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Donegal sticking to usual script

JIM McGUINNESS insists the All-Ireland final will be ‘no different’ to anything his Donegal team have faced in his two years …

Fri Aug 31 2012 - 01:00

JIM McGUINNESS insists the All-Ireland final will be ‘no different’ to anything his Donegal team have faced in his two years at the helm.

Donegal is in the grip of All-Ireland fever but McGuinness had the players’ feet back on the ground at training in Ballybofey on Tuesday night – and now the Donegal boss is busy plotting the downfall of whoever gets through Sunday’s second semi-final.

Donegal will hold an open training session for supporters next Saturday in a break from tradition, but by and large the timetable will go unchanged.

“This is no different to any other game,” McGuinness said. “This happens to be the final, but we will treat this no differently to any other situation that we have faced this year.

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“Our sharp focus has turned now to the final and we’ll leave no stone unturned in trying to win it. We had a good hour and 20 minutes of a session on Tuesday night and we’re aiming now to build for the final. We’re trying to deliver and make something special happen for Donegal.

“The key is our preparation. It is great to be where we are now and we’re all looking forward to a great month ahead.”

McGuinness has no major injury worries in his squad. However, he will be hoping several of his key players come through unscathed from club action in the league at the weekend.

On Sunday, Karl Lacey and Paul Durcan face Michael Murphy and Neil Gallagher as Four Masters and Glenswilly clash, with Paddy McGrath coming up against team-mates Anthony Thompson and Leo McLoone as neighbours Ardara and Naomh Conaill meet.

Colm McFadden is expected to line out for his club, St Michael’s, tomorrow evening, while Frank McGlynn and David Walsh are also likely to line out in League action.

Due to the huge demand for tickets to this Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final between Dublin and Mayo in Croke Park, only a limited number of tickets are still available to purchase. These can be purchased via www.gaa.ie/tickets, from the GAA Ticket Shop at 53A Lower Dorset St or from usual outlets nationwide while stocks last.

Tickets cost €40 for adults and just €5 for 16s or under for the stands. There are a handful of terrace tickets still available for €25.