Donegal boss Jim McGuinness on what his side must not do in All-Ireland Final against Kerry

Belfast Telegraph

5 days ago

The pace of defenders, strength of his bench and the ability of as many as half-a-dozen players to whip over two-point scores from distance affords McGuinness more than a degree of comfort ahead of the showdown with the Kingdom.
He has watched his side blossom to date this year but acknowledges that Kerry will be 'a massive test' for his players despite the progress they have made.
With Finbarr Roarty, Peader Mogan and Ryan McHugh having underlined their blistering pace in launching telling counter attacks from defence, Donegal have imposed considerable pressure on opponents never more so than against Meath in their convincing All-Ireland Semi-Final victory.
'It's important that we take the game to the opposition. We cannot sit back and let them come at us and given the manner in which Kerry attack sides we know that we have to be ready to up our game,' points out McGuinness.
And with players such as Michael Langan, Daire O Baoill, Michael Murphy, Ciaran Thompson and Oisin Gallen among those capable of landing two-pointers, Donegal are not short on firepower.
McBrearty may be the team captain but he has been starting matches from the bench of late and may well find himself in this situation on Sunday next. Yet when he was sent into the fray against Meath he lost no time in whipping over three points to help cement his side's handsome victory. And he remains totally philosophical about his own situation.
'I love being part of the set-up and I will fulfil whatever role I am allocated. The important thing is that we triumph as a team when all is said and done,' insists McBrearty.
The Donegal bench has served the team well to date this year and there is expected to be further evidence of this offered against a Kerry side who are also accustomed to introducing substitutes to good effect, particularly when the heat is on in matches that really matter.