IFC once again shaping up to be a serious tussle - Aidan McAteer

Buncrana, Termon and Milford are the early pace setters in the Michael Murphy Sports IFC after the opening two rounds of games.

“They are the three form teams and there is no great surprise that they occupy the top three places,” says former Gaeil Fhanada player and manager Aidan McAteer.

“I watched Milford against Fanad and I was very impressed with Milford and they are by far the best team I’ve seen this year.

“James McGinley has done a lot of work with them and has brought through a number of good young players. Luke Barrett is giving a hand and they are in great shape.

“I haven’t seen Malin, Bundoran or Naomh Columba but I’ve seen all the rest and I honestly believe it will take a very good team to beat Milford.

“Obviously Termon, Buncrana and Malin are also in the mix and will also have a big say in the championship.

“Termon have Enda McCormick back and along with Daire McDaid they have been hitting big scores.

“They went to Malin last weekend and came away with a win which was a good result, especially up there, which is never an easy place to get a result.

“Buncrana and Malin are in the mix too. Gary Duffy, the Buncrana manager, has brought in Eamon McGee this season. They had a good league campaign and were promoted to Division 1 along with Four Masters and Termon.

“And they were unlucky not to go up as champions. They got caught with a late goal to deny them a Division 2 title.

“They won their two games so far without Caolan McGonagle after picking up an injury in the league final. But he is expected back in the next couple of weeks.

“Buncrana are going to be there or thereabouts this year but they have struggled in the last few years to get past the knockout stages.

“We beat them last year in the quarter-final and I think Naomh Columba beat them the year before also in the quarter-final.

“Despite last weekend’s defeat to Termon, I would not rule Malin out of the reckoning.

“They were close to Downings in last year's final, and they’ve had a good run in Division 1 of the league and finished in the top half of the table.

“Naomh Columba have been knocking at this door for a few years now. But they went into the championship on the back of relegation from Division 1.

“They have had a tough draw. They were away to Termon the first day and suffered a big defeat and they are home to Malin this weekend.

“They won last weekend and another two points will see them make the knockout stage and after that anything can happen.”

Outside of the five above, McAteer sees Bundoran as a possible dark horse that could emerge from the rest.

“I know they had a bad year in the league and were relegated but they were playing in Division 1.

“They have a lot of senior championship experience and I feel they will make the top eight and, after that, anything can happen.”

McAteer says the other outsiders are Naomh Muire, Red Hughs and his own club Gaeil Fhánada.

“Our boys have a big game this weekend away to Na Rossa who are in with a chance of making the top eight.

“They had a good win on the opening day against Naomh Muire, on home soil.

“It is a game Fanad have to win if they are to have any chance of making the knockout stages and not to be drawn into a relegation battle with what looks like Letterkenny Gaels.”

Fixtures

IFC

Sat, 24 Aug,

Na Rossa V Fanad Gaels 17:00, Jimmy White

Letterkenny Gaels V Naomh Muire Lower Rosses 19:00, Seamus Mc Gonagle

Termon V Burt 19:00, Connie Doherty

Bundoran V Red Hughs 19:00, Pat Barrett

Sun, 25 Aug,

Buncrana V Milford 15:00, Greg Mc Groary

Naomh Columba V Malin 15:00, Val Murray