FORMER Donegal player James McHugh has reflected upon the county team’s performance and says there is nothing to worry about.

After losing to Cavan in the Ulster final in 2020, Donegal were knocked out of the provincial competition by Tyrone, the eventual All-Ireland champions.

Yet Kilcar man McHugh says there is no reason for Donegal fans to be alarmed.

“It is hard to judge teams without a back door. It has been difficult for players over the past year. But I wouldn’t be overly concerned about it. I wouldn’t be panicking. We are in the first division, staying in the first division was a good achievement. The league was so tight and the first division is so competitive.

“I think we get carried away with winning. You are not going to win the Ulster title every year. Our priority must be to be competitive.

“Donegal are still in a very healthy position. Declan Bonner has done a very good job with the team.”

McHugh takes this opinion because he has watched his county’s rise in form over the past ten years.

“Donegal has been competitive since McGuinness came in, in 2011. That is ten to 11 years. There were years when we weren’t competitive at all, but now we are competitive and have been for over ten years. We are one of the top teams in Ulster and are one of the top four or five teams in Ireland. That is a big achievement for a county that has only won two All-Irelands. We are not Dublin or Kerry. Sometimes people get carried away.

“To me, being competitive for ten years is very good. I wouldn’t be overly alarmed.”

McHugh said the quality available to manager Declan Bonner, who was reappointed to the job recently, remain very good.

“I still think we have good players and we will still be there.

“I think our goalkeeper (Shaun Patton) is an unbelievable player. I think Michael Langan is very good. Michael Murphy is going to be there for a while, Ryan (McHugh), Paddy McBrearty. There are good players who are there.”

The reason for the quality of the players is down to how good the club scene is in the county.

“There are four outstanding clubs in Donegal. Ghaoth Dobhair winning the Ulster club a few years ago gave the club scene in Donegal a profile that we never had before. There are the top four teams, Kilcar, Naomh Conaill, St Eunan’s and Gaoth Dobhair. The standard of club football in Donegal is still very good though there are those four who are ahead of the rest.”

However, he did say that there were some things that did go against Donegal.

“Donegal were unlucky with injuries this year. Stephen McMenamin got injured at a very bad time. Michael Murphy was carrying an injury. Neil McGee looked to be struggling as well. Injuries are part and parcel of the game.”