GLENEA United senior team are starting to make their mark on and off the pitch once again.
A cohort of players are currently growing moustaches and helping raise money for good causes.
That is boosting morale, but there is a feel-good factor at Glasserchoo regardless as the team have made an impressive start to the Temple Domestic Appliances Division One league.
They sit in fourth place in the league and confidence is high.
Luke McCarry has made a great start to the season and he feels the team have a strong squad this term.
“We have started the season well,” said the 22-year-old.
“We were unfortunate to lose in the Brian McCormick Cup, and then we were beaten in our first league match by Milford but we were missing a few boys to Gaelic.
“We have got two big results since that and we had a good win over Glaslough in the Ulster Cup as well when we didn’t have a full squad.
“We were missing eight starters and went down with a thrown together squad but got a brilliant result.
“I think this year we have the best depth we have had in a couple of seasons in my opinion.
“We are covering a lot of areas, and a lot of young lads have started back playing football. We were probably missing that over the last few years.
“We have had a lot of boys move away but to be fair to Darren McGeever, Sean Coll, Kevin Mulhern, and Joe Coll, they have put in a massive effort because they are managing and playing.
“They are trying to make sure the young boys get involved, whether it be Saturday or Sunday football, and they are getting chances with both teams.”
Glenea raised some eyebrows last week when they produced a stunning comeback to defeat a fancied Donegal Town side 3-2.
“Donegal Town were very unlucky last season and they were brilliant.
“They played very well again on Sunday, and everyone is looking at them this year as the main team so it was a good win.
“We conceded in the first minute of the game and then we conceded in the first minute of the second half. We were 2-0 down and the backs were against the wall.
“But to be fair all the boys dug deep, and we had good men coming off the bench.
“Wins like that could matter at the end of the season.”
McCarry was the hero of the hour last week as he scored the winner.
He has been enjoying his football but knows that there are others willing to step up if his performance levels drop.
“It was nice to get on the scoresheet.
“I missed a few sitters against Lifford and Glaslough so it was nice to get my first goal in the league.
“In fairness, Darren and Ciaran Coll did great work in the build-up to the goal and Stephen Doak played a good ball forward, and I had the easy part to do.
He added: “I’m playing out at right midfield at the minute and I’m enjoying it.
“I have good cover with Padraig Coyle behind me, and Kevin (Mulhern) and Calvin (Murray) are in centre mid, and we have Darren, Ciaran Coll and Blake McGarvey as well so we have a strong attack.”
McCarry hails from Creeslough and came up through the ranks with Dunfanaghy Youths but he’s very much part of the Glenea fabric now.
“I was with Dunfanaghy all my life until Under 18s, and the pitch wasn’t there and we couldn’t get a senior team going.
“I went to Glenree for one season and enjoyed it and Sean asked me to join the following season.
“I knew a few of the lads playing for the team and we won the league in my first season but that’s the last time that we have had success really.
“We have had up and downs but this year we have a good squad and can look ahead and try and push for trophies.
“The boys all made me feel very welcome and even with all the young lads coming through now, they are all made feel part of it, and we have a close-knit team.
“We have a few nights out and a good spirit.”
The excellent rapport between the team is epitomised by the fact that a host of players are willing to come together and grow some facial hair for the month of November.
The players are trying to grow a moustache to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
“It was Padraig Coyle’s idea.
“He sent a text into the group seeing who wanted to do it and we have up to 15 boys doing it now.
“It’s a credit to Padraig. He’s in ATU and studying Mental Health Nursing.
“We’re doing Movember for Mental Health and different men’s cancers.
“There’s a few boys struggling to grow a moustache never mind keeping it for a month.
“It’s a bit of craic for us but we have over €1000 raised already and we are less than a week into it.
“We’re posting away at the link and anyone who wants to donate can feel free – any amount at all is appreciated.”
Home form is going to be crucial for Glenea if they are to be in the reckoning for promotion and they meet a Ballybofey side this Sunday, who defeated Milford at home last week.
“Ballybofey are flying at the minute.
“They have always been a good team.
“But what the management said to us this year is that they want to make Pairc Joe a fortress again.
“We kind of let a few results slip over the last couple of years.
“This year we want to make a real stamp on it again and make sure Pairc Joe is a difficult place to come to, and make it that fortress again.”
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