DOOHER: MY MEN ARE BIG UNDERDOGS
BRIAN DOOHER says Donegal are “favourites by a country mile,” to topple his Tyrone side in next Sunday’s Ulster semi-final at Celtic Park.
Donegal hit back to back
Ulster champions and Division 1 holders Derry for four goals last Saturday night in a six-point statement win.
The next day Tyrone had to go to extra-time to eke out a one point win over Cavan (inset).
It all leaves the cards stacked against Tyrone and Dooher says respect for intercounty players is “sadly lacking” in the schedule laid out for them as his side face a second punishing Ulster Championship tie in seven days.
“There’s no words could do it justice, how good they (Donegal) were,” said Dooher.
“It was as good a performance as I have seen. They just dismantled Derry basically who were two in a row Ulster champions, League champions.
“They have phenomenal pace, phenomenal work rate. It was a great match to watch actually.
“To be fair to Derry, give them credit too, but Donegal’s goals were real exhibition stuff.
“Jim (Mcguinness) was here (at Tyrone v Cavan) – I’m not sure he’ll go away too worried.
“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that performance is nowhere near what we need for Donegal. We go in and Donegal will be big favourites by a country mile.
“You know what? We’re still there and we’ll go and give a good account of ourselves. Getting bodies recovered will be the big focus.”
Dooher (above) has been a critic of the heavy schedule faced by county players.
“There’s some wiser men than me sorting it out,” he said.
“I’ve said it all year – the player welfare is not there. The players are the last thing they consider at this time.
“What they’re expecting of players who have to get up and do a day’s work tomorrow.
“And next week it’s crazy but that’s the way it is. I’m not the man putting my body on the line out there, it’s those young boys who are giving everything as they have done all year.
“They need a wee bit of respect in the middle of all this. That’s something that’s sadly lacking at the minute.”