Paddy J McGinley happy to lay Naomh Columba's cards firmly on the table

Paddy J McGinley admits that Naomh Columba would love to once again return to Donegal GAA’s top tier of league football.

The last time the Glen men plied their trade in Division 1 was back in 2005. They almost broke back through to the SFC last term but were denied at the last hurdle by Dungloe in the Intermediate decider.

A year older and a year wiser is how they might well be described by most but looking at them tear Buncrana apart last Sunday at the Scarvey, they’re obviously 12 months much further down the line in terms of their development on a number of fronts.

I wouldn’t hazard to guess what age Paddy J McGinley is and there was no Ipad under his arm last Sunday and no minion army of stats men relaying every single turnover or unforced error.

But the brand of football his team played in their 2-13 to 0-11 win over a Buncrana side, also right up there in Division 2, was simply a breath of fresh air. They went at their disorientated hosts like a swarm of bees on Sunday with overload after overload putting whatever best laid plans Buncrana had going into the game to absolute waste.

All three of their half back line got on the scoreboard with Phillip Doherty and Sean Hardy also slamming in their two goals. Aaron Doherty is now picking his moments as opposed to being at the absolute fulcrum of everything they do which makes him even more dangerous.

Naomh Columba are currently eight from eight in Division 2 and gunning for promotion. They are locked joint top with Glenswilly and, as fate would have it, their paths now cross this coming weekend at Pairc na nGael.

On the ruthless manner in which they went about their business at the Scarvey, McGinley said landing separate 1-3 hauls at the start of both halves was the winning of the game.

“When you can post that kind of tally, at the start of each half, it made our day a lot easier than we expected. In the conditions that were prevalent, it was very warm out there, it just gave us that wee cushion.

“We got off to a good start in Buncrana. We didn’t against Burt and we struggled as a result. So there are lessons there, obvious ones. We’re happy with where we are. But we’re not getting carried away.

“We have good footballers, we have real energy. At the same time, getting forward like that will leave holes at the back. But if you want to go that direction you simply have to trust the boys to think for themselves, on their feet”.

Glen have spent the last eight seasons in Division 2 and McGinley feels they are finally now primed to perhaps give making the ultimate jump a real shot.

“It’s a very even division. All the teams, there really is very little between them. We’re getting across the line by the minimum most days.

“Every single day we go out it can go either way. It’s been enjoyable. We’re at a point now, and I said it at the beginning of the year, we are 17 years out of Division 1.

“We’ll give it a go - getting back there I mean. We’re nowhere yet but we’re in contention. We came up out of Division 3 in 2014. We’ve only spoken about getting back to the top tier this season.

“The reason for that was we didn’t believe it was attainable before. But I feel now that if we were lucky enough to get back there, we might be able to tread water. But like I said, there are still ten points to play for so we’ve a huge road still in front of us.

“Last year’s journey was good. It’s a process. You look for an improvement every single year. That’s progress. It’s a really happy camp. Honestly, there is nowhere I’d rather be than involved with this gang.

“They are a great bunch and they’re giving absolutely everything they have”.

With Michael Murphy and Glenswilly next on their radar, something has to give - ‘someone’s O will have to go’!

Glenswilly have real physicality, proper torque. So it’ll be a fascinating contrast of styles in Glencolmcille at the weekend. McGinley though plays the question perfectly when pressed on his side’s chances.

“Glenswilly might well be a wee bit ahead of everyone else right now. But it’s a challenge to look forward to. If we come up short so what? They’re a great yardstick because they’ve held their own in the senior championship. So we’ll give it a go”.