Football

Glenswilly facing massive task against Kilcar in Donegal club championship clash

Donegal's Neil Gallagher
Donegal's Neil Gallagher Donegal's Neil Gallagher

Donegal SFC

Group C

Kilcar v Glenswilly

Glenswilly must beat old rivals Kilcar by seven points in this year’s championship.

It is as stark as that, and the already qualified Kilcar boys will hardly be in any mood to do their visitors any favours.

For the memory of that county final defeat is still in the blue and gold and that could mean an early exit for Glenswilly.

But you would not rule out a return of the mighty Neil Gallagher to come to Glen county champions aid in their hour of need.

Ardara v Gaoth Dobhair

And, mercurial Gaoth Dobhair who scored a fine win over Glenswilly last week, will be in the other quarter-final slot.

On paper Gaoth Dobhair is a match for anyone in the county but they have been very enigmatic this season.

However they should win with a bit to spare against an Ardara side that is struggling.

So it looks like Kilcar and Gaoth Dobhair will go through from this “Group of Death”.

Group A

Malin v St Michael’s

Meanwhile St Michael’s have a tricky away assignment in Donegal’s most northerly region, as they tangle with Malin.

Colm McFadden, Christy Toye and Martin McElhinney are are really key figures.

But the feisty McLaughlin clan is always hard to better at Connolly Park.

They gave Sean MacCumhaills quite a beating last weekend and fear nobody at home-but St Michael’s should edge matters

And even if Malin wins, then Michael’s will still advance as they top the group on four points.

Bundoran v Sean MacCumhaill’s

In the extreme south of Donegal Bundoran will be hoping to banish the blues of that narrow defeat to St Michael’s last weekend.

Jamie Brennan bagged 2-2 for the Seasiders and that is good news by any standards.

Opponents Sean MacCumhaills got a bit of a mauling in Malin and look to Mary O’Reilly for constant inspiration, but a home win looks likely and that should see them into the quarter finals.

Group B

Killybegs v Naomh Muire

Down in Fintra a revitalised Killybegs will be quietly confident against a Naomh Muire side that lost out at home to Burt.

Hugh McFadden is in scintillating form for the Fishermen while Daniel Breslin, Christopher Murrin and Evan Broderick are also in fine form.

The “Yank” Boyle clan are still very important to Naomh Muire while Harry Harden is an experienced marksman, but Killybegs should just shade.

The Fishermen should prevail and get the quarter-final slot which means that Burt must beat a weakened Termon to progress also.

Burt v Termon

And it could be a cracking encounter in Hibernian Park where Termon is badly in need of points to keep their championship hopes alive.

They were well beaten in Killybegs last week and will be hoping for something extra against the hardy Inishowen men.

Burt are studded with county hurlers well used to success, and have a great spirit which they showed to telling effect when winning last year’s Intermediate title at the expense of a fancied Milford-they also should prevail.

Group D

St Eunan’s v Naomh Conaill

Elsewhere, Naomh Conaill be hoping for a much improved display when they take on St Eunan’s in O’Donnell Park.

Both sides are through but whoever finishes could have a slightly easier passage to advance.

That’s the carrot facing both teams and it could be a very close encounter between two physically powerful and experienced teams who have loads of recent county titles between them and Eunan’s should win.

Four Masters v Dungloe

The clash of Four Masters and Dungloe is one that both sides will feel they can win.

Both put in pretty encouraging displays against Naomh Conaill and St Eunan’s respectively.

Staying in the senior championship is the prize for the winners here and in form Masters could just shade it.

And that could happen, as Karl Lacey and Barry Dunnion are playing with all the verve and dash of teenagers.