They may not be on conversing terms – “no, we don’t speak. We haven’t come across each other”, Rory Gallagher told a weekend newspaper – but the shadow of Jim McGuinness continues to cast its shape over both the current Donegal manager and his system of playing.
by Paddy Walsh
A late, late point from Eoin McHugh earned the visitors their first win of the Allianz National League campaign in Roscommon on Sunday but it was an early flurry that reinforced the image of recent times.
Starting in their own half – and remaining there for some time – Donegal players exchanged over forty passes, the ball untouched by any Roscommon hand or boot, before it was worked up the field and Ciaran Thompson slotted over to add to Michael Murphy’s early free-kick.
And while some of the old traditionalists might have stifled yawns at the sight, there was something artistic about the movement that eventually resulted in a score.
You would have had to feel somewhat sympathetic on the part of the home side given the effort they put in. They could – should – have won the game in the fading embers when Ronan Stack had just Mark Anthony McGinley to beat but had his point blank effort blocked by the Donegal custodian.
Up the pitch went Donegal – much more economically than those opening exchanges – to win the game with that McHugh point and set themselves up for the big one against the Dubs on Sunday week in Ballybofey.
It wasn’t a game short of error – both sides guilty in this department – but it certainly provided entertainment for the Dr. Hyde Park attendance and it will have been a satisfactory journey home to the Hills even if Gallagher knows there’s still plenty of tinkering to be done.
Tyrone held Dublin to a draw to prove two things – they can be one of the chief rivals for the All-Ireland Champions this year AND Jim Gavin’s outfit won’t always find it easy over the coming months.
The most eye-catching result and performance of the weekend surely and one that offers hope for the Leinster Championship – was Meath’s comprehensive demolition of Derry at Pairc Tealteann.
It’s been a while since the Royal county produced any team worthy of the name but, perhaps this campaign, and more significantly the Championship, can see them become serious rivals again to the Dubs.
I was an ardent fan of Meath football – naturally depending on their opponents – back in the days of the great Graham Geraghty even if they weren’t everybody’s cup of green and gold tea. The All-Ireland needs them to regain the power of old and, certainly, the Leinster Championship requires a tipping of the balance.
Meanwhile, it’s patently apparent from reading the interview with Michael Foley in the ‘Sunday Times’ that Rory Gallagher won’t be looking to Glasgow for any hints at this or any other stage.
“I’ve learned there’s no point in looking back. Everybody’s got to be true to themselves in life and sport. If that means fallouts, that’s the way life goes,” the current manager declared of his relationship – or not – with his predecessor.
Doing his best to step out of that shadow and some time down the line he may just succeed.
CLASHES AND A WORTHY CAUSE
A tad ironic that it was Roy Keane who launched the forthcoming League of Ireland season at a function in Dublin yesterday and it will be Roy Keane who could affect the attendance at Finn Park on Friday night week when Harps open their campaign against Cork City.
The Irish assistant boss will be in Letterkenny on the same night as part of a major fund-raiser in aid of the Friends of Ronan Sweeney Rehabilitation Fund – a truly worthy cause and one which we should all support in whatever way we can.
Ronan, son of P.J. and Majella Sweeney, suffered serious spinal injuries after an accidental fall from his bedroom window in Sligo in May of last year.
His recovery programme is incurring substantial costs and to that end, the fund-raiser is a massive step along the way for both he and his family.
Keane’s presence in a question and answer session should see the coffers swell along with the attendance in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
It’s just unfortunate that it clashes with Harps Premier League opener but that’s the way of it and those heading to Finn Park can always make a financial donation to the cause.
Meanwhile, Keano lauded the development of the game here at this week’s L.O.I. launch, citing fitter and technically better players than in his days in the colours of Cobh Ramblers.
The Corkman recalled matches when the players would consume four or five pints after a game – something which he was sure had all changed now.
Certainly has. They have them now before the matches….
LETTERKENNY RFC 3 CITY OF DERRY 0
It was a triple success for the Letterkenny R.F.C. under-age teams with respective home victories over their City of Derry counterparts at the weekend.
I ambled along to Dave Gallaher Park on Saturday morning alternatively watching the under-18’s and under-16’s record impressive wins on the parallel pitches.
Decent performances from both teams though the under-16’s were run close and had to survive a late surge by the visitors before winning out.
However, it was the match I didn’t see that was the most significant of the under-age action. Hidden away behind the hedges and foliage at Mooresfield, the under-14’s were also in action against Derry and claimed not just victory on a 19-5 scoreline but also the league title with just one game of the season remaining.
