Super sub Patrick Reid was the goal hero for Four Masters

Four Masters could be before the District Court this week on a charge of daylight robbery, such was the manner of their victory in the Marley Travel Division 2 final against Buncrana in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Saturday evening.

With five minutes left, the Donegal Town side trailed by three points - 0-9 to 0-6 - and didn’t look like they could bridge the gap. They had plenty of opportunities for points but their forwards were off form with nine second half wides.

They needed a goal and when the chance came it fell to substitute Patrick Reid, who had moved into full-forward. His brother, Oisin, launched a high ball which seemed to be covered by big John Campbell,  who was back minding the house. But when the ball slipped from Campbell’s grasp, Reid pounced, swivelled and fired to  the corner of the net ala Michael Murphy.

The  momentum was with Four Masters and a free in added time sent them back  through the gap with the cup, something that looked unlikely as the game neared its end.

“We left it late, but in fairness Buncrana are a good side.  It was a good oul game and we just kept clipping away and had a couple of wides. It was the 61st minute and we just managed to get ahead and held on then,” was the reaction of the goalscorer, Patrick Reid.

“We’re just happy to get over the line. Buncrana were full value for their half-time lead. But I suppose it was the first time for most of the team. I haven’t been in a final for seven or eight years so it was a big occasion for us.

“We were trying to get up to the pace of it and we had a good talking to at half-time and that brought us up to speed. We just got the shackles off and went for it,” said Reid, who said the introduction of Seanán Carr and David Monaghan was a big boost.

“All them young fellas were a big boost, they lifted the team.

“Yeah, we were lucky to be still in it. Buncrana are a big strong team and they were controlling that game for long periods. But the young boys coming on really turned it on for us.”

Reid acknowledged that the goal which ultimately decided the contest had a fair slice of luck attached.

“We just got that stroke of luck, I suppose. You try to hold out for moments like that and you have to take them,” said Reid, who agreed that it looked as if John Campbell had held the high ball. “It just happened to slip out of his hands. Those are the breaks, too, and you just have to go with them.

“I can hardly remember anything now about the finish. When you get a break in the six yard box, you just try to keep it low and that one just managed to slip under one or two men and get in.”

The win is a huge boost for Four Masters, who have been very successful at underage in recent years, while at senior level it has been a matter of survival at times.

“There were a couple of rough years there, relegation battles and staying alive in the senior championship, but keeping at it and keeping at it.

“Credit to anybody who has taken the underage teams in the club in general in the last couple of years. You can see these young players coming through and the quality.

“Keeping our senior status over the last couple of years was the big one, playing with the best teams and now hopefully reaping the rewards from that work.”

In three weeks’ time the championship will be underway and Reid is now looking forward to that.

“Gaoth Dobhair first day out, that’s exactly what you want, up against the big boys to see where you are at. We will just see how it goes,” said Reid, who added that no doubt Decky Bushell will have a few tough training sessions planned.