Gillespie hails ‘professional’ set-up

BY RYAN FERRY

In some clubs, junior football is purely recreational with training not necessarily an integral ingredient.

However, that’s not the way it plays out for Sean MacCumhaills’ third team.

Dougie McDaid has been in charge of the Senior ‘C’ side for a number of years and showing up on matchday just does not suffice.

MacCumhaills won the Senior ‘C’ title in 2022 when they defeated Naomh Conaill at Pairc Naomh Columba.

It’s back to Glenswilly for the final with St Eunan’s on Saturday and team captain Adrian Gillespie hopes their hard work in recent months stands to the team.

“It’s a credit to Dougie that our third team has been this successful.

“He makes it very professional in the way we train.

“Once a week during the league and then twice a week during the championship but he makes it very enjoyable.

“There is a good forum for everybody to get football. (We’ve a) big squad but everybody got some football at some stage in the season so it’s a credit to Dougie that the third team is going as well as it is.”

MacCumhaills reached the county final after they defeated Four Masters by 2-11 to 1-8 in the semi-finals.

Shane Duffy, Paul Kelly, and Brendan McLaughlin are some of the veterans who are togging out for MacCumhaills.

Seamus McGinty is still going strong while senior manager, Gary Wilson is a key cog.

“At the start of the year the final is where we wanted to be,” said Gillespie.

“It’s great to be playing football at the beginning of October – it’s good excitement.

“Senior C is a good opportunity for young players to bridge the gap coming out of minor and work towards playing reserve football so it’s a good platform for young and old to be playing.”

Gillespie has respect for the challenge that St Eunan’s will present and appreciates that they will be gunning for glory in Glenswilly.

“Eunan’s are one of the top teams for years in Donegal so whatever team they put out is going to be of the utmost quality, even underage they’re always thereabouts for minors, 21s, seniors and reserves – they’re never too far away.

“We’re sure whatever team they put out will be of the highest quality, I’m sure many of the team have played at a higher standard so it will be a real battle but a battle we’re looking forward to as well.

“On the day you want to play against the top teams and it’s a good opportunity for all the players to test themselves.”