Donnelly eyes a competitive Dr Maguire Cup race

By Michael McMullan

ST Eunan’s have an outside chance of winning the league in Donegal but their manager Kieran Donnelly’s mind is also focused on their preparations for championship.

The Letterkenny side are joint-second with Dungloe, a point behind leaders Four Masters, with a game to go.

St Eunan’s face Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon, Four Masters take on MacCumhaill’s, while Dungloe are up against bottom of the table Naomh Mhuire.

Reigning champions Termon can still come into the frame if they overcome neighbours Glenswilly.

Creggan prepared for long championship run-in

The draw for the championship was made this week leaving the clubs in Donegal looking ahead to their opening tests.

St Eunan’s were drawn against Aodh Ruadh Ballyshannon in the opening round followed by a clash with MacCumhaill’s.

With the county team out of the race for Sam, it allows more time for players to rest and set their eyes on club glory.

Eoin McGeehin’s goal helped St Eunan’s to a 2-9 to 0-12 victory over Naomh Conaill but his manager said the return of county players is an ‘individual’ thing.

“I’ve seen both sides of it so I appreciate the amount of time given to county football,” said Kieran Donnelly, who stepped away from his role as Fermanagh manager last season.

“I’ve had plenty of experience with the Scotstown (when he was manager) players as well – we had five or six in the Monaghan squad at that time.

“It’s all very much individual, we had Eoin McGeehin who played with us last weekend because he hadn’t made the 26 the week before and just wanted game time.

“For the players that need a break, the likes of Shane (O’Donnell), Ciarán Moore and Shaun Patton, they just get that bit of extra time.

“It’s time that they need obviously because the county is such an intense environment, more so now than ever. They need a mental break as much as a physical break.”

Fresh

Donnelly looks at the benefit of players coming back fresh before eyeing an assault on the Dr Maguire Cup, which they last won in 2024.

He uses the example of last season when county players were back in championship action within weeks of Donegal’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry.

“That is really tough on a club’s county player and tough on the club for preparation and then tough on the players,” Donnelly points out.

“This year, they will get the break they deserve and probably they need too.”

This week will be the first time clubs will arrive at training knowing they step into the championship arena against.

Donnelly has taken over as manager and has enjoyed the season so far.

“It has been refreshing,” he said. “St Eunan’s are a great club numbers wise, the way they are run and they have good players.

“The football (in the county) is of a high standard as you’d expect with Donegal doing so well the past two or three years.”

Donnelly said the players are keen to push on but is fully aware of the competitive nature of the club scene

“It’s the same with all top teams in any county, the St Eunan’s lads, there’s a lot of leaders within the current group outside the county squad.

“Players that have been in the county squad before and there’s a hunger there.

“We realise there’s a potential within this group but we know it’s a seriously competitive championship. There are three or four teams that believe they can win it and rightly so.

“The competition is high and the standard is high. The lads are very focused and realise that championships aren’t easy won and there’s a lot of hard work that goes into winning them.”