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MacDara MacDonncha 'enjoying' Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge

TG4 commentator MacDara MacDonncha

TG4 commentator MacDara MacDonncha

**By Damian Lawlor **
Last year, TG4 commentator MacDara MacDonncha covered the Celtic Challenge finals at Nowlan Park - this year he is hoping to get to final day as manager of West Waterford.

MacDonncha leads his team into a crucial battle with neighbours East Cork in one of the most appealing Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge fourth round games this weekend. 

Last Wednesday, West Waterford had a fine eight point win over Cork City and this Saturday, in what is destined to be another cracking game, the Deise boys face more Rebel opposition - this time in the frame of East Cork.

They come into this match on the back of a dominant final 15 minutes against the Cork City lads. 

"We are getting regular games and that is what this competition is all about," MacDonnacha, one of the most respected voices of Gaelic Games, says.

"At the start I was wondering whether one training session per game, as is the template for this competition, would be enough. But in hindsight I think it is. The lads still get to meet up and yet they are fresh come game time.

"One of the Games Development Administrators in the county summarised this competition perfectly when he said it's 'all about enjoyment not endurance.'

"I would go along with that," said the TG4 commentator. 

"Last year I worked at the Celtic Challenge finals as a broadcaster and I thought it was a fine competition. 

"This year I am seeing it from a different side and it is just as enjoyable."

West Waterford had to fight hard for their win against Cork City who went into the game as underdogs after suffering two heavy defeats in their opening two games in Group E.

They pushed MacDonncha's men all the way and after suffering a nervous start, West Waterford finally dealt with their threat. 

Now they are hoping to garner further momentum after that gutsy victory as in the previous week they also enjoyed a five-point win over East Waterford in the ‘Battle of the Deise'.

West Waterford will look to Ardmore man Seamus Cronin, Shane Kiely, Patrick Power and Jack Ó’Lonáin for inspiration in next weekend's local derby which takes place in Páirc Uí Síocháin, An Rinn on Saturday at 3:00pm. It is the first time an intercounty game has ever being staged at this venue. With admission being free, a large crowd is expected to turn out.

Meanwhile, another hugely exciting games coming up this weekend is the clash of North/Mid Tipperary and Galway McDonagh in Nenagh next Saturday. 

These two teams are both in great form and have put in some seriously impressive displays in this tournament.

Last weekend, undefeated North/Mid Tipperary beat Laois 5-21 – 1-03.

The Tipp lads were dominant throughout and led at the break (3-08 to 0-2) against a spirited Laois side that never gave up.

Laois opted to play with a sweeper in the opening half but this invited the North/Mid side to attack and their game against Galway McDonagh this weekend should be another intriguing affair. 

Players like Patrick O’Dwyer and Michael Nally are in fine goalscoring form while Gearoid O’Connor will need close watching too.

The key thing for the Tipp side is that competition for places has intensified in recent weeks and they have a number of players who are keen to impress and nail down first 15 places. 

With that in mind Stephen Kirwin, Luke Cashin and Darragh Tynan all kept the foot to the floor last time out against Laois. 

Goalkeeper Rhys Shelly comes into this Galway game on the back of winning the Best and Fairest player award - Shelly saved a second half penalty against the O'Moore County and he has been commanding performance between the posts all the way through this competition.

But now the North/Mid Tipperary management team of upcoming coaches David Minogue (Nenagh Éire Óg), Shane Connolly (Nenagh Éire Óg), Trevor Hassett (Drom & Inch) and Dermot Maher (Moycarkey Borris) face another undefeated side in Galway McDonagh.

The game takes place at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh, at 2.30pm.