IN AN INTERESTING WEEKEND in the AllSportStore.com All-County Football League, there were a few things that caught the eye.
Gaoth Dobhair continue to lead the way
WITH nine points from 10 thus far, it’s perhaps fair to say that even the most ardent of Gaoth Dobhair supporters would admit the side are doing better than they might’ve hoped.
What’s particularly impressive from the Magheragallon outfit is the margins of their victories, with Ardara defeated 3-18 to 1-10 and then Dungloe on a 3-10 to 0-6 scoreline in the last two weeks alone.
To date, there’s not even been an over-usage of the sizable county contingent, with the seeds from the successful county minor winning team of 2014 – as well as the club side who won the domestic championship the same year – continuing to bear fruit.
It’s been 10 years now since the seniors tasted success in the form of the league and championship double and although there’s still a lot of work to be done, steps are being made in the right direction AF
Kilcar in the mood – but it’s Championship they crave
[adrotate group=”37″]KILCAR have scored a total of 109 points so far in Division 1, with only 62 conceded and their only loss to date was a 3-4 to 0-12 defeat to Gaoth Dobhair in a starred game earlier this month.
Their talents are obious with the McBreatys, the McHughs, the McCleans, Ciaran McGinley and Michael Hegarty.
The age old questions will rise again in a fortnight’s time when they begin their Championship sojourn against St Eunan’s.
For now, though, they’re in top form and Martin McHugh, in his first year at the helm, has tnem in the mood. It’s no secret that it’s Championship success they’re itching for in Towney. CM
St Eunan’s move through the gears
DAVID MCGINLEY’S St Eunan’s were much more comfortable winners over St Michael’s than the 2-15 to 2-7 scoreline suggests.
After 37 minutes the Letterkenny side were 2-14 to 0-5 in front with a fluid performance. The Dunfanaghy team did make some late inroads and put a better slant on the scoreline.
St Eunan’s have considerable options when it’s considered on Sunday that Rory Kavanagh, Cillian Morrison, Sean Hensey, Brendan Maguire, Donnacha Gallagher, Rory Carr, Connall O’Boyle, Lee McMonagle, Sean McVeigh, John Paul Clarke and Niall O’Donnell weren’t involved.
But with Kilcar coming in the first fixture of the Donegal SFC St Eunan’s will need to hit the ground running in their only home fixture, with a no doubt much-improved St Michael’s away and a trip to Killybegs. AF
Glenswilly in real need of a win
SUNDAY’S 2-11 to 1-7 defeat against Termon at The Burn Road means that Glenswilly have now lost all five of their opening handful of games in Division 1.
Two weeks out from their Championship opener against Ardara, it’s not exactly the form Michael Canning would desire.
That said, they were without the injured Neil Gallagher and a bout of flu’ meant that Michael Murphy was unable to play while the sending off of Gary McFadden late in the first half didn’t help their cause either.
They were certainly hurt by the absence of those stellar names.
For now, Glenswilly prop up the Division 1 table, but their next two games – home fixtures against Dungloe and Bundoran – offer chances to get points on the board. CM
Naomh Conaill continue their steady pace
LAST year Naomh Conaill proved themselves to be the best side in the county and this year they’ve gone about their business competently.
They’ve only dropped one point this season – a home draw with St Eunan’s – and are still sitting in a healthy fourth place in the table, with a game in hand against Termon.
They’ve a busy weekend coming up in Glenties, as they host the Comórtas but before that, there’s a Division 1 fixture against Kilcar in Towney, which will provide a good indicator at where both sides are at. AF
MacCumhaill’s are setting the pace in Division 2
THINGS are going well in the Twin Towns for MacCumhaill’s.
On Sunday the team managed by Damian Dunleavy posted their fourth win from five in Division 2, courtesy of 3-11 to 2-10 victory over Naomh Columba in an interesting game at county headquarters.
Stephen Mulligan is in excellent form of late, having scored a combined total of 3-14 in his last two outings – 2-5 on Sunday, which added to his nine points against St Naul’s the week beforehand.
Aodh Ruadh appear on a mission in Division 3
WHEN Bundoran went on a march to the Ulster Intermediate final against Loughinisland last year, there was a considerable nagging feeling in Ballyshannon where the natives felt it could, and should have been them on that voyage.
They arrived at that conclusion on reflection at the semi-final in the Donegal Intermediate Championship when Jamie Brennan’s last-gasp winner saw Bundoran score a 1-11 to 2-7 win over Aodh Ruadh.
The Ballyshannon men appear to have channeled the hurt from last season, when they also missed out on promotion from Division 3 and they’ve roared out of the blocks this year.
‘Electric’ was how the club’s website put it after 1-13 to 1-6 win over Naomh Colmcille on Sunday that made it four wins from four games for the Ernesiders – who are a side on a real mission. CM
Fancy picking a winner in Division 4?
THERE’S an old school of thought that teaches that Division 4 is the hardest of the Divisions to get out of – and this year’s version is looking like living up to that billing.
Red Hughs are aiming for a swift return back to Division 3 and lead the way, but Moville and Naomh Padraig Muff are ensuring that they aren’t getting a head of steam built up.
It’s a congested field and it’s a battle that’s shaping up to be an enduring one over the next few months.
