John Haran-free zone as Donegal All-County Leagues begin today

Kilcar completed a league and championship double last season and as the All County League season throws-in this weekend they begin the season as the favourites to do the double again.

That certainly is the view of St Eunan’s legend, John Haran, who for the first time since 1995, is not looking forward to the new season as a player.

One of Donegal’s most decorated players with seven league and championship medals in his trophy cabinet, John Haran, announced his retirement from first team football at the end of last season.

“Kilcar are the team to beat. Their performances last year were sensational,” said the St Eunan’s man.

“We saw them in Ulster blow away Scotstown and put up a good performance against Slaughtneil in the semi-final.

“Conor McShane and Mickey Hegarty are staying on and success breeds success and they have a number of very good underage players coming through.

“The question, is early on in the year, how hungry are they going to be? With the championship not starting until September they might taper their preparations accordingly.”

If Kilcar are the favourites, who are the challengers?

RANKING

“My ranking of the teams in Donegal at the minute is Kilcar are number one, Naomh Conaill are number two, Gaoth Dobhair are number three and St Eunan’s are number four with Glenswilly in fifth place.

“That is going on last year’s championship and that is the only guide we have so far.

“Naomh Conaill are a very good team. I know the county final wasn’t their best day. They had a plan and they went with it and it didn’t work and they got a lot of criticism for it but they won’t be far away this year either.

“Gaoth Dobhair are a coming team. They beat us last year in the championship. They won the Ulster U-21 championship and they have a lot of good young players and they still have a lot of experience there, Kevin Cassidy and the two McGees, Eamon and Neil.

“I think they are going to look at it as a big year for them too.

“St Eunan’s have Maxi Curran back as manager and they are always going to be there or thereabouts for the league. But the emphasis with Maxi, will be on the championship.

“For the league it is hard to know how it will go and how teams approach it. But Kilcar are favourites and if they don’t win it I see the champions coming from any one Naomh Conaill, Gaoth Dobhair and St Eunan’s.

“St Michael’s have dropped off the pace a bit.Three or four years ago they were strong but they have slipped back and I don’t see them as a contender for the league.

“Glenswilly have never put much effort into the league and I don’t think they will be too pushed about it.”

Of the other teams Dungloe, Milford, Aodh Ruadh, Cloughaneely, realistically they will be looking to stay up in the division.

“Aodh Ruadh are back up after a number of years down the league. I noted from Peter Boyle’s comments after he stepped away from the county setup that he wanted to commit to the club and that they were putting in a big effort.

“They will be competitive but realistically they will be quite happy to stay up and consolidate their position for a year, they will be happy with that.

“I think the same will apply to Milford. They did well last year and survived and they will be anxious to repeat that again this season.

“Dungloe are always hard to beat but at the same time they always know that relegation is never too far away. But they will be hanging in there to survive. Cloughaneely came up last year and they will want to stay up too.

“The league really is divided into a top five and a bottom five with all those in the top five capable of winning the league.

“For the five in the bottom half their target is to survive in the top division,” said Haran.