by Jackie Cahill

Brian McEniff insists that Donegal can end Dublin's reign as All-Ireland senior football champions on Saturday - but admits that it might not be pretty.

McEniff, who guided Donegal to glory in 1992, has put together a compelling case as to why Rory Gallagher's men can spring a quarter-final surprise at Croke Park. He believes that the losses of Rory O'Carroll and Jack McCaffrey from Dublin's defence will affect the Sky Blues - and suggested that midfielder Michael Darragh MacAuley isn't as mobile as he once was.

James McCarthy has been given the all-clear to play by Dublin after injury but McEniff has raised questions marks over his fitness. 

McEniff argued that Neil Gallagher, who has been struggling with injury this summer, wouldn't be pitched straight back into action for a game of this magnitude.

McEniff said: "Would we take Neil Gallagher and put him in at this stage? No."

And he said: "I'll come from a different angle. Dublin have been without two wing-backs and a full-back and MacAuley is not getting around the pitch as he used to.

"Some of Dublin's forwards don't generally play that well against us and we have a tough defence physically. Dublin won't like the defensive structure they'll face.

"I'm not a betting man but we're 5-2 and that's the way we like to win.

"We're in good shape physically and had four good matches in the Ulster championship, and a reasonably good workout against Cork.

"It wasn't the same competitive game that we had in the province but still quite a good game so we have five good games under our belts compared to what Dublin have had. We like playing in Croker, have no fear of the Dubs, and when you factor that all together, I don't see anything that would keep me awake all night or be scared of.

"But they are a good side, have a good bench and are physically strong.

"But we're a relatively strong team and in terms of experience, man for man we're as experienced as they are."

McEniff added: "It might not be pretty but it's all about winning and how you win is not that important.

"I'd like to see a game more like what Tipperary played last Sunday but unfortunately, that's now where the game is at at this point in time.

"There's a disenchantment within spectators, they don't like the way the game is being played and they're showing that by not attending matches. We'll have a full house because it's a huge double bill but down the road, we need to improve our game."

McEniff believes that Michael Murphy's presence on the edge of the Dublin square will occupy two players - and potentially provide room for in-form Patrick McBrearty to work his magic again.

But McEniff noted: "It would appear to me that Michael is carrying an injury throughout the season, the way he's playing.

"But siting him at full-forward, it's going to take two players to mind him.

"McBrearty, one on one with any of those Dublin backs, is a pain in the hand.

"We can play from the back and run from deep too, we have men with a lot of pace, the two McHughs and Marty Reilly.

"And then we have Odhrán Mac Niallais and his capacity to kick points from distance, while Karl Lacey and Martin McElhinney generally pitch in with a point.

"I'd like to see us get a goal but we have Christy Toye and Colm McFadden to come off the bench, and Leo McCloone could start. They're three All-Ireland winners.

"There's no reason not be confident and the closer it gets to the wire, the better the chance we have."

Tweet

Most Read Stories