By Michael McMullan

GAOTH Dobhair manager Rónán Mac Niallais said Kilcar is as tough a draw as they could’ve got in this weekend’s Donegal quarter-finals.

Despite winning all four games during the championship’s group phase, Mac Niallais feels they’ll be underdogs, something that will suit his side.

“There is nothing like a good tough draw to focus the minds and get everyone thinking straight,” he said.

“Sometimes we struggle a little bit when we’re going as favourites. Our boys will know exactly what to do and they’ll have to make sure everything is done to the best of their ability for us to have a chance of winning.”

Gaoth Dobhair are content with where the squad are mentally and physically.

They are picking from a full deck with a belief then can win the game. It’s also a test to see if they have the credentials to go on and lift the Dr Maguire Cup.

Their early focus was on finishing in the top four to guarantee a quarter-final spot and have a week off.

“Going back to other years, when it came down to the latter games, there were a few injuries that cost us,” Mac Niallais said.

“We learned that it might have been important to get that week off, to give boys a bit of a rest and if we had niggles to clear them up.

“The last two years, we didn’t get to where we wanted to be, so we thought maybe it would be good to try a different route.

“We’ve achieved that but it doesn’t mean anything now if we don’t go out and win the quarter-final.”

Mac Niallais was impressed with what he saw from Kilcar. There was “a blip” at the end of the Downings game but their 16-point win over Glenswilly caught the eye.

“They put up good scores and they beat Eunan’s away, so most people will probably have them in as favourites this weekend even though we won four from four.”

Mac Niallais put their injury-free squad down to their strength and conditioning work amassed over the last two seasons.

With a late appointment in his first season at the helm, the conditioning plan hadn’t bedded down.

They have a better handle on it all now. Sean Gallagher took over from the work of Ciarán Gillespie during the 2024 campaign.

“They’ve put in a huge shift and Sean’s made sure everything’s been done right so they’re in good condition and no injuries at all so, touch wood, that continues,” Mac Niallais said.

“Last year was our first year of having a proper strength and conditioning programme in place with Ciarán and Sean just extending that.

“You’re really seeing the fruits of that now this year with the boys having the two years done.

“We’ve kept the same schedule of work and load. I’m sure Sean has done some things differently to Ciarán, but, overall, it’s been generally a continuation.”

Gaoth Dobhair were last winners of the Dr Maguire Cup in their Ulster-winning season of 2018.

They are one behind St Eunan’s on the roll of honour with 15, while Kilcar are bidding to add to the sixth title they won in 2017.