Mac's View: It will be a tight battle against Tyrone in Ballybofey

I’m expecting another very tight battle between Donegal and Tyrone in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Saturday evening. It took extra-time to separate them in Celtic Park a few weeks ago but we are now back in Ballybofey, our fortress.

In one way I am confident going into the game and at the same time I’m apprehensive. I’m a little worried about the talk in the media that we will be winners by two to five points. That sort of  talk should be avoided. We lost our recent matches against Tyrone at the venue, albeit we are now a different animal under Jim McGuinness.

The team are in great shape and we are now one of the fittest teams in the country and our strength in depth is getting better by the week.

It was great to see Eoghan Bán (Gallagher) back in action for the Ulster final against Armagh although I would like to see him placed in defence and do his customary runs with the ball from there. He has the ability to  create havoc and break the tight lines that Tyrone will have in place.

We will need everyone up to speed for this game, which is a really important game in the overall scheme of things as it will be vital for Donegal to top their group and get a week’s rest before the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Oisin Gallen will again have a very central role and he showed in the Ulster final,  especially in the first half, the class that he has. He always plays well on his home turf in Ballybofey and will be needed to do so again.

We will need the leadership of Ryan McHugh. He will be targeted again but we know that when Ryan is going well, the team is going well, as the right choices are being made. Saturday will be a big game for him.

The midfield is gelling very well and getting better by the week. Both Jason McGee and Michael Langan are in great shape and are going well. Langan’s performance in controlling Rian O’Neill in the Ulster final was a telling factor and he also has that ability to score. Indeed, there is more in both of them, which is great news.

No doubt, Tyrone will pose problems, especially Darragh Canavan, but Brendan McCole did a really good job in curtailing him in Celtic Park and will need to be vigilant again as Canavan only needs a slight opening.

It will also be important for Donegal not to give away frees from inside the 60m range as Tyrone ‘keeper Niall Morgan’s accuracy is among the best in Ireland. It has improved considerably as I can remember him having at least one bad day in MacCumhaill Park back when Jim McGuinness was first manager. 

The confidence gained from winning the Ulster title will be important for Donegal going forward with players like young Aaron Doherty hitting two penalties one of the stand-outs. They were very clinical in everything they did and young Doherty was particularly manly to step up a second time.

There is going to be a full house again and Donegal should have the benefit of the biggest percentage of the noise. And they need to make themselves heard. There is a brand new young cohort of support, which is great to see. The forecast for the day is not great, but it can change day by day.

All we can do is wish Jim and the boys well. After beating Tyrone in Celtic Park, this is another important game to win. I’ll be happy with a one point victory in what will be our only home match this year.

The clash brings back memories of 50 years ago when Donegal met Tyrone in the Ulster Championship in Omagh in 1974, a year after the infamous game in MacCumhaill Park in 1973 when Neilly Gallagher ended up in hospital.

In 1974 we togged out in Ballybofey, got on the bus to Omagh and won and then got back on the bus and back to  Ballybofey immediately after the final whistle. We owed them that one after what happened the year before. We went on to win our second Ulster title later that year in 1974.

LADIES

I was so sorry for the Donegal Ladies who put up a great fight in their Ulster final against Armagh in Clones on Sunday last.  John McNulty’s side were rank outsiders going into the game yet they fought to the bitter end, taking the game to extra-time and then going ahead before finally losing by a point.

The young players will have gained a lot of experience and I wish them well in the All-Ireland series in the next few weeks.

The Donegal minors also lost out to Armagh at the weekend, losing their championship semi-final in Ballyshannon. They will now play in Tier 2 of the championship and hopefully can still have success.

Back on the club scene, the leagues are still going well although Bundoran have to travel to St Eunan’s this Sunday, a tough test for probably the youngest team in Division 1.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell