Paddy McGill of Ocean FM joins Shane Stapleton to talk about the Donegal championship.
Paddy McGill of Ocean FM sport joined Shane Stapleton to talk about the Donegal senior football championship.
The Ardara native explained the structure of the tournament this year, and why there have been so many one-sided games thus far.
As the tournament heads towards the latter stages, he insists that it becomes a lottery as to who will win it, as seen by no team retaining the crown in many years.
“There are four teams who are so far ahead,” says McGill.
“The current champions Naomh Conaill, Kilcar who have the McBreartys and the McHughs, then we have Gaoth Dobhair who were Ulster champions two years ago, and St Eunan’s from the biggest town Letterkenny.
“They are dishing out huge beatings every week… massacres. No team has won back-to-back since 2007, ’08, ’09 and they’re a rare commodity, but there is a bit of deflation now leaving the grounds every week.
“My own club Ardara haven’t done too bad but got a bit of a tanking off Naomh Conaill two weeks ago.
“Glenswilly — Michael Murphy’s club — won the county final in 2016 beating Kilcar, and here they are now getting beaten by 20-odd points by Kilcar. The gaps are so big.
“However, it becomes a brilliant championship when we get back into the last eight or last four.”
St Michael’s have won three games from three in championship so far, and this week take on St Eunan’s where they hope Colm McFadden can continue his excellent form.
“Colm McFadden is flying for St Michael’s. He’s reeling back the years; actually, he has never needed to reel back anything, he still seems like a 25-year-old. He’s just a class, class act.
“He’s like (Andrea) Pirlo or one of those guys — it doesn’t look like he ever runs at all.
“Pat Spillane used to say he belonged in any era in any team, he’s just so cultured.”
Click play on the video at the top of the page for the Donegal discussion.
