Donegal, employing a more direct approach than has traditionally been the case in the county, looked exceptionally hungry and ran out comfortable 2-14 to 1-9 winners over neighbours Derry in this National Football League clash at Ballybofey.
Derry, epitomised by the wholehearted efforts of Anthony Tohill, tried hard.
But the late withdrawal of David O’Neill and Eamonn Burns from the Oak Leaf team because of ‘flu severely reduced a team already minus the likes of Joe Brolly and the two McKeevers.
Jim McGuinness, pictured above as Tralee captain setting up another attack against Garda College in the 1997 final of the Sigerson Cup at the Dub in Belfast, was a revelation for Donegal at midfield.
His two second-half goals effectively killed off Derry but McGuinness’ general play around the middle was also of the highest order.
Relative newcomers such as St Eunan’s Brendan Devenney, Eamonn Reddan and Shane Bradley looked promising for the winners.
Perhaps even more pleasing for manager Declan Bonner was the impressive performances from John Duffy and Brian Roper – two men who have struggled to fulfil the potential which they showed at the beginning of the inter-county careers.
Gary McGill, who was probably the pick of a moderate Derry attack, grabbed the opening score from play in the first minute.
Donegal: P Callaghan, N McGinley, JJ Doherty, D Diver, M Crossan, N Hegarty, E Reddan, M Coll, J McGuinness (2-1), S Bradley (0-1), A Sweeney, B Roper (0-2), J Duffy (0-2), T Boyle (0-6), B Devenney (0-2).
Subs: B McLaughlin for A Sweeney 55, B Murray for Bradley 58.
Derry: D Hasson, P Diamond, J McBride, G Coleman, K Diamond, H Downey, A Heaney, A Tohill (0-1), G Doyle, G McGill (0-3), D Dougan (0-1), B Murray (0-1), M Gribben (0-1), R Rocks (1-0), J Cassidy (0-1).
Subs: G Diamond for Rocks 41.
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WITH the county Antrim best boxer award safely tucked away, bantamweight Hugh Brady begins the quest for provincial honours tomorrow night in Belfast.
The 17-year-old Newhill boxer will face John McPhillips (Shamrock) on a ten-bout Ulster Intermediate championship bill at the Dockworkers Social Club, Pilot Street.
Brady collected the Ned McCormick Shield and county 54 kilos crown after two stylish performances in the Antrim championships recently and capped that with a skilful exhibition against Saints rising star Harry Cunningham on finals night.
“This is Hugh’s first year at this level and he’s handling it well,” said Newhill coach Paul McMahon.
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AS predicted, the real battle had finished long before the GAA’s power brokers assembled in the Burlington Hotel on Saturday.
The main gist of the Amateur Status Review Sub-Committee’s report – that players be allowed to profit from commercial endorsements – was accepted by the Special Congress with barely a whimper.
A lone voice of dissent from the floor came from Down chairman Jimmy Cousins, but the tone of his voice betrayed the knowledge that his was a token gesture.
The day of the footballer as TV commercial star is upon us, but don’t expect to see Peter Canavan jinking his way through a herd of computer generated demons a la Eric Cantona with Nike strapped to his soles just yet.
The exact percentage of what a player will receive from jaunts into adland will be decided by Central Council at a later date.
