McShea's Say: Donegal need to hit the ground running to avoid an upset in Croke Park

As they prepare for their All-Ireland quarter-final against Louth on Sunday, it’s important to know how hard Donegal will be working under Jim McGuinness and his backroom team this week to make sure that everything is done perfectly for their visit to Croke Park.  

I believe that the attention to detail in terms of football preparation has bordered on the obsessive. It has been an emotional and exciting journey for a panel of players who have brought their followers much joy, mixed with many moments of breathtaking brilliance. But this visit to Croke Park is the culmination of all those hard nights, and hot days training to be the best.  

On Sunday, Donegal go into this game as hot favourites. This is an ideal situation that Louth find themselves in. The euphoria last Sunday when the Wee County ended Cork’s championship ambitions might suggest that Louth may be satisfied with just a quarter-final place. Nothing could be further from the truth, and in their manager, Ger Brennan, they have a man at the helm who was a teak tough defender and would have learned much about football management under Jim Gavin, arguably the most successful manager in the history of Gaelic Football.  

There are several reasons why I expect Donegal to win the Louth game with a bit to spare. What is clear now is the inflexible texture of the Donegal defence that has been tempered in the white heat of this year’s Ulster campaign.  

Brendan McCole offers a commanding presence at full-back, and his duel with Louth’s outstanding full-forward Sam Mulroy will no doubt have a major bearing on the outcome of this game. The outer defensive screen of Ryan McHugh, Peadar Mogan, and Caolan McGonagle is also rock solid and creative, while Shaun Patton’s courageous goalkeeping, split-second timing, razor-sharp reflexes, and brilliant kicking, make him one of the best ‘keepers in the modern game.  

Former Donegal manager Declan Bonner was the man who spotted such outstanding potential in Patton when he was playing League of Ireland, and all Donegal fans should be grateful to Declan for delivering such a gem to Donegal football.  

In other positions too, Donegal has shown a noticeable improvement. Jason McGee has exploded like a mortar shell onto the public consciousness with his magnificent high fielding.  

Oisin Gallen looks unstoppable when in full flight, and he has proved himself a deadly accurate free-taker, who can handle pressure kicks with complete authority, while Ciarán Thompson is always a delight when playing well, and is having one of his best seasons, while Michael Langan is showing his enormous potential in the middle of the park.  

Team captain Patrick McBrearty still retains the insatiable hunger and loyalty to the colours that have hallmarked his entire career. But what was most noteworthy about Donegal’s thrust to the Ulster title was the calm assurance and accuracy of our new addition Ciarán Moore, who has taken to county football like ducks to water.  

Moore’s ability to adapt to any line on the team and deliver in any position is a serious asset to this Donegal side. Daire Ó Baoill is another who is playing with a newfound confidence up front, and like Moore, he is equally at home across the half-back line. In attack, both Shane and Niall O’Donnell are spreading the ball around intelligently among the other Donegal forwards, and for the first time in a number of years, Donegal have a very strong bench which is so vital in modern-day football.  

Jim McGuinness has molded a Donegal team who pursue a fair approach, intermingled with high fielding, intelligent kicking, and fine score taking. They are fired with an indomitable will to win. This side are never beaten until the final whistle, and several of their most notable victories in the league and championship were forged out of late rallies that testify to their unquenchable spirit.  

When Louth played Donegal in the league in Ballyshannon earlier this year the game was competitive, and Louth were in no way overawed in a close encounter.  

Donegal need to ensure that no silly cards are received, as this can have a negative impact on a team’s prospects, so a positive start on Sunday is essential to justify the favourites tag and not get involved in a dogfight.  

Let us hope that after Sunday the wonderful Donegal supporters will have two more trips to Croke Park before the end of July.