30 October 2017; Nathan Mullins
BY FRANK CRAIG
Former Donegal midfielder John Gildea adds that it’ll be interesting to see how Nathan Mullins, red carded in Kerry, performs on his return to the engine room against Dublin at Jones Road tomorrow.
The St. Vincent’s man could easily be turning out for Jim Gavin’s side. His dad Brian Mullins is, of course, a Dublin legend and he won an Under 21 All-Ireland under Gavin back in 2010.
But having been raised in Carndonagh, Mullins has thrown his lot in with Donegal at senior level.
Gildea believes that the player might have taken the bait in Kerry. There will be more of the same at HQ against Dublin. Mullins will need to show a cooler head.
“Listen, I’d imagine every day he goes out he’ll get abuse,” explained Gildea.
John Gildea in his playing days against Kildare.
“They’ll be telling him that he’s only with Donegal because he’s not good enough for Dublin. When he took a swipe at one of the Kerry lads I’m sure that was along the lines of the sweet nothings being whispered into his ear.
“He has to deal with that. It’s the way the game is now but he has to keep his discipline. He’ll get a little bit extra attention I’m sure against Dublin. But the flip side is he’ll have extra motivation at the weekend. He knows those guys very well and a team he’s probably good enough to be in. He has things to prove as well so I’m sure we’ll see a positive reaction.
“He’s a terrific player. He’s a huge addition. Having him and Hugh McFadden there now does really boost our options around the centre. Hugh has really stepped up. He learned so much under Big Neil Gallagher… picked up all the wee tricks of the trade.
“For me he’s been the stand out performer for us. Patrick McBrearty has been brilliant obviously but Hugh’s showings too bodes really well.”
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