The Dr McKenna Cup returns this week and managers, players, and supporters alike are itching to get back to action.
We have had great weather over the festive period and hopefully the forecasted cold snap doesn’t interfere with the schedule over the weekend.
There are some lively games down for decision with Tyrone and Armagh squaring off under the lights on Friday evening.
Cavan and Monaghan meet on Saturday and Fermanagh have to wait for their match on Wednesday.
Donegal will then take on Derry on Sunday and I think a big support will come to O’Donnell Park for that match.
Donegal and Derry have had some good battles since 2021 and the signs are that the rivalry will keep going such is the talent coming through.
Luke Barrett has switched from the Donegal backroom to the Derry management and now his first game is back in Letterkenny.
I think there will be a good crowd at this match as I’ve been speaking to a lot of people who are keen to get out and see some football again.
I didn’t agree with shelving the McKenna Cup in the first place.
I know some counties don’t always field their strongest sides but plenty of teams were getting a lot from the matches.
Every county is playing challenge games anyway, so you may as well let people in and allow the interest to grow. There’s plenty of appetite for it locally.
You also learn more about a player in a competitive game than a challenge match.
Yes a McKenna Cup game doesn’t carry huge pressure but you can see how young players adapt to setbacks that might come their way.
The National League is just around the corner and it has a say on which championship you might end up playing in so teams are really working hard in January to get ready.
Donegal
I’m sure Jim and Donegal will be keen to make the best use of the McKenna Cup as they can and I would expect that there will be a good deal of experimenting.
I know they have played Leitrim, Westmeath and Meath in challenge games and they will have been working hard in training.
Quite a few members of last year’s panel won’t be involved on Sunday so that gives a chance for others to get in and show what they can do.
For the first time in 15 years, Patrick McBrearty won’t be part of the set-up after his retirement.
I’m sure it will be strange for Patrick himself to not be involved and he will be a loss to the Donegal dressing room.
Ciaran Thompson will also be unavailable as he is still coming back from the ACL injury he picked up in the All-Ireland Final.
The word going around is that Ciaran is making good progress and I think all Donegal fans will be hoping to see him back in the green and gold at some stage this season.
He probably won’t feature in the league but it’s hoped he will be back for the championship.
Odhran McFadden-Ferry has headed back to Australia, and I know Niall O’Donnell is also not part of the panel at the moment.
Niall has played a huge part in the last two Ulster Final triumphs and two-footed attackers will always be a loss, and Niall is a popular lad among the group as well.
Michael Murphy and Oisin Gallen are back on board but both went under the knife last year so I’d imagine they won’t be rushed back into the team. Donegal will need that important pair to be primed and ready for the big stuff later in the year.
With some key men missing, it does look like there will be forward spots up for the grabs in January and heading into the league and I’m sure there will be different players looking to get their chance.
Donegal are no different to any other county in that they want three quality forwards who can play high up the field, win their own ball, and take scores.
And you want quality defenders who can mark them.
In the middle third, Donegal do have good quality with Michael Langan and Hugh McFadden. Hopefully Jason McGee can get a good run in the team as well.
Kieran Gallagher has been in training with the panel following his super club campaign with Naomh Conaill.
Kieran has spent some time travelling but he’s a quality operator and I’m sure he will get a chance to impress.
You also have Max Campbell who is a really talented youngster and some of the Four Masters contingent will probably be blooded as well.
Derry will be looking to hit the ground running in January so we will probably know more about how Donegal are going and shaping up by Sunday afternoon.
Fermanagh
I’ve really enjoyed the last few weeks with the Fermanagh footballers and we have been working hard on the training field to get ready for the McKenna Cup.
We had a couple of good run-outs against Tyrone and Leitrim.
The boys have been putting in the hard work. Unfortunately we have had a lot of injuries which is frustrating but we are far from the only county in that position.
Our first game is against Cavan in Tempo on Wednesday and it’s a good chance for the players.
The Sigerson Cup is starting on Tuesday as well so it’s a hectic schedule for young players.
There’s a lot of time and effort involved and plenty of training but players love games and we are looking forward to getting started.
Mick McGinley
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Mick McGinley on Sunday.
Mick was a fine player in his youth and played for Donegal for three years.
He helped St Eunan’s College to the Rannafast Cup and also played in the MacRory Cup.
Mick was a proud son of Dunfanaghy and never forgot where he came from.
He lived in Dublin for many years but both Mick and his son Paul have been great supporters of Donegal GAA for many years.
I would like to pass on my condolences to his family at difficult times.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
