Paddy McBrearty: Donegal underperformed in Jim McGuinness's absence

McGuinness thought Kerry were "very balanced and very controlled" in their post-match interviews after their semi-final victory over Tyrone. 

Donegal have reached their first All-Ireland SFC final since their 2014 defeat to Kerry. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Donegal captain Patrick McBrearty admits the county underperformed in the 10 years between Jim McGuinness’s two periods as manager.

As the Ulster champions reached their first All-Ireland final in 11 years with an emphatic win over Meath, McBrearty admitted he didn’t think it would take that amount of time to return to Gaelic football’s ultimate stage.