Nickey Rackard Cup Round One
Fermanagh v Donegal
Sunday, Maguiresbridge, 2pm

By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL manager Mickey McCann admits his side will be “red hot favourites” for Sunday’s opening round of the Nickey Rackard Cup, but is wary of the challenge the home team will bring.

In his fifth season in charge, McCann is happy the county have “cemented” their place in Division 2B and their league semi-final with Sligo was bonus.

As they head into Nickey Rackard campaign, and chasing a fourth title, McCann said a more organised approach and input of former Derry manager Gabriel O’Kane as coach helped raise the standards.

“We have learned a lot from him,” McCann pointed out. “It is the first time we had a full-time coach on board. We got best players out from the clubs, when you get that, you build on it and bring in a few young boys…we have done that ever year.”

While accepting his team are odds on to begin their campaign with a win, McCann insists Fermanagh will get full respect and outlines the quality of their opponents who won last weekend’s league final despite the absence of attacking talisman Daniel Teague.

“They pulled away from Longford in the end and to do it without him, it shows they have a bit of depth,” McCann said.

“They have a very dangerous forward line and they have plenty of good hurlers. They’ll fight hard and we’ll have to earn it, especially on the first day out.”

With Fermanagh having “their tails up” the onus is on Donegal to focus on their own performance and McCann will be calling on his side to play to their potential.

He also outlined a more competitive competition this year, a change from having “one or two” teams to worry about in the past.

“It should serve up a good Nickey Rackard and it’s going to be very interesting,” he said. “Roscommon, Armagh, Tyrone and ourselves, I can see very little in those four teams and, Fermanagh…you can’t forget them about them. “Warwickshire seem to be going poorly in the league, but that can change over there (for home games) when they can gather up a tougher team.

“Tyrone are now in 2B and are unbeaten. Armagh have got Sambo (McNaughton) in there and Roscommon has new management so everybody is on the way up.”

Looking forward to next season, McCann feels it makes for an vital year for Ulster teams.

“Derry and Down capable of competing in Division 2A and Down have showed that,” he stated.

“Ourselves and Tyrone, that’s a good standard for us in Division 2B. Maybe in a couple of years, we’ll be pushing at the top of the table where we were this year…I feel deep down we wouldn’t be ready for 2A.

“Armagh will be looking at getting up in 2B, so you could have three (Ulster) teams, with Down and Derry in 2A, with Antrim in Division One, it is a big year.”

A fourth Nickey Rackard title would be a great start for Donegal, but there is plenty of hurling left in 2022 yet.