McShea's Say: 'The Donegal player of the year must be MacCumhaill’s Oisin Gallen'

Looking at Sunday’s Donegal SFC semi-final between Naomh Conaill and St Eunans it was easy to ponder on Anthony Thompson's long career with his club and his native Donegal.

In a long and distinguished playing career Anthony had seen every stage of his team’s morality, peak, very little decline and on Sunday’s performance now clearly regeneration.

With age starting to catch up on him - he’s now 37 - he must be training harder and smarter than ever, and he seems to cajole his talented young brother Ciaran into delivering the goods for his club when the stakes are at their highest.

Veteran Anthony Thompson doing it for the young lads

Former county star now in the twilight of his career is still leading the line and contributing in defence and attack

On Sunday against St Eunan’s, Anthony was like an old oak tree in a team of saplings, sturdy and unshakeable. Sunday’s game was a day for discipline, many would say a boring game to watch, but still a good one to win.

As always Naomh Conaill were well-organised, and well-coached, and have a great spirit. One can only admire the wonderful record that they have achieved in championship football, as they will contest their ninth final in 10 seasons when they play Gaoth Dobhair and to reach seven finals in succession is outstanding consistency in the top tier of Donegal football.

After only scoring two points in the first half of their match with Aodh Ruadh, and only scoring four points in the first half against Naomh Conaill many felt that Eunans would come out with all guns blazing after the break.

But this Letterkenny side are very predictable, and Naomh Conaill knew and believed that they just needed to stick to their game plan to get over the line.

Tactically St Eunans were less than impressive. It was incredible in the first half to see the Letterkenny side play the ball after much ponderous build-up, into the left corner forward position where they retained possession but ultimately saw the ball finish up in the middle of the park or in their own half-back line.

Naomh Conaill’s best performers were the Thompson brothers, Ultan Doherty, Ethan O’Donnell and keeper Stephen McGrath who was most impressive with his goal kicks, while Conor Morrison battled hard on a disappointing Letterkenny team, while some of the personnel changes made by Eunans were more than difficult to figure out .

Gaoth Dobhair have come from under the radar to make it to their first final in four years after beating MacCumhaills 3-9 to 0-11 in Letterkenny on Saturday. The concession of three goals was a major reason for this young Ballybofey side's defeat, but Gaoth Dobhair were the better side and they have improved in every outing this season.

They are in the final on merit. Gaoth Dobhair as all teams from that parish do, are playing with a collective will and an inbuilt determination and Daire Ó Baoill back on board has given his team a great lift. Ronan MacNiallais, in his first year at the helm, has done an excellent job in bringing his side to a county final and no stone will be left unturned in their effort to bring the Dr Maguire Cup back to Magheragallon.

Ronan has clearly managed to generate much positive energy in the dressing room this year, and I believe that his influence is more about his presence around the place and his organisation. The fact that his brother is managing the team will I believe ensure that Odhran MacNiallais will also be giving at least 100% to see their side pick up some silverware.

Gaoth Dobhair legends McGee and MacNiallais pay tribute to 'unmarkable' Gallen

Gaoth Dobhair defeated MacCumhaill's in the Donegal SFC but two of their leading players Neil McGee and Odhrán MacNiallais were lavish in their praises of Oisin Gallen

Even though we will not get to see him play in this year’s county final, the Donegal player of the year simply must be MacCumhaill’s Oisin Gallen. Again, last Saturday against Gaoth Dobhair, Oisin was simply unmarkable.

Those who didn’t appreciate how good a footballer he is had their eyes opened this year, where he was man of the match in every game that he played. His work rate almost defies belief. He covers every blade of grass, He wins ball that he has no right to win, and he is a prolific scorer of either foot, or he pops back to make last-minute tackles. He simply is a class act.

Four Masters deserve our congratulations for their back-to-back victory in the minor championship. At underage level, the club are going from strength to strength with this minor side speckled with brilliant footballers, while all underage teams in the club are going exceptionally well.

This just doesn’t happen, it has to be made to happen and to all the parents who provide ongoing support for the children and to the many coaches who give so much time to supporting the children, they deserve our genuine congratulations for the consistency and excellence of their support.