Life left in the Donegal dog

THERE is always one team who shed their Allianz League form and reveal themselves to be the bolter from the pack.

Donegal are that team this summer. It is all very well to rubbish Down last weekend – and, yes, they were poor – but it takes something to win a Championship tie with such authority as Declan Bonner’s team managed last Sunday when playing with 14 men for most of the game. Two things stand out about them – the quality of their football and the sign of new life in their established players, with Frank McGlynn (left), Michael Murphy, Leo McLoone and Paddy McBrearty playing now like it is 2012 again. They will have a big part to play before this thing is done.