McGroddy beaming after historic win for Na Dúnaibh in Kilcar

The odds on the men from Na Dúnaibh going to Towney and turning over Kilcar were big but championship can turn up shock results and that’s what happened on Sunday when Maxi Curran’s side came from 10 points down to win by two (3-16 to 2-17) in what was a classic encounter.

There were a number of factors which led to the outcome, not least Kilcar losing Pauric Carr early on but especially Eoin McHugh early in the second half.

Among the other factors was the ability of the Na Dúnaibh men to take their chances when they came and it was Johnny McGroddy who kept the scoreboard ticking over for the winners, finishing with 1-8 to his name.

The centre-forward was sporting a broad smile when speaking to DonegalLive after the game.

“It was a big deficit but we said at half-time we would stick with it to the very end,  with scoring difference and that and see how we got on.

“Thankfully, we got a couple of goals there to get back into the game,” said McGroddy.

Johnny McGroddy of Na Dúnaibh pictured in Kilcar on Sunday by Thomas Gallagher

Kilcar dominated most of the opening half although it was only in the second quarter that they got the scoreboard ticking.

“We got a couple of counter attacks in the first fifteen (minutes) and we did a wee bit of damage but then after the water break they started to pull away on us. McBrearty kicked a couple and a few other boys chipped in as well, (Ciaran) McGinley,  he was flying. They were hard to stop at that time.

“We just decided to regroup at half-time. It’s not often you come down here and be in a game. It’s a tough place to go.”

McGroddy agreed that the injury to Eoin McHugh was a big turning point. “Look, Eoin McHugh is a county player and any day he goes off; hopefully he’s alright because it didn’t look too good.”

But there was also the performance of new recruit Cian McBride for Na Dúnaibh. McBride was part of the Meath panel this year and looks a real prospect and no doubt Jim McGuinness will be tempted to get him to make an intercounty transfer as well.

“He’s a massive plus for us. His father is from Downings and he’s up playing with us now for the championship. I would agree, that’s the best we’ve seen of him today. He’s a massive plus for us. He played in the AFL (in Australia).

“We’re missing a lot of boys too. When you look back at our Intermediate Championship winning year, I think we are missing eight or nine of that. I don’t think it’s known around Donegal the amount of players that we have away in Australia and places like that.

“To have him come up and play for us is a massive addition and as you saw out there today, he’s hard to stop. We’re missing Keelan (McGroddy) and Lorcan Connor as well and they’re hard to replace. Keelan, hopefully, will be back next year. He has done the ACL and it takes nine months to a year.”

And McBride is not the only import which is making a name for himself in the Rosguill Peninsula. Goalkeeper Jordan Nugent also showed up well, making a number of saves before denying Kilcar from closing out the game in the final minutes when he saved from the penalty spot with the sides level.

“To be fair, it was some save from our ‘keeper Jordi (Nugent). He’s another good transfer, he from Westmeath. He’s moved into the parish and lucky enough he came to us. He’s a fine keeper, he played underage for Westmeath.

“You would have banked on Paddy McBrearty to score that,” said McGroddy.

The excitement in Towney didn’t end there. McGroddy and Ryan McShane exchanged scores before Ronan Gallagher fired over a 60 yard free to decide the outcome.

“He’s got that in the locker; he’s a massive kicker of the ball. Finn Harps man, so he’s well able to kick the ball off the ground,” said McGroddy, who was happy with his own performance.

“Yeah, very happy with my own performance and the team performance. When you look at young Paidin (Shiels). The amount of running that man does up and down the pitch. He’s only 19 and he hasn’t been up at county squads. I would  say the county U-20 manager should be having a look at him.

“There’s a lot of other men who helped out today and it was brilliant.”

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McGroddy was also happy for the supporters who made the journey.

“Fr Charlie (Byrne) was our Parish Priest for 30 years and he had divided loyalties. He’s some man and he has done a lot of work in the parish. 

“The next game is at home and we will be looking forward to that. It’s good for the fans as this is a long journey down to Kilcar. However  we get we’ll be ready to take them on. We’ll take great confidence from today’s result,” said McGroddy, who added that he was happy enough playing club football at the moment.

“I’m enjoying playing club football and I’ll stick to that and I also enjoyed playing with DCU last year (in Sigerson),” said McGroddy, when asked if he would be interested in a return to the Donegal senior panel.