London's calling for McShane and the Donegal Masters

"Nothing will replace pulling on the club jersey and running out in Towney, but the Masters gives players a pathway to continue playing football."

That's the view of a proud Kilcar man, Conor McShane, who has joined the Donegal Masters this year after a stellar career with his club, playing senior up to last year.

But while he turned out for the Reserve side in a time of need last weekend, he says Brian O'Donnell has no need to worry about him challenging for the No 3 jersey come championship time. He says he is happy to watch on from the stands from now on, but is equally happy to throw his lot in with the Donegal Masters, following in the family tradition after brothers David and Michael.

This weekend McShane will join the Donegal Masters as they travel to play London in their fifth game in the campaign so far. On Sunday last they defeated Sligo 4-13 to 2-12, their fourth win in four games.The Fire Inspection Officer, now living in Donegal town, pulled on a Kilcar jersey on Saturday evening to help make up the numbers for the reserve team against local rivals Killybegs.

"Our reserve team was stuck the last day and I got a call. For a home game, that was terrible and we said we wouldn't see them stuck," referring to the fact that both himself and Mickey Hegarty turned out for the local derby against Killybegs on Saturday last.

McShane says they have been trying hard to get Hegarty over to the Masters training without success. It is McShane's first year with the Masters although he did sign up last year but wasn't able to give the commitment as he was still involved with Kilcar.

"The nice thing about the Masters is I train one night a week and you have six games with two or three weeks between each game. It means you are not tied down every weekend to play."

But as it turned out, McShane had two games in 24 hours last weekend, playing for the club on Saturday evening and then togging out for the Masters in their win over Sligo on Sunday evening in Collooney. "With the Masters there is roll on, roll off with subs so it is not as demanding when you can come off. That probably all depends on how the game is going; if the game was close you might be asked to stay on a bit longer.

"The general gist of the Masters is to give everybody game time and about the enjoyment of it and keeping a bit fit."
McShane, normally a defender, found himself in front of goal against Sligo, notching a goal. "Normally I was playing full-back for a few games there but we were short a few on Sunday and I was asked to play in midfield. Once I scored the goal I came off because I had a couple of runs done and that was me," said McShane, who said that fitness was returning gradually.

"You wouldn't be near the fitness you were at a few years ago." When it was put to him that Brian O'Donnell might be looking over his shoulder, he quickly replied. "He will have no fear of that at all. I'll be sitting in the stands quite content to be looking on." McShane is happy with his lot as it gives him more time for family.

He is the third member of the McShane family to get involved with the Masters and McShane says the connection is quite similar in that they joined for the enjoyment. He feels it is great to be playing alongside players who you might already have had great battles with at club level.

"When you're enjoying football, no matter what level, that's the most important thing and that's the way with the Masters. There's a good bunch of lads and good craic among them." And now this weekend, Donegal are in London for their fifth game in the campaign.

"There's a lot more counties involved this year in Masters and it is growing momentum. Previously you might have played the same couple of teams but now you have six games and next weekend it will be the same against London, about enjoyment.

"We are looking forward to it and coming up against some Donegal boys as well," said McShane, who mentioned David Cannon of Kilcar and Gary Kane of St Naul's (with Kilcar connections). Gary Kane is the captain of the London team.

They are just a few of the names with Donegal connections to the London Masters team. Former Naomh Columba man Seamus Carr is part of the backroom team while Noel Burke, son of Frosses native and Tirconaill Gaels stalwart, Paddy Burke, is a playing member. JP O'Donnell, Naomh Muire; Benny Mulhern (Cloughaneely) and Gerry Rowley (Four Masters) are also in the panel while another player, Chris Byrne, is son of Glencolmcille native Christy Byrne.

"It will make it interesting. Then we have Tyrone in our last match and they were runaway winners of the competition last year. But we're hoping to be there or thereabouts. We'll see where we are after London even if we are going to be short a few players due to injury. We will enjoy it anyway," says McShane.

The Donegal team are travelling at their own expense on Friday with the game set for the St Kiernans grounds in Barnet on Saturday at 2pm and they return on Sunday.

McShane wanted to thank the sponsors of the Donegal Masters - Kelly Communications, Michael Canning Lubricants and Patsy Gallagher, solicitor, for their help in providing gear, etc, for the team. "We are grateful to them because without them the Masters couldn't exist," he said.