DOWNINGS coach Kevin Gallagher is expecting an intriguing and competitive County Final when Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill face-off next Sunday.

The pair have had some real battles down through the years, with them meeting in the famous trilogy in 2019 as well as the 2023 decider

Title winning teams are built on solid defences and Gallagher thinks that whichever one comes out on top next weekend could go a long way to determining who prevails on the day.

“Gaoth Dobhair are going in under the radar and that’s the way that Rónán (MacNiallais) and Francie (Friel) will like it. I honestly think this game is 50/50 and whichever defence comes out on top will probably prevail on the day.”

“Both teams have had key performances all year from their defensive unit. You’ve got Finnbarr Roarty, Max Campbell and Kevin McGettigan all chipping in with scores.”

“Gaoth Dobhair have Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde who got a goal last week and Ethan Harkin who’s running from deep and kicking scores for fun.”

“Gary McFadden is probably one of the best out and out man markers in club football. I think he’ll have a big part to play because he’s going to be picking up Eoghan McGettigan or Shea Malone so it’s going to be intriguing.”

As well as the defensive units, Gallagher also feels that the midfield battle could go a long way to deciding the outcome of next Sunday’s senior showpiece.

Kieran Gallagher has had a tremendous campaign to date in the middle of the park and with Ethan O’Donnell also in that middle zone, they’ll be tough to stop.

However, Gallagher feels that the Maghergallon men have the personnel themselves in that middle sector to counteract the Naomh Conaill threat.

“Whatever about what defence comes out on top, whichever midfield also comes out on top in kickouts is key. Possession from kickouts is vital and it really is going to be a deciding factor. If you can get your hands on the ball from opposition kickouts then you’re dictating the tempo and you’re dictating the play.”

“I was highly impressed with Kieran Gallagher and his fielding power. Gaoth Dobhair probably has the personnel to counteract that height wise with Peter McGee and Domhnall MacGiolla Bhride, it’s going to be intriguing.”

“I believe Daire Ó Baoill is going to have a massive role. He’s the marquee player for Gaoth Dobhair, he’s going to take a bit of watching at 11. It’ll be interesting who they put on him, he’s going to have to be man marked.”

With all things considered, we’re in for an extremely competitive and interesting contest when these two teams take to the field at O’Donnell Park next Sunday.

It’s a finely poised encounter and the Downings coach anticipates that the two sides may be inseparable come the full-time whistle but has a ‘sneaky feeling’ for Gaoth Dobhair.

“I really do think that unless one team gets a couple of goals early on then it’ll go down to the wire. I’ve said since last week that I fancy a draw in 60 minutes.”

“I just have a sneaky feeling for Gaoth Dobhair, they seem to be going in under the radar. There’s more talk for Naomh Conaill, they have the experience, they have the know how, they probably have the better team on paper but it’s winter football now, if it’s windy next week then it’s whatever team adapts to the conditions the best.”