Michael Murphy Sport and Leisure Donegal SFC final: Gaoth Dobhair v Naomh Conaill (Sunday, MacCumhaill Park, Bally
If those proud Gaeltacht warriors from Gaoth Dobhair needed any extra motivation,then the Donegal Democrat’s GAA 'jury' of 12 returning an 11/1 verdict in favour of a Naomh Conaill victory could be pinned to the wall of their dressing room before Sunday’s Donegal SFC final in Sean MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Sunday.
Gaoth Dobhair are the holders of 15 Donegal county titles and are very proud of their trophy-laden past.
Conversely, this mass vote of confidence in a Naomh Conaill victory will not faze Martin Regan’s mighty men from Naomh Conaill who don’t do hype of any sort.
Naomh Conaill are in their seventh county final on the trot and have won three since 2018 - in 2019, 2020 and 2021 - and also won titles in 2005, 2010 and 2015.
Gaoth Dobhair endured a 41-year-old famine from 1961 to a victory in 2002, which was played in 2003.
They also took titles in 2006 and, most famously, a title in 2018 when a young side went on to take an historic Ulster club title.
Five retirements and the loss of nine other players have not helped in the interim, but they have another motivational tool in that they just lost out to Naomh Conaill in a thrilling trilogy in 2019.
And while the favourites tag will be highly irrelevant to modest Martin Regan and co, they certainly justify that mantle.
Naomh Conaill gave a master class in economy in that they only kicked one wide to St Eunan’s shocking tally of 11 wides in a drab county semi-final.
Regan constantly references these fine margins and if they have a fault, it is that they have never put away teams even when opening up a gap of three or four points.
Naomh Conaill have five players - Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompson, Marty Boyle, Eoin Waide Brendan McDyer - who continue to play key roles despite being will into their 30s.
McLoone (35) is playing the football of his life at midfield, as is the force of nature that is Thompson at centre back.
Brendan McDyer is the third man of this usually starting trio which is a measure of just how important they are to this special team.
Marty Boyle and Eoin Waide remain great options from the bench and all five are natural leaders.
But they also have another great weapon in their armoury and that is the 'Fintown Five'.
For the parish of Iniskeel is one of the largest in the county and takes in the beautiful Baile na Finne.
Ultan, Odhran and Eunan Doherty are pacey and teak tough, while Jeaic MaCeallbhuí is on the county squad with Keelan McGill also a key figure off the bench.
This quintet are also hugely important to Naomh Conaill, as is the searing and elegant poise of Ethan O’Donnell at wing back.
But there are no stand-out stars as Regan’s emphasis has always been on the team rather than the individual.
The Naomh Conaill defence is like Fort Knox and they break at savage pace and also have an extra option in a classical full-forward in Charles McGuinness on the edge of the square.
In managerial terms, Gaoth Dobhair's Ronan MacNiallais, elder brother of Odhran MacNiallais, is only in his first year.
And, even though Neil McGee and Eamonn McGee are 37 and 39 respectively, they remain key players, highly driven and wear the green and with great passion and pride.
They are a different team to that of 2018 and are a pretty young side.
The return of Daire O’Baoill and Micheal Carroll from their travels has been a huge boost for them and MacNiallais will be hoping that the super athletic if enigmatic Carroll will be available for selection.
Niall Friel is still around from 2018 and Donal MacGiolla Bríde and Neasan MacGiolla Bríde give them a great launching pad from defence.
Eamon McGee remains an arch orchestrator, but he needs to watch his discipline while the ever accurate Ethan Harkin is a major figure up front.
Harkin has been their top scorer and has the physique to win dirty ball as well.
Micheal Roarty is good in the air and Gavin McBride is also an accurate finisher.
But how they would dearly love to have Cian Mulligan, Odhran McFadden-Ferry and Naoise O’Baoill back on board.
However, Gaoth Dobhair have a very youthful and pacy reserve team which suggests they will dine at the top table for some time to come.
Possibly their greatest weapon has nothing to do with the cones on the playing field or the shouts of the mentors.
It is their mórtas cine - pride in who they are and mórtas dúchais - pride in their native place.
It can’t be coached or taught, but it visceral and deep in their DNA.
Will it be enough to pull off a shock?
Maybe.