MAC'S VIEW: Great night of stories at get-together of 1992 squad

First of all this week, my congratulations to Setanta on winning the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship on Saturday last. What a result for such a small community. In reality they are only half a parish. 

It was an historic win, the first by a Donegal club at this level. Setanta had won the Ulster junior twice in recent years while Burt also won an Ulster junior. It has been a fantastic period for the small club from the Cross over the past 10 years or so.

In the club football championships I watched St Brigid’s of  Roscommon give a great performance to win the Connacht title. They conceded a second goal before half-time which could have been a square ball. But they came good in the second half and there is a great freshness about them.

Kilmacud Crokes won a third Leinster title but they were made to work for it by a good Kildare side from Naas. I felt sorry for Na Fianna in the Leinster hurling title, going down narrowly to a slicker O’Loughlin Gaels of Kilkenny. I would know a bit about the Na Fianna side as the Skylon Hotel is within their catchment area.

This Sunday we have the Ulster club final and the meeting of holders Glen Maghera and Scotstown should make for a good game. The two semi-finals were very close. Scotstown might be outsiders but they have a great resilience and they also have a great keeper in Rory Beggan, anything from a sweeper to an extra half-back or midfielder.

GREAT GET-TOGETHER

We had a great get-together of the 1992 squad on Friday night last in Letterkenny. And although we don’t meet as often now, the way the lads still  gel and fit in together is amazing, without even trying.

I have to complement Terry (McEniff) and the staff at the Mount Errigal Hotel for hosting the event. They did everything for us, even providing music in the bar. But we adjourned back to the dining room where we had a great night.

It went on late and on seeing my late brother Sean’s Grand Piano in the corner at 4 am, I thought the only way to get away was to play Amhran na bhFiann.

I had taken a lift down on the night with Sylvester Maguire and I got another lift back the following morning with Gary Walsh. It was just a wonderful night and morning.

I had never heard John Joe (Doherty) sing before. Barry Cunningham sang and Wee James gave us a rousing song. Tony (Boyle) himself sang, and (Anthony) Molloy kept the whole show going.  He sang a song I had never heard before, I think he made it up himself.

Tommy Ryan flew in from England for the night and also gave us a song. 

It was a very pleasant and pleasurable night. The slagging was mighty and everyone got a touch. I also heard stories that I had not heard before. And it was great also to see Dr Austin O’Kennedy there.

We have Co Convention here in Donegal next week and I also see that good sense has prevailed in Croke Park regarding the decision on hurling for our neighbouring counties, Fermanagh and Leitrim. The proposal to exclude them from league competition was not passed.

I would like to congratulate the Leitrim Ladies club side, Ballinamore, on reaching the All-Ireland final with their victory over Steelstown of Derry at the weekend.

Also good luck to new St Eunan’s manager, Barry Meehan and I see that he has Brendan Devenney on his backroom team. It will be interesting to see Devenney’s influence on this St Eunan’s team.

The Donegal 1992 squad and backroom team pictured with Brian McEniff in the Mount Errigal Hotel

DONEGAL AND THE RUGBY CLUB

I see where Donegal Town Rugby Club are celebrating their 50th anniversary this weekend and there was a great link between the All-Ireland win of 1992 and the Rugby Club.

Back in those days getting places to train was a really big problem. There was no Convoy at the time and most of the clubs had limited pitches and dressing rooms and lighting wasn’t anywhere near what is available now.

We got an offer from Donegal Town RFC to train at The Holmes and we availed of it. Apart from their pitches, they were also on the beach and we were able to use both places.

We would go down to the beach and I would go to one end with the car and put on the lights. You had to sprint to McEniff’s car and back. There were a lot of enjoyable times down there.

One session that I can recall clearly was the night after we were beaten by Dublin in early 1992 in the league quarter-final. I called for a training session the following night and I remember Brian Murray and Gary Walsh weren’t too pleased as they were away from hom.

We trained that night in blinding rain and when they came in they were looking for a shower, but I said they had to sit there and listen to what I had to say. We picked it up that year after that night.

It was a similar session to what we did later in the year after the Fermanagh match, when we didn’t play particularly well. There was a  request that we pick  up the training and we returned to some old style stamina sessions.

The Holmes was like a home from home. We had great times down there. The year after the All-Ireland win I was invited down to their dinner dance as a special guest.

I want to congratulate the club on their 50th anniversary and I wish them all the best for the future.

Finally this week, my sympathies to  the McGlynn family, Letterkenny, on the death of Kevin McGlynn. Condolences to his wife, Una; sons Philip and Kevin and daughter Kate (Melly) and the wider family circle. May his soul rest in peace.

Brian McEniff was in conversation with Peter Campbell