U-21 success was the target for Four Masters this year - Conor Reid

Four Masters bridged a gap of 23 years when winning the U-21A Championship final against Glenswilly on Sunday in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon and captain Conor Reid says the competition was one of their top targets all year.

“100 per cent. That was the target (to be in the final). We knew we had the players and the management behind us. We had won minors and U-16s so this was the last one for us. We had put a good shift into this,” said Reid.

And there is a huge warning for all other clubs in the county as the starting team for Four Masters on Sunday contained only one player aged 21.

“We are only losing Senan Quinn for next year and we will have a couple more coming in. Senan is a big loss to us as he was a big player around the middle,” said Reid.

And next year there will be three Carrs in the mix as Tomás Carr will be eligible so even at this stage, the Donegal Town side will have a target on their forehead as favourites for the 2025 title.

On Sunday for much of the first half it looked as if they would have an easy passage to lifting the cup and when Conor McCahill fired home a goal for a 1-6 to 0-3 lead with four minutes to go to the break, it looked bleak for Glenswilly.

But the Glen men rallied and two goals in quick succession had them level at the break and they started really well in the second half with the breeze behind them and were three ahead with 22 minutes left.

But then Four Masters showed their true character and even though missing a few chances, they got their act together and ran out three point winners.

“We probably didn’t take all our chances. We had a lot of ball in the first 15-20 minutes and we could have been further ahead. Them two goals against us just before half time really changed it.

“We went in at half-time and we had to gather ourselves and get going. The boys put the head down and showed great character because in the games coming up to this we were quite comfortable but we knew it was going to take a big shift to beat Glenswilly. They are a great team.

“We were three points down and it wasn’t looking  great for us at one stage, but we kept ticking over and taking our chances,” said Reid.

They were helped by corner-back Daniel McGinty coming forward to start the comeback and in the final quarter Conor McCahill showed his quality in the front line.

“We all know the quality that Conor (McCahill) has; for a 17-year-old it’s serious and he has some future ahead of him.

“But everyone did well there today. You can’t really pick out one man. They all put their shoulders to the wheel.”

Four Masters captain Conor Reid with his family after the game Pic courtesy Four Masters Facebook

In what was a great game to watch from a neutral viewpoint, Reid said that they had been pre-warned that it was never going to be easy against Glenswilly

“It was a good game. They are never easy to beat and they never go away. That’s the club they are. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. They have some great players, Donal Gallagher, Daithi Gildea, Mark Bonner.

“We have had some great battles with them this year. We lost to them in the seniors and we lost in the earlier stages of the U-21. We felt we owed them one and that was something that kicked us on.

“But I’m sure we will meet again, no doubt,” said Reid, who laughs when asked about representing Donegal now in the Ulster U-21 club. “There will be a lot of ice baths after that and boys playing in MacRory Cup and Ulster Minor next week. But the boys love it and as long as there are games we will be there.”