Mac's View: We’re getting to the business end of club championship

In the column last week in the senior championship preview I said it was Glenties' title to lose, and that was further strengthened by their result over Termon at the weekend, winning by 20 points.

They have Ciaran Thompson back from injury and also have Eunan Doherty back this year. They will take beating.

There were a number of other impressive results, not least MacCumhaill’s going to Magheragallon and being denied the win by a last gasp two pointer. The Twin Towns side only had Oisin Gallen for the last 10 minutes and this after being denied the previous week by a late score against St Eunan’s. Credit where credit is due to MacCumhaill’s but there does seem to be something missing in Gaoth Dobhair, who are inconsistent.

Kilcar went to Glenfin and after a very difficult week for the parish and club they performed really well to take the win with Eoin McHugh making the brave decision to tog out and he kicked two two-pointers.

After three rounds of games it would seem that Killybegs are the unluckiest team having played Four Masters, Dungloe and Glenswilly, just coming up short each time.

St Eunan’s accounted for Naomh Columba but are still not firing as you would think they would.

Dungloe won again, this time against Na Dúnaibh, and they are real Steady Eddies. Four Masters were made to fight all the way by St Michael’s but even at this stage they could be the team that might give Naomh Conaill a run for their money.

Ardara beat Aodh Ruadh by four points and you would have expected that with Ardara at home. It gives them a chance of making the preliminary quarter-finals while for Aodh Ruadh it looks as if they are destined for the relegation play-offs with their final game against Four Masters at home.

After the three rounds it is Dungloe who are topping the table with full points ahead of Glenswilly. The teams on five points are those you would expect - Naomh Conaill, St Eunan’s and Glenswilly. Then you have Kilcar and Four Masters on full points after two games and they meet this Saturday in Towney in the re-arranged round two fixture.

This should be a close affair with the young Four Masters side probably getting their best test to date this year. Kevin Muldoon had been carrying an injury but came on last week against St Michael’s and did well. Conor McCahill is also back in training and may be available. But at home you would expect that Kilcar might have just enough.

In the Intermediate championship I see St Naul’s had another good win, this time at home to Burt and even though they were without Brendan McCole, they look to be favourites for the title with Peadar Mogan and Gavin Mulreany back in the side and going well.

Bundoran got a good win at home to Malin, something that was badly needed after the hammering in Buncrana the previous week. We were seven down but there was a wind and Jamie Brennan played as well as I have seen him play in a while. He scored two goals and that was the difference between the sides. There was a good local crowd and they applauded the team off the pitch for their second half display. Malin are a good side and looked very fit. They will be there at the business end.

Naomh Muire are also going well, as are Naomh Padraig, Muff, who had a good win over Carndonagh. As in all the championships, the real championship will start in a few weeks’ time when it is knockout.

In the Junior championship congratulations to Pettigo, who had a big win over Naomh Colmcille, who had been unbeaten up to then. The border club have a small pick but are competing very well this year.

Their neighbours Naomh Brid also had a big win and they will be in the mix when it comes to the business end of affairs.

DRAW

The Co. Board draw for €250,000 is due to be held this weekend with a big push on for selling tickets. I gather the sales were slow enough for a good while and there may not be that much money in circulation. But hopefully it will be successful as the money is needed for further development at the Training Centre in Convoy, which is a great facility and situated in a very central position for such a big county.

We also heard last week that Jim McGuinness has been appointed for 2027 and congratulations to him. There was no mention of backroom staff and I would feel the sooner he gets that done the better. We need to have people out at games now and it would be good to get four or five new fresh faces into the squad for next year.

Finally, this week my good wishes and prayers go to Sean Bonner and his family for a speedy recovery from his illness.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell