Ireland series. 

This was the second time that McGuinness’s team faced off against Brian Dooher’s Tyrone this season in the championship, following their clash in Celtic Park last month in the Ulster semi-final. 

And while the Red Hand County nearly stole the victory that day before losing by two points after extra-time, this All-Ireland series encounter told a different story, with Donegal controlling the game throughout, with the home team breaking away towards the end for them to walk out comfortable winners. 

And while McGuinness gives great credit to his team's overall performance, the All-Ireland winning coach acknowledged that his team had to find an extra level within themselves in order to break off the shackles and find a comfortable lead against a Tyrone side that really put it up to Donegal in the opening 35 minutes.  

“The test was tougher in the first half definitely, but overall, we’re very happy,” McGuinness said. “Coming in tonight as Ulster champions, you play Derry, Tyrone, and then Armagh in a final, and then back playing an Ulster team, if we lost the game tonight, it would’ve been an anti-climax after winning the Ulster championship. 

“We also had the added pressure of having our own home fans in our own home stadium, so we’re delighted to get over the line really. It’s two points on the board and we’re happy with the performance, we just need to get ready for Cork next weekend now. 

“We knew Tyrone were going to come very hard at us, and that was the case, I thought they played very well in the first half and asked a lot of questions of us. It was a fairly relentless game, it had really good energy to it, and a good intensity to it. It was like a boxing match or a game of basketball, there was a lot of energy and intensity with both teams going for it.” 

There was little between the sides in the opening half but the Donegal running game cut holes in the Tyrone rearguard in the second period. 

In a classic first half of football, just a point separated the sides at the break with Tyrone responding every time Donegal pulled ahead. 

“We felt going in at half time being a point up and with the breeze at our back, we just needed to keep doing what we were doing and not buy into the concept of the wind too much and just continue the good work we built up in the first half and just use the breeze to benefit us in the final stages of the attack,” said McGuinness. 

“The match today was one of those where you’re in your home stadium, the place is packed, and it’s a ding-dong battle. There is that moment as a coach, and you always get that moment, where you feel this thing has a life of its own, and you have to just roll with that and run with that and that’s what the boys did. 

“The players found a way to keep going and they found a way to be relentless in many ways, and Tyrone did that for a long time in many aspects, so it was just enjoyable today. It’s always enjoyable when you win, but it was enjoyable to see that, and we have to find a way now to get to that place again at some stage next weekend.” 

With Donegal now putting Tyrone to one side, they turn their attention to Cork next weekend in Pairc Uí Rinn. 

Managing the quick turnaround engulfed in this new format is not easy, but McGuinness saw against Tyrone that there was a release of pressure to play with more freedom and throw off the shackles, something he admitted is difficult to do in the Ulster championship. 

“We’re back here (in the Donegal Centre of Excellence) right away trying to get the players recovered as quickly as we can because the turnaround is very sharp, and we have a very long journey next weekend,” the 2012 All-Ireland winning manager said. 

“The whole thing is so competitive, there’s no easy games. Your first game at home as new Ulster champions, you want to win it, so I’m delighted the boys found a way to express themselves more tonight than they had throughout the Ulster championship. 

“The Ulster championship is an absolute caldron, and even though it was another Ulster team tonight, the heaviness of the Ulster championship wasn’t there, both teams just went for it, so that’s the way it played out and I imagine it’ll be something similar for the rest of the group stages.” 

With Tyrone now out of the way, it would seem most likely that Donegal will be favourites to top their group and advance immediately to the All-Ireland quarter-final. And while finishing first is now McGuinness’s overall aim, he said he’s not taking his mind off Cork and will be just looking at it as one game at a time. 

“Ultimately, you get a two-week break if you top the group, that’s massive, but we’re not thinking that way really, we’re just thinking about the next game, but we’re delighted that we got over the line tonight.”