DAIRE Ó Baoill delivered another big performance against Derry on Wednesday night at Celtic Park.
The Gaoth Dobhair man has been man-of-the-match in each of the last two occasions when Donegal have met Derry in the Championship.
And he was the top player on show in the McKenna Cup on Wednesday night as he posted 1-2 in a two-point victory.
“At this time of year, you’re not looking for excellence, you’re just looking for minutes in the legs and getting it into as many men as you can,” Ó Baoill told the Donegal News.
“Getting those minutes and experience into a lot of boys is what is crucial, and for those younger boys to come through on the right side of a tough battle will help when they are stepping into Division 1.
“We’re glad to get the win and get another game before the league starts.”
Donegal were 0-10 to 0-7 down at half-time with a slick Derry side on top.
However, Ó Baoill says there was no sense of panic in the visiting dressing room.
“I think we just had to knuckle down in our attack. I think we left a few behind us and we knew that going in at half-time. I know myself I dropped one short and a few of us snatched at a few shots.
“You just have to remain cool in those scenarios and back yourself and put the ball dead.
“That’s crucial in the new game with the kick-outs, and when you put two or three scores together, you build that momentum and that kind of pins the other team back.”
Donegal’s young cohort caught the eye once more with Four Masters trio Turlough Carr, Conor McCahill, and Kevin Muldoon particularly impressive once again.
Ó Baoill said: They bring a lot of energy and as we saw against Antrim last week, they bring a lot of rawness too.
“Even towards the end, they are fearless in the way that they take their scores.
“They are not looking to hide in the big moments.
“I think it was two or three of the subs who got the last couple of scores there and that’s great to see.
“They are bringing that from training into the game now so another game in the McKenna Cup will do them wonders.”
Donegal begin their NFL campaign against Dublin on January 24.
However, they have a McKenna Cup Final to play against Monaghan first on Saturday in Healy Park.
“Monaghan beat Tyrone so we will know what they will bring. They have a lot of pace and a lot of experience in that side.
“It will be another task for those young boys just to ease into it and for the older boys to keep ticking over with another few minutes.”
