McShea's Say: 2023 throw in is almost upon us

The great triumph of the GAA is that it means so much to so many people. 

It inspires a passion that is not always evident in many areas of life. As we are on the cusp of a new season, we can be sure that before the campaign ends, some controversy will evolve because the GAA does have a glorious ability to create controversy. 

As always, with controversy, the dispute often lies not merely with what did or did not happen, but also with the hows and whys that controversy occurred. It is true to say that generations of Irish people have spent the hours between work and sleep enthralled by Gaelic Games and the Association that organises them. 

Gaoth Dobhair ease past Naomh Conaill to reach U-21A semi-final

Gaoth Dobhair had far too much guile and quality for an understrength Naomh Conaill in O'Donnell Park as they coasted into the semi-finals of the championship with 15 points to spare

And the members of the Association share a unique bond. The loyalty and support of the members is quite simply exceptional and the ability to deal with controversy seems to reinforce the loyalty that members of the association share. 

So, all Donegal supporters are looking forward to the senior side’s first competitive match of the new season. The McKenna Cup opener against Down, in Pairc Esler, Newry, on Sunday has generated much interest for several reasons, not least the fact that it is new Donegal manager Paddy Carr’s first game at the helm. 

With a new management team in situ, there will be much interest in how the team performs. The fact that Donegal open their Ulster championship campaign back in Newry, in April, gives this game an interesting edge and it would be a significant psychological boost for the championship to win this weekend. 

For various reasons at this time of year, most managers do not have a full deck to pick from so the Donegal line-up will create much interest. The appointment of a new county captain has also generated a lot of speculation. 

Our last captain, Michael Murphy, held the position for eleven years and Michael was one of Donegal football’s most compelling characters and will obviously be a hard act to follow. 

Every man, woman and child will wish Paddy Carr the best as he sets out on his career with Donegal this Sunday, and I would dearly like to see Donegal play a much more attacking brand of football this season. 

Most GA A people are very keen to find out what type of training the top teams do, in the belief that county teams will have much more sophisticated and scientific sessions than the average club teams. 

There seems to be serious emphasis on fitness in the modern game, and while it is very important it won’t tell you if a player has the stomach to keep fighting when things are going wrong. 

Equally, it will not tell you if a forward can kick a point when it is most needed in a very tense atmosphere. In relation to Sunday’s game, if Donegal have most of their panel available they should be good enough to get the season off to a positive start.

Proud 

It was a very disappointing defeat for the young Donegal underage team on Sunday when they were hit with a last minute goal that deprived them of the Ulster minor title. This team had a great campaign in the province, where they did the county proud. 

And many of the side can go on and make a very big impression at senior level for their club and indeed for the county. I spoke last week about the excellent structures that Four Masters have in place for every grade of football and I got real evidence of that on Christmas Day in Donegal town when I asked my daughter’s three boys what they got for Christmas?

They are aged from 14 to 8 and all three said new football boots and jerseys. No doubt most other houses could tell the same story.

For many years Ballyshannon ran a great town league and the photo (courtesy of Brian Tuohy) shows the Grimes’ Bakery team that won that league back in 1978. Vincent Grimes, the proprietor of the bakery and his son Jack, both deceased, were great GAA people. 

And they also signed a few players who were not in the bakery but qualified under the guest rule.

Back row left to right; Eamonn Sheerin, PJ Patton, Pauric McShea, Gerry McDermott, Brendan McDermott, Tommy McDermott and Jim Sheerin. Front row: Hugh Daly, John McGowan, Brian Tuohy, Michael Kerrigan and Gerry Curran. 

Brian Tuohy went on to captain Donegal to the All-Ireland under 21 title in 1983 while Tommy McDermott was also a key member of that historic side. Gerry Curran was a very talented footballer while John Mc Gowan was the playmaker on that team. 

Hugh Daly was a fine forward and a son of Hugh Daly who was secretary of the Donegal county board for many years.The McDermotts, Gerry and Brendan, came from a great GAA family as did the Sheerin’s. PJ Patton was a wonderful Badminton player who played at the top level in that sport and Michael Kerrigan was also a player of much ability.