 And this week on the Gaelic Games front, the respective championships were made for the four provinces and to take a look at those in particular, what is happening in Ulster and what we have to look forward to in Ulster. We've got G.A. Pondits, former Donny Gull, star forward, a man that's represented Ireland, of course, in the international rule scene as well. Mr Brandon De Venny, welcome back to Highland Radio. Good man, Oshing. I thought you were going to start me. I was respected there, I was trying to bottom me up already. I'm surprised you're not doing this outside, Brandon, because you're a man that likes the sun and with the sun shining today. I thought you meant to be sitting out in the garden. Those sunbeds at the moment, of course, are you, so you have to go the natural way. Well, listen, Brandon, it's all about championship this week and we now know that Donny Gull will be taken on down and they are in the preliminary round. No doubt they're in the tougher side of the tougher half of the draw for Ulster this coming summer. So first of all, what do you make of it, Donny Gull? Yeah, actually, as we know, in Ulster, you know, no one's taken for granted very much as we seen go down to the Ulster final last year when a team like Kevin, who somehow made it to the final and were such outside odds to even give Donny Gull a game, come through and won the game, wanted to kind of convince him on the day. So, you know, Declan Borough, listen, actually, he wouldn't have wanted the preliminary round. Nobody does, particularly with a crammed season coming up. You know, all the National League games, first and foremost, staying in Division One is always the first port of call and then going to the championship in good form. But because Ulster is the way it is, you can do without, you know, starting early. Now, Declan Borough, of course, will never be using it as an excuse and will take on the challenge. But Paddy Telly and Donny, you know, after he served as wee ban there for training when he shouldn't have been, they'll come in and relish a shot at Donny Gull and we've seen some of their play last year, actually, particularly in that Kevin game, when they were nine points out, nine points up in the match, only for an amazing comeback by Kevin. It should have been down. It was going into Ulster's final. So, you know, that's a spicy opening. And if we get over that, of course, you have our former boss, Rory Gallagher, coming back with his 15 behind the ball, man, to try and take Donny Gull. And so there's lots of interest in there, I suppose, Kevin themselves with probably the worst draw, I think they could have wished for a way to Taroan and Taroan with new management in that. So, a lot of interest and stuff across the Provinciation, but certainly Ulster is the only show in town, really, outside of an odd game in Connacht, you know, the Ulster Championship is the only provincial to look at. Yeah. Donny Gull now going on to the league in the middle of May against Taroan, Monaghan and Arma. If you actually get to that league final, there's not much time to prep for Ulster after that, because I think there's only a couple of weeks difference in it, Brendan. So, if Donny Gull are to be successful in the league and go to Championship, the games are going to be coming thick and fast. Is that what you want or would you prefer less than secure your top flight status? Don't worry about one in a league and then fully focus on this trip to Nuree, which could turn out to be a difficult and tricky one, Brendan. Yeah, exactly. Again, you know, should it happen that Donny Gull end up there, you know, they can always take the positives out of that, but certainly it's not something we need. And it's not something, I think, that could impact Donny Gull necessarily in Ulster, but were we to go on a run through Ulster? It's as the Championship wears on that the other teams that have been able to hold back and really plan, you know, against a couple of matches or maybe a tricky game if you're in, if you're in Monster or, I mean, let's be honest, the Dubs will just roll over everybody with their B or C team in Leinster. So for Donny Gull, that starting point is certainly wouldn't want to incur a league final. And like a lot of teams in Division One, I think the status is very important. One that now isn't, and it's just about trying to balance that rest and then open it for the Championship. And we saw that a little time. That's that's difficult. And that's why the Ulster can under them. I mean, it's a great Championship. We all love it. Everybody wants to want it. But it certainly does, I think, handicap teams, particularly a team that'll have to go through the preliminary round, like we will have to. Yeah. As for Theron, a new management, of course, there, under Fergalogan and Brian Doohar. A victory against Kevin would be some way to stamp your authority on your management of your own county when you de-throwing the defending champions in the opening round. Yeah, I think any of us that's watching football around Ulster and club football and the whole tie-in in the top