Diver: ‘Naomh Conaill’s draw at Glenswilly will make them even keener’

Hugh McFadden hit 2-6 for a resurgent Killybegs, but their opponents Naomh Conaill will have plans made to stop a repeat display this weekend in Glenties in the Donegal SFC - according to Damien Diver. 

And the Donegal and Ardara great believes that Naomh Conaill will also have taken some learnings after Michael Murphy of Glenswilly caused them loads of headaches in a thrilling draw in Glenswilly on a score of 1-11 to 2-8 

Killybegs take on Naomh Conaill on the back of a fine home win over Glenfin by 2-13 to 1-13 but the Divert manager says it will be much more difficult for McFadden to turn in anything like a similar display. 

“Naomh Conaill may have drawn with Glenswilly which was a bit of a surprise but I just can’t see them losing at home to Killybegs and that draw will only make them keener,” Diver said.

“I believe Michael Murphy had a big game and Naomh Conaill will be keen to make sure that Hugh McFadden does not have a similar impact. 

Glenswilly manager Bonner: 'Special' performance for Charlie Mandy McFadden

Padraig Bonner described Charlie Mandy McFadden - who passed away last week - as a club legend in Glenswilly after his side's battling showing against Naomh Conall in the Donegal SFC opening rounf

“Naomh Conaill have great strength in depth and they have seasoned players who know how to get the job done. Killybegs are an up-and-coming team and they are picking up a lot of stuff from the new management of Shane Molloy and Antoine O’Hara, with Mnus Boyle and Barry McGowan also involved, but Naomh Conaill should do it. 

Diver’s own Ardara are at home to Aodh Ruadh and Diver feels they would be very lucky if they could come out with a draw against the Ballyshannon side. Ardara lost heavily to Gaoth Dobhair by 2-13 to 0-6 while Aodh Ruadh beat Bundoran by 1-8 to 0-6. 

“We played Aodh Ruadh in the League and John McNulty has them flying,” Diver said. “They are good defensively and can strike forward very quickly. But we are at home and if we bounce back from that defeat to Gaoth Dobhair then we could have a chance. John Ross Molloy is back from the US but we face a huge task”. 

Glenfin will be hoping to bounce back from that narrow defeat to Killybegs while a somewhat understrength Gaoth Dobhair easily accounted for Ardara. 

“Gaoth Dobhair were missing quite a few regulars, so they have got some strength in depth,” Diver said. “They seem to be pulling in the right direction.  I did not expect Glenfin to beat Killybegs in Fintra and I predicted a draw and I would slightly favour Gaoth Dobhair. 

Meanwhile, last year’s IFC winners Cloughaneely entertain Kilcar and it might not be a great experience. 

The Gaeltacht men drew with Four Masters in a score of 1-10 to 2-7 in a well fought encounter as Kilcar easily beat Milford by 2-14 to 1-6. 

“You have to fancy Kilcar as they have real marquee forwards,” Diver said. “Jason McGee is a huge figure for Cloughaneely and they are a strong physical team and will be even tougher at home. And they have speed all over the place. 

“Teams that win championships have lethal forwards and Kilcar have loads of those, so they could win easily enough on Saturday”. 

St Naul’s, who lost to St Eunan’s by 1-14 to 0-7 entertain a Glenswilly side, for whom Murphy is coming into form at the right time. St Naul’s full-back Brendan McCole was out on Saturday with a back injury, and they will have Stephen Griffin back from suspension, but Diver believes that if McCole is not 100 percent they will have major problems in containing Murphy. 

“Glenswilly drew with Naomh Conaill and will be buoyed by that result and are on a roll and Naul’s actually beat Glenswilly up there last year,” he said. “If Brendan McCole is not playing you have to favour Glenswilly and Murphy seems to be very keen this year in club matches which is good to see too. That is not good news for other clubs, but it is great to watch him in full flight in the club championship”. 

Milford, who lost heavily to Kilcar entertain St Michael’s and will be very keen for a victory. 

But Diver says the Creeslough/Dunfanagahy men might just have too much artillery for the home side. 

“St Michael’s drew with Sean MacCumhaill’s in what was a well contested affair and they have been very close to the top table for quite a few years,” he said “Milford have the Kane Barrett, who is fine player, and they are handy enough at home.  “I think St Michael’s have a slightly better pedigree”. 

Championship football is not for the purist - Aodh Ruadh boss John McNulty

Aodh Ruadh had a fine All-County Football League Division 1 campaign and although their Donegal SFC win over Bundoran was tentative for spells, the Ballyshannon side got the win they wanted to get the ball rolling

County champions St Eunan’s beat St Naul’s by 10 points and had plenty left in the tank. They take on Bundoran at Gaelic Park on Sunday. Jamie Brennan, last Sunday, helped McAnespies to beat Donegal in the Boston SFC. 

“Any Bundoran side that does not have Jamie Brennan,” is not at full tilt according to Diver. And they will need all hands as they host St Eunan’s. I would say it could be a low enough scoring matter but Eunan’s have the power and strength in depth to grind it out. Jamie Brennan is worth a good 1-4 in a match. 

“Eunan’s are geared for the championships and they should have reached the Ulster final  last year as they were too defensive against Watty Graham’s in the Ulster Club SFC. 

“They have a very good bench with very good forwards and I would still fancy them to go all the way to take the Dr Maguire. They have the players, but can they do it two years in a row”? 

Finally, Diver says the return of Oisin Gallen from Philadelphia might be the deciding factor as they are home to a very youthful Four Masters. 

“MacCumahill’s did well to draw with St Michael’s away and they would fancy themselves at home,” he said. “Four Masters are a very young and up- coming team and are playing very well as a unit. I just think MacCumhaill’s have the better forwards and Oisin Gallen makes a big difference to them”.