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Early Days

Martin McElhinney confident Donegal still have what it takes to challenge for Sam

He also spoke about the negativity which he feels surrounds the game.

DONEGAL’S MARTIN MCELHINNEY believes his county are still well capable of challenging for All-Ireland titles.

McElhinney was responding to suggestions his Donegal squad is undergoing a state of transition with much of the All-Ireland winning squad of 2012 having left the scene.

Eamon McGee followed Colm McFadden into retirement after Donegal’s latest championship exit, with speculation surrounding the futures of Rory Kavanagh, Neil Gallagher and Christy Toye.

But McElhinney doesn’t expect there to be any more retirements and he feels the younger players within the panel will take on more of a leadership role in 2017.

“A lot of people saying there’s a transition there at the moment,” McElhinney said. ”I think there are a couple of retirements but I’m not sure are there many more.

“Everyone else will probably be back. It’s about time that a lot of boys stepped up, a lot of boys around the 26, 27 mark. We’re kind of relying on Rory Kavanagh, big Neil – he’ll probably be back – now there are other boys coming through to take on the mantle.

“Christy’s a funny character, he never says too much about football or talks about retirement. He hasn’t spoken any word of it so as far as we know next year you wouldn’t know, Christy could say nothing and not turn up. We’ll be glad to get him back.

“He’s a serious asset, he’s very god in the dressing room. He’s one of those boys, if he went out tormorrow he’d be the fittest man of the pitch. Fitness isn’t his problem. It’s whether he goes back himself. That’s the one.

“In fairness to Ryan McHugh and Odhran MacNiallais they have this last while. If we can breed a couple of new players in the league to bring on to championship that’s what we’ll be looking for.

Donegal have been beaten in Ulster finals in 2015 and 2016. They haven’t made it past the All-Ireland quarter-final stage since Jim McGuinness’s departure at the end of 2014.

Can we expect to see Donegal as serious contenders for Sam in 2017?

“Definitely. You wouldn’t be going out to play and train hard if you didn’t think you could challenge for All-Irelands.

“No point in turning up if you don’t think like that. We got a couple of setbacks the last couple of years so we’ll be looking to concentrate on blooding a few new players in the league, staying safe and getting over Antrim in the first round. That’s all we’ll be focusing on.”

The 28-year-old said he feels some of the coverage surrounding the championship is quite negative.

“I don’t know if there is much wrong with the championship. I think there is a lot of negative press and negative TV about the championship.

“There were some very exciting games last season, Tipperary came through, Clare made a run through the back door, teams like that are brilliant for the All-Ireland series.

“You have two very competitive All-Ireland finals and All-Ireland semi-finals. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, I wouldn’t change anything.”

Donegal will take on Antrim in the Ulster SFC quarter-finals. They face a potential showdown with the winners of Tyrone-Derry in the last four, but McElhinney isn’t looking past the Safrons yet.

“It will be a tough test for us in Ballybofey. In my first year on the panel they came to Ballybofey and beat us. We’ll be under no illusions. They’ve plenty of talent in Antrim and if they pull it together they’re a team to beat anyone on their day.

“It’s a real minefield. You might be thinking you’re doing well to avoid Monaghan, one of the favourites, but then you’re in the same side as Tyrone.

“It doesn’t really matter what side you are on in Ulster, you’re always going to be playing one of the stronger teams. It’s a difficult task but one we’re looking forward to.”

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