Donegal's first Ulster title of 1972 - like a Phoenix from the Flame

Brian McEniff, Bundoran
Brian McEniff (born 1 December 1942) was the mastermind behind Donegal's first five Ulster championships, as player manager in 1972 and 1974 and then as manager in '83, '90 and '92, when he went on to bring Sam Maguire back to Donegal for the first time. He would return as manager in 2003 and reach an All-Ireland semi-final.

McEniff played as a wing-back and apart from his achievements as manager, he won seven Donegal senior championships with St Joseph's and one with Bundoran. He was Donegal's first All-Star in 1972. The other major achievement was winning an All-

Ireland club championship with St Joseph's in 1968. Away from playing and managing, McEniff has also served on the Donegal GAA executive including as chairman and still presides over the fortunes of his native Realt na Mara, Bundoran, where he also oversees the Brian McEniff hotel chain. Here he talks about the men from 1972.