BY MATTHEW WILSON
ST Eunan’s manager Kieran Donnelly is anticipating a tough encounter when his outfit travel to Rosses Park this Saturday for a meeting with Dungloe.
St Eunan’s were on the winning side last time out, defeating Glenfin by 10 points at Pairc Tabhoige on Sunday.
The opening half of this encounter was a finely balanced affair, with just one-point separating the two teams at the interval.
However, the Letterkenny men produced a dominant display after the restart to secure a convincing victory on the road which pleased the St Eunan’s manager.
“I thought we played well in the second half, I thought we controlled possession. A bit like all the games now at county level and club level, it’s all about momentum.
“We just got our hands on kickouts and a lot of their kickouts, that was it. I thought we controlled possession well, got some vital scores at key moments and we stretched out the lead.
“That was the big thing in the second half, kickouts and kickout dominance from our behalf.”
“I’m pleased with it because Glenfin are a good team. They’d a good win last weekend against MacCumhaills so we knew that this was a tough place to come. We’re just delighted to get the two points.”
It was a mixed start to the league campaign for St Eunan’s, earning a late share of the spoils against Four Masters at Tir Conaill Park in their opening game before losing out to Glenswilly on home soil seven days later.
Following this, the O’Donnell Park residents have begun to find their feet under their new manager by picking up two successive wins against Gaoth Dobhair and Glenfin.
Getting his first taste of Donegal football, Donnelly expressed that the competition is high at club level but he feels that his side are continuously improving.
“It is a tough league. Donegal are one of the top counties in Ireland so the league is going to be tough.
“It’s all about performance at this stage of the year. We’ve blooded a lot of young players, a lot of our younger players that have come in and started have been excellent and that’s a massive plus.
“I think that’s what the league is all about, finding players and having a level of performance that you can carry into the championship and a style of play. I think we’re steadily finding those things.”
The Letterkenny club are without the services of a number of players at the moment due to county commitments, while they are also down a number of individuals who are currently sidelined with injuries.
However, this has opened the door for younger players to put themselves into the picture and make their mark in the St Eunan’s side.
As the former Fermanagh boss mentioned, they have given minutes to a number of youthful individuals to date in the league campaign and he discussed that he’s been delighted with their application since he arrived at the club.
“Totally, we are missing a massive number of players. We have a big squad but it’s all about exposure at this level for the younger players.
“That’s what this has allowed us. It’s forced us into that but I have to admit, all of the boys have been excellent to date since I’ve arrived and their training has been top level.
“They’ve deserved their chances and it’s great to see the young players stepping up when they do get the chance.”
St Eunan’s are back in action this Saturday when they make the trip down to Rosses Park for a meeting with Dungloe in a repeat of the 2024 Donegal Senior Championship Final.
Like St Eunan’s, Dungloe are also under new management this term, with Noel McBride taking over the helm at the club.
They’re sitting on three points from their first three league outings and the Fermanagh native looking forward to the test that they present for his side.
“I’m getting to see Donegal now between Gaoth Dobhair and Dungloe, there’s plenty of distance and travelling but I’m enjoying that side of it.
“Dungloe were in a county final a few years ago so they’re a team of pedigree as well. Again, we’ll get plenty of challenges down there and an away fixture so I’m looking forward to that as well.”