The second round of games in the group phase of the Donegal SFC took place at the weekend – and our panel has put together a Team of the Week.
The team includes players from St Eunan’s, Kilcar, Gaoth Dobhair, Ardara, Malin, Burt, Naomh Conaill, Killybegs and St Michael’s.
1. Blake Forkan (St Eunan’s)
Forkan got the nod ahead of Matthew Gallagher from St Eunan’s joint-managerial team of Eddie Brennan and Barry Meehan for the 0-13 to 0-8 defeat of Dungloe. Forkan saw Ryan Greene rattle the crossbar with a fifth minute penalty but the St Eunan’s netminder was first to the dropping ball to clear before making a point-black stop from Cory Gallagher on the stoke of half-time and then getting a vital touch as Ryan Greene got in one-on-one in the second half
2. Barry McGinley (Kilcar)
Meetings between Ardara and Kilcar have always had more than an edge to them. Kilcar made sure they didn’t trip up this weekend with a routine win. Corner-back McGinley has been one of their unsung heroes of late and gave another solid hour’s work in Pearse Park. A no-nonsense player, McGinley caught the eye as Kilcar made it two-from-two.
3. Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
There was a scarcity of stand-out full-backs at the weekend, but McGee manned the house well for Gaoth Dobhair, even if Glenswilly didn’t test them how they might have wished. On the occasions Michael Murphy ventured inside, McGee was the sticking plaster. Murphy managed just one point from play over the hour and McGee helped his side keep a clean sheet.
4. John Ross Molloy (Ardara)
Ardara were always going to be up against it when Kilcar, last year’s county finalists, rolled up in Kentucky. Ardara are in a rebuilding phase again and back in Division 2 of the League. But a number of young players, among them John Ross Molloy, are giving hope around Pearse Park. From a defensive sentry, Molloy fisted in a goal and added a point to a sound display even if his team did lose out.
5. Declan Walsh (Malin)
When Malin needed a big moment on Saturday evening, they turned to Walsh – and he provided it. Former All-Ireland winner Walsh curled over a delicious second-half point to give them a two-point cushion against MacCumhaills. Walsh was involved so often at Connolly Park and was a real headache for MacCumhaills.
6. Eamon McGee (Gaoth Dobhair)
The former Donegal star lined out at midfield for Gaoth Dobhair, but slots in here as his display helped curb any notions Glenswilly might’ve had about coming back into it. Glenswilly were held at arm’s length by a sturdy Gaoth Dobhair, for whom McGee was pivotal. McGee was central to Gaoth Dobhair’s win over the champions.
7. Paul McHugh (Burt)
McHugh was perhaps the brightest spark as Burt took honours in the IFC last year with a series of standout performances. On Saturday night at Naomh Muire, McHugh continued that trend with another dominating display from centre-back, kicking two scores int he process as his team went from west to east with a two-point victory
8. Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
Naomh Conaill might’ve been expected to put Four Masters to bed with relative ease on Sunday, but Martin Regan’s men had to really earn the 1-9 to 0-11 home win. Four Masters belied their lowly League position with a gutsy display. Thompson scored one of the two key scores late on as Naomh Conaill stumbled to the win. Thompson was one of the few stand-outs at Davy Brennan Park on a day when his side was short of leaders.
9. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
Although Killybegs were missing Eoghan Ban Gallagher – who is in Australia for an Aussie Rules trial – Hugh McFadden rose to the challenge in Fintra as Killybegs saw off Termon on Saturday evening. McFadden was in fine form with six points and a display of real drive as Killybegs moved into touching distance of a quarter-final spot.
10. James Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair, pictured)
James Carroll was one of the mainstays of the Donegal Under-21s in 2010, but didn’t make the senior breakthrough and spent some time abroad. Carroll, back in 2006, won a Donegal SFC with Gaoth Dobhair in his youth, but neither he or his club have been back to the glory days since. Carroll led the way for Gaoth Dobhair in a fine win over Glenswilly on Sunday evening. Landed five points in all, including one super 43m score just before half-time.
11. Christy Toye (St Michael’s)
St Michael’s were in trouble when they shipped 2-2 in the first eight minutes of their game against Bundoran, but Michael Kelly’s men dug out the win. Veteran Toye, who has recently returned to action following a spell out with an injury, gave St Michael’s the platform. Had a big hand in a few key scores in the first half and and scored twice himself.
12. Dáire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair)
Attacks were few and far between in Magheragallon on Sunday evening in a cagey affair between Gaoth Dobhair and Glenswilly. Ó Baoill was one of the evening’s few participants who had a certain purpose about him. Put himself about to good effect and had a big hand in the game’s only goal, finished off by Cian Mulligan.
13. Benny Fildara (Malin)
The weekend’s ace marksman. Benny Fildara pointed the way for Malin with an inspired display at Connolly Park which yielded a superb 1-8 against Sean MacCumhaills. A real livewire, he posted eight points before adding a late goal. Fildara had an earlier effort that came off the post and the second time, after the ball again rebounded off the goal-frame, he was on hand to tuck home his own rebound. “It’s my job. I’m here to score,” he said of his exploits.
14. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
If Kilcar are to repeat last year’s trick of reaching the county final, they’ll want Patrick McBrearty in top form. McBrearty scored 2-2 in Ardara as Kilcar eased to a 3-9 to 1-6 win. Ardara couldn’t handle the Donegal star, who burst in along the end line to blast home his first goal and he hammered home in style late on for his second, Kilcar’s third.
15. Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
In the opening minutes at The Bridge, Brennan threatened to single-handedly win the game for Bundoran. The Donegal attacker hit 2-2 in total, with the two goals coming inside the first eight minutes. Profited from an error for the first, but could be no question about his second, an excellent run and an equally fine finish.
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