McDonnell wary of the threat that Donegal pose

Ulster SFC Armagh v Donegal:After an eight-year unbeaten run over Donegal the feeling now is that Armagh have had their honeymoon. The winning edge they've held since 1999, six victories including last summer's provincial decider in Croke Park, is clearly under threat in Sunday's Ulster football quarter-final at Ballybofey.

Forward Steven McDonnell must certainly think that given he's not long back from his actual honeymoon. Married last month to long-time fiancée Lisa, McDonnell spent nine days in Cancun, Mexico, followed straight afterwards by Armagh's now regular training holiday in La Manga.

Sure enough he looks tanned, relaxed and healthy. But if anyone in Donegal is expecting a softer, less-motivated McDonnell to show up on Sunday they're mistaken. Like the rest of the Armagh team he is revved up for another crack at All-Ireland glory, spurred on by the thoughts of what should have been.

"I did get a nice break," he admits. "Not too many county footballers have the chance to get away this time of the year, give the batteries some recharging. I didn't bring the boots, although I did some work in the gym all right. In fairness I was doing more training around the pool with the pina coladas. That was better fun too.

"But I'm fully aware of the challenge facing us in Ballybofey. We've always known this was going to be a tough battle. Donegal have really rejuvenated themselves this year, winning tight games that in the last few years they just couldn't win. We've always felt they had the potential, but this year they've really come together as a unit, and already reaping the rewards of that.

"Anytime we play Donegal it's a tight scrape anyway. We've beaten them over the last eight years, but never by much more than a point or two. They're a tough team to play against, and I imagine up in Ballybofey they'll be even tougher. They've all the right ingredients now to make the real breakthrough, and it's up to us now to try to stop them."

Sunday marks their sixth successive meeting in the Ulster championship - including one replay - with Donegal losing every time. The last time Donegal were actually successful was the 1993 Ulster semi-final replay.

In ways though Donegal mirror Armagh's position of eight years ago, a team knocking on the door of real success, and slowly but determinedly coming through. Last month's league title was certainly no fluke, and Donegal want championship success to go with it. McDonnell senses that, sees the similarities between where Donegal are now and where Armagh were in 1999.

"In recent years, when it came down to the last 10 or 15 minutes, we had that never-say-die attitude, whereas Donegal might have given up. This year they've definitely turned that around, even in the way they beat Mayo in the league final. That's the sign of a good team. I'm also sure they've a lot of hatred for us after beating them so much over the past few years. That's always a big motivational factor."

Though still only 27, McDonnell seems to have been around forever, like most of the Armagh team. He's got six Ulster titles to his name and yet it's obvious he feels a little hard done by with only the one All-Ireland from 2002. Sunday's game points more towards Donegal not just because of their league success, but also because of Armagh's injury problems, coupled with retirement - namely full back Francie Bellew and full forward Ronan Clarke, both sidelined with knee injuries, and the retired McEntee twins, Tony and John.

"Obviously injuries like that take a little from your confidence. Clarke is a massive loss beside me, because we do have a great understanding of each other. We still feel we've enough talent and depth to cope. Our aim this year is no different, and that's to win the All-Ireland, whether it's through the front door or back. And we definitely want to get back to Croke Park to rectify some things.

"We just know we're up against it on Sunday, playing the best team in Ireland at the minute."

Perhaps, though, that puts all the pressure on Donegal.