THE QUARTER-FINALS of the Donegal SFC took place at the weekend with Kilcar, Naomh Conaill, St Michael’s and St Eunan’s advancing into the semi-finals.
There were a number of stand-out performers and the Donegal Sport Hub team had a lengthy deliberation to pick the Team of The Week – here’s the final selection:
- Kevin Campbell (Kilcar)
CAMPBELL was an outfielder by trade untill the need arose for him to take the number 1 spot. He was the pick of the goalkeepers on show at the weekend. Against Four Masters in Killybegs, Campbell was assured and calm.
It was, albeit, against a Four Masters outfit that didn’t really threaten, but Campbell’s kick-outs were on the money and he cut a solid figure manning the house for Michael Molloy’s team.
2. Declan O’Donnell (Termon)
ON A night when Termon could – and should – have produced the upset of the weekend against Naomh Conaill, O’Donnell’s tenacious display typified the performance of his team.
Well-organised Termon ran Naomh Conaill to the pins of their collar with the rugged O’Donnell standing tall. Made a number of vital interceptions and he continued to frustrate the Glenties men to the bitter end.
3. Sean Hensey (St Eunan’s)
IT SAYS much about Hensey’s display that Glenswilly didn’t look too threatening for the most part on Sunday night against St Eunan’s.
Michael Murphy played a largely deep role, but Hensey ensured that the county champions kept the Glen men at bay any time they did venture forward.
Hensey has been one of Maxi Curran’s big success stories since he took over at O’Donnell Park.
4. Michael Gallagher (St Michael’s)
DEPENDABLE and consistent, Gallagher – who was captain when St Michael’s reached the final in 2011 – is having another solid campaign for the Creeslough-Dunfanaghy side.
A competitor who wears heart on sleeve, Gallagher dug deep on Sunday when he had to and, even though his team were one-sided winners against Malin, he never dropped his guard.
One of the unsung heroes of St Michael’s.
5. Conor Parke (St Eunan’s)
PARKE got forward for a customary point against Glenswilly and he has really flourished since being handed an attacking licence by Maxi Curran, the St Eunan’s manager.
Parke remains a big part of St Eunan’s defensive unit, but he’s equally adept going forward as he showed on Sunday.
He’s surely a player that will be on any list made by the Donegal manager, Rory Gallagher, this winter,
6. Ciaran Gallagher (St Michael’s)
NAMED at number 14, Gallagher traded places with Christy Toye and he turned in an immaculate performance around the middle diamond.
Gallagher got forward to riffle in the second St Michael’s goal, the score that sunk Malin to depths from which they wouldn’t lift and his all-round display was that of a man on a mission.
7. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
FOUR Masters just had no answers for McHugh’s trademark lunges forward from the half-back line in Killybegs.
His first-half goal was taken magnificently. Having tormented the Four Masters rearguard with a blood-curling run, he played a one-two with Ciaran McGinley before unleashing a brilliant effort into the top corner of Ryan Haughey’s net.
From start to finish, he was in sublime form and will take some watching in the coming weeks.
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8. Ciaran McGinley (Kilcar)
MCGINLEY lorded the battle around the midfield sector at Eamonn Byrne Memorial Park and there were times when he seemed omnipresent.
McGinley kicked a fine point and also got back to win his share of ball in defence. His best work, though was around the middle, where he gave a dominant performance that outlined the improvements in his game since making the step onto the Donegal senior set-up.
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9. Kevin Rafferty (St Eunan’s)
THERE was so much that was good about Rafferty’s display on Sunday as champions St Eunan’s got the better of Glenswilly.
The former Donegal player boomed over a point at a crucial stage in the first half to bring St Eunan’s into the game.
It was Rafferty who was at the start of the move that led to the second St Eunan’s goal, finished by Conall Dunne. When St Eunan’s needed him, Rafferty rolled his sleeves up in defence and was superb in curbing Glenswilly’s advances.
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10. Stephen McBrearty (Kilcar)
THERE were times in the second half when McBrearty appeared unmarkable.
McBrearty, stationed out in the half forward line, gave a performance that was at odds with his tender 19 years.
Took his goal magnificently well and added five points on an afternoon of real potency, but there is so much more about his game that the scores. That said, some of his points were stunning in the face of a fierce Atlantic wind.
Has vision, accuracy, pace and poise in abundance. A sure-fire inclusion in Donegal’s senior ranks next year.
11. John Haran (St Eunan’s, pictured above)
HE HAS become a timeless classic in the St Eunan’s team. Haran played in his first county senior final in 1997 and has featured in 12 in all. The 38-year old has been like a fine wine for the black and amber, though.
In their win over Glenswilly on Sunday, Haran was again to the fore and his role in the second St Eunan’s goal was the moment that marked him out.  Sent on his way by Rafferty, Haran’s galloped away from Neil Gallagher with a burst of pace that belied his years before transferring to Conall Dunne, who applied the finish.
Haran remains one of the most vital cogs in the Eunan’s wheel.
12. Martin McElhinney (St Michael’s)
A CLOSE contender for the Man of the Match award in O’Donnell Park on Sunday, McElhinney was immense for St Michael’s.
McElhinney opened up the Malin defence with a lung-bursting surge forward to set up Andrew Kelly’s opening goal and the manner in which he knocked Declan Walsh aside for a second-half performance was the sign of a player at the height of his form.
13. Lee McMonagle (St Eunan’s)
MISSED most of last year’s campaign for St Eunan’s, but McMonagle has returned to lay down a marker this year. McMonagle was the picture of calm on Sunday as he fired a first-half penalty past Glenswilly goalkeeper Philip O’Donnell, a kick that helped establish a 1-4 to 0-5 lead for the champions.
McMonagle also netted St Eunan’s third goal to cap a tireless and deadly display at the fulcrum of the Letterkenny side’s attack.
14. Leon Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
NAOMH Conaill were stunned when Ricky Gallagher’s goal drew Termon level in soaking Ballybofey on Saturday night and there were times when the Glenties team looked dazed on the ropes.
Thompson was one of those who pulled the burning embers from the fire.
He scored two points after Gallagher’s goal to really steady the wobbles and on a night when they had so many below-par displays, they were thankful for those couple of clinical moments by Thompson.
15. Andrew Kelly (St Michael’s)
ARGUABLY has been the player of the summer so far. Kelly has been a revelation for St Michael’s in his new role in the full-forward line.
He bagged 2-3 on Sunday in their rout against Malin. Scored the first goal after seven minutes with a neat finish and he smashed a penalty past Darragh McLaughlin in the second half.
At the outset of part two, with St Michael’s 2-8 to 0-2 up, Kelly kicked two points to turn the screw once more.
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