Unbelievable turnaround for St Mary’s Convoy - Conor McDermott

From not winning a game in last year's Intermediate Reserve Championship to a county final showdown at O’Donnell Park.
That is the journey taken by the reserve team of St Mary’s, Convoy, who face Naomh Columba in Saturday's showpiece.

“It is brilliant really and some turnaround from last year, “ said St Mary's manager Conor McDermott. “We won a couple of games alright in the league last year but the championship was a washout.
“It is a great lift for the club especially after the season the senior had and being relegated from the championship back to junior.”

And not only have St Mary’s found the winning formula again, they take an unbeaten run into the final.
“We beat Buncrana in the first game and drew with Naomh Columba in our second game,” McDermott added. “We also beat Naomh Brid and Red Hughs.

“And we beat Red Hughs,again, in the quarter-final. The games with Red Hughs were very close and toughest games apart from the Naomh Columba game we had. But thankfully we came through them.”

St Mary’s pulled off a big win against a strong and fancied Termon in the semi-final under the lights, in Ardara.
“That was a big win and was seen as a shock result by many people. I'm sure Termon had their eyes on going further. But we were the better team on the night and deserved to win. It is basically a young team. The bulk of the players are U21 with a sprinkling of older players.”

The team is built around a solid defence with Emmett Doherty in goal Sean Browne at full-back, Mickey Patton at corner-back and Niall Sweeney at centre half back. Cormac Mulyrine, just out of minor, and Matthew Coyle have formed a good midfield partnership and Jason McDaid and Michael Ayton carry the big scoring threat.

McDermott added: “Just like in the group game we are expecting another close game and hopefully we will come out on the right side of the result at the final whistle.”