Those who saw reigning county champions St Eunan’s clinical demolition of an admittedly understrength Bundoran side will probably agree with ex-Donegal great Damian Diver’s view that the Letterkenny lads have one eye on Ulster this year.
Today they host last year’s Intermediate champions Cloughaneely, who were well beaten by Kilcar at home last week.
If anything, Eunan’s look bigger and stronger than last year. They break at savage pace and the O’Donnell clan and Eoin McGeehin are clinical finishers, so it could be a fraught afternoon for Jason McGee and co in O’Donnell Park.
Meanwhile, Aodh Ruadh, Ballyshannon have two from two outings, most recently an unimpressive two points victory over struggling Ardara.
But they should still have far too much power and panache for visiting St Naul’s who could be heading for a relegation play-off as they are pointless.
Aodh Ruadh look pacey going forward but tend to hang back too much and that could be fatal against more formidable opposition.
Down the road in Tir Chonaill Park it could be a real south Donegal cracker between Four Masters, who have one point and Bundoran who have none.
Jamie Brennan is back for the visitors, but Paul Brennan is a huge absence after sustaining a broken leg.
Four Masters fell to an Oisin Gallen inspired Sean MacCumhaill’s side while Bundoran were hammered by St Eunan’s and have no points
This could turn into a real dog-fight with the youthful Masters seeing this as a chance to steer clear of the relegation mire and they might just shade matters.
Down in Magheragallon, enigmatic Gaoth Dobhair, who beat Glenfin by a point last time out could be well tested by a resurgent Sean MacCumahill’s.
Oisin Gallen, Joel Bradley Walsh and Kevin McCormack are three fine forwards for the visitors while Gaoth Dobhair will be hoping to have a stronger outfit taking the field.
In 2018 they were worthy Ulster club champions but have slipped considerably from these giddy heights.
And if they are almost at full strength, they should take this tie with a bit to spare.
Pointless Ardara will be getting no favours from rampant neighbours Kilcar who have already won the SFL title.
Kilcar are one of the top three clubs in the county along with Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill and have an exceptionally gifted scoring forward line.
They are not the biggest, but their pace and first touch is second to none against an in transition Ardara team who will do very well not to go down this year.
But it could be much closer down at The Bridge as St Michael’s entertain Naomh Conaill.
This is a battle between two strong physical sides with the home side always threatening but never quite making the big breakthrough in recent years.
Their big three of Christy Toye, Colm McFadden and Martin McElhinney are no longer a factor and that could be crucial against a Naomh Conaill side who are brimming with power and panache and have a really strong bench as well.
St Michael’s are always hard to beat at home and it could be quite a contest, but on balance, Naomh Conaill might just edge home.
Hugh McFadden is the Michael Murphy of Killybegs and has been revelling in his role on the edge of the square, causing all sorts of havoc whenever a half decent ball is played into him.
They host struggling Milford who also look to be relegation candidates.
The home side are young and pacey and McFadden and Eoghan Ban Gallagher give them good leadership while the visitors depend on the Barrett’s and Cathal McGettigan for their scores.
A home win looks likely here.
Finally, it could be the mother of all battle between neighbours Glenswilly and Glenfin in the former’s home venue.
Michael Murphy is having a huge influence as Glenswilly easily beat St Naul’s while the Frank McGlynn-inspired Lár Gaeltacht men slipped to their second defeat - this time by a mere point to Gaoth Dobhair.
Glenfin are pointless and will really have to go all out on this one so we could have a great contest.
You might not rule out a draw here - or the Murphy factor might just see the home side through.
FIXTURES
Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Donegal Senior Football Championship Round Three
Saturday
St Eunan’s v Cloughaneely (Páirc Uí Dhomhnaill, 1.30pm)
Killybegs v Milford (Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park, 2pm)
Four Masters v Bundoran (Tirconaill Park, 4.30pm)
Sunday
Aodh Ruadh v St Naul (Father Tierney Park, 1.30pm)
Glenswilly v Glenfin (Páirc Naomh Columba, 2pm)
Naomh Micheál v Naomh Conaill (The Bridge, 2.30pm)
Kilcar v Ardara (Towney, 3pm)
Gaoth Dobhair v Sean MacCumhaill (Machaire Gathlán, 4.30pm)
