Harps boss Carroll ‘so happy’ for his players after historic victory

By Mark McGoldrick

DERRYGONNELLY manager Dermot Carroll hailed the character of his players after they staged a remarkable second-half comeback to claim their first-ever Fermanagh LGFA Senior Football Championship title.

The Harps showed all of their experience and determination to overturn a seven-point deficit against reigning champions Kinawley in dramatic scenes at Brewster Park on Saturday evening.

Carroll, who was joint-manager of the team along with his wife Lynne, ably assisted by coach Davy Burke, said he was “so happy” for his players after the full-time whistle.

“It’s hard to believe. I’m so happy for the girls,” the Derrygonnelly boss said.

“They’ve gone to the well year after year against the same team. It didn’t look good at one stage when we were seven down. We got the goal and it gave us the platform to build. You could see the confidence grow.”

Managing Derrygonnelly to their first senior title, alongside his wife Lynne, was extra “special” for the Harps boss.

“I’m glad she (Lynne) was on the line. Most of the year she has been on the field,” Carroll explained.

“She keeps me in check on the line and I needed a bit of extra looking after on the line when we were seven down. It’s special sharing it with Lynne.”

Carroll is in his third year in charge of the Harps ladies and he recognises the work of the many managers in previous years, who have helped develop the team and players.

“I was talking to Hughie (Kelly) earlier and the position that they got the team into, I feel a wee bit guilty that we had to push them over the line,” he said.

The Harps manager also praised his players for their commitment and preparations over the past few months.

“I couldn’t fault them. Week in, week out, they come to training ready and focused,” explained Carroll.

“They have kids in tow and they have to do all of that and I’m amazed because they come to training and they never complain. They just get on with it and they really stepped up today.

“The league final did give them a bit of confidence, but championship is a different animal.

“We got the belief and the girls knew what to do, to put their foot on the pedal and thankfully we managed to get over the line in the end,” he added.

Derrygonnelly will now turn their focus to the Ulster Senior Club Championship, when they host reigning champions Clann Éireann from Armagh, at Canon Maguire Park on Sunday, October 19.