Na Rossa’s Jamesie Melly was doing somersaults after 1982 success

It might be hard to paint the picture today, but Jamesie Melly was seen doing cartwheels  when Na Rossa last won the Donegal Junior Championship in  1982.

The dedicated Na Rossa clubman wore the No 3 jersey that day as he watched the four Bonner brothers being part of a big day for the Leitir club when they defeated Gaoth Dobhair in the final at a windswept MacCumhaill Park.

“I don’t have that many memories of the day,” says Jamesie, “but Vincent McConnell of Ardara always reminds me that after the final whistle I came out and did a somersault.”

Melly was 28 at the time of that final and he remembers that the No 3 jersey on the Gaoth Dobhair team was filled by veteran former Donegal star, Neilly Gallagher.

“Donal Bonner was on the team and he was only 15 at the time. He was a class act. Trevor (Jamesie’s son) was the mascot.”

Na Rossa had a big lead going into the final quarter with young Donal Bonner scoring two of the goals and Declan Bonner the other one. But Gaoth Dobhair staged a late comeback which fell short by just a point - 3-4 to 2-6.

“The whole Gaoth Dobhair team came back to Leitir that night, despite being beaten, to celebrate with us.

“We had Jim Brennan with us that year. I think Jim was more comfortable playing for a country team like Na Rossa than playing with the town (Dungloe).  I think it’s the same with Adrian Sweeney this year, he seems to be comfortable playing up here.

“And now this will be the first final (at club championship level) that Adrian was ever involved in. Him and (Adrian) Hanlon, they never played in a final before.

“The boys said after the semi-final that they were all delighted as it was a first final for all of them.

“I was listening to the Brendan Devenney show last night and Declan (Bonner) got his mention in about Hanlon before Devenney got his question. Hanlon was a Na Rossa player before anywhere else. He played his underage football with Na Rossa, as the family were living in Leitir then.

“Fair dues to him, he has come back, and he’s a good footballer as well.”

Melly says he saw Moville when they played Na Rossa at home in the group stages of the championship. “They are a big side, a huge side.”

Melly is really pleased that Declan Bonner is back managing his local team.

“It was a big step for Declan (Bonner) to come back from senior manager at county level to come back to his home club. He united the club and there is a final now there to be won.

“The team has put in a lot of hard work over the last few months.  It would be nice and would give the area an awful lift,” said Melly.

And should Na Rossa become victorious on Sunday, don’t be expecting any somersaults from Jamsie Melly in O’Donnell Park this time around.

MAC'S VIEW: County semi-finals went along expected lines at weekend

Donegal's All-Ireland winning manager looks back at senior semi-finals and also runs rule over weekend finals in Intermediate and Junior

1982 FINAL TEAMS

Na Rossa: Pat Boyle; John Boyle, Jamesie Melly, Tony Croke; G McHugh, Martin McShane, Michael O’Donnell; Sean Bonner, Vinny Gallagher capt; Peter Molloy, Eamonn Melly, Michael Bonner; Declan Bonner, Jim Brennan, Donal Bonner. Subs: Jim O’Donnell, Brendan Ward.

Gaoth Dobhair: B Gallagher; H Green, N Gallagher, A Boyd; P McHugh, D Doohan, D Coll; C Ferry, M Roarty; P McGee, G Coyle, S Rodgers; B Boyle, B Gallagher, S Gallagher. Subs: D Ferry, C Roarty, T McGinley, B McBride,  A Campbell, S Gallagher, B  Coyle.

CONNECTIONS

There are many, many connections between the team of 1982 and the team which will represent Na Rossa on Saturday next in O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny.

Jamesie’s son, Felix, is part of the backroom team while his nephew, Ryan Hennessey is part of the panel. Jamesie’s brother, Eamon was also on the ‘82 team.

The Bonner connection: Sean, Michael, Declan and Donal played in ‘82 while Declan’s sons Christian and Cillian are involved now.

Gerry McHugh from 1982 has two sons, Adam and Aidan involved this year.

Vinny Gallagher from 1982 has son-in-law Matthew Smith involved this year.

Peter and Danny Molloy from 1982: Odhrán Molloy, son of Peter and nephew of Danny, involved this year.

John and Conal Boyle from 1982: Conan Boyle, son of Conal and nephew of John.