DONEGAL manager Jim McGuinness was gracious in defeat to Monaghan in the Ulster SFC Final at Clones, and then vowed to find out what went wrong with his All-Ireland champions.
A six-point defeat to the hosts today saw a deflated and often jaded-looking Donegal team second to most balls.
Only Neil Gallagher and Ryan McHugh shone through the match.
Captain Michael Murphy was virtually shackled by his marker, and had a good shout for a penalty in the first half turned down to add to his frustration.
But this evening McGuinness said he would lift his side for next Saturday’s clash with Laois in the qualifiers – which might be held at Croke Park.
“We will look at what went wrong but you have to congratulate Monaghan for their first Ulster title in 25 years,” said the Glenties man.
“They have players out there who were hungry for success. Monaghan were the better team and the hungrier team,” he said.
McGuinness said he and Rory Gallagher will now assess how many players will be fit for the game in just six days time – knowing that just two teams have gone on to win a qualifier after a defeat a week earlier.
“We will be honest and focused,” said Jim.
“We will see who we have for next week and prepare for it.”
There are already doubts over Mark McHugh who was taken off injured.
RTE pundit Joe Brolly said Monaghan had ‘out-Donegaled Donegal’ with their tactics.
He praised manager Malachy O’Rourke for turning his side into winners.
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