The talk is over. The preparation is complete. And it’s only their first championship game of the year.
It may feel like something approaching a certain Sunday in September but for Donegal their test against Tyrone today may well define their defence of their All-Ireland title today.
More than 17,000 fans, the majority of which will be wearing the green and gold of Tir Conaill, will pack into MacCumhaill Park this afternoon for the Ulster Championship quarter final (throw-in 4pm).
Jim McGuinness is exuding a quiet confidence and has named the same starting fifteen players which busted out of the blocks against Mayo in last September’s All-Ireland final.
Bu he knows there is no better tactician in the game than Tyrone boss Mickey Harte.
He knows too that Donegal are no longer the underestimated surprise package they may have been to many teams last season.
McGuinness and company have locked themselves away behind-closed-doors as the try to hone yet another formula to help them hold onto Sam Maguire.
He knows himself that an over physicality and any cheap frees will be punished by the lethal boot of goalkeeper come free-taker Niall Morgan.
And that’s before we mention the potency of veteran Stephen O’Neill and Sean Cavanagh.
If Tyrone are looking to these household names, then Donegal will be hoping that the likes of Colm McFadden, Michael Murphy and Patrick McBrearty will continue the form they are showing for their clubs.
All will be revealed at 4pm this afternoon as Donegal holds its breath and dreams of another long summer of championship football.
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