Abbey VS on the crest of a wave - manager Stuart McFadden

Abbey VS, Donegal Town are on the crest of a wave at the moment after defeating Dunmore CS (Galway) to reach the All-Ireland Colleges B final.

They were never in any real trouble against the Galway school and had eight points to spare at the finish (2-17 to 1-12).

And a very proud member of the management team, Stuart McFadden, was really happy for his charges when speaking afterwards.

“We were superb today. We came out of the blocks flying, which was very good and we were glad to see. We hit 1-3 in the first 10 minutes,” said McFadden.

The Donegal Town boys were always four or five points ahead for most of the first half and kept that margin of at least five throughout the second period against a Dunmore CS team that never threw in the towel.

Asked if the good start allowed the management to relax a little on the sideline, McFadden said “relaxed was not a word his heart felt.”

“We were always kind of in control but it was never too comfortable. We had that six point gap at half-time and we were happy to go in with that. They pressed very well on our kick-outs and we were put under a wee bit of pressure there.

“The impact of our subs really helped us out today. Because the boys that came off the bench all made a super contribution  to what happened.”

The Donegal Town side had a cushion right from the start and had six points to spare at the break, 1-9 to 0-6.

“We always had that five point advantage, but we always knew they would get some kind of purple patch. They had some good inside forwards who were causing some trouble. At the same time we trusted the boys that they could up and get a couple of scores  as well.

“They were able to do that and I suppose it was nice to have that wee cushion at all times. We needed it in the end.”
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1432119/abbey-vs-create-more-history-by-defeating-dunmore-cs-to-reach-colleges-all-ireland-final.html

While there were many big performances, the captain Seanán Carr, really stood up and McFadden agreed that he really led by example.

“He was always there and he stood up. He was leading from the front and he had everybody working in behind him, those senior boys, the Leaving Certs, as I mentioned last week.

“Conor McCahill, he scored 1-3 there again today. For a 16-year-old to be in there working with those boys, it’s super. He’ll have another two years playing senior football and we have a good crew with him now who go up and play Senior A.

“Look, it’s nice for the school and it’s good to be on that crest of a wave. And we said to them, they need to enjoy it. These opportunities don’t come too often.

“I have no doubt most of them will play senior with their clubs but this might be the only time they will play in an All-Ireland final,” said McFadden, who said it had been confirmed that the final will be on 9th March against Ashbourne CS but no venue has been decided yet.

It had been hoped that the game might be in Croke Park, but McFadden says there is no confirmation of a venue.

It will be a big occasion for the boys. “There might be a few who  will play county senior football in the squad but even those might not get to play in an All-Ireland final. Nobody can take that away from them now.”

It will be nice for the panel to play in an All-Ireland final but it is also a nice accolade for the management.

“It’s a nice thing for the CV and as I say myself and Jamie (Brennan) are in a very privileged position, to lead the boys. But they are great to work with, they are like sponges listening to everything we say, they buy into the game plan and it’s a really proud moment for us as well.

“But it’s even prouder to see those boys grow and as I say, we’re on a crest of a wave, so let’s make the most of it.”

It was a comfortable win but the semi-final was competitive and that will be good for the team, according to McFadden.