Barney Curran: Na Dúnaibh are in ‘dreamland’ ahead of All-Ireland JFC final

Barney Curran says Na Dúnaibh have exceeded all expectations this season but insists that an All-Ireland semi-final win isn’t the time for reflection. 

The Donegal Junior champions held off Kilcock from Kildare on their own patch on Sunday with a gritty 1-7 to 0-7 win. 

Limerick’s Mungret St Paul’s needed extra-time and a freekick shootout to see off  Coolera/Strandhill of Sligo in the other last four encounter and that decider will now take place in a fortnight’s time in Parnell Park. 

“It’s just unbelievable stuff, we’re in dreamland really,” Curran said after. “We just have to refocus and reset now because it’s an All-Ireland final and we have to quickly get our heads around that. 

“We only had two instructions today and that was to do our own individual jobs and to outwork Kilcock. The system and the set-up, we stuck to the gameplan. 

“Down the last stretch, you need that wee bit of luck too and I felt we got that at times. But thoroughly deserved and we have to be ready now for December 15 and the final in Parnell Park”.

Matters were deasdlocked at the break at the weekend with captain Sinead McBride’s goal sending the hosts in with 1-3 under their belts to Kilcock’s 0-6. 

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Still, the manager says he wasn’t pleased with how things had unfolded in the opening half hour but an honest exchange in the dressing room seen his side lift matters following the retart. 

“We were disappointed with the first-half as we squandered a few goal chances. We also spoke about taking the ball into contact and in the first-half we did that a few times too many. 

“But we’d strong words at half-time, some big questions were asked and thankfully the girls responded. It’s just brilliant. They are a credit to themselves and this club”.