Donegal have learned lessons

Donegal’s Paul Durcan

DONEGAL goalkeeper Paul Durcan has said that the entire squad is intent on putting right the wrongs of last year in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Cork at Croke Park.

Twelve months ago, the side faced Dublin at the same stage and led 0-6 to 0-3 in the 44th minute. They would not score again as they fell short by two points.

“I think we’ll go in with a different mindset,” said the 28-year-old. “We were very disappointed leaving Croke Park last year. Everyone wants to put it right, not to leave anything behind. There are a lot of regrets from last year.”

The Ulster champions were lambasted from pillar to post for their defensive showing in that match, but Durcan is confident that the side, who have had 17 different scorers in championship football this season, can carry a more dangerous attacking threat this time around.

“We definitely have plenty up front and we’re hoping that is shown against Cork,” he said. “But we know we are playing a team who have probably been the most consistent in the country over the last five years.

“I watched them against Kerry and Clare and they were very impressive. We didn’t get to see the second half of the Kildare match because we were out next [against Kerry], but we watched the highlights and, again, it was very impressive.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday August 23. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here