More positives than negatives for McGuinness as Donegal overcome Kerry

With the spring sunshine and the majority of the 9,000 who made their way to Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon going off home happy, Donegal are two from two in Division One of the National Football League. 

It was Michael Murphy who had the final word for Donegal, kicking the insurance point in the 1-22 to 1-18 win.

Beforehand, Jim McGuinness’ team looked to be on their way to victory, seven points to the good with seven minutes left, only for a goal from Donagh O’Sullivan 90 seconds from time to leave just three in it. Murphy, now 20 seasons on from his 2007 debut, had the last word in his first appearance of the season.

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Michael Langan’s pair of two-pointers right after half-time had put Donegal intoan eight-point lead, 1-13 to 0-8. However, with Sean O’Shea kicking 11 points, the All-Ireland champions made a fist of it on an afternoon where both managers saw more positives than negatives. 

“Kerry then turned the screw in their own kick-out, giving them a lot of possession in the second half,” McGuinness said afterwards. 

“I think they were 12 from 12 in the second half there, on their own kick-out. So definitely that has a big impact on it. The negatives probably would be not dealing with the ball in the air. We had a couple of times to deal with it and we didn't deal with it. And free kicks. Sean O'Shea - he's not going to miss, that's just the bottom line.

“You're dealing with Rory Beggan, Sean O'Shea, these guys who just don't miss. So be disappointed with the discipline aspect of that and not dealing with the ball into the edge of the square. But overall, we controlled the game well against the breeze.

“But no, I wouldn't be overly disappointed. There are things to work on to be honest, but at the same time, it felt comfortable enough for most of it. It gives us four points, which is the most important thing of all.”

Donegal take on Mayo in two weeks time in Letterkenny, with Andy Moran’s side the only other in the top-flight with two wins from two, following a 1-18 to 2-9 victory in Castlebar against Dublin. 

“It's the second league game and we'll focus now on Mayo," McGuinness added. "That'll be a really interesting game and a really good challenge for us. And it's a home game as well. We only have three home games, so we'll have to try and make the most of it."