MAC'S VIEW: No big surprises in Donegal senior club championship

The results in the Michael Murphy Sports senior championship at the weekend went more or less according to plan with no big surprises. The only result that might be called a mild surprise was MacCumhaill’s holding Kilcar to a draw.

Kilcar’s defence may not be that airtight and then this is a coming MacCumhaill’s team. They have the two big men inside in Oisin Gallen and Joel Bradley Walsh. I was standing beside them recently and they are big strong men that give the MacCumhaill’s team a real physical presence up front.

As I say, they are a coming team, no more than Donegal Town, and it is important that the young players come through for both clubs. Four Masters have put in a lot of work at underage level and it is not easy in Donegal Town as there is a lot of other sports activity. They did not get the result in Cloughaneely but by all accounts, they put up a good performance. Falcarragh is one of those places where it is hard to win. Four Masters got a good start in the game but were not able to sustain it. But the experience gained will stand to them in the future.

The game in Dungloe between Dungloe and Gaoth Dobhair was very close, with just a point between them. And they must meet again in the preliminary quarter-final in a few weeks’ time.

The St Naul’s v Killybegs game was tighter than I thought it would be. Again only a point in it at the end. And I see there was another great display from that ‘keeper that I fancy, Gavin Mulreany, saving a penalty from Big Hugh (McFadden) and then coming outfield and scoring a vital goal. I heard that Jim McGuinness was present in Mountcharles on Saturday evening and he would have been impressed by Mulreany.

The win was not enough to save St Naul’s and they lost out by the minimum on score difference. And they have been paired again with Killybegs in the relegation semi-final. I see that this game is fixed for this Saturday, which seems a bit unfair on the players. They have been playing four weeks in-a-row and should be given a rest like all the other senior teams.

Aodh Ruadh opened their new revamped pitch at Fr Tierney Park on Saturday evening with Glenfin the visitors. I had hoped to get in but I must apologise that I didn’t make it. I will be there when the official opening takes place.

I did get a tour of the new facility earlier from Tom Daly and the new surface is excellent. It would make you want to get the boots on again.

Glenfin gave Aodh Ruadh a good enough game in the first half, but in typical Aodh Ruadh style, they pulled clear in the second half. But, as I keep saying, I think there is more in this Aodh Ruadh team and they could match most teams.

Down in Glenties, Naomh Conaill did the usual. They went behind by two Murphy goals, but came back and won comfortably. They just know how to win games.

St Eunan’s also had an easy win away to St Michael’s after an average first half. St Michael’s are just not going well at the moment and could only manage a point in the second half. Still they should have enough to survive in the top flight and when they have Michael Langan back on the field they will be a different kettle of fish.

Diarmaid McInerney greedy for more medals with Aodh Ruadh

Veteran forward thought he had enough after winning Intermediate but enjoying his football even more now with winning mentality

INTERMEDIATE

The final round of group games also took place in the Intermediate Championship and the big result was probably in Fanad where the home team defeated the favourites, Termon, to make it to the last eight. It was a great result for Fanad, especially with Termon riding high, but I still feel that Termon will be the team to beat in the Intermediate championship this year.

Bundoran were much too strong for Naomh Brid. A goal half-way through the opening half put an end to the game; it was a cracking score by Cian McEniff. A grandson Lorcan Long also got a goal, as did Timmy Govorov.

There was a great atmosphere at the game with great support for Naomh Brid. I felt sorry for them because they are struggling at the minute with injuries and players who have moved away.

Naomh Columba’s defeat at home by Downings was a bit of a shock. The Glen men scored a lot of goals the previous week (against Naomh Brid) and that’s never a good thing.

Buncrana are going well and their win against Naomh Muire at the Banks was a good result as it is never easy to win there.

Letterkenny Gaels were a bit like St Naul’s in the senior championship, they missed out by a small margin. But it is good to see them competing after winning the junior last year. Letterkenny is big enough to sustain two clubs.

Malin were too good for Red Hughs and we will now meet them in the quarter-final - the top of the county against the bottom. It will probably be fixed for a midway point.

DISAPPOINTED

I was disappointed with the outcome of the Central Council meeting at the weekend with the decision to leave the All-Ireland football final in July.  I think we need to take a look at the overall structure of the county and club fixtures. We are leaving it open to other sports and rugby are milking it at the moment.

Imagine if we (Bundoran) lose to Malin in two weeks’ time, the season will be over until next April. There is something wrong with the system.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell