By Harry Walsh
IT has been a particularly hectic few weeks for Glenswilly’s teak tough full-back Eamon Ward but he wouldn’t swap it for anything.
In less than six weeks time he gets married to Sinead Doherty from Meenaneary but he admits that wedding plans will have to be put on hold for another week – at least!
“I get married in six weeks on Saturday. There’s a lot of things happening at the moment but I’ll be putting football first again this week,” he laughed.
Having proposed to Sinead in Rome between Glenswilly’s Ulster club games last year, the couple first met after Lattan – in Eamon’s native Monaghan – dumped Glenswilly out of Ulster back in 2011 so Sinead is well used to his football commitments.
“I suppose things haven’t being going too bad since then,” he smiled.
The affable vet with the Donegal Animal Hospital in Letterkenny even had his boss – Gerald Roarty – covering for him last Sunday.
“It’s good to have an understanding boss who’s good about giving me the necessary time off to play games,” he said.
Ward (33) has enjoyed his football in Donegal since first linking up with the Glenswilly club four years ago.
“It’s my third final on four years. It’s great to be back in another county final but the Glenties boys really put it up to us today. We’ll have another big test next Sunday against our neighbours,” he said.
To complete a great day personally for the Clontibret man he scored his first point in Championship football, an insurance score three minutes into injury time.
“I was lucky enough to get onto the end of that ball near the end. I didn’t realise that the time was almost up and I was glad to hear the final whistle. I did think about going for a goal for a split second before taking the safer option and whacking it over the bar,” he said.
Tasked with keeping tabs on Naomh Conaill danger man Dermot ‘Brick’ Molloy, Ward was happy enough with how he performed.
“I played a more forward role out there today as Brick was dropping deep to help out in his own defence which meant that I was getting forward more often than I usually do but he also popped up with a couple of points too so I had my hands full,” he said.
Three weeks ago Eamon was back in his native Monaghan, as a supporter, cheering on his home town club Clontibret to the county title. Last Sunday they defeated Kilcoo in the Ulster Club while they’re out against St Galls on Sunday next.
“That game (St Galls) is on the same time as the county final here in Donegal so there will be a split camp in my house. I hope things go well for them as I’m still in regular contact with the Clontibret lads,” he said.
Having scored his first Championship point yesterday – he’s scored a few in the league – Eamon is thirsty to add to his tally.
“If the opportunity presents itself against St Eunan’s I’ll have another pop at goal. I’ve got the taste for it now,” he laughed.
Next up for Eamon and Glenswilly is the 2014 Donegal county final against St Eunan’s before the preparations get underway in earnest for his impending marriage to Sinead.
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