Raidió na Gaeltachta Donegal SFC
Two of Donegal’s heavyweights collide when Kilcar and St Michael’s meet in the big match of the weekend at Towney tomorrow.
For it looks sure to be a battle between those shoulder-dipping, jinking and fleet-footed McHugh and McBrearty clans of Kilcar and the Christy Toye, Colm McFadden and Martin McElhinney-powered St Michael’s.
Kilcar are the form team and top the League with stand-out stars like Ryan, Mark and Eoin McHugh, Paddy and Stephen McBrearty along with Ciaran McGinley and feisty veteran Michael Hegarty.
But they are pitted against a physically powerful outfit from the Creeslough/Dunfanaghy area who are the reigning Donegal SFL champions.
They have already beaten Kilcar twice this season – although both sides were well understrength.
Kilcar have not taken a title since 1993, but with Martin McHugh at the helm there is a renewed sense of hope in this famous south-west club.
St Michael’s have yet to win a championship and can also call on Daniel Gallagher and Ciaran ‘The Rock’ Gallagher to power their efforts.
This is a very tough one to call, but Kilcar might just shade it.
Meanwhile, last year’s county finalists St Eunan’s should have a little bit too much power and panache against Killybegs in Fintra this evening.
The Letterkenny lads will be minus Kevin Rafferty, and Conor O’Donnell, while Darragh Mulgrew is still in the US.
But the Cathedral Town side can still call on the likes of Rory Kavanagh, John Haran, Eamon Doherty and Conal Dunne to spur their efforts.
The Fishermen have been decimated by emigration in recent years, but Hugh McFadden, Shane Molloy, Christopher Murrin and Daniel Breslin could put up a big fight against a Eunan’s side approaching a transition period.
Bundoran have home advantage against Ardara this evening also and this could be quite a close affair.
Both sides have a victory apiece from the League campaign.
Gareth Concarr, Brendan McNelis and Ryan Melley are big players for Ardara, while Paul Brennan, Jamie Brennan and the Keaneys remain key figures for Bundoran. The home side just might nick it.
Glenswilly, who have had a poor season by their standards, look likely to be facing a Dungloe side tomorrow minus Michael Murphy and Neil Gallagher in O’Donnell Park, Dungloe.
That salient fact could be the tipping point against a Dungloe side who still field the evergreen Adrian Sweeney, have already had the better of the Glen boys, but stung pride might just spur Glenswilly to victory.
It’s a real derby this evening as neighbours Sean MacCumhaill’s lock horns with Glenfin in Ballybofey.
This a direct clash between Marty O’Reilly for MacCumhaill’s and Frank McGlynn for a Glenfin side who were well beaten by a resurgent Milford in Pairc Taobhoige last weekend.
MacCumhaill’s might just have enough to shade this very local encounter.
On Sunday, Malin make a fairly long journey to the Banks to take on Naomh Mhuire.
The home team had a good win over Four Masters in the League last week when Patrick Gillespie rammed in four goals.
And home advantage might just swing it for the men from the Rosses although Declan Walsh, Brendan McLaughlin and Co could make matters interesting.
Gaoth Dobhair is warmly fancied to get the better of Termon at the Burn Road this evening.
The McGees, Odhran Mac Niallais, Ciaran Gillespie, Michael and Kevin Cassidy should be far too powerful for the Kevin ‘Wappa’ McMenamin, Daire McDaid and Michael Boyle-inspired Termon.
Finally, reigning champions Naomh Conaill will be hotly fancied to get the better of Four Masters at Tir Conaill Park tomorrow.
Leo McLoone, Dermot ‘Brick’ Molloy, the Thompsons, Darragh Gallagher and Co look a very well balanced side.
Karl Lacey, Barry Dunnion, Barry Monaghan and Michael Doherty are still very important for the Masters, but Glenties should come out on top from this one.