counties, there's no doubt for me Theron have the most talented squad in Ulster. You know, I think if you looked at Oskun and that Ulster final last year, for example, with three half forwards in our defense, you know, and, you know, light enough made up ones at that, you look at the power and the strength of Theron and the players that they've got their availability. McShane coming back this year as well. You know, I mean, what a handful their forward line would be. I think from the Theron's respect of talking to people in there, Oskun, all on the phone, customers in that. Now, of course, Peter Canavan was part of that great trio that along with Theron Logan that had that success at under 21 level. He opted not to go on the think. That's probably taken a wee bit maybe the star quality away from it. I know everybody wanted Canavan involved. There's talk of maybe because his son was planning that he didn't want to be influencing anything. But that certainly is something to him. People would have wanted. But that said, Fergal Logan, you know, what a servant he's been to GA and Theron. And of course, to her, I mean, one of their greatest ever servants, I'm sure they're going to get a big lift off that. You know, we thought for years, Oskun Hart's tactics and his overall look at things seem to be holding Theron back a small bit. You know, it was just too negative and too defensive for the talent that they have in it. I can see this year, Theron opening up and they're definitely going to be a much more dangerous prospect for me getting this championship. And I think as a Theron fan, after all the years of heart, even though it was so brilliant years on their ocean, there was a lot of question marks, particularly as last five, six, seven years. So I think that breath of fresh air, I'll do Theron for all the world of good on the back of what was an unbelievable club championship for them. More pressure and cabin this year, sense of the holders, defended champions. Can they, can they pull it off again? Can they? I mean, Mickey Graham, you know, he'll be, he'll take it all on his stride. I think the balls of Kevin from last year, I don't think Kevin people that are taller are, I would have put this, they're not that as worried that that championship came so out of the blue. Number 40, of course, in that amazing history they have, they were sitting on 39 since 97 ocean and no one could see a cabin championship just coming anytime soon. They were, one of those teams was just outside the brackets. You could never see them getting across the line. So it was amazing what happened. So I think the, the, the, the, the world, the good world that they've created in the county from last year is still hanging on there. And I think most cabin people are not beginning this championship expecting to beat Theron and they'll just be glad that they finally got that 40 mark. And hopefully they can be building on that. I can't see them now surviving Theron that first game, but certainly they could go on and on the back door. Yeah. So then Dunnegal, Derry, Theron, Kevin, not forgetting down as well, Brendan. They're all in one side of the draw, which looks difficult enough. I'm sure Banty will be quite happy. Monahan on the other side, Arma, Anthrum and Fermanita to contend with. I did say earlier, maybe it's the easier side of the draw, but Arma, of course, if they can find some form, they could give Monahan trouble for Manna and Anthrum in there as well. Would Banty be happy that he's avoided the likes of Dunnegal and Theron? I would say so. As you know, you know, the Banty, again, he, he came on the wrath of, of, of the training, getting caught out to training when we were supposed to. So I don't think that'll affect Monahan any. Monahan seemed to be at the minute in a funny place. Oshin, they just about survived in Division One last year, you know, per in the championship, going out to their neighbor's cabin and it just didn't seem to happen for them. So I think that this is a big year for Monahan. On Earth, the new players are huge. Oshin, they've been working off the same core of players this last, you know, 70, 10 years, and the replacements don't seem to have come in. So I think for the Banty this year, on Earth, and some new talent is huge. And just looking at the throne influence around the, the, the province and on that side of the draw, they ended up, again, obviously, taking over Antrim and, and Rycey with Firmana. So, you know, that's going to add a bit of spice to that as well. And we all know when they was, was, was a, was a constant contributor there to the DL debate last year in it. And I know when they're quite well, very studious. You know, he's managed various club teams around also in that. So big move going into County Manager, Firmana, Antrim, of course, right down Division Four. The only way is up really for them, Oshin. That's work in progress for him. But our MA, a huge year for our MA, and the Division More one, four, four Ulster teams in Division One, Oshin, which again, come back to where we're talking with Ernie, you know, the other provinces, that's