KEVIN CASSIDY: Then there were eight

HERE we go. We are at the quarter-final stages here in Donegal but we nearly didn’t make it.

Most of you might have seen the footage circulating online of the game between Reigning champions St Eunan’s and Termon.

Termon made a substitution, but before the player being taken off had fully left the field of play, the player who came on gathered possession from a free kick and scored what proved to be the winner.

I was watching the game and, to be honest, at the time I didn’t even notice it but soon clips started to circulate.

Long story short, the St Eunan’s club help a club meeting and whilst they thought they had a strong case they decided against lodging and appeal.

If the appeal had been lodged, I’m sure we would have been looking at a significant delay in this year’s championship. Thankfully now that’s not the case.

I am not privy to what went on at that meeting, but from where I’m standing, I’d say the club looked at the season as a whole before making their decision.

St Eunan’s had a fantastic season last year winning the Donegal title and running Errigal Ciaran close in Ulster.

At the start of this campaign, they would have been strong favourites. Truth being told, they just never reached the heights of last season.

I know from experience that the year after winning a championship can be difficult. Every other team in the county will raise their game to beat you and the little extra sacrifices that you all made last year to reach the top start to slip a little and that’s how you get caught.

St Eunan’s looked a shadow of themselves this year and I’d say that played a major part in their decision not to appeal.

On the pitch, this weekend there are a number of very exciting games. The pick of the ties is probably the game between ourselves in Gaoth Dobhair and Kilcar.

Both teams have shown glimpses of what they can do and if they hit form both teams are capable of hitting the heights that can potentially take them to the top.

Given what happened last weekend, the focus will be on all officials this weekend in all games. No, official or the County Board for that matter, will want anything being a talking point this weekend outside of the game itself.

Enda McFeely has been appointed to this game at the weekend and I think that’s a sensible appointment on the County Board’s part.

Enda is a strong referee and he won’t be swayed by any interference on or off the pitch and that’s exactly what you need from your top officials especially in these types of games.

Donegal is in the spotlight now, so let’s hope all games pass this weekend without incident and we all get back to talking about the football and not errors made by officials.

With all games being streamed now, these errors are online before you have the change to get out of the shower so that brings its own pressures.

Back to the football and based on recent form and teams that they have beaten, Kilcar will enter the game as favourites. They have a nice blend of youth and experience and when you have the likes of Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh in your ranks then that speaks for itself.

Paddy on his day can win any county game on his own so you can imagine just how hard it is to tie him down at club level.

The winner of this game will find themselves in a great position having played a very good team in the quarter final so they will be battle hardened.

The game takes place in Glenties on Saturday evening and it should be a real cracker for the neutral.

Elsewhere another big clash sees last year’s beaten finalists Dungloe face off against an up and coming Four Masters team.

This Masters team have real potential with a lot of minor and u-20 players in their ranks so they will be looking to take another step in their development this weekend.

Termon face off against Naomh Conaill and after their deserved win over St Eunan’s the men from the Burn Road won’t fear the Glenties lads. This should be a cracker.

MacCumhaills face off against St Michael’s in what is again a very evenly contested game with both teams believing they can win it.

MacCumhaills were missing Oisín Gallen and this game might hinge on whether or not he is available this weekend.

Before I sign off, I have to talk about the championship that just keeps on giving.

The Tyrone Championship is in full swing now and it has to be said that it’s head and shoulders above any of its competitors in terms for drama and excitement.

Their games always seem to be on a knife edge and it’s great to get the chance to see most of these games because that is championship football at its very best.