BY MATTHEW WILSON
Kick-outs cause Donegal problems
The battle around the middle is a hugely significant part of the modern game and it’s an area where Donegal have experienced joy in this term.
Jim McGuinness’s men have earned praise over recent seasons for their efficiency on their own kick-outs but it didn’t work out as they would have liked at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon, winning 53 percent of them.
Dublin put significant pressure on Gavin Mulreany’s kick-outs, with manager Ger Brennan discussing that it was an area they planned on contesting to avoid giving up cheap possession.
This was particularly evident in the opening stanza where three of Donegal’s kick-outs went over the sideline while an unsuccessful short one resulted in a major for Con O’Callaghan.
Even ones which Donegal did manage to secure they were made to battle for, with the likes of Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard and Theo Clancy working hard around the middle.
Dublin had greater joy with their kick-outs, securing primary possession from 67 percent of Evan Comerford’s.
McGuinness alluded to the fact that the kick-outs were a big part in the outcome and it’s difficult to disagree with this.
Black cards were a blow for Donegal
With less than two minutes left on the clock at GAA Headquarters on Sunday, Donegal looked down and out as Dublin held a three-point advantage.
However, Michael Langan found the target before Michael Murphy landed a last-gasp two-pointed free to bring the encounter to extra-time.
Following this score, a schmozzle broke out between the two sets of players which resulted in four black cards prior to extra-time commencing.
Referee Sean Hurson displayed the cards in the direction of Donegal’s Michael Murphy and Jason McGee while Dublin’s Niall Scully and Theo Clancy were also sent to the sideline for ten minutes.
With Hugh McFadden already off the field, having been substituted, Donegal lacked physicality and size around the middle third for the first period of extra-time.
The visitors couldn’t win a kick-out during this spell which saw the Dubs kick five points without reply to build up a lead.
The reigning Dr McKenna Cup and Division 1 champions did manage to recover slightly when the two influential players returned to the field.
However, the damage was subsequently done in Act One of extra-time as Ger Brennan’s men managed to maintain the advantage.
Lack of momentum throughout the Championship
One thing that Donegal never managed to build throughout their Championship journey was momentum.
Down to their early Ulster Championship exit and the format change, this season was contrasting compared to last term for McGuinness’s group.
Up to the quarter-final stage last year, Donegal had competed in eight Championship encounters where they managed to come out on top on seven occasions.
They took part in half as many games this term and there were lengthy breaks between three out of these four outings, with the eight-day turnaround for the Dublin meeting being the outlier.
There was a four-week break between Donegal’s Division 1 Final win over Kerry to their defeat to Down in the last eight of Ulster.
Due to this loss, they had to wait four weeks before they could take to the field again when they overcame The Kingdom in Killarney.
But a further three weeks passed before they hosted Cork at MacCumhaill Park in Round 2A of the competition.
The schedule last term was more hectic but it was one where the players were able to build up some momentum and produce a performance on a weekly basis.
This appeared to be something which the side lacked in this year’s Championship campaign.
Early end to the season a disappointment
When Michael Langan and Shane O’Donnell held the Division 1 League title aloft at Croke Park at the end of March, few would’ve thought that the county’s season would end before the start of July.
In the capital that day, Jim McGuinness’s men had dismantled Kerry in a major final and at the time it seemed like a big marker laid down by Donegal.
However, what followed was three defeats in their next four encounters to bring a premature end to their 2026 season.
There was shock and disappointment within the county in the aftermath of Donegal’s Ulster Championship quarter-final defeat to Down at the end of April.
Positivity was restored when the side got the better of the Kingdom for a third time this year down at Fitzgerald Stadium in the opening round of the All-Ireland Series.
But the loss at home to Cork in Round 2A before last Sunday’s defeat to Dublin has seen Donegal fall before the last eight stage, a first in Jim McGuinness’s two terms in charge.
Having come up just short last term, many thought the Sam Maguire Cup was on the cards for Donegal this season, especially after a powerful start to the year.
Even the demeanour of the players after the Dr McKenna Cup and National Football League triumphs appeared like they were content but their eyes seemed to be firmly fixed on the biggest prize.
Now though, the group will have to regroup, recover and try to come back stronger in 2027.
What does the future look like ?
Donegal’s season may have come to an end prior to the quarter-finals but it’s still been a busy year due to the condensed calendar that the split season brings.
The players will deservedly use the next period of time to recover from the campaign which has just taken place.
But as the weeks and months go by, some of the individuals may ponder their future and if they can commit to another campaign in the green and gold jersey.
When Jim McGuinness returned to the managerial hotseat in 2023, he was granted a three-year term which had an option of a fourth season.
Time will tell if he takes up that option and I’m sure he’ll be taking the next number of months to weigh up what 2027 could bring.
A positive for the future is the young talent that has been brought through the ranks this year.
A number of players were handed their debuts this term including the likes of Shea Malone, Max Campbell, Turlough Carr, Conor McCahill, Kevin Muldoon and Sean Martin.
These young stars will certainly have a part to play in the future of Donegal football.