BY RYAN FERRY
GAVIN Mulreany says he feels ‘extremely lucky’ to be part of the Donegal senior football panel at the minute.
This is Mulreany’s fourth season with the senior footballers and he’s now getting his best run in the team.
It’s not easy being the back-up goalkeeper and Donegal are fortunate to have a top netminder in Shaun Patton.
However, Mulreany has played all seven games so far this year with Patton out injured and has been a real success story.
The team have won every match and Mulreany’s performances have been excellent.
The Inver man is always upbeat and he doesn’t take his position for granted.
“We’re exceptionally lucky to be part of any kind of set-up like this.
“We’re constantly pushing for more and more all the time.
“Personally, I feel extremely lucky to be part of it.
“So many people would give anything to be part of this team, and being on the pitch makes such a difference.”
Mulreany drilled over a brace of two-point frees against Armagh but his biggest impact was a great penalty save from Oisin Conaty.
If the ball had found the net, Armagh would have only been one point behind.
Mulreany has a good reputation for stopping spot-kicks from his soccer days and he delivered once again, although he was quick to point out that his St Naul’s clubmate Brendan McCole saved the rebound.
“It’s great to make a contribution to winning any game especially in the dying minutes like that there.
“There’s a lot of effort put in. I saved from the penalty but it was Brendan who cleared off the line with the second chance.
“That penalty save means nothing without the rebound being stopped as well.
“We’re glad to get another two points and that’s eight on the board now.”
The Armagh match was a big one for McCole as he made his 100th appearance for the county.
Mulreany has played with him up through the ranks and even works with him with O’Reilly’s Sportswear so he’s well placed to talk about what the full-back offers Donegal.
“Brendan is an absolute credit to himself.
“As I have said before, Brendan was never the most talented footballer but his work ethic is second to none.
“Everything he does is about Donegal – it’s not about him.
“He wants to put Donegal in the best place possible and every time he steps onto the field or the gym he’s doing that and he’s an absolute credit.
Galway didn’t manage to find the net against Roscommon but they did score two against Mayo and three each in the games with Armagh and Kerry so Mulreany will have to be alert in Fr Tierney Park.
Confidence is high with a 100% record in the league but there is also a realisation in the Donegal camp that it’s still early in the year.
“There are so many games to be played yet.
“I think we had a similar start last year but it means nothing at this stage of the season.
“It’s great to have the points but it’s the crunch time of the season that you want the results
to be standing.”
