Jim McGuinness has said the loss of Neil Gallagher was a ‘significant’ one for Donegal as they exited the championship at the hands of Dublin earlier this evening.
The former Donegal boss was analysing the match in his role as a GAA pundit for Sky Sports.
McGuinness said he felt sorry for Michael Murphy, but acknowledged that Rory Gallagher had to play him around the middle in order for Donegal to win possession.
He pointed to the loss of Gallagher as significant, and said his absence was greatly felt.
McGuinness said, “I feet sorry for Michael Murphy out there, he was on the edge of the square, then out about midfield, it was tough.
“Rory was trying to utilize Michael at different times in those two positions, and I understand why he did it.
“Neil Gallagher’s absence is significant, he’s a huge loss, if you had two Michael Murphy’s it would be great.
“You can have one at midfield, and the other stationed on the square, but Donegal don’t have that option, so he had to try and move him around the pitch.”
McGuinness praised Donegal’s spirit and refusal to stop fighting, but thought they lacked the defensive intensity they usually have.
“Donegal kept fighting, the goal gave them a huge lift, and Ryan McHugh really took the game to them.
“You’d be very proud of the effort the lads gave, but I don’t think the defensive intensity was there, but they gave it everything they had.
“They were still in the game with a few minutes to go, they deserve credit for that, especially being seven down at one stage.”
Former Tyrone star Peter Canavan said Donegal rattled Dublin in the second-half, and Jim Gavin’s lost their shape, discipline and became ragged.
Canavan said, “Dublin were exceptional in the first-half, they were just superb.
“But when Donegal scored that goal through Ryan McHugh, it was the turning point for me in the game, Dublin got ragged and Donegal took the fight to them, they just didn;t have enough to peg them back level, but they gave them a fright.”
