It’s huge to get an opportunity to go to Croke Park: Patton

By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL goalkeeper Shaun Patton insists there are no easy games in the All-Ireland race and is delighted his side are returning to Croke Park

The St Eunan’s man said Donegal were just glad to get the “box ticked” with Sunday’s win over Louth.

Speaking just minutes after the game, ahead of seeing if they drew Monaghan or Meath in Monday’s quarter-final draw, Patton admits they’ve improvements to make.

Donegal led 0-5 to 0-2 before a wasteful spell in front of the posts let Louth off the hook and Ryan Burns kicked the Wee County back into contention.

“We’ll have to look at I suppose. The first half, we probably won’t be too happy with it but again the job’s done and we’re back next week,” Patton said, also highlighting the importance of getting any sores out of the bodies.

Half-time was about reassessment. Patton pointed to the importance of Ciarán Thompson’s second half goal, a “momentum shifter”, and how they began to get a hold of the game again. This time, they didn’t let go.

“Moving on, we can’t really allow a first half like that to happen,” Patton said.

“We might not be in the position we were at half time if we do. We’ll get back to the training ground this week and we just have to get the bodies right and get working towards next week.”

Donegal are coming off the back of a second Ulster title since Jim McGuinness made his return as manager. There was promotion to Division One again.

In terms of an All-Ireland race, they came up short in a semi-final with Galway last season. Now, the Donegal focus hones in on getting back to the last four.

“I suppose that’s the whole point of playing for your county, you want to get to the business end of the season,” Patton said.

“It’s huge to get an opportunity to go to Croke Park where everybody wants to play.

“Thankfully we’re there, but we’ve a lot of work to do this week and figure out who we’re playing (in the draw). We’ll get the heads down.”

Last year’s All-Ireland champions Armagh and runners-up Galway are still in the shake up. Traditional big hitters Kerry and Dublin are also in the frame as the race to lift Sam Maguire heads to the final month of action.

“That’s what happens when you get to the business end of the season,” Patton said of the field of competitors.

“Louth put it up to us there in the first half, there’s no such thing as an easy game anymore really.

“I suppose the score line there might not reflect the intensity of the game, especially that first half.

“Getting back to Croke Park is obviously huge and we’ve a lot of work to do if we want to keep going.

“We’re not going to look past any game,” he replied to the prospects of Meath or Monaghan coming down the tracks.

“We’ll get an opportunity to get to Croke Park, but we’re going to have to get the work in and look forward to getting the opportunity to get out there again.”

Check out this week’s review show, looking back at the Tailteann Cup and All-Ireland series, with inteviews from Declan McCusker, Conor Laverty and Jim McGuinness.