Jim McGuinness told thousands of supporters in Donegal town last night ‘there was only one thing left’ as his team turned their focus to their All Ireland aspirations.
He was speaking from a temporary stage in the Aldi car park after his victorious team returned home after midnight, beaming from their dramatic Ulster Final penalty shootout against Armagh in Clones.
You could hear a pin drop as he described his squad as ‘an amazing group’ for what they have done so far this season.
He added that there are three group games coming up but, the bottom line is, ‘we are Ulster champions’.
The Glenties man confirmed he had given his squad ‘24 hours off’ but expected them to return as ‘different animals’ in time for the next three group games.
Referring to their All-Ireland aspirations, he added, he had a challenge for his boys.
“Now that we’ve taken these two massive steps (winning Division 2 and Ulster), there’s only one thing left, and that’s the reality, there’s only one thing left,” he said.
“And, we have to go after that with everything we have. And, with everything we have, we will go after it.”
Jim McGuinness addressing thousands of fans in Donegal town last night.
He said there have been a lot of question marks over this group last year and so far this year. However, they had ‘found a way’ against Armagh in the League Final, against Tyrone in the Ulster Semi-Final and again yesterday against the men from the Orchard County.
“There was a lot of tension in the stadium yesterday and that transferred onto the pitch as the stakes were so high,” he said.
“We were four points down with 15 minutes to go, they found a way to kick the next five points and that was absolutely amazing. That is a trait of a good team, but that has been flowing through this team quietly all year.”
McGuinness concluded by thanking all the fans who turned up in Clones, adding that: “All the boys on this stage said they never in their lives seen all the colour that they saw going up the hill to that game today. That was amazing.”
Donegal now turn their focus to their first group stage game which takes place in Ballybofey in two weeks time against Tyrone.
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