BY Andrew Moynihan
Annette Horgan is a familiar face on High Street, Killarney, where she has worked in Marguerites Bakery & Restaurant (formerly Scéal Eile) for over 27 years.
It was Leitir Mhic an Bhaird, a Gaeltacht village in west Donegal, where she was born and raised, but it’s Kerry where she now resides with her husband, Dan, and her two children, John (18) and Danneka (14).
Living in Killorglin, the two met in London before settling back in Kerry.
Her love and pride for her county shows no stopping, and she is the PRO for the Donegal Association in Kerry, which was established in 2011.
She will be one of the many Donegal faithful cheering on Jim McGuinness’s men as they hope to win a third All-Ireland title in the county’s history.
However, she is not just outnumbered in Kerry, but in her household with Dan, John, and Danneka all backing the Kingdom to bring back Sam Maguire for the 39th time.
“I’m afraid I’m on my own for this one! The kids would have worn the Donegal jersey up to a certain age, but I’ve lost them now!”
The idea for the Donegal Association came from her and chairperson Sean Gallagher, as a way to bring together those from the North West county, exiled in the Kingdom.
“It brings people together from all over Donegal, and here all over Kerry. We talked about making the association for a bit because there were a lot of people here.
“We’d meet a couple of times a year, we’d have a night at the dogs, for example. The committee would then meet up more often.
“If we have a Kerry-Donegal match in the league or championship, we’d organise a get-together the night beforehand. We had one back in February, in Scott’s Hotel. It was a great night.
“It’s a good six hours to Donegal, so for people like me and people away from home, it’s a great avenue to meet people from Donegal.
“There’s definitely 150 of us, or more, here in Kerry right now.”
Just one year into the association, 2012 happened. Donegal won their second-ever All-Ireland title, managed by Jim McGuinness. A special day for Annette and co.
“It was great timing. I was at that final, and we would have met up before that as well. There was a great buzz around the association and in Killarney. We won’t talk about 2014!” (the year Kerry defeated Donegal in the final).
“Even that year (2014), the run-up to the final was brilliant, and the banter around the place.”
She noted that a similar banter was already simmering inside the café, being the resident Donegal woman on High Street, as the hype builds up towards Sunday.
“I’ve brought the Donegal flags in today!”
Plans for a Donegal/Kerry cake and cupcakes are underway inside the café.
Annette follows Donegal as much as she can, while her husband Dan is a devoted Kerry supporter also. They’re on the hunt for tickets but are hopeful of securing them.
Eleven years on from the 2014 final, Jim McGuinness, in his second term, has once again guided Donegal to the final. Annette was full of praise for the manager.
“He’s amazing, to be honest. He just has that persona about him, and he’s brought belief into the players that they will win. I won’t say that too loudly in Kerry!”
Another man in his second term, this time as a player, is marksman Michael Murphy. In Footballer of the Year form, his return to the team this year was purely motivated by the desire for All-Ireland glory in July.
“His presence on the field keeps the team together. There is a great team there, though, with Paddy McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, and Finnbarr Roarty. There’s good lads coming through,” she said.
Annette is predicting victory for Donegal, but it won’t be easy.
“I must say Kerry are looking very strong. They’re hoping to do it too, of course. I think it will be a close match. I’m thinking Donegal by three points. Hopefully I’m right!”
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