STEPHEN Rochford has admitted that 2022 is a 'big year' for Donegal who need to start delivering on their potential after a difficult 12 months.
The former Mayo manager said he had little hesitation about signing up for a fourth season alongside Declan Bonner but acknowledged that the management do need to get the team 'flowing' again.
Since the surprise 2020 Ulster final defeat to Cavan, they've registered just three wins from a possible seven in competitive games, beating Tyrone in the National League though eventually exiting the Ulster championship at the hands of the same opposition.
Asked if he had to think hard about committing to another year of commuting from Mayo to Donegal, Rochford shook his head.
"Not really," said the Crossmolina man at the launch of the AIB backed GOAL Mile challenge.
"We've worked well over the last three years. The main thing at the back of my mind was that the last 12 months have been quite difficult as regards trying to get the team flowing to what I believe is their potential. We haven't delivered on our potential over the last 12 months, since the 2020 Ulster final, and I suppose that has been something that's been in the back of my mind.
"I think there's great potential in the group but we need to...this is a big year for us to deliver on that."
Rochford had positive news on the playing front, confirming firstly that captain Michael Murphy will be fit for the start of the National League following a lengthy battle with a hamstring injury and also that Neil McGee intends to play on.
Murphy's Championship campaign was heavily affected by the injury and he confirmed in late October that he still hadn't fully recovered and would have to get through 'a body of work before the new season that will allow me to get to what I usually do'.
"He's back on the pitch, doing his programme," said Rochford. "I'm not aware of any concerns that he won't be available for the start of the National League."
As for McGee, Rochford said the 36-year-old Gaoth Dobhair man intends to pursue an individual pre-season programme in a bid to be available again for selection.
"I'm not sure if people were aware but Neil picked up quite a nasty injury in that Tyrone (Championship) game and had to come off after a couple of minutes," said Rochford.
"It took him a period of time over the summer and his club championship was hampered by it, so it's just a case at the moment of getting Neil up and running.
"I know he's going through his own programme with a bit of yoga and pilates and those items but we are looking forward to seeing him at the turn of the new year and seeing what he can offer. I've found him over the three years to be one of our most consistent performers and hopefully he can give another bit in 2022."
Defender Paddy McGrath definitely won't be available having retired with Rochford stating that the 32-year-old's 'body has given in at this level'.
"I only said to him last week, that (2019) Ulster final display he gave against Cavan was up there with some of the best individual performances that I witnessed and it was just so disappointing that the Super 8s just didn't kick on for him," said Rochford.
"He picked up an injury in the warm-up against Meath, didn't play against Kerry, that's the cruelty of sport. He has one of his best games against Cavan in an Ulster final and the next game he plays (against Mayo) he actually does his ACL and he doesn't really recover from that."
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