Jim McGuinness speaks with the assurance of a man who has been here before.
The work is never finished, the improvements are always necessary, but after Donegal’s authoritative 0-21 to 1-10 win over Armagh, the broad strokes of his latest project are beginning to take shape.
Sunday’s performance was another step, another layer of belief. Three wins from three in the National League, six points on the board, and Donegal’s style and shape resembling something that might soon be chiselled into opposition nightmares once more.
Michael Murphy made his first appearance for Donegal in three years, almost bringing the house down when introduced on 44 minutes, before kicking three points.
“I spoke about Michael to our own lads in the dressing room, it’s great to have him back and great to have his presence,” McGuinness said of the 2012 captain.
“There’s not much I can say about Michael that hasn’t been said before, but I thought he led the line really well when he went in there. He’s done an awful lot of work to put himself in this position because we didn’t want to put him in to a position too early. We wanted him to be the best he can be, so hopefully that’s the start of it now and we can see what we can do with him next weekend.”
Donegal’s Michael Murphy on the attack during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Reflecting on the result, McGuinness said: “I thought we defended really well. In old money, we only conceded eight points, so that was pleasing. We worked hard really well, we transitioned very well in periods, so all of that was pleasing.”
“It was a collective really, and you just don’t want to let your supporters down.”
Supporters packed into MacCumhaill Park in their thousands, and they got their moment. Michael Murphy’s return dominated the narrative in the build-up, but Donegal did not let the noise distract them.
Even when Armagh struck first — Darragh McMullin slipping through to beat Shaun Patton on 10 minutes — McGuinness’s men simply reset, composed themselves, and took control.
By half-time, the game had turned. Ten unanswered Donegal points had left Armagh flailing, their usually well-drilled defensive structure pulled apart by the pace and movement Patrick McBrearty.
When the visitors briefly threatened a second-half resurgence, cutting the deficit to two, Donegal found the right response.
The crowd had barely finished celebrating Murphy’s return when Aidan Forker was sent in the opposite direction, his dismissal for a collision with the Glenswilly man draining Armagh of any remaining fight.
Murphy needed mere moments to settle into his work, punishing a poor kick-out with his first point and adding another for good measure. By the time McBrearty, Ciarán Thompson, and Odhrán Doherty added the finishing touches, Donegal were long out of reach.
Donegal’s Jamie Brennan tries to wriggle his way out of trouble during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
For McGuinness, this was a step forward, but there are bigger tests to come.
“Obviously, when you’re playing the All-Ireland champions, it’s a great opportunity for our lads to play in another big game,” he said.
“Like last weekend and the weekend before that, in terms of experience, and atmosphere, and vibe around the town… these types of games stick in the memory whenever you hang the boots up.
“It was a good experience for us, but we still have a lot of things to work on. But we’re very happy to be where we’re at and to look at everything.”
That “everything” includes managing the squad carefully. The games come thick and fast, but Donegal’s early-season business has given them breathing room.
“Six points in the league is a very important marker in terms of the league,” McGuinness acknowledged.
“Everybody wants to get there as quickly as possible, we’re there now and we’re thankful for that. Hopefully, we can keep the shoe down now for next weekend.
“We have points on the board and if there is anybody carrying a knock or needs a rest, we will be very open to that.”
This was a performance that reinforced Donegal’s standing. It is early days yet, but the shape of something familiar is beginning to emerge.
