Democrat Sports' Diaries: Backpassing in Kerry, St Columba's class and Harps start

Kerry criticism:  Getting criticism after defeat is an occupational hazard at intercounty level but rarely have I encountered the widespread kick-back as has happened after Donegal's defeat in Killarney against Kerry on Sunday last.

The 1-13 to 0-7 defeat was two less than Donegal suffered at the same venue in 2012 but what is making so many Donegal supporters vent their anger is the style of football that is on show - the lateral and backward passing.

Some supporters watching at home were praying for a power cut at half-time. Another well known longtime supporter said he couldn't sleep on Sunday night saying it was a disaster and embarrassing. The criticism was widespread and most of it was being directed at management for the defensive style of play with no motivation.

Another view commented on Donegal PRO, John McEniff, hitting out at those who criticised the Donegal performances in the opening two games in his report to County Committee last week, feeling it was badly timed, given what happened on Sunday.

I got some stats from Edward Molloy, who was in Killarney, but had a look at the video afterwards and he tells me that the ball was passed backwards to 'keeper Shaun Patton 24 times, 18 in the first half and six in the second. In all Patton handled the ball 43 times which included 14 kick-outs and two frees.

The involvement of Patton is something that is exercising supporters. I feel it is unfair on the St Eunan's man as unlike Monaghan's Rory Beggan and Tyrone's Niall Morgan (who are comfortable out the field), he has little experience in outfield football.

Donegal's lack of ambition in Killarney just didn't sit well with those who travelled or those watching at home. Was the game plan just damage limitation? To win any game you have to score 10-12 points, and has been described in a letter from a former county player in this week's edition, you can't win a game playing backwards.

The culture of Donegal's play at the moment is not going to produce scores and without working the scoreboard operator, you can't expect to win games.

But then remember 2012. Can Donegal put Sunday last behind them? They are putting a 12 year unbeaten record on the line against Tyrone on Saturday night in Ballybofey.

They meet Monaghan two weeks after that. Three league points from the two games would probably leave them safe in the top flight. We always have to hope for the best. PC

Schools football provides refreshment: After the weekend it was refreshing to attend two Ulster Colleges finals on Monday and Tuesday to see football as we used to know it. Coláiste na Carraige met Ballybay CC in the Faul Cup final on Monday in Irvinestown and unfortunately the game was abandoned after a very good half of football.

A Carrick player had to be airlifted to hospital after taking an accidental knock to the head, but thankfully he is on the mend.
Then on Tuesday night I was at the Templeport Grounds in Bawnboy to witness one of the best displays by a Donegal college in an Ulster final for some time. St Columba's of Stranorlar were clinical in disposing of Virginia College in the Markey Cup final, winning the cup for the very first time. There were so many top class performances for the winners.

They haven't conceded a goal in the quarter-final, semi-final or final. Hard to single players out but Alan Sproule caught my eye as a no-nonsense corner-back; Andrew Murray showed how direct running is so effective at midfield; Conor McGinty was a tireless worker from start to finish in the half-forward line and Kevin McCormack was clinical up front, a chip of the old block 'Keegan'.

McCormack had a number of chances from frees but his first option was to look up to go short if a goal was on. Lovely to see heads-up football being coached. They have an All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday against the Munster champions and, who knows, they could take home the first All-Ireland of the year for Donegal. PC

Back to back for Harps
Finn Harps of 2022 are that big an unknown quantity they don’t really know themselves and whatever chance there was of getting a first impression fell last Friday lunchtime when their opening fixture of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division season against Drogheda United fell due to the succession of storms.

Whether it was Dudley, Eunice and Franklin, isn’t overly important and the one thing that remains is the fact two successive aways make for a difficult start to the campaign.

Ollie Horgan’s side take on UCD at Belfield on Friday night and then travel to Dundalk and Oriel Park for the type of fixture that might give the manager nightmares. Seeing as Horgan has commendably managed to even forge a squad of players together with 12 close season departures is an achievement in itself.

Last Friday and home fixture to start things would’ve got the crowds through the turnstiles and should Harps come back empty-handed from their opening two aways it’s hoped the same level of enthusiasm will still be there by the time Bohemians come to Ballybofey on Friday week.

His good eye for a player will have stood to him, although one thing his teams have always shown, whether they were good or bad, is character.

That will be difficult to archive so soon but seeing those players have shown an interest in coming to the north-west of Europe to play their football, they’ve bought in already and this weekend will provide something of an indicator of where Harps are because at the minute, a bit like many homes over the last week with the power-cuts, there’s a lot of folk in the dark. AF