Stephen McBride: Donegal's destiny in their own hands against London

Donegal have their destiny in their own hands when they entertain London, in O’Donnell Park, on Sunday, in the last of the league series of games in Division 2B (throw-in, 1 pm).

A share of the points will copper-fasten Donegal’s place in the coveted top three and, for the third season in a row, a place in the last four of the league.

The top three finishers in this season’s league will gain automatic promotion to the new look seven-team Division 2 next season. 

Following last Sunday’s 0-24 to 1-14 away win over Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park, Mickey McCann’s young charges are in second place in the league table, two points adrift of leaders Derry. 

They are one ahead of London, in third place, and two ahead of Tyrone who are in fourth place in the table.

“A draw will do us but we will be going out to win the game, leave no doubt about that,” said Donegal vice-captain and fullback Stephen McBride. 

The Setanta clubman is just 22-years-old as manager Mickey McCann opts for a youthful leadership team on the field. McCann has also appointed 20-year-old Conor Gartland team captain. 

“Going out looking for a draw can be a risky business. We’ve had a good run so far and we want to keep it going.” 

As well as last weekend’s win over Roscommon, Donegal also recorded an opening day victory, also on the road, away to Wicklow. They drew at Tyrone and lost at home to Derry.

“We’ve had a good league so far for what is a very young team. We got off to a great start with a good win in Wicklow and while we lost the next game to Derry, we played well in that game and it was only in the second half Derry pulled away. 

“We drew with Tyrone in a game we should have won but a number of decisions went against us and we had to be happy with the draw. 

“Last Sunday, after getting off to a great start, we allowed Roscommon back into the game and we had to come from behind to win well.

“So we have done well given we were missing so many senior players and hopefully we can now go on and clinch a place in the top three on Sunday.” 

Experienced campaigners like Declan Coulter, last season’s leading scorer, Ronan McDermott, 2023 captain, and talisman Danny Cullen have been missing through injury.

Ritchie Ryan, Michael Donoghue and Christopher McDermott, all first choice last year, have opted out this season while  Daire Ó Maoileidigh and Jack O’Loughlin made their first appearances this term, off the bench, in the second half last Sunday in Roscommon. 

“Daire scored two points and Jack one and they made a big impact on the game. Sean Ward and Peter Kelly came on too and Peter scored two points.

“The subs all played well and won the game for us which was good to see and shows we have strength in depth. 

We have 26 players in the squad at present and there is keen competition for places, which is good.

“And the squad will be further strengthened when Declan, Danny and Ronan return.  So we should have a really strong squad for the championship.”  

London, to date, have claimed four points from a possible eight with wins over Wicklow and Tyrone, in their last two games, after losing their two opening games to Roscommon and Derry, both away.  

“London are going to be no pushovers. We beat them last year and there was only a couple of points at the finish. 

“They are a good side and they will be boosted by the 0-18 to 0-11 win over Tyrone last weekend.” 

Donegal were 1-18 to 2-13 winners last year with Coulter top-scoring with 0-11 while Ronan McDermott scored the Donegal goal. Both continue to be sidelined as they recover from surgery. 

Ruairi Campbell, Brian Óg MacIntyre, Jack O’Loughlin, Conor Gartland, Bernard Lafferty and Ritchie Ryan all chipped in with points that day.  

Ryan also posted 2-8 against the Exiles the year before in Donegal’s 3-16 to 0-8 win, also in the League. That game was in O’Donnell Park.

So McBride and company are hoping to make it three from three against London on Sunday.