McShea's Say: Daire Ó Baoill led the way for Donegal's win over Fermanagh

Last Saturday in Letterkenny Gaoth Dobhair’s Daire Ó Baoill was outstanding as Donegal won their third game in-a-row in their 2024 Division 2 league campaign with a 14-point win against Fermanagh.  

In scoring 2-3 Ó Baoill was superb throughout and was the real leader for Donegal especially when they lacked the spark expected from them at home, in the first half. During that sticky period, Ó Baoill was the one man who took the fight to the visitors as he helped himself to three excellent long-range points in the opening 35 minutes.  

Playing with pace, power, skill, and incredible determination the Gaoth Dobhair man was a very easy choice for the Man of the Match accolade.  

I was very confident at half time that the league points would stay at home because while Fermanagh were the more dominant side in that first half, Donegal went in for the tea break knowing that they had yet to burst out of the traps even though they still led by one point and to their credit Donegal were a transformed outfit after half time. 

Jim Mc Guinness no doubt did some straight talking during the break, and while Fermanagh mounted several attacks, they failed to breach the resolute Donegal defence, largely due to poor decision-making and execution in crucial moments. The visitors’ positive work was frequently undermined by a poor final ball in Donegal’s half of the pitch.  

One positive takeaway from the match was McGuinness's display of confidence in the squad, providing opportunities for players to stake their claim for regular game time. Players are getting a chance to put their hand up for further minutes as the season progresses.  

It was great to see Hugh McFadden back on the pitch for the first time this year. Hugh has had a difficult time with injuries, but he looked extremely fit, and he had a good outing off the bench. No doubt, our strength and dept in the engine room will be enhanced by his return.  

Looking at Donegal’s excellent second-half display, it seems clear that all the players are fit in mind and body, and the squad seem to feel good about themselves. The second-half display showcased Donegal's fitness, cohesion, and belief in their playing style. While it is still early doors, with a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the team appears to have found a settled rhythm under McGuinness's guidance.  

They are already playing with a passionate desire to give it a real go, and Jim has the personality to capture and harness the positive mood that he has created.  

Donegal now has the look of a very settled spine to the team. Shaun Patton was again solid in goals on Saturday but not overworked because of a good defensive unit.  

Brendan McCole continues to impress, Caolan McGonagle looks solid as a rock at No 6, while Michael Langan was very good again last Saturday, while young Ciaran Moore is the find of the season.  

Ciarán Thompson at midfield is playing better than ever and Oisin Gallen has already set the ceiling very high for himself with his consistently outstanding displays.  

Ryan Mc Hugh is very brave in defence and his understanding of where the weak spot is in the opposition defence is second to none.  

Peadar Mogan is a real asset with his energy and probing runs while Patrick McBrearty is working very hard in the team’s best interest by tracking back into a defensive position when his side don’t have the ball, while also playing as a decoy to set up unmarked players running into scoring positions, as he did with Ó Baoill last weekend.  

Another positive is that Donegal are now a physically impressive team. They are big, strong, fit, and mobile. So going to Armagh this weekend will not in any way concern Donegal. Yes, it is never easy to win in the Athletic Grounds, and Armagh, like Donegal, are flying in the league.  

In hammering Kildare last Sunday, for anyone watching it’s clear to see just how impressive Kieran McGeeney’s side are. There is a very confident mood emerging from Orchard County this year as the feeling there is that they are a ‘shoo-in’ to make the Ulster final because they are in the easy half of the championship draw! I didn’t know that there was such a thing as an easy Ulster championship draw but no doubt time will tell.  

When Donegal meet Ulster teams it can often turn into a war of attrition. If morale and team spirit are high, then I believe a team can compete at any level. If that ingredient is missing then a side simply becomes a ‘middle of the road’ team, irrespective of the quality of the players on board.  

Donegal do have many quality players, and in Letterkenny on Saturday at half time, the mood among our officials and fans was one of quiet confidence.  

The second-half display was excellent, and the positive mood had visibly improved. It is obvious that the feeling in the camp is top class, the quality players are there and that is why I am confident of another positive result this weekend away from home.     

Recognition for Former Players   

On another note, aside from the team, great credit must go to the Donegal executive for their presentation to two great inter-county players who played in O’Donnell Park, against Fermanagh back in 1960.  

Seán McCormack, now living in Milford, who played for Aodh Rua, Ballyshannon, and Ownie Beag McBride from Gaoth Dobhair were in Letterkenny to collect their well-deserved awards. Both were top-class footballers and remain great supporters of our county teams.  

Upcoming Fixtures in Ballyshannon   

This Saturday, the All-Ireland Post Primary Camogie semi-final between St. Mary's, Magherafelt and Mercy College, Roscommon takes place in the Fr Tierney Park throw in at 1 o’clock, and on Sunday the Hogan Cup semi-final between Omagh CBS and St Gerard’s Castlebar also takes place in Ballyshannon.