McCready backs St Eunan’s to retain Donegal SFC

St Eunan’s are tipped to retain the Dr Maguire Cup-but only after a titanic tussle with a highly motivated Naomh Conaill - if the championship draw goes a certain way.

That is the verdict from former Donegal defender Niall McCready as he runs the rule over the runners and riders in this year’s county championship which begins in the second week in August.

McCready adds that this final line-up pre-supposes that they don’t meet in the semi-finals as on form, they should not be meeting in the last eight.

McCready reckons that his own Aodh Ruadh, Glenfin, Sean MacCumhaills and Glenswilly or St Michael’s could make up the last eight along with the big four of St Eunan’s, Naomh Conaill, Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair.

The quarter-finals will favour the teams who won the most matches with first against eighth, second taking on seventh, third to play sixth and fourth versus fifth. And while there is always the possibility of a shock it favours the top four.
It then depends on the open draw for the semi-final so if Eunan’s are drawn against Naomh Conaill, then Kilcar or Gaoth Dobhair will have strong aspirations.

“The championship can also throw up a shock or two, but the way the quarter-finals are drawn reduces that factor as you would expect the top four to finish in that position,” McCready says. “The only real close game could be whoever finishes fourth taking on the fifth place. But on form you would have to say that Eunan’s Naomh Conaill, Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair would be in the last four, but of course, that is not guaranteed.

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“Of those four teams I think that Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill have very strong benches while Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair do not really match that.

“Of course, the return of the county players will really bolster all of these teams which should make for some good football if we get away from the elephant in the room that is the terrible lateral stuff that is going on at the moment.

Here's the draws and all the fixtures for the Donegal GAA county championships

The draw for the 2022 competitions took place in Donegal Town, with SFC winners St Eunan's taking on St Naul's in the opening round and IFC holders Cloughaneely at Four Masters to start

“If the draw goes a certain way and they are kept apart in the semi-finals then we will have a repeat of last year’s decider”.
In that decider Eunan’s won on a surprisingly easy score of 1-11 to 0-4, something which will really be a strong motivating factor for Martin Regan and Naomh Conailll who reached the Ulster Club final in 2019.

As recently as last Sunday, Regan re-iterated the point that they did not do themselves justice against a very well- organised St Eunan’s side last year. When asked which of the big four would make it to the final, McCready said: “No matter what way you cut it I reckon Eunan’s have to make the final.

“Naomh Conaill will have loads of hurt/motivation, and I have no doubt that they have been training very hard all year and if you were to ask what Donegal club would be out training in the wilds of January then it would have to be Naomh Conaill

“They are totally dedicated, and they have an edge to them, but St Eunan’s are very well organised, have a great defensive system and have loads of scorers up front.

“They too have a very deep bench and have loads of players with a huge pick, and some great footballers who can defend and attack and have a fair bit of physique and sheer pace in central slots. So I give them a slight nod”.