McMonagle hoping to make John Coleman proud in Senior B final

St Eunan’s reserve captain Cian McMonagle is hoping to make the late John Coleman proud when the Letterkenny men take on Four Masters in the Donegal Senior B final on Sunday in MacCumhaill Park (throw-in 1.15pm).

Coleman played a key role in bringing McMonagle back into the fold this season, and the 23-year-old says it will be a privilege to carry his name into the final as St Eunan’s look to finish an impressive championship campaign with silverware.

Dualtach Molloy has stepped in as manager, following the sad passing of Coleman in June.

“We have Dualtach Molloy who has come in, it’s been unfortunate circumstances because we had John Coleman managing at the start of the year, who unfortunately passed.

“Dualtach has come in then and stepped up well. Anthony Farren there too, he was looking after the junior team, as well as Adrian McClafferty, Damian Daly and Noel Keaveney. There’s been a serious effort put in from them, and it’s not been unnoticed.

“John had a very big role in St Eunan’s, not just within the management but with any job at the club, you’d always see John about. He was a massive clubman in both Galway and Donegal, and it’s a privilege to be able to carry his name into the final, I’m honoured to do it.

“I’ve been involved for a few years, but not so much last year. I came back this year and the only reason I did was because of a phone call from John Coleman. He’s the reason I’m back playing, so it’s an honour to carry his name into this final, and hopefully this season can be the highlight of my St Eunan’s time so far.”

St Eunan’s won their four group games with big wins over Aodh Ruadh, Naomh Columba and St Michael’s, along with a three-point win away to MacCumhaills.

Another win against Gaoth Dobhair followed in the quarter-finals, before an eight-point win over Naomh Conaill in the final four, the two finalists from last year’s reserve final.

“It’s been a great campaign, but I still feel like we have more to give, to be quite honest. We’re hitting our peak now, which is ideal, but it’s not a coincidence because training has been going well.

“It was a great test against Gaoth Dobhair, they were kind of the benchmark, and then Glenties. Neither of them were going to be easy games as you expect, but it’s been good so far and hopefully we can get over the line in the final.”

The 23-year-old McMonagle is in the middle bracket of players, but they have vast experience with the likes of Eamonn Doherty, Darragh Mulgrew, Pauric Boyle and Peter Devine who all have Senior A medals, while Evan Hickey, Evan Daly and Odhran Ryan have been good additions to Dualtach Molloy’s side, having won the Division 1 Minor league title this year.

The O’Donnell Park men face a Four Masters side who beat them in the league earlier this season, but a different game is expected on Sunday as they look to start a good weekend for St Eunan’s with the seniors in the A final after.

“Between the league and championship, there has been a lot of change in the team. We played Four Masters in the league and they beat us, but there will probably be a lot of changes in their team as well as our own.”

“It’s no coincidence that they have got as far as they have, so I’m sure it’ll be a good final.

“The support has been great, it makes such a difference and hopefully we can set the tone on Sunday and get the day off to a good start.

“We lost to Gaoth Dobhair in the final in 2024, so hopefully we can right those wrongs this year.”