Quarter final at
new-look MacCumhaill Park
by Chris McNulty, for
Inishowen Independent
THE COUNTDOWN is on to Donegal’s Ulster Senior
Football Championship quarter final with Antrim at
Sean MacCumhaill Park on Sunday.
John Joe Doherty’s team will be gunning to do the
business against the Saffrons to book a semi final
date with Cavan in Clones on 27 June.
A Seanie Johnson-inspired Cavan overcame Fermanagh
0-13 to 1-9 at Breffni Park on Saturday night and
Tommy Carr’s team will take on the winner’s of
Sunday’s game in the Ulster semi final.
Despite coming up against what is regarded as the
weakest team in the province, Doherty was insistent
this week that he was not looking beyond Sunday’s
clash at the new-look Sean MacCumhaill Park.
“I would have too much respect for people involved
in Antrim football to be looking beyond it,” he
said. “That’s the only way we can go into it. Antrim
came here in my own playing days and had they got
the rub of the green they could have got a result
out of here. At this time of year, it’s just about
which team gets it right on the day.
“Antrim have loads of fine footballers. Antrim’s
preparation for the match will be exactly the same
as our’s. They will be coming here with nothing to
fear.”
Malin’s Charlie Byrne and Buncrana’s Odhran Doherty
have been included in Donegal’s 33-man championship
panel. Buncrana’s Ryan Bradley and Malin’s Declan
Walsh have been excluded from the panel at this
point, but the door will remain open to them should
Donegal progress in the championship.
Donegal are sweating on the fitness of Neil McGee
and Barry Dunnion, who are both struggling with rib
injuries, but on the plus side Neil Gallagher, Frank
McGlynn, Paddy McDaid and Karl Lacey are ready for
action.
Doherty has also taken heart by the performances of
players at club level with the likes of Kevin
Cassidy, Brendan Boyle, Christy Toye and Michael
Murphy all reported to be in good form of late.
“We’ve said all along that it was important for
players to be playing well for their clubs and I
think that they have done that right through since
the start of the club League,” John Joe said. “It is
encouraging, and it is encouraging as well for the
people who have been watching the club games.”
Having not played a competitive match since their
final game in the National Football League against
Derry on 12 April, the nine-week wait has been
frustrating for Doherty and company.
“It has been frustrating because you’re watching on
the telly, training away and playing challenge
games, so it’ll be nice to get into it.”
Donegal have trained in Ballybofey all this week
ahead of the game.
The senior game throws in at 3.30pm and is preceded
by the minor game between the counties at 1.45pm.
Patrons are asked to note that tickets are only
required for the Stand. Admission to the Stand will
be by ticket only and admission to the Terraces will
be on the day.
Tickets for the Stand cost €25 with OAPs to the
Stand €15. Admission to the terrace is €15, or €13
for OAPs, and can be paid for on the day. Children
U16 will be admitted free, to the terraces only.
Gates open at 12.30pm. |
