“If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; yours is the earth and everything that’s in it and, which is more, you’ll be a man, my son.”
Victory or defeat, they should be met similarly.
Donegal went down by the minimum in the Ulster final against Monaghan but, as they prepare for a lifeline battle versus Galway that could take them to Croke Park, the hunger is going nowhere.
The talk after that loss in Clones was generally that there were too many miles clocked on the Donegal wagon, but no team is better focused to deal with the setback. Had they won against Monaghan, they would’ve been lauded unstoppable. Had they won against Monaghan, their attitude and their application would’ve been exactly the same anyway.
And here’s why they will bounce back against Galway on Saturday.
1. Michael Murphy
Against Tyrone, against Armagh, against Derry, Michael Murphy was absolutely unworkable. He was well marshalled in the Ulster final and just one of 15 Donegal men that were catered for in a near perfect set-up and performance by Malachy O’Rourke and his men.
A player of his calibre is not kept quiet for two games though. The bear has been well and truly poked and, when this bear is angry, there’s not one thing – man or beast – that will stop it in its tracks.
Galway should prepare for a Murphy backlash. Not that it will help them much.
2. Rory Gallagher
This is the Donegal manager’s first season. The players might have been around the block together but there will be no danger of going stale after just one championship defeat.
They are actually in much safer hands with a new man at the helm to help them back over a slump. He’ll have fresh ideas, new impetus and he’ll be keen to get back across his own enthusiasm to the squad.
Gallagher has already shown that he isn’t afraid to let the side express themselves, the players have spoken about his attacking focus in training. Barring one narrow defeat, the vibes have been largely positive. He is the man to keep the squad engaged.
3. They could’ve beaten Monaghan
Had that game gone on for three more minutes, Donegal would’ve won.
Before the Ulster final, we spoke about their discipline and their application to the system and how the only thing that beats Donegal is the clock. They just ran out of time against the Farney men.
Monaghan’s last score came in the 49th minute of that decider. Donegal completely controlled the second period, they dominated midfield, they huffed and puffed and, whilst they were probably guilty of a few uncharacteristic panic shots, they had enough good chances to clinch the title and were so much on the front foot by the end of the game that it was only the final whistle that denied them.
It will be easy for Gallagher to preach to the lads to take this one on the chin.
4. Experience
Donegal lost an All-Ireland final last year by a score. The loss to Monaghan will hurt but, in the grand scheme of things, it won’t be one they look back and dwell on. This isn’t something they haven’t faced before.
This side have already accrued three provincial gongs together and now they just want to get back to the top. Losing in Clones is a setback but it doesn’t take away from their ultimate goal of putting right what happened in Croke Park last September.
That dream is still attainable. That’s the scar they really want to mend.
5. Croke Park
Donegal are well versed with headquarters by now.
They’re so used to it that they even did the impossible and ambushed Dublin, shut out what was supposed to be the greatest and deadliest attack in the wide open spaces of Croker.
They’re used to the pitch, they’re used to the stadium and they know how to win there in white hot atmospheres. When was the last time Galway won a big game at Croke Park?
This won’t be a comeback for Donegal. This will be business as usual.
This article was brought to you by For Goodness Shakes. Donegal GAA are using a range of For Goodness Shakes recovery and protein products for their senior squad.
