Mac's View: Low scoring is talking point in championship games

We had the Donegal senior championship semi-finals at the weekend and the big talking point was the low scores in both games. But on the other hand all the games in Donegal since the quarter-final stage have been very close with only one game having a two point margin.

The first of the semi-finals on Saturday night in Ballybofey was a disappointing enough match between St Eunan’s and Gaoth Dobhair. The scoreline of 0-8 to 0-7 reflects that and Gaoth Dobhair were unfortunate not to get an equaliser and take the game to extra-time. Dáire Ó Baoill had a chance but it was a pressure kick from some way out. He had got one earlier and I would have liked to see Gaoth Dobhair get the draw and the extra-time.

Overall, I felt St Eunan’s were marginally the better team although the eight point tally doesn’t do justice to the amount of talent that they have. They just didn’t put scores on the board and there does seem to be a lack of scoring in games at the moment.

I know we are going to have trial games in Croke Park at the end of October to find ways of improving the game, which is not easy to watch at the moment.

It is the same throughout the country and something will have to be done. Hopefully, Jim Gavin and his men will come up with something. The ball can be kicked longer and more often. It was something that Kerry did in the past and was unique to Kerry, but they have now adapted to what the other counties are doing, out of necessity, which is hard to say.

I always enjoyed the way Kerry played the game. I remember when I was coaching we used to have days when we would have a practice match with no hop or solo. It makes the players think and get used to playing the ball first. It might be something that has to be revisited.

But St Eunan’s are in the county final now and there is no doubt that they are the strongest team in the county at the moment.

I really enjoyed the second semi-final on Sunday between Dungloe and St Michael’s. Dungloe played against the wind in the first half and went in ahead at half-time. They then went 8-4 up before St Michael’s started their comeback. But they kicked nine second half wides and that didn’t help them.

Michael Langan was well contained in the first half and seemed slightly rusty. But he seemed to progress in the second half and at the end of the day it was a game that St Michael’s will say they left behind.

However, it is good to see Dungloe back in the final. I believe their last one was 60 years ago in 1964 although there was a Rosses Rovers team that we (St Joseph’t) beat in 1970 which covered the entire parish.

Dungloe have prospered well even though they were playing in Division 2 of the league. Hopefully we will have a good county final on the back of it.

LADIES FINAL

It was a great weekend for Ladies football with finals in all grades. It was a big weekend for Dungloe Ladies as they lifted the Intermediate crown prior to their men making the county final.

Congratulations also to Downings on winning the Junior title and Termon on winning the senior crown once more. And a special word of congratulations to Geraldine McLaughlin on scoring 3-5 in the final, what a player. Her scoring statistics over the years are just phenomenal. There is a great club down there in Termon now. I remember them coming up to play Bundoran a good while ago with Paddy Murray involved at the time. Tommy Ryan’s father was a founding member and Tommy gave them great service

Good luck to all the winners when they play in Ulster in the coming weeks.

We have the  Junior and Intermediate finals this weekend and Naomh Columba are my tip to overcome Termon. I tipped them earlier in the year and I will stick with them. I know they have lost Philip Doherty, a big loss, but I’m hearing Termon have a few injury worries also.

In the Junior final it is an all-Inishowen affair, which is great to see. Carndonagh will be strong favourites to overcome Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin, in that game.

But I return to my hobby horse. Bundoran finished playing on 15th September and they will not kick a ball now until Easter, something that has to be looked at. Maybe we should be running an internal nine-a-side league. 

I’m reading the papers every day and there is no GAA news. The only few lines are about managers being appointed. I see Kieran McGeeney is staying on in Armagh, which is no surprise, while Derry are still without a manager. It is a big job now and it can be contentious in filling and then there is the pressure of being expected to bring success right away.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell