'That win meant everything to us' - Caolan McColgan

Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin star Caolan McColgan has cited Sunday's All-Ireland junior semi-final win over Cill Mhuire in Parnell Park as the greatest days in the club's history and one of the most important games he has ever played in.

The Donegal men, fuelled by a burning sense of purpose, triumphed 3-1 in a nerve-shredding shootout after 80 minutes of pulsating football had failed to separate two gladiatorial sides following a 1-13 to 2-10 scoreline after extra-time.

It was Kevin Lynch’s nerveless penalty in extra-time, after Caolan McColgan was fouled in the box, that clawed Naomh Padraig back from the abyss, sending the game to the ultimate lottery. From there, McColgan, Lynch, and Rory Hirrell were ice-cold from the spot to see their side's victory.

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“This game meant everything to us,” said McColgan, the game’s electric heartbeat. “To be able to represent the club in two weeks' time in Croke Park . . . it’s unbelievable. All we’ve been talking about was getting to Croke Park, not just for the supporters but for ourselves. Everyone dreams of playing there, and we’re happy we’re there now.”

Extra-time was chaos distilled. Lloyd Aisling rattled the crossbar to put Cill Mhuire ahead before Rory Duggan’s goal left Naomh Padraig staring into the abyss. But McColgan summoned one last surge, weaving through Cork jerseys before being dragged down for the penalty that Lynch dispatched with surgical precision.

“It means everything to us, especially with all we’ve been through this year,” McColgan said, a warrior summing up the collective spirit of his tribe.

"I think we'll have this buzz we're feeling for the next two weeks leading into the final, it's a great day. I thought we were beat in extra-time but we pulled it back nicely and kept dragging ourselves back into the game and thankfully we got the result.

"In fairness to Cill Mhuire, they put a lot of pressure on us in the first half and it was tough to deal with. They are a good side but thankfully we got to grips with them in the end and took over the game."