McGettigan: ‘I wouldn’t be putting on a jersey if I didn’t think we could win’

Kevin McGettigan will captain Naomh Conaill in their bid for a sixth Donegal SFC crown on Sunday.

The adventurous defender takes the role from Ciaran Thompson, the captain in last year's final. He has also moved from his stomping ground of corner-back to the pivotal centre half position. Given last year's heavy final 1-11 to 0-4 defeat, McGettigan is glad to be back in the final again and knocking on the door.

“We feel we have done well to get back to the final after last year's almost embarrassing defeat,” he said. “It took a while to get over that defeat and we as a team did not re-group for a couple of months. But lads were hurting and they got back in the gym and doing their own thing after a few weeks.”

Manager Martin Regan was obviously hurting too and shortly after the final defeat he announced he was stepping down after seven years in the job. But the New Year dawned and much to the relief of the club officials, players and Naomh Conaill supporters far and wide, Regan had a change of heart and returned for an eighth season.

“It was brilliant to get Martin back,” McGettigan added. “He is massive to all of us. He is a role model for all of us and it was very important to get him back. He has so much knowledge to share even the young lads coming into the squad that would not have any dealings with him before can see the knowledge he has about the game.”

The new season got up and running and soon normal service was restored and Naomh Conaill found the winning formula.
The Donegal Comortas Peile Na Gaeltachta was won in May and the All-Ireland final of the Comortas was reached in Galway, on the June Bank holiday weekend.

Naomh Conaill were well on the road to recovery by the time county men Ciaran Thompson, Ethan O’Donnell and Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí returned for the latter stages of the league.

They surrendered their league title to Kilcar on a wet and miserable afternoon in Fintra. This was but a minor bump in the road as they headed for the championship.

“It is always great to get the county boys back,” McGettigan added “They bring serious intensity and power into the dressing room when they return. It is like taking the stabilisers off and you are now ready for the road.

A late Gary McFadden equalising point for Glenswilly in the first round of the championship set off a few minor tremors in a 1-14 to 2-11 draw.

“It was a shock to the system alright,” McGettigan added. “But when you look at Glenswilly they have a great team with a number of great new players they have blooded this year. The draw meant we could leave nothing to chance after that. From then on we focused on every detail and thankfully we have made it to the county final.”

Naomh Conaill, known for their trademark defensive game, have gone a little more direct this year and with Charles McGuinness on the edge of the square.

“The more attacking game is more enjoyable if you win,” McGettigan said. “But as a defender I don’t mind the defensive game because it is my favourite part of the game.”

St Eunan’s were the underdogs going into last year’s final but had 10 points to spare when match referee Enda McFeely blew his whistle for the final time. McGettigan acknowledges they have a lot of ground to make up if they are to once again take the Dr Maguire Cup back to Glenties.

“St Eunans have serious talent all over the park and they are so athletic,” he said. “They have exceptional defenders and they can play ball too. They are very impressive and hopefully we can put it up to them in the final.”

But he will lead his men out on the hallowed MacCumhaill Park sod with the belief they can turn the tables.
“I feel we can win it,” McGettigan added. “I wouldn’t be putting on a jersey if I didn’t think we could win.”