MAC'S VIEW: Senior Championship is beginning to take off after two rounds

Championship hotting up after two rounds

The senior championship is now in full swing and results went almost according to plan last weekend with the only mild shock being Four Masters going to Dungloe and winning. It was a good result for the Donegal Town men after losing to Aodh Ruadh the previous week. It is not easy going to Dungloe, but Sunday was a difficult day for football with a very strong wind blowing at all venues.

On Saturday evening two goals at the beginning of the second half was enough to see Aodh Ruadh over the line against Gaoth Dobhair. The loss of Eamon McGee to two yellows in the second half was also a factor. But even after this win, I feel Ballyshannon can be better and with a more expansive game, could really trouble the championship. They have to want that a wee bit more, but this was a good result for them. It was the first time in a good few years when one of the so-called Big Four were defeated by a lower ranked team.

In Mountcharles on Saturday evening, St Naul’s gave Glenswilly their fill of it and according to reports, it was Michael Murphy who was the difference. It will give encouragement to Stephen Griffin and his side, although they need to get points quickly, and they have another tough draw in round three, having to go to Towney to face Kilcar.

I watched the Naomh Conaill v St Eunan’s game on television and they are still the big two. Glenties came back to get a draw after St Eunan’s went six up. The Letterkenny side were very good in the first half with the wind at their backs. It was 8-2 early in the second half but fair play to Naomh Conaill. They got the draw and it proves there is very little between these two top teams.

Ardara needed to win in their game at home to Glenfin and they put up a big score in the first half and it was just about enough as they were holding on at the end.

Cloughaneely got the win they needed at home to Milford and with Jason McGee back, he will be more ready for the final two games.

MacCumhaill’s were too strong for Killybegs and I was expecting that with their firepower up front. It looks like it could be a difficult championship for Killybegs.

St Michael’s put it up to Kilcar but they are short their best player in Michael Langan, while Kilcar have been able to field a consistently strong team in recent weeks.

For this weekend, there are some close games with a couple of local derbies.

Kilcar v St Naul’s: I would fancy Kilcar at home. This is  good footballing St Naul’s side with Peadar Mogan back to himself. But the experience that Kilcar have in Towney, they should win.

Killybegs v Aodh Ruadh: I would fancy Aodh Ruadh. Killybegs are struggling and are needing a result. Still I think Aodh Ruadh are going well and will have too much.

Glenfin v MacCumhaills:  In this local derby, I have a feeling that MacCumhaill’s might win. They have the better firepower, which could prove crucial.

Milford v Naomh Conaill: This has to be Naomh Conaill. It is a really tough test for Milford.

Four Masters v St Michael’s: I have a fancy for Four Masters, especially after the confidence they will get with a win under their belt. St Michael’s pushed Kilcar, but without Langan, I will go for Four Masters.

Glenswilly v Dungloe:  That was a disappointing result for Dungloe to lose at home to Four Masters. It has to be Glenswilly, especially with (Michael) Murphy going well.

Gaoth Dobhair v Cloughaneely: I’m tipping Gaoth Dobhair, but they need to pull up their socks. They are hard to beat in Magheragallon, but they are not as good as they were a few years ago, when they were Ulster champions.

St Eunan’s v Ardara: Eunan’s will be  much too strong. They have a serious panel with all back from America now.

Jim McGuinness appointment is some lift for Donegal - Conor Classon

The now almost veteran Conor Classon of Ardara was involved with the Naomh Conaill man at U-21 level and briefly at senior level and is a huge admirer of the new boss

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The results at the weekend went mostly according to plan. Termon had a big win over Downings while Bundoran struggled to overcome Naomh Columba in Bundoran. They play Termon this weekend and even with my Bundoran hat on, I can’t see them beating Termon down there. It was good to see Paul Brennan back playing after being out for six months. We will have Timmy Gororov back for the weekend but Cian McEniff is an injury doubt. I have to go for Termon to win that game.

For the other weekend games I fancy Downings at home to beat Fanad Gaels, even though the Fanad side beat them last year.

Naomh Columba should have too much for Naomh Brid in Trummon in the other game in Group A.

In Group B Malin will be fancied to defeat Naomh Muire at home; Burt v Red Hughs is a tight one to call and I’ll say Burt to take that one as they need to get points on the board; in the final game I fancy Buncrana to win at home to Letterkenny Gaels.

In the Junior Championship I’m predicting wins for Na Rossa, Naomh Padraig, Muff; St Eunan’s, Carndonagh and Convoy.

A high stakes weekend in the Intermediate Football Championship

Sean McBrearty says this coming weekend has the possibility to seal a number of fates if certain teams come out on the wrong side of the results

MCGUINNESS

It was good to see Jim McGuinness on the TV screen on Sunday, watching the Naomh Conaill v St Eunan’s game. He will have a good few games to take in now and will have a good handle on who is making the cut.

His appointment has given the county a big lift, not just the senior team, but the whole operation. There will be expectation when Jim is involved.

We haven’t heard yet if Michael Murphy will be enticed back. I would say there is at least a year left in him, and it would be good to see him used sparingly. But we just don’t know at the moment.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell