‘Another special day for Naomh Conaill’ - Brendan McDyer

“It’s another special day and a special group to be involved with. The likes of Finnbarr (Roarty), Max (Campbell), these lads. It’s a privilege to be there, to be involved with to be honest,” was the immediate reaction of Brendan McDyer after Sunday’s county final win in extra-time over Gaoth Dobhair.

McDyer was playing in his 13th county final and was winning his eighth medal - a remarkable return along with his playing partners Anthony Thompson and Leo McLoone.

And he revealed another remarkable statistic from those eight wins.

“To be honest of all the finals we have won, I haven’t finished the match. So I was glad to see my number go up, superstition. Any final we lost I was on for the full match.

“Setting out on the journey you would be happy with one and take your lot. But when look around the dressing room and you see the leaders and the players, we’re a very hungry group and we strive every year to come back.

“There’s a mindset in the club and in the team that the team that’s going to win the championship is going to have to beat us. And long may that continue.”

At half-time on Sunday the omens didn’t look good but it was a place that Naomh Conaill were familiar with.

“We were a different team (in the second half). I suppose the way Gaoth Dobhair were set up we were trying to pick holes in the corners and get shots away. But our strength is our running game and thankfully in the second half we got Finnbarr and Max and Odhran and Leo and big Kieran coming through and it opened things up for us.

“We left scores behind us and a lot short as well,” said McDyer, who praised young Shea Malone, who stood up and kicked the two pointer that send the game to extra-time.

“He played his best football in extra-time in tight spaces with his close control and cool head as well. He was exactly the man you wanted in those spots.

He also had great praise for Max Campbell, who hit the second goal and followed it quickly with a point in the first period of extra-time, scores which ultimately send the winners on their way.

“He’s a class player and he has a big bright future ahead of him. We’re just delighted and proud of him to be in our club.”

On a day when the Reserves also took the title, also defeating Gaoth Dobhair after extra-time, McDyer had praise for the way the club is run and the management of Martin Regan.

“A lot of it goes down to training and conditioning that’s being put in by both squads. A shout out to the management for that and to the S&C coach, Oisin O’Flaherty,” said McDyer, who also praised senior manager, Martin Regan.

“He keeps the show on the road, he keeps it fresh. He knows how to use his older players and integrate the younger players. With Regan there boys are only chomping to do their bit for him. Really he has them eating out of the palm of his hand. He just has a great way with players with his man management skills and his tactical nous and analysis is top class. He is just a complete manager.”

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Coming from behind is now what we expect from Naomh Conaill and McDyer says there is no great formula.

“I suppose you only play what’s in front of you. There’s no panic or losing control of ourselves in any situation. There’s no raised voices from Martin. It’s just keep doing what we are doing; trust each other and back each other. We’ll keep that going now.”