'It’ll be a different experience and it will be hard as it’s championship time'

Eamonn Collum said his goodbyes to his Gaoth Dobhair teammates as the toast of Magheragallon on Sunday, signing off with a personal haul of 2-3 in his side’s 2-13 to 0-8 opening round win in the Donegal SFC.

By the time Gaoth Dobhair roll into  Páirc Taobhoige in Glenfin on Saturday evening, Collum will be half the world away having this week made the trip away to take up a primary school teaching position having opted to make the move from Dublin.

“Headed away to Dubai teaching,” he said on Sunday evening as he left the field following the win over Ardara. “I’ll try it out. It’s a change in scenery anyway. I’m straight in on Monday for work. It was something that was in the back of my mind when I graduated.

"I’ve been on holidays there, twice, so I’ll try it out. It’ll be a different experience and it will be hard as it’s championship time at this time of the year. I’ll wish the lads the best of luck and I’ll be tuning in.”

Gaoth Dobhair were being held 0-2 to 0-2 at the water break, which was making a cameo re-appearance due to the hot weather last weekend, before dominating the second quarter with two Collum goals - both of which were assisted by Gavin McBride - to establish a 2-7 to 0-2 half-time lead from which they never looked back.

“I know we were giving out beforehand about the water break,” he said. “It makes an impact. I know at the start we were all kinda moaning about the water break but we needed it there today. Gavin is a big man inside and he always makes an impact when he’s in there in the square and he set up two goals. We needed someone like that inside when Kevin Cassidy retired.

“The second half then was just a matter of seeing it out and keeping the ball. It was just keeping possession because we needed that win with Glenfin away, who are always tough. It’s never easy going there.”

Eyebrows would be raised if we beat Kilcar - Cloughaneely manager Lynch

Seeing they've been knocking around Division 1 for the past five years, you almost forgot that Cloughaneely were the Donegal SFC newbies last weekend and they opened with a draw at Four Masters before welcoming Kilcar this Saturday

“The thing is he brought his game onto another level this year. He’s bulked up physically and he had found a niche inside with Kevin Cassidy gone. We’re down about 11 players from the Ulster winning team of 2018 and Eamonn was starting then so he has been a massive player. It’s a great opportunity in Dubai and we all give him our blessing.”