Ryan Gildea, Rathmullan Celtic.
A PLACE in the Premier Division of the Donegal League next season is at stake this Sunday, when Rathmullan Celtic and Donegal Town meet in a play-off in Ballyare at 2pm.
It is not a position that Rathmullan had envisaged finding themselves in as they worked hard on the beach during pre-season.
However, after a decent opening, they faltered badly in the second half of the campaign, and failed to win in the months of February, March and April.
“At the start of the season, we were optimistic I suppose, and we definitely were hoping to avoid this kind of situation,” said player-manager Dara Patton.
“We had brought in a few new men, and we didn’t know how they would bed in with the fellas that have been there for the last couple of years.
“The lads did actually settle in ok and we got off to a good start, and you didn’t think at that stage that you would be struggling to stay up.
“But the league really is ultra competitive. Any team can beat any team on any given day.
“We had four or five games that we just lost out by one goal. Some days they just don’t go for you.
“We don’t want to go down, so we will just have to focus this week on trying to get the right result.”
FOR FULL PREVIEW OF THE BIG MATCH, DON’T MISS TOMORROW’S DONEGAL NEWS
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)