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

Pauric McShea (Aodh Ruadh)
Pauric came into the Donegal team in 1965 while still a minor, playing at centre half-forward. I had seen him as a young lad of 14 before I went to Canada, and he was good even then. The first time he featured at full-back was for St Joseph's in 1968 against Dunmore McHales. Bernard Brady was doing his medical exams and McShea was put back there.

He was full-forward when they defeated us on that disastrous day in 1971, the day that turned things around. We put him back full-back and he settled into that post. Unfortunate not to win an All-Star during those years, but was a replacement All-Star. He had very safe hands and a good kicker of a dead ball. Continued with Donegal for some years and was part of my backroom team when we won the All-Ireland in 1992. He also managed Killybegs in 1996 to win a Donegal senior title. Was a member of the great St Joseph's team that were tops in Donegal football in the 1960s and '70s.