‘He is one-way traffic’ – Jim McGuinness developing a ruthlessly efficient Donegal

EFFICIENT; Donegal manager Jim McGuinness on the line against Derry. Pic: ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty.

Donegal 1-25 (1–2-21) Derry 1-15 (1-3–9)

Despite the gloss of a ten-point triumph, regardless of the giddy majority in the delighted 15,105 crowd, even with key faces making their mark, Donegal were not devastating.

In this Ulster preliminary round encounter, they didn’t need to be. Not since 2008 have Derry beaten Donegal in a Ballybofey Ulster championship encounter.

Those who made the trip down the N13 came in hope rather than expectation, but the welcome was warm all the same. Giddy green and gold washed over the town, a roaring trade split in search of their appetiser between the Cool Creamery and the Villa Rose.

It was a town prepared for take-off.

The sole chilling factor was the zip of a strong wind blowing into the River Finn end. That is the side where Derry warmed up and much of their prep involved shooting from outside the arc.

The pièce de resistance took time to arrive. Donegal eventually found two devastating bursts either side of half-time. Derry rallied to the first challenge and collapsed in front of the second.

Paddy Tally’s strategy was clear from the moment they emerged. They elected to play against the wind, won the throw-in and were patient with possession. Derry attempted 11 two-pointers in the second half, landing three. Donegal went for three in the first, converting two.

Where did it go wrong for the visitors? Throughout, they struggled to stick with Donegal stride for stride. In the end, it was 75% conversion versus 43%.

Derry missed their first five shots, including a Shane McGuigan penalty he won and struck straight at Shaun Patton. They were level with ten minutes left in the first-half. At the turnaround, they trailed 1-12 to 1-5.

Daire Ó Baoill instigated the initial burst with a glorious two-pointer. Donegal were six clear after he added another, while Brendan Rogers conceded a needless 50m free and Michael Murphy tapped over his only point from play. The Tír Chonaill legend was well-marshalled by Eoin McEvoy for most of the contest.

Dan Higgins responded with a breakaway goal from a long kickout, but Donegal swung back in similar fashion. Ó Baoill broke, ignored Conor O’Donnell free on his right and eventually buried the ball in the left corner.

Derry began the second half with three consecutive scores including two-pointers from Conor Doherty and Rogers. Finally, vocal support were afforded reason to let loose. Seven consecutive points followed in a green and gold blitz.

Pre-game there was a moment of silence for Kerry hero Mick O’Dwyer, a man famed for his tortuous running sessions. Here Donegal showed those methods still have a place, running post-to-post and line-to-line ceaselessly. Finnbarr Roarty, Peadar Mogan and Ciaran Moore produced similar scores. All three are similar players, absolute flyers.

It isn’t free-flowing catch and kick football but it is immensely efficient. In the entire game, Donegal had 33 attacks. They finished with 32 shots.

Patrick McBrearty was a late change to the starting team and clipped seven points. Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen came on to score. Donegal are advancing.

Michael Murphy of Donegal signs autographs during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship preliminary round match between Donegal and Derry at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Post-match, McGuinness would admit it was a slow start, but he was overall content. Patton seemed to hurt himself in saving the penalty, however that wasn’t a major concern.

“I would be more worried about Finnbarr,” he said.

“He felt a bit tight in his hamstring and then he proceeded to sprint down the wing, sprint across, support the ball, win the ball, give the ball, sprint again and then when he was ultimately fouled in the opposite 45 he took a solo and go.

“So obviously there's a bit of learning there. I spoke with him inside there, but he doesn't have that gear at the moment, he just doesn't have that. He is one way traffic. That's the way he plays the game and you don't want to take that out of him.”

Evidently, they want it in all of them.

Scorers for Donegal: D. Ó Baoill 1-4 ( 2 tp), P. McBrearty 0-7 (3 frees); P. Mogan, C. O’Donnell, S. O’Donnell C. Moore, M. Murphy (1 free) 0-2 each; F. Roarty, R. McHugh, J. Brennan, O. Gallen, 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: B. Rogers 0-5 (2 tp); S. McGuigan 0-4 frees; D. Higgins 1-0; L. Murray (1 free), C. Doherty (tp) 0-2 each; P. McGrogan, N. Toner 0-1 each.

Donegal: S. Patton; F. Roarty, B. McCole, O. McFadden Ferry; R. McHugh, C. McGonagle, P. Mogan; H. McFadden, C. Thompson; C. Moore, D. Ó Baoill, S. O’Donnell; C. O’Donnell, M. Murphy, P. McBrearty.

Subs: M. Curran for McFadden Ferry (half-time), O. Gallen for O’Donnell (51), J. Brennan for McBrearty (57), J. McGee for McFadden (60), N. O’Donnell for Roarty (66).

Derry: N. McNicholl; D. Baker, B. Rogers, M. Bradley; C. Doherty, P. McGrogan, E. McEvoy; C. Glass, D. Higgins; E. Doherty, P. Cassidy, C. McFaul; N. Toner, S. McGuigan, L. Murray.

Subs: N. Loughlin for Higgins (37), C. McMonagle for Toner (51), P. McGurk for Doherty (57), D. Cassidy for McGrogan (66).

Referee: B. Cawley (Kildare).