Mac's View: Club championships are hotting up after second round of games

There was a full round of championship games in all grades again at the weekend and no doubt the stand-out result was St Eunan’s win over Naomh Conaill in Glenties on Sunday evening.

We know that further down the line these teams will meet again and it will probably be closer but it was quite a good result for St Eunan’s and they look to be ready to challenge the holders for the Dr Maguire. They have a very strong panel and Pauric Boyle looks a big physical addition. I hear he’s from Clontibret and a brother of Monaghan player Conor.  I was listening to the game on radio and Ciaran Moore came on and kicked two points almost immediately.

There is no doubt that themselves and Naomh Conaill are the two top teams and by a good margin.

You have the likes of MacCumhaill’s and Four Masters looking upwards while Kilcar look to be getting their act together as well.

Four Masters had a big win on the road in Downings but it is no big surprise as they are bringing through a great bunch of talent from underage. It is good to see that it is bearing fruit.

MacCumhaill’s were pushed all the way in Killybegs, although they were short quite a few including Oisin Gallen, Joel Bradley Walsh and Luke Gavigan and lost Marty O’Reilly very early to injury.

Kilcar, as expected, were too strong for a St  Naul’s team that are suffering without their full-back, Brendan McCole, and it is rather sad that it looks like he will not play much in the championship. Kilcar are getting players back and Ciaran McGinley is still a driving force for them and Patrick McBrearty had his shooting boots on. They will be in the mix come the knock-out stages. 

Gaoth  Dobhair got their first win against Glenfin, who have slipped a little. But then it is never easy to win in Magheragallon. When we were playing a lot of guys were not that keen to travel to the Gaoth Dobhair venue.

Dungloe, with Mark Curran back, edged out Aodh Ruadh, which was a good result. They have a good crop of players and now is the time for them to step up.

Glenswilly were pushed by Cloughaneely, who were helped by a couple of goals and it’s amazing what a few goals can do in a game.

In the Intermediate championship Bundoran created their own record by not scoring in the first half, that after not scoring in the second half the week before against Burt. In the end they paid the price although a late Glen goal put a better gloss on the scoreboard.

Termon’s win up in Malin was the stand-out result. They look to be the favourites for the Intermediate title at the moment.

Naomh Muire overcame Fanad, who can blow hot and cold. And three were wins for Red Hugh’s, Buncrana and Milford

THIS WEEK’S GAMES

Four Masters v Glenswilly:  Both these teams have two wins and this will be a good test for Four Masters and how this young Four Masters side deal with Michael Murphy.

St Eunan’s would look to have too much for Gaoth Dobhair and I can’t see them losing in O’Donnell Park.

Also, I can’t see Kilcar losing in Glenfin, as they will probably have Ryan McHugh back as well as the players that returned last week.

MacCumhaill’s will be up against it when they take on Naomh Conaill, who will want to get back on the winning trail. With MacCumhaill’s likely to be missing their two top players as well as Marty O’Reilly, it looks like Naomh Conaill.

St.  Naul’s and Killybegs have local history and this could be a feisty affair with both pointless at the moment. It could be a draw. If it matches last year’s clash at the venue,  it would be worth seeing. Gavin Mulreany hit 1-1 and saved a penalty as St Naul’s won but then lost to Killybegs in the relegation play-off

Cloughaneely and Downings are in a similar position, meeting with no points on the board and this is a hard one to call.

Aodh Ruadh entertain Ardara and I would fancy Aodh Ruadh. Ardara are not cutting the mustard at the moment and home advantage might be enough.

St Michael’s and Dungloe meet at the Bridge and the winners here will go to six points in the table. I fancy St Michael’s with Michael Langan playing the football of his life at the moment.

In the Intermediate Championship I’m hoping that Bundoran can make home advantage pay against Red Hugh while there should be wins for Naomh Muire, Termon and Buncrana while the games between Na Rossa v Fanad and Naomh Columba v Malin are tough to call.

The Junior Championship is also going well and I’m predicting wins for N Padraig, Uisce Chaoin, Naomh Ultan, Carndonagh and Pettigo with the game of the day between Naomh Brid and Convoy in Trummon.

Finally, this week, congratulations to all our Olympians who did Donegal and the North West proud in Paris. There have been homecomings for them in the past few weeks - for Rachael Darragh in Raphoe; Mark English at Finn Valley; Kelly McGrory in Donegal Town and next week Mona McSharry has a homecoming in Ballyshannon to show off her bronze medal. And not forgetting Chris O’Donnell of Grange, who is a past pupil of Magh Ene College here in Bundoran.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell