Donegal player profiles
1 PAUL DURCAN(Four Masters)
Age: 29. Height: 6ft 5in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Graduate student DCU.
With an iron-clad defence in front of him he hasn’t been tested very much but when he was, late on against Tyrone, he pulled out a great save. Sound kick-out strategy, whether hitting restarts short or long. Slightly vulnerable overhead.
2 PADDY McGRATH(Ardara)
Age: 23. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Construction.
Very adaptable. Low centre of gravity and pace make him an ideal corner back and I’ve yet to see him beaten this year but he’s also comfortable on the ball, making runs in support and playing out the field.
3 NEIL McGEE(Gweedore)
Age: 26. Height: 6ft 1in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Construction.
The most impressive full back of the season so far. Hes a very tight marker and can handle smaller, quicker players. Great competitive edge, which makes him exceptionally hard to beat and not afraid to throw himself at a boot.
4 FRANK McGLYNN(Glenfin)
Age: 26. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 13st.
Occupation: Teacher.
Epitomises modern football with ability to defend, break fast, trust his cover and kick scores off the left and right. Pace gets him out of trouble quickly, enables him to give and go and gets him quickly through any openings.
5 EAMON McGEE(Gweedore)
Age: 28. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: Physiotherapist.
High energy and work-rate make him an aggressive defender and he rarely turns over possession. Does the simple things well – apart from the lapse for Colm O’Neill’s goal in the semi-final – and fits perfectly into the team ethic.
6 KARL LACEY(Four Masters)
Age: 28. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Bank official.
One of the team leaders. Not the biggest but strong and able to cover ground. Alert to where danger is and able to snuff it out. Stamina enables him to get forward in the second half, as against Cork. Inspirational.
7 ANTHONY THOMPSON(Naomh Conaill)
Age: 26. Height: 6ft. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Student NUIG.
Typical of the defence, another hard-working defender in an outstanding half-back line. An all-rounder, he’s a good ball player and physically strong and adept at getting forward, as in the supporting run for a point against Cork.
8 NEIL GALLAGHER(Glenswilly)
Age: 29. Height: 6ft 4in. Weight: 15st.
Occupation: Council engineer.
His fielding performance against Cork’s Alan O’Connor was amazing but equally impressive was the way he kept the ball moving quickly off every catch, which was very important. Mobile as well as a very high work-rate.
9 RORY KAVANAGH(St Eunan's)
Age: 30. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Teacher.
Athletic and able to play “box to box” and is excellent at taking the ball from a defender as well as supporting the forwards. Link man par excellence with plenty of gas and in possession a creative footballer.
10 RYAN BRADLEY(Buncrana)
Age: 26. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Construction.
Not so much a forward as a middle third defender waiting for breaks and turnovers and breaking at pace to take off-the-shoulder ball and move it. Needs the characteristic high-work rate but not required to get on the scoreboard.
11 LEO McLOONE(Naomh Conaill)
Age: 23. Height: 6ft. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Student UUJ.
Often in the defensive midfield area but is a natural forward and well capable of chipping in with scores – he has two goals this summer. Usual attributes of stamina and work-rate but creative enough to make an impact up front.
12 MARK McHUGH(Kilcar)
Age: 22. Height: 5ft 11in. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Student Sligo IT.
The smartest of them all: amazing to see the ground he covers and the intelligent positions he takes where the team needs him. So far, impossible to nullify his influence. Big question: whether to mark him or hold your ground.
13 PATRICK McBREARTY(Kilcar)
Age: 19. Height: 6ft. Weight: 12st 7lb.
Occupation: Student NUIM.
Very impressive performer for someone who came into the team so young. Strong running and willing to put in the slog by dropping back and working equally hard to get back up front. Physical and capable of taking scores.
14 MICHAEL MURPHY(Glenswilly, capt)
Age: 23. Height: 6ft 2in. Weight: 14st.
Occupation: Student DCU.
Outstanding all-round player. Far more effective inside as a target man but the demands of the team keep him out the field. Ability to win ball, draw frees and kick scores is hugely important. Accuracy could sometimes be better.
15 COLM McFADDEN(Naomh Mícheál)
Age: 29. Height: 6ft. Weight: 13st 7lb.
Occupation: Teacher.
A revelation this year. Often on his own up front but has great ability to win ball under pressure and use it well. Excellent kicker from play and frees and the only player under orders to stay up front.
DONEGAL SCORERS: 2012 SF Championship
Colm McFadden 3-28 (0-14 frees, 1-0 pen, 1-0 sideline, 0-1 45)
Michael Murphy 0-13 (0-11 frees)
Leo McLoone 2-3
Frank McGlynn 1-3
Rory Kavanagh 0-6
Mark McHugh 0-6
Paddy McBrearty 0-4
Ryan Bradley 0-4
David Walsh 0-4
Karl Lacey 0-4
Declan Walsh 0-2
Neil Gallagher 0-2
Anthony Thompson 0-2
C Toye, N McGee D McLaughlin 0-1 each
