'I think it's hard to sum it up' - Cathal Sweeney after St Michael’s shock win

Like most everyone in Davy Brennan Park, Glenties on Sunday, St Michael’s joint manager, Cathal Sweeney was in a state of shock after watching his side come from eight down against Kilcar to reach the last four of the Donegal senior championship.

There was also a bit of pride after watching his side perform so well in the final quarter when the chips were down.

“I think it’s hard to sum it up. First of all we were disappointed with our first half performance. We felt it didn’t reflect our championship campaign so far and the work we had put in. We felt we didn’t really get going and conceded too many soft turnovers which allowed Kilcar to transition at pace,” said Sweeney.

“If you cough up those soft turnovers, they have the players, the McHughs, McBrearty inside, they are going to transition and are going to punish you every time.

“We felt we weren’t at the races as regards intensity as well. I suppose at half-time we just asked the boys about the good work the boys did all year, to put it to good use in the second half.”

Indeed, it didn’t get any better at the start of the second half as a couple of points were traded and then Kilcar were awarded a penalty.

“You were wondering if the gap was too big then but one of the big turning points was Mark Anthony McGinley’s save. If that went in it was game over. You could see the players taking energy from it and then Colin Sean (McFadden) pulled off a wonder goal.

“Then in the last 15 minutes we had the confidence and the fitness in the legs and it told then,” said Sweeney.

It still didn’t come easy with the normally reliable Carlos O’Reilly off target with his right and left but then he came alive when a half-blocked effort fell into his path and he turned quickly and found the corner of the net for the lead.

“Listen, he came back and his goal put us a point ahead then. What was really pleasing for us was that last passage of play. There was three minutes of added time and we kept the ball for those three minutes. We worked it until we found the space and we got an experienced head in Michael McGinley.

“Listen, the older boys there today really stood up. Martin McElhinney, Daniel McLaughlin, Michael McGinley.  McElhinney winning the last kick-out was a big moment for us as well,” said Sweeney.

“There were question marks over whether them boys were finished or not but the performance they put in today says otherwise.

“Listen, the younger players as well, I have to give them a lot of credit. They have really stood up, Colin Sean, Carlos (O’Reilly), Paddy McGinley, Kyle McGarvey, Eddie O’Reilly, boys like that are really stepping up to the mark.

“Listen, it is pleasing. We are on a good run, on a good journey. Nothing changes for us now, we just move into another week and try to take another step,” said Sweeney.