Well its that time of year again, first competitive action of the season. For many Gaels its largely inconsequential, but for the die hards it’s a welcome hit for their football addiction. After the barren months without inter-county fare, its back to hats, gloves, scarfs, half time cups of tea and the usual cries of ‘you’re a useless bastard’, ‘my granny would do better’ and ‘wake up linesman’ - what an association we have!
For Donegal fans its been a long wait since the humiliation of Crossmaglen in late June. Despite the numb, resigned feeling that the defeat left in the pit of our stomachs, we enter 2011 we renewed optimism with a new manager at the helm, the Messiah of Donegal football, Jim McGuinness. After his work with the U-21 side last year, where they came from nowhere to come within a crossbar of an All-Ireland in Cavan last May, there is a sense that he is the man to rid Donegal of its indisciplined, inconsistent and uninspiring performances of recent years. Time will tell of course whether that’s the case, for now it’s a wet and windy night in Ballybofey and a McKenna Cup meeting with McGuinness’ old classmates, University of Ulster Jordanstown.
Of course in everyone’s thoughts tonight was the heart-breaking events taking place just down the road in Ballygawley. An exemplary human being, a beautiful girl, a great Gael through and through, Michaela McAreavey was killed in horrific circumstances at the beginning of the week. A minutes silence before the throw in was impeccably observed, the rain falling onto the steps of the MacCumhaill Park terrace was all that could be heard. Despite the horror of the week’s events, it makes you appreciate the organisation we’re apart of. The GAA clann invariably pulls together at times of hardship - once again, what an association we have.
No other county has had to cope with so much tragedy as Tyrone - Paul McGirr, the Omagh bombing, Kevin Hughes losing two siblings, Cormac, the passing of John Devine’s father on the eve of the All-Ireland final are but a few examples. And now Michaela. Its astounding how they’ve always managed to respond to such events with dignity and strength; at the core of that has been Mickey Harte. Even in his interview earlier this week outside his home, he thanked God for good people despite the cruelty his daughter had met in her final minutes on this earth.
When the action started on the field the word ‘new’ immediately sprung to mind. New manager, new ideas, new roles. There were five debutants in the green and gold while the more established players were lining out in unfamiliar positions. Of course its hard to read too much into how a team plays at this early stage of the year but a number of things were evident. Such as defenders attacking - the home side‘s full back Neil McGee went forward on numerous occasions; the half back line constantly attacked with Karl Lacey and Leo McLoone, stationed at half back and centre-back respectively, scoring three points between them.
The midfield pairing of Rory Kavanagh and Ryan Bradley have spent the majority of their Donegal careers in the front six; having them manning the midfield again gives an insight of McGuinness’ gameplan - he wants Donegal to attack. His U21 team of last year defended as a unit and attacked as a unit, and no doubt that will be his mantra for the seniors this year. Dermot Molloy finished up with 0-6 and with captain Michael Murphy to rejoin the panel once his DCU commitments are fulfilled there is an exciting forward line to look forward to.
Donegal wrapped up the first two points of Section A by four points when it was all over. The students were ahead in the early minutes but once McGuinness' charges hit the front they looked comfortable throughout.
So a good night’s work for Donegal, they will be glad to be up and running. The more matches they have, the fewer tortuous nights remaining in the slog that is early season training. The fans have completed their pre-season and are ready for more action. Donegal face Fermanagh in a midweek fixture where the manager will hope to give a few more lads a run out. Then its onto Omagh next Sunday for what will be a hugely emotional occasion, we may see Mickey Harte patrolling the sideline once more; unfortunately Tyrone’s biggest fan will not be there. She will be fondly remembered though. Ar dheis De go raibh a h-anam.
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