BUSTLING midfielder Martin McElhinney could be back in action for Donegal by next week.
However, Mark McHugh will be playing no part in the Dr McKenna Cup. Those are the main stories ahead of Tír Chonaill’s clash with St Mary’s in Letterkenny on Sunday.
McElhinney has just recovered from an operation he underwent in November to cure a Gilmore’s Groin problem. The powerful midfielder picked up a knock against Tyrone in the Ulster SFC opener last year, yet played a very active part throughout the summer before having the ailment addressed in the off-season.
Yet Donegal manager Rory Gallagher expects the combative St Michael’s man to be in contention for next Wednesday’s clash with Fermanagh at Brewster Park: “Martin has a powerful presence and is vital in the midfield area,” he said.
“He is a very committed performer and we are hoping he could be back for the Fermanagh match next week”.
McElhinney’s importance to Donegal has increased since the retirement of Rory Kavanagh, who many believe could still play a key role in that area for his county. Kilcar’s Mark McHugh is on a special training programme outside of the squad and will not be taking any part in the Dr McKenna Cup. In his absence, Gallagher will continue to give youth a chance following last Sunday’s opening victory over Down.
“The debutants did well last Sunday and we will also have Stephen McMenamin available for Sunday’s match,” he said.
Donegal’s U21 team are in action against Fermanagh in the Mary McPartland North-West Cup this afternoon, but that will not affect the likes of Jack O’Brien, Eoghan Gallagher, Michael Carroll and Ciarán Thompson, all whom showed up well in the victory over the Mourne men.
However, it won’t all be about the young players as Donegal go in search of a second win that would put them on the cusp of a semi-final spot, with Michael Murphy, Frank McGlynn, Neil McGee, Martin O’Reilly, Paddy McGrath and Éamon Doherty all expected to feature.
And while last Sunday’s win was welcome, victory is not Gallagher’s main objective at this time of year: “It is always good to get the season off to a winning start, but it was more important to give these young lads a chance to show what they can do,” he said.
“There has been a lot of underage talent in the county in recent years and it is good to have the time and space to give them a chance to shine. They acquitted themselves very well last week and it was a very valuable exercise for them.”
Gallagher’s men will come up against a St Mary’s side who lost narrowly to Fermanagh in their opener on Wednesday night. Down’s Kevin McKernan is their main man, while Tyrone trio Conall McCann, Conor Meyler and Danny McBride are also key performers for Paddy Tally’s side.
Derry trio Brian Óg McGilligan, Niall Toner and Neil McNicholl, Antrim forward Danny McBride and Down’s Ryan Johnston are others who bring experience to the table, so it won’t be an easy game by any means for Donegal.
Gallagher made two reasonably successful experiments last Sunday by playing Frank McGlynn on the 40 alongside Odhrán Mac Niallais and using Leo McLoone in the full-forward line. And he could be tempted to mix things up again on Sunday.
“These days players rarely stick to their positions as the game is so fluid,” said Gallagher.
“Frank played well, while Odhrán and Leo McLoone don’t really stick to their positions and are capable of playing much further out the field.”
Elsewhere, Marty O’Reilly was a revelation at centre-back, while Paddy McGrath was also a towering figure in the Tír Chonaill defence: “Marty had a very good game in defence,” said Gallagher.
“He has been working really hard on his game and training away on his own in Dublin. Jack O’Brien also showed up very well and he is still U21 this year. But all of the young players showed they were really keen to make an impression and that is very encouraging for the future”.
St Mary’s are targeting the Sigerson Cup and Gallagher is expecting a tough game: “They should be fairly sharp as they are in the middle of Sigerson Cup preparations,” he said.
“This is really their Ulster Championship and we are expecting quite a challenge from them.”
But despite the understandable energy and enthusiasm of the students and Donegal’s relative youth, the home side should win with a fair degree of comfort.
