McGuinness happy to prove doubters wrong

Jim McGuinness had no doubt in his mind his reigning All-Ireland champions had the appetite for more road.

After relegation to Division One last month, there had been suggestions they mightn’t be mentally tuned in after last year’s triumph.

Yesterday was only the first of what he hopes will be six steps to a successful defence of their crown but McGuinness (inset) was happy such theories were proven wide of the mark.

“In the last two years the exact same thing was said. The only difference this year was that we were relegated. It was the media who made the story out of that.

“We had the exact same approach as we had last year. There was a lot of talk about putting all the eggs into one basket, but it was the same last year and the same the year before. That’s what we do — it’s Championship football.

“It will be no different next year. It was a media spin that got the whole debate going. Next year we will put all our eggs in that basket again.”

McGuinness continued: “We’ll not be getting carried away about this game and we won’t be getting caught up in any hysteria in the county. The players know where they’re at. They have had the exact same approach to each game.”

McGuinness took most pleasure from the fact Tyrone had earmarked this game as a major one for them.

“After the All-Ireland there were only two weeks until the draw was made. Tyrone was always going to be a very tough challenge.

“Tyrone really had us in their sights and that’s the most satisfying thing for us. Tyrone have been preparing for this day for the same length of time as ourselves.”

A third Ulster win in as many years has undoubtedly given Donegal a psychological edge over their neighbours and the latest victory was borne out of some tactical manoeuvres in midfield.

“They threw everything at us. Tyrone had the lion’s share of possession in the middle of the park for long periods.

“Ross Wherity and Martin McElhinney going in opened up the pitch and turned the game for us. It was a very tough battle.

“When you’re in a battle like that, most of the time it can go either way and we’re delighted that we’ve come out on the right side of it.”

Discipline as well as the performances of Karl Lacey and Mark McHugh coming off the bench were other highlights for him. Both players had picked up knocks in the last 10 days.

“He is a top class player,” said McGuinness of Lacey. “He’ll get another month now to build his fitness. The way he used the ball and his football intelligence on the ball settled the whole thing down at the back. Mark McHugh going into sweeper gave us a good cushion as well.

“I wanted to finish with the strongest team and I wanted to finish with the quality on the pitch that could see the game out. It turned out that way. We had really good decision makers on the pitch in the last 20 minutes. That took us over the line.”

Anthony Thompson and Frank McGlynn both picked up hamstring problems but now have a month to be right for the Ulster semi-final.

There were also words of praise for man of the match Paddy McBrearty.

“Patrick didn’t have anything to do with what went on in the last seven weeks,” McGuinness remarked, referring to the Bitegate controversy. “It just showed today that he is maturing all the time. He is maturing as a player and is maturing as a person. That is why we brought him into the team two years ago.

“I knew he was going to play well today. He was so consistent for his club, for the county and for the U21s.That is a big plus.

“Now, all of a sudden, we have Patrick, Michael (Murphy) and Colm (McFadden) all of the same ilk. That is what any manager wants — inside forwards who can equally distribute the scores.”