Donegal phase one almost compete

By Michael McMullan

WE’LL not find out who’ll take home the Dr Maguire Cup for the winter this weekend but we will know four clubs who won’t.

The final round of group games will take place with the bottom four teams in the Donegal Senior Championship omitted from the knock-out stages and faced with the threat of relegation.

At the other end of the scale, the top four teams will advance straight to the quarter-finals.

As for the middle eight, they enter a round of play-offs with the winners joining in at the quarter-final stage.

All eight games will take place on Sunday (3pm) which will generate plenty of interest with teams having a vested interest in what is happening elsewhere.

Glenswilly are top of the pile with three wins and they are at home to MacCumhaills who will be the wounded dog after their heavy defeat at the hands of champions Naomh Conaill.

The only other team with a 100 per cent record are St Michael’s who face the spin to Magheragallan to take on a Gaoth Dobhair, who inflicted the only defeat of the campaign on St Eunan’s.

The Letterkenny side will travel to Downings with the bit between their teeth to grab a win that could still take them into the top four.

There could be score difference permutations at stake and it could be the same for Downings who will have eyes on a place in the last 12 with a puncher’s chance of taking their season a step further.

Naomh Conaill will host Aodh Ruadh knowing they have the best score difference of the teams currently on four points and another win would give them a chance of avoiding the a play-off to reach the last eight.

Kilcar will be favourites at home to Cloughaneely with the visitors joined at the bottom of the table by Glenfin and St Naul’s.

After winning their first game at the weekend, Killybegs could have the momentum to climb the table when they welcome Glenfin.

Four Masters have a chance to push themselves towards the top four when they travel to Ardara. Dungloe. meanwhile, welcome St Naul’s knowing a win would put them six points ahead of the business end.