McShea's say: Donegal’s display against Tyrone a contradiction

Sport is something that does not matter, but is performed as if it did, in that contradiction lies its beauty.

Donegal’s performance against Tyrone on Saturday was certainly a contradiction, as it was difficult to understand the contrast in performance between the first and second half. Tyrone started with all guns blazing and played like All-Ireland winners, while Donegal in that first half looked like a team that was suffering from a hangover after defeat in Kerry.

In the heat of a most competitive league game, you find out things about players, their temperament, and their ability to cope when things are not going well. Players may have all the skill in the world, but if you don’t have application and consistency then it’s an uphill battle.

This is particularly true for young players trying to make it in senior football. They may have shone in underage level, but when they progress to the adult stage everyone is trying to put them in their place.

I was delighted coming back from Ballybofey on Saturday night for a number of reasons. The win and two vital points was crucial. Donegal’s second half display was excellent but the performances of Conor O’Donnell and Oisin Gallen were hugely encouraging and a real reason for renewed optimism about the team’s prospects going forward.

If I were managing Donegal my priority for the championship would be deciding what four forwards I would play in attack with O’Donnell and Gallen. O'Donnell had a smashing game on Saturday, for one so young he has an incredible footballing brain, he knows that nothing moves quicker than the ball but the ball must be delivered into the right place to the best advantage of the recipient.

O’Donnell is an exceptional player, with great accuracy and he gives Donegal another string to their bow, as he also has an ability to win hard ball and he will give defenders major headaches in what should be a glittering career.

Gallen has good hands, great kicking skill and for one so young is the type of man who plays when most needed by his team, and that applies no matter what position he occupies in attack. The ability of O Donnell and Gallen to win the ball and lay it off to the other Donegal forwards is phenomenal, while their ability to kick great points from distance is a massive bonus to Donegal.

When belatedly introduced against Tyrone, Gallen played with class and poise and he in no way seemed to be carrying an injury. Against Tyrone, Donegal seemed to be in serious trouble at half-time as they were about to face a very strong wind in the second half but to their credit their confidence seemed to expand with every score.

By the final whistle it was hard to imagine that three-quarters of an hour earlier, they looked like a team who were destined for defeat. Donegal are one of the best supported teams in the country with followers who are incredibly loyal and when the side clicked into gear in that second half the fans were like an extra man to their team.

When the final whistle blew you could see the Donegal supporters beginning to believe again, while the Tyrone followers looked apprehensive as their side yet again failed to deliver in Ballybofey.

While the second half display was top drawer the defining moment of the game for me took place in the first half. Tyrone dominated but went in for the tea break level. Donegal’s first half goal created by Patrick Mc Brearty when he left three Tyrone defenders in his wake before setting up O'Donnell with a great pass left Tyrone dismayed at the break.

That skill by McBrearty in manufacturing that goal meant that it took only a matter of seconds to negate all of Tyrone’s good first half display and Donegal’s second half display was very impressive. It has been a long time since every man in the green and gold jersey played with such determination, composure and grit and the atmosphere in that second half was exceptional.

Have Donegal not moved on?
Last week I read an alleged comment by former Donegal player Kevin Cassidy in the aftermath of Donegal’s defeat in Kerry. He was quoted as saying that deep down Donegal knew they were not going to win it and they were going to use it to see what they could get out of it and take it from there!

When I first played with Donegal there were some players that had a mindset that putting up a good show was acceptable, and there was a psychological component to some famous fadeouts and last-minute losses. I believe Donegal have thankfully moved away from such self-destructive thinking and have a squad of players who believe that victory is attainable whatever the opposition. I certainly hope that that is the case.