Captain Conor Gartland believes actions speak louder than words

There will be no ranting or shouting from Donegal’s young captain Conor Gartland ahead or during Sunday’s Nickey Rackard Cup SHC All-Ireland final against Mayo. 

While the 20-year-old Burt clubman insists he may, from time-to-time, have to gee up the players with a few words of encouragement, overall he is not in the legendary shouting and roaring business in the dressing room before games or on the pitch during the game. 

“When you are surrounded by a group of boys like we have in the squad, there is no need for shouting and ranting,” he says, speaking at Tuesday night's press briefing ahead of the Croke Park showdown with Mayo.  

“All the boys are working hard and trying their best. I might do a wee bit of extra talking to gee boys up to help us drive on and get to climb the steps on Sunday.

“But overall I would be a quiet captain and I try to keep everything positive. I call it positive reinforcement. 

“I’m not for the negative shouting at boys. If a man makes a mistake he is the first man to know it.

“There are times when you have to spread your message around the pitch. But often your actions speak louder than any words.

“I say the reason I got the captaincy is because a lot of my game is based around effort and putting in tackles and getting under every ball. I always try to play my own game and leave others to play their game.”

At 20, Gartland is the youngest player to ever captain Donegal in either hurling or football.