McGuinness draws the positives of second-half improvement against Louth

Jim McGuinness admitted he felt Donegal were not at their best against Louth in Ballyshannon on Sunday, although did enough to put themselves within touching distance of promotion.

In the end, a goal from Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí and eight points from Patrick McBrearty were enough in Ballyshannon for Donegal to win 1-17 to 0-15, who now need one win from two to rubber-stamp promotion. Donegal are away to tenants Kildare at Carlow's Dr Cullen Park on Saturday week, seven days before Meath come to Ballybofey.

Louth, for whom Sam Mulroy hit seven scores, were right in the mix until about the three-quarter mark, when they failed to deal with a dropping ball in from Daire Ó Baoill and Hugh McFadden laid off for Mac Ceallabhuí to put Donegal 1-12 to 0-10 and finally put some daylight in it. There was a hint of a suspicion of throw ball in the lead-up, although once the green flag went up whatever chance Louth had of getting something was unlikely.

“In the first half we would’ve been disappointed with our decision-making,” McGuinness said afterwards of the 0-9 to 0-7 interval lead, with the wind. “We brought a lot of ball into contact and we were getting turned over. We’d be happier with the second half, into the breeze, where we attacked on our own terms. We had much more control of the game. We’re delighted to get the two more points. We knew what we were going to get from Louth.

“In the last couple of games we were much more in control, good movement, who we wanted on the ball and getting the shots off, whereas it was a bit of a step backwards today.”

There were claims from Louth that the goal scored by Mac Ceallabhuí contained a thrown ball in the lead-up, with referee Paddy Neilan consulting with umpires before the green flag was waved.

“I hadn’t a good vision of it,” McGuinness said. “All of these things are if and buts after the event. I do believe we did enough in the second half to win the match. I have enough worries on my shoulders without worrying about Louth. They’re a good side. We’re fighting for promotion and they are fighting for their lives.

“The effort was there, the workrate was there and the intensity was there. When they played a pass there were one and two and three support runners. They knew everything was on the line. They played brilliantly, especially in that first half. For us, we were disappointed in ways with the performance but the positive we’re taking is that we still put 1-17 on the board.”