Fanad United taking nothing for granted - Lynch

Fanad United can lift the Premier Divison title on their home patch on Sunday but boss Arthur Lynch insists his players aren’t underestimating the challenge of struggling Castlefin Celtic.

Fanad weren’t in action last weekend while Castlefin, second from bottom at this moment, lost out 2-0 away to Kildrum Tigers. Raymond Foy’s men’s cup exploits this term means they’ve been playing catch up in terms of a number of outstanding league fixtures.

Indeed, Fanad’s last outing a fortnight ago was one of those - away to Castlefin - where they secured a comfortable 4-0 victory. And while Lynch says it was nice to get the weekend’s respite last time out, he insists it isn’t that ideal coming up against Castlefin once again so soon.

“Back to back isn’t ideal to be honest,” he said. “Castlefin have had some difficulties recently but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still a damn good team. It is what it is and we’ll have to get on with it.

“There are three crucial points up for grabs on Sunday and both sides need them. Castlefin didn’t go the distance they did in the FAI Junior Cup without real quality. I’ve said it all season, every game in this league takes on a life of its own”.

Despite only making the jump back to the top tier last term - Fanad are on the cusp of winning the Donegal League’s premier competition.

They withdrew from the Ulster Senior League back in 2020. Despite being the most successful club in the competition’s history with 14 league titles, fortunes plummeted.

But having worked their way up through the Donegal League tiers, they’re now within touching distance of landing the Premier Division title.

“The club made a big decision at the time. It wasn’t an easy one. But we were at a juncture where we had serious regrouping to do. We had to sort of reset and go again. We have a lot of people doing a lot of hard work behind the scenes.

“On and off the pitch there are good, honest people putting in long hours. We’re delighted with where we’re at right now. Everyone has knuckled down and pulled in the right direction. When you have that you have a chance”.