Michael O’Donnell agrees that it is too long since Carndonagh GAA club tasted championship success.
Carn have a strong pick and regularly boast plenty of young talented players but they haven’t always been mobilised in the way they should have been.
The Foden club reached the Junior final two years ago and put in a good performance but eventually lost out to Gaeil Leitir Ceanainn.
Last season they struggled and failed to qualify for the knock-out stages.
However, it was evident that there was a stronger look to the team when O’Donnell took charge and the former League of Ireland star has lauded the effort that he has seen on the training field.
“The last time we won a final was in 2008. I was living in Canada at the time so I wasn’t home for it.
“I played in 1997 when we won the Intermediate Championship Final. That was a good win for us but it feels like a lifetime ago now.
“It’s a long time for the club but to be fair from my first few training sessions this year, I sensed a real determination for the team to improve and win.
“It was my first time managing and I didn’t know some of the players that well but I was impressed with the attitude.
“That’s the way it has continued right throughout the season. They are so determined and they give it everything and I would expect the same on Saturday.”
Carndonagh and Naomh Pádraig, Uisce Chaoin were pencilled in as the two leading contenders for the Junior Championship early in the summer, and neutrals will be pleased that they square off in the decider.
It’s a big Inishowen derby and there’s huge familiarity between the respective players and management.
“There is a lot of interest for sure.
“I would know a lot of the Muff coaches because I take teams at underage level too. They are doing super work.
“A lot of our players would know their players as well.
“I don’t know if that will make a huge difference come 4pm on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a real battle and a proper game, and both teams will go for it.”
Carndonagh sailed through their Division 3 campaign and while Convoy asked a few questions in the league final, they still won comfortably.
It’s been a similar story in the Championship, as they haven’t really been put under intense pressure.
That could be viewed as a weakness as they take on a Naomh Pádraig side who have a very competitive Division 2 season behind them.
They also have dangerous forwards in Jonny Toye, Kevin Lynch, and Kevin Doherty, and Carn haven’t come against quality like that so far this year.
“Muff have some very good players and it’s going to be a real challenge for us.
“They played in Division 2 this year and got some very good results.
“But I would always think that you should focus more on your own team and making sure you are right, than worrying too much about the opposition.
“We have worked hard on our own team and style of play. We have defended strongly and put up big scores.
“We know we are a good team and it’s just about showing that in the final now.”
Carn will train tonight (Thursday) and they will be hoping that it isn’t their final session of the year.
If they win on Saturday, they can look forward to Intermediate football next year, but it also opens the door into the Ulster Junior Championship.
“There is a big prize of course, but the way we have done it this year is that we have just focused on the game that is nearest at hand.
“It really is just the next game. I’m too busy to be looking any further ahead than that. I honestly haven’t thought about it.
“I haven’t told my wife that it goes on, I’d say she thinks it’s all over this weekend,” he quipped.
“The final in itself is a massive game. It’s not often that you get through to a final and we will be doing all we can to try and win it.”
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