GERARD Melaugh says he has ‘really enjoyed’ his first year with the Donegal Masters team.
Melaugh is a Red Hughs stalwart and has given great service to his club down through the years.
He stepped away at the end of last season and has since got involved in the Aodh Ruadh management team under Seosamh Mac Ceallabhui.
However, he hasn’t closed the door on his playing days completely and the Donegal Masters have filled the void this year.
Melaugh has been pleasantly surprised by the effort that has gone in from the Donegal team throughout the year.
“This is my first year and I’ve really enjoyed it. The team have welcomed me in and it’s refreshing to be playing with boys that you would have had a lot of ‘oul battles with over the years.
“I got a few funny looks at the first training but no, it’s been grand.
“I could have played last year but I wanted to focus on my club and give it everything for one more season. The body just can’t do it at that level anymore.
“It’s good to be involved and still playing. There’s a good bunch of lads there and I think the least amount of players we had a training was 28, and you have boys coming from all over the county to make training in Convoy on a Wednesday so it’s a serious commitment.”
Melaugh is a soldier based at Finner Camp and worked alongside team manager Eddie Crawford when he was in the Defence Forces.
His clubmate Damien Browne was part of the Donegal side that reached the All-Ireland Final last year and his testimonial helped to persuade Melaugh to commit.
“I know Eddie very well.
“He would have been involved with the 28th Battalion gaelic team.
“He asked me in last year but it just didn’t work out for me.
“I know ‘Archie’ (Ruairi McLaughlin) very well and he’s a good coach and I would have been talking to Damien (Browne) a good bit about it and Gary Dunnion. I would be pally with those boys and they talked very highly of it.
“It’s something different and fresh from the club scene and it’s been good to get to know the other fellas.
“It’s definitely smarter football. The old saying of let the ball do the work definitely applies to this team.
“In fairness there have been some tough games, and you get your eyes opened with some of the boys that you be marking. You’d want to be doing a bit to keep up.
“Some of our games have been tight enough and then we have pulled away in the last ten minutes so we have shown a good level of fitness, and we have a strong squad.”
Donegal got the better of Kerry by two points in the semi-final and they have worked hard in training since that.
Dublin are the opponents and like Donegal, they have pushed hard in recent years but struggled to get by Tyrone.
The Red Hands are out of the way now and that means both teams will sense a real opportunity.
“It will be a massive step up.
“We’re under no illusions and we know we will have to be at our best definitely to go with them.
“Donegal v Dublin is a mouth-watering one and it always had been throughout the years.
“It’s no different to us and we’re looking forward to it and we’re hoping it will bring out the best in us and keep it tight and get over the line.”
Melaugh will have family, friends and clubmates making their way to Cavan to support him and there will be plenty of green and gold jerseys in attendance on Saturday.
“There’s been serious interest. There have been a lot of people asking over the last few weeks about when is it and where is it.
“I think there’s going to be a decent crowd going down and we will need all the support we can get going down.
“It’s a big day for all the team and hopefully we can do ourselves justice.”
