Silverware up for grabs on penultimate Donegal weekend

By Michael McMullan

IT’S a case of four into two doesn’t go with the Intermediate and Junior football titles down for decision in Donegal this weekend.

Termon have been the favourites before a ball was kicked in the Intermediate race and they face Naomh Columba on Sunday at O’Donnell Park.

Injury to county panellist Philip Doherty was a blow to Naomh Columba’s hopes, but they were able to hold of last year’s beaten finalists Malin in the semi-final.

Paddy Byrne and Ryan McNern each registered 1-1 with Aaron Doherty also among the scorers.

Brendan Doherty will need a top-drawer performance from his team this weekend.

Termon, three-time winners, backed up a consistent league campaign by winning all six championship games to date. The fact they were forced to dig deep will do them no harm on Sunday.

Enda McCormick, Bobby McGettigan and Daire McDaid – who hit 2-5 in the semi-final against Naomh Muire – will be marked men.

The fact that former county player Jamie Grant was only used off the bench tells much about their depth.

Seeing the girls win a third title in succession and the homecoming cavalcade pull into the Lagoon Bar will whet the appetite for the men to follow. They’ll be the fancied horse this weekend.

Saturday’s Junior final in O’Donnell Park is an all-Inishowen clash of Carndonagh and Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin.

Much of the chatter ahead of the game will be about the potential match-up of county players Conor O’Donnell and Caolan McColgan.

McColgan, Kevin Lynch, Dermot Keaveney, and Jason McCallion all hit goals for the Muff men in their semi-final win over Naomh Ultan.

For Carndonagh, the trio of Cian, Donal and Fergal Doherty are the men O’Donnell will try and link with.

Both teams have an eye for goal. Whoever can pour water on their opponents’ flames will take the title this weekend.