Blue wheels keep on turning at Naomh Conaill

Three games in and Naomh Conaill sit top of the All-County League’s premier tier. 

Even without the likes of Ciaran Thompson, Jeaic Mac Ceallbhui, Odhran Doherty, Leo McLoone, Anthony Thompon, Eoin Waide and the recently returning Eoghan McGettigan, the Davy Brennan Memorial Park outfit remain machine-like in how they go about their business. 

Having previously disposed of both MacCumhaills and Killybegs in comfortable fashion, they went to Glenfin last Saturday evening and easily added another two points to the Division 1 board. 

Naomh Conaill keep churning out the results and, as they go, players seem to roll off the conveyor belt as all that moves along. While other senior sides might well struggle without the above considerable list, the Glenties outfit find the pluses in it. 

“It’s great to have the opportunity to give lads game time,” said boss Martin Regan. “If we were at full strength, we might not get too good a look at some lads. Logan Quinn, he’s been in the panel now for four or five years  but this is the first time he’s got a good run of games. He’s been brilliant in there. 

“Also, to have Daniel Gildea back in from the U-20s, he’s now getting plenty of club football. It’s all very encouraging. It means, down the line, they’ll be ready for the pitch of championship football when called upon”. 

And Regan doesn’t disguise the fact that the defending champions are gearing all efforts, even these very early ones, towards another Dr Maguire assault. 

“It’s all geared towards championship, it always is. But you love playing league football for the reasons I just outlined. We get real value out of it. And we’re not taking the league lightly - we’d like to win it. 

“But the eyes are on championship, that is the bigger picture. But we’re enjoying the run of league games. We’re working off a small panel. We’d only really 17 or 18 fresh players there today (against Glenfin)”.

Amazingly, Regan still has five survivors from the club’s maiden SFC win back in 2005 with Anthony Thompson, Waide, McLoone, Marty Boyle and Brendan Mcdyer all still in tow. But there were no conversations to be had in the off season - no one’s ear had to be bent about remaining on board. 

“No - and that’s testament to all those lads. They enjoy it. The important thing for them is that it’s not a chore. It’s a close group and that’s potent. It would be a hard thing to walk away from”. 

Naomh Conaill’s hopes of retaining their SFC title have received a huge boost in recent weeks with the return of influential pair Eoghan McGettigan and Ultan Doherty. And Regan says both have put in a huge amount of work to get back up to speed following lengthy injury layoffs. 

“Eoghan and Ultan, they are two of our big names in both defence and attack. To win a championship without them was a massive achievement.  To have them back now, it’s a breath of fresh air.