Glenfin getting key players back at the right time after opening SFC win
Glenfin got off to a good start in the Donegal SFC with a home win over Naomh Columba, and they will be getting stronger as players return from America.
Key men in Luke McGlynn and Daniel Marley were missing as they helped Donegal Boston defeat Christophers to win the Boston Northeast Intermediate Championship on Sunday.
The pair are due to return during the week, while Shaun Ward, who was also part of that team, was back and kicked four points in the win over the Glen men, and the Páirc Taobhoige men are getting bodies back at the right time.
“We had the three boys away, and then we were down bodies throughout the year,” player-manager Frank McGlynn told DonegalLive after the win.
“Young Seaghan McCormick picked up a bit of an injury too. But the only good thing from that was that we have been training consistently without those players; they were away a good few months, and we had three or four league games without them, but in fairness to the rest of the players, they’ve got their chance and taken it, and they’ve got used to playing with each other.
“But we’ll be glad to welcome a few additions back into the panel and try push on for games two, three and four.”
Glenfin had five points to spare at full time against the Intermediate winners on Sunday, with Karl McGlynn’s added-time goal putting some gloss on the 1-17 to 0-15 scoreline.
“It was nip and tuck the whole way through. We were 9-8 down at half-time, but we played against a bit of a breeze in the first half, and both teams were probably evenly matched with purple patches. We pushed it out to a five-point lead, but they came back, and Karl came up with the goal at the end to put that breathing space between us.
“With players like Aaron Doherty and Shane Callaghan, we knew they’d be a threat with the two-pointers, and they got a few in the first half to lead, but we were happy to hit eight points from play.
“We had a bit of a patch at the start of the second half to get into the lead, and that was positive.”
McGlynn started for the side on Sunday at full forward, a change in scenery for the 2012 All-Ireland and All-Star winner.
“It’s one of the benefits of being manager! Just the way the game is now, fitness is a key part of that middle eight section, and with some of the boys away, it’s probably the best position to influence a game.
“We moved the ball well in the first half, and the game has changed where there isn’t as much direct ball coming into the full forwards line, and it’s more about working it through the hands and finding openings, which we've done quite well and we’d be happy with.”
And an early win on the board, their first opening championship match win since 2023, is a big boost for the side, who defeated Aodh Ruadh in the relegation play-off semi-final last year after extra-time.
But a trip to a hurting Termon is on the cards next Sunday, which won’t be an easy task.
“This time last year, we were four games into it before we got two points against Ardara on the last day and missed out on getting into the knockout stages.
“We’re glad to have the two points on the board and give ourselves three more rounds to go after another six points on offer.
“We know we’ll be heading to the Burn Road with a tough task after Termon lost out narrowly to Glenswilly.
“Every game is going to be a challenge, but at least the two points are on the board.”