Mac's View: Really looking forward to club championships beginning this weekend

It is good to see the club championships up and running this weekend and hopefully we will see some good games. But it will probably be the later on when the knock-out stages start that the real action will emerge.

The senior championship will get underway in O’Donnell Park with St Eunan’s at home to Kilcar but with 12 of the 16 teams going through to the knockout stages, it will be a major surprise if any of the big guns are knocked out at the group stages.

But going through the eight senior games at the weekend here are the predictions:

St Eunan’s v Kilcar: St Eunan’s have a lot of players unavailable and injured including Peter McEniff who is in the US. Kilcar will have a chance with a lot of good players but Eunan’s should make home advantage count.

St Michael’s v Killybegs: I will give the nod to St Michael’s with home advantage. The return of Hugh McFadden and Eoghan Ban Gallagher will be a help but I’m hearing Ban might not be available for the opening game due to injury.

Cloughaneely v Naomh Conaill: I have to fancy Glenties. They will be just too strong.

St Naul’s v Glenswilly: This could be the game of the weekend. It’s their fourth meeting in four years in Mountcharles. The home side have three county players back and that will make them slight favourites. But any side that has Michael Murphy, and I believe he is in good shape, has a chance. It will be marginal and could be a draw.

MacCumhaill’s v Ardara: With Oisin Gallen back, I have to fancy MacCumhaill’s, who have been very good in the league.

Aodh Ruadh v Downings: I know Downings beat them in Ballyshannon in the league but I think Aodh Ruadh will win this time. I saw Maxi Curran over at the league game between Bundoran and Ballyshannon and he saw Ballyshannon at their worst.

Glenfin v Dungloe: I have to fancy Glenfin at home; they are not easy to beat down there.

Four Masters v Gaoth Dobhair: That could be a tight battle, but Gaoth Dobhair have their county men back and they did get to the league final. They haven’t been convincing but should be good enough to beat Four Masters, who are a work in progress.

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

In the Intermediate Championship we would be hopeful in Bundoran, especially with Jamie Brennan back and hopefully Paul Brennan available. There is a bit of a buzz about again.

Termon v Naomh Columba: I would give the nod to Termon, who are a very good young side. They are a coming side and they beat Ballyshannon in promotion play-off.

Letterkenny Gaels v Buncrana: Buncrana should be too strong even without Caolan McGonagle. The Gaels just find it hard to make that step up to Intermediate.

Na Rossa v  Naomh Muire: I have a slight fancy for Na Rossa just because they are at home. Anything can happen in a local derby and it could be a draw.

Red Hughs v Malin: Malin got to the final last year and are playing at a higher level than Red Hughs, but they could be pushed close.

Gaeil Fhánada v Milford: Another tasty local derby, I give the nod to Fanad with home advantage.

LADIES

I watched the Ladies finals in Croke Park on Sunday and while the senior final was very disappointing, the other two games were heartwarming.  I was pleased for the Kerry player Louise Ni Muircheartaigh, winning her medal after 17 years, but Galway were very  disappointing.

But what a performance by Letrim, playing fantastic football, to defeat Tyrone in the Intermediate final. I would normally be cheering for the Ulster team but I was really pleased for our neighbours. They had a couple of real class performers in Ailbhe Clancy, Muireann Devaney, Laura O’Dowd and Michelle Guckian.

The quality of the football was brilliant and Tyrone had some great performers too, including their midfielder.

Prior to that we had the Junior final with our other neighbours, Fermanagh, coming out on top against Louth and their top player Eimear Smyth was magnificent, especially her goal. I think she scored 1-9 of the 1-11 total.

Fair play to the Ladies and our own Micheal Naughton for putting on such a show. The crowd might have been down but there was a lot on at the weekend including the Olympics.

Congratulations to the three clubs in the south-west  of the county who were celebrating at the weekend - Ardara, Naomh Ultan and Kilcar, and it was good to see the President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, present for their big weekends.

Finally, this week, my condolences to the family of Sean Murphy, who was our goalkeeper here in Bundoran in the late 1970s when we won Intermediate and Senior championships. Sean was a very quiet and well-liked player. May he rest in peace.

Also condolences to John Murphy, Donegal Town on the death of his wife, Florrie. John is well-known throughout the GAA world and his love of Donegal will always be high.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell