Gaoth Dobhair managing county players ahead of club return

Gaoth Dobhair got off to a winning start in the championship and they were minus a couple of key players on their way to victory.

Dáire Ó Baoill and Odhran McFadden-Ferry were both missing from the panel, while Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde was a second half sub in their 1-13 to 1-11 win over Glenfin in Magheragallon.

And boss Rónán Mac Niallais is expecting to have two of them back in from the start next week.

“Dáire will definitely be back for next week, Odhran McFadden-Ferry we’re not 100% on, he has a few niggles so hopefully we’ll see him at some point.

“Domhnall we gave a break after the All-Ireland but he was at training on Thursday and we were able to use him for a few minutes today.

“It was big to be able to bring him on and our bench really made a difference today between him, Michéal Roarty broke lines and kicked two points. Jordi Gribben came on and had a good game too with the energy and Cathal Gillespie too so we’re delighted with their impact.”

It was a good win for the hosts minus those key men, but they had to do it the hard way as Glenfin narrowed the margin from six points to one in the final ten minutes, but they managed the game well late on.

“We were six points up at a stage in the second half and we had control of things but we just gave the ball away when it was no need.

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“They got an awful lot of momentum out of that and got five points out of that when we couldn’t get our hands on the ball but we got a kick out and worked a shot from it then the next one Adam Mac Íomhair got it and we held the ball well until the last kick of the game and Ethan Harkin took the score well.

“Adam had a great game and he has all the attributes to go a step further if he wants to, he’s big and physical with some engine, he’s good with his hands and he can kick a score and he has really developed his football IQ because he didn’t play a whole lot at underage but he’s really kicked on.

“It’s the championship, you’re never gonna have an easy game against Glenfin, everyone knows they never throw in the towel and they really put it up to us so we’re delighted to get the two points.”

Gaoth Dobhair travel to Mountcharles next week to face St Naul’s, who are in search of points after losing 0-12 to 0-9 against neighbours Four Masters.

“I saw them against Four Masters and they were good, they kept them to three points and it was impressive. People might look at St Naul’s as a walkover because they went down to Division 3 but they had three county players to come back in and the difference that makes is massive so it won’t be easy.”