Donegal manager Rory Gallagher says a strong squad will be vital as they bid to contest for silverware this summer.
A landslide 3-19 to 1-9 win over Antrim yesterday saw Donegal successfully navigate their first Ulster SFC hurdle.
It was routine stuff in Ballybofey as Jamie Brennan, Paddy McGrath and Patrick McBrearty hit the goals as Donegal savaged the Saffrons.
Despite nine players from the 2016 panel walking away due to retirement or opting out, Gallagher’s new boys have stepped up to the plate.
Yesterday, the Donegal bench scored a combined 1-6 with former Footballer of the Year Karl Lacey and former All-Star Mark McHugh among the point scorers.
Debutant Michael Langan arched over two impressive points while Patrick McBrearty bagged 1-2 having been introduced in the 52nd minute, including a goal in added time.
McBrearty was troubled by a quad muscle ailment since the League game against Roscommon in February, but Gallagher has backed the Kilcar man to shine.
“Paddy will be moving in the right direction,” Gallagher said.
“You saw them there. He’s been working very hard. It was just a bit disappointing that he picked up that injury against Roscommon. It turned out to be a little bit more serious that we thought.
“He’s worked hard. He’s in great shape. He’s very lean.
“Paddy got injured in the Roscommon game and he has been working his way back to fitness and getting into form.”
Gallagher brought real strength off the bench yesterday and, even if Antrim offered little opposition for the most part, it will have heartened the Donegal manager, who gave out a total of six Championship debuts in Ballybofey, with seven players starting a Championship contest for the first time.
He said: “Karl, Martin McElhinney and Eoin McHugh were guys that we would have picked most days. Since I have become manager, I would have picked them nearly every day when they were fit.
“ The reality is that they missed chunks of training and they are working their way back to fitness and we made the decision that the other players had more in their legs.
“It’s good to get championship games under guys’ belts. I think we had seven guys starting championship games for the first time. That’s a huge amount. It will stand to us.
“We won an All-Ireland using a couple of subs. It was David Walsh and Martin McElhinney who came in.
“The top teams have got a really good bench. It’s no secret we’re carrying a big squad. The young fellas that came in, they did well in the league and today again. Time will tell how strong this squad is.”
