Any one of four can win the Donegal IFC - Gerard McGrenra

It is a case of one from four teams for this year’s Donegal Intermediate football championship according to a former winner of the Cathal McLaughlin Cup.

Downings, Bundoran, Termon and Naomh Columba are the choice of former Glenswilly player Gerard McGrenra, who as a member of the Glenswilly, intermediate championship-winning team of 2005.

“Downings and Bundoran played in Division One last season and Naomh Columba will play in Division One next season after being promoted,” McGrenra said.

“Malin also played in Division One and had a very good league and are contenders too but they had a good league last year too when getting promoted and did not perform in the championship. If they are to take their league form into the championship they won’t be far away.

“And it is on that basis that I rate them as an outside bet. Buncrana and Naomh Muire also fall into that category too. The reason why Buncrana cannot be dismissed is because they have a very good midfield pairing of Caolan McGonagle and Peter McLaughlin. And they have a big target man inside in John Campbell who is very effective on the edge of the square.

“He is a handful for any full-back line. I was very impressed with Buncrana when they played us in the league and beat Glenswilly in their last outing as well.

“My reason for including Naomh Muire in the possible outsiders, is because Danny O’Donnell is a very good manager. He has won the championship before with Naomh Muire and Milford and he will have them well primed and ready for the championship.”

McGrenra’s first observation about this season’s Intermediate championship was that all the top teams are in the one group.
“Downings, Naomh Columba, Termon and Bundoran are all in group A,” he said

“It is far more competitive than group B which has Malin, Buncrana and Naomh Muire of the next best. The draw has not done Downings or Bundoran any favours.

“As well as playing each other they also have to face Naomh Columba and Termon. Downings also have to play Fanad Gaels and Fanad have a good record against them. But I still think Downings have a lot going for them. In Johnny McGroddy and Lorcan Connor, they have two quality forwards and overall they have a good balance to their team.”

Downings, Bundoran, Naomh Columba, Termon, Malin, Buncrana, Naomh Muire and Gaeil Fhánada are McGrenra’s top eight and quarter-finalists.

“There is a lot of football to be played over the next couple of months, he said. “And it will all come down to avoiding injuries to key players and the odd lucky break here and there along the way. At this early stage putting my head on the block I think the championship will come down to either Downings or Termon.

“As I mentioned earlier, Downings have two of the best forwards in the championship in Johnny McGroddy and Lorcan Connor. Class forwards win championships. Termon have had their troubles but that is all behind them now. Caolan McDaid has taken on the manager's role with the existing backroom team.

“They have Sean O’Donnell back at centre-half-back. Enda McCormack and Steve McElwaine are also back up front and playing well. And they also have Daire McDaid in the attack. If they can keep everybody fit and well they should be there to the end.”