MAC'S VIEW: We have the club championships at last to look forward to

The break is over and it will be good to get back into action this weekend with the club championships beginning. We have waited too long for this.  I was up at the park in Bundoran at the weekend when we had a challenge game against St Naul’s and I was well entertained. 

It was a good game of football and it was good to see Peadar Mogan back and he was showing good form. I was also impressed with their ‘keeper, Gavin Mulreaney, a very good player.

The main action will take place this weekend with games in all the championships from senior to junior. Looking from a distance at the senior championship, there doesn’t seem to be much change in who is standing out from the pack. Glenties, Letterkenny and Gaoth Dobhair seem to be the strong sides; Kilcar have gone off the boil a little and Ballyshannon could be an outsider.

The format of the championship can be confusing and hard to work out at times.  It is more like a league than a championship and it doesn’t have that championship bite or flavour. But then with the length of time we have to play with, having more games is probably no harm. Every team will be involved for the next six weeks at least.

Looking at the games in the senior championship you would have to fancy Aodh Ruadh against Four Masters. The Ballyshannon side have experience now and Four Masters are a young side.

It is hard to see Killybegs being able to match Naomh Conaill in Fintra and the draw is probably unfortunate for Killybegs. Naomh Conaill will want to get a win on the first day.

It is a similar story in Towney on Sunday when Kilcar entertain Cloughaneely. Kilcar may not be as strong as a few years back, but they are still one of the big guns.

Glenswilly have Ardara at home and I feel if Michael Murphy stays fit, they will tighten a good few clubs. It will be no surprise if they make the semi-finals.

St Eunan’s will have too much for St Naul’s, who have been unfortunate in the draws now for a couple of years. They will be hoping for better draws in rounds 3 and 4.

I fancy Gaoth Dobhair at home to MacCumhaill’s. I know MacCumhaill’s put it up to them at the venue before but again home advantage should count.

Milford against Dungloe will  be close but I have a fancy for Milford, while in the opening game of the weekend in Glenfin, St Michael’s will be under pressure without Michael Langan. This is a tight game to call and it could be a draw, but I fancy Glenfin might shade it at home..

INTERMEDIATE

Bundoran have to travel to Downings for their opening game in the Intermediate Championship and they will have their work cut out because I know they are going to be short a couple. I give Bundoran the nod to win a tight battle.

In the other games I have a fancy for Naomh Columba against Fanad Gaels; Termon over Naomh Brid; Buncrana over Burt; Red Hughs over Naomh Mhuire and Malin over Letterkenny Gaels.

In the Junior Championship I’m predicting wins for Na Rossa, Naomh Padraig, Muff, St Eunan’s C, Convoy and Carndonagh.

LADIES ALL-IRELAND

I really enjoyed watching the Ladies All-Ireland senior final on Sunday.  It was quite a result for a new Dublin team, who had been well beaten by Kerry earlier in the year. That game in Parnell Park was quite a physical affair and the managers had a few words afterwards.

By the end of the final last Sunday, the matter was settled. I really enjoyed the game as a spectacle and fair play to our own Micheal Naughton, who spoke very well as President when making the presentations.

There was a good win for Down also on the day in the junior final and there was a very healthy crowd at headquarters.

That game marked the end of the intercounty season and it is something that needs to be addressed by the incoming President, Jarlath Burns. We can’t be giving six months away to other sports.

Sad passing of Bundoran native, Bishop-Emeritus of Clogher Liam MacDaid

Just a week after losing a good friend in Art McRory of Tyrone, the news has come this week of the death of the former Bishop of Clogher, Liam McDaid, an old teammate in Bundoran, St Joseph’s and Donegal.

He was not a bad footballer and gave a lot of good performances. He played minor, U-21 and got a few runs at senior for Donegal. I remember him coming on as a sub in the National League semi-final against Offaly in 1969. That made it five Bundoran men on the field for Donegal at the same time - Seamie Granaghan, Declan O’Carroll, Bernard Brady and myself, being the others.

Liam played in the first leg of the All-Ireland club final against Dunmore McHales in 1968 but had to go back to Maynooth and wasn’t allowed out for the second leg in Tuam.  He would have played for St Joseph’s in the Ulster Club final against Castleblayney in 1975 and I remember when Bundoran picked up a few suspensions and injuries in 1977, I got himself and Declan O’Carroll out of retirement to play for us to win the Donegal Intermediate Championship.

Ar dheis Dé ar a hanam.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell