Mac's View: GAA calendar needs to be looked at as season over for too many clubs

Here we are going into the second half of September and the GAA season is over for all counties and now for half of the clubs in Donegal as well.

There is something seriously wrong with the new GAA system. I was  listening to the sports programme on the radio this morning and it was all about soccer and a little rugby. That in the month of September when we used to have the All-Ireland finals and had so much coverage. 

After next weekend in Donegal, we will be down to just 12 teams remaining in the three main championships. The rest of the players in the county will be getting involved with other sports clubs, soccer and rugby, and there is a big chance we could lose them.

At the weekend we had preliminary quarter-finals at Senior level and quarter-finals in Intermediate and Junior.

I was down in Mountcharles for Bundoran’s game with Naomh Columba and it was not a bad match. Bundoran were without Jamie Brennan as he was away at his brother’s wedding. They had tried to get the game on Saturday but weren’t accommodated. Glen were the craftier side and were worthy winners. Their goalkeeper, Shane O’Gara, I gather plays for a soccer club in Northern Ireland and his kick-outs were good. I’d say they won 95% of them. He also made two class saves near the end.

Aaron Doherty was very good and they also had a good corner-forward while Noel Hegarty’s son, Pauric, was good at half-back and scored a goal. They were the better side and I’d fancy them to go all the way. They are managed by John Joe Doherty’s brother, Brendan.

Malin surprised Buncrana but then an all-Inishowen game takes on a life of its own. Termon also got through against Red Hughs but I’m hearing they have a few injury problems. Naomh Muire won the other game.

This weekend we have the semi-finals and I fancy Naomh Columba to overcome Malin and I give the nod to Termon against Naomh Muire, but that could be close as the Rosses side are dogged performers.

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

There were no major surprises in the Senior Championship preliminary quarter-finals with Four Masters, Gaoth Dobhair, St Eunan’s and Dungloe coming through their games. MacCumhaill’s seem to have slipped back and are not the force they were last year.

Dungloe won again and are skipping away quite nicely. The Eunan’s-Ardara game was very much as expected while Four Masters got the better of Killybegs but I’m hearing the first half of that game was not pretty.

Now we get down to the nitty gritty this weekend and the draw has paired the big two - Naomh Conaill against St Eunan’s. This game is likely to draw a bumper crowd to MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Saturday evening.  The spotlight will be on them and there is no second chance now. I think St Eunan’s might just shade it. They have the talent while Glenties have the experience. It is a very tight call but I’ll stick with Eunans.

Because the big two have been paired together, the championship has been opened up for the other six teams, especially for dark horses Glenswilly.

They take on Dungloe on Saturday in Falcarragh and I expect this improving Dungloe to give their fill of it. The containment of Michael Murphy is the biggest problem for Dungloe to sort this week, or more importantly the supply of ball to Murphy.

I think Glenswilly will just about shade it, but if Dungloe could cut the supply to Murphy, they can make a real game of it.

Four Masters take on Gaoth Dobhair and this will be the second time the sides have met this year. The Donegal Town men were surprisingly easy winners on the opening day but this will be a different kettle of fish. I give Gaoth Dobhair the nod against this youthful Four Masters.

The final game sees Kilcar take on St Michael’s in Glenties on Sunday and you have to fancy Kilcar for this game. However, there is talk that St Michael’s are talking about flying Michael Langan back from his holidays for the game. But I think Kilcar will have too much for them all over the pitch.

The Junior championship semi-finals are taking place this weekend also with the big clash between the two top teams St Mary’s, Convoy and Carndonagh. There is word that Conor O’Donnell is back for Carn and that would be a huge boost. You would have to give the nod to the Inishowen men and they must be favourites to lift the title.

Naomh Ultan take on Naomh Padraig, Muff in the other semi-final and I give them the nod to just about win that game.

SYMPATHY

Finally this week my sympathy to the Gallagher family, Belleek and the Maguire family, Letterkenny.

The late Gerry Gallagher was well known in Fermanagh GAA circles and played in two All-Ireland U-21 finals back at the start of the 1970s. He was the father of  Rory and was also a championship winner with Erne Gaels.

Also last week we lost a great Gael in Connie Maguire, formerly of Glenties and now St Eunan’s. He was a selector with me at county level in 1972 and 1973 and he played against St Joseph’s in the 1960s. I believe he won an Ulster Minor League medal with Donegal in the early 1960s and would have played for St Eunan’s when he moved to Letterkenny. He was also heavily involved at administrative level with the Letterkenny club.

May both rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell