BY RYAN FERRY

GAOTH Dobhair manager Rónán Mac Niallais feels he has a stronger squad at his disposal this season and they have their eyes set on landing the Dr Maguire Cup.

Mac Niallais is now in his third season and has led his club to a final and a semi-final over his first two seasons.

He would love if his side could push on and they will have Odhrán McFadden-Ferry this season while Odhrán Mac Nialllais is back in
the country.

Three county under 20s – Cathal Ó Gallchóir, Jordi Gribben, and Padraig Mac Giolla Bhríde – are also now eligible and the Magheragallon men feel that they have a stronger panel.

“I suppose in Gaoth Dobhair every year we go out, we think we have a chance of winning the championship.

“That’s just the tradition that we have.

“Probably squad wise I feel we are stronger this year when you add in a couple of younger lads and Odhrán (Mac Nialllais) is back.

“We always have eyes on the main prize. It doesn’t work out like that every year but that’s the standards that are expected in Gaoth Dobhair and this year is no different.”

Rónán Mac Niallais was content with how his men finished the league after a slow start to the Division 1 campaign.

“We had a terrible start to the league to be fair. We lost a Gaeltacht game and then we lost three league matches in-a-row.

“So that was four games on the trot, and in all my time, I can’t remember that happening to Gaoth Dobhair before so that was tough to take and tough to come out of.

“In fairness to the lads they were able to turn it around and they have done a lot of good work with Shaun Gallagher and are in good shape.

“Safety was a concern at one stage but we finished strong and you’re better off playing well at the end of the league rather than the start.”

County players Daire Ó Baoill, Odhran McFadden-Ferry, and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde as well as Donegal selector Neil McGee are all expected to play this season but Mac Niallais has given them a wide berth since the All-Ireland Final.

“We gave them eight or nine days just to chill out and we haven’t put any pressure on them.

“We might see them at training tonight (Tuesday) and we might see what the story is then.

“It’s very hard to go from that high to going back in to training with the club so we won’t pressure them and as long as we have them at some point we will be happy enough.”

Bainisteoir: Rónán Mac Niallais

Captain: Daire Ó Baoill

Last Year: SFC semi-finalists

Star Man: Daire Ó Baoill

One to watch: Cathal Ó Gallchóir