Combination of old and young working well - Finnbarr Roarty

He might have been one of the youngest players on the field but Finnbarr Roarty gave one of those performances that you dream of on county final day. He was just relentless in his pursuit of the ball and when Naomh Conaill look back on Sunday’s county final win, they will hold his display alongside any performance that has gone before.

In the end for those making the man of the match decision, it was an easy choice.

Roarty was just everywhere, with and without the ball, as he harried every Gaoth Dobhair player in possession. And on top of that he hit vital scores and created some important ones as well.

It was hard to believe that he was playing in his first county final and he’s just 19 years. But again he had great experience beside him on the field with three players playing in their 13th county final and winning an 8th title.

“The combination between the veterans and the young guns, it’s working so well for us. They’re giving us tips and we’re pushing on. They are finding scores and finding ways to push us on and give us advice, so it’s lovely,” said Roarty.

He wasn’t the only member of the squad playing in their first final as Max Campbell and Shea Malone were first timers also and Roarty had praise for them.

“Listen, Max (Campbell) and Shea (Malone), they have put in a massive shift this year. Shea came back from Sligo (Rovers) and it was Max’s first year up in seniors. They took it in their stride.”

When it came to the crunch both Campbell and Malone stepped up as well with Campbell getting a crucial goal in extra-time and Malone kicking the two pointer which took the game to extra-time.

Campbell’s goal was special: “None of the other boys would take that shot on. He did the same against Termon. The whole team, the 15 boys are just pushing us on all year. And the subs, we can’t forget about the subs.”

Coming from behind just seems to come natural to Naomh Conaill and winning also seems to sit easy with them, although Roarty says they have to enjoy those moments.

“That’s the thing. Nothing’s set in stone. We have to savour this moment. On another day we could have been beaten by a point by Four Masters but we want to savour every moment. Nothing is given to you; you have to work very hard for it and it is great to come out with the win.”

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He agreed that Gaoth Dobhair had chances to win it in normal time but it turned in their favour. “Yeah, it’s funny. We were panicking, but once you settle down. Shea Malone took the shot and it went over and the rest (is history). We’re here now.”

The young star who has been nominated as Young Player of the Year and also for an All-Star, also had praise for manager Martin Regan.

““It was great to see Leo come on. He knows how to calm the game down. He’s big and strong and he’s going to fend boys off him. You had Charlie (McGuinness) on and off and Johnno (John O’Malley) came off and on as well and he took a point.

“Credit to Regan as well, he did it in the semi-final as well. He subbed off Brendy (McDyer) and he came back on. He knows what he'GAAs at,” says Roarty.