Devenney’s highlights from the Hills

IN the latest of the Our Games feature, we looked at the career of former Donegal attacking star Brendan Devenney.

Teams played for (in order): Cuchullians (Derry City), Naomh Baithan (Donegal), St Eunan’s, Naomh Colmcille (Donegal), Sons of Erin (Northhampton), St Eunan’s, Donegal New York, Donegal, Ulster and Ireland.

Current involvement: Media pundit and analyst.

Which club game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

It would have to be the county final against Ballyshannon 1999, that was a huge championship for us at the time. We hadn’t won the title from 1983 until 1997, which was contested by Ballyshannon (after the Leslie McGettigan affair). We beat them in the 1999 final and I hit 14 points.

Which club game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

I’ll never forget the ones our boys won last year. It was a huge breakthrough for us and many of the group had never tasted success previously.

YOUNG GUNS…It was important for the new crop to lift the Dr Maguire Cup last season

Which county game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

Looking back there are quite a few I’d rather forget. However, the 2003 All-Ireland quarter final replay win (0-14 to 0-11) over Galway in Castlebar was a great day. We had a good group of players around then, but the problem was that Tyrone and Armagh were also at their best.

Which county game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

Ah, that’s easy – the 1992 all Ireland, it’s self-explanatory.

What was the funniest thing you ever saw in a game?

It was the day big Neil Gallagher scored an own goal. The craic was gold on the bus on the way home.

What was the strangest thing you ever saw in a game?

Big Neil Gallagher trying to make up for that own goal by desperately trying to score at the right end.

What was the most memorable performance from a player in a game that you watched?

This was the ‘Pádraic Joyce’ All-Ireland final in 2001 when he scored ten points. He was a top man and he then came with us to Australia then for Compromise Rules Series.

What did you love about the games you played in?

That’s a deep question. It was something nothing and sometimes everything. But, I guess that’s sport. When you compete properly, you can handle defeat, but if you don’t play to your best it’s a horrible feeling.

What did you hate about the games you played in?

Same as above.