Mac's View: Another big weekend for Donegal as we head to Croker

This will be another big weekend for Donegal GAA supporters as we travel to Croke Park on Sunday to play Louth in the All-Ireland quarter-final. And hopefully, we will  have another good fortnight after that to prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final.

There is no harm in saying that we got a great draw when we were paired with Louth, but at the same time we need to be very careful.

Just look at what happened last weekend with Tyrone, Mayo and Cork getting caught. Cork did not use one of their best players, Sean Powter, until the final 15 minutes and they paid the price.

But we have to remember that this is a good Louth team. I would know from my short time with the county that they produce good footballers. Despite being the smallest county in Ireland, they have a big population base. They have two League of Ireland teams but still there is an abundance of GAA clubs.

They are very strong around the middle of the field with Tommy Durnin and Bevan Duffy, while in captain and full-forward, Sam Mulroy, they have a marquee forward who works for the team on and off the ball. He is not one of these forwards who are there just for the scores.

They also have a few other tasty forwards and Donegal will need to look out for the threat coming from the back in Donal McKenny and Craig Lennon, who have notched 6-6 between them so  far.

They also have a very good manager in former Dublin player Ger Brennan and he has surrounded himself with quality in Niall Moyna and James McCartan, who would know quite a bit about Ulster football and the challenge presented by Donegal.

But then Jim McGuinness has been around for long enough to take nothing for granted. The game has an early start at 1.15 on Sunday so it will be an early start for Donegal supporters. But I would urge them to get on the road early and take their time.

We will not know the make-up of the Donegal team until Sunday but there has to be a doubt about big Jason McGee. With the strength posed by Louth in that area, hopefully the Cloughaneely man will be ready,

We know from Louth’s visit to Ballyshannon in the league that they are a good side and we did not look that comfortable against them.

It might look like a good draw for Donegal but you still have to do the business. Louth are not to be underestimated and I know Jim will have boys not thinking in that frame of mind.

In the other games at the weekend the Derry-Kerry game is on after our game and it will be something to look forward to. I have to fancy Kerry as they have had a rest but they have not been tested yet this year.

On Saturday Armagh face Roscommon in the first quarter-final and while Roscommon have some tasty forwards, they are unpredictable. They converted about 95 per cent of their chances against Tyrone and won that game in the first half. It was only Roscommon’s second win in 16 weeks but they are still in it. But overall Armagh have a good bit of football under their belt and I would fancy them to win.

The second game on Saturday sees Dublin take on Galway and I would think it was the last draw that Galway wanted. I wonder if Shane Walsh will be able to play and even if he does, his ankle will not be 100 per cent. Damien Comer came in last week and is a big addition. Galway always have good footballers and they  will rattle Dublin.

At home there are some big All County League games on Saturday evening with the leagues coming close to the end.

The Donegal Ladies bowed out of the championship in Waterford and I always felt the journey would be a big factor. They got off to a bad start but were only the kick of a ball away in the end.

DEATHS

The death of Micheal O Muircheartaigh is a tremendous loss to the GAA. He was such a lovely man and brought so much to GAA. Coming home from matches, listening to him would bring you right to the game. He had a great turn of phrase and did great research into players. He had a story about everyone and every county. I remember he came down after the All-Ireland in 1992 for my 50th birthday party. He was one of those special GAA people. He could make a good game out of an average one. 

My sympathies also to Donegal Co. secretary, Declan Martin, and the entire Martin family on the death of their mother, Mary.  

Sympathies also to the Gorman family in Sligo on the death of Tommie Gorman, a great broadcaster. I remember he took a very keen interest in us back in 1992. He had a great loyalty to Sligo Rovers and he handled the political scene in the north so well.

May they rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell