“We are very badly depleted” – Noamh Bríd finds division two life difficult.

By Patrick Sharkey,

There was a lot of hope in Balintra in 2022 after Naomh Bríd got promoted from division three of the Donegal Club football league and planned for 2023 to be the year when Naomh Bríd put it up to the big boys in division two. Five games into the 2023 Marley Coaches Division two season and Naomh Brid struggle as they are yet to find their first win in the 2023 league. This was in full show tonight.

The Green and Blacks made the long journey to Buncrana but were unable to turn their fortunes.

Buncrana won the game on a scoreline of 3-11 to 0-6. Naomh Bríd manabger John Muprhy was well used to it.

Mr Murphy travelled to South Donegal having been involved in a Derrygonelly Harps team that won five Fermanagh senior football championships in a row but he has been finding it difficult to get wins.

Naomh Bríd trailed throughout the game and failed to really put it up to Buncrana. Murphy reflected on it by saying: “Here look at, it one of those games where we can’t really keep going about. We are very badly depleted at Naomh Bríd. I think we are missing a lot of good players now and look at it Buncrana are on a different level than us. You know they are probably between fitter and used to the standard of football. Coming up from division three, for a lot of these boys, here look at it, it is a learning curve for them to be honest with you. We are not going to lose heart. I still have a lot of belief in the boys. They are trying hard in training and look at it, all we can do is what we can do”.

John added: “We keep coming out. We keep the jersey, and we keep trying to play football the Naomh Bríd way. Look that is all we can do. Until the boys come back from being injured we get the full hand from being dealt with. It’s all we can do, keep showing up.” It was pouring down with heavy rain in the first 20 minutes but regardless of weather conditions, Buncrana was able to keep on going.

The Derrygonelly Harps man isn’t too fixated on the aim of staying up. The Fermanagh man said “It’s like anything else. First and foremost, get a performance. We have been performing well in patches at times.”

The referee added: “We have shown up at times but that level of consistency, we need to try and get a consistent performance first. Yes, the aim is to stay up but at the same time, it hasn’t been simple for us at the end of the day you know. Keep trying and that is all we can do and keep pushing on”.

John Murphy however was still proud of his team’s performance and wasn’t willing to single out any particular player. Mr Murphy said: “They really show their hand at times. They can’t really comment on that. There is more in them, to be honest with you. They have probably been harder in training than they have played in matches you know.” Buncrana isn’t expected to get a challenge that easy next time.

Murphy took up the role only this year and claims to know little to nothing about the club football.

Well not in Fermanagh but this is the first club management role for the Derrygonelly Harp man in Donegal. The Fermanagh man made it clear: “Well again I am just new to Naomh Bríd and I don’t know. Whatever has happened in the past stays in the past but then again the likes of Buncrana we are following here there and everywhere at times. They seem to have a group of young lads coming through. Naomh Brís from what I hear, there are a lot of people emigrating and stuff like that and that’s fair play.”

The referee added: Each person to their own but at the same time, a club like Noamh Bríd need to stick together and that kind of way you know. Keep pushing on.” Buncrana will play senior opposition next time round.

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Red Hughs 0-8 Buncrana 1-12 – Red Hughs Fall to Buncrana in Hard-Fought Battle

By Patrick Sharkey at the Cross,

This was a satisfactory night at Red Hughs GAA headquarters for Buncrana, who collected Marley’s coaches’ Football League Division Three two points. It all fell into place for Buncrana.

Under Gary Duffy’s stewardship belief and momentum are being generated with the green, white and yellow supporters enjoying another triumph over Red Hughs. However, there were doubts whenever Red Hughs had the upper hand in the first half going in ahead by a point with a solid midfield.

The hard-earned manner of the win augurs well ahead of what promises to be a keenly contested Donegal Intermediate Football Championship. However, tonight’s game taught Red Hughs how important Jason Gallagher will be for them heading into the championship as he was free for most of the game as Buncrana played two men on the inside. Mr Gallagher made a difficult role look easy as he had to double up with Aaron McGinley for any two-footed attackers and was able to read the breaks off Thomas McMenamin and any big full forward Buncrana put up against them. Throughout the game, Gallagher, usually became the extra man as the rest of the team granted him a licence to join the attack.

