Gallagher believes as cream of the crop is already rising to the top in IFC

This may only be the third round of the Donegal IFC, but the big guns are already sending out strong messages according to Matt Gallagher. 

The All-Ireland 1992 winner says that Naomh Columba, Dungloe, Buncrana and Termon look to be the form teams after two games, with the first three unbeaten and Termon on three points. 

Termon had a 2-13 to 0-11 win over Naomh Muire on Friday night and Gallagher believes this should set them up well for the trip to Burt on Saturday. 

“Burt bounced back last week with a fine away win over Malin on a score of 0-10 to 1-5  that must be a bit surprised to find themselves pointless after two games, especially after their great Division 2 campaign that saw them promoted.

“It is going to be a tight match as Burt are always strong at home, but Termon are showing a bit of form and they might nick it. Daire McDaid and Enda McCormick are top class forwards, and they can be the difference”. 

Gallagher’s club Naomh Bríd lost to a “pretty strong Red Hugh’s side” by 1-9 to 1-4 away but the Finn Valley men may find the trip to Scarvey a bit too much. 

“Buncrana are at home, and they had a very good win against Downings on a score of 1-13 to 0-11,” Gallagher said. “Caolan McGonagle is back in action for them and that is a big help. 

“Red Hugh’s have some sharp forwards and they were just too strong for our Naomh Brid boys although we were missing Darragh and Ryan Brogan and Liam Duffy”. 

Meanwhile, unbeaten Dungloe have a tough enough away assignment to pointless Malin. 

Dungloe beat Gaeil Fhanada by 3-9 to 2-5 last time out while Malin slumped to a somewhat surprising defeat at home to Burt. 

“This is a must win for Malin and they are usually a tough proposition at Connolly Park, but Dungloe have got off to a good start and have some pacey forwards,” Gallagher said. “I would have to tip Dungloe here and they were last year’s beaten finalists to Cloughaneely, but Malin could make it tough enough for them.”

And, Gallagher has a slight fancy for Naomh Muire who host Gaeil Fhanada who have only one point from their two games so far. 

“It is always a tough place to go down to The Banks and I would have a slight fancy for Naomh Muire to edge through and they are a well drilled side,” he said. “Gaeil Fhanada will be hungry for the points here and they are good battlers, but I just think the trip to the Banks might be a bit much for them”. 

Meanwhile Gallagher’s own club Naomh Bríd have to travel to Convoy who took a heavy defeat from rampant Naomh Columba in Glen last week on a score of Naomh Columba 7-14 St Mary’s Convoy 0-10. 

“This is a must win for both sides as we have no points,” Gallagher said. “With home advantage you might fancy Convoy, but we should have a stronger side out this weekend. Three championship games on the trot can take its toll and I would not rule out a draw”. 

Finally Downings are at home to Naomh Columba and Gallagher describes this clash as a “tasty one”. 

Downings may have to play Red Hugh’s on Wednesday week as the original fixture was postponed as a mark of respect to former Red Hugh’s player Darren Lafferty who passed away in England. 

“Downings are at home against Glen, and I am going with Naomh Columba,” Gallagher said. “They hit seven goals last weekend and their confidence is sky high and I hear they have a clean bill of health. They have been a good championship team over the past few years. 

“Downings will be keen to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Buncrana and have some good scoring forwards, but I just think that Naomh Columba will edge it”.