Michael Murphy has targeted an instant return to top flight football for Donegal ahead of their opening league fixture against Laois on Sunday.
Michael Murphy is targeting promotion
Murphy feels Donegal are in a much better place than that of previous seasons and believes they are well equipped to make a sustained push for promotion this year.
This time last year Donegal were still bronzed as they started their campaign against Kildare in Croke Park having just returned from a team holiday a month previous.
This year they’ve been in a position to field strong sides in the Dr McKenna cup and have been able to prepare properly both physically and tactically.
Jim McGuinness has named a strong side with the notably absentees being Neil Gallagher and Patrick McBrearty who is named as a sub for the fixture.
Murphy told the Irish star he hopes Donegal can hit the ground running.
Murphy said,”Obviously the last couple of years with the McKenna Cup and the League our hands were kind of tied in a way.
“We weren’t really able to put out our strongest players due to injuries and maybe players resting up after long seasons previously.
“I suppose the break we’ve had has given players an opportunity to get back into training and get into shape.
“I suppose hopefully we can hit the ground running.
We’re hopeful that with everything clearing up that we’ll have the numbers.”
“Promotion is the target for us, you want to be playing against the top teams and to that you have to be playing in Division One.