By Michael McMullan

CONOR Gartland couldn’t have timed his injury any worse as Donegal throw their promotion dice for the last time.

With Wicklow expected to clinch promotion from Division Three with victory over Louth, Donegal must win in Roscommon on Saturday to join them.

Mickey McCann’s side won their first four games before losing last weekend to Wicklow.

It was a defeat that came at a cost with Gartland, who was name the Gaelic Life All-Star hurling team, breaking his hand in the first two minutes and was replaced by half-time.

Donegal were playing catchup but never looked like overturning the Garden County.

It leaves Saturday in Roscommon as a must win game, one where a draw would be enough for the Rossies.

“We didn’t start well and that was quite a big part of it,” Gartland said of their defeat to Wicklow.

“Even at the start, they had a couple of wides just after throw-in but they were creating chances.

“I think a lot of it was to do with the fact that the three weeks before we had games where we weren’t overly pushed.”

A nine-point win over Armagh was the closet margin and they still never looked in any danger.

“It was Nickey Rackard teams we were playing and Wicklow was the first Christy Ring team we’ve played, apart from Derry in that McGurk Cup,” Gartland said.

“It does take you a while to rise to that higher level when teams are hurling faster and better.

“All credit to Wicklow, they were better than us at the weekend. They were full value for their win.”

That brings it all back to Saturday in Roscommon. Two teams. One remaining promotion spot. One battle.

“Fingers crossed we can get over them and get promotion, that was the goal at the start of the campaign,” Gartland added.

Donegal beat Kerry in Division Two last season and were unlucky not to get at least a draw with Meath in Trim.

Donegal’s Conor O’Grady bags a goal against Armagh. Photo Brian McDaid.

“We didn’t show up against Derry in the last game and we probably did feel a bit unlucky to go down given our performances throughout the league,” said Garland.

Like Derry and Donegal managers Johnny McGarvey and Mickey McCann, Gartland feels there are divisions within the actual divisions across the tiers of the league.

From Donegal’s point of view, he has recognised the levels of professionalism in Mickey McCann’s squad that have them challenging to be a regular Division Two team.

In the past, it was the players that were going the extra yard that stood out in the Donegal group. Now it’s different. Now you stand out if you’re not going the extra mile.

“There’s more buy-in,” Gartland said. “We’ve won the Nickey Rackard and we’ve did well in Division Two last year.

“I think the younger boys that are coming on to the panel, they are seeing that there is a future in Donegal hurling. We’re definitely getting better, we are a very young team.

“Boys of a certain age have been on a strength and conditioning programme for a while and we know nothing different. We’re all delighted to see the way we’re going.”

Gartland said this weekend’s game us of utnmost importance, using the term “make-or-break” in terms of the their progress.

“If we can get up into Division Two next year, it’s a massive step,” he said.

“If we can hold our own the Christy Ring that would be brilliant. That would solidify us at the level we like to think of ourselves being at.

“If we stay in Division Three and other things don’t go our way, it could be a step back.

“Everyone’s working really hard and the boys are doing their best. We’ve probably as strong a panel as we’ve had in a while.

“My injury is unfortunate but I think we’re in a good enough place. I feel like I could have done it at a much worse time.”