Gary McDaid, Glenswilly manager dejected after the defeat to Ballinderry.
FROM CHRIS MCNULTY IN OMAGH
GARY McDaid will take time to consider whether or not he will remain as the Glenswilly manager for 2014 following yesterday’s defeat by Ballinderry in the Ulster senior club final at Healy Park.
McDaid has guided Glenswilly to unprecedented heights this year, with the winning of a second Donegal SFC title and making the Ulster final, not to mention triumphing in Division 2 and leading the club back into Division 1 of the All-County League.
The St Eunan’s College teacher will ponder his next move in the coming weeks. Now isn’t the time for rash decisions, but the 35-year old will take stock.
Just two weeks ago, his wife Mandi gave birth to baby son Jake and the couple already have a young daughter, Meghan.
Two years ago, after helping to lead Glenswilly to their first senior championship, McDaid pulled the pin, but was coaxed back to rise the phoenix from the flames again last winter.
“I’m going to think about it now for the next week or two,” he confirmed following yesterday’s game.
“I’ll pull the lads together soon for a meeting to see where we’re at.”
McDaid led Glenswilly on a magical journey in 2013.
This was only their fourth defeat of the year in League and Championship football. Kilcar had beaten them in their opening group game of the Championship while they tasted just two losses over their sixteen games in Division 2 – against Glenfin and Bundoran.
In what was their first ever appearance in an Ulster senior decider, Glenswilly wasted no time in laying down a marker with Michael Murphy hitting a goal with only 25 seconds played. A Michael McIver goal helped Ballinderry lead 1-6 to 1-2 at half-time, before a Caolán Kelly goal in the 32nd minute recharged them.
Darren McGinley put them ahead, but it was only briefly held as Ballinderry hit back and a series of wondrous scores from the Derry champions saw them take a deserved win.
McDaid was proud of his players’ efforts.
He said: “We left it on the field and those in the green, white and gold jerseys there gave it everything there for the Glen.
“We showed the spirit at the second half. We didn’t want a morale victory and the slaps on the back. We wanted this title – really badly – and that showed today.”
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