Ryan McHugh and Eoin Cadogan
Sunday, February 7
Allianz Football League Division I**
Donegal v Cork, Ballyshannon, 2pm
Two of the big winners from last weekend’s opening round of games meet in Ballyshannon on Sunday afternoon.
Donegal, however, were hands down the most impressive performers, blitzing Down by 17 points (3-15 to 0-7) last Saturday night in Newry, where Michael Murphy gave a masterful display of place-kicking which yielded 0-8 (0-7f).
Murphy’s display was exactly what we have come to expect of the Glenswilly titan, while Patrick McBrearty contributed 1-3 and Ryan McHugh scored two goals.
What was pleasing for manager Rory Gallagher, though, was the fact that he blooded two newcomers in Ciarán Thompson, who played 59 minutes, and Stephen McBrearty, younger brother of Patrick and 2014 minor star, who got nearly 20 minutes’ game time.
Donegal’s need to strengthen their squad has been apparent for some time, and Gallagher himself pointed out that Odhrán Mac Niallais and Ryan McHugh are the only players who have really broken into the side on a regular basis since 2012.
Three more seasoned stars, Eamon McGee, Neil Gallagher and Rory Kavanagh, all came on as subs in the win over Down, making their first appearances of the year, and will be expected to challenge for starting places against Cork. Christy Toye and Martin McElhinney are also in line to return to action this weekend.
A major boost this week was Mark McHugh’s return to training on Tuesday night, having spent January training on his own, and the Kilcar dynamo is expected to be part of the squad for Sunday’s game.. Martin O’Reilly (shoulder) is an injury concern, while David Walsh (toe) is ruled out for the coming weeks having undergone minor surgery.
Meanwhile, it hasn’t been all positive news for Cork this week in the wake of their 1-18 to 0-12 rout of Mayo. Conor Dorman, who was one of the Rebels’ better performers last year, has been ruled out of the entire Allianz League campaign after undergoing ankle surgery on Monday. James Loughrey also sustained a hamstring twinge in the warm-up but the injury is not thought to be serious.
Cork’s top performers in Páirc Uí Rinn last Sunday included Ian Maguire, who was typically industrious in midfield, and Daniel Goulding, who repaid the new manager’s faith with five neat points from five possessions, including three from play.
Paul Kerrigan also shouldered his new captaincy responsibilities admirably, snapping over three points and showing his usual zest for direct, full-throttle running with the ball in hand. His importance to the team was underlined by his involvement in 10 of Cork’s 19 scores.
The early signs are that new manager Healy is intent on playing a more expansive, kick-passing style of football, judging by the calibre of player he has selected over the McGrath Cup and then again on Sunday.
After two tough years for Cork football supporters, the feel-good factor was back in Ballintemple last Sunday, but there’s nothing like a long journey to Ballyshannon and the prospect of playing a seasoned side in mean February conditions to jolt a side back to reality.
Donegal beat Cork in last year’s Division 1 group game (0-12 to 1-8) game but the Leesiders turned the tables in the semi-final, winning by 4-11 to 0-19.
