‘We were controlled and got over the line’ - Naomh Columba’s Padraig Byrne

Naomh Columba’s man for all seasons, Padraig Byrne, played his part in their first Intermediate success on Sunday and afterwards he was the recipient of the man of the match award.

For many years he was the team’s goalkeeper but the return of Shane O’Gara was huge in allowing Byrne to play a midfield role. On Sunday when Malin opened with a two point free, Byrne got Naomh Columba going when slamming home a goal less than a minute later.

After the final whistle, he was one of many happy Glen men, after they finally got over the line.

“We have been knocking at the door for a while. We had a couple of tough outings, losing out twice. We just didn’t do it and the better team won.

“Thankfully today we had our heads screwed on; we were calm, we were controlled and we got over the line,” said Byrne.

The Naomh Columba star agreed that one of the factors in the success this year, as opposed to recent years, was that they have started their games well.

“And that was probably the difference this year. In other years we let teams get a lead on us. This time we kept our composure and we put over a few points when it counted and we kinda held that difference the whole way through.

“It was kinda similar to a lot of the games we had already this year. We had a tough game against Buncrana; tough against Red Hughs. In both those games we got the lead but let them back into it.”

Asked if the team had prepared any differently than for other years, Byrne was unsure.

“It’s hard to know. We definitely trained hard this year. We focussed a lot on the gym, a lot of running. We were definitely fitter than we have been in other years. But it was probably the mental side of it. We definitely used the hurt to drive us on.”

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As for the early goal, Byrne said he hadn’t much memory of it. “I don’t remember much about it, to be honest,” said Byrne, who also was on hand to cut out a dangerous ball towards the end of the game. “I suppose my goalkeeping instinct came into it. I always get drawn back around that area and it was our intention at that time to keep out the goals,” said Byrne, who has played a good part of his career between the posts.

Naomh Columba will get the chance to represent Donegal in Ulster now where they will take on the Monaghan champions, who have yet to complete their championship.

“I haven’t thought much about it but it will be nice to play some relaxed football. It’s been tense getting through this county stage. It will be new territory for us. We will go at it and see how it goes.”

But the one thing that really pleased Byrne is that they will be playing senior football next season.

“We want to be in around there. We feel we are good enough to be competing. We are good enough to be at the table, so we’ll see,” said Byrne.