Ryan Ferry looks at the important battles ahead of the All-Ireland Semi-Final
Brendan McCole v Damien Comer
Brendan McCole has had good displays on Darragh Canavan and Shane McGuigan in the championship and his duel with Damien Comer will be an intriguing battle too.
He is strong and forceful, and is very hard to stop when he gets the ball in his hand.
Mayo’s David McBrien is one of the best full-backs in the country but he couldn’t handle Comer in the Connacht Final when they were left one-on-one.
Donegal will have seen that and they will have to try and get support for McCole.
Comer wasn’t at his best against Dublin the last day out, and he is struggling to get to 100% fitness.
That said, McCole will really have to be focused to keep him quiet.
Liam Silke.
Oisin Gallen v Liam Silke
Oisin Gallen has really taken on the mantle as Donegal’s go-to forward this year.
He has scored 2-30 across the seven games that Donegal have played so far and is always a huge threat from open play.
He has looked particularly lively in the last two games and will pull the trigger if he gets space.
Galway have a few options to pick up Gallen but opted to move Liam Silke from the half-back line to mark Con O’Callaghan in the quarter-final.
Silke is an experienced defender when it comes to man-marking roles with Galway and his club Corofin, he is rarely found wanting.
He’s strong and combative but will have to be alert for Gallen’s quick feet and intelligent movement.
Peadar Mogan on the ball against Dermot Campbell of Louth.
Peadar Mogan v Shane Walsh
It is going to be interesting to see what role the Donegal management have in store for Peadar Mogan this week.
Since the All-Ireland Series began, he has generally been following one of the opposition corner-forwards and trying to put them on the back foot.
It has worked very well so far on the likes of Darren McCurry (Tyrone) and Ciaran Keenan (Louth).
Robert Finnerty wouldn’t like to have to run after Mogan, but considering that Shane Walsh drifts out the field, he could be the man the St Naul’s star takes.
Walsh is a mercurial type of forward. He can be brilliant and kick super points off either foot or he can look totally disinterested.
Perhaps Donegal will feel that a more ‘out-and-out’ defender is needed but McGuinness has huge faith in Mogan, and he has met every challenge he has faced so far.
John Maher of Galway.
Michael Langan v John Maher
Michael Langan is a player that thrives in the Croke Park space and he was excellent in the quarter-final against Louth.
He tackled hard and forced turnovers but his ability to get on the end of moves in scoring positions was most pleasing.
The big St Michael’s man can kick points off either foot, and Donegal will need him to really be on song in the air particularly if Jason McGee doesn’t make it.
John Maher will probably wear the number 11 shirt but it’s in the engine room that he performs best.
Maher brings a huge amount of energy to the team and when he is on the ball, he is direct.
Maher did a good man-to-man marking job on Brian Fenton two weeks ago, and he could be tasked with getting close to Langan this time around.
Donegal’s Ryan McHugh sends his shot goal wards despite the attentions of Tyrone’s Darragh Canavan.
Ryan McHugh v Cillian McDaid
Ryan McHugh’s first experience in an All-Ireland semi-final was superb and he will be hoping for more of the same this Sunday.
In 2014, McHugh bagged two vital goals against Dublin and Donegal will need him on form if they are to make it through to the showpiece event.
Galway will have seen his influence throughout the year and they will be keen to keep a close eye on him.
McHugh has lined out at right half-back in every game this year, and with Cillian McDaid’s previous experience as a wing-back, he could be the man to track the Kilcar man’s runs.
McDaid is much more than just a stopper and he will try to test McHugh’s credentials going the other way, and he showed his class with a man-of-the-match display against Dublin.
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