Donegal midfielder Hugh McFadden is refusing to get carried away despite helping his county book their place in the quarter-finals of the Ulster Senior Football Championship.
The hosts saw off Cavan by eight points at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey against the side who replaced them in Division 1.
But McFadden insisted his team are in no position to get ahead of themselves following their recent relegation.
“We literally did not look past Cavan today,” McFadden told Off The Ball.
“We got relegated from the national football league and we didn’t have the right to be looking past them – a team that replaced us in Division 1.
“We’ll look towards Derry now and give them the respect they deserve. And if we’re lucky enough to get over them, then we’ll look at a semi-final. But we’re not looking towards an Ulster final just yet.”
Donegal took control in the second half as they opened up a 10 point lead with nine minutes played in the half.
McFadden felt his side profited from a gain in confidence rather than showing a superior sense of fitness.
“Every team is working hard and I don’t doubt Cavan have put in a lot of work since the end of the league,” McFadden said.
“But when you have a few points to spare the energy comes and if the shoe was on the other foot we could have been struggling. We’re two good sides and Cavan are a very good side too.
“We’re not going to hide away from the fact that we were relegated from Division 1 – we’re going to be disappointed about it.
“You’re aiming for the championship football – that’s what it’s all about. We’re happy now to kick on to the championship and we’re well over the national football league at this stage.”
Written by James Hopper
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