Donegal's manager Jim McGuinness expressed disappointment following his team's dramatic collapse against Cork, where they squandered a seven-point lead to lose 0-17 to 1-13 in their All-Ireland SFC round 2A match on Saturday in Ballybofey.

McGuinness noted, "There wasn't enough energy in us, there wasn't enough fire, there wasn't enough spark in us," highlighting the team's struggle to maintain momentum after a strong start. Despite being favored to win, Donegal failed to secure their place in the quarter-finals, forcing them into an extra game next week.

Cork's comeback was powered by a series of effective two-pointers, notably from Steven Sherlock, who contributed 0-9 to the team's success. McGuinness remarked on critical moments that shifted the game's dynamics, stating, "We conceded a couple of free kicks, a couple of two-point free kicks, put them back into it."

This defeat marks Donegal's third home championship loss in the past year, following setbacks against Down and Tyrone. McGuinness lamented, "That's not good enough, that just can't happen," as he reflected on the challenges ahead in their quest for the Sam Maguire Cup.

Despite the setback, he emphasized the importance of resilience, stating, "We've got to go again. When we wake up tomorrow morning and realize that we're still in the Championship, that's the part that gets stuck in your throat, really."