By Frank Craig
sports editor

Four Masters possess the most difficult assignment of the weekend as
they look to dump Dr Maguire heavyweights St Eunan’s out of the race for the title.
The Donegal side go into battle first on Saturday evening, with the
remaining five sides licking their lips in anticipation of the most wide open championship race in years, if Joe Lacey’s men can uphold their end of the bargain.
The side’s chances haven’t been helped with the absence of experienced defender Barry Monaghan, who picked up a serious leg injury in last week’s league victory over Gweedore.
One man who is in the reckoning is Barry Dunnion. He suffered a concussion following that tempestuous encounter in Magheragallon – but following an appearance from the bench at the weekend against Naomh Conaill, is fit and ready for duty.
“I had concussion, and I probably shouldn’t have togged at the weekend,” said Dunnion.”But I came through it and felt fine. A couple of the lads are carrying a few niggles, but nothing massive. And besides Barry, we expect everyone to be fine for Saturday.
“This is a huge challenge for us and we’re looking forward to it. We’ll have to be on top of our game to get the result. But we’re hopeful, if things go well, we won’t be that far away.”
The Cathedral men easily accounted for Four Masters at the first hurdle last time out. Dunnion confesses that it’s a difficult ask to catch the St Eunan’s side napping over two legs – but that in the knockout stages anything can happen.
“Over two games last year we were always going to be up against it. We didn’t perform at all and it was disappointing. They are the one side
you want to avoid at that stage. But listen, if you have ambitions to win the championship, you are going to have to meet them somewhere along the line.”
Dunnion rues the fact that his side have been denied the services of Monaghan. But insists that they are capable of asking serious questions of the champions, even without their most experienced and decorated performer.
“Barry is a massive loss. In terms of experience and physical presence
alone – it leaves a huge void. He’s captain and he always delivers on the big day. The likes of himself, Shane (Carr) and Don (Monaghan) have really carried this side for the last ten years. But we just have to get on with it.”
The action gets under way on Saturday evening in Ballybofey at 6.30pm. Even with the services of Barry Monaghan, this was always going to be a big ask of Four Masters.
However, Aodh Raudh more than held their own in the previous round
– and with a bit more belief could have asked serious questions from
the holders. Can Masters’ experience and Division 1 savvy expose any weak links in the champions’ chain? Verdict: St Eunan’s.