Donegal selector Colm McFadden. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.
By John Harrington
Form favours Donegal going into Sunday’s Ulster SFC Preliminary Round clash with Derry, but team coach Colm McFadden expects nothing less that a ferocious battle.
The reigning provincial champions know only too well that anything other than their very best won’t be a good enough to beat their neighbours and great rivals.
“Definitely,” says McFadden. “Without a doubt. Donegal's attitude going into that game is going to be really important. The boys know.
“They've played against Derry probably every season for the last number of years.
“They know Derry well. They have quality players all over the field. When you have quality in the field you can't underestimate any team.
“If anything, Derry's probably going into the game in a good way. Looking back to last year, there was a lot of pressure on them but they’re probably going to be going in under the radar this year.
“It's a dangerous animal when a team like that are fighting for their lives in the Championship. It’s all to play for in Ballybofey on Sunday.
“I suppose it's important that Donegal come in with the right attitude and bring the best game to the floor that day.”
For proof that Derry pose a huge threat to Donegal’s provincial ambitions McFadden points to the Allianz League match the teams contested on March 2.
Donegal finished very strongly to win the game in the end, but were second best for long stretches of it.
“Big time,” says McFadden. “We were eight points down with 10 minutes left.
“It changed very quickly. I suppose that's what new rules can do to the game. I don't think if we go eight points down in Ballybofey - even if it's after 10 minutes or at half time - I don't think we're going to claw an eight-point league back against Derry in the Championship match.
“It's something you can't afford to give them that kind of lead again. I don’t think we’d be as fortunate to claw it back again.
“I suppose that's the nature of the rules in the Championship. There was a wee bit of a breeze in the second half in Ballyshannon.
“We were lucky to get over the line but in the Championship the slate’s wiped clean. League form will all be forgotten about.
“You just have to start fresh and go at it with a good frame of mind.”
Donegal selector Colm McFadden shakes hands with Michael Murphy after the Allianz Football League Division 1 match between Donegal and Armagh at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile.
Donegal successfully used the League to give a lot of players significant game-time and look like they’re coming into this championship campaign with great depth to their panel and multiple options in all lines of the pitch.
“I suppose there were four or five players that would have come back into the panel this year that would have inter-county experience over the years,” says McFadden.
“Obviously, you can't beat experience. You can't beat boys that played that level before. I feel that probably, from a Donegal point of view, our panel is in a stronger position.
“I think with the new rules, with the demands, that is probably going to be on the bodies of these boys, especially in Ulster Championship football.
“Hopefully, if we can get over Derry and get a couple of games throughout the Ulster campaign, you know you're going to need a strong panel if you want to go deep into the Championship.”
The biggest addition is undoubtedly the return of Michael Murphy to the inter-county fold after two years away from the game.
He proved during the League that he still has the ability to make a difference at the highest level and his presence in what’s an otherwise quite youthful Donegal panel must be significant.
“There was probably nobody more disappointed than myself whenever Michael retired the previous year, I couldn’t believe it,” says McFadden.
“We even took in the kids and that to watch Donegal games. Myself, after playing with him, I always loved to watch him play.
“You want the best players playing for your county. There was only one person who would change Michael's mind and that was his own. He probably felt the hunger watching on last year, seeing the team progress to an Ulster Championship. Getting to an All-Ireland semi-final he probably felt that, he probably knew he had something still to offer.
“He had that hunger in them. Once he made that decision himself, it was only him who was going to bring himself back in the field. You have to admire him too. It's a courageous one. The easiest thing for him to do would have been to stay.
“Fair play to him. he's done well in the two league games he's shown for us. Hopefully he can bring that form experience into the Championship and help Donegal.
“Obviously when Michael made the decision back last year, he was obviously committed to training hard and getting himself in good shape. He ticks all the boxes with regards to S&C, diet, sleep and rest.
“All the off the field lifestyle. He's given himself an opportunity to do good things for Donegal in the year ahead. Hopefully he can continue to do that.”