Red Hughs will reflect on a string of missed goalscoring opportunities with Buncrana custodian Harry Doherty an influential figure. One man who fell victim to this would have been James Carlin. This doesn’t mean Mr.Carlin had a bad game as he was the key player in the transition from defence to attack for Red Hughs. Carlin was always present on the 40 when Red Hughs needed him to be. James showed tonight that he was elusive, a great passer and could maximise space. Buncrana was left with a choice between following him or sitting in the space he vacates. Buncrana tried both.

Donegal U20 star Crawford also got a point for Buncrana from open play. This was gut-wrenching for all the efforts put in by Red Hughs until that moment.

Ultimately that was the difference between the teams with the Buncrana faithful in the 45, 041 crowd saluting the victory with a throaty roar at the end of a tight game. Red Hughs kept the game tight thanks to an integral role played by Darragh McMenamin. Mr McMenamin was the key player.

The opening quarter provided plenty of encouraging evidence for Buncrana, who face Naomh Bríd in the Donegal league next Saturday. However it was actually Red Hughs who scored more and despite not getting on the score sheet, James Carlin was a big influence in it and was the key to unlocking the Buncrana defence. Mr Carlin achieved this by winning most of his individual battles. Carlin dominated.
During that effective Buncrana burst Gary Duffy’s outfit accumulated a 0-3 to 0-1 disadvantage. It was only a matter of time however before Darrach O Connor showed his magic by scoring 1-3.

Matthew Mulholland was thundering forward impressively; John McKenna and Micheal Bernard McLaughlin craved involvement; Harry Doherty carried a threat inside. The man behind all of this!
At the opposite end of the field, Buncrana was restricting Red Hughs, forcing a couple of turnovers.
When Campbell rifled over a sweet 16th-minute effort Buncrana was down by one, but Red Hughs summoned a brave response. It meant absolutely nothing though as Aedan Stokes put in a good shift at the back playing as the extra man. Well, he was free whenever Red Hughs played two men on the inside. It may have been a difficult role but Mr.Skokes pulled his weight whenever he doubled up with Adrian McColgan for any two-footed attackers coming after them and showed that he could read important breaks.

Jack GIllespie and John Campbell were the only two who scored in the second half as Red Hughs went in ahead by a point. it meant nothing as Buncrana flexed their muscles with an seven point victory at full time.

Red Hughs scorers: Jack Gillespie 0-5,5f; Calvin Bradley 0-1; Cathair Browne 0-1.

Buncrana scorers: John Campbell 0-5,2f,1m; Darach O’Connor 1-3; Sean McLaughlin 0-1; Adrian Doherty 0-1; Oisin Crawford 0-1. Liam Jordan 0-1.

Red Hughs: Luke Kelly; Aaron McGinley, Thomas McMenamin, Jason Callaghan; Shane Gallagher, Gareth McGill; Darragh McMenamin, Jack Gillespie; Peadar McGlinchey, Odheran Doherty, James Carlin; James Doherty, Calvin Bradley, Michael McMenamin.

Subs: Cathair Browne for M McMenamin (44); Gerard Melaugh for Callaghan (50); Luke Browne for McGill (56).

Buncrana: Harry Doherty; Adrian McColgan, Sean Doherty, Aedan Stoc; John Paul McKenna, William McLaughlin, Oisin Crawford; Peter McLaughlin, Michael Bernard McLaughlin; Adrian Doherty, Sean McLaughlin, Matthew Mulholland; Liam Jordan, John Campbell, Darach O’Connor.

Subs: Jamie Friel for McKenna (50).

Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh).

Man of the Match: Darragh McMenamin and Gareth McGill held their own in the half back line for Red Hughes and Matthew Mullholland and Adrian McColgan ran the show for Buncrana but the man of the match had to go to the Buncrana sharpshooter John Campbell. Mr.Campbell scored 0-5,2f,1m. However Campbell brought more than his shooting boots as he played the same role as Liam Jordan in which he was able to anticipate any of the high and diagonal balls coming into him. Johns actions led to crucial goal chances and he would have felt unlucky not to have got on the end of Darrach O’Connors goal.

Donegal 0-5 Meath 1-7 – Second half helps Meath seal the win.

By Patrick Sharkey,

A wide in the first minute made it hard for Meath. Donegal opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Susan White. Niamh O Sullivan then responded three minutes later with the opening point for the Royal ladies.

It went 10 minutes without any scores before Katie Long got a Donegal point. Aoife McColgan then made a big save for Donegal against a Byrne shot through on goal. Galloghy however then got herself a Meath point in the 23rd minute. Susan White then got her second point of the game. Stacey Grimes then got a point at the stroke of halftime for the royal to level it. The halftime score read Donegal 0-3 Meath 0-3. It was a low-scoring first half but if Susan White gets enough of the ball there is no doubt Donegal can trouble Meath a lot.

Meath began the second half on the front foot with Stacey Grimes and Niamh O Sullivan getting a point each.

It took until the midway point of the second half for Donegal to get going with a point from Ciara McGarvey.

Meath, however, was having none of it and Mary Kate Lynch got a 45th-minute goal to help the Royal pull.

Susan White however got back in gear in the 49th minute as she managed to get a point to help Donegal.

Meabh Byrne however showed her magic in the Meath shirt as she then managed to get a point to widen the gap between the Royal and the hills to four points. Meath made good use of their substitutes with Alva Leahy getting a point. The full-time score read Donegal 0-5 Meath 1-7. Meath proved all the doubters wrong today.

Donegal: Aoife McColgan, Katie Dowds (0-1), Evelyn McGinley, Emer Gallagher, Amy Boyle Carr, Jodie McFadden, Tara Hegarty, Shelly Twohig, Roisin Rodgers, Saskia Boyle, Kate Long (0-1), Louise Ryan, Susan White (0-3), Shannon McGroddy, Ciara McGarvey (0-1)Subs: Nicole McLaughlin for Jodie McFadden (43) Subs: Nicole McLaughlin, Ava Walsh, Niamh Carr, Connie Walsh, Shauna Higgins, Cait Gillespie.

Meath: M McGuirk, A Sheridan, MK Lynch, K Newe, N Gallogly (0-1), S Ennis, A Clearly, M O Shaughnessy, A Minogue, M Thynne, M Byrne(0-1), C Smyth, O Callan, S Grimes (0-2), N O Sullivan (0-2)Subs: Shelly Melia, Rachel Casserly, Alva Leahy

Malin 0-13 Buncrana 0-5 – Malin kicks off championship with home win!

By Patrick Sharkey in Conolly Park,

Buncrana came up just short in the much-anticipated Donegal minor championship division two section b fixture.

Buncrana’s quest for a first Donegal minor championship football title since 2013 came up agonisingly short after Malin defeated the Crana in a thrilling contest at Conolly Park. Buncrana would be glad that Malin didn’t put more on the board, as Sean Daly was key for the Green, White and Yellow who did a job on the inside forwards for Malin. Daly showed a great ability to read the breaking ball. Out of the 15 players on the team Sean really held the Buncrana team together. The full-back dominated everything in the air. However, Malin put enough pressure on the Buncrana defence and alarm bells started to ring. Things have changed since Buncrana beat Malin in the league semi-final. Scavenging half-backs and half-forwards for Malin was always looking to take the ball off Daly and the rest of the Buncrana team. It was defensive performances that would make the spectators think which team had the highest possession count? Sean left nothing behind on the pitch.

It’s the North Inishowen club’s first championship game with at least six more games to go and Paul Galagher’s men put in a devastating display to overcome Buncrana by eight points (0-13 to 0-5).

Ryan McGeoghan was in sensational form for the winners in scoring 0-3 from play but credit must go to Buncrana for remaining in the game right till the end with Billy Duffy and Dylan Mulholland hitting second-half points.

Like against Buncrana in 2020, Malin threatened to run riot when they raced into a 0-1 to 0-0 lead.

Malin was much the better side in that opening quarter, but Buncrana stayed in the fight through points from Dáire McColgan and Dylan Mulholland. Malin however got the first point of the game.

The absence of Matthew Doherty didn’t seem to overly affect the winners and they ran through the Buncrana defence at will during stages of the opening half. One Black and Amber star who ran through the Buncrana defence at will was Ciarán O’Kane who got the first score of the game with a point in the fifth minute for Malin. However, O’Kane had much more to his game than kicking the ball over the bar. Ciarán showed his ability to run, punch holes in the defence and give support to his inside forwards. O’Kane put up runs that were strong enough for the Malin team to win free kicks.

Through to form though Buncrana battled till the end, and they only trailed by five points at the break. Patrick McLaughlin was one man for the Malin team that made sure they were in the driving seat in the first half. McLaughlin was the key player in the transition from defence to attack. Patrick was always present on the 40-meter line for Malin. It was there McLaughlin showcased his ability to maximise space and pass to his teammates. Buncrana became unsure whether to follow him or occupy this space. This was the key for Malin to unlock the Buncrana defence. Patrick owes the victorious side nothing after a performance like that. Patrick used the settling down period to test the ribs of his markers and got a few simple touches which put Malin in the game. McLaughlin gives the Conolly Park side something very different that they take full advantage of. Patrick clearly built his game around the Malin style of play. The half forward turned the match into a game of chess.

Buncrana came up just short in the much-anticipated Donegal minor championship division two section b fixture.  

Buncrana’s quest for a first Donegal minor championship football title since 2013 came up agonisingly short after Malin defeated the Crana in a thrilling contest at Conolly Park. Buncrana would be glad that Malin didn’t put more on the board, as Sean Daly was key for the Green, White and Yellow who done a job on the inside forwards for Malin. Daly showed a great ability to read the breaking ball. Out of the 15 players on the team Sean really held the Buncrana team together. The full back dominated everything in the air. However, Malin put enough pressure on the Buncrana defence and alarm bells started to ring. Things have changed since Buncrana beat Malin in the league semi-final. Scavenging half backs and half forwards for Malin was always looking to take the ball off Daly and the rest of the Buncrana team. It was defensive performances that which would make the spectators think which team had the highest possession count? Sean left nothing behind on the pitch.

It’s the North Inishowen club’s first championship game with at least six more games to go and Paul Galagher’s men put in a devastating display to overcome Buncrana by eight points (0-13 to 0-5).

Ryan McGeoghan was in sensational form for the winners in scoring 0-3 from play but credit must go to Buncrana for remaining in the game right till the end with Billy Duffy and Dylan Mulholland hitting second half points.

Like against Buncrana in 2020, Malin threatened to run riot when they raced into a 0-1 to 0-0 lead.  

Malin was much the better side in that opening quarter, but Buncrana stayed in the fight through points from Dáire McColgan and Dylan Mulholland. Malin however got the first point of the game.

The absence of Matthew Doherty didn’t seem to overly affect the winners and they ran through the Buncrana defence at will during stages of the opening half. One Black and Amber star who ran through the Buncrana defence at will was Ciarán O’Kane who got the first score of the game with a point in the fifth minute for Malin. However, O’Kane had much more to his game than kicking the ball over the bar. Ciarán showed his ability to run, punch holes in the defence and give support to his inside forwards.  O’Kane put up runs that were strong enough for the Malin team to win free kicks.

Through to form though Buncrana battled till the end, and they only trailed by five points at the break. Patrick McLaughlin was one man for the Malin team that made sure they were in the driving seat in the first half. McLaughlin was the key player in the transition from defence to attack. Patrick was always present on the 40-meter line for Malin. It was there McLaughlin showcased his ability to maximise space and pass to his teammates. Buncrana became unsure whether to follow him or occupy this space. This was the key for Malin to unlock the Buncrana defence. Patrick owes the victorious side nothing after a performance like that. Patrick used the settling down period to test the ribs of his markers and got a few simple touches which put Malin in the game. McLaughlin gives the Conolly Park side something very different that they take full advantage of.  Patrick clearly built his game around the Malin style of play. The half forward turned the match into a game of chess.

Man of the Match: Dylan Doherty and Marc McLaughlin kept the Malin defence organised and the same could be said for Dylan Mullholland and Kevin O’Rourke higher up the field for Buncrana but the man of the match has to be Ciarán O’Kane who scored the first point of the game but proved he brought more than just his shooting boots.