just not going to happen through on, you know, Donegal, Monahan, and our MA all in Division One. And of course, the way Donegal our MA dismantled our MA in last year's semifinal really, I think, knocked McGeaney and his squad back, you know, and probably give us a false sense going into the Ulster final, come back to that old cliche, don't, don't, don't base the team in this last performance. Because I think that day, whatever our MA's tactics or whatever their plan was, was, was obliterated in the first half. So for McGeaney going into this, this year, again, it's very different for, for our MA looking into the championship then, because if they take a pace in the, in the, in the Division and think that they can't hack it, it's going to knock their confidence, which is already going to be knocked after that defeat they took in Brethne at our hands. So I think for them going on, they'll just be thinking league now, try and win their home games, try and stay in Division One and consolidate because it's taking them some time to get back, Oshin. I still don't see them after what we've seen last year, being that force that's, that's ready to topple the likes of a, a, a Monaghan, a Tarón or, or a Dunigal. But so I think their, their status really and their, their game plan this year would be to stay in Division One first and foremost. Who's going to win Ulster, Brandon? I know we're a long way out from it and we haven't seen any football yet, but, but the draw done and we have to, we have to ask you, who do you think is going to be the owners of the Anglo-Selt? Can Dunigal regain it? Are Tarón going to get it under new management or haven't going to be the boys that's celebrating in blue again? That's not a calving top by the way you're wearing, is it? No, no, it's a wee freebie, so please let me out, Oshin. It's getting too tight for me in the lockdown now, it's not because I'm working out there, but not on the beef. Oshin, do you know what? You'd have to say Tarón are favourites, and I'll, I'll simply because of McShana, McKenna and McShane. Those two guys are back in fire and we've seen the ability of McKenna last year in pieces, Oshin. The two guys are nearly unmarkable. Now, to, to close down one of them in any given game, you're doing well. The fact that Tarón are going to, both of them players at disposal, they're going to get a lift off the new management, but can in there as any team would after, after such a long period of Mickey Hart, the two, the two lads are well respected. I think Tarón are the dangerous side. And for Donny Gawal, Oshin, the story is with Donny Gawal is if we have our, our, our best 15 foot, we can beat anybody. And I think we can have the number over Tarón. Should we pick up a few injuries you think of particularly likes of, like a Stephen McMeneman last year getting injured. And it was the same, we went into that, that Ulster final with three half backs in the defence in that, that Tarón forward line would, would, would do some damage against Donny Gawal. Unless we have all our main men in there and our injury free, we can give anybody a game. That's why you would have to say Oshin squad on squad, Tarón good on this, this year also challenge would be the favourites. Okay, then Brandon will quickly move out of Ulster and into Lensster. Listen, we know Dublin, they're going for, for yet another All-Ireland. They'll start the quarterfinals. You would expect them to win an 11th Lensster title in a row. But the game we're going to focus on and the one that has interest, of course, from the region up here of North involves Mickey Hart. Louth against Offley will be a lot of eyes on that tie to see what Mickey Hart's going to do with the Louth boys this championship. Yeah, I should, I mean, Lensster, listen, we called the Dublin Championship really. I mean, we're close to calling All-Ireland that such as the domination. So I think whenever this draw comes out for Lensster, it's all about where we're doubling on it and where can we avoid them to teams that are on the opposite side, make it the final end. That is the best you can hope for. And for Mickey Hart, such a different scenario. Washington, you know, he came through there with underage, one in All-Ireland teams at Tarone, took a Tarone team that already was a top flight team, brought through the raft of the umphalus and really changed the game in many ways. And, you know, three All-Irelands and a host of other titles and playing some brilliant football. This is a very different scenario. You know, Louth division four, you know, getting against the off-lead, the winners play Kildare. So for him, I think the big push again is going back to get out of division four, hopefully beat off-lead. Would they have enough to beat Kildare? I very much doubt it. So it's work in progress. And again, going back to the Taltman Cup, and looking at the second-year competition when it is in place, hopefully by next season, that surely a team like Louth and Mickey Hart would love the one championship silverware, a second-year competition. That has to be the aim of sides like that. So for