Four Masters’ gate open for any hurler that wants to come onboard  - McFarlane 

Peter McFarlane says the influx of outside additions has breathed new life into hurling at new Junior champions Four Masters. 

The Offaly native helped guide the Donegal Town men to championship success at the weekend with a 1-14 to 1-11 win over previous champions St Eunan’s. 

In the end, the Catherdrel men were just three points off the winners’ coattails. But truth be told, this was a convincing win for Four Masters. 

McFarlane’s charges led 1-14 to 0-9 with just two minutes of normal time left on the clock. 

And while Eunan O’Donnell’s side did grab a late 1-2, Masters were too far out the gate at that stage with 'Player of the Match' David Quinn finishing with a stunning tally of 1-11. 

It’s been quite the struggle for the Tír Conaill Park residents in recent times but the weekend’s reemergence feels like a threshold moment. 

And with Burt and Buncrana taking a stranglehold on the rest of Saturday afternoon with SHC and IHC victories for Inishowen, McFarlane said it was important for Masters to make a dent on the afternoon’s curtain-raiser in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny. 

And the manager says a key ingredient in this season’s turnaround is that they’ve spread their net far and wide in west and south west Donegal in a bid to plump numbers. 

“The more people hurling in west and south west Donegal the better is is for Donegal hurling. It’s just great to see a trophy coming through the Gap for the first time in 20 years. 

“We’re over the moon in Four Masters and we really appreciate the surrounding clubs that send players our direction - and it’s breathing new life into the thing. 

“We’re now back in the senior championship. But let’s keep on rocking and see where it takes us. Hurling is a brilliant and beautiful game. And today is a really special one. 

“It’s just a Junior title for some but to Four Masters and the players out there, this has the potential to be a launchpad to bigger and better things”.

Eight points clear on 58 minutes, McFarlane admitted that he never felt the game was over or out of St Eunan’s reach. 

“It was a nervy finish but in hurling a six-point deficit is only ever two swings of the hurl. It can turn around so quickly. So we were very conscious of that. 

“And in the end, whether it was just by a single point or whatever, we were just grateful to have come out the right side of the result”. 

Veteran full-forward Colm Hunter, an Antrim native now settled in Ardara, walks past and gets a huge embrace from his manager. 

“Colm is a fantastic hurler in the twilight of his career now that moved to Dubai ten years ago. If he hadn’t moved away back then he’d have been known at intercounty level. 

“But by coming on board with us, even at this stage of his career, the likes of that input has just been brilliant. And listen, the gates remain open. 

“We have lads in the squad up from Naomh Conaill, St Naul’s, Ardara, Naomh Ultan and Naomh Brid. And the more the merrier. 

“It’s a lovely mix to have all that. So ahead of 2025, anyone that feels they can contribute then get in touch”.