Diver says ‘there will be skin and hair flying’ in Glenties

Damien Diver was spot on for the second week in a row as the Donegal SFC reaches its final round next weekend.
And roughly based on his predictions for this week, his final top eight would be St Eunan’s, Naomh Conaill, Kilcar, Gaoth Dobhair, Aodh Ruadh, St Michael’s, Glenswilly and Four Masters.

As to the final eight, and the four who could be in period for a relegation play-off - there are just too many permutations to make a definitive call.

However, he did point out that if all five teams that are on zero points were to lose then one of them could avoid the drop on zero points - on a better score difference as none of them are playing each other in the final round.

The first game where Sean MacCumhaill’s host rampant Set Eunan’s could be a tough experience for the home side who lost to Gaoth Dobhair by 1-15 to 0-7. St Eunan’s disposed of Cloughaneely by 1-20 to 2-7.

“I keep saying it, but St Eunan’s are a serious outfit,” Diver said. “I was talking to someone who watched them training. They are a bit like the Kilkenny hurling teams of a few years ago.  They are able to go fifteen on fifteen with top class players and are training well. “Sean MacCumhaill’s are a young team, and they will be very determined to put in a big display”.

Bundoran host Kilcar and Ardara man Diver saw the latter at first hand against his own club on Sunday and was suitably impressed. Kilcar won by 2-23 to 1-10 while Bundoran lost to Four Masters by 3-10 to 0-13.

“That’s a no-brainer and Bundoran badly miss Paul Brennan,” Diver said. “We put it up to Kilcar for half an hour, but they have serious quality and their league victory will boost them. Kilcar had a savage second half and they have great forwards”.

Pointless St Naul’s host St Michael’s, who lost to Naomh Conaill by 0-9 to 3-8, while St Naul’s were beaten by Aodh Ruadh on a score of 3-17 to 1-10.

“You would have to go with St Michael’s who would have serious ambitions of making the final eight,” Diver added. “They are a strong experienced side and I think they will bounce back from that defeat to Naomh Conaill”.

But he is less certain about the visit of Aodh Ruadh to pointless Milford.  Kilybegs eventually pulled away from Milford on a score of 1-13 to 0-7 while Aodh Ruadh easily overcame St Naul’s at home. “That could be a hard call,” Diver said. “Milford have a tight pitch and are always hard beaten at home and Kane Barrett is a fine forward. Aodh Ruadh are going very well and they are well set up and they can attack with effect as they showed against St Naul’s. “Ballyshannon are very quick on the break, and they should get through to win”.

But when asked about the outcome of his own Ardara against Glenswilly, Diver is a bit more coy.
“I know we have no points, but we have been Glenswilly’s bogey team over the years irrespective of how both clubs are going. Glenswilly beat Glenfin by 2-13 to 2-8 and will be keen to get into the knock -out stages.

“But, if Ardara go all out, then we might get a draw which would be very welcome,” Diver said. But the clash of pointless Glenfin and a rising Four Masters side could be a cracker at Pairc Taobhóige.  It has been a disappointing campaign for Glenfin and they will be very keen to get the two points. 

Diver added: “This could be a very interesting one as both sides have plenty of young players who can break at a mighty pace on the counter- attack. But I just think that more momentum is with Four Masters and they will be very keen to get into the last eight with the big boys”.

The clash of the round could be the meeting of Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair at Davy Brennan Memorial Park.
“Both teams will be going flat out and there will be skin and hair flying,” Diver said. “Naomh Conaill are very hard to beat at home and Gaoth Dobhair came up there with good teams and could not win so I will go for Glenties. It has the makings of a top clash and you have loads of quality players on both sides”.

Finally, Killybegs have a tough away assignment to Cloughaneely, who shipped a heavy away defeat to St Eunan’s.

“Cloughaneely have some fine players and they will be going all out for a win while Killybegs have some fine young players with loads of pace as well,” Diver added. “It’s a hard enough one to call but I just have a slight feeling for Cloughaneely to shade it at home”.