Sweeney more than happy to see Gaeil Fhánada make their own luck

Michael Sweeney first lined out for the Gaeil Fhánada seniors as a not overly raw 14-year-old and almost 20 years on he wore a beaming smile as his side overcame Downings in the IFC quarter-final in Dunfanaghy.

Sweeney won the competition in 2007 and 2009 and admits to having enough hard luck stories to fill a Netflix series, most notably losing the three-match trilogy against Cloughaneely in 2006 and falling in semi-final replays to Naomh Colmcille in 2015 and then St Naul’s at the same stage two years later.

Now, the 33-year-old has seen his side earn their own luck, with their 1-10 to 0-11 win over Downings replicating the comebacks from six down to draw with Termon in the group stage, whilst digging themselves a point whilst five behind at Naomh Muire to keep afloat.

“It’s something that we didn’t have in previous years as we ended up losing a couple of quarter-finals in a row when we didn’t perform,” Sweeney said of the bouncebackability shown of late. 

McAteer goal at the bitter end seals dramatic Gaeil Fhánada win over Downings

Alan McAteer struck a goal 75 seconds from time to give Gaeil Fhánada a place in the Donegal IFC semi-finals as they came from four down to defeat Downings

“That was probably the fifth or six game this year we managed to keep in it and we just came over the line. I don’t know how much more luck we have left in us but you might say it’s resilience either.”

There was nothing to separate the teams for almost all of the first half before Downings spun off four on the bounce to go in 0-8 to 0-5 in front. Sean Kerr and Bernard McGettigan both left the field with injuries. 

"At half-time we were a bit annoyed,” Sweeney said of the interval. “It was tit-for-tat and we were up by a point then ended up going in three down. We did say though if we can stay in touch then we might be in with a shout. We lost Sean to a dead leg and then Bernard has the knee.”

Downings moved the lead out to four at a stage with Liam McGrenaghan’s ability from dead balls keeping Gaeil Fhánada  in touch before Alan McAteer’s goal two minutes from time.

“Liam is a great young player, who has become very important to us,” Sweeney added. “We don’t really have any individual superstars and we’re just a bunch of hardworking players. We’re starting to stand up to teams there and Barry Meehan has come in to coach with Liam Paul Ferry at the Strength and Conditioning.

“And Alan took his goal really well. He’s coming back from Liverpool there to play and fair play to him. He made a big effort to get here and he was only on. The Comórtas success we had this year was as good a weekend I’ve had and it really bonded the team.

“The Intermediate Championship is probably the most entertaining and there’s nothing in the games. We’re just glad we came out the right side of it.”