“There was a lot of men making their starts” – The Donegal footballers’ season in review

By Patrick Sharkey,

Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing – The GAA Zone podcast

Welcome to the GAA Zone podcast on Anchor FM! In Episode 56, we fall deep into the thrilling world of Gaelic football. Join us as we focus on an upcoming clash that implies intense competition and captivating action. In this episode, titled "Westmeath Aim to Raid Orchard and Send Saffrons Packing," we look at an exciting match on the horizon. Our expert hosts analyse the strategies, key players, and historical context surrounding the clash between Westmeath and their formidable opponents, Armagh (known as the Orchard County) and Antrim (the Saffron). With fighting discussions and insightful analysis, we provide an in-depth understanding of the game, making this episode a must-listen for both die-hard fans and newcomers to Gaelic football. Tune in to discover. — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gaazone/message

1. Episode 56: Westmeath aim to raid Orchard and send Saffrons packing 30:44
2. Episode 55: Wyane McNamara 30:52
3. Episode 54: David Dempsey 31:09
4. Episode 53: Managerial Merry Go Round 31:24
5. Episode 52: Antrim hurling 2022 31:38

They bring a whole new meaning to pride in the jersey. Na Gaeil Aeracha teams are busy preparing.  

The GAA is experiencing an unprecedented demand for tickets for the forthcoming All-Ireland senior football and hurling quarterfinals. Donegal will not be competing, but many Donegal fans would have enjoyed their team’s run to the Dr. McKenna cup final, and Donegal Tik Tok star Ethan Kelly would have looked back at it saying: “Going back on it now because it was the second or third week of January, that probably wasn’t our main team. There were a lot of men making their starts you know, and I did see a few like Aaron Doherty coming on there during the championship. It was a good kind of staging ground for a lot of boys. Seeing how Monaghan’s year kind of went, it was a wee bit parallel to our own now. You would like to believe we ourselves are a little bit higher than Monaghan in the current standings. At the end of the year, they are bringing back silverware, we are not. They won the McKenna cup from us. We were a little bit fresher, greener is the better word for it than Monaghan were but at the end of the day, what can you do? The legs are well off that Monaghan team with their experience. Even with their new boys, they are playing a lot more”.

It’s getting harder for those with children and full-time jobs to commit to the inter-county scene.  

The All-Ireland SFC quarter-final draw has thrown up some interesting ties after a weekend of intriguing qualifiers. Mayo and Donegal drew in their opening league game but it is only Mayo who made it to the quarter-finals and Mr.Kelly looked at the January game saying: “It was a very stereotypical Donegal and Mayo match in that there is very little separating the two sides. Very early on, I thought in the match we controlled their forward line very well. You know I thought they didn’t get a whole lot of space to do that which was very good to see but at the end of the day looking at where they are now in the year, we realize they probably have a problem in their forward line. You know it is not firing on all cylinders at the minute. Listen, there were probably gaps there. They were very much reliant on their outfield players, whereas we ourselves during that match probably should have had them away. I would say fifteen minutes into the second half there when they had their purple patch and started coming into it big time again but in the first match of the league you draw with Mayo who let’s be realistic here, Mayo in many people’s eyes are favorites going into it.”

Dublin vs Cork as well as Derry vs Clare will be live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday, June 25.  If Donegal won, the Ulster championship they would have played Clare but one of the high points for the hills was the first league win against Kildare and Mr>Kelly reflected on it saying: “Kildare to me would have the opposite problems of what Mayo would have I fins this year anyway. They have a problem with their back line it is just not as strong as you know the great forward line, they have in Kildare with the front six. The back six will probably be where they are lacking, and I feel we really did do damage against them, you know 2-11 to 1-9. I could be wrong here but it was 20 games since we last lost at MacCumhail park. I think there was a big gap between the one we had this year and the last one we had. So, it was looking to be a bit of a fortress in the Northwest. You know I feel like we really did push on. We did a lot of damage there against Kildare. I mean they only came up this year, didn’t they? I suppose they went straight back down again. Still, somebody must go down.”

Eight games are down for decision across the All-Ireland senior and minor hurling championships.

Rory Grugan served notice of Armagh’s intentions with a goal after just 10 seconds of their All-Ireland SFC qualifiers round two clash with Donegal in Clones on Sunday – by the full-time whistle they were 3-17 to 0-16 ahead and well worthy of their place in the quarterfinals when Galway await.