NFL Preview: Competition and freshness key for Donegal

DAVID Clifford’s two-point score on the mouth of half-time in last summer’s All-Ireland final hit Donegal like 100 sledgehammers.

Seconds later, as he jogged towards the Hogan Stand tunnel, every kilowatt of Kingdom energy in the stadium followed him.

Gavin White’s early run to make Dylan Geaney’s point after 11 seconds told everyone Kerry meant business.

In the driving seat by half-time, it would have taken a complete momentum turn for Donegal to get even a glance at Sam Maguire.

Welcome to the world of defeat. Hurt in sport never really leaves but diffuses somewhat once you get back on the horse.

There has been change in Donegal. Their most decorated player Patrick McBrearty has retired.

If Ciarán Thompson’s withdrawal in last year’s final wasn’t bad enough, the news it was an ACL tear has robbed them of his steady brilliance as they step into the next chapter.

Oisín Gallen had an operation in the off-season and Michael Murphy has yet to kick a ball since last July in Croker.

That’s why Donegal’s focus will be different over the coming weeks. Speaking to the media after their first game of the season, victory over Antrim, Jim McGuinness had a message.

He hinted that growing the panel is more important thann league points but they’ll still be charging to hoover up as many as possible.

Dáire Ó Baoill spoke after last Wednesday’s McKenna Cup semi-final win over Derry. Getting over the All-Ireland defeat was tough but they’ve since parked it. Moving on is the only command now.

Niall O’Donnell has stepped away from the squad and his St Eunan’s teammate Caolan Ward has retired. Odhrán McFadden-Ferry is on his travels in Australia.

Kevin McGettigan, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, Charles McGuinness, Odhran and Aaron Doherty are among others to step away. Luke McGlynn and Johnny Carlin haven’t returned either.

Another loss is selector Luke Barrett, who stepped away after two years in the management team and has since joined rivals Derry.

Barrett was part of the Loughmacrory management team that included Ciarán Meenagh and will be an excellent addition to the Oakleafers.

From the playing group point of view, the experience and knowledge of the standards expected have gone with those who have stepped out of the dressing room, but McGuinness has added youth.

Shea Malone lit up the club championship and his two-pointer to take Naomh Conaill to extra-time in the county final showed he has bottle to match his quality.

Ultan Doherty, Max Campbell and Kieran Gallagher have also joined from the champions’ pack.

Campbell is so versatile. His goal pulled them out of the fire against Termon but his tracking job on Derry assist king Ethan Doherty in Celtic Park last Wednesday won’t have gone unnoticed.

The fact Donegal have won the McKenna Cup with a host of younger players prominent will be a boost. It means strength in depth is more than words. It’s genuine.

Naomh Columba binned their tag as the nearly men by landing the intermediate title last summer and defender Paul O’Hare’s exploits led to a call to the county fold.

Last year’s u-20 captain Sean Martin is part of the panel but is on his way back from a hamstring injury. Cian McMenamin of league champions Termon is also in.

Eoin McGeehin of St Eunan’s is another newcomer and marked his debut with a goal against Antrim. Had Conor McCahill and Turlough Carr looked up against Derry, he would’ve bagged another couple.

McCahill, Carr – along with older brother Seanán – join Kevin Muldoon as an exciting quartet coming in from Four Masters.

Perhaps the biggest plus has been Gavin Mulreany putting his hand up again to let the county know he is there. He’d be a starter on most other county teams.

His kick is as long as Shaun Patton and is comfortable kicking short ball off his weaker foot, leaving him unpredictable if teams drop off, allowing him to pick a pocket on either side.

Patton carried an ankle injury last season and if Mulreany gets more games in the league it will leave the fight for the number one jersey tougher.

Last year’s u-20 goalkeeper Padraig Mac Giolla Bhríde is on board too.

In the long term, having ATU Donegal offering Sigerson and now Trench Cup football is a useful bridge from club to county.

On the school scene, there are more successes popping up and it points to a more competitive Donegal squad for the foreseeable.

The here and now is a crack at Dublin this weekend. A better barometer than the McKenna Cup.

For most of the squad, it will bring back memories of the hurt from losing to Kerry.

It will also offer a chance to give more of the squad a proper test if they’ve ambitions of a summer return.

The main takeaway from last summer was the latitude Paudie Clifford was afforded to make the snowballs for others to throw. Mainly his brother.

For all Donegal offered last season, their all-out attack mode didn’t have enough out and out man-markers. McFadden-Ferry is a loss in this department.

In that regard, Max Campbell could be the player who is given an opportunity to see if he’s an option.

Mark Curran played much of last season before falling out of favour and he’ll be keen to prove he’s capable of pushing for a start.

Getting players exposed to high quality football is very important for Donegal. With seven games in nine weeks, there is neither room to breathe or properly recover.

Rotation might be as important as anything. By the summer, all but Patrick McBrearty may have their cards on the table from last year’s regular championship cocktail.

Can Donegal win Sam? Possibly. A more valid question is whether anyone can take it off Kerry.

This year’s ‘back door’ route takes out a game along the way with the group stage format now in the bin.

The Kingdom are the team to beat and Donegal are bogged in a group who will see themselves as challengers.

A third Ulster title in succession is another carrot and a chance for some of the new kids on the block to be given a foot in the door.

To win Sam Maguire, Paudie and David Clifford will both have to be marked. If it is to be Donegal to take them down, the reflection from last July will be the most used card in the pack. Plenty of water will flow under the bridge first.

NFL TARGET

HAVING lost Patrick McBrearty and Ciarán Thompson, Michael Murphy and Oisín Gallen are recovering from injury too. Jim McGuinness has already said the focus is on building the squad. Getting results will come after that.

SFC TARGET

AFTER losing out in the All-Ireland final, the only target left is to get their hands on the top prize. If only that’s how it worked. Donegal are back at the foot of the mountain again. What they can see closer, is a defence of their Ulster title and the chance of three in-a-row.