Killybegs native McGuire’s Lavey give All-Ireland champs Glen a fright in Derry

Killybegs native Brendan McGuire’s Lavey were pipped in heartbreaking fashion by All-Ireland SFC Club champions Watty Grahams Glen in the Derry SFC quarter-final.

A stoppage-time point from Conleth McGuckian edged Glen to victory on a 1-11 to 0-13 scoreline and into the last four after a pulsating finish at Owenbeg.

An Ethan Doherty goal gave Glen a 1-3 to 0-4 advantage at the break. Fintan Bradley and Ryan Mulholland levelled the game as play began to swing from end to end.

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With time almost up, Ryan Mulholland put Lavey ahead, 0-12 to 1-8 and Glen’s titles were on the line. Ethan Doherty showed for the kickout which led to Glass being involved before Emmett Bradley levelled matters.

Ryan McGill put Lavey ahead before Danny McDermott’s equaliser looked to have sent the game to extra time. There was time for another play and McGuckian kicked the winner.

With his local club Killybegs, McGuire won county U-13, U-14 and the minor crown in 2005 alongside players like current Everton and Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman, former Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps defender Jason Noctor and Donegal county minors Paul McGinley and Shane Boyle.

Killybegs were beaten in the 2005/06 St Paul's Tournament Ulster Minor final by Tyrone’s Errigal Ciaran and later that same year McGuire was an All-Ireland Freshers finalist for Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

McGuire was part of the Killybegs side who reached the 2013 Donegal SFC final and three years later, whilst living in Letterkenny, lined out for St Eunan’s, who won the Donegal Senior Reserve Championship. He was also part of the St Catherine’s side who won the Donegal League Premier Division in 2005/06 and again in 2014/15 and is a three-time Brian McCormick Sports Cup winner. McGuire took over as Faughanvale manager in 2022 before moving to Lavey this season.