McKenny: Donegal showed their class against Louth

Louth’s long trip to Ballybofey ended in disappointment on Sunday as Ger Brennan’s men fell 2-22 to 0-12 in the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final.

Moments after the final whistle, defender Donal McKenny paid tribute to the winners while admitting the gulf that opened after half-time.

He said: “You have to take your hat off to Donegal they were very impressive in the second half.”

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The Wee County stuck with Donegal for the opening 35 minutes but the Ulster champions found another gear after the break.

“With a team like Donegal, you might keep with them for 10, 20 minutes, or in our case a half, but then they just pull away. They cut was open a few times.

“I know we had a good year but still, Jesus, we have a long way to go if we want to put it up to the likes of them. So hats off to them.

“A well-drilled side but we have a lot to look at ourselves. I know it was a good year in the end but we still have more in us.”

Donegal goals

McKenny felt the turning point came just before half-time when Donegal rattled the net.

“Yeah, it did. I suppose that goal just before the half was a bit of a killer, but we got back to within two points and then I don't know.

“They just worked the ball into better positions than we did. They just got it in around the small D and took 100% shots whereas we took a few mad ones.”

Heavy schedule

Playing four weekends on the spin finally caught up with Louth, the full-back suggested.

“We were confident coming out the second half and I don’t know maybe there was a bit of fatigue out there playing week-on-week, we had one of two injuries as well.

“I'm not trying to make excuses or anything. We have a strong enough panel to beat them if we do play well, the but look it just didn’t go our way today but they're a very strong side and they'll definitely go far in the next few games.”

Late arrival

A delayed Louth arrival at MacCumhaill Park and an overnight stay also nudged players out of their comfort zone.

“It’s nearly no harm because you are just in, then get ready and go out. So, there was no dillydallying which some lads don't mind but other lads prefer their routine.

“So maybe it a change of routine for some lads there today. Then obviously staying in a hotel and hanging around all day. Look that is neither here nor there. It is all out there at the end of the day.”

Eyes on 2026

Despite the 16-point margin, McKenny believes the panel has grown this summer and can push on when the new season rolls around.

“The last few games we haven't really played, in patches maybe for games, and so at least we played a good half there today. It's just a pity we couldn't keep it going for the second half.

“We'll have to go back to, not the drawing board, but definitely we have a lot of work to do pre-season going into the league next year if we want to get out of Division Two and go further and hopefully win Leinster again and go further in the All-Ireland series.”