CAV A GO! Ward relishing new role after blowing Breffni away

IT wasn’t just the huge tally they amassed against Cavan that suggested this was a new Donegal, but what they conceded too.

The thought of Donegal shipping 1-15 but still winning comfortably would have been unthinkable over the past seven years or so but, at the same time, defender Caolan Ward knows they can’t afford to play Russian roulette every day they go out either.

However, boss Declan Bonner doesn’t appear to have tried to curb his attacking instincts and while bigger tests are still to come, a Derry side fresh from relegation to Division Four may be vulnerable to another Donegal blitz.

“We have conceded a lot,” says Ward. “We’re only learning and trying to improve game on game.

“I love to attack. If I get an opportunity to have green grass in front of me, I’m away.

“There is a fear, I suppose, that play will break down and you’re out of position. But the way we want to play is retaining possession, fast and hard.”

Without the same defensive cover that has been the norm for Donegal in previous years, the defensive skills of Ward and his colleagues in the back line come under the spotlight.

“Your job as a defender, first and foremost, is to mark the man and, the way Declan wants us to play, defenders and forwards are going to stand up more and go toe-to-toe with the man they are marking rather than with a sweeper in place or three or four defenders behind you.

“Is it a harder job? Definitely, you are playing against forwards who love open spaces and if you are giving them that they are going to cause you harm.

“It is tougher and it is pitting you against the best and if you can match them on any given day it does a lot for your confidence.”

He continued: “There’s times when you probably slacken off a bit and you’re not as tight as you should be.

“In terms of man-marking it’s probably something I’m good at, but not great at.

“But the only way you’re going to learn is by marking Patrick [Mcbrearty], Michael [Murphy], or Jamie Brennan in training.

“That’s the best way to test yourself because they are three top footballers.

“You’re not going to win every ball, but if you can get a hand in or limit the damage then you have done your job to an extent.”