MAC'S VIEW: History on our side for another Ulster final win

The year is ending with a 2 and history tells us that we do well in those years, dating back 50 years to our first win in Ulster in 1972; All-Ireland U-21 in '82; Ulster and All-Ireland win in '92 and Ulster again in 2012.

It's a big game on Sunday when we take on Derry, who have set the standard with wins over All-Ireland champions Tyrone and Monaghan, one of the most consistent teams in the province in recent times. They put them to bed in a very professional way.

They have shown great hunger and level of fitness. Rory Gallagher is an astute coach who got his match-ups right, and he would know more than most about Donegal football and their players.

We cannot afford to sit back; we have to take the game to them. That's what happened Tyrone and Monaghan. We have the players and the experience, but that will not win the match. The first 20 minutes will be vital. We have been there before and we will need all the support we can get from what looks like being a sell-out crowd. Derry have their minors there as well so they will have big numbers. We have to match them.

I don't see there being an awful lot of changes to our team from the semi-final. The only question is whether we will start Odhrán McFadden Ferry. There will probably be a plan to make sure their centre half-back's runs are curtailed; he has to be put on the back foot. And he is not the only threat, the entire full-back line can attack at speed.

The Donegal management will have looked at the videos of Derry matches to see their strengths and hopefully detected a few weaknesses.

But the huge match up will be hunger. Both sides will have same level of fitness but we have to match Derry for hunger; nothing less will do.

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We have the wherewithal up front. Derry only kicked 12 points against Monaghan and a good few of them were frees; we need to be disciplined as their conversion rate is good.

It will be a tense game. Derry players haven't experienced Ulster final day, but again experience won't win game. It will be the ability to battle to the final whistle.

It is guaranteed  to be close and with the way Rory will have them set up, it is vital not to go behind. Monaghan did come back to within three points but then the third goal killed that game. But Monaghan had their chances, especially in the first half, kicking 11 wides.

It's all to play for and as always, Ulster is the most attractive provincial final.

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DISAPPOINTED FOR MINORS AND LADIES

It was really disappointing for the minors to go out with a penalty shoot-out against Tyrone. It's an awful way to decide a championship fixture.

It was equally disappointing for the Ladies in their Ulster final, getting caught with late goals in normal time and in extra-time. Thankfully, they are still in the All-Ireland championship.

LATE SEAMUS HOARE

The late Seamus Hoare was laid to rest in Letterkenny on Monday and it got me thinking about the great association with Donegal and the Railway Cup in the 1960s. There had been representatives from the county making Ulster teams in the '50s, but Seamus Hoare's inclusion as a sub in 1963 set in motion a great run for Donegal players.

Seamus went on to win four more medals and was the trailblazer for others like Paul Kelly, PJ Flood, Bernard Brady, Sean Ferriter, Frank McFeely, Mickey McLoone, Neilly Gallagher, Mick Griffin and Declan O'Carroll in that period. That was 10 I counted played for Ulster from '63 to '69. It was a period when Donegal played in four National League semi-finals and it was amazing that we didn't have championship success. It was probably as good a body of players that ever represented the county. And remember there was one player who didn't make it, John Hannigan, who suffered because of his versatility.

You had others also at the time, myself, McShea, Seamie Granaghan who would play for Ulster later while Sean O'Donnell had played in the '50s.

Seamus Hoare played at a period where the Railway Cup was a very important part of the GAA calendar.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell