Football

Donegal must stop switching off in big games insists Tir Chonaill forward Paddy McBrearty

Paddy McBrearty, pictured at the launch of the Allianz National Leagues in Belfast, says Donegal need to keep their focus in big games if they are to be in the frame for titles
Paddy McBrearty, pictured at the launch of the Allianz National Leagues in Belfast, says Donegal need to keep their focus in big games if they are to be in the frame for titles Paddy McBrearty, pictured at the launch of the Allianz National Leagues in Belfast, says Donegal need to keep their focus in big games if they are to be in the frame for titles

DONEGAL must stop switching off in big games if they are to have any chance of being in the shake-up for silverware this summer says forward star Paddy McBrearty.

The Tir Chonaill men were leading by a point heading into the dying minutes of last year’s Ulster final against Tyrone, only for the Red Hands to pip them at the post to snatch a first Anglo-Celt Cup in six years.

Twelve months previous, Donegal kicked 11 second half wides as Monaghan landed the 2015 provincial title by a point.

It is a source of deep frustration for the players, admits McBrearty, and something they are “trying to fix”.

He said: “I definitely feel we are in the elite tier in the country.

“When people talk about Tyrone up there contending for All-Irelands, and yet our record against them has been very good and going into extra-time in the Ulster final last year we were up by a point…

“Unfortunately letting it slip, it didn't make us a bad team in the space of three months. I suppose there have been discussions and it’s something we have talked about, as to why these things happen because I suppose it is a recurring factor.

“In the Ulster final when we went three or four points up after half-time, we didn't push on from there. It is definitely a player thing. It is nothing to do with anybody else - it's our own issue with momentum.

“It’s something we’re trying to fix, we’re trying to come to a conclusion as to why this happens.

“It has lost us some big games. Monaghan in 2015 - I know we kicked a lot of wides that day but we didn't kick on either. Then the Ulster final, the Dublin game [last summer]… it probably is a bit of a problem.

“It is something we are going to try to resolve in the next few months in the league.”

Rory Gallagher has yet to lead Donegal to a trophy since taking over the reins from Jim McGuinness in 2014.

The Tir Chonaill county board clearly feel Gallagher is still the right man to bring back the glory days after handing him a further three year term, and McBrearty is in complete agreement.

“It was key that we got Rory back on board - he is definitely the only candidate for the job,” said the 23-year-old.

“We have been one kick of the ball away from winning two Ulster finals and we haven't got past the line yet. But from the players’ viewpoint, Rory is definitely the man for the job.

“He has a bit of a job now trying to integrate these players through but if there’s one man who can do it, it’s Rory.”

McBrearty is referring to the raft of young players now set to be given a chance in Donegal following the retirements of veterans Eamon McGee, Rory Gallagher, Christy Toye, Colm McFadden and David Walsh.

The Kilcar forward admits losing the experienced quintet wasn’t unexpected.

“I think a lot of us knew it was going to be their last year, there would have been jokes about it in training, about it being their last training session,” he continued.

“But we had a good enough idea that they were going to leave. Eamon McGee was probably the big shock. He is a bit of a surprise and he probably didn't give it enough time.

“They were all great servants of Donegal and they owe the Donegal jersey absolutely nothing.”