FOR many of us, it will have been our final – 40,000 of us at Croke Park yesterday.
And every single one of us wondering where we will get tickets for the final, knowing that not all of us will.
Jim McGuinness was quick to pay tribute to the Donegal supporters for the support so far.
“When we stared out on the journey in the middle of May up in Breffni Park, it was a long way to the All-Ireland final, and to be there now is fantastic really for this group of players,” McGuinness said.
“The support at the minute has just been fantastic. Even in the warm-up today they were chanting ‘Donegal’, which was unbelievable for our players.
“Last year, we tried to put a framework in place that we could help the boys to achieve things in the game and we tried to build that over the winter. I think the supporters understand that and they understand what we’re trying to do.”
He added: “We’re trying to move the thing forward, develop the lads individually and develop them as a group.
“And I suppose the lesson from last year was try to get more scores on the board, and they’re aware of that as well.
“They have been with us every step of the way really since Breffni Park, and I think after the 2-18 (Donegal scored) in the Ulster final there was maybe a wee bit more optimism in them that this group of players could achieve something in the All-Ireland series and they’ve come out in huge numbers as a result.”
Now he is hoping some of those in the crowd yesterday will one day play for theiry county.
“The boys have a great relationship with the supporters as well, and the kids and everything else,” said Jim.
“It’s a great shot in the arm for Donegal football to be honest with you. We just hope now that the synergy that it creates, there will be a Michael Murphy, or a Colm McFadden, or a Rory Kavanagh in the offering in a few years’ time as a result of it.”
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