If they win that final outing, they will boast a record run of fourteen out of fourteen – not bad for an under-age set-up that once upon a time, not too long ago, found it difficult to attract playing personnel.
It won’t be long before some of these players are being drafted into the under-16 and under-18 squads – and, I’d hazard to say, eventually making their mark at senior ranks.
With the under-18’s having reached two Cup Finals last season – unfortunate in losing both of them – it’s all looking promising at Dave Gallaher Park.
ROME DISMANTLED IN A DAY
And now on to lesser rugby matters.
After twenty minutes of Ireland’s Six Nations backlasher against the Italians on Saturday, Joe Schmidt’s side had enjoyed 89% possession. So no surprise that the visitors to Rome ran in a record breaking nine tries and handed Conor O’Shea’s team a 63-10 walloping.
A hat-trick of tries from both C.J. Stander and Craig Gilroy – any relation to the Letterkenny Port Road Gilroys? – helped the Irish cruise to victory and earn the first ever bonus point in the Six Nations tournament.
Only France, Wales and England to overcome now and another Championship is ours.
A KICK ALL THE WAY FROM FAHAN
With the Irish women requiring another try to secure a precious bonus point in their Six Nations clash in Italy on Sunday and with time just about breaching the 80 minute mark, it took an expert – and risky – crossfield kick by Nora Stapleton to find Hannah Tyrrell out on the right touchline and after accepting a kind bounce of the ball in her own half, she set off down the flanks to touch down in the corner.
Nora Stapleton
Tyrrell, who fought a battle against self-harm and an eating disorder in her teenage years, was one of the stars of the Irish team but it was Stapleton who was the guiding light to a second Six Nations success for Ireland.
The Fahan woman has been immense and was inspirational in this latest win.
But you’d have to say it’s surely going to be England – 63-0 victors over Wales at the weekend – who will be claiming the Grand Slam at the end of the current campaign even if Ireland currently sit on top of the table courtesy of bonus point victories in Scotland and Italy.
IRISH PLAYERS SETTING THE SIGHTS FOR WALES
Just when Aidan McGeady believed he may have helped cement a place in Martin ‘Neill’s starting eleven for the crucial qualifier against Wales next month with a man of the match performance for Preston North End against Brentford on Saturday, along comes Daryl Horgan to do likewise.
McGeady had netted two spectacular goals for the Championship promotion contenders before Horgan – signed from Dundalk in the League of Ireland close season – scampered through to score his first goal for the Lancashire side in equally emphatic style.
Horgan came off in the 81st minute to a standing ovation from the Preston faithful but then those of us who have followed his fortunes here over the past couple of years are not surprised. His performance in Europe for the Lilywhites confirmed his potential and this is just another signal of his ability.
Last night, Horgan and McGeady – and credit to him for some hugely impressive performances in the Preston shirt this season – both started against Birmingham City with Horgan laying on the winning goal for Jordan Hugill with twelve minutes left.
Meanwhile, Shane Long came on as substitute for Southampton at the weekend and while he must fear his place given the signing and form of Manolo Gabbiadini, the Irish international continued his scoring run with a late goal for the Saints in their 4-0 win at Sunderland.
And what about Robbie Brady’s superbly flighted free-kick that earned his new club, Burnley, a point against title favourites, Chelsea? One of the best – if not the best – of his career, he declared.
In-form internationals – just what the doctor ordered but what about Garth Bale’s physician? What’s his or her diagnosis on the Welsh wizard as he continues his recovery from injury? The Real Madrid man is back in training and will certainly be fit, barring another breakdown, for the match at the Aviva Stadium.
In which we’ll have two dead ball experts on the field of play.
KEATING OFF TO BASIL FAWLTY COUNTRY
With Ollie Horgan still not having finalised his squad for this season, Finn Harps lost by the only goal to North-West rivals, Sligo Rovers, at the Showgrounds last night.
Ruairi Keating
One player who, of course, won’t be featuring in Harps colours – and, sadly, didn’t reproduce the potential many of us believed he had when he was at Finn Park – is Ruairi Keating who has headed across the channel to take up an offer with Torquay United in the Vanahama National League (non-league to you and me).
Keating made his debut on Saturday, coming on as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield but time will tell if he can establish any sort of boothold in the English game. And while I hope he makes his mark, time doesn’t always get it right.
REVERSE PASS
So who was the mum who booked a return flight from Belfast to enable her son and his girlfriend to travel to Leeds for the Elland Roaders forthcoming Championship clash against Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield Wednesday?
Sworn to secrecy on that one – though if you see a red face around the Twin Towns you might get a hint – but what we can reveal is that she initially booked the return from Leeds to Belfast…!
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