Michael Donoghue happy to be back with Donegal as they gear up for Tyrone clash

Donegal’s towering defender Michael Donoghue has made a welcome return to the squad after taking a year out for family reasons. 

He came on as a second-half sub in last week’s narrow gut-wrenching defeat to Meath in Trim, a game they could have won. 

Mickey McCann’s men were leading by 1-13 to 2-9 with four minutes remaining. 

But three points from the Royal’s marksman Jack Regan - two from frees - snatched two badly needed points from the visitors who won by 1-14 to 2-12 in the end. 

And Donoghue insists that this was definitely “one that got away”. 

“It was very close and while we were a bit unlucky, it was definitely a game that we should have taken two points from,” he told Donegal Live. 

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“We had chances which we missed, and we conceded some scorable frees which were very crucial in the end. 

“In a league as tight as this you just can’t afford to give away scorable frees especially when a player like Jack Regan is very accurate.” 

The frustrating thing for Donoghue and co was that they generally played well enough to get a result, but the frees were costly and a few mistakes let “them back into it”. 

But the loss of those two precious points now means that Sunday’s clash with Tyrone in O’Donnell Park is now a “must-win” match as their third game is a daunting away trip to Down. 

Tyrone also needs points badly as they lost their opening tie to Derry. 

“We know what to expect from Tyrone over the years and it is always very close, and they have beaten us in a few big games in Carrickmore in recent years,” Donoghue said. 

“It will be a real battle that we must win.” 

Donaghue admitted that when he took the break last year, he was not sure if he would be coming back at all. 

“It was around Christmas that I had a chat with the management, and I still have the hunger, and while I am a bit behind the rest of the lads, it is good to be back. 

“I came on at halftime and was playing in the full backline.” 

“But Tyrone will bring huge physicality and they have a great ability to stay in the game and to win the dirty ball when they need to. They win frees and execute turnovers as well. 

“They are never beaten, and they have caught us out a few times in the past when we were ahead, but they came and stole it at the death.” 

 Donoghue added that Tyrone will be coming badly in need of points but O’Donnell Park could be worth a few points to Donegal. 

“We have a good record here all right, but we need to make to most of that advantage and it is going to be a serious battle,” he said. 

“A win would get us back on track after that sickening loss to Meath.” 

Donegal is operating in a most competitive Division 2 tier his season and two teams will be relegated by the end of the campaign, something Donoghue feels is a bit harsh. 

“It would have been better if they had stuck with the old format with one up and one down,” he admitted 

“It is a high standard in this league and it will be good preparation for the Christy Ring Cup but there is a very fine margin between staying up and going down. 

“So, taking a point or two against Meath would have been huge. 

“Already, we are almost two games in and the pressure on both ourselves and Tyrone is massive. 

“Kildare, Kerry, Down, and Derry have all played at Joe McDonagh Cup level before, so we are testing ourselves at a higher level. 

“But first we need to take care of business this Sunday.”