McCann insists granny-rule recruitment is 'not a road I would go down’

Donegal manager Mickey McCann is not overly eager to chase down potential Donegal hurlers using the ‘granny-rule.’

Sunday’s NHL Division 2B trip to take on Sligo in Markievicz Park on Sunday is a real “50-50” match according to the team boss, with their hosts stocking up their ranks with three Galway natives.

McCann, pictured above, watched Yeats County narrowly lose 2-14 to 1-14 to a strong Derry outfit in Celtic Park last Saturday and the Burt man was suitably impressed. He is wary of a trip to Sligo who are boosted by three top quality hurlers from Galway.

Mark Hannify, who is a big robust full-back and his brother Conor Hannify, who partners fellow Galwegian Patrick Foley, qualify as their mother is from Tourlestrane and Foley also has family connections with Sligo as well.

The Hannifys hurl with Oranmore Maree, while Foley hurls with Clarinbridge, one of the top teams in Galway. When asked if he was tempted to use the mammy/ granny rule, McCann is most emphatic.

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“I saw those lads against Derry last weekend, and they are top class hurlers but it is not a road I would go down,” the Donegal manager said.

“We already have the likes of Ritchie Ryan, Davin Flynn, Michael O’Donoghue and Niall Cleary here in Donegal and they are all living in Donegal. Our aim is to promote hurling within the county, and we are building a strong panel of lads who live and play in the county.

“And we have a lot of gifted young hurlers looking to break through to the county senior set up which is also a great boost.

Donegal had a much gentler opener against a London side, who had some good hurlers, but were not near the level of physical preparation of a Donegal side that welcomed back the iconic Danny Cullen and Declan Coulter. McCann’s team were 3-16 to 0-8 winners.

And while Donegal have an edge in experience and will probably be favourites for Sunday’s clash, McCann is expecting a real battle in Sligo.

“They are a Christy Ring team and they came up through the ranks by winning the Lory Meagher and Nicky Rackard Cups,” McCann said. “I watched them against Derry last week and they were well in the game and they gave away a soft goal and are impressive.

“They are going to bring a different element. They are young, fast and fit and physically strong and I can see this game going down the stretch and they will really put it up to us”.

“The three Galway lads give them something extra, but they have a lot of very talented natives as well. Their centre forward Gerard O’Kelly Lynch is a big strong player who can win ball and he is deadly accurate from frees.

“He was very impressive at the weekend and he only missed one free out of 13 and he scored a penalty and he will punish all frees”.

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But Sligo also have two talented hurlers from Easkey in Rory McHugh, who plays centre-back and Joe McHugh, who is corner forward.

“They are tidy hurlers in defence and attack and use the ball very well,” McCann said. “They are a strong team, and it will be a 50/50 game”.

Donegal will be hard to look past and especially with the scoring duo they have in the full-forward line in marksmen Ryan, who grabbed 2-8 against London, and especially ex Tipp Intermediate star Flynn.

“Davin hit 0-6 from play against London and is in great form,” McCann added. “He is so dangerous when he gets the ball, can strike from both sides and has a great turn of speed.

“He is a gifted player, and we also have a good balance around him with Ritchie Ryan, Josh Cronnolly-McGee, Ronan McDermott, Barney Lafferty and Gerard Gilmore, who are all good ball players as well”.