Allianz Football League Division 1: Round 3: Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, 7pm - eir sport 2
It will be a case of the return of the native as Donegal’s towering midfielder Nathan Mullins comes back “home” as Tir Chonaill lock horns with Dublin in Croke Park.
Mullins has been a revelation for Donegal this season until his red card dismissal against Kerry that looked more like a trip than a strike after he had been pushed.
But Declan Bonner will be pleased to have Mullins back in harness against a Dublin midfield that contains the marvellous Brian Fenton, who is probably the best midfielder in the country.
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Mullins has also been making his mark in Dublin and was voted club player of the year.
He originally played for Donegal Under 21’s in 2010 but has had a few injury problems in recent years.
But it is surely a measure of the sheer quality of this Dublin side that there is not even a place in the extended squad for the 27-year-old St Vincent’s star.
But that won’t unduly bother Mullins who spent the first ten years of his life in Inishowen and has never forgotten it.
Both he and Hugh McFadden are turning into a top class midfield partnership.
Mullins was certainly missed against Galway in the opening 25 minutes when their midfield of Messrs Conroy and Cooke were causing loads of problems.
The Donegal defence performed reasonably well apart from a lapse in the 12thminute when Eamon Brannigan powered through the centre of a rearguard that was as wide open as Bundoran in July.
Donegal paid dearly for this lapse - but they seem to have some problems up front.
Paddy McBrearty was simply peerless and finished with 0-9 and gave quite an exhibition.
But Donegal could only hit five four further points, from Ryan McHugh, Stephen McBrearty (0-2) Ciaran McGinley and Paul Brennan.
So if anything were to happen to the in form Paddy McBrearty then Donegal would be in deep trouble.
McBrearty is now occupying the Michael Murphy role.
On the plus side, Donegal should be a real force when Murphy links up with McBrearty in a few short weeks.
But there was not much threat coming from the rest of the forwards last Sunday with Darach O’Connor and Odhran MacNiallais having particularly quiet hours.
The expected return of the dynamic Jamie Brennan and Cian Mulligan could give Donegal some extra pace up front.
In defence Caolan Ward struggled with the sheer physicality of Damian Comer, but coped better in the second half.
But there is no doubt that Saturday night will be a searching test for Donegal.
Interestingly, Dublin is unbeaten since Donegal hammered them in the All-Ireland semi-final of 2014.
Marty O’Reilly, Hugh McFadden, Caolan Ward, Odhran MacNiallais and Ryan McHugh were on board on that famous evening in Croke Park.
But Dublin continues to be a juggernaut.
They overcame Tyrone in Omagh last weekend after a bad start when the Red Hands raced into an early 1-1 to 0-0 lead and trailed by 1-5 to 0-3 just before half-time.
But the Dubs never panic, they just keep doing what they like doing until they eventually steamroll the opposition.
Then, the second half went to script even though they lost Niall Scully to a second yellow card midway through the half.
And Kevin McMenamin, who can’t command a regular slot, was simply superb.
The collective hunger never ceases to amaze.
They are relentless and their older players are in a big battle to keep places.
This will be Donegal’s biggest test by far.
But it is one they should relish as what better team to measure yourself against than the swashbuckling Dubs.
So, Croke Park beckons and another learning curve for this young team.
They will be hoping that it won't be too sharp.
