Huge blow to Bundoran with Paul Brennan suffering serious ankle injury

Speaking after Sunday's local derby in Ballyshannon where Aodh Ruadh had five points to spare over his Realt na Mara, 1-10 to 0-8, Peter MacIntyre was downbeat but ready for the battles ahead.

His side meet St Eunan's in the second round this Sunday and that battle will get harder after news that his county
defender, Paul Brennan, suffered a broken ankle in training on Tuesday night.

It is not the type of news a manager wants, especially after a disappointing display against Aodh Ruadh last weekend.
"I'm very disappointed. We went in at half-time not too bad, only three points to two down. Then we got a point after 30 seconds of the second half and I says that them on the roll now.

"Then Ballyshannon got a lucky goal, to be honest, and it changed the whole game. But the boys tried hard. I'm very proud of them. I had 24 togged out today and I'm delighted for that. I'll keep battling on and we have a massive game next week against St Eunan's, my own club. I don't want to get hammered again that is a big game for us," said McIntyre, who felt that they had come into the game in good shape after winning three out of four friendlies.

"We were playing well, but we just didn't click today and the boys are devastated in that dressing room."

Both sides set up defensively and MacIntyre agreed that it was not very attractive for spectators.

"We tried to keep it tight at the start and to open it up in the second half but we got opened up sadly. But that's football. I say it wasn't a game for the GAA purist. Bundoran just didn't turn up today. They are better than that. We will be back training on Tuesday night and we'll give it one hell of a shot.

MacIntyre agreed that the five minutes after half-time was the big turning point but he praised Ballyshannon. "They are a fine footballing team and are doing well for John McNulty, a good lad. He is doing a good job with them," said MacIntyre, who felt that the draw in the league in Bundoran between the teams had shocked Aodh Ruadh and was a factor in motivating them on Sunday.

Now the former St Eunan's man has to motivate his team for a tilt his old team on Sunday next.

"We're playing the county champions and that will be a big tie. Our boys will learn from that and it is important they learn. It is a massive game for these lad and I'm hoping they will perform on Sunday," said MacIntyre, who was hopeful that Jamie Brennan would be back from Boston. "He would be a massive boost; he is an out-ball all the time."