Caolan Ward points out that Donegal’s no-holds-barred training stints are standing the Ulster champions in good stead.

Declan Bonner’s charges have withstood a defensive injury crisis to move within touching distance of the All-Ireland semi-finals and Ward feels that their strength in depth can be attributed to what happens between games:

“Training is at a level now where anyone between one and 30 is ready to step in,” the St Eunan’s clubman told The Irish News. “That's down to the individual characteristics of the player and you can't let your head drop.

“You'd be doing yourself a disservice and the team a disservice if you're not ready to answer that call. The players who got that call the last day, there was no question over their ability. They'd been working away for maybe three or four months. You know the level you are training at.

“I'd be marking any one of the inside forward line – Paddy, Michael, Jamie or Oisin. Any one of them will give you a task. They're different challenges.”

Join the hoganstand.com match tracker this weekend for live coverage of the last round of Super 8s fixtures, the All-Ireland U20 football final and both All-Ireland U20 hurling semi-finals. 

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