“It doesn’t get any bigger than that” - Oisin Doherty on making MacRory final

“Ah, you just couldn’t top that. A MacRory final, it doesn’t get bigger than that, especially for our school anyway, the size of it compared to some of the Northern schools. It’s just a massive achievement and we’re just buzzin to be in it to be honest,”

That was the reaction of Abbey VS’s Oisin Doherty in the dressing room in the Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon minutes after his side had defeated Donegal Southwest by two points to reach the final of the Danske Bank MacRory Cup in their first ever year in the competition.

The Donegal Town school were Ulster champions last year but at the second level MacLarnon Cup but now are just one game away from another huge success.

On Saturday they were up against an amalgamation of five schools from south and west Donegal and there was a huge familiarity between the participants.

“We knew everybody (on their side) and they knew us. It was more of a tactical game, them trying to nullify us; us trying to nullify them in many ways. Look, it was enjoyable to play there, you couldn’t beat it, playing against the best in Donegal really, them boys. 

“It was a tough game and we are just happy to come out on  top,” said Doherty, who made a huge contribution to the win, firing over two points in each half.

The Abbey laid the foundation for their success in the opening half when they built up an 0-7 to 0-3 lead and it has been a trend in their games in the competition.

“A lot of games, we’ve had a good start to be honest. We didn’t rattle the net today, but we kept digging deep. There was a bit of a wind too. Conor (McCahill) was on fire in there. And whenever he’s hitting score after score, it is just a joy to watch.

“You fire it in any way to Conor and he’ll win it. Eoghan (Gallagher) was very good as well today I thought. Yeah, in general the whole team did very well today and we’re very happy.”

Doherty agrees that it was probably their best performance of the whole campaign.

“I would say it was, the most complete performance anyway. From start to finish, we led the whole way, no complaints anyway.”

He also agreed that in the second half the ability of Kevin Muldoon to lift the siege with forward runs was central to the win.

“He just keeps running that buck.”

The final is set for Sunday, 9th February and it is something the Donegal school will really look forward to.

“Most definitely. Look, we’ll enjoy it and do whatever has to be done. Get a few things ticking over in training and prepare the bodies as best we can,” said Doherty.