Donegal SHC beginning to take shape ahead of round four

It may be a tad premature, but it is already looking likely that this year’s county final will not feature the usual contestants of Burt and Setanta, who were involved in the last three and many others, before Sean MacCumhaills in the Noughties and St Eunan’s in 2021interrupted this duopoly.

St Eunan’s are unbeaten and top the table as they take on Sean MacCumhaill’s in a potentially tricky affair away on Friday night.

MacCumhaills are a contender for that fourth semi-final slot, along with Buncrana, who have a tough away gig to Setanta.

Burt have already lost two matches and look to be finishing in either second or third place, where they would most likely meet Setanta for a place in the county final and they should have no trouble with Carndonagh on Friday night.

Setanta mentor Gary McGettigan acknowledges that St Eunan’s are in pole position but is wary of his resurgent neighbours from the Twin Towns.

“At the minute, ourselves and Eunan’s are level at the top, but they would have a lot better score difference and it is already looking like they will top the table at this stage.

“And if that happens, they will be playing the fourth-placed team which looks like being either Sean MacCumhaills and Buncrana in that order.

“Sean MacCumhaills will give St Eunan’s quite a contest but Letterkenny have a very strong squad.

“We played MacCumhaills a few weeks ago and they were well with us until half-time and they were without Gavin Browne, but Eunan’s have great strength in depth.

“We had a good away win over Burt last week and we were short a few players but that is the way with lads going on holidays at this time of the year.

“It was a good win as you don’t win too many matches down in Burt.”

McGettigan added that Burt could rack up a big score against Carndonagh.

“Carn gave us a good game down there a few years ago, but they depend a lot on the availability of their dual players.”

Meanwhile, Setanta entertain Buncrana and McGettigan’s men are strongly fancied here.

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“We might get a chance to improve our scoring average here, although we are missing a few players and we play Carndonagh in the final game so there is everything to play for yet.

Elsewhere, in the Intermediate Championship, high-flying Aodh Ruadh play a pretty strong-looking St Eunan’s second string, who have quite a few players who would grace any senior team in the county.

But home advantage might just swing it for the hosts.

The Richie Ryan-powered Dungloe should have little difficulty with visiting Letterkenny Gaels, while Burt’s second string should be too strong for Four Masters at home.