Brian MacIntyre says Conor McGurk Cup win shows 'hurling is really coming' in Donegal

Following on from their loss to Down in the Conor McGurk Cup final last year, Donegal were wary of what this year’s version might bring against Ulster University. 

Brian MacIntyre is one of those players who well remember Down’s smash and grab act last year,  when a last gasp free in the 72nd minute from Paul Sheehan gave the Mourne County a 1-22 to 2-18 win. It wasn’t something that Donegal had not totally forgotten. 

“We were really in control and a win over Down in a final would have been a major psychological boost to us, but we just did not see it out,” the St Eunan’s player said. “And that is why winning this cup means so much to Donegal. It is silverware and we do not see it too often in Donegal. We were gutted to lose last year but we have the trophy now and it is just great. 

“It is a pity that a number of games were not played this year as it is all Ulster teams, and you can see there is serious quality out there."

Donegal, though, put that right on Thursday night with a comprehensive 5-28 to 0-21 victory over Ulster University to seal victory in this year’s Conor McGurk Cup final.

“The UU team are a very good side, and it is just that they don’t get the chance to play together as much as we do,” MacIntyre said. “They kept going and they hit 0-21 and they had some very good players from Antrim Down, Derry and Fermanagh so we knew we would have to put in a big effort and thankfully we did. 

“And we did it without Danny Cullen, Declan Coulter, Stephen Gillespie and Christopher McDermott who are all big players for us. it was really great to see the young lads stepping up tonight and Liam McKinney, Conor Gartland, Ruairi Campbell and Steven really did that, and it shows that we have quite considerable strength in depth. 

“They were brilliant and that is just massive for hurling in Donegal. It shows that there will be continuity in the good progress that has been made in the county over the past number of years. Hurling is really coming on and we also have more clubs than ever”.

Donegal turn on the style to clinch Conor McGurk Cup with emphatic victory

Mickey McCann's Donegal out-gunned Ulster University in Belfast to take home some silverware from the Ulster pre-season curtain-raiser that had been deferred

Victory in the competition was one that MacIntyre said is important to the sport in the county, as well as putting in a good showing at the Dub in Belfast.

“It is great to get a trophy and when you play pretty well it is even sweeter,” he added. “Goals are always big scores and if you don’t get them you generally end up on the losing side and thankfully, we managed to get them here tonight”. 

The next immediate concern for Donegal is a crunch match with a physically powerful and experienced Wicklow side in Division 2B of the Allianz NHL. A win would almost certainly put Donegal into the knock-out stages.

“Wicklow will be a much tougher challenge than tonight so we will need to be ready for them but tonight was good preparation for that stiff test as well,” MacIntyre added.