Two years ago, I faced into the August Bank Holiday weekend in a confident mood. Donegal had just beaten Derry and Galway in impressive fashion and the tae and hang sandwiches were packed and ready for an assault on Croker.
We played against Cork, who were Munster Champions. They were a strong physical side, who never seemed to win when it really mattered. They were fit, had a determined manager, were strong at midfield, yet lacked a real top class forward line. It was there poor forward line that I, as a young and naive man, believed would be there downfall and I predicted a victory for the green and gold. It wasn't. They won by 14 points, and they're average forward line raised the healthy sum of 1-27.
Kildare in many ways approach this years quarter final in a similar position to Cork two years ago. In Kieran McGeeney, they have a determined, hungry manager. They are excellent at midfield, they are very fit, however, doubts remain over whether their forward line is really top notch. So after the Cork fiasco, you'll forgive me, if I'm a little bit cautious.
Donegal are now Ulster Champions, their objective at the start of the year, and what ever happens from now until the end of the season will be a bonus. But the draw has been kind. Avoiding both Cork and Kerry until the All-Ireland final is a fantastic incentive. Dublin or Tyrone, ( Roscommon haven't a hope) are more than beatable at the semi-final stage, if of course, Donegal can beat the Lilywhites on Saturday.
John Doyle, their talismatic captain, is a superb player, and will take a lot of watching. However, I, like most Donegal supporters, will be delighted to see him playing around midfield, and not closer to the goalposts, where he could cause more damage. With Rory Kavanagh not expected to play, Matin McElhinney will really have to stand up and show if he is capable of playing at this level.
In Tomas O'Connor, Kildare have a traditional full forward. Strong and fast, he links up well with the other forwards. But he will get nothing easy on Saturday. Neil McGee loves a physical tussle with his opponent (I'm reffering to Gaelic football, obviously), and he is more than capable of keeping O'Connor quiet.
Kildare create lots of scoring opportunities, and have posted high tallies throughout the year. But they won't do that this week. Donegal's tackling is tenacious, and they will force Kildare in to positions that their not comfortable in. My main worry from Donegal's perspective, is Emmet Bolton. He will more than likely pick up Mark McHugh and as he drops back, Bolton will have lots of space to influence the game. He has been in excellent form this year, and is a regular scorer for Kildare. If he is allowed to roam the pitch freely on Saturday, Donegal will be in big bother.
Eammon Callaghan is in Ft's opinion the most underrated player in the country. He has pace, skill and always scores a couple of points. He should have to much craft and guile for Anthony Thompson and I believe Donegal should put McGrath on Callaghan to try and curb his influence.
At the other end of the pitch, Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden should have too much ability for their markers. But, Geezer was probably the most effective player in the last twenty years at sweeping in front of danger forwards, and no doubt he'll have some plan to counteract Donegal's dangerous duo.
The game will be tight and tough, and I expect it to be it low scoring. There definately won't be 14 points in it, like the last time Donegal played in a quarter final against Cork. The big question is will Donegal's defensive system work at Croke Park? I think it will, and I for one cannot wait to seen McGeeney's smug face and ridiculous hairstyle knocked well and truly out of the Championship.
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