The Donegal SFC is far from a two-horse race - Martin Doherty

The Donegal SFC got up and running last weekend with all the games, according to Martin Doherty, going along predictable lines.

In the eight first round ties played over three days from Friday night to Sunday evening there were wins for Glenfin, St Eunan’s, Naomh Conaill, Dungloe, Aodh Ruadh, Gaoth Dobhair, Glenswilly and Kilcar.

“All the games went along expected lines with all the top teams coming through without too much difficulty,” said the former Naomh Conaill player and manager.

“Hugh McFadden scored an early goal for Killybegs against our lads (Naomh Conaill). But once our boys settled into the game they took control and ran out, as the 3-12 to 1-5 scoreline suggests, comfortable winners. From reports it was a similar story with St Eunan’s in their game against St Naul’s.

“St Eunan’s had seven points to spare at the finish but from what I gather the game was never in doubt and St Eunans won playing in third gear.”

Dungloe were one point winners over Milford with Conor Greene back from Australia for a family wedding scoring a last gasp winner for the men from the Rosses.

Aodh Ruadh were 0-7 to 0-3 winners over Four Masters in Tirconaill Park. Glenswilly were 2-15 to 0-10 winners over Ardara in Pairc Naomh Columba.

And despite the heroics of Oisin Gallen, Gaoth Dobhair proved too strong for Sean MacCumhaill’s to run out 1-16 to 0-11 winners in Magheragallon.

In the final game of the opening round Kilcar fought off a game challenge of Cloughaneely to win by five points, 0-16 to 0-11.
The two standout results other than Naomh Conail’s win over Killybegs and St Eunan’s win over St Naul’s was Glenswilly’s dismissal of Ardara and Gaoth Dobhair’s defeat of Sean MacCumhaill’s.

“I know all the chat is about the big two and that the championship is a two horse race between Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s. I don't agree and never have seen it like that. I've always felt that Gaoth Dobhair and Kilcar are genuine contenders.
“And after the season Glenswilly had in Division Two and winning the Division Two league and the manner of their win over Ardara, they have most definitely come into the reckoning.

“They have regrouped well in Division Two and Padraig Bonner has blooded a lot of young players in the league.
“Players like Mark McAteer and Caoimhin Marley have really stepped out of the shadows this season. And of course they have Michael Murphy.

“Michael is playing closer to goals this season and while he is chalking his usual quota of scores he is more of a playmaker and spraying the ball about and laying it off and bringing the younger players into the game.

“Glenswilly, in my book, are most definitely contenders along with Gaoth Dobhair and Kilcar. Are they ahead of Gaoth Dobhair or Kilcar in the pecking order? I’m not sure. But one thing’s for certain, let's blow this myth of just Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s as the top two.”

There are three other teams as well as the so called big two capable of lifting the Dr Maguire Cup.
“Glenswilly don’t forget gave Naomh Conaill a run for their money in the quarter-final last year," Doherty added. "They led by two points at half-time and if they had their shooting boots on they would have been out of sight at half-time.

“It took a late Leo McLoone goal to finally settle it and given Glenswilly are much improved this season once they get to the knockout stage they will definitely take beating.

”It is a similar story with Gaoth Dobhair and Kilcar. They are two good championship teams and know how to win in knockout football.

“Like Glenswilly I fancy them to make the quarter-final and after that who knows where they can end up.”
Looking ahead to this weekend’s second round of fixtures the pressure is on the teams that lost last week in the first round to get back on track.

“The teams that lost last weekend will be anxious to get something out of this weekend’s second round of fixtures.
“The last thing any of those teams will want is to avoid going into the draw drum for the final two rounds of fixtures still looking for their first win.”

The clash of Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s, a repeat of the last two county finals, is billed as the big game of the weekend.
It is being shown live on TG4.

The other big game Martin Doherty believes is the clash of Aodh Ruadh and Gaoth Dobhair - two teams that recorded opening day wins - in Ballyshannon.

“In respect of Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s, it is one of those 50/50 ties. I expect St Eunan’s to come to Glenties with a much stronger team than the one that beat St Naul’s in the first round. Of the two teams, Naomh Conaill’s need to win is greater because of the side of the draw they are on.

“If they were to lose and then be drawn against Kilcar or Glenswilly, which can happen in the last two rounds, the road to the knockout stages could be a rocky one.

“As for Aodh Ruadh and their clash with Gaoth Dobhair, I feel Aodh Ruadh will be driven by the fact they feel they should have beaten Gaoth Dobhair in the quarter-final last year.

“They have taken a lot of criticism for their style of play in their 0-7 to 0-3 win over Four Masters in Tirconaill Park.
“I expect they will play a more expansive game this weekend. Last weekend was a matter of getting the win and the points on the board. I expect them to have a right cut at Gaoth Dobhair and I know Gaoth Dobhair have lost a lot of players. But the return of Michael Carroll is a big boost and I have a slight fancy for a Gaoth Dobhair win.”