The system is too much for Cavan – Devenney

Donegal's Paddy McBrearty

DONEGAL the division one side, Cavan in division three, travelling to play them in their own back yard with their extra support, it’s a bit like an old FA Cup match. Can they overturn the favourites though? The answer is no.

I think we all have a fair idea of what is going to happen on Sunday. That is, exactly the same as last year, only with Cavan trying to frustrate Donegal a bit more.

It was said that last year, having watched Antrim try to frustrate Donegal in the preliminary round, Terry Hyland wanted Cavan to do the same, only that was vetoed by Val Andrews who wanted to go and attack Donegal.

Now that Terry makes the calls, I’m expecting Cavan to try to really get numbers back and frustrate Donegal.

It’s up to other teams to try to unlock Donegal, because with Donegal there is no Plan B. You either go all out in a defensive system like they did last year, or you don’t. I don’t think there’s some magical happy medium which Donegal are suddenly going to start playing this year.

Patience is certainly the key when you’re playing against Donegal, because Jim McGuinness has his army so well drilled that you’ll be waiting a long time for them to slip up. When frustration creeps in, when decisions become rash and unmeasured, that’s when Donegal will spring their trap and punish you at the other end of the field.

Things on the ground in Donegal these days are quiet, the build-up is very low key. I think there’s an expectation that this will be a straightforward win at the weekend, which will then set Donegal up for a clash with Derry, and, ultimately, Tyrone in an Ulster semi-final, which is the game everyone wants to see.

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