Aaron Ward praises stength in depth in Dungloe panel
Getting to this year’s League final was a bonus, but the first round of the championship was always Dungloe’s main focus, according to teak-tough full back Aaron Ward.
Ward rounded off a solid display with a cracking two-pointer in his side’s most impressive 0-20 to 1-10 win over a pallid Sean MacCumhaills at Rosses Park.
Next up is Killybegs and he is well aware of the threat Hugh McFadden and Co will pose at home.
“You work all year towards the championship, and it is great to get a good start.
“We were not so great in the first half but our second half display was very good, and we are pleased about that.
“It is all about slowing it down and getting the tempo right against the breeze and just bring yourself into it.”
Asked if there was still a bit of hurt from the League final after coming up from Division 2 and going all the way to the decider against Four Masters, he said:
“Everyone wrote us off this year, just coming up from Division 2.
“We went in with the mindset that we had nothing to lose, but this first championship game was always our main focus.
“Getting to the League final was a bonus, but this championship was always our main priority.”
But an appearance in the senior county championship final as recently as two years ago is an indication of the immense potential in this team.
“Yeah, and we have brought in a few young lads like Danny McCready and Christopher O’Donnell who were making their championship debuts.
“Both of them did very well, and we also have a very strong bench.
“Daire Gallagher, Ryan Connors and Ryan Greene are very strong players to come on, and this is something we did not have in the past.
“We usually had a very strong 15, but we struggled a bit thereafter, but it is very important to be able to bring on three players of their calibre.”
But Killybegs will be formidable opponents next week, and Ward is well aware of the threat Hugh McFadden and Co will pose at home.
“Hugh McFadden, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Ryan Cunningham and Jack McSharry are all serious operators.
“They are very strong collectively, but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.”