McShea’s Say: Football games are won on the pitch, not the boardroom 

An objection is a way of saying no to something. People offer objections to things they oppose. 

And there was much dialogue at every club match in the county on Sunday after it was suggested that St. Eunan’s were seriously contemplating objecting to the county board after their surprising defeat to Termon in last Sunday’s SFC game.

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I will clearly give my take on any objection that takes place or is even mooted in the world of Gaelic Games.

I simply abhor the idea of any objection, and in my time playing, every player on every team that I played on felt the same.

I well remember 1997 when my own club Aodh Ruadh lodged an objection after their defeat to St. Eunan’s in that year’s county final.

I did not remotely agree with the stance that my club took then, as I’m a firm believer that once a referee blows that final whistle, the result should stand.

I do believe that every match should be won on the pitch, and any game that is decided in the boardroom has a very hollow feel to it.

After the 2023 All-Ireland club final, Malachy O’Rourke, who managed Glen Watty Graham’s, the beaten team in that decider, was asked moments after if he would contemplate objecting to the result because of what’s a similar enough scenario to what happened late on in Convoy.

His response was both admirable and instant. “No,” he quickly answered, “the result stands as far as I am concerned.”

At the time of writing, I’m not aware of what stance the Letterkenny club are taking, but for them to even contemplate objecting I find incredible.

Because it is 28 years since Aodh Ruadh objected to the Letterkenny victory, and ever since at least one former Eunan’s officer consistently goes out of his way to allude to what took place back in 1997. Pot, kettle and all of that springs to mind.

As for the match itself, this young Termon team showed great courage to prevail after the county champions turned round a seven-point half-time deficit.

This was Termon’s first ever victory against Eunan’s in senior club championship football, and no doubt the excellent underage structures that are in place at the Burn Road were a factor in this excellent victory, as many of their team have tasted success at underage level.

This surprise result has thrown this year’s championship wide open, and not unlike the county campaign many felt that several teams were in contention for this year’s All-Ireland before Kerry blew that theory apart.

It is great to see MacCumhaills and Four Masters in the mix once again. The Ballybofey team, without Oisín Gallen, beat Downings by 2-16 to 0-17 in a game where Luke Gavigan again gave notice of his potential, while Marty Reilly, who is still posing major problems for opposing defences, chipped in with a vital 1-1.

Four Masters are a young side that many felt would take a few years to reach their potential, but I always believed that if a player was good enough, he was old enough.

Seanan Carr, Kevin Muldoon and Callum McCrea once again made a vital contribution in their win against Glenswilly.

Glenties, even without Ciaran Thompson, gave notice against Killybegs that they are anxious to add to their seven championship crowns.

Killybegs were six points up after six minutes having got the start they needed, but Naomh Conaill are noted for their grit, while corner forward Shea Malone’s two goals would suggest that he is a corner forward of much potential.

This weekend sees several games that will be difficult to call, in a weekend where one or two draws are a real possibility. Glenties, Sean MacCumhaill’s, Kilcar and Dungloe may make it to the semi-finals, but I would not be having a bet on any of those encounters.