This week in Donegal, the overwhelming wave of support has nearly engulfed the county. As of 2024, Donegal boasts the only undefeated team in Ireland and the prevailing sentiment mirrors the exhilaration of being at Croke Park. The team itself, however, is striving to find stability amidst the hype. A player attempting to evade the media spotlight remarked, “It’s a difficult feat in Donegal…”
Such problems are welcome ones. The bitter memory of last summer’s swift exit from the championship still lingers. After the triumphant tussle against Tyrone in Ballybofey last weekend, jubilant players disappeared into the changing room amidst the surrounding crowds. Jim McGuinness, reflecting on the remarkable difference over the span of 12 months, recalled the moment.
[Donegal celebrates victory over Tyrone with caution as Jim McGuinness readies team for upcoming journey]
“A year ago, we would have given anything for a moment like this,” he noted. “We have to bask in it now. This joy must be cherished. The massive turnout of youngsters at the match tonight was astonishing. If we can continue to replicate such evenings, there’ll be children in the stands aspiring to emulate Dara Ó Baoill, Ryan McHugh, and Caolan McGonagle.”
McGuinness attributed Kerry’s successes to the presence of such role models for children. He explained, “These youngsters see that if these players can achieve it, then perhaps they can too. Sometimes, they come from the same area which makes it appear more tangible and feasible. So for us, that’s not a drawback but absolutely a positive.”
Still, it’s likely beneficial that their upcoming game is as distant as one can get whilst remaining in Ireland. Reports suggest that around 1,000 Donegal fans might be travelling to Cork, where a win would increase their chances of securing a direct placement in the quarter finals as group leaders. In essence, a victory today could mean a month’s break before their next significant match – a much-needed respite.
Paddy McGill, a personality from the Donegal GAA Podcast, openly commented about the developing rapport between the players, management, and supporters within the team. This connection, he says, is largely due to three main factors. Firstly, the team had hit a low point only a year ago. Second, in the prior three to four years, the team had consistently failed to level up to teams such as Dublin and Kerry. Lastly, the return of their key figure is seen as the tipping point for this upsurge.
This revival sparks an overwhelming sense of euphoria amongst the fans and the team members, reflecting the sentiments felt during the time between 2011 and 2014. The thrill of seeing this potential is deeply feeding into this newfound excitement. Everyone is looking forward to meet the players and Jim, and get attached to what McGill refers to as a ‘movement’ underway.
Martin Carney, long-time attendee of Donegal matches, experienced the wave of revitalisation first hand at a game in Ballybofey just last weekend. He noticed a noteworthy upswing in the atmosphere during the national anthem, a case unlike many he’d seen in preceding summers.
Recognising an undeniable surge in energy and enthusiasm, Carney commented on the palpable wave of excitement tied to the rise of the McGuinness phenomenon. One event that particularly caught his eye was the warm-up prior to the Tyrone match. In his observation, Jim was at the centre of everything, coordinating the team’s preparedness for the game.
This is an observation about McGuinness and his team; not once was he devoid of selectors or bottle-carriers nearby. Rather, disciplined formations surrounded him after each training drill, drawing in his imparted sense of purpose, character and self-belief. This was the routine, drill after drill. The extraordinary energy he invested was striking.
The enthusiasm they elicited was almost tangible. Donegal’s games were the sole football contests that rivalled the popularity of hurling during the championship. Their Ulster championship’s three matches were this year’s only sold-out football games. Even with MacCumhaill Park reaching almost full capacity last Saturday, perhaps a few hundred more could have squeezed in — certainly not a thousand.
So, what is the ultimate goal for Donegal in 2024? The question of Donegal’s limits looms. They’ve already overtaken Derry in betting odds as the most probable Ulster team to win the Sam Maguire championship. But does this optimistic view stand firm? If not, when will it?
However, there are reasons to believe they might just clinch the title.
Shaun Patton appears to have recovered from his early-season injuries. Peadar Mogan has developed into an uncommon asset — a defender the rival team feels obligated to keep tabs on. Oisín Gallen has grown into the player the team hoped he would become. Midfielders Jason McGee and Michael Langan have managed, for the first time in their careers, to maintain their fitness throughout a season.
McGee’s transformation has been particularly noticeable. In 2023, he’d been in and out of the team due to persistent minor injuries that limited his playtime. However, in this championship, he stayed on the field for the majority of the games, barring the last four minutes against Derry. His performance included overtime against Tyrone and Armagh and even a penalty shot during a shootout.
As pointed out by Michael Murphy, McGee has been a powerful presence in every match, largely due to his superior command of throw-ins. Despite the four matches extending into extra time in two instances, McGee has consistently been in control for a sum of 12 throw-ins. Out of which, he was directly able to seize six and manage to snag an extra one during a tumble. With seven successful catches from a dozen throw-ins – a remarkably standout performance, especially when compared to any Dublin player, who are yet to mark a successful catch in this year’s tournament. In contrast, Kerry’s Diarmuid O’Connor has managed two successful catches.
The team boasts players showing exceptional form and a wealth of experience. Although this in no way guarantees success, it provides a vital launching pad. An instrumental figure within this dynamic is McGuinness, whose influence is pervasively felt on the pitch and beyond. Confidence is one factor that is not lacking, as McGuinness ensures it remains buoyant.
However, there are two significant drawbacks. Firstly, it is unsure how the team’s depth will be affected when McGuinness has to delve deeper into it. During the first extra-time Tyrone game, McGuinness only made use of 18 players, resorting to his subs as the game progressed, and eventually reusing Patrick McBrearty, Aaron Doherty and Dara Ó Baoill. In the Ulster final, he engaged 21 players, yet brought back Ciarán Thompson and Ó Baoill into the fray.
Carney rightly questions, “Is his trust in his panel absolute?” This is worth observing closely, as having to reuse three substitutes during overtime could suggest some uncertainty. Another unknown is how the team would cope if key players like Oisín Gallen, Brendan McCole or Caolan McGonagle get injured. Will they have enough backup to fill the void?
Secondly, the strategic complexities intensify once they reach Croke Park. Despite the ‘pied piper’ gimmick, McGuinness has not returned with a significantly novel approach to how his team is set up from 2012. Essentially, Donegal is a team that revolves around low defense and counter-attacks. Experience teaches us that this approach won’t win an All-Ireland.
McGill suggests that the consensus among podcast guests is that their press might be lacking in excellence. Despite missing the match with Kildare, he attended every other game since the year’s beginning. Donegal isn’t generally deploying players with innate man-marking skills. They prefer to use forwards in defence, a tactic beloved by Jim, to facilitate smooth transition from defence to attack.
Nonetheless, McGill expressed concerns about this strategy in challenging games, citing an instance where they were trailing by four in the latter stages of the Ulster final versus Armagh. If this occurs against a formidable team like Kerry or Dublin, it will likely result in a wider gap of seven points, ultimately sealing the fate of the match.
An additional challenge for Donegal is their aim consistency. While they have managed not to have many goals scored against them, they themselves are struggling to score. In fact, their most recent goal dates back to the match with Derry, in which the opposing team’s goalkeeper essentially served them an opportunity on a silver platter. That was three matches and two added-time periods ago. Regardless of how great the team spirit is, if they lack scoring prowess, their chances at Croke Park are slim.
Regarding the question of whether Donegal can secure a victory in the All-Ireland championship, the answer is a tentative yes. The likelihood, however, leans more towards the negative. Even so, the chance to watch them compete adds an exciting element to an otherwise stagnant football championship.