Hay happy to have achieved goal with St Eunan’s

BY RYAN FERRY

THE pen pics in the county final programme tend to throw up the occasional nugget of gold, and St Eunan’s brought a bit of fun to Sunday’s edition.

Evan Hickey described his occupation as a ‘Stay-at-home son’ while Noah Barrett classed himself as a ‘Rocket Scientist’.

Josh Hay put down ‘Shakespeare’ for his occupation and the St Eunan’s club were relieved that Sunday’s final didn’t end up like one of the revered writer’s tragedies.

It appeared that Naomh Conaill were going to retain the Dr Maguire Cup when they were ahead in injury-time but Niall O’Donnell then levelled matters with a fantastic two-pointer.

Odhran Doherty missed a chance to win the final for the Davy Brennan Memorial Park side but St Eunan’s made no mistake when they went down the field and grabbed the winner from Ciaran Moore.

Hay is actually an English teacher at the Royal & Prior in Raphoe so he knows a thing or two about drama and he was delighted that his team got their happy ending.

“It was unbelievable,” said the corner-back.

“To go down to wire like that and to come through by one point is just brilliant.

“It’s why you play the game really. Victories like that are just unreal.

“We knew it was going to be tight but we knew we had the capabilities of getting over the line and Ciaran Moore stepped up at the end with a great score.

“It’s a memory I will hold forever now. It’s what you dream of growing up.”

Hay said when he set out for Ballybofey, he knew there was a good chance the game would be decided on the closing moments.

“I think everyone was prepared that it was going to be tough against Glenties.

“We know the type of team they are and it was never going to be easy.

“The second half was nip-and-tuck. We went ahead and then they went ahead.

“But we knew ourselves that we have the ability to win a close game like that.

“It was tight in the quarter-final and tight in the semi-final, but when you’re winning it doesn’t really matter by how much, it’s just all about getting over the line.

“We knew we had it in us.”

Hay is a new face in the St Eunan’s team this season but he has been about the scene for a while.

“It’s been mainly with the reserves in other seasons.

“Last year was the first time that I was in training with the seniors when Barry (Meehan) took me in.

“Then Kieran (Donnelly) and Fearghal (Quinn) gave me a proper go at it this year.

“They gave me some minutes and a chance to show what I could do.

“Every game I went out in then I was just trying to make sure I kept hold of the jersey.

“I’m delighted personally and collectively as well. We set out at the start of the year to win the county title and we have achieved that goal now.”

With Conor Morrison and Aaron Deeney not involved for St Eunan’s this year in the championship, there were vacancies up for grabs.

However, there was plenty of competition for places and Hay knew he had to perform consistently to stay in.

The team gradually got stronger as the year progressed but Donnelly backed Hay and he stayed in the side.

“We are lucky enough that we have a lot of talent in the squad,” said Hay, who hails from Manorcunningham.

“If one man gets injured then there is someone else there ready to step up.

“We never get any weaker when a change is made.

“Everyone adds to it. You have boys that are busy with the hurling like ‘B Mac’ (Brian MacIntyre) but he was brilliant when he came on.

“I’m just happy to be playing my part in the team.”

St Eunan’s now go back into the Ulster Senior Club Championship and there will be a determination to make a good impression.

They are away to the Fermanagh champions in the quarter-final and Erne Gaels and Derrygonnelly Harps will square off this Sunday at 3.30pm.

Some clubs are happy with their lot when they win the county title but that’s certainly not the case with St Eunan’s.

“We will give it a good go. “It’s going to be hard and that’s what you would expect.

“But our confidence is going to be through the roof now after that win.

“I think that final is on Sunday so we will get a close watch at that.

“Then we will just take it game by game and that’s all we have done this year.

“It will be the same for Ulster. We will get as well prepared as we can.”