Mac's View: Looking forward to changes being passed at Congress

The Special Congress on the GAA rule changes takes place this Saturday in Croke Park and I’m looking forward to changes being adopted at the meeting. I’m especially interested in seeing the three up being passed. I think it is a good rule and will ensure that there is a lot more space on the pitch.

I’m hearing that some counties may be proposing that the new rules, if passed, would be trialled at intercounty level only for the year and I think that is an excellent idea. To apply them at club level, it would be a lot to take on board for referees and for junior clubs and even for senior clubs. 

I think that trialling them at intercounty level would be good. I know they will also be reviewed after the National League campaign is over and that is also welcome.

I expect that Donegal will vote in favour of the changes. I know that something has to be done about the game because at the moment it is not attractive at all. There may be too many changes but I was glad to see that the goal will remain at three points and the ‘45’ will also remain at one point.

It will be important for delegates to have their say and we will look forward to seeing what the results are on Saturday.

U-21s

The U-21 championships in Donegal will be cleared up this weekend with two more finals. Congratulations to St Naul’s who defeated Killybegs in the C final last weekend although I was surprised that both these clubs were competing for the C title.

Four Masters will meet Glenswilly in the A final and I’m delighted the game is in the Fr Tierney Park in Ballyshannon as the surface there now is as good as you will get.

Fair play to Glenswilly for overcoming the champions, Gaoth Dobhair, last weekend in a very tight game and they will go into the game riding high, especially knowing that they have already beaten Four Masters in the group stages.

Four Masters were not happy with their performance that day but they were without the Carr brothers, which is a fair loss. It will be interesting to see how Glenswilly do this time around. They are coached by big Neil Gallagher and it is good to see former county players giving it back to their clubs.

Four Masters have been the team we are talking about all year and they will probably go into the final as favourites given their recent big wins over MacCumhaill’s and Naomh Conaill.

Let’s hope we get a half decent day and it should be an attractive game that will bring out many neutrals as well as a big crowd from Donegal Town and Glenswilly.

In the B final Burt will play Cloughaneely and it should also be a good game. Burt, more associated with hurling, have produced some good footballers and this team are in the final on merit having overcome Glenfin and Carndonagh.

Cloughaneely have experienced a very difficult season at senior level but they won a Division 2 Minor title a couple of years ago so should have a reasonable side.

CONGRATS TO KARL AND BARRY

Congratulations to our own Karl Lacey and Barry Dunnion who have managed Kilcoo of Down to the Ulster final after a goalscoring spree against Monaghan champions, Scotstown, in the semi-final. The game was fairly even up to just before half-time but two goals in a minute and another at the start of the second half put Kilcoo on their way to an easy win.

Karl and Barry have that Kilcoo team firing well and they were able to cut Scotstown open at will with some very strong running.

In the other semi-final I felt sorry for the Armagh side, Clann Eireann against Errigal Ciaran. I felt they deserved a draw at least.  The sending off of their midfielder was a marginal call. But on the other hand, young Ruairi Canavan put on a show reminiscent of his father, Peter, scoring nine points.

It should make for a very good Ulster club final.

Congratulations to our own Ulster winners, Naomh Padraig, Muff, on winning the Ulster Junior Championship in Celtic Park on Saturday. It is a massive achievement for such a young club.

Also good luck to Downings Ladies this Sunday when they take on Kilcock in the All-Ireland Junior Ladies semi-final. They have the game at home and have a great chance of making an All-Ireland final. Barney Curran, who was involved with us here in Bundoran in the past, is part of the management and I wish him and the team well.

Finally, this week I want to wish Michael McHugh of the Democrat and Bundoran well after his recent illness.

Also my condolences to the family and friends of Seamus Rodgers of Naomh Muire, a fior Gael, who was a former Donegal GAA county chairman and he was a founding member of the Naomh Muire club. May he rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell