Mac's View: Club championship up and running with a few surprises

We had the club championships up and running at the weekend and while most games went along predictable lines, there were a few mild surprises, which you always get in championship football.

Probably the biggest surprise in the senior championship was Gaoth Dobhair's defeat in Donegal  Town against Four Masters.  Maybe it wasn't the defeat, but the margin between the sides at the end. Four Masters, we knew were an up and coming team with a lot of good young talent, but it doesn't augur well for Gaoth Dobhair. The absence of the McGees for the first time in many years was obviously a factor.

Dungloe's win in Glenfin was also a surprise as they were playing without two of their better players, county player Mark Curran and Karl Magee.

Glenswilly had a big winning margin over St Naul's in Mountcharles but when you factor in the absence of county full-back Brendan McCole and a good number of other regulars, St Naul's were not equipped for the challenge. I see that Michael Murphy hit 1-5 and he is still one of the top forwards in the county.

St Eunan's had it their own way against a very weakened Kilcar side minus Ryan McHugh, Ciaran O'Donnell and Matthew McClean and others while it was a similar story for holders Naomh Conaill away to Cloughaneely, who were without Jason McGee.

There was a good contest in Ballyshannon between Aodh Ruadh and Downings and I'm told this was an open, entertaining game with the home side on the right side of a two point win.

I was in Bundoran for the Intermediate game against Burt and it was 1-7 to 0-4 at half-time. I hadn't been feeling well and I decided to go home at that stage and when I learned after that Bundoran didn't score in the second half I was very surprised. It must have been tough to watch. I was talking to Stephen McMenamin and a few of the Red Hughs lads who were there on a watching brief, as they play Burt next week. But I wonder if they learned much.

Most of the games in the Intermediate went according to the rankings although Na Rossa's win over neighbours, Naomh Muire, raised a few eyebrows. Just shows you what can happen in local derbies.

We can look forward to a full round of games in all the various championships again this weekend with the big game in Davy Brennan Park, Glenties on Sunday when St Eunan's travel to play Naomh Conaill.  But no matter what the result, it is obvious that both these clubs will be still involved when the knock-out stages come around. The draw for round 3 of the championship will be made after that game on Sunday evening.

Going through the other games in the senior championship, there are five matches on Saturday evening. Killybegs entertain MacCumhaill's in Fintra and will be looking to get something on the board. I heard that Oisin Gallen only lasted three minutes last week against Ardara, but scored a goal in that time. I wonder was it wise for him to start at all if he was carrying a hamstring injury and how much damage has he done? Normally MacCumhaill's would be favourites for that game but without Gallen and the suspended Luke Gavigan, it will be much closer.

Four Masters travel to Downings with a spring in their step after defeating Gaoth Dobhair, but they could be brought back to earth by a Downings side that has plenty of scoring power.

Aodh Ruadh, likewise, will find it more difficult when they go to Dungloe and with Eamonn McGrath a doubt, a draw would be a good result for them.

Kilcar, despite being short at the moment, should have enough for a St Naul's team that are really struggling with injuries.

Gaoth Dobhair should be able to get back on track when they entertain Glenfin at home on Saturday evening in Magheragallon.

Apart from the big game in Glenties on Sunday, there are two other ties. Ardara have St Michael's at home and this represents a chance for Ardara to get on the board, although they will be underdogs as St Michael's looked good in disposing of Killybegs last weekend.

Glenswilly should be able to get another two points when they entertain Cloughaneely with the Falcarragh-based side seemingly at a low ebb at the moment.

In the Intermediate Championship Bundoran have a difficult trip to Glen to play Naomh Columba, who were hit with four goals by Termon last week. We will have to improve on last week to cause a shock.

The big game is in Malin where the home side entertain one of the favourites Termon, who seem to be peaking at the right time of the year.

Buncrana should be much too strong for Na Rossa while Naomh Muire and Gaeil Fhánada will be battling for a much needed win at the Banks on Saturday evening. Milford should account for Letterkenny Gaels and in the final game, Burt entertain Red Hughs and that would be one that you wouldn't wager too much on as it should be close.

There is plenty of action in the Junior and Reserve Championships as well with a local derby in Trummon where Naomh Brid host Pettigo, although the home side are probably too strong at the moment.

All the big teams in  the Junior Championship - Carndonagh, Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin; Naomh Ultan, Convoy and Naomh Brid came out on top last weekend and they will be there or thereabouts for honours.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell