Jim McGuinness wasn't getting carried away after Donegal maintained their perfect record in Division 1 of the Allianz Football League with a comfortable victory over Mayo.

A dominant first half performance against the wind at a packed O'Donnell Park laid the foundations for the Ulster champions' third win in-a-row.

"We controlled the game well (in the first half), the build-up (play) was good and we managed to get out because we were playing against a really aggressive Mayo team that like to get after the high press," McGuinness told BBC Sport NI.

"We got sloppy in the second half with a couple of hand-passes that went to feet and stuff like that, fellas shooting balls that dropped short and both kick-outs dropped again, so there is a good bit to work on, but it's the time of the year to do it. At the same time, we'd be happy with their application."

The Donegal manager also singled out young rookie Conor McCahill for special praise after his late call-up in place of Shea Malone.

“You’re watching him every night. He’s been very good in training. He’s very, very honest. His numbers are very, very strong every night in training. He works really, really hard," McGuinness added.

“I think the big thing with him is that it’s a massive step-up and we know what he can do at underage football.

“So the big thing for him today, and I spoke to him about it last night for a couple of minutes on the phone, is just to be himself. Just to be himself and go in and just play and not try to prove to be anything.”

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