THE FAVOURITES TAG APPEARS to rest easy on Bundoran’s shoulders ahead of this evening’s Intermediate Championship quarter-final against Naomh Bríd at Fr Tierney Park (throw-in 5.30pm).
Bundoran (pictured above) aren’t just favourites to overcome their south Donegal rivals and make the semi-finals, but Brian Gavigan’s team are at the top of the blackboards when it comes to those hoping to collect the Cathal McLaughlin Cup next month.
Bundoran were relegated from the senior championship last year after a play-off defeat by Glenfin, but Gavigan has designs on the Realt na Mara making an instant return to the senior grade.
Following the departure of Charlie O’Donnell from the managerial hotseat at Gaelic Park, Gavigan was one of those roped in by Brian McEniff, who returned for another short stint at the helm.
When winter came, Gavigan took the job and it’s been a summer of promise again by the seaside.
Only Termon are above them in the All-County League Division 2 and they overcame Milford and Burt, as well as this evening’s opponents, Naomh Bríd, in the group stage of the Championship.
“We’re looking for a way back into the senior championship – that’s where we want to be playing our football,” Gavigan told Donegal Sport Hub.
“It’s been a good summer and we’re sitting in second place in the League. Don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been plain sailing and we’ve dropped some silly points, but we’re in a good place.”
Jonathan Ward, Adam Coyne and Michael McEniff have left the panel from last year to go traveling.
Gavigan has injury concerns over the fitness of Shane Carr, James Keaney and Alan Russell ahead of their clash with Naomh Bríd, but all three will be given until just before the throw-in.
“We have a 22-man squad here and we’re happy with what we have,” Gavigan said.
“We’re on a good run, but Championship football is a different story. No matter who you play in the Championship, it all boils down to 60 minutes. I hope my boys can step up to the plate – but I think they will.
“It’s do or die now at this stage. I expect the boys to have their heads right for the game.”
Jamie Brennan spearheads their attack and it’s a game they should have too much in against Division 3 Naomh Bríd, who are driven by Donegal senior panellist David Walsh.
“We’re definitely up against it this weekend,” Gerard Gallagher, the Naomh Bríd manager, said.
“Bundoran are the Championship favourites and they’ve got quality all over the field.
“They were probably the side that we wanted to avoid, but to win a Championship you have to beat the top sides. We’ll hope to go out and make it a competitive game in Ballyshannon.”
For Bundoran, it’s a case of avoiding a slip on the banana skin.
Gavigan said: “We’ve been the favourites for the Championship since the beginning of the year. Favourites doesn’t mean a lot at this stage because every team wants it as much as the next.
“Because we have the favourites tag, we’re up there to be shot at and teams are going to raise their game for us – we have to be on our guard for that.”
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