It is just over 10 years since Donegal won the All-Ireland title, but returning to those heights looks like a long way away at this point.
Tรญr Chonaill were relegated last weekend following their defeat at home to Mayo, and several key players are battling injury.
Manager Paddy Carr stepped down on Wednesday, as the county’s flagship team are in crisis ahead of the championship.
To make matters worse, there is significant off-field controversy in the county following the resignation of Karl Lacey as head of the Donegal academy.
They complete their Division 1 campaign on Sunday away to Roscommon, before focus turns to the Ulster Championship quarter-final against Down.
Former Wicklow, Roscommon and Tipperary manager John Evans was asked on Our Game what we can expect from the team for the remainder of the year.
“I don’t think that much,” he answered.
“When you lose a manager, they weren’t playing well anyway, number one. They had a good first round against Kerryโฆand it was downhill from there.
“Everyone is saying they’re a team in transition, and without Michael Murphy, a leader in Paddy McBrearty, the captain for 2023 gone, that’s a blow. There’s your two leaders gone. Oisin Gallen then. They’re dropping like flies, and when the manager starts dropping, I think they’ll be in disarray for the rest of the year to be quite honest with you.”
Carr is the second inter-county football manager to step down this season, following Ray Dempsey’s relegation from the Limerick hot-seat in recent weeks.
Aidan O’Rourke and Paddy Bradley, who were members of Carr’s backroom team, will manage the side when they complete their Division 1 campaign at Dr Hyde Park this weekend.
