BY MATTHEW WILSON

The Ardara 2000 Championship winning team will be presented to the crowd at O’Donnell Park this Sunday as the silver jubilee side.

There’s no doubt that there was huge satisfaction for Ardara as they reached the promised land with a five-point victory over St Eunan’s at MacCumhaill Park on 17 September, 2000.

This victory bridged a 19-year gap since the Pearse Memorial Park outfit lifted their last Dr Maguire Cup in 1981.

The Ardara men had enjoyed Under-21 success in 1995 and 1996 but were unable to fulfill their dream at senior level until the turn of the millennium.

They had a number of talismanic figures in that 2000 winning side, with Damian Diver commanding the middle third while Michael Doherty landed four points for his side.

Peter McHugh was also an inspirational player for the way that he led the Ardara attack in the showpiece and the forward discussed how the triumph was massive for the parish. “It was massive. From memory, I think we had won Under-21s in 1995 and 1996 and you thought that it would just happen for you at senior level but it didn’t.”

“The four teams that beat us in the years from 1996 went on to win the Championship. We then eventually got over the line so it was a huge relief like. It was just massive for the parish.”

“I remember one of the lads said after we won it, ‘that’s it now, that’s the start of it’, but that’s not the way it works, you need a lot of luck. It took us another four years to get back there so it shows they’re very hard to win, everything needs to click into place.”

McHugh and his side were underdogs heading into the 2000 county final as the Letterkenny outfit were reigning champions, having defeated Aodh Ruadh in the decider the year previous.

However, with the success at Under-21 level behind them, the former Ardara forward expressed that they knew they had it in them and they had to take the opportunity when it presented itself.

“They were massive favourites, I think Manus Boyle might’ve been the only person to pick Ardara. I think we were 4/1 with the bookies, we were ranked outsiders. Sometimes you like going in as underdogs and having nothing to lose.”

“We knew we had it in us. We had won two Under-21’s, we knew what it took. When we were there we just had to take our opportunity because it took so long to get there.”

Reflecting on the contest a quarter of a century ago, McHugh discussed that he can’t believe it’s been that long ago as he can still recall certain conversations which occurred on the day.

Life goes on and people go their own ways but the 2000 winning squad are regathering this weekend where they’ll all get the opportunity to look back at the glory days that they all experienced together.

“I can’t believe it”, said McHugh. “25 years, you think it’s only around the corner. I can still remember some of the conversations from before and after the game and it’s so far away now.”

“It’ll be good now to catch up because there’s a few that have been away so they’ll all be around. They’re planning something for this Saturday evening and then Sunday as well so it will be good.”

Team

Ardara: Conor Curran, Sean Whyte, Eamon Doherty, Joseph Doherty, Martin McShane, Brendan Boyle, Kevin Byrne, Damian Diver, Francis Diver, Fergal Heena (0-01), Peter McHugh, Conal Doherty (0-01), Don Earley (0-01), Jonathon Boyle (1-02), Michael Doherty (0-04). Subs: Adrian Cunningham for Martin McShane (41 mins), Aodh Brennan for Conal Doherty, Patrick Gallagher for Jonathon Boyle, Ted Breslin for Joseph Doherty and Jimmy Brennan for Francis Diver (all 58 mins).