'It was with relief as much as joy for us at the final whistle' - John McIntyre 

It was a relief as much as anything else at the final whistle for St Eunan’s captain John McIntyre following Friday night’s 1-14 to 2-8 extra-time win in the Donegal C final against Naomh Conaill.

The Skipper admitted with 10 minutes to go in normal time and with Naomh Conaill up by two points after coming from three down at the break, he thought St Eunan’s title aspirations were in bother.

“With 10 minutes to go and Naomh Conaill coming at us I thought the game was going away from us. The momentum was with Naomh Conaill at that stage,” the jubilant St Eunan’s captain admitted afterwards. 

“Thomas Roache, Calvin Aidoo, and Paddy McGowan kicked three big points to draw us level and get the draw and bring us to extra-time.” 

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St Eunans got off to a flying start and were 1-2 to 0-1 up inside 10 minutes, and 1-3 to 0-2 up by the 20 minute mark.  

“We got off to a great start but that has been the theme all year. We’d start well and then let teams back into the game,” McIntyre said.

“I’m not sure if it is complacency or a lack of awareness. But the most important thing is we got the job done and came out on the right side of the result.

“The subs made a huge impact when they came on with Thomas Roache, Calvin Aidoo, and Paddy McGowan, and they scored six points between them.”

The captain also paid tribute to the contribution of former senior championship winners and county players Rory Kavanagh and Conall Dunne.  

“It was also great to have Rory Kavanagh and Conall Dunne with us this year,” he said. “They have been great for the team and have been very good for the young lads given the experience they’ve had with the club and the county. 

“It is great to lift the cup and be champions. That is the first one now, the C championship. Hopefully we can add the other two, the B championship and the senior championship now on Sunday.”