Eoghan Scott happy with winning start for Glenswilly
Glenswilly got off to winning ways in the Donegal SFC against neighbours Termon, and forward Eoghan Scott was happy just to come out with the result.
It was an end-to-end game, with only a point separating the sides with two minutes to go before Shane Tinney put over a late two-pointer, as Glenswilly came out with a 0-19 to 0-17 win in Páirc Naomh Columba.
“It’s a nice way to start the championship,” Scott told DonegalLive after the game.
“It was a very tough battle against Termon, and we expected nothing less. They’re a top side, and they’ll definitely be in it going further down the line.”
“It was a very intense game, and in the first half against the wind it was really hard, it was end-to-end, and both teams put it up to each other and went at it. Nobody took a step back, so it was a good one to get the win.
“But it’s only the first game, and there’s a long championship ahead yet, hopefully.”
Michael Murphy made a welcome return to the Glenswilly side on Saturday with seven points, but they are still without some key personnel.
Daithi Gildea and Donal Gallagher have been playing in America this summer, although they will be returning soon after helping Donegal Philadelphia win the Philadelphia Senior Football final on Sunday, while Jack Gallagher also missed out on the game with Termon due to injury.
But after a seventh-placed finish in the league, getting some senior experience into a youthful team was vital for Darren McGinley’s side.
“We had new management come in, and there were a lot of positives in it. We started the league well, but we kind of faded away towards the end of it with losing players to injury and whatnot.
“Overall, we were happy with the campaign to get our feet on the ground and prepare for the championship.
“We’re not at full strength yet, but the boys that are playing, every man is as strong as the next, so I wouldn’t say we’re weak. There are a few boys that will be coming back in and challenging for a starting jersey, but after the performance of some lads there, it will be hard to take jerseys off.
“It was important for us to blood in a lot of young lads, even there Matthew Enright, it was his championship debut and it was Mark Collum’s first senior championship game, then you have boys like Shane Tinney and Liam McGinley who are only 2007 and in their second year at senior level, but you’d think they’re in their fourth or fifth year the way they stood up and were counted.”
Glenswilly head north this Sunday to take on a Downings side that raised eyebrows with a draw away to Naomh Conaill on Saturday evening.
The Páirc na nDúnaibh side were leading by three points against the reigning champions, but a late John O’Malley penalty salvaged a draw for the hosts.
It’s a first championship meeting in a long time between the pair, but Scott and co will be ready to try and get a second win on the board before the draw for the third round is made.
“It comes thick and fast, and we know that Downings will be a very tough game once again. “They’re a quality side, and they will get stronger as it goes along, so it will be a challenge but one we’re looking forward to.
“We haven’t met them in the championship (since they were promoted), but we’ve faced them in the league and the Gaeltacht, so we know what they’re like, and it should be another exciting game.”