Matt Gallagher makes calls on final weekend of Donegal IFC group stages

With just one game left in the group stage of the Intermediate Championship, Matt Gallagher has plumped for his top four-out of eight qualifiers.

And the 1992 All-Ireland winner has gone for Buncrana, Dungloe, Termon and Downings - just pipping Naomh Columba for the first four slots.

Gallagher feels that home advantage could be crucial for Gaeil Fhanada against Burt. Gaeil Fhanada picked up their first point of the championship away to Naomh Muire on a score of 1-5 to 0-8 which was a good result. Opponents Burt lost to a revitalised Termon at home on a score of 0-12 to 2-3.

“Fanad are good battlers and are always hard to beat at home and will have been encouraged by that point away to Naomh Muire,” Gallagehr said. “Burt has a habit of winning when they are not expected to, but I just feel that Fanad will edge it at home”.

But Gallagher is much more definite on the outcome of the Dungloe against Naomh Muire clash in Rosses Park.
Dungloe are undefeated with three wins and beat Malin by 1-10 to 1-7 in Connolly Park while Naomh Muire will be a bit disappointed to drop a point at home to Gaeil Fhanada having conceded an injury time goal.

“You would have to fancy Dungloe and I know that derby matches can take on a life of their own,” Gallagher said. “Dungloe are the form team, playing in Division Two and they are also one of the favourites to maybe go all the way having been in last year’s final. Naomh Muire will relish this local challenge-but it has to be Dungloe”.

And Gallagher gives a firm thumbs up to Termon who have pointless Malin at home. Termon had a good away win over Burt in Hibernian Park-never an easy venue to come from, and that will certainly boost their confidence.

“Termon have Enda McCormick back and he is a top scorer along with Daire McDaid and they are really finding their form,” Gallagher said. “They are always very strong at the Burn Road. Malin are a bit unlucky like ourselves, losing-but not by much and they are also without any points. So, it has to be a home win”.

But Gallagher does not think his own club Naomh Bríd can shock a revived Downings. The Gaeltacht men were down to 14 men but had quite an emphatic win over Naomh Columba at home on a convincing score of 1-15 to 0-9 and have a game in hand against Red Hugh’s to contest on Wednesday. Meanwhile Naomh Bríd, who are pointless, lost to Convoy away on a score of 1-9 to 0-9 in Convoy.

“Downings had a big win over Glen, and they have two great forwards in Lorcan Connor and Johnny McGroddy,” Gallagher added.

“They could yet pip Naomh Columba for fourth spot next weekend and they have a game in hand against Red Hugh’s midweek, which I expect them to win. We have been struggling and it looks like we will be in a relegation play-off”.
Elsewhere, Gallagher gives a slight vote of confidence to Red Hugh’s to edge the east Donegal derby with Convoy.

“I have seen both teams in recent weeks and have a slight fancy for Red Hugh’s at home,” he said. “Convoy are a fast young team and did not have Paddy Dolan or Raymond McNamee the last day. But I just think that Red Hugh’s should shade it”.
And he believes that in form Buncrana can make the long trip to Páirc na nGael a profitable one.

"Buncrana beat Red Hugh’s very convincingly at home on a score of 2-17 to 1-8. Caolan McGonagle has given them a huge lift. Naomh Columba could be having a backlash to last week’s away defeat to Downings.

“Buncrana are really going for it and they are racking up big scores and I would fancy them,” Gallagher said. “A win would also be putting a bit of a marker down for later on in the championship. They are the form team at present”.