Mac's View: Bundoran failed to live up to expectations against Aodh Ruadh

I have to say, as club chairman, I was disappointed with Bundoran's display in Ballyshannon on Sunday. We didn't turn up. Our best player was our full-back, Johnny Boyle. The scoring in the first half, 0-3 to 0-2, was pathetic.

Ballyshannon were the better team but at the start of the second half our goalkeeper gave away a free, which could have been a black card, and then they got the goal. Bundoran were flat and I wouldn't particularly like the type of football Ballyshannon play, but it has been successful.

Bundoran are better than that, maybe they were over hyped. Ballyshannon have the capacity to improve and they will need to. They had 14 wides, some bad ones in first half. There is more in them.

The goal at the start of the second half killed the game. I was disappointed for the big crowd that came in from Bundoran and I have to credit Aodh Ruadh, the pitch at Munday's Field is a fine facility.

Based on the games from the weekend, it looks like St Eunan's and Kilcar are the top teams with Naomh Conaill slipping a little.

I see Michael Murphy gave one of his performances for Glenswilly in their draw with Glenties. That is the advantage of playing him at full-forward. Glenswilly also have some good young players.

Another good result was MacCumhaill's getting a draw in Dunfanaghy. I see the older statesmen, Toye and McFadden, seem to have handed in their badges. By all accounts Michael Langan played well as did the MacCumhaill's pair of Gallen and Bradley Walsh.

As expected Kilcar had too much firepower for Milford while the Killybegs-Glenfin tie was one of the games of the weekend. Big Hugh McFadden was in at full-forward and I have great time for him. He is a great hearted player. His goal in the first minute was the difference between them at the end.

Gaoth Dobhair, despite being short a huge amount of players, were much too good for Ardara, who are having a bad season.
Peadar Mogan did well for St Naul's, but they were without Brendan McCole and Stephen Griffin and St Eunan's had so much talent, with four or five good forwards, so that result was never in doubt.

PREVIEW
Looking at the games this coming weekend Glenties take on Killybegs and at home you have to fancy Glenties. Killybegs will put it up to them but Glenties really have to win.

Ardara v Aodh Ruadh: Ardara will give Aodh Ruadh game enough. They are not easy beaten down there. But overall I have to say Aodh Ruadh. With their defensive structure they won't concede much but Ardara will battle to the end.

Glenfin v Gaoth Dohair: That will be a cracker. Down in Glenfin it is not easy with Frank McGlynn pulling the strings from half back. Glenfin have to win and I will give them the nod for a home win.

Cloughaeneely v Kilcar: Cloughaneely were good last week but Kilcar will have too much.

Milford v St Michael's: This will be a tight enough game. The experience that St Michael's have might see them through but they are not consistent.

Bundoran v St Eunans: Unfortunately Paul Brennan is out with a leg injury and he will be a big loss, psychologically. Hopefully, we will have Jamie Brennan back but we have a number of injuries including big Ciaran McCaughey and Timmy Govorov. Hard to see past Letterkenny but hopefully we can improve on last Sunday.

St Naul's v Glenswilly: There is history from last year in this one. With Murphy playing full-foward it is hard to see past Glenswilly. History will add a wee bit extra. Glenswilly should just about shade it.
MacCumhaill's v Four Masters: MacCumhaill's should have a wee bit too much. Four Masters have some good young forwards and are going in the right direction, but MacCumhaill's are more seasoned.

SYMPATHY
My sympathy this week goes to the Sheerin family on the death of a very good friend, Ray Sheerin. He came to Ballyshannon in 1968 and was part of the Roscommon squad which won the All-Ireland U-21 title in 1966, defeating Donegal in the semi-final.

He played for St Joseph's in the final in 1970 and was called into the Donegal squad, being part of the panel when they won the Ulster title in 1972. He was a full-back or corner-back and had a great strike of a ball. A very clean player. After St Joseph's, he played for Ballyshannon and then got involved in underage coaching. He was part of the backroom team for their four in-a-row minor success. He was also an accomplished golfer.

Ray was one of nature's gentleman. He was predeceased by his wife, Vera (a sister of Pauric McShea's) and he was a great father to Sinead and Nicola and granddaughter Caoimhe. He was a really good, decent man and will be a big loss to his three girls.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.