Another shoot-out between Doherty and Martin - McHugh
Tom Comack
Martin McHugh is expecting another close encounter when Four Masters and Killybegs collide for the second time in eight days to decide who will face Naomh Conaill in this year's senior championship final.
The double All-Star believes there will be little between the sides and though he has a slight fancy for Four Masters he feels it could very well come down to a shoot-out between Four Masters' Michael Doherty and Killybegs' ace marksman Kevin Martin, who scored seven points each in last Saturday evening's drawn encounter.
"The interesting thing about the drawn game was that both teams got a lot of men behind the ball and it was a matter of keeping possession and I expect it to be the same again on Sunday evening in the replay," said McHugh.
"Killybegs were exceptionally good at this the last day I think they got their match-ups spot on with Shane Boyle marking Karl Lacey and Paul McGinley tracking Barry Dunnion and as a result Peter McGinley possibly won the tactical battle.
"Four Masters did play better and looked more dangerous when they moved Michael Doherty nearer goals and I suppose this is the dilemma facing Joe Lacey again on Sunday evening on whether to play Doherty at centre-half-forward or closer to the goals at full-forward.
"While I was impressed with Killybegs and their ability to retain possession I do feel that Four Masters have the greater room for improvement and as a consequence they may just shade it. They went into Saturday evening's game as hot favourites after beating St. Eunan's, but that has all changed now. They know what to expect from Killybegs and I just feel they will have learned more from the game and will be expecting more from their bigger name players. But with a placekicker of the class of Kevin Martin they would be foolish to rule Killybegs out."
Another factor which the well known TV and radio pundit feels could have a major bearing on the outcome IS whether or not Shane Carr will be fit to take his place in the Four Masters line-up.
The former county man was replaced at half-time in the drawn game due to the effects of a quad muscle injury picked up in training earlier in the week.
"With Barry Monaghan already out through injury a lot could depend on whether or not Shane Carr is able to play.To be without a player of the quality and experience of Barry Monaghan is bad enough but to be minus a second experienced and influential player like Shane Carr would be a severe blow and would weaken them considerably and could have a big bearing on the outcome."
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Weather for Donegal
Monday 21 May 2012
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