Football

Time for Donegal to deliver says Jamie Brennan

Donegal Jamie Brennan with Kieran McGeary of Tyrone in action during the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi final match played at Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday 8th June 2019. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.
Donegal Jamie Brennan with Kieran McGeary of Tyrone in action during the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi final match played at Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday 8th June 2019. Picture Margaret McLaughlin. Donegal Jamie Brennan with Kieran McGeary of Tyrone in action during the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi final match played at Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday 8th June 2019. Picture Margaret McLaughlin.

It is time for the Donegal players to stand up and deliver.

And the county can no longer be using injuries or youth as “excuses” for lack of success on the field.

Like his manager Declan Bonner, Jamie Brennan is not a fan of the forward mark either.

Those were the candid message from star corner forward Jamie Brennan as he looks forward to a vital season ahead for the reigning Ulster champions.

For despite winning their second Ulster title on the trot, Donegal once again faltered at the final hurdle of the Super 8’s, this time to Mayo, after losing out to Tyrone in 2018.

But Donegal suffered major blows with a long- term injury to Eoghan Ban Gallagher, while Jason McGee and Neil McGee were also ruled out for that crunch match against Mayo.

Despite these injuries Donegal and Kerry served up the game of the year in a thrilling draw in Croke Park.

The Kingdom went on to reach the All-Ireland final, which shows how close Donegal really are to the summit.

But Brennnan, who was speaking at the O’Neill’s launch of the new Donegal jersey in the Abbey Hotel on Monday, admits that there is a sense of unfinished business for Tir Conaill.

“Yes we had a lot of injuries and they were a factor but we have a good squad and I don’t think we can making those excuses for not winning.

“The year previously Patrick was injured, but I just think that a few of us other players need to step up to the occasion and injuries give other players a chance to shine”.

“There were a lot of squad players that got game time at the end of season that might not have expected it and that will be a huge boost going into 2020.

But the memory of those two defeats could be a spur to push Donegal on to the next level this year.

“Yeah, the last two years did not go the way we wanted and this year we need to take it one step further, but we have been given a really tough draw in the opening match against Tyrone.

“But we really need to be trying to go one further in the Super 8’s.

“There is a squad building there and we are a young team but now is the time we have to step up and show what we are capable of.

“Last year, it was all about getting back to Division One and you want to be up there playing against the top teams and winning games which develops you for playing in the championship.

“You need expose as many players as you can to that standard and that is the whole purpose of the League.

“But in fairness to Declan, if you are showing form on the training field you will ger your chance and just look at Oisin Gallen last year who made a huge step up and Eoghan McGettigan is playing great stuff with Glenties, so he will get his chance too and he is a great prospect also.”

When asked about the ‘forward mark’ he said:

“I thought last year’s championship went very well and it is easy to make decisions at a higher level, but I just could not believe it.

“But for me personally I would say it would slow the play down and players will be looking for their mark more often.

“It is putting defenders out to dry.

“We have not really been working on and I suppose the NFL will show how teams will adapt to it, whether they go with bigger men or whether they go back and flood defences.

“I don’t see why they had to change the rules and it was ok.

“And now if you get a mark, you are in two minds of whether to take it or take your man on”.

When asked about the ‘sin bin’ as a replacement for the black card, he said:

“I suppose it is not as bad as the black card.

“Players have been training for a full year and if you look at Naomh Conaill’s A J Gallagher, his night was ended after just one tackle.

“So the sin bin also gives the other team a chance of push on for that 10-15 minutes”.

For now, Jamie and his colleagues are focusing on the Dr Mc Kenna Cup as it is all about getting games.

“Yes, it is a good way of getting back into things and then the League is coming around at the end of January”.