Veteran attacker David Walsh vehemently defends underrated Donegal’s reputation

When Waterford were described in the wake of the Allianz Hurling League Division victory earlier this month as “the Donegal of hurling,” selector Dan Shanahan didn’t appreciate the comparison.

“Some people say we’ve gone Donegal,” Shanahan said afterwards. “That’s total bullshit, to be honest. Our lads are just working. If they see a fella in trouble, they’ll go out and hunt and they’ll block.”

Donegal’s reputation at this stage probably goes before them. Jim McGuinness is remembered more vividly in some quarters as the man who played 14 men behind the ball in losing the 2011 All-Ireland semi-final to Dublin 0-8 to 0-6 than the man whose Donegal side won Sam Maguire a year later or posted 3-14 against the Dubs in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final.