Donegal club games continue

DONEGAL manager Jim McGuinness has given the county board his blessing to continue with the club championship this weekend.

McGuinness’s request to have a deferral of the first-round ties in July fell on deaf ears. Following an aftermatch brawl in Glenties between Naomh Conaill and Glenswilly, county panellist Leo McLoone received a nasty facial injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the Ulster final. However, following Saturday’s enthralling 1-12 to 0-14 win over Kildare in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Donegal will not be in action until Sunday, August 28, when they will face either Dublin or Tyrone.

“Jim has given us the go ahead to play the games this weekend, the three quarter-finals and the one outstanding first round play-off game. Beyond that, we have not planned anything,” County Competitions Control chairman Charlie Cannon said.

Ardara meet Cloughaneely in a first round play-off, while three last-eight ties see Four Masters of Donegal Town take on Glenfin, St Eunan’s of Letterkenny meeting Glenswilly and St Michael’s of Dunfanaghy entertaining Gweedore. Kilcar await the winners of the play-off.

McGuinness has a number of players carrying slight knocks. Skipper Michael Murphy had a hamstring strain and started on the bench against Kildare, Rory Kavanagh started at centre-field despite having an ankle complaint and Kevin Rafferty, who has a groin strain, played only a fleeting role. Karl Lacey, who put in a man-of-the-match performance from centre-back, was one of a number of players who suffered from exhaustion after the 90 minutes against the team managed by Kieran McGeeney.