Donegal SFC quarter-finals - eight teams left to battle it out this weekend

In the blink of an eye the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Donegal Senior Championship is heading down the home straight with just eight teams left.

The major shock in the first of the knock-out games last weekend was the demise of the holders St Eunan’s at the hands of Termon. There was some controversy afterwards with the alleged breach of the numbers by Termon in extra-time with an extra player on the field, but whatever about controversy it was a major scalp for an up and coming Termon side and it gives great heart to all teams remaining in the championship that anything is possible.

Indeed, I was listening to one of the wisest of pundits on the Donegal club scene, Martin Doherty, on Owenea FM on Sunday night and he said it was the first time in his memory that he felt that all eight teams left in the race for the Dr Maguire Cup will feel that they have a really good chance at taking the honours.

Saturday last was a day to remember for Termon and a couple of hours later when Killybegs hit 1-2 in the opening few minutes to lead Naomh Conaill by five, we were asking ourselves could the two top teams be gone within a matter of hours.

As it turned out Naomh Conaill recovered and did so in style to put Killybegs to the sword and probably announce themselves as the new favourites to take the Donegal crown.

With the quarter-finals coming this weekend and quickly followed by the semi-finals the following weekend, the club championship is a bit like the All-Ireland Series at intercounty level; there isn’t time to draw breath. Whether that is a good thing or not could be cause for debate.

One thing is for sure, any player who picks up an injury will have little time to recover and a few of the teams left in the last eight have that quandary. On the other hand, the four teams who lost out last weekend will be kicking their heels now until the start of the club league at the end of March 2026.

The four games down for decision this weekend should provide plenty of close competition and picking four winners is not an easy task. Two of the quarter-finals sees teams meeting for the second time and that is an added factor.

St Michael’s v MacCumhaill’s

Saturday 20 Sept - O’Donnell Park, 5 pm

These sides met in the opening round of the championship at the Bridge and MacCumhaill’s prevailed after building up a big half-time lead, only for the home side to almost bridge the gap. County stars Michael Langan and Oisin Gallen were absent from that game and here is where a huge difference could occur next weekend. Langan has been one of the stars of St Michael’s as they won their next three games while Gallen picked up a foot injury in MacCumhaill’s loss to Gaoth Dobhair in their final group game.

MacCumhaill’s manager Gary Wilson said after last Sunday’s preliminary quarter-final win over Downings that Gallen should be good to go next weekend, but there has to be a major doubt about his participation. The Twin Towns side also lost Kevin McCormack to injury last Sunday and he would be another huge loss.

St Michael’s have surprised a few, especially going to Glenties and getting the better of Naomh Conaill. They reached the last four last year and on all known current form they must be in line to do so again this year.

Verdict: St Michael’s

Termon v Naomh Conaill

Sunday 21 Sept - O’Donnell Park, 4 pm

If Termon are to go a step further  in the championship then they will have done it the hard way. After accounting for the champions last weekend in extra-time they now face the other big guns of Donegal football in Naomh Conaill.

This up and coming Termon side have had a wonderful season so far, winning the Democrat Cup as league champions with the only major setback being in the All-Ireland Gaeltacht final where they coughed up a lead. 

They have recovered really well since the June Bank Holiday and will fancy their chances of making it to the last four or further. Ricky Gallagher has been the leader in a group which is lead by Caolan McDaid and fits the description of ‘the whole being greater than the sum of its parts’.

They face a Naomh Conaill side that have not fired on all cylinders but seemed to have found something when needed against Killybegs at the weekend. The absence of a player of the calibre of Ciaran Thompson would affect most teams and Naomh Conaill are no different. Still they have big Kieran Gallagher back playing well at midfield and old hands like Brendan McDyer are still playing a prominent role. When it comes to championship know-how there are few better than the Davy Brennan Park residents and this will be the ultimate test for this young Termon side.

Verdict: Naomh Conaill

Dungloe v Four Masters

Sunday 21 Sept - Fr Tierney Park, 2.30 p.m.

Dungloe had last weekend off after finishing second in the table after the group games. Their final group game was a home draw against the Donegal Town men and they needed a late two pointer from Shaun McGee to get a share of the spoils.

Four Masters got the better of Glenswilly on Sunday last in O’Donnell Park and at times looked a good side but also faded from the contest at times. They have an obvious threat up front with the Carrs, Turlough and Seanán and Conor McCahill but have they the experience for the big occasion. 

It will be a fascinating battle between that talented front line of Four Masters against a very seasoned Dungloe defence with the Currans, Aaron Ward and Karl Magee et al. 

The game will probably be decided by small margins.  Dungloe need to get the most out of their front men while Kevin Muldoon, so good against Dungloe in that group game, will be central to the result. The Rosses Park residents made the final last year against the odds and will be accepting nothing less than that level. If they can win the midfield battle, and Four Masters had some difficulty in winning kick-outs at a vital stage of their game against Glenswilly, it could be an important factor in deciding the outcome.

Should be an exciting affair and we will know much more about both sides at the end of this contest. I give the nod to Dungloe but it may take extra-time to decide.

Verdict: Dungloe

Gaoth Dobhair v Kilcar

Saturday 20 Sept. - Davy Brennan Park, 7.30 p.m.

There was a time when this would have been a very tasty affair but Gaoth Dobhair have a much-changed line-out these days. On the other hand Kilcar still have many of the old hands which yielded them a county title in 2017 when Patrick McBrearty was captain.

Ciaran McGinley remains one of the most consistent club midfielders in the county while Ryan McHugh has had his best club championship campaign in some time.

Both sides have injury concerns with Eoin McHugh and Pauric Carr absent for Kilcar in recent games while Odhrán McFadden Ferry missing for Gaoth Dobhair. Ethan Harkin has been proficient for the Magheragallon side and they have the mercurial Odhrán Mac Niallais on the edge of the square.  Gary McFadden is their defensive anchor and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhride and Dáire Ó Baoill will have to step up. Fionnan Coyle is also a name to watch.

The Kilcar threats are well known. Whether Patrick McBrearty is at full tilt or not could be a factor but they have the McCleans and Ryan McShane has been prominent in their wins. The new rules seem to suit Kilcar’s running game as it gives them more one-on-ones, which could be a deciding factor.

It’s another of those games which is touch and go and I won’t be surprised by the final result no matter who wins.

Verdict: Kilcar

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Relegation semi-finals

The two relegation semi-finals which were postponed last week due to the inclement weather will go ahead this weekend. Glenfin v Aodh Ruadh will now be played in Ardara on Saturday with the St Naul’s v Ardara game in Fintra on Sunday.

Last week’s verdicts of victories for Glenfin and Ardara remain.