McShea's Say: This is no fairytale, Donegal deserve to be where they are

After Donegal’s impressive display beating Louth on Sunday’s All-Ireland quarter-final, Donegal’s management and players deserve enormous credit for progressing to the last four in the chase for Sam Maguire.  

The only question that was asked before the Ulster championship began was had Donegal any chance in their opening game against Division 1 league winners Derry?  

Donegal were emphatic winners in Derry, and while it may have been a surprise, there was no disputing the merit of Donegal’s win on that occasion. Anyone who had anticipated something of an anticlimax in the aftermath of the excellent win in Derry need not have feared, as interest in Donegal’s journey through Ulster continued to grow and this was reflected in attendance figures throughout the province.  

As we look forward with optimism to our semi-final with Galway on Sunday week, I believe that the list of contenders to win the All-Ireland title is wide open with Donegal, Galway, Kerry, and Armagh all harbouring serious ambitions.  

The much anticipated and very welcome return of Jim McGuinness as manager has galvanised the county into a fundamental reassessment of their whole approach and laid the foundation for what may become Donegal’s next golden era.  

Donegal’s emergence from the doldrums saw them win the Ulster title on penalties against Armagh. In winning the Anglo Celt Cup, Donegal won many admirers, and their clash with Galway will be regarded as the true litmus test of their progress.  

For a lot of these players, getting to play in Croke Park last Sunday for the first time and beating Louth is ideal preparation for their semi-final. Donegal’s summer should not be described as a fairytale, because both players and management believe there is serious unfinished business to be completed over the coming weeks.  

After regaining the Ulster title, the celebrations were at best muted, this involved much common sense and forward planning as the mentors and squad were at one in believing that there was more significant business to be taken care of in the weeks ahead.  

The foundation of Donegal’s victory over Louth was the half-back pairing of Peadar Mogan and Ryan McHugh. They completely dominated matters from the half-back line, providing a steady supply of ball to a lively forward division, where Oisin Gallen and Conor O Donnell took full advantage.  

Michael Langan, with three points, had his best game of the year, and young Ciarán Moore, the find of the season, also chipped in with two-quality points.  

A positive and most effective aspect of Donegal’s game is the speed with which they transition from defence to attack. Eoghan Bán Gallagher confirmed that against Louth when he appeared on the edge of the opposing square to score the game’s defining goal when his incredible pace was the major factor in his offensive location.  

But it was St Naul’s man Mogan who stole the show against Louth. Apart from his general play, which was top-class, his five points, all of which were wonderful efforts, saw him win the Man of the Match accolade with a bit to spare.  

The second quarter-final on Sunday featuring Kerry and Derry was a most disappointing game. The one thing that this game confirmed was that the race for Sam Maguire is wide open. The second semi-final pairing sees Kerry take on Armagh, and the general expectation is that Kerry will win that match and progress to a final against Donegal or Galway.  

Kerry, in beating Derry, were involved in a game played out at a pedestrian pace to its inevitable conclusion. And Derry, after their exertions in beating Mayo after extra-time in Castlebar, were always going to have problems with their fitness in the closing stages of this game.  

In progressing to the last four, Kerry have not yet played to their potential, and both David and Paudie Clifford have not excelled this year. Generations of success for Kerry seem to make them favourites on a consistent basis to win All-Irelands, although Dublin put a stop to their gallop in recent times.  

Kerry are firm favourites to again progress to another final and if Armagh are to cause an upset, they will have to play much better than they performed in a most disappointing game with Roscommon last Saturday.  

Galway are marginal favourites to beat Donegal (possibly on the basis that they beat a tired Dublin outfit). Galway are available at 4/5, while Donegal are on offer at 11/8. I will be putting my few pound on Donegal at those odds.                                                                  

Rise in Ballintra 

I watched a young Ballintra team play Four Masters in Ballyshannon last week in an underage divisional final. While the Donegal side prevailed in the end, I was very impressed with the Naomh Bríd youngsters.  

They were well coached and totally dominant in the first half when they led by 1-8 to 1-1. They were outplayed in the second half, but their performance was top-class in that first half and if they stay together, these young lads will no doubt have more good days than bad.