Early birthday present for Shane O’Donnell with first goal for Donegal

St Eunan’s Shane O’Donnell gave himself and Donegal an early birthday present when he fired home the first goal of the league campaign against Derry in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon.

Donegal came from eight points down with a scintillating final 10 minutes and O’Donnell’s three pointer, weeks short of his 24th birthday, was vital to the three point win.

“It wasn’t looking great there but we dug deep and we got the result and that’s the main thing,” said a delighted Shane O’Donnell speaking after the win.

The three pointer from the St Eunan’s man was a timely boost for Donegal as it cut the Derry lead to three points with just under seven minutes left.

“It was nice to break the duck, so it was. We are struggling with goals at the minute. Hopefully, we can get a few more before the championship kicks in because you are going to need them then.

“It was nice alright, the first goal for Donegal, the first of many hopefully.”

Donegal did create a lot of goal chances in the game and O’Donnell feels that they are beginning to get it right.

“I’m hoping it clicks eventually. We could have tagged on another two or three goals there in the second half, maybe one or two in the first half as well. That is something we need to click if we are to get anywhere in the championship.”

The win comes just five weeks before the two sides meet again in the preliminary round of the Ulster championship in MacCumhaill Park on April 6th and O’Donnell was impressed by the Derry front men.

“Derry were very clinical in front of goal. They were transitioning well up the pitch and they were getting their shots off quick. There was a lot of quick transitioning on both sides and they were probably feeling that there at the end.”

The St Eunan’s man has been ever present this year and this has been helped by the fact that he is teaching now in Raphoe

“Yeah, no commuting up and down the road and that’s easier on the body. To be honest, only for that I wouldn’t be able to play five games in-a-row. It’s a big help and it’s good to be home.”

The maths and PE teacher, like most, is happy that Michael Murphy is back in the panel and it was Murphy who set up O’Donnell for his goal on Sunday.

“You know when Michael (Murphy) is on the bench he is going to make a big impact no matter when he comes on. He was an absolute handful there around the middle with kick-outs on ours and even on theirs, winning the breaking ball.

“Just having him in there takes the attention away from all the other lads. Probably wouldn’t have got that goal only for Michael in there, linking up well.”

Donegal have a two week break now for the first time this year before they face Tyrone at home in O’Donnell’s home patch in Letterkenny.

“You want to be winning on your own patch, especially from my point in O’Donnell Park. When you are getting big numbers (of supporters) out there today and the last day in Ballybofey, you don’t want to be sending the supporters home disappointed. So we will try to put in a big performance and get the victory when you are at home.

“We are up on eight points now but to be honest the league is a bit random this year. You wouldn’t know how it’s going to end up. Everybody has points there. We will see what happens. If we end up in a league final, we end up in a league final. We’ll try our best for that and it would be nice to get a run out in Croke Park. But if it doesn't happen, we won’t be too disappointed.”