'The boys are willing to prove they deserve to be in the MacRory Cup' - McFadden

The Abbey Vocational School manager Stuart McFadden couldn’t have asked for a better start to his side’s MacRory Cup campaign as he praised his players on the side of the field following his team’s 4-14 to 2-13 win over St Patrick’s Academy in Trillick on Tuesday. 

It’s the old expression that goals win games, and it was the Donegal school who raised four green flags in the opening half to sail them into a solid lead against last season’s MacRory Cup finalists. 

And while there may have been question marks over how the Abbey would fare playing in the Ulster A competition, the general consensus after the game from supporters and management is that they could not have asked for a better start. 

“We came in knowing we were going up a grade from last year and that it was going to be tough,” McFadden told Donegal Live after the match. 

“Coming into the first game it was important for us to just find our feet and see where we’re at, and we did that with a great performance all around the field. We had pace and power and we were set up really well. 

“We got four goals in the first half which set us up nicely, and I think if we can get a performance like that in every game then we’ll be enjoying this season.” 

McFadden, who guided the school to their first All-Ireland B title last March in Clones, says the aspiration this season is for his team to enjoy their football and hopefully that may guide them to better things later in the year, while also crediting the players for setting their own standards and ambitions on and off the field. 

“We’re here to enjoy the football this season,” McFadden said. “There’s no big expectation on us as a group and we know that, so all we’re going to do is go out and give it our all and see what happens. 

“To be fair, a lot of the boys are driving it themselves too, which it makes it easier for us. A lot of the boys that are playing this year, were also involved last season, even those who may have not been in the team but were in the squad. So, they know what they’re at and they’re driving the team forward. 

“When you have boys coming to training with a good attitude and are playing well, that’s all you can ask for.

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“Really, all the boys want to do is play football. When we were coming to this game, we were saying to each other that we’re now up a level. We’re now in the MacRory competition, so it’s important to see how we can cope at this level. 

“We’re now playing with schools who are playing in the MacRory Cup every year. Like St Patrick's Academy were in the final last year, so we know it’s going to be difficult, but the boys are willing to prove that they deserve to be here.”