McDyer says Naomh Conaill approached Killybegs like a 'do-or-die'

With three points from four now in the Donegal SFC for his Naomh Conaill side, Brendan McDyer said the 1-12 to 0-9 win over Killybegs was one his team needed.

A late Glenswilly point meant Naomh Conaill came back through Fintown with a point following a 1-11 to 2-8 draw last Sunday and with their position in what is considered the tougher side of the draw, they were looking for a home win at Davy Brennan Memorial Park with Killybegs in town.

It came down to more than hope though, with Naomh Conaill adapting their tactics with the elements playing a key role and although two down at a stage in the first half, the hosts turned it around to win by six.

“We weren’t one bit surprised as this is a good Killybegs side who put in a very big performance against Glenfin, who had been going very strong,” McDyer said on Saturday. “We knew we had to try and keep them at bay until half-time, with the wind the way it was. In the first half we had to just keep the ball going through the hands and then when they were in possession we’d to try and stop the early ball going in.”

Naomh Conaill come good in second half to see off Killyegs in Donegal SFC

Martin Regan's side were two down towards the end of the first half but regrouped and used the breeze and their experience to post a six-point win in the end

In the lead-up to the fixture in Glenties and with reference to Killybegs’ fine opening day 2-13 to 1-13 win over Glenfin, Martin Regan’s side were expected to be tested especially with Hugh McFadden in excellent form at full-forward for the Fintra based club.

That’s how it panned out in reality, with Killybegs edging into a 0-6 to 0-5 half-time lead with the breeze and then asking the questions of Naomh Conaill afterwards, although Charlie McGuinness swung the tide with a goal and then Ethan O’Donnell and John O’Malley - both of whom had fine games - helped tick it over.

“Hugh McFadden managed to get a couple of those early ones but there’s not many people who can mark him when he plays inside like that,” McDyer said. “We just had to keep the pressure on in the middle third and limit the ball going in. Hugh inside is a similar set-up to what we faced last week, with Michael Murphy inside for Glenswilly. You know they are always going to get at least a couple of scores so all you can do is try and stay on top of things. It’s about managing that type of player as best you can.

“Charlie’s goal was a big score for us and we knew from the first half, it would be hard for Killybegs to get out in the second with that wind. It was a game of two halves. We had the likes of John and Ethan then stepping up with scores and we’d take that every day. It’s great when a few can chip in.

“God knows who we are going to get in round three so we felt Killybegs was a do-or-die so we were delighted to get the two points after the draw last week.”