MISERY OF 2020 BLUE AWAY

Paddy helps exact revenge on Breffni

BY KARL O’KANE

DONEGAL were anxious to exorcise the ghosts of

2020 going into Sunday’s Ulster semi-final at Clones.

Declan Bonner’s side were on the end of a shock Ulster final defeat by Cavan in the Covid-hit 2020 campaign at the Athletic Grounds, which Paddy Mcbrearty recalls as “a tough, tough

evening”.

Thoughts of that loss in Armagh were fuel for Donegal last weekend, on their return to Clones for the first time since 2019. Cavan were looking to upset the odds again, but Mickey Graham’s men came up short - 2-16 to 0-16 - with Mcbrearty (28), hitting 1-4.

It secured a 10th Ulster final place in the last 12 years since 2011 – Jim Mcguinness’ first year in charge.

They’ve won five out of nine to date, and will face the winners of next weekend’s Derry/ Monaghan encounter.

Donegal have made 24 Ulster finals in total, an indicator of the serious run of success they’ve been on in the province in recent years.

However, they haven’t reached an All-ireland semifinal since 2014, Mcguinness’ final year in charge.

Mcbrearty has been a big player in an outstanding run of success, but the Athletic Grounds in 2020 – a straight knock out Championship due to Covid – was a low point.

“That (Ulster final, 2020) was a tough, tough evening and we were going for three in a row,” said Mcbrearty.

“But Cavan deserved to beat us that day. We didn’t overly play to our potential.

“So we wanted to put that right and this was our first time in Clones since 2019, so it was good to get back here too.

“They (Cavan) are a quality team. They are not a Division 4 team – far from it. We knew we had to be on our game and we weren’t in the first half.

“We got things right at half time and we got on top, but they are a quality outfit.

“To win any Ulster game you are looking at that 20-point mark. We hit it.

“I don’t think we hit it two weeks ago against Armagh, but you are going to have to hit it against whoever comes out of Derry and Monaghan.”

The scoreline at half-time was 0-9 apiece, and while Donegal were able to carve out goal chances, poor handling or passing meant they didn’t punish Cavan.

They were also fortunate to survive what looked a clear penalty in the second minute as Gearoid Mckiernan went to shoot for goal, and had Shaun

Patton to thank for deflecting James Smith’s piledriver onto the bar.

“We weren’t happy with the way we attacked the first half,” said Kilcar’s Mcbrearty. “There were too many turnovers and moves breaking down.

“We had to make sure of the final pass and chip away at the scores in the second half.

“We were taking a lot of ball into contact. They are really, really good. If you take an extra touch, they are swarming you. We just said to keep the ball moving – move their defensive shape.

“We did that in the second half and started to get wee openings. We got two lucky goals and that was the winning of the game, really.”

Mcbrearty took a hard hit in the first half that left him with a cut under his chin.

“I don’t think it was intentional,” he said.

“I ducked, more than anything. That happens. I will be sore tomorrow.”