Kevin McGettigan’s vital goals are becoming regular Naomh Conaill feature

For most of his playing career he has worn a jersey number with five or less on the back but the scores that Kevin McGettigan has produced for Naomh Conaill are one of the factors why they have been dining at the top table for so long.

On Sunday last in the county final he was in the right place at the right time once more to slot home Naomh Conaill’s opening goal and it lit the spark which culminated in an eighth Dr Maguire making its way back through Fintown to Glenties.

McGettigan, who is part of Jim McGuinness’s county squad, was lifting his sixth medal, an ever present in the great managerial run of Martin Regan, who has led the side in nine of their last 11 finals.

For most of his time in the blue jersey McGettigan has been at corner-back or half-back and has completed his defensive duties, but there is always an itch to get forward and thanks to former Naomh Conaill and Donegal great, Daniel McGeehin, the records show that he has very good scoring stats for a defender.

Apart from his vital kick-start goal on Sunday, when he first-timed to the Gaoth Dobhair net after Finnbarr Roarty was denied by Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride, he scored an equally vital goal in the semi-final win over Four Masters. It came in the first half of extra-time with Four Masters threatening to end the game as a contest going three clear. But McGettigan saw a gap behind midfield and then went some 50 yards before finishing low to the Four Masters net.

He has 3-3 to his credit for the senior championship this year and last year also hit two championship goals.  And we all remember his last gasp goal in Kingspan Breffni Park against Gowna in 2023 in the Ulster Club Championship.

McGettigan has been a consistent scorer for Naomh Conaill since his introduction to the team and his scores at championship level have nearly always been vital.

Daniel McGeehan’s stats show that McGettigan has hit 9-39 since 2015 - not bad for a player weaning No 4 or No 5.

After Sunday’s win over Gaoth Dobhair he was very low key and playing down any personal achievements. But from talking to him, it is clear that he is now one of the leaders in the team, of which there are many.

“We like a dog fight. Once it becomes a dog fight we flourish, that seems to be the way it has been going now for a while.”

Coming from behind has almost become part of the plan for Naomh Conaill and McGettigan says that manager, Martin Regan, doesn’t really have to say much at half-time in games.

“He doesn’t really have to say anything anymore. We know what we have to do and it goes in the melting pot.”

As for his vital goal on Sunday, he again plays it down.

“I wouldn’t say it is regular. I’d say it’s an anomaly. It fell nicely for me and I just threw the boot at it.”

The goal cut the lead to three points and moments earlier the Gaoth Dobhair ‘keeper had denied Charles McGuinness with a magnificent stop.  “He’s a great shot stopper. We saw him up there training with the county.”

McGettigan’s goal was a reward for the big start Naomh Conaill had at the start of the second half and it was replicated by the rest of the team and the supporters.

“When we get the momentum, we just go with it, especially against Gaoth Dobhair. They haven’t beaten us now in six or seven years. We felt there might be doubts going into their heads when we got near them (on the scoreboard).”

He did agree that Gaoth Dobhair had chances near the end of normal time but felt comfortable once his side got to extra-time.

“We kinda got into a comfort zone then and I like it when it becomes messy like that and the crowd are going mental. Everything seems to go mental and it seems to work out for us.”

McGettigan was one of a number of people making good tackles and blocks but he says that’s the way it has to be.

“Sure look, everybody just puts the body on the line. That’s the way it is.”

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With six medals now won, McGettigan is in awe of the boys in the panel who have eight. Anthony Thompson, Brendan McDyer and Leo McLoone played on Sunday and Eoin Waide was in the panel. When I put it to him that they might be playing on the same day that they will be honoured for 25 years, he didn’t rule it out.

“It’s amazing for them to play in 13 finals. And look, there’s more to come. I think Tony  and Brendy will be here, the way they are going. They look after themselves well.

“They are real drivers for the club. Leo gets involved in underage as well, coaching and stuff and Tony is just a role model for the club.”

He also had huge praise for the three young players who were playing in their first final and the contribution they made.

“Finnbarr (Roarty) is just an amazing bull of a man. Sniffer Dog we call him. He’s just unbelievable. He gets his hands on ball that nobody else should.

“And then Shea Malone, what a find he has been this year. He is something special.

“I couldn’t believe he got that two pointer, but he has that in the locker.

“And Max (Campbell), he’s full of running. I can’t wait to see how them boys flourish now in the future.”

With that young talent coming through nobody will be even thinking of writing off Naomh Conaill now for many years. Sunday’s result also means that the county players will be able to go and enjoy their team holiday.

“We’ll get away now,” laughs McGettigan.