Donegal focused on Cork not the occasion, insists McGee

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and selector Neil McGee. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Neil McGee says Donegal are blown away by the reaction of supporters as they get ready to return home to MacCumhaill Park.

Donegal GAA confirmed last week that all 16,600 tickets available for the Ballybofey venue were gone within a matter of hours of going on sale.

But 2012 All-Ireland winning full-back McGee, now part of Jim McGuinness’ backroom team, says the side simply has to concentrate on the game and not the occasion.

“There were rumblings that it could be a runner, MacCumhaill Park I mean,” he said. “But a little like the Down game, you weren’t sure if that would actually be the case.

Then, the morning of the draw, it was confirmed by Jarlath Burns so it was great to hear.

“It is a huge boost as it’s a venue that when it’s packed to the seams, has a unique championship atmosphere.

“I just loved playing there. And with a new surface and work done, it will be looking amazing, I’ve no doubt.

“It sold out really quickly, which was amazing to hear, especially for a 3pm start on a Saturday.

“I think it’s giving it to be dry at the weekend, so much rain has fallen lately, it would be great for families and children if it is a nice day.

“For us, we just have to tune into the task at hand. With the news that the game is in Ballybofey, the weather being a little kinder hopefully, it has the feel of an occasion.

“That’s brilliant for supporters but, like I say, it’s a game that both us and Cork will be going all out to win. That’s the main focus now."

McGee has had his fair share of run-ins with the Rebels over the years, on the field of play as well as in the dugout, more recently, like 2024’s 3-9 to 0-16 loss away in Páirc Uí Rinn.

“Cork have serious potential to hurt you,” the three-time All-Star explained. “They are a very good side. I heard on the radio they are flying up Saturday morning.

“That suggests they mean business and are ticking the right boxes. It’s not easy making that kind of trek.

“We did it for Kerry and it just adds extra layers of detail that make things a little bit more challenging logistically.

“So the lengths they are going to suggest they are coming up here to get a result. They have all the tools to be successful.

“They have one of the best full-backs in the country in Daniel O’Mahony, one of the best midfields in the country also.

“Their two wing-backs Luke Fahy and Brian O’Driscoll, they are as good as anything out there and love to get forward.

“Their full-forward line, Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones and Steven Sherlock all score heavily. That’s just off the top of my head so we have plenty to look at ahead of the weekend”.

Donegal go into Saturday off the back of that impressive win over All-Ireland champions Kerry in Killarney.

Three weeks later, the dust is only just about settling on all of that with so much attention and talk continuing to centre in on some of the more unsavoury events of that fiery encounter.

Still, McGee says what impressed him most that same afternoon was the composure that Donegal showed, in a hostile atmosphere, where any type of retaliation or even attempt at retribution could have cost the visitors the result.

“We never thought they were in bother in that regard - losing their cool I mean. They were very calm and disciplined on the pitch.

“Under the new rules, especially, going down to 14 men makes it almost impossible to dig out a result.

“So it’s something you really have to guard against, losing your composure I mean. When the pressure was at its highest, when the screw was really being turned, they kept their heads.

“To be fair to Kerry, they were really on it. See that first 25 minutes or so, they had us on the ropes a number of times.

“I felt we managed to get through that but the sending off, that changed the dynamic of the game. So like I said, it’s paramount to stay as composed as possible as down a man, it’s game over."

Donegal’s shock Ulster SFC loss to Down first day out seems like a distant memory at this stage and while it felt like a real blow at the time, the side has certainly been making the most of the extra respite that has existed between games since.

“It’s been really productive, McGee said on the gap up to and, indeed, after their win in the Kingdom. “No one wants to lose an Ulster championship game at the first hurdle.

“But it was the hole we found ourselves in. It’s given us a little bit of breathing space that allowed us to get a really good sort of tailored block of training done.

“At this level, if you’re winning games or on a run, you’re cramming so much into a single week.

“The commotion of all of that, even, lads are just rushing in and rushing out. Week to week like that, you’re lucky to get one session on the pitch.

“There just isn’t enough time in a week to get through what you need to be getting through.

“So while we’d liked to have very much stayed in the provincial running, we have tried to turn that negative into a positive”.

The squad has also been forced to relocate to Lifford in recent weeks for training as a combination of poor weather and consistent footfall took a real toll on their own base in Convoy.

“Pitch 5, our pitch, the grass just really deteriorated and got patchy from traffic. It just didn’t get a chance to recover as the weather has been even wetter than usual.

“But going over to Lifford has allowed the surface to get a rest and it’s probably close to being good to go again. It’s a change of scenery.

“I remember first time around, under Jim, we used club grounds quite often so we’re grateful to Liford for the assistance. But we’ll probably be back home in Convoy now soon."

A lot of talk has also centred in on the weekend’s clash not being televised. One of the reasons being given in some quarters is that the game lacks the jeopardy that exists elsewhere.

But McGee says there is so much on the line for both teams on Saturday.

“It’s a huge opportunity. I heard someone saying that there isn’t much risk attached to it as there is another chance. But that’s a wrong read.

“We want to avoid going into that pot for Round 3. Cork will be the exact same. What could potentially come out the other side, it’s a real risk.

“We are the home side, we’ll have good support so it’s important now that we do our best to make the most of the opportunity in front of us."