McCann highlights the importance of Roscommon visit

By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL manager Mickey McCann’s focus ahead of Saturday evening in Letterkenny and Roscommon is ensuring their Christy Ring status.

His side will welcome Meath in the final game in a group where there will also be a scrap for a place in the top two and a place in the final.

With Kerry the fancied horse to top the group, Donegal are among the teams who can join them in the decider.

“It’s a scrap surely and could go to scores (score difference),” McCann said, casting his eye ahead.

“That’s what we’re disappointed about too, we lost by 10 (against Derry, 2-23 to 1-16) and it could go to scores.”

McCann, who has faced Derry twice this season, feels the Oakleafers will get a win this weekend in Meath to further shake up the group.

“Meath’s coming to Letterkenny with two defeats already,” he added. “First and foremost, we’ve got to beat Roscommon to make sure we keep our status in the Christy Ring.

“As for Kerry, we were well in the game against them with 14 men. I think if Derry get their house in order and play like that, Kerry’s not a given to come to Celtic Park and win.”

For Donegal, they were without the suspended Danny Cullen and have missed the influence of key player Conor Gartland.

Donegal had two impressive performances against Wicklow and Kerry but were wasteful in defeat to Derry.

It was an end-to-end game that was ultimately decided on a second half goal from Deaglan Foley.

Lasklustre

“Derry were the better side, we were just struggling and we looked lacklustre,” McCann added.

“Derry, in the second half, they were very physical, they were by far the better side on the day.

“We were lucky to be one down (at half-time). We were making a lot of mistakes and turning on the scores for Derry. We tried to fix that at half-time.

“On the day we had no answer for them, I thought we were destroyed in that middle eight.

“(Steven) McBride and Oisin Kelly, I thought did really well on Shea Cassidy and young (Rian) Collins.”

If Donegal can pick up two wins in their final two games, they will be looking up the table but Saturday is all they can focus on for now. Roscommon will see it as a scrap at the other end of the table.