By Michael McMullan DONEGAL have names their side for Sunday’s league clash against Mayo in Castlebar. Manager Jim McGuinness has 11 changes from the side that lost to Tyrone with only Caolan McColgan, Hugh McFadden, Niall O’Donnell and Finbar Roarty retained. There is a first start of the season for defender Stephen McMenamin while Michael […]
Donegal proving to have more around the edges
By Michael McMullan DONEGAL have another chance to run eyes over their entire panel this weekend with a trip to Mayo. Manager Jim McGuinness has stressed the importance of staying in the division. With their top-flight status secured, the management took the chance to reshuffle their deck last weekend. Advertisement Donegal made 11 changes from […]
Donegal step into next phase
By Michael McMullan IT’S only March but it’s impossible not to mention Donegal and championship in the same sentence. They welcome Tyrone to O’Donnell Park this weekend with both teams coming from different angles. The Red Hands crave two league points in a bid to beat the drop with the home team safe from the […]
McGuinness hails Murphy’s simplicity in possession
By Michael McMullan NOT everyone captains an inter-county senior team in their early 20s. Not every 23-year-old lifts Sam. Not everyone makes an inter-county return at 35. Not everyone is Michael Murphy. The Glenwsilly man came on at half-time to help engineer Donegal’s victory over Derry on Sunday. He kicked a point, won vital balls […]
Championship dress rehearsal for Donegal
By Michael McMullan HOW much do Donegal want a league final spot? That’s the question this week as they welcome Derry to Ballyshannon on Sunday. Jim McGuinness spoke after the Armagh win of their six-point tally and not risking anyone. His selection for Galway last weekend said more. Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Ciarán Thompson and Ryan […]
Donegal taking no selection risks
By Michael McMullan WITH Donegal on six points from three games, they head to Galway this weekend without needing to keep one eye on their league status. The Ulster champions open their title defence in Ballybofey against Derry in early April and manager Jim McGuinness is content with where his side is. Hugh McFadden sat […]
Ruling the roost: A team of players suited for the new FRC rule enhancements
From his days watching football, Michael McMullan selects a team of players that would excel under the new rules with a limit of one player per county and with every Ulster team represented… 1 Michael Byrne (Antrim) I HAVE watched Antrim a few times and Byrne has impressed. An excellent shot stopper, safe with the […]
Early Kingdom mission for Donegal
By Michael McMullan ULSTER champions Donegal kick their new season into gear on Sunday with a trip to Kerry. It’s the second season of the second stint for manager Jim McGuinness and there are solid foundations to build on. More than solid. They will look with regret at how close they came to making last […]
McGuinness hopes game settles in coming weeks
By Ryan Ferry DONEGAL senior football manager Jim McGuinness says strength-in-depth will be needed this year as county teams get to grips with a new faster and more demanding game of gaelic football. With three players on each side having to stay at either side of the field, there is going to be a heavy […]
JOE BROLLY: Murphy’s law
I WAS in Donegal last week and three different people told me – in absolute confidence (“Don’t mention my name Joe”) – that in their in house training games, Michael Murphy has been playing in goals. According to them, Jimmy has discovered a loophole in the no pass to the keeper rule, by not putting […]