'The serious business begins now' for Donegal as Cork come to town
“Cork got to the All-Ireland quarter-final and they pushed Derry for long periods. They are on an upward curve. They’ll come up the road more seasoned than ourselves"
Jim McGuinness says Donegal have a huge obstacle in front of them in their first NFL Division 2 outing in Ballybofey.
Cork have made the long journey to MacCumhaill Park and everyone, not just what is expected to be a very large home support, is fascinated to see just how McGuinness approaches the contest.
The team had four outings in the Dr McKenna Cup but the manager admits there was a loose and experimental approach to those matches. The serious business, he insists, begins now.
“Cork got to the All-Ireland quarter-final and they pushed Derry for long periods. They are on an upward curve. They’ll come up the road more seasoned than ourselves.
“At the moment, we’re trying to put so many things in place. Myself, I’m trying find out about players, develop a style and system of play.
“You’re taking in a backroom team as well and it takes a little time for that to all settle. There is an awful lot going on. But we’ve had a great pre-season and got through an enormous amount of work.
“Sunday though, that’s the real starting point now. We’re looking forward to the game. The building process really begins insofar as you’re studying games really closely now and bringing things on and into the next match".