Naomh Conaill goalkeeper Stephen McGrath found himself in the firing line from in front and behind in last night’s county final, but it didn’t unsettle him.
On the pitch, he had to deal with a Gaoth Dobhair team who have had a real eye for goal over the last 12 months.
And on the terraces behind him, McGrath encountered the Gaoth Dobhair ultras who did everything they could to put the netminder off.
However, it didn’t faze the Glenties number one who enjoyed the contest.
“It was great and there was a class atmosphere.
“I was getting a bit of a touch behind the goals, but it was class. Well maybe not everything that was said but I still enjoyed it.
“I gave a few digs back – a fist pump or two. It was just banter.
“It all added to it because in the last few county finals there was none of that.
“To get over the line there just means everything.”
After three absorbing games, it all came down to John O’Malley’s late point, and Naomh Conaill just about shaded it on balance.
McGrath said: “It was just a game of fine margins. I know there were a few mistakes out there but I thought it was good enough quality.
“It’s massive and for me the best ever. Those three games just took on a life of their own.
“There was a lot of effort that went into it, and it was a really massive effort from the boys.
“Keeping the three clean sheets over the three days was massive.”
McGrath experienced two county final defeats on the trot over the last two seasons, but they were long forgotten on Wednesday as he added another county medal to the ones he won in 2010 and 2015.
“This is three for me now.
“We have lost a few as well but trust me when I say that this wipes everything out and then some.”
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