Sean MacCumhaills hurlers ready to seize unexpected Ulster opportunity

Browne admitted that they were surprised to learn leading into the Donegal SHC semi-final that there was a chance for them to compete in the provincial competition.

As St Eunan’s are competing in the Ulster Intermediate Championship, it left a spot in Donegal for a team to enter the Junior.

And with Setanta winning the Ulster Intermediate in 2023, and Burt picking up the Junior crown in 2025, the Twin-Towns men were the only team that made the semi-finals in the Donegal SHC that were eligible to enter.

“There were rumours that there was a possibility that we could be in Ulster, but we let it pass by as background noise

“Both Donegal semi-finals were on the one night at the same time.”

Browne admitted that “heads were down after Setanta beat us well.”

“But we heard that if Burt beat St Eunan’s it was our season over.

“However, as Eunan’s won we got into Ulster.”

So, Browne (36) and his team have been flat out training in the interim for Saturday’s JHC clash with Truagh Gaels from Monaghan at the latter’s venue on Saturday at 1.30 pm.

“Some of our backroom team have watched Truagh, and they got to the Monaghan county final this year.

"This was their first time, and they lost to Castleblayney in the final, and they will be keen to get off to a good start at home in an historic day for them.

“But we are just happy to be in Ulster.”

Browne actually drove through Truagh on his way to the Dublin Marathon and was impressed with what he saw.

“The place was covered in flags, so they are really up for this one.

“They are a really ambitious club.”

But MacCumhaills have been dominating Donegal underage hurling for quite some time and stellar young talents like Dan Donnelly, Jacob Malone, Dylan Patton and Pauric Kelly have been breaking into the senior team.

“Our team is at the two ends with quite a few older players mixed with some very young ones.

“We don’t have too many players in between.”

Browne added that Patton and Donnelly are sharing the important free-taking duties.

And the return of Malone has been a big boost.

“He has made a big difference, and all those young boys are stepping up, so it is time for us older boys to move on.”

Asked how hurling became such a big part of his life, he said:

“I grew up in a wee estate called Chapel Close, and my next-door neighbour was Jamesie Donnelly.

“So, if he saw you out in the estate with a football, he would not have been pleased,” he quipped.

“But Jamesie’s older brothers Martin and Rory were also there, along with Mark McGlinchey, Travis Griffin, Justin McGee, Lee Henderson, Dean Hannigan and Paddy Hannigan, and we all grew up within a few hundred yards of each other.

“The late Justin Brady would have managed those early teams.”

But underage dominance can be hard to translate into hard senior currency.

“It did in 2010 and 2016 when we won county senior titles, but it’s been ten years since the last win.

“The underage is actually even stronger these days and some of them would want you to keep playing as they are so good.

“And wee James Donnelly is a real gem.”

Browne paid a final huge tribute to “Jamesie” Donnelly.

“He has taken us out of a dark place a few years ago when we lost an Intermediate final.

“He is the driving force behind the revival, and we owe an awful lot to him and his backroom team.

“Jamesie’s calibre, spirit and passion are priceless, and he never gives up.

“He is truly an example to us all.”