McShea's Say: Donegal caught in a scheduling nightmare as Tyrone fight for survival

This Sunday in Letterkenny, Tyrone will be a team on a mission as they face Donegal in Round 5 of the National League.

Their manager, Malachy O’Rourke, knows that defeat would leave his side staring at the prospect of relegation to Division Two. In contrast, Donegal find themselves in an enviable position — victory at O’Donnell Park would put them on the cusp of a League final.

However, what would normally be an exciting prospect presents a dilemma for manager Jim McGuinness. With Donegal’s Ulster Championship opener against Derry taking place just seven days after the League final, McGuinness is caught in a no-win situation due to a flawed fixture schedule.

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This year’s league campaign, fuelled by new rule changes, has produced some thrilling encounters and record-breaking attendances, generating a fantastic atmosphere at Donegal’s home games. The return of McGuinness has also reignited belief within the county, with Donegal now joint favourites alongside Kerry at 7/2 to bring the Sam Maguire back to the hills.

Donegal’s resilience has been a defining characteristic of their campaign. Against Derry two weeks ago, when trailing by eight points with time running out, many teams would have folded. Instead, Donegal’s self-belief shone through, and they clawed their way back to dominate the crucial final 10 minutes.

However, there were long spells in that match where Donegal looked off-colour, and Derry’s performance in Ballyshannon suggests they will be formidable opponents in the upcoming championship clash.

McGuinness now faces a key decision regarding his team selection for Sunday. Regardless of the starting 15, there is no doubt that those who take the field will give everything for the green and gold. No footballer at any level ever takes to the pitch just to go through the motions, and with championship places up for grabs, fringe players will be eager to impress.

Tyrone’s success over the past two decades has firmly established them as one of Gaelic football’s dominant forces. Winning four All-Ireland titles in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2021 was an extraordinary achievement and the county’s GAA infrastructure, at both club and county level, continues to thrive, playing an integral role in local communities.

Tyrone has a proud tradition of producing players of exceptional talent. The likes of Eugene McKenna, Frank McGuigan, Cormac McAnallen, and Peter Canavan are among the finest to have graced a GAA pitch. On Sunday, Donegal’s defence will have to contend with Darragh and Ruairí Canavan, who are sure to pose a serious threat.

Given the circumstances, I believe McGuinness’s hands are tied, and I expect him to name several fringe players in his starting line-up.

After performing so well throughout the league, it is intolerable that Donegal find themselves in this predicament. The current scheduling debacle is a farce and must be addressed urgently.

Donegal have only won the National League once in their history, and this team should not be denied the opportunity to play in Croke Park due to a lack of administrative mismanagement of the highest order.

New rules bring excitement back to football

I am delighted that the FRC has made slight modifications to the new rules, which have helped restore Gaelic football as an enjoyable spectacle. Some managers appear to have short memories, constantly complaining despite the excellent work done by Jim Gavin and his committee.

The previous style of play — where a goalkeeper passed short to a corner-back, who then returned it to the keeper, leading to a sequence of lateral handpasses — was painful to watch. Now, defenders must rediscover the art of one-on-one marking, an area where truly skilled players will shine.

Midfielders, too, must once again master the high catch, a skill that has always set great footballers apart.

Players like Michael Murphy, David Clifford, Darragh Canavan, and Shane Walsh have demonstrated the beauty of Gaelic football in recent weeks. With the weather improving and pitches drying out, there is every reason to believe that this year’s championship will be one to remember.

Last year’s All-Ireland final — aside from Armagh supporters — was a forgettable affair. It was a dreadful match, lacking in quality and excitement. This season, however, has already provided thrilling football, and with the championship just around the corner, fans can look forward to a campaign filled with drama, skill, and intensity.