Write off Donegal at your peril.
Sure, they lost the Ulster final and it's fair to say that they've looked exhausted for a while now.
But this county has character.
They've put-up with big losses before and they've also listened to half the country chastising their playing style.
Donegal won't stay down, in spite of having to listen to this...
'They play ridiculously boring football'
Focussed teams want to win. Their only obligation is to be succesful.
If you want to be entertained, go to the circus.
Donegal have a system to make the most of their assets and bring trophies back to the North West. This may not involve entertainment, but it does involve glory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R7aqUO_pe4
'Donegal are Michael Murphy and that's it'
The media and fickle fans are in a constant spin, either saying 'a team needs a marquee forward' or that a team 'are over reliant on their marquee forward'.
Michael Murphy is a beast, there's no doubt about it. He's a talent and one that would make any team in the country.
But Donegal's system isn't based on individuals, it's based on collective effort. Murphy might be the one who gets the headlines, but he's still only a cog in the machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z70yEm5RJIo
'There's no plan B'
2014 All-Ireland Semi-final, Donegal 3-14 Dublin 0-17. If Donegal's Plan A is to shut-up shop and grind out victories, then what was this?
When Donegal need to adapt and open up, they have the forwards to do it and their defensive platform is arguably the best in the country too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPiqcEqVu7g
'They're lost without Jim McGuinness'
Jimmy was winnin' matches, but he lost a few too. Rory Gallagher has lost one Ulster final, after getting through three tough games prior to that.
One win doesn't make for a good summer and one defeat doesn't mean it will be a bad one. Donegal are still there and their credentials without Jim should only be talked about after the Championship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJZL_GfdKrc
'They're a team in reverse'
We've heard this before... have we mentioned that 2014 All-Ireland semi-final win against Dublin?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsdPBrA8WVQ
Check out our other 'Cheap Seats'
The Cheap Seats: 5 things Mayo fans are sick of hearing
The cheap seats: 5 things Liverpool fans are sick of hearing
The Cheap Seats: 5 things fans of amateur boxing are sick of hearing
The Cheap Seats: 5 things Dublin football fans are sick of hearing
The Cheap Seats: 5 things League of Ireland fans are sick of hearing
The Cheap Seats: 5 things fans of the so-called weaker counties are sick to death of hearing
