Mogan return a boost for Carr

By Michael McMullan

THE return of Peadar Mogan will be a huge boost to Donegal under new manager Paddy Carr.

Donegal travel to O’Neill’s Healy Park (Sunday 2pm) this weekend hoping to back up their opening day win over NFL and All-Ireland champions Kerry.

Speaking to the Donegal GAA Podcast after the game, Carr confirmed the return of Mogan – currently studying in Liverpool – to the panel.

It was Carr’s first league game in charge and the two points on offer were vital given the competitive nature of Division One.

Caolan McColgan, Johnny McGroddy and Mark Curran impressed on their league debut with a return between the posts for Shaun Patton for his first outing of 2023.

Tyrone’s defeat in Roscommon put them into the wounded animal bracket this weekend and sets up another derby clash between two of Ulster’s great rivals.

A hallmark of Donegal under Carr, Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley’s watch is a more ‘heads up’ style of play, but it still took a winning score from new skipper Paddy McBrearty to nail victory last weekend.

Donegal were missing Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Thompson and Michael Langan, while Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí – the form player in the club championship – only came off the bench last weekend.

Tyrone have shipped six goals in the last two outings, so it will be interesting how much McBrearty, Conor O’Donnell and Jamie Brennan go for the jugular this weekend.

It’s a tough hour ahead and if they could come out of Omagh with at least a point, Donegal would begin to look up the table rather than down.