Shay Murrin: 'We would've been happy with any win coming into this match'

Donegal Southwest school manager Shay Murrin praised the application and workrate of his side following Thursday’s MacRory Cup win against Holy Trinity, Cookstown. 

It was the first outing for this new team in this Ulster senior competition and everyone was questioning how the side would cope in terms of logistics and oragnisation, with five schools in Donegal coming together for the first time. 

And there opening performance seemed to silence all doubters for the time being, with the Donegal side getting off to a flying start following their 2-6 to 0-4 point win over Holy Trinity in Banagher. 

Playing into an extremely strong wind in the opening half, the Donegal side used the conditions to their advantage, holding a 1-4 to 0-2 lead at the break, with an early goal from Liam Bhreathnach in the opening five minutes of the match setting the tone for a strong first half.   

And despite the lower-scoring second-half performance which saw Holy Trinity only score two points with the strong wind in their favour, to Donegal Southwest’s 1-1, the Tyrone school seemed to constantly be playing second best, as Murrin’s side held out for an eight-point win.  

“The wind had a huge impact on both halves,” Murrin said after his side’s win.  

“I suppose we got a lucky enough goal and that settled us which is what was needed because it’s a new team here. But we’re happy with the team’s effort and application throughout the game and we would’ve been happy coming into this match with any win at all, we said at half-time that one point would do us, so really happy with our performance.” 

Despite holding a solid lead in the second half and playing smart possession football, Murrin credits his team for holding out against a number of Holy Trinity attacks, praising his backline for remaining strong and not conceding any scores. 

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“I thought the opposition fired in loads of high ball in the second half and I thought we defended it really well,” he admitted. “We didn’t shut up shop in the second half because Holy Trinity still had chances, but credit has to go to the lads, they worked and worked and worked in the second half which is what we asked of them.” 

Regarding the organisation of the team and planning going forward, Murrin admits that it is a joy to be a part of, especially when managing a large number of talented players. 

“As Roy Keane says, the players pick the team every week. It’s down to the players’ application at training, and the boys showing up and giving it their all,” he said. 

“You always hear people talking about players putting their hands up in team sports, and that’s what these lads are doing. All the players are showing that they want to play and want to get on the field, and that’s how the team is picked and it makes our job a lot easier. 

“It’s not a headache at all, the players have been great and the clubs have been easy to work with. Once we got access to the players, it’s been easy enough, and everyone wants to be part of this journey and that’s what you want. 

“We’ll bring a bit of focus to the next few sessions and we’ll take a look at some of the other teams and take it from there. We knew nothing really about Holy Trinity but we’ll start to learn more and more over the next few weeks.”