Rochford has made an immediate mark, says McMenamin

In only slightly different circumstances, Stephen Rochford would be travelling up to Croke Park this Sunday with Mayo, not on Saturday afternoon with Donegal. The man who quit Mayo under a cloud last August, citing a lack of support from officials, teamed up with Ulster champions Donegal just weeks later and has clearly had a significant impact.

After relegation from the top flight in 2018, Donegal achieved promotion at the first attempt this season and confirmed their place in Saturday’s Division 2 final by hammering Kildare. Unlike Meath, the 2012 All-Ireland champions were favourites to go up from the off though defender Stephen McMenamin said the addition of Rochford, who guided Mayo to All-Ireland deciders in 2016 and 2017, can’t be underestimated.