Jim McGuinness: 'We didn't turn up in defeat to Tyrone'
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness believes that the review of Saturday's two-point defeat to Tyrone will be 'difficult' as he lamented how his team didn't turn up at all in Ballybofey.
The result leaves the Ulster champions on the back foot in their group, and they need to beat a buoyant Cavan in Breffni Park next Sunday to get back on track. 'We didn't turn up at all. We didn't play, that's the bottom line. We didn't play, for whatever reason, and we were still two points up with seven minutes left on the clock,' McGuinness said.
'That's not us. It's not even remotely close to us. Everything was off. It will be a difficult review, I imagine. With seven minutes to go, we were in a position to win the game and we should have won the game. We have to live with that and it's all up for grabs now.' Cormac Quinn of Tyrone celebrates kicking a late point during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Donegal and Tyrone. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Tyrone are in a strong position in the group as they welcome Mayo to Healy Park next Saturday. Meanwhile, Cork will need to improve around midfield if they are to get anything out of their second group game when Kerry come to town next weekend. Rebels boss John Cleary felt that losing the battle in the middle third was why Meath emerged victorious.
'They got the grips around the middle definitely,' admitted Cleary. 'And I think that was ultimately why they won the game, really. We had a lot of that possession in the first half and possession was key out there. Scores were at a premium, the weather turned terrible but, once you had possession, you were denying the other team a chance to get a score.'
Louth will need to bounce back swiftly after they were beaten by Monaghan in Newbridge. The Leinster champions now face Down in a crucial group game in Newry next weekend that could decide second in the group.
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RTÉ News
4 hours ago
- RTÉ News
GAA team news: Rory Brickenden handed Mayo start
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