ST Eunan’s wing-forward Luke McGuinness was ecstatic on Sunday afternoon as he landed his first ever county medal with victory over Naomh Conaill.
The Letterkenny club claimed their 17th Dr Maguire Cup at MacCumhaill Park on Sunday courtesy of a narrow win over the reigning champions.
St Eunan’s trailed by two points heading into stoppage time however, a superb two-pointer from Niall O’Donnell and a late winner from Ciaran Moore secured them the silverware.
Speaking to the Donegal News, McGuinness was delighted when reflecting on the moment that had just unfolded.
“That was crazy altogether, coming down the last five minutes I didn’t know if we were going to get over the line.
“Then you just see Niall O’Donnell coming up with that massive two-point effort to level it. Then Ciaran Moore went up the pitch and stuck one over the bar with his left foot, it was great to be a part of.”
A lot of the St Eunan’s players will be well used to county final day, with a few of them collecting their fifth county medal on Sunday.
But for McGuinness, this was his first experience at competing in a showpiece of any kind for his club, which will make the occasion even more memorable.
“Nevermind my first senior county final, this is my first county final ever.
“I’ve never been in one at underage level. I used to be up behind the goals there in the River End with all of the lads watching St Eunan’s in the county finals.
“It was great to be on the pitch and part of the team this time.”
In recent times, Naomh Conaill have displayed the never-say-die attitude that saw them lift the title last season and reach the showpiece occasion again this year.
With that history in mind, the young St Eunan’s man was wary of their ability to deliver when it mattered most, but he was delighted to see them prevail this time around.
“In the semi-final, they were five points down with five minutes to go so we knew we weren’t safe heading down the home stretch.
“We were down by two points, but even when we went up by a point I wasn’t too sure which way it’d go. I’m just delighted to get over the line.”