BY SEÁN P. FEENY
After a long weekend down in Cork, the team of Naomh Mhuire landed back in Annagry to a huge reception of people that had gathered to greet their All Ireland-winning heroes.
One of the players, Ciaran 'Moses' McGinley said it was such a nice surprise for the players to see their friends, family and supporters out.
"We were all wrecked after our three games in three days and when we arrived back home at 00.30am was so great to see the huge support."
Winning an All Ireland title was certainly not something that the team had been expecting or even aiming for, Ciaran said:
"When we began pre season training we knew that our main priority would be to get promoted into division two and it still is, but winning this title for our club is just fantastic.
"We currently have a very young panel and hopefully winning this title is a sign for better things to come for the team and the club."
Ciaran said that the team was missing four to five key players due to injury and exam studies and as well as that their goalkeeper had injured himself in the week prior to the tournament.
"Our goalie, Danny Duggan, got injured and Frankie Pat Gallagher came to the rescue and helped us out.
"We are all delighted for Frankie Pat, in particular. He is 45 and hadn't played in a few years and he played so well all weekend, and it's great for him to win some silverware.
"Unfortunately he injured himself five minutes into the second half of the final and outfield player Seán Gallagher from Ranafast stepped in and took his place," said Ciaran.
"It was a very tough final and the Mayo players had a lot of misses in the first half, which was obviously good for us, so any chances we had we went for them, the whole team gave their best and thankfully came through in the end."
After winning their title, the Naomh Mhuire team stuck around to show support for their fellow Donegal and Gaeltacht men, Gaoth Dobhair.
"Being so far down the country for this tournament and then taking two cups back home into the same area is just great for Donegal" Ciaran said.
