By Dáire Bonner

AFTER a disappointing end to last year’s championship campaign, St Eunan’s player Brian MacIntyre is hopeful they can push on further in this year’s championship.

And with a difficult draw in the first two rounds, coming up against two of the ‘big four’, they got off to the perfect start with a dominant 2-12 to 0-9 win over a depleted Kilcar.

“It was a good start and it’s always important to get the first win,” MacIntyre said. “But Kilcar were down some serious club players so we can’t be getting too carried away with it. “We drew two of the best teams in Donegal for the last six or seven years but we want to be playing the best teams and see where we’re at really.

“The county lads are unbelievable and make a big difference, Ciarán Moore was the only one missing and Shane (O’Donnell) was just back from holidays so he only got on at the end of the game but it’s great to have them back and it adds to the competition for places.”

It gets no easier this weekend as they travel to Glenties to face Naomh Conaill but MacIntyre feels if they are to win the championship for the second time in four years then they will have to defeat their rivals at some point.

“It is the toughest draw and some of them have been on the go since 2005 and they’re still the main men so you have to respect them to still be at that quality, they’re a serious team and their strength in depth is unbelievable, they can pull lads from the reserves or even minor.

“The aim every year is to win the championship and it’s an unsuccessful season if we don’t and unfortunately last year was really disappointing, they were just the better team on the day and they didn’t miss many chances.

“But the main aim is to win the Dr Maguire and this weekend is a good one to get to see where we’re at, but this weekend will be tough.”

For Naomh Conaill, after a dominant league campaign with some big names missing, AJ Gallagher feels they have gotten stronger for getting their young players a chance. Finnbarr Roarty, Connor Roarty, Leo Dunphy and Neil Francis Boyle all made their championship debuts in the 3-14 to 0-4 win against Cloughaneely.

But Kevin McGettigan only made a sub appearance, while Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson, Ultan Doherty, Eunan Doherty, Jeaic MacCeallabhuí and Ethan O’Donnell were still missing.

“We have niggles and I’d be sure with the games coming thick and fast that the team that started against Cloughaneely will be different to Sunday. But every man is not too far away and Ethan (O’Donnell) is on transit and we’ll be glad to see him.”