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Séanie Johnston told RTÉ’s Game On that she believes Donegal has a “real chance” of winning All-Ireland this year after beating Tyrone on Sunday.
Declan Bonner’s team finished strong to fire the Red Hands by two points at Ballybofey, and set up an Ulster SFC semi-final clash with Armagh on Saturday of the week.
It leaves them two wins behind a third provincial crown at the top, but Johnston believes an all-Ireland winter championship will suit Tír Chonaill’s men.
“The way the championship ended this year, at the time of year it’s going to be played, Donegal is going to be a real force,” he said.
“I thought Tyrone could beat them, but I thought if Donegal passed that test, they would have a good chance of winning All-Ireland.”
“They have so much physique in midfield. They can earn their own kicks and the pressure that they then put on Tyrone’s kicks yesterday.
“The game was probably won in a 20 minute period, the 10 minutes after the water break and then the 10 minutes after Tyrone’s goal.
“The introduction of Oisín Gallen made a huge difference. Tyrone’s main man-scorer is undoubtedly Ronan McNamee and he generally nullifies whoever goes.
“The shock of having another really big threat on the full attack line was a great addition for Donegal.
“I think Donegal is in a wonderful place and they are big favorites to win the Ulster Championship. If they don’t, they will definitely see it as a missed opportunity.”
On the other side of the draw in the northern province, Cavan surprised Monaghan to prepare for the quarterfinals with Antrim on Saturday.
As for his home county, Johnston said it was an “incredible win” over the Division 1 team after suffering relegation from Division 2 of the Allianz League the week before.
“I know from knowing the coach (Mickey Graham) quite well that he would have been watching this championship game, rather than the league game,” Johnston revealed.
“They did a very good performance.”
On the same show, former Tyrone midfielder Colm Cavanagh said it was “frustrating” to see his former teammates fall apart.
Cavanagh played in the league before the lockdown, but announced his intercountry retirement in September.
“I felt that Donegal was much hungrier in that middle sector,” he said.
“The stats back that up – the broken balls, Donegal were everywhere. They almost wanted it a little bit more.
“The goal that Donegal got early in the game finally put them back in the game. Obviously a brilliant kick, but from a defensive point of view, Tyrone would be very upset that that goal came in.
“I was looking at it with a good eye from the defensive side of things … yes, it was very difficult to accept.
“Tyrone, for much of the game, played fantastic football. In fact, I thought they were going to come out on the right side.”
Last night on RTÉ’s The Sunday Game, Pat Spillane suggested it might be time for Mickey Harte to step aside after 18 years with Tyrone.
Cavanagh echoed his brother Seán’s views that a change might be necessary, despite Harte’s track record.
“Personally, I’d like to see something new, just from the point of view of let’s see if (winning another All-Ireland) could happen.
“Let’s give these guys a chance for something different.”
Watch Limerick v Tipperary in the Munster SFC semi-final this Saturday on RTÉ news channel (1:15 PM), as there is coverage of the Connacht SFC semi-final between May and Roscommon, as well as the Munster SFC semi-final between Cork and Kerry on Sunday on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
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