We got
our trophy back! The Anglo Celt is back in Donegal hands for the third time in
four years and with the Fr. Murray cup also crossing the border last night
after the minor team’s victory it was a day of double delight for the green and
gold.
Despite
being somewhat used to the celebrations that go with an Ulster title win, the
management and players took particular pleasure out of yesterday’s win; it
seemed to mean more, even judging by Jim’s reaction at the final whistle.
There’s a fierce determination within the group to right the wrongs from last
year and they’ve now banished the memory of the provincial showpiece 12 months
ago.
For a few
of course this is their first Ulster medal – Ryan McHugh marked the occasion with
a man of the match performance while Odhran MacNiallais kicked three wonderful
points over the course of the game.
In the
early stages of the match, the blood and thunder of last year wasn’t quite
evident; there was nervy, nasty atmosphere and a somewhat claustrophobic
tension which mirrored the dead heat in the Clones air. The apprehensiveness
affected the players too with three of the country’s leading dead ball
specialists, Conor McManus, Michael Murphy and Rory Beggan, all missing
attempts at the posts in the opening minutes; indeed McManus would register his
only score in stoppage time at the end of the match – and that was a long ball
intended to land in and around Paul Durcan’s square.
Donegal
coped better in the dour opening exchanges, notching the game’s first three
points and Monaghan struggled to cope with Jim’s defensive setup. McGuinness
stationed Leo McLoone in the full forward line alongside Colm McFadden and it
is an example of the options that the coaching staff have developed over time.
Leo’s fabulous fetch on the end line led to MacNiallais’ second point of the
day and kept Donegal nudging ahead.
Despite
the perception that ‘The System’ is extremely rigid, the players have to be
agile and be able to undertake different roles throughout the course of a game.
Murphy is the best example of this of course; he spent most of yesterday’s game
as an auxiliary centre back alongside Frank McGlynn and on numerous occasions
he was even covering in at full-back when Neil McGee sauntered up field. Armagh
were the pioneers of this role under Joe Kernan - Tony McEntee used to slot in
alongside Kieran McGeeney as Murphy did yesterday.
The
purists baulk at such tactics, stunned that one of the game’s eminent attackers
is asked to perform such a role yet I’m sure Michael didn’t mind one bit where
he played once he was able to climb the steps of the Gerry Arthur stand to pick
up the trophy for the third time.
When the
team was named during the week, it was assumed that there would be changes
before throw-in and Karl Lacey was sure to be one of them. He had a fine
afternoon, getting the game’s opening point and also displaying his now
trademark, textbook dispossession on Dermot Malone in the second half. You
often see defenders - not very good ones - frantically swinging both arms at an
attacker hoping to dispossess them; Karl does this but always in a measured
way, aimed at the ball and it’s a fantastic skill.
Lacey’s
half back counterpart, Anthony Thompson, had a somewhat unusual game – time and
again his handling let him down and he, like quite a few of the players, looked
nervous. Yet the Glenties man just always seems to make a big contribution and
he certainly did that again.
Neil
Gallagher was another change to the fifteen named and the Glenswilly man had an
outstanding game. Such are his injury problems that he rarely gets seventy
minutes in a Donegal jersey these days but he lasted the pace yesterday and
that in itself is a huge positive as we move into the All-Ireland series.
There’s
an intense, somewhat bitter rivalry building between these teams lately and
that always simmered close to the surface yesterday. There were quite a few
flashpoints in the game and it was a surprise that both teams managed to keep their
full complement of players on the field. The McGee brothers both picked up
cautions in the first half but did well to keep their discipline thereafter,
crucial in such a tense, turgid battle.
The
battles were taking place in the stands too with quite a few slagging matches
breaking out amongst the two sets of supporters. Stephen Gollogly didn’t help
matters as he put in a high tackle on McHugh, this of course the same player
who ended Mark McHugh’s Ulster final participation last year. Monaghan were
intent on drawing Donegal into a physical battle and they hit hard and
sometimes late. Yet the discipline shown by the men from the Hills was
commendable – in the first few minutes Gollogly swung Murphy around by the neck
but there was no reaction whatsoever from the Maestro, he just took his free
and got on with it.
Donegal
had a two-point lead at the break and continued to look in control in the third
quarter, stretching the difference out to four. Monaghan’s goal could have been
a major turning point as it left just the minimum between them - the next score
was going to be crucial. McGuinness’ men got it and added two more and that was
the winning of the game.
Patrick
McBrearty was to the fore in this period and maybe the decision not to start
him was a smart call from Jim in that it reminded the Kilcar youngster that his
displays had to improve. Injury curtailed his involvement during the league but
in almost every game he came off the bench to good effect and got his name on
the score sheet, just like he did yesterday.
It was
the captain who had the final say, Murphy nailing a monster 70 yard free to
sink Monaghan hearts. It was reminiscent of the free he scored against Ardara
in last year’s county semi final to get his club to the final – big moments,
big man.
A
handling error from Frank McGlynn led to the goal but that aside he was immense
throughout. He was the source for many of his side’s attacks and swept up in
front of the McGee brothers. Earlier in that move for the goal, McFadden
handled poorly to give possession back to the Farney men; Colm’s poor form
continued yesterday, having been brilliantly marshalled by Drew Wylie, and his
lack of confidence is a worry as we head for Croke Park. He’s working as hard
as ever but it just isn’t happening for him at present. That can happen
sometimes and you feel that a goal or a big point from play could turn his
season around. He still notched 0-4 from frees though and for that alone he’s a
vital cog.
Neither
Colm nor Michael scored from play yet the team still registered 0-15; maybe
Donegal aren’t as reliant on these two as everyone makes out. For a defensive
side who supposedly neglect the attacking element of the game, it was a decent
score to post and indeed there were some very poor wides and missed chances to
go along with that.
So all
this means that its back to Jones Road in a few weeks’ time for a quarter final
against either Armagh or Meath. The Orchard had our number for quite a few
years so a rematch would be something to look forward to.
Looking
forward to the semi-final is what the rest of the country are doing though –
the unbeatable juggernaut that is Dublin will be there and many believe Donegal
are the only team that can stop them. A Dublin street trader even found his way
to the market town yesterday, selling headbands for a euro, maybe on a spying
mission for August.
Certainly
right now, the team is not as fluid or assured as it was this time two years
ago. However Jim has broken a seventy minute football match into so many little
parts and has a specific plan for each as regards positioning of players,
personnel changes from the bench and game plans that you wouldn’t back against
him in any contest.
There
probably wasn’t a need to go as defensive yesterday as Jim did but maybe this
was with an eye on future opponents and honing that watertight system that will
be undoubtedly pushed to its limit by the Dubs should the two sides meet.
That’s
for another day though; for now it’s a quarter final to think about and a
chance to bask in the glory of another Ulster title. Maith sibh lads.
