BY RYAN FERRY

The Donegal Masters team began their season with a game against Tyrone and they will finish the campaign against the Red Hands in the All-Ireland Masters Final on Saturday in Kingspan Breffni Park.

It’s been a super season for Eddie Crawford’s Donegal.

They were invited to Glasgow in March and faced Tyrone and it’s been steady progress since that.

Donegal won the All-Ireland Plate last season and while that was a good achievement, there was a determination to qualify for the top final this season.

They have managed to do that but a star-studded Tyrone side that defeated them back in May in Carrickmore stand in their way.

“We know them well,” Crawford told the Donegal News.

“I was involved last year with Francie Martin and we played Tyrone.

“There’s no doubt about it that they are a very good side and a formidable outfit.

“They have a lot of quality there. They have at least three All-Stars with Marty McGrath, Conor Gormley, and Stephen O’Neill.

“They are a good side but we have a plan.

“We will see how it goes. We don’t have any big stars in our team but we have a good bond in our team and togetherness.

“That’s what has carried us through this year. We have trained hard and we have worked hard and that’s what got us through to the final.

“It’s been a great journey and there is an opportunity now to go and win the final.

“We won’t just be going there to enjoy ourselves. We are going there to win.”

Tyrone had to come through a play-off with Kerry before dealing with Dublin at the semi-final stage.

Donegal had to overcome Sligo after a replay and they were two titanic physical encounters.

“The semi-finals were huge games for us.

“We played Sligo at the start of the year and we beat them well.

“I had one eye on Sligo and I knew they were racking up big scores.

“I knew it would be a big challenge but semi-finals are all about getting over the line.

“They were two tough games and I hope that stands to us.

“With Masters football, people might have this misconception that they blow the whistle and players saunter about the pitch but that’s not what happens.

“When that whistle goes, there’s blood, sweat and tears.

“I was looking at the WhatsApp group and we had 46 players going to training on Tuesday night.

“That’s two-and-a-half teams and everyone is looking for a place on Saturday.

“We are in a good spot and we’re enjoying the week leading up to this but at the same time we are planning on beating Tyrone. There’s no sense in going up the road if you don’t think you can.”

Crawford says there are a few niggles but there are no major concerns arising from the club championship last week.

“Last weekend was a big worry for us as we tried to get everybody through unscathed.

“You have boys who have been playing senior football like Shaun Maguire and Ciaran Scanlon with Cloughaneely.

“The Thompsons (Aaron) and Leon are playing away for Glenties but I think everyone will be ok.

“Benny Boyle is a wee doubt. He got injured a couple of weeks ago playing up the North but he’s fairly positive.

“Eamon Ward got four staples in the head last week playing against Naomh Conaill thirds but I think they are out now.

“We will need everyone.”

Donegal don’t have a good record against Tyrone but they usually play their neighbours during the group phase in the summer months.

There’s always someone missing due to work or club commitments or holidays.

However, all players will make themselves available for an All-Ireland Final.

“I have been saying to the boys that Tyrone are going for five in-a-row All-Irelands and they are a good side but they are the same age as us.

“They are not playing twenty-year-olds.

“These boys are in their forties as well and sometimes teams are beat against Tyrone before they go on the pitch.

“But the way I look at it is that it’s 15 against 15. Of course they are a quality team, but I always say you need a certain amount of luck to win a championship and hopefully we get it this week.

“The weather could be a factor, it could be an injury to a couple of players, it could be a bad refereeing decision that could change a game.

“All these factors could come into play and I just hope our boys believe in themselves and take the game to them and see what happens.

“If you go out and give it your all and everyone gives 100% and you’re beat then you have to put your hands up and say you were beaten by a better team but I don’t like getting beat so we will be doing everything in our power to win. “