Paddy McGrath will be a key man for Ardara in their Donegal SFC quarter-final against Naomh Conaill.
In 2009, old foes Naomh Conaill and Ardara faced each other in the Donegal SFC quarter-final, it was expected that Glenties would dispose of their rivals at ease, but that’s not how it panned out.
Ardara took Naomh Conaill to the pin of their collar and forced the game into a replay.
In the subsequent replay, after sixty minutes the two sides still couldn’t be separated so the game was brought into extra-time.
Naomh Conaill eventually won through in the end in what was a truly epic two-game club championship series.
Five years have passed since that encounter, and since then Naomh Conaill have won a Donegal SFC, they defeated Killybegs in 2010, and also reached the Ulster Final that season.
Naomh Conaill under the stewardship of Paddy Campbell have ambitions of taking the Dr Maguire cup back to Glenties.
With Anthony Thompson, Dermot Molloy and Dara Gallagher at their disposal they have the firepower to do so.
Ardara were unlucky not to reach the Donegal SFC final last year, after being narrowly defeated by one point by eventual champions Glenswilly.
They’ll be hoping they can go one better this year, and would love to send their local rivals tumbling out of the championship and book a semi-final spot.
They’ve enjoyed a consistent season, they’re a consistent team, and have a great championship pedigree.
Naomh Conaill are expected to beat Ardara on Saturday, but the Ardara men will have something to say about that.
It wouldn’t be surprising of this game needed another replay to decide the winner.
The game is at Tir Chonaill Park, Donegal Town, with throw-in at 4pm.
It’s going to be close and with a lot at stake, it’s hard to pick a winner.
Naomh Conaill have greater experience in big matches, so they might just shade it.
VERDICT – NAOMH CONAILL
