Football

Veteran Frank McGlynn impressed by look of latest Donegal forward division

Jamie Brennan scored two points in Donegal's victory over Cavan on Sunday, and his pace caused the Breffnimen problems all afternoon. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Jamie Brennan scored two points in Donegal's victory over Cavan on Sunday, and his pace caused the Breffnimen problems all afternoon. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Jamie Brennan scored two points in Donegal's victory over Cavan on Sunday, and his pace caused the Breffnimen problems all afternoon. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

FRANK McGlynn has seen some serious attacking talent come and go during his 12 years wearing the Donegal jersey, and the Glenfin man admits he is excited by the potential of the current forward division.

Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan and substitute Cian Mulligan contributed 1-8 to the Tir Chonaill’s 2-20 tally during Sunday’s one-sided victory over Cavan.

And, on a day when the normally deadly Paddy McBrearty wasn’t at his brilliant best, the young guns stepped up to the plate in impressive fashion.

“They’re very good players,” said the 31-year-old, who has played alongside the likes of McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden and Brendan Devenney during his county career.

“Michael Langan lit up the Ulster U21 Championship there last year and he showed today what a quality footballer he is. If he gets a yard or two he can put it between the posts, and the same too with Ciaran Thompson.

“He had a fantastic National League last year and hopefully now those two boys can kick on and do big things this summer. Jamie Brennan too, boys like that are adding big time to the forward line.

“You’ve still the likes of Patrick and Michael who can cause damage to any defence, but it’s positive when you can spread that weight of score-getting around the whole six forwards.”

And captain Murphy, in particular, was brilliant as Declan Bonner’s men brushed off the Breffnimen.

The talismanic Glenswilly man dominated proceedings after a bright start from Cavan, and was central to everything good about the Donegal performance.

“The debate’s always there about where he plays but no matter where he is on the pitch, he has a massive influence on the team,” added McGlynn.

“We’re just blessed to have him on our side.”

Despite always looking in control after recovering well from Caoimhin O’Reilly’s 16th minute goal, boss Bonner admitted he was concerned by how easily Cavan engineered runs on the scoreboard at times.

McGlynn agreed, and feels it is something they must remedy in the weeks ahead – starting with their Ulster quarter-final clash with Derry on May 27.

“Any time you win a Championship game you’re going to be satisfied,” said the 2012 Allstar.

“We came in here, probably the bookies and the media had us as favourites, and we justified that tag but we did acknowledge that Cavan were going to bring a savage challenge and they did.

“I suppose, when you look back on the game, we maybe played in fits and starts. We opened up a seven point lead in the first half and we were probably a bit disappointed to only go in with only four in it at half-time.

“We maybe took our foot off the pedal a wee bit, so we have loads of things to work on coming into the next game against Derry.

“It ebbed and flowed, but the times we did get on top we made it count on the scoreboard.

“Probably in the second half we went through a bit of a spell where we were finding scores hard to come by, taking the wrong option at times, but Patrick settled us with a point and we pushed into gear again.

“That’s something that’s going to happen throughout Championship matches so very much something to work on.”