Not easy to deal with Donegal

"Ah, you’re only as good as your last game..."

God knows how many times I’ve heard that statement thrown out during the build up to a big match. It’s ridiculous in many ways, but for some strange reason it’s very appropriate in the unique world of the GAA, as we very often don’t look beyond the immediate past when surveying the football landscape.

Donegal, and likewise Dublin, are perfect cases in point. Dublin, the National League and Leinster champions, after only their second Championship defeat in four years, are currently having their credentials as the country’s top team questioned. On the other hand, Donegal, after tame defences of their provincial and All-Ireland crowns in 2013, came into this season as a beaten docket. Yet, after what could go down as the most bizarre 20 minutes in football history, the form books have been torn up and forecasts rewritten.