Hart, the only way is up. It's a bit like Andy McKimley. And again, the Tarone umphalus ocean is all over. The two lads will be locking horns in the National Football League. Yep. It's upper-area monster champions. And they've been drawn in the side with Claire and Kerry. They beat Cork, of course, last year in the final, to win that title, surprisingly. It's something similar to what happened in Ulster. Can Tipperary overcome the Kingdom and then possibly beat the likes of Cork again to claim the monster title? It's going to be harder for them to do this year. Definitely. I mean, it's a bit like the cavern scenario. Oh, she's lightning and striking. I just no one's seen that. The crazy thing is that the top and cavern are going to be monster and Ulster holders playing in division three this year. I would wonder, has that ever happened before? And particularly, it might have happened years ago when teams weren't that worried about the league or some kind of freak season. But the way things are now, we thought that the bigger teams, the better squads in the country. Because of tactics and the systematic play of football, the lower teams could never jump over it. You know, they might want an odd game, but to want to prevent some title, we thought that nearly couldn't happen anymore. You know, you think Ulster, the last 10 years, it's been doing all five titles, Tarone three, Monahan two, and then out of nowhere, this cavern won. And in the same year, Tup won it as well. So I can't say that happened. I think Peter Keane, well, you know, he was caught by that sucker points at goal against Cork last year. You know, if everybody was looking at Cork, then we're finally going to want a monster and Tup came and took them out. So it was great for football, I think, gosh, and it gives a lot of teams aspirations. And just looking at Cork, gosh, and they have to play the winners of Limerick or Waterford to be in a monster final. And like knocking back the Ulster thing, you know, we're not complaining about this, we have a brilliant championship. But just as the season goes on, there's Cork, you know, let's say they were making designs on later in the season, they can wait until the winners of Waterford and Limerick, then they have a monster final. If they get over that, it's such a different way to plan your season. Well, Cork want to win in all Ireland. They can win the provincial in two games. And then to make the final, they have to play in other two games. But you weigh that up with Donny Gull. If Donny Gull are going on an Ulster, they have to play four matches. And then another two then before they get to an All-Ireland final. So yeah, well, the only county that it happens in, Brendan, that have such a tough route to get to, to an All-Ireland disposal and Ulster club wins it. When they do win the San McGuire, it's seen, some would say it has possibly been a bigger achievement than the rest of the counties in the country. Yeah, yeah. And it goes back to that thing, actually, about the Spandan provincials and that, you know, it's not one of those things that anyone in Ulster wants to see. But if you're looking at potential All-Ireland contenders, that's certainly, as you say, is mixing so much more difficult. Finally, we'll go to Connacht. What did you make of it? Mayo against Slago, and then Lytrum, if they get through it, while Gullway to make the final are going to play Ross Common in a battle of former champions. Yeah, well, the draw itself created a small bit of controversy. I was wondering, did you see the video circuit where some guy seemed to drop one of the balls and pick another one? What are you suggesting, Brendan? Nothing, it was just, it might have slipped out of his hand, but it was funny because I think in lockdown at the minute, between conspiracy theories and like a GA story, this seemed to be big news. But I was just wondering who exactly this is all helping, you know, because at the end of the day, we have, you know, the two Connacht Division One teams are playing each other, and that's the only Division One, all Division One class to get us going, and that should be spicy as well. You know, people are looking at Mayo again, we keep wondering what the Mayo conundrum, people saying they're the only side that maybe can put it up to Dublin all the time. So we keep wondering where they are, and they keep coming back as well, so Connacht's been the other championship outside of her own, where there's been a small bit of entry because you have basically three sides that can win it, so it does create a bit of interest to Auschwitz, so certainly say Galway and Ross Common, that's probably the highlight I think most people would think of the first rounds, and you know, I think going to go down is a potential to be a cracking game as well. Okay, so Brendan, thanks for joining us, and of course to the championship, which is due to start at the end of June, but we've got the league action up and running in the middle of May before we get as far as the provincial championships and silverware up for grab. Sorry, cheers Brendan. See you all the best.