McShea's Say: Great to see the Donegal championship off to an exciting start

I watched two games over the weekend when the Donegal championship began.

On Saturday evening I was in Mountcharles to see St Naul's host Glenswilley, and on Sunday, I was in Fr Tierney Park for the Aodh Ruadh and Downings encounter.

I must confess that getting to watch Michael Murphy in action was a motivation for going to this game, and the prospect of seeing how Donegal’s full-back Brendan Mc Cole would handle Donegal’s greatest-ever player had added appeal. However, McCole did not play as he is injured, but looking at Murphy's performance it would have taken a special display to keep him in check.

Playing at full-forward Murphy dictated proceedings from the throw-in. He was involved in all that was positive about his team’s display, scoring 1-5, and his goal had class written all over it.

Winning by 12 points, this was a one-sided encounter and would have even been more emphatic if the young Glenswilly team had played more quick ball into their Man of the Match. St Naul's fielded a much-depleted side because of injuries, and unless they get back to full strength very quickly this may well be a torrid campaign for the team.

The game in Ballyshannon was a most enjoyable contest with both sides playing expressive football which was superbly refereed by Killybegs man Jimmy White.

Both managers, Maxi Curran with Downings and Maurice McLaughlin, the new man at the helm in Ballyshannon, encouraged their teams to express themselves and play without fear of their opponent. Both teams grasped the opportunity to take on a man and run with the ball to create space elsewhere.

In a game where both teams played with guts, heart, and determination, matched with a confidence to be flamboyant, some of the points scored by both sides from distance were simply top-class and would have been admired at inter-county level.

Leading by 0-9 to 0-7 after playing into the hospital goal in the first half, many observers believed a two-point lead was not enough after having the benefit of a very strong breeze at their backs in that first half.

But a team after suffering relegation following several below-par displays Aodh Ruadh were excellent in that second half and only for the brilliance of Aaron McClafferty in the visitor’s goal, where he produced three wonderful saves, the margin of victory would have been much more emphatic.

While one swallow doesn’t make a summer this was the home teams’ best performance for a number of years, a feature of their play was the accuracy of kicking into space, while the level of fitness displayed by both teams was particularly impressive. This was a fast, fluent game of football played in good conditions, and if this quality is to be maintained, then spectators are in for a special championship.

For the winners, young Jack Gallagher took the opportunity in this game to showcase his talents, and when the chance arrived, he conjured up a special display with some fine scores. Jack comes with a very good pedigree as his grandfather Kieran Blake was also a prolific scorer for St Joseph's. He was goal-hungry and hit many vital scores for St Joseph's.

In this young home team, Colm McGloin, in his debut outing had a match to remember, scoring the critical goal when the encounter was finely balanced, and he showed excellent awareness and good instinct to be in the right place at the right time.

In what was a very good team performance Johnny Gethins and Eamonn Mc Grath at half-back, Darren Drummond in the middle of the park, and Philip Patton and Nathan Boyle in attack all played very well.

Aodh Ruadh must now build on this result when they travel to Dungloe, while Downings have an in-form Four Masters to contend with.

Special acclaim for Bundoran Golf Club

In the latest edition of Albrecht Golf Guide of Germany, Bundoran Golf Course is described as a Hidden Pearl.

The article goes on to state that Bundoran Golf Club is not advertised much, but it is a wonderful links golf course in a sometimes breathtaking setting.

The back nine, in particular, offers a great view of the sea. The course is fair to play and not a ball eater like some other links courses.

In addition, everything here is relaxed, the reception is extremely friendly, and the price is simply unique. The price-performance ratio here is 100pc right.

Designed by Harry Vardon - winner of six British Opens - much credit must go to Professionals David Robinson, Matthew Dunmore, Greens Superintendent, Terence McShea, Secretary Kevin Carmody, and the catering staff for the outstanding quality that Bundoran Golf Club has to offer, both on and off the golf course.