It was disappointing for Donegal supporters that the Derry game didn’t go ahead as planned last week.
It’s that time of year when you’re looking at the weather forecast all week hoping there’s no storms or snow on the way.
I’ve said before that I think January should just be left free and we should start the season in February.
That probably won’t happen with the split season but it’s challenging for teams at this time of the year.
Somebody said to me why didn’t they just move the game forward by 24 hours when there was a threat of snow for Sunday but these things are easier said than done.
County teams have plans in place for weeks and it’s not just always as simple as scrapping them and changing the schedule.
The authorities also might have thought the snow wouldn’t be that bad. To be fair the pitch was playable but the travel involved to Letterkenny was an issue and you have to go with safety first.
It was interesting that Jim named a strong panel to play Derry.
Michael Langan was the captain and while there hasn’t been official confirmation as to who will succeed Patrick McBrearty, Michael would be a good choice.
He’s one of the top players in the game and has developed into a real leader.
There was a time when you wouldn’t see too many of the first-teamers in the McKenna Cup but with the league coming in three weeks, players need minutes and Ryan McHugh and Hugh McFadden were in the side.
It was also good to see Jason McGee included. Jason has had injury-hit campaigns over the last few years and it would be great if his body could get through the league unscathed.
Paul O’Hare and Eoin McGeehin were also in the team and those two men have performed well for their respective clubs.
I had a look at Eoin a few years ago when I was manager but he was still in college and couldn’t commit but he’s a good player who knows how to score goals and hopefully will get a chance.
As I mentioned last week, there are spots up for grabs inside with Patrick retired and Michael Murphy and Oisin Gallen still coming back from injury.
Donegal travel to Cargin on Sunday to face Antrim and they should get a good test in that match. I would still expect Donegal to come through with a win.
I saw Derry’s team for Wednesday night’s match with Antrim and it was strong with Gareth McKinless back from injury while Jack Doherty and Matthew Downey have returned to the fold and they have good youngsters coming through.
It was a tough campaign last year but I think Derry will make strides forward.
Tyrone got the better of Armagh in a good game in front of seven thousand people.
It looks like Petie Harte has called time on his Tyrone career and he’s been a great servant.
Rian O’Neill isn’t involved at the moment for Armagh and that’s a pity.
Hopefully Rian can come back at some stage as he is a classy player.
It was a frustrating week with Fermanagh as we weren’t able to get on the pitch for four or five days.
That may not seem like a big deal but when you are preparing for the National League, you don’t want to lose any time.
We have games with Cavan and Monaghan this week and that will hopefully give us a read on where we are before we begin our Division 3 campaign.
Club semi-finals
We were treated to two super semi-finals last weekend.
Scotstown came up short against St Brigid’s and I think they will have regrets.
They just weren’t able to impose themselves on the game in the manner that they would have liked.
They had loads of the ball but just didn’t use it as well as they would have liked and coughed up possession too easily.
St Brigid’s didn’t make the same mistakes and I thought they were brilliant defensively.
They were tuned in and knew not to concede frees out past the ‘D’ and allow Rory Beggan to come up the field and kick two-pointers.
It was big for Scotstown to win the Ulster title they crave but I think they will be disappointed not to have reached the All-Ireland Final.
In fairness, St Brigid’s were there two years ago and probably should have beaten Watty Graham’s.
They have battled back well and with Conor Carroll transferring in, they have solved a problem in goals.
When you add in three county defenders, two midfielders and two forwards, then Brigid’s have a really nice balance.
The Roscommon men will take on Dingle in the final and that should be a good tussle.
I was watching Saturday’s semi-final and Ballyboden were well ahead and appeared to be cruising through to the final.
I then got a phone call and by the time I got back to the TV, I couldn’t believe Dingle had managed to force extra-time.
The Kerry champions fell behind again in the additional time but they just didn’t cave in.
Paul Geaney had a calf injury and couldn’t start but he was like a man possessed when he came on and Tom O’Sullivan was excellent as well.
Dingle play a lovely brand of football and I think it could be a cracker in the final.
It’s also brilliant that Mark O’Connor will be able to play after Geelong granted him permission.
Mark is a professional Australian Rules player and they are in the middle of their season.
Sometimes in sport, we are too focused on results and we forget that there are people involved.
It’s going to be a huge occasion for O’Connor and his community and I’m sure he would have been gutted to miss out.
Yeah there’s a threat he could pick up an injury but he could do that in pre-season as well.
I’m sure Mark will still be doing the right things for his pre-season between now and the final, and when he returns to Australia he won’t forget the gesture that Geelong have paid him.
The Glenullin ultras certainly brought plenty of colour to Ballyshannon for the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final and they are now through to the decider where they will meet An Gaeltacht from Kerry.
Clogher from Tyrone will face another Kerry side Ballymacelligott in the Junior Final.
Kerry teams are always hard to beat in those finals but what a great experience it must be to head to Croke Park with your club.
Sad week
It’s been a really sad week in Donegal.
The Naomh Conaill club are in mourning following the death of Seamus O’Malley.
Seamus was a gentleman and a great supporter of Naomh Conaill.
I’m sure he got great pride from watching his son John lift the Dr Maguire Cup last October.
I would like to pass on my condolences to the family and clubmates at this time.
It has also been a very difficult week for the Ardara club and community as they come to terms with the death of their former club chairman Stephen McCahill.
It’s just so hard to fathom and I think people are just numb since the news came through.
I would have got to know Stephen really well after the All-Ireland in 1992 as he was basically the man that looked after Sam Maguire and where it was going.
He was a sound man and always very accommodating.
It’s devastating for Ardara and I just hope Stephen’s family and friends and clubmates can find the strength they need at this time.
