It’s a long way to May.
No-one will care about the McKenna Cup or the FBD League once the championship gets into the full swing of things but, sometimes, it can just give you a little idea of how a team are really looking heading for Spring.
It was in the McKenna Cup in 2012 when Odhrán Mac Niallais announced his arrival on the inter-county scene and, although injuries hampered his progress with Donegal as a teenager, he soon made amends with three delightful years for the men with the Hills.
It wasn’t until 2014 that the Gweedore man made his first league appearance for his county but the rest of the island soon learned all about his ability in the air, on the ground and the smooth rotation of that left-footed pendulum of his.
In 2017, Mac Niallais took a year out from playing with Donegal but, on Sunday, he announced his return to the green and gold with a goal for his county as they swatted Monaghan aside.
McKenna Cup
Fermanagh 0-4 Tyrone 0-8
(semi-final)
Conall McCann was man of the match as Tyrone edged out Fermanagh in Brewster Park to reach the McKenna Cup final once more.
Monaghan 0-19 Donegal 4-17
Odhrán Mac Niallais, Ryan McHugh, Paddy McBrearty and Jamie Brennan all hit the net at Clones as Monaghan missed two penalties.
The win sees Donegal qualify for the semi-final.
Armagh 1-15 Derry 0-13
The Orchard county leapfrogged the Oak Leaf county to meet Donegal in the semi-final which will take place on Wednesday night with the time and venue to be confirmed.
Down 1-14 Ulster University 0-9
The last of the refixtured McKenna Cup games.
FBD League
Roscommon 0-14 Mayo 0-11
It probably doesn’t count as a marker but Kevin McStay’s men put down a victory over their neighbours anyway who made 15 changes from Friday night’s fixture.
Ciaran Murtagh and Diarmuid Murtagh led the way for the Rossies but there was cause for optimism for Mayo as Westport’s Fionn McDonagh scored three first half points to become the latest man being called for by fans to be included in the regular team.
McDonagh won an All-Ireland intermediate title with his club in 2017, kicking three points that day – two frees – as he lined out at wing forward.
Galway 3-6 Leitrim 0-8
Galway won this one but the weather was the big talking point.
Connacht FBD League Round 4 latest
Galway 3-6
Leitrim 0-8
Barry McHugh for Frankie Burke
You'd have to credit lads on both sides as they endure very trying weather conditions, but today you'd also have to question the value of January football
(65 min)@ConnachtGAA @TribesmenGAA— Leitrim GAA (@LeitrimGAA) January 14, 2018
O’Byrne Cup
Semi-finals
Offaly 1-7 Westmeath 1-9
Three wins out of three for Colin Kelly as Westmeath reach their first O’Byrne Cup decider in 13 years.
Meath 1-19 Longford 2-16
(Meath win free kick competition)
Meath advanced to the final of the O’Byrne Cup by edging out Longford in a 45-metre shootout.
Scenes in Páirc Tailteann https://t.co/H540FCpKOG
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 14, 2018
