McShea's Say: Dungloe must be at their very best if they are to beat St Eunan's

As Dungloe prepares to play St Eunan’s in the club’s first county final appearance since 1964, they know that nothing less than an exceptional performance will see them take the Dr Maguire Cup back to the Rosses. 

It is understandable to see real pride in Dungloe as this unique final is only a matter of days away, but if the underdogs are to prevail, they will need total focus on the job at hand, and off-field euphoria is only acceptable if or when there is a championship to celebrate.  

It was suggested that there was a ‘meet and greet’ to take place with the Dungloe players last Sunday and I believe that this is not what total focus is about, and I am not sure that the players would consider that exercise as important preparation for a championship final.  

Dungloe must not allow their preparations to be distracted in any way because that would be a bigger enemy than St Eunan’s.

In every walk of life, people need support to achieve. Both the Letterkenny and Dungloe squads will be aware of the wonderful support they receive from their manager, mentors, and medical people, as they complete their preparations for the big day.

READ NEXT: Dungloe and St Eunan's taking nothing for granted as they set for ultimate final

If or when a team is successful, much is made of the sacrifices players made to get there. For club footballers, these things are easily defined. Players play with and through injuries, often without even thinking of the consequences that may occur in later life. But players do it for the love of the game. They do it for their club, they do it for their families, and they do it for the glory.  

Players could do none of this without the support of their families. They are the therapists when a player is dropped or paranoid about the mood of a manager suddenly not talking to them. They are the invisible blanket that comforts players in dealing with defeat.  

At the final whistle on Sunday unless the game finishes in a draw those contrasting emotions will be clearly in evidence. One set of followers will be elated while the team that suffers defeat will be devastated.  

Looking at the odds for this final, the bookmakers believe that nothing but an emphatic win for Eunan’s can happen. I am not quite sure that this will be the case. In a two-horse race, there are many imponderables. Black cards, yellow cards, or the dreaded red card can have a major influence on the outcome of any game, but particularly a county final.  

The Letterkenny side do not need to be reminded of that after their defeat to Naomh Conaill two years ago.  

I will forever remember the preview of Donegal’s first-ever All-Ireland semi-final when we were to play the reigning All-Ireland champions Offaly. In his preview of that game John D Hickey, the Irish Independent’s Gaelic Games reporter stated that, “the gates in Croke Park will be closed at half time on Sunday for the Donegal/Offaly semi-final to keep the crowd in, as Offaly will be so far in front.” 

In fact, Donegal was leading by two points at halftime, and it was only a basic defensive error by a Donegal defender that cost us a goal that saw Offaly prevail and go on to beat Kerry in the All-Ireland final.  

I am not suggesting that Eunan’s will be in control at halftime this Sunday, and they too must deal with the issue of being hot favourites. Watching them in their quarter and semi-final games against both Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair, they were far from impressive.  

In trying to get a hold on this Letterkenny team I was reminded of a quote that I believe sums them up well; “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”. 

While Eunan’s form has been at best patchy in this championship, it was good enough to see them return to this final, and they did have a more difficult campaign than Dungloe. They have pressed on, and the experience of playing in recent finals will undoubtedly be an asset this Sunday.  

In Shaun Patton, they have a top-class keeper and superb dead-ball kicker, while Ciaran Moore, Shane, and Niall O’Donnell will bring leadership and quality to their team.  

For Dungloe, they too have a very fine keeper in Danny Rodgers. Mark Curran has had a great year, and the side is sprinkled with many players of outstanding potential.  

Dungloe has gone through a huge transitional period, and if they are to defy the odds and flourish, they must be very street-wise on Sunday. To get to the top in football, a player must be mentally very strong, and the bigger the game the more relaxed good players are.  

Will the barren years since 1964 inspire rather than hinder Dungloe? 

They have shown exceptional battling qualities this year, but Eunan’s experience coupled with a much more expansive approach should see them prevail in this final with a bit to spare. 

Well done Declan Bonner and Erne Gaels Belleek  

Belleek under manager Declan Bonner did very well to beat Derrygonnelly by the narrowest of margins last Sunday to qualify for the Fermanagh County final where they will play Enniskillen Gaels on Sunday week.  

In his first year at the helm with the team from the Pottery Town, Bonner has once again played a significant role in seeing his charges deliver in what was a close and competitive semi-final.