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Mind games ahead of Junior final
15.10.10
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Both managers say
opponents are favourites by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent SUNDAY sees one of the most anticipated local Gaelic football finals in years as Naomh Pádraig Iskaheen and Naomh Colmcille Newtown do battle to follow Carndonagh (2008) and Moville (2009) in becoming Donegal Junior Champions. (O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny, 3pm) Flags, bunting and banter are much in evidence in both Muff and Newtown and Sunday’s attendance is expected to be one of the biggest in years at a Junior final. Naomh Colmcille have reached the final the hard way, beating Downings in a first round play-off and Burt after extra time in the semi-final replay just two weeks ago. Managed by Dungiven native, Stephen Friel, the Newtown side have exceeded all expectations – except perhaps their own – to reach a first county final since 1998. Naomh Pádraig Iskaheen have accounted for Red Hugh’s, Convoy and Lifford en route to their first ever adult championship final appearance. |
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Both managers have been
engaging in mind games, playing down their chances ahead
of Sunday’s decider and installing their opponents as
favourites. “We haven’t beaten Muff in any competition in the two years that I’ve been here, so they must be considered strong favourites for Sunday,” Stephen Friel said. “Their pedigree is much greater than ours and they are a solid, well-coached outfit.” Meanwhile, Muff manager Aiden McAleer reckons Newtown are the form team. “Naomh Colmcille have to be the favourites. They beat Downings twice and got the upper hand on Burt too, and both those teams would have been highly fancied when the season began. “Naomh Colmcille seem to have the knack of raising themselves for the big games. And with players of the calibre of Barry O’Hagan, Thomas McKinley and Richie Clarke, that’s not surprising. It doesn’t surprise me that Newtown are in the final and pushing hard for promotion. If I had an All-Ireland winner and an All-Ireland U21 finalist in my team, I’d be expecting to win the Junior Championship and gain promotion.” Naomh Colmcille are without the long-term injured duo of PJ McGrath and Mark Dowds, but otherwise have a full panel to chose from. Veteran goalkeeper Marty Callaghan has been a vital line of defence for the Newtown men, with Alex Devenney and Thomas McKinley leading an impressive defensive unit that has conceded just 7-38 in their five championship games to date. Richie Clarke and Ciaran Devine provide a settled looking midfield, while up |
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| Naomh Colmcille boss, Stephen Friel | |
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front Ryan McErlean and
former Fanad Gaels player Ciaran Gallagher chip in with
the scores. However, Newtown’s key man is Armagh
All-Ireland winner Barry O’Hagan, who transferred to the
club this year from Clan na Gael in Lurgan. O’Hagan has top scored for Naomh Colmcille with 22 points in the championship, but that only tells half the story as he is instrumental in most attacks and is always available to take a pass from the teammate. Naomh Pádraig too have a clean bill of health to choose from, and manager Aiden McAleer has a strong panel to choose from. Enda McColgan and John McLaughlin anchor the defence while Colm McColgan can dominate games from midfield. Former Donegal minor Aidan Lynch, Declan McLaughlin and Mark Duffy are Muff’s main scorers and McAleer also has a strong bench to choose from with Dermot McColgan, Oisin McColgan and Damian Diver all expected to be held in reserve. Burt joint manager Benny McDermott, whose team has played both finalists this season, says Sunday’s match promises to be an entertaining one. “I feel Muff will take it, they are physically stronger than Newtown but there will be only a point or two in it,” McDermott said. “They have some very good ball players and lots of scoring options.” “But you can’t write off Newtown’s chances either,” he continued. “They beat us in the replay and deserved it because they have that little bit of extra quality and. To be honest, having beaten both Downings and Burt Newtown probably deserve to win the title – and they very well might. “But I feel Muff might just have enough about them to nick it.” For full coverage of all your weekend sport, read the Inishowen Independent. |
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