Donegal’s focus flicks to Down

By Michael McMullan

IF Donegal manager Mickey McCann made a Saturday trip to Owenbeg, he’ll have a full idea what his side will face this weekend.

Down were in rampant form against the Oakleafers with Tom McGrattan hitting 0-15 to tie in with a fine team performance.

In his own camp, McCann saw Donegal put their disappointment from defeat in Meath behind them to get two valuable points on the board against Tyrone.

Donegal had a wide range of scores on the board but a return for Steven McBride was another plus and they’ll need a huge performance from him this weekend.

Down are top of the table but Donegal need another win to secure their status in the newly formed Division Two.

“But we have Kerry coming here then for the first time. They’ve never been to O’Donnell Park and we will look forward to that challenge.

“We have Kildare away and Derry at home in the last match so it keeps us in it right up to the final day and four points could be enough.”

There is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before the visit of Derry but Donegal have time to turn their season around.

The Christy Ring Cup will come around the corner and McCann saw enough in his side’s narrow defeat in Meath to suggest they’ve plenty to offer.

The short term is about Ballycran on Sunday. Liam McKinney, Conor Gartland and Sean Ward along their half-forward zone must impose themselves on Down’s half-back line like Derry didn’t. If they fail to break even, McGrattan, Eoghan and Daithi Sands have the tools to do damage.