Dominic McGlinchey is a well-known figure in Donegal soccer circles, and enjoyed an excellent playing career.

He played 27 seasons at adult level. There were 17 campaigns with Castlefinn Celtic, while he also represented South Shore United (Boston), Cappry Rovers, St Bridget’s and Glebe United.

McGlinchey came up against some quality players during that time and has this week selected the best 11 (4-4-1-1) that he came up against.

Martin Cassidy (Drumbar United)

I remember playing on the ‘bowl pitch’ in Drumbar and Martin showing his class pulling off a series of unreal saves and commanding his area. I can recall him getting an assist after collecting a corner and quickly sending it into the path of a teammate. Martin Cassidy made Drumbar a tough place to collect points.

Shaun Crossan (Kildrum Tigers)

Still a young man with loads of football in front of him, Shaun is an all-round talent on the pitch, one of those lads who can read a game very well, and has a knack of pick-pocketing the ball and turning one over on you as we found out in a few tussles with the Tigers not too long ago.

Michael Connolly (Churchtown)

I don’t know if I liked him more as a player or now as a referee! Michael made himself heard and was a commanding defender every time I met him on the pitch. Sometimes there was absolutely no social distancing between us, but always a handshake afterwards.

Arthur Lynch (Cranford)

I played with Arthur on the Ulster Schools team and appreciated his physical presence in the game. When I got to play against Arthur is was quite the opposite. A play-off game comes to mind in Ballyare where Castlefinn were all over Cranford, Arthur and co held out for the 0-0 draw and took it on penalties to stay in the Premier Division.

Seamie ‘Coshia’ Friel (Kerrykeel ’71)

Any time Seamie was in the opposition regardless of the code we were playing, his name was mentioned in the changing room beforehand. Joe McGee would have told us “don’t be letting that man play football in our half,” such was the respect he had for Seamie’s ability.

Jay Dee Alawiye (Rathmullan Celtic)

Jay Dee has had more clubs than Tiger Woods and was a serious threat at every one of them. He’s still a young man and every time we were up against him he was developing as a player; definitely a man who is constantly working on his game. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jay Dee finds a place he can call home and ends up playing at a higher level.

Patsy Mc Glanaghey (Arranmore United)

I followed Castlefinn as a young lad from when they first played in the Donegal League and the trip to Aranmore was a bit of a novelty. When I eventually got to play on Aranmore, Patsy was nearing the end of his playing days and his performance had me reflecting the whole way home about my own performance. Patsy looked like he was dancing when he got on the ball, and that’s all I got to do that day, was look. A real class footballer!

Gerard ‘Zola’ Mc Granaghan (KIlmacrennan Celtic)

Gerard was also on the Ulster Schools team that went to the Ian Rush tournaments. He was one of those lads that I struggled to get tackling with the way he juggled the ball, his passing and moving would make him a silent threat in the Premier Division even now in his forties. And Zola’s a good lad too, he was very helpful recently to Gareth Gibson and myself with a job for Donegal Youth Service. Cheers Zola! You’re lucky I’m not telling the story Paddy Long and you had a hand in creating with the disposable camera in Wales, family newspaper and all that!

Mark Hunter (Bonagee United)

I do remember getting the better of a younger Mark Hunter. I could be speculating here, but I’m thinking Aoife McGill arrived on the scene, the fitness improved, and Mark became unstoppable once he got on a run. His fitness blew me away that last time I played against him forcing me to up the training myself. His strength and power on the run would have made him a great asset to any team he played on.

Dermott Foy (St Bridget’s/Porthall)

I’ve been challenged by loads of men, could mention Dara Patton whom I’ve no doubt works tirelessly at his game, but Dermott Foy is the man I’d least want to meet on the field. Capped at international schoolboys’ level, the man had an unreal touch and a serious ability to weight a ball just right. His strength and physique made him difficult to get near let alone dispossess and he had a similar enthusiasm to his nephew Raymond that energised the players around him, which added to the challenge of playing against him.

Shane Gallagher (Deele Harps)

I probably played more football against Shane than anyone else I’ve mentioned. His record speaks for itself with his name leading the way in the scoring rankings almost every season in the Donegal League. At underage level Deele would have been light compared to Castlefinn, it didn’t matter what the score was, Shane kept going to the end. His work ethic and experience played a huge part in Castlefinn winning the Premier Division